TERRE HAUTE —
Business leaders Bob Baesler and Sally Stewart received community service awards Tuesday from the Terre Haute Rotary Club, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Baesler was presented the Paul Harris Community Service Award, presented annually to a non-Rotarian for volunteer activities and as a business leader. The award is named in memory of Paul Harris, who founded Rotary International in 1905 in Chicago.
Stewart received the Four Avenues of Service Award, presented to a Rotary member for achievements in vocational, international, community and club service. Those are the four areas of service that compose Rotary International’s mission of service above self, said Santana Naidu, club president.
Baesler told Rotary members that his first Rotary meeting was 38 years ago, attending with Rotarian and Terre Haute attorney Tom Newlin. It was 1974 and Baesler had just opened a grocery store in Sullivan.
“Tom was definitely the youngest person in the room and is still the youngest-looking person in the room,” Baesler said of Newlin.
Baesler said because of an attendance commitment, he could not join Rotary. “At that time you actually needed a doctor’s excuse to miss a meeting. It was pretty strict,” he joked.
“I do thank you for your friendship, your business and this award,” Baesler said.
After the meeting, Baesler said the “attendance requirement when we bought the store in Sullivan was not going to be practical. It is ironic that in my second Rotary meeting, we just recently bought a store in Sullivan again. The award is an honor, but I am not sure how deserving, as Rotary members do so much in the community,” Baesler said.
The club has presented the Paul Harris award for the past 10 years. Previous award recipients include Bob Fisher, John Moore, Don Smith, Michael Kennedy, Dee Walters, David Patterson, Sister Marie Kevin Tighe, Dr. Randy Stevens and David Doerr.
Baesler is a 1972 graduate of Indiana State University, who in 2009 was appointed by Gov. Mitch Daniels to ISU’s board of trustees. He also serves as a board member for the Swope Art Museum, Wabash Valley Crime Stoppers and Terre Haute Savings Bank.
Bart Colwell, president of Terre Haute Savings Bank, presented this year’s Four Avenues of Service Award to Stewart. Colwell was last year’s award recipient.
Stewart, along with husband, Bill, own B&S Plumbing and Heating Inc. Stewart was recognized for success in developing the company into a mulit-million dollar business, which has supported numerous local and nonprofit organizations.
Stewart is a certified public accountant, serves on the United Way of the Wabash Valley’s board of directors and campaign cabinet and is its vanguard chair. She is a recipient of the Richard Newport Award for her service to the United Way. She has also served as vice president of Catholic Charities Agency Advisory Council. She is also a eucharistic minister at Union Hospital on behalf of St. Joseph University Parish.
Stewart is a member of the Terre Haute Rotary Club board of directors, has served as attendance secretary and fellowship chair, and is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.
Stewart, a Rotarian for eight years, said she was surprised to get the award. “We had a board meeting [Monday] and they said they would give out this award, but I had no idea that I qualified,” Stewart said.
Among her community work, Stewart is active in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. “I head that up at the [Vigo County Public] library. We do free taxes for the elderly and the indigent,” she said.
Stewart was also the first female member of the Terre Haute Boys and Girls Club when it converted to a male and female club. Stewart also served as president of that club. She also volunteers with her mother at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
The Terre Haute Rotary Club is the 84th oldest Rotary club among the 32,000 Rotary clubs in 200 countries. Club president Naidu, who ended his term Tuesday, said the club met a goal this year to increase its active membership to 150 from 143, and the club made donations of about $15,000.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@
tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Stewart - Baesler: Sally Stewart and Bob Baesler were presented Rotary awards for community service Tuesday afternoon.
Discussion
Rotary honors business leaders
Community service efforts of Bob Baesler, Sally Stewart recognized
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Holcomb, other top leaders leaving Indiana GOP helm
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Republican Party Chairman Eric Holcomb leads a number of high-level departures from the state party half a year after the 2012 elections.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: June 19, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Tuesday and Wednesday, based on jail records.
-
Right lane of U.S. 41 South closed at Harlan Road
VIGO COUNTY, Ind. – An intersection improvement project on U.S. 41 and Harlan Road has closed the right lane for southbound traffic beginning today. This lane closure is scheduled to last about one month.
-
Terre Haute Coke & Carbon: Cleaning up a legacy
When heavy equipment starts moving dirt next week at the former Terre Haute Coke and Carbon industrial site, city officials hope a new day will be dawning for a long-neglected part of town.
-
Diversity growing: New census report shows changing face of Indiana
Like the rest of the nation, Indiana is continuing on a trend toward greater diversity as the numbers of Hispanics, blacks, Asians and other minorities are rising at a faster pace than whites.
-
Valley following diversity path of nation, Indiana
Like much of Indiana, the majority white population in the Wabash Valley is on the decline, while minority populations are on the increase.
-
Court lets walkout fines against House Democrats stand
House Democrats who had to pay more than $100,000 in fines after they walked out of the Indiana Statehouse two years ago during a legislative session won’t get the help they sought from the Indiana Supreme Court.
-
Arrest made, victim identified in Rosedale homicide
The victim in a Parke County homicide that occurred last week has been identified as Kathryn A. Bays, 55, of Rosedale.
