It wasn’t like the first 20 plus years of the Chili Cook-off when our club put on the Chili Cook-off in the Borough of West Chester, with up to 10,000 attendees from near and far, 45 to 50 costumed chili teams, lots of vendors, a kid’s zone (masterfully handled by Christine Wildauer), and eventually a “Pepper Drop.” But we have been at the cook-off since two years ago when we turned the cook-off over to the non-profit, Fiorenzo’s Food For Friends (F4).It wasn’t like the first 20 plus years of the Chili Cook-off when our club put on the Chili Cook-off in the Borough of West Chester, with up to 10,000 attendees from near and far, 45 to 50 costumed chili teams, lots of vendors, a kid’s zone (masterfully handled by Christine Wildauer), and eventually a “Pepper Drop.” But we have been at the cook-off since two years ago when we turned the cook-off over to the non-profit, Fiorenzo’s Food For Friends (F4).
Chester County Rotarians recently rappelled to raise funds for the Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS) program. Charles Streitwieser, strapped in rappelling gear, his son Charlie, along with Michael Karwic, represented our club and participated in a recent event. Along with Rotarians form the Sunrise and Passport clubs, and two honorary Rotarians, they rappelled off a 30-story building at 2 Commerce Square in Philadelphia. Members of our club have participated previously in these rappelling events.
At a recent luncheon meeting of our club, we awarded our third Community Partner Award to Blue Dog Printing and Design. Steve Brown, a special friend of the awardees, explained what the Community Partner Award is, then said, “I've been a Rotarian for 38 years, and a member of this club for almost 9, and I can say, without qualification, Bill and Debi Friedmann, owners of Blue Dog, have given more to this club, in time, talent, and treasures, than anyone I've ever known in all those years!! And I'm not exaggerating.”
1
Comment
Miranda Reilly and Tom Rowland (man behind the camera), newer members of our Rotary Club, represented our club at the recent West Chester University (WCU) Career Fair to let students know about Rotary, its mission and service activities, volunteer efforts and events. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the two WCU graduates visited with students, answered questions, handed out informational materials about Rotary, and invited students to a Thursday noon luncheon meeting with us at the West Chester Golf and Country Club. Through the years, our club has welcomed a number of WCU graduates to our club, several even taking leadership roles!
The months-long excitement and activity surrounding our club’s 4-Way Raffle is over, but the funds, all of which ended up going to area non-profits, will benefit needy folks for many months – even years!Catherine Friedman, who spearheaded the raffle, significantly aided by Melissa Baxter, reports the total funds raised was $46,200, with $11,000 of the amount from donations, and the remainder from the 1,760 tickets that were sold. Glenda Brion, Suzette Connors and Chuck Heckenberger picked the winning tickets. President Kyle congratulated the winners at a recent luncheon meeting.
Our Rotary Club recently received recognition from Rotary International, a Club Excellence Award. Current club president, Kyle Rheiner, at a recent luncheon meeting, presented the award to Catherine Friedman, who was president of the club in the 2024-25 program year, providing outstanding leadership, directing and overseeing the activities of our club. Our club is one of just five clubs of the 54 in our 7450 District to earn this award! Other clubs who also earned the award are Chester, Chestnut Hill, Glendale-Abbington and King of Prussia.
For the 13th year in a row, the Rotary Club of West Chester has donated school supplies to the West Chester Area School District (WCASD), this year joined by two other area clubs.. “One of the club goals on our strategic plan this year is to mesh with other clubs often,” said Kyle Rheiner, president of the Rotary Club of West Chester.
Our club finally received its award as the Best Non-profit Float in the 2024 Christmas Parade by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s recent Christmas in July networking event at 9 Prime. Michelle Venema and Andrew Stump, float co-chairs, were there to receive the statuette, along with about a dozen club members, including outgoing club president, Catherine Friedman, and newly inducted president, Kyle Rheiner. Santa even popped in to express congratulations to the Rotary Club!
At a recent luncheon meeting, the West Chester Golf and Country Club (WCGCC) was recognized with a Partner Award by our club. President Catherine presented the award to Joe Dugan, WCGCC Board president, who accepted the award on behalf of the country club. In presenting the award, Friedman said “The Rotary Club honors the WCGCC for its outstanding dedication to community service, unwavering commitment to excellence, and longstanding partnership.
