Welcome to Rotary Club of Midlothian

Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back. We meet Tuesdays at noon at Jalapeño's Lemon Pepper, 1000 George Hopper in Midlothian. You are welcome to join us!
Club News
Rotary District Governor Mike Callahan Visits September 1
 
Let's welcome our Rotary District Governor, Mike Callahan, to our meeting on September 1st, as he makes his official visit.
 

Mike Callahan is a dedicated small business owner of Farmers Insurance, running the Callahan Agency in Garland, TX. Mike and his wife Jill have been residents of Collin County for over forty-five years, where they raised their three children Tara, Shae, and Matthew in Allen.

In addition to running his own business, Mike has been an active member of the East Dallas Rotary Club and currently serves at the Prestonwood Rotary Club. He has devoted over 37 years to Rotary service, currently as the District Governor. He spent six years as Assistant Governor and has served as the AG Coordinator for Rotary’s District 5810. He was also his club’s RYLA chair for more than twenty-five years. 

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Ashley Johnson Spoke on Generational Inclusion on August 18th
 
This was a talk about how we should relate to different generational groups (x, y. millennials, etc) to be able to relate to them and interest them in some of the activities we value, whether it be Rotary, Bible study, or some other interest. Ashley coaches actors and work in youth ministries. President Gayla is her proud aunt.
Mayor Justin Coffman Spoke August 11th
 
Mayor Coffman was introduced by former mayor and current city councilman Rotarian Richard Reno. The Mayor brought along our city manager, Chris Dick, and his aide Nadia Six handled his slide presentation.  The presentation talked about our community’s growth, growing pains, ongoing projects, wish lists and such, and about what bond money has been being used to fund on a capital basis. 
Commander Jason Medina on MPD's SRO Division Presented August 4th
 
We got an update on Midlothian Police Department's cooperative effort with MISD, the School Resource Officer Program, on August 4th. Commander Jason Medina made the presentation. It was interesting to see the things these officers do to support security in our public schools in Midlothian.  Jason shown with our honorarium children's book and President Gayla.
 
We also had some officers there promoting Neighborhood Night Out, or NNO, which our Rotary Club helps support. We had a group picture made with some of the promotional materials. However, I don't have that picture at this time.
Midlothian Rotary Service Above Self Award Given to Jason Horne July 28th
 
We presented our Rotary Club's Service Above Self Award to Midlothian Firefighter Jason Horne on July 28th. On July 4th, his quick thinking and actions saved the lives of 3 children trapped under an overturned boat on Alvarado Lake. His heroism has made the national news and he has received special recognition from the City of Midlothian City Council.
 
We also recognized the part his daughter, Emilie, played in contacting 911 and other helping tasks, and gave her a Youth Courage Award. That took clear thinking and courage, too.
 
We were honored to have them both at our meeting July 28th.
RYLA Camp 2026 Report Was July 21, 2026
 
Aubrey and Giana were 2 of the 5 campers we chose to attend our Rotary District's RYLA Camp this year at Camp Hoblitzelle. They told us about their experiences, how the camp was different than what they expected, what a typical day was like, how they were assigned to different groups according to their personality or leadership style. 
Manna House Outreach Exec Director Norma Belcher Spoke July 7
 
Manna House's Norma Belcher brought us up to date on what's been going on with this local charity our Rotary Club has helped support for many years. She also gave us information on the Mayor's Back to School Block Party to be held downtown on the morning of August 1st.  We are one of the sponsors of that event for gathering school supplies and other items needed for the new school year. 
 
New Rotary President Gayla Johnson got to present her first children's library book to a speaker as our honorarium. We are now supplying the children's section of the new Midlothian Public Library at Midlothian City Hall.
We Enjoyed Bingo & Bites on June 30th
 
Cammy handled the food sign up and incoming President Gayla brought us part of our entertainment, a fun game something like bingo. Most of us dressed like we were heading to an Independence Day parade or fireworks display. The food was all tasty.
 
 
At the end we had a few of us enter a best costume contest. Participants are pictured here. Don Ellis wound up taking the prize trophy.
 