-
Vermillion industrial park gets award for transition
The Vermillion Rise Mega Park, a former chemical weapons base now an industrial park north of Clinton, has gotten national attention for its rapid transition to civilian from military use.
-
Slight damage from evening storm
Very little damage was reported from a late evening storm that rolled through the Wabash Valley on Tuesday.
-
U.S. 41 lane restrictions
Motorists should expect delays because of lane restrictions on U.S. 41 in Sullivan County next week as a railroad company repairs a rail crossing 1.2 miles north of Shelburn.
-
Lane restrictions next week on U.S. 41 at Shelburn
SHELBURN, Ind. – Motorists should expect minimal delays because of lane restrictions for U.S. 41 in Sullivan County next week as the railroad company makes repairs to the rail crossing 1.2 miles north of Shelburn.
-
Reputed Mafioso tip triggers new Hoffa body search
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The FBI saw enough merit in a reputed Mafia captain’s tip to once again break out the digging equipment to search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, last seen alive before a lunch meeting with two mobsters nearly 40 years ago.
-
UPDATE: Parke County homicide victim identified
ROSEDALE — The victim in a Parke County homicide that occurred last week has been identified as Kathryn A. Bays, 55, of Rosedale.
-
Court lets walk-out fines against House Democrats stand
INDIANAPOLIS — House Democrats who had to pay more than $100,000 in fines after they walked out of the Indiana Statehouse won’t get the help they sought from the Indiana Supreme Court.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: June 18, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Monday and Tuesday, based on jail records.
-
Back home again: Items from vaudeville stage and Terre Haute native sent to Historical Society
The staff at the Vigo County Historical Museum are excited about the arrival of priceless items used by Terre Haute-native Rose Fehrenbach and her husband, Edward Pierce, to promote their Vaudeville acts in the early 20th century.
-
Husband charged in Archer homicide
Terre Haute Police have found local reports of domestic violence between a Terre Haute man and his wife, whose body was discovered wrapped in a tarp and dumped in an Ohio ditch.
-
National Road panels dedicated
Rewind to the mid-1800s, when the trotting of a horse and buggy on National Road could be heard alongside the voices of people heading west, searching for opportunities.
-
Pence sets agency priorities
Following a directive from Gov. Mike Pence, state agency heads are reorganizing some of their top priorities to better reflect the first-year governor’s “roadmap for Indiana” plan for improving the state’s economy, infrastructure and health.
-
Another I-70 traffic snarl: Three injured in two related crashes
Three people were injured Monday afternoon from a pair of crashes on Interstate 70 that temporarily closed the highway and diverted traffic into Terre Haute.
-
Terre Haute man still hospitalized after scooter/car crash
A Terre Haute man remained hospitalized Monday at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis after his scooter struck a car early Saturday on Wabash Avenue at 25th Street.
-
Overpass repairs causing Interstate 70 lane restrictions
Repairs to the Frye Road overpass in southeastern Vigo County has caused a restriction to the left lane of Interstate 70 between the 13- and 14-mile markers, about two miles east of the Indiana 46 exit.
-
Indiana woman condemned for killing at 15 is freed
A woman who was sentenced to death at age 16 for taking part in the torture and murder of a 78-year-old Bible studies teacher was released from an Indiana prison Monday after growing to middle age behind bars.
-
Grant will let Vigo Library evaluate map collection
The Vigo County Public Library has received a $2,000 grant to evaluate its historic map collection, a library official announced Monday.
-
Four juveniles caught on elementary school roof; one injured jumping off
Police say a juvenile was lucky to have suffered only a broken leg after jumping from the roof of a Vigo County elementary school – dropping about 30 feet to the ground.
-
Farmersburg man sentenced after guilty plea in rape case
A Farmersburg man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to a rape that occurred at his parents’ residence in May 2012.
-
Still no information being released on Rosedale homicide
No new information was being released Monday afternoon concerning a Rosedale homicide.
-
Woman condemned for killing at age 15 freed from Rockville prison
INDIANAPOLIS — A woman who was sentenced to death at age 16 for taking part in the torture and murder of a 78-year-old bible studies teacher was released from an Indiana prison today after growing to middle age behind bars.
-
UPDATE: All lanes of I-70 now open
All lanes of Interstate 70 in Vigo County are now open — as of 4:15 p.m. — after multiple crashes shut down the eastbound lanes temporarily this afternoon.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Holcomb, other top leaders leaving Indiana GOP helm
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On'
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Raw: NASCAR Driver Jason Leffler Dies in Wreck
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Failed Cuba-to-Florida Swimmer Won't Try Again
Obama: 'Lives Have Been Saved' by NSA Programs
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Paula Deen Admits to Using N Word
Rihanna Hits Fan With Microphone
Men's Wearhouse Founder Fired
Miss Utah Explains Rambling Response
Exclusive: Locklear & Seymour Lock Lips
Miami Heat Wins in Overtime
Fists, chairs fly in restaurant brawl
Journalist Michael Hastings Dies in Fiery Hollywood Crash
Hairy Leg Stockings Aim to Deflect Male Attention
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