Catherine Friedman turned over our club leadership to Kyle Rheiner at a gala induction that nearly blew us away! A significant storm, with rain, lightning and high winds hit the deck of the West Chester Golf and Country Club, where we hold our annual auction in conjunction with our presidential induction. Thankfully, the club staff hurriedly recovered our auction items that were blown around the deck, and repositioned them neatly on tables inside. It’s doubtful that any of the other 34,000 Rotary clubs around the world, holding inductions, had such a lively experience!
Rotarians and friends gathered recently to assist a new to our club non-profit, Pedals for Progress (P4P). The organization’s mission is to empower sustainable economic development by recycling bicycles from the United States, and shipping them to marginalized people in the developing world.Stepping up to help recently, under the club leadership of Mac Neilon, were from left) Mark Sammarone, Mac, Gary Hewitt, Jeff Cantwell, Rotary friend Rick Waltz, P4P leader Alan Schultz, and new Rotarian, Tom Rowlands. This team worked on 43 bicycles that will be shipped to Guatemala.
The last weekend of April brought multiple opportunities for club members to don their Rotarian At Work tee shirts and volunteer in multiple ways.The Annual Marshall Square Park Clean-up Project found over 20 folks, which included family members and friends joining club members, with gloves, rakes, wheelbarrows and other tools in hand to clean the popular park. Donuts and beverages provided early morning treats for hungry volunteers. Afterward, many of the folks headed down the street to Bob and Sue Rogers home where the Rogers provided a delicious barbecue as they have generously done in past years.
At a Daily Local News Accepts Partner Award recent luncheon meeting, President Catherine Friedman presented the club’s very first Partner award to the Daily Local News (DLN). Bill Rettew, longtime DLN photographer and journalist, accepted the award on behalf of the DLN. Participating in the presentation along with Friedman, were Cathy Palmquist, Communications Committee member, and Jeff Cantwell, Communications Committee Chairman.In presenting the award, Friedman said “The Rotary Club proudly honors the DLN for its outstanding dedication to community service, unwavering commitment to excellence, and longstanding partnership. The DLN has partnered with our club in publishing numerous photos and articles of the club’s activities and events, enabling DLN readers to learn of important activities, and the support of Rotarians good works near and far”.
As we know, there are Rotary clubs all around the world. Sometimes we learn about them before we travel, and if the day and time work out, we may even plan to visit them.Anne and Joe Driscoll, very active members of our West Chester club, unexpectantly came upon one of these other clubs. On their recent 10 day East Indies Cruise, their trip took them to Tortola, Puerto Rico, where they found a Welcome sign pole announcing the Rotary Club of Central Tortola.
Diana Liberi was the top winner in the annual Super Bowl Pool that attracted numerous Rotarians, family members and friends to take a chance at picking the game winners. But the real winner was our Rotary Club of West Chester for whom the pool brought in $1,200! Mac Neilon is the organizer and promoter of this popular fundraiser each year, and makes sure that every box on the chart is filled by game day. 
Our Rotary family always enjoys opportunities for getting together, and what a stunning location to do so for our holiday party this year than at the home of Glenda and Skip Brion! Lovely holiday decorations and warming fireplaces filled every room, providing many comfortable places to gather. The photos of the party tell it all!
For more years than most can remember, members and friends of the Rotary Club of West Chester have spent one entire Saturday in December ringing bells for the Salvation Army, one of SA’s major fundraising events. And this year was no different, just colder, as 24 members and 6 Passport members kept the bells ringing and thanked shoppers for donations at the Amish Market and Shop Rite grocery store.
Adding to the sparkle of our Rotary float, which received first place in the Non-profit Division of the West Chester Christmas Parade, a handful of Rotarians waved to appreciative crowds along the streets from atop the impressive float. In addition, between 30 and 40 Rotarians marched alongside the float dressed in bright red and green costumes, waving red and green pompoms. Along with their red and green attire, Chuck Heckenberger and Connell O’Brien (walking at each end of the banner held by marchers) were handsomely attired in colorful kilts. As one marcher commented, “It was cold, but fun!”
Michelle Venema and Andrew Stump were the designers and producers of our club's entry in the Borough of West Chester's annual Christmas Parade.