Thanks to Marsha and Tom Hawbaker for hosting this event. They were gracious hosts and the venue at their home was just right.
Passing of the Gavel on June 23rd
 
Outgoing President John Piper ceremoniously passed the gavel to incoming President Gayla Johnson on June 23rd. Official change date as with all Rotary Club presidents is July 1, 2026. Congratulations to Gayla on her new job and to John for a job well done.
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Special Recognition of Midlothian Rotary by SAR
 
Philip Taylor with the Ellis County Chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution made a special presentation to us on June 23rd. This was a "CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION in Recognition of Exemplary Patriotism in the Display of THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." This was recognizing the community impact of the community service aspect of our Old Glory Flag program.  Philip dressed up like it was 1776 and we enjoyed his company at the meeting.
RYLA Camper Andy Palacios
 
We are planning on having a program by our RYLA 2026 Campers on July 21, but Andy Palacios will be unable to attend that, so we invited him to come and say a few words at our meeting on June 23. He thanked the club for the opportunity to attend RYLA Camp and shared his ambitions in life. Always great to have our RYLA Campers talk about how RYLA has influenced their outlook on life.
Stephen Hidlebaugh Spoke June 16th
 
Stephen Hildebaugh, known for his business' development of Founders Row, talked about several other projects he is involved with around Midlothian, especially the ones that will make the downtown area more appealing and accessible.
Chamber Pres and CEO Victoria Roberts Spoke June 9
 
Victoria shared some things about herself and her background prior to coming to the Chamber. She was happy to be able to serve at the Chamber since she had lived in Midlothian for several years prior while involved in mainly the aerospace industry. She talked about the way the Chamber promotes business and local activities, and partnering with organizations like Rotary and Lions. Picture is with our President John Piper and the book for the children's section at the Midlothian Public Library donated in her honor.
National Night Out Presentation by MPD - CATT Was June 2
 
Soon to retire MPD officer Scott Hughes led a presentation about this year's National Night Out, to take place on October 6. This is one of the projects overseen by MPD's Community Action Through Teamwork (CATT) organization. We also had Chaplain Larry Atchley at our meeting. Midlothian Rotary helps sponsor this event, but CATT is always looking for more sponsors. 
Nathan Arthur of Jameson Grace Media Spoke May 19th
 
Nathan Arthur founded Jameson Grace Media with his wife.  He talked about business on the internet and the use of professional webpage design, publicizing businesses on the internet, paying for advertising and the like. He told about how he got into this business, his family (which he's pointing to in the picture above) and his faith.
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PTSD Foundation DFW Chapter - Justin Burkett Presented May 5th
Our program was about the PTSD Foundation of America, presented by DFW Chapter assistant manager Justin Burkett. He presented some sobering statistics about suicides and mental illness after soldiers depart a combat area or are discharged from the service. He also talked about Camp Hope, a place in the Houston area where veterans can go to stay for a short term and get some help. 
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Project Hand Up - Darren Collins Presented April 21
 
Darren's non-profit has had great success in Kenya with public service hygiene announcements, both at live puppet shows and on broadcast television. He showed a couple of videos that showcased the work his organization has done.  
 
His immediate concern is getting a long-term supply of the high quality large hand puppets that are used in his presentations, as shown above. The manufacturer in DeSoto is going out of business and Darren is trying to get funding together to buy a lot of their completed puppets.
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Upcoming Events
 
Rotary and our volunteer partners will display the flags for Memorial Day, Flag Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Patriots Day, and Veterans Day.  Proceeds support local Scouting programs, youth leadership camp, scholarships, and local organizations like Meals on Wheels and Manna House.
 
To have an American Flag set up in your yard at a cost of $50 per flag per year
click on the Flag Program link above.
or click below. 
RSS
‘One simple word’
‘One simple word’
Leaders highlight the power of gratitude at The Rotary Foundation Donor Summit
Talking reading and Rotary with Dolly Parton
Talking reading and Rotary with Dolly Parton
The entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton died 25 August 2026. This Q&A was originally published in the March 2010 issue of The Rotarian (now Rotary) magazine. Later that year, she spoke at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal, Canada.