Bill Giessing, Roger Edmonds, and Gary and Bonnie Whiting have participated in the RCSL Dictionary Project for 23 consecutive years.
Rotarians Gift Close to 100,000 Dictionaries
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
Under Rotary Club of Sun Lakes member Roger Edmond’s leadership and with hands on deck with RCSL members, other Rotarians, Hamilton High School Students and some friends, the 23rd year of preparing and delivering 4,000 dictionaries (close to 100,000 dictionaries in 23 years) at Hamilton High School is in progress. The dictionaries will be provided to all third graders in Chandler Unified School District and the Gila River Indian Education Community. Thank you all volunteers! See www.sunlakesrotary.com.
RCSL Recognizes Members for Philanthropic Gifts
Dr. Honora Norton, Public Image Director
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes recognized members for their philanthropic gifts to The Rotary International Foundation (TRF). TRF is the charitable arm of Rotary International (RI), funding humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs, i.e. fighting disease (like the global effort to eradicate polio), providing clean water and sanitation, supporting basic education, saving mothers and children, growing local economies, and promoting peace. Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges gifts to Rotary International’s Annual Fund, PolioPlus or and approved RI global grants. Members earn Paul Harris Fellow recognition by giving directly to Rotary Foundation or through member gifts of points earned from his/her individual donations.
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes Plans 33rd Golf Tournament
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes is readying for its “33rd Tee it Up for Education Golf Tournament.” The March 7 event has a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start at Sun Lakes Oakwood Country Club. Over $4,000 in prizes for Men’s and Women’s Flights. Golfer price is $175 ($200 after 12/31/2026). 19th hole admission is $25. Join Rotarians and friends for a fun event with 18 holes golf, cart, lunch, drone drops, and at hole golf competitions. Join the fellowship, silent auction, wine pull, food and awards after golfing—all benefiting youth and teacher education programs. Register at: rcslgolf.com.
Why Active Adults Join the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes
Gary Whiting, Past RCSL President and District Governor
For Sun Lakes residents—an active adult community known for energy, generosity, and civic pride—joining the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) offers a meaningful way to stay engaged, connected, and influential in shaping the East Valley and Arizona’s tribal communities.
Rotary is more than a weekly meeting. It is a hands on, people centered network where adults fifty and older can use their lifetime of skills, leadership, and experience to make a visible difference. RCSL members say Rotary gives them a renewed sense of purpose at a time when staying active and socially connected matters most.
The RCSL is known as “The Education Club” for its decades long commitment to students and teachers. Members help run youth leadership programs, award scholarships, student mentoring, recognize outstanding educators, and distribute thousands of dictionaries to third grade students each year—including those of the Gila River Indian Community. These projects give Sun Lakes residents a direct, personal way to support the next generation.
Rotary provides a strong social circle built around shared values. Weekly meetings feature guest speakers from business, education, tribal leadership, healthcare, and global humanitarian organizations. Members enjoy club socials, volunteer events, and the camaraderie that comes from working together on meaningful projects.
Whether you are interested in international service, local partnerships, fundraising, or simply meeting new friends, Rotary offers opportunities to stay mentally sharp, physically active, and socially connected. Retirement is not about slowing down—it is about choosing how to spend your time. Rotary helps you use your talents and passions to improve lives close to home and around the world.
If you are looking for purpose, friendship, and a way to give back, Rotary may be your next great chapter. Visit www.sunlakesrotary.com to learn more, click “Contact Us” if you are interested in getting involved or contact membership Chair Dee Cox at 206-372-1806.
Left to right: RCSL Rotarians Debbie Bailey, Chloe Hanken, Penny Rings, Sharon Flood, and Ann Diamond, gathered at Hamilton High School to prepare labels that will be inserted into the 6,000 dictionaries that will be delivered by RCSL members and friends in 2026. Not in photo: Neil Cutler and Jim O’Connell. (photo by Neil Cutler)
RCSL Preps for Delivery of Over 6,000 Dictionaries
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
In the summer of 2002, Rotary Club of Sun Lakes Rotarian Dwight Grotewold visited the Rotary Club of Logan, Utah, where he learned about their innovative elementary school initiative known as “A Dictionary for Third Graders.” Drawing on his experience as a former K-12 teacher and his recent retirement as Vice President of Admissions for the University of Colorado, Dwight championed the idea and presented it to the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes board and the club members. The proposal was approved for implementation during Rotary year 2003-04 with Dwight leading the way with fundraising and all club members helping in a “sticker work projects” to prepare the dictionaries with stickers showing the Rotary International logo, The Rotary 4-Way Test, RCSL Club label depicting who made the donation possible, and a Rotary Book Mark. RCSL continues its legacy of education programs by again distributing over 6,000 dictionaries in 2026 to third graders in the Chandler Unified School District and Gila River Indian Community.
Electronics Recycling Event November 7
Save the date! The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL), partnering with AZStRUT will be sponsoring an electronics recycling event on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to noon. 9666 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes at the west end of the parking lot near Dobson and Riggs.
Donated electronics will be recycled or refurbished for use by Arizona Schools or nonprofits. Drop off computers, laptops, and accessories, IPads, cellphones, flat panel televisions, monitors, printers, cables, power supplies, DVD and VCR players, and calculators.
Sorry, no early drop-offs. To volunteer, contact Debbie Bailey at 217-371-1953.
RCSL VP Neil Cutler is ready to welcome visitors to RCSL’s hospitality table at the event.
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes Welcomes Visitors to 2026 Sun Lakes Oktoberfest
Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes partnered with Sun Lakes Country Club on Sept. 19 and welcomed guests to an Oktoberfest community celebration. The members enjoyed the opportunity to inform the community of RCSL’s legacy, membership, events, service projects and socials; and looks forward to participating again in 2027.
RCSL Club President Kiamesha Guy, RCSL Education Committee member Rebecca Kerr, Lisa Schwalger, and Jill Lewkowski.
RCSL Names CUSD Teachers of the Month
Dr. Honora Norton
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) congratulates Jill Lewkowski, Teacher at CUSD Knox Gifted Academy and Lisa Schwalger, Economics Teacher at Chandler High School for being named RCSL’s August and September 2026 Chandler Unified School District Teachers of the Month. Jill, who has 30 years teaching experience, is known for creating innovative experiences that challenge her students. Lisa, who has 18 years teaching experience, is known for creating learning environments where students can thrive.
RCSL Teacher of the Month Chairperson, Rebecca Kerr thanks RCSL corporate members Earnhardt Automotive and TrustBank who jointly sponsor the $500 check given to each RCSL Teacher of the Month. For more information see www.sunlakerotary.com.