Having not participated in the parade itself for a number of years - we've decorating flagpoles, provided parade marshals and such previously - this year Michelle and Andrew spearheaded the float project which turned out to be a prize-winning vision!
One of the longest running traditions of the Rotary Club of West Chester is the Tuesday Before Thanksgiving gathering at the Side Bar in the Borough of West Chester. This annual gathering seems to be the kick-off for the upcoming holiday season for club members as they gather to socialize before the numerous holiday events.
As part of Chester County History Center’s “Season of Lights,” our club added to the festive display with a “Rotary Around the World” decorated Christmas Tree. We were invited to decorate a tree by one of our club members, Pachy Banks-Cabral, who also happens to be the development director at the History Center. 
Even though the annual, popular October Chili Cook-off was hosted by Fiorenza’s Food For Friends (4F) instead of our Rotary Club, and the footprint for the event was smaller than in the previous 21 years, an estimated 11,000 chili lovers managed to spend a beautiful fall afternoon eating chili in the Borough of West Chester. A dedicated group of Rotarians even managed to prepare a huge pot of healthy, hearty, one-pot Quick Turkey Chili, named 4-Way Hi-Test Chili for which the chili loving crowd awarded it second place in the non-profit organization division for the People’s Choice Award contest. Thanks to our cooks, Diana Liberi, Rich Murray, Jeff Cantwell, Charles Streitwieser, and newer member Connell O’Brien, who stirred up the tasty fare. Rich’s wife, Katie and their son brought the makings to the Providence Church, which gave generous use of their commercial kitchen for our chili preparation.
One of our outstanding Rotarians, Mac Neilon, was just named the 2023 Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce at its annual banquet, and presented his award by Chamber President Katie Walker! Numerous fellow Rotarians attended the banquet in his honor.
One of our newest club members, Miranda Reilly, volunteered to attend the West Chester University (WCU) annual Volunteer and Non-profit Fair on campus. Along with Jeff Cantwell, Miranda answered questions, explained Rotary, locally and internationally, and passed out informational brochures to about seven students who stopped by our table during the afternoon.
With funds generated by last year’s Chili Cook-off, grants were awarded to nine non-profits by the Community Philanthropic Committee (CPC) on behalf of our Rotary club.Grant recipients included (front row, from left) Glenda Brion, Community Warehouse Project, Heather Robino, Parish Hall Kitchen, Jacquie Finnan-Hemmer, A Child’s Light, Kara Todd, Believe and Achieve Foundation, Kathleen Sanger, Home of the Sparrow, and (standing from left) Christine Scott, CPC Co-coordinator, Kenneth Winston, Charles A. Melton Arts and Education Center, Ken Hutton, Housing Partnership of Chester County, Don Neimetz, North Star of Chester County, Catherine Friedman, Rotary Club President, Courtney Zimmerman, Bournelyf Special Camp, and Rob Malone, CPC Co-coordinator.
Rotarians from our club, headed up by our Rotary Day of Service coordinator, Mac Neilon, including Joe Driscoll, Patty Jefferis, Melissa Baxter and Katie Martin, returned to the project C.U.R.E. warehouse at Dansko in West Grove recently.This was the second time our club members helped out at the C.U.R.E. warehouse this year. Several helped out at the collaboration of the four area Rotary clubs in April.
Play Ball!Kate Diffenderfer, Doug Meis and Melissa Baxter were among the Rotarians from District 7450 who attended this year's annual Philadelphia Phillies baseball game to raise funds for our international program, PolioPlus.
Rotarians sold over 500 tickets to the game, which entitled our District Governor Francy Cross to throw out the first ball. Not only did eight dollars of every ticket sold go to PolioPlus, but the game provided an opportunity for Rotarians throughout the district to participate in this shared fellowship activity with Rotarians from other clubs. And, the funds raised are matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation! A win win for all!
Thanks to Phil McFadden for capturing this fun photo for us.
Mailing Address:
Rotary Club of West Chester
PO Box 743
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19381-0743 USA
West Chester Rotary meets every Thursday at Noon at the
West Chester Country Club,
West Chester Country Club,
111 West Ashbridge Street,
West Chester, PA USA
West Chester, PA USA
Programs begin at 12:20pm
Club Business Meeting
Nov 20, 2025 12:00 PM
Classification Talk by Ken Marx. New member induction, Rotary Foundation Appeal