Rotarians name award winners

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle Rotary Club singled out three individuals for special recognition at its annual awards luncheon program, which was conducted at Quail Creek Golf Resort’s Conference Center.
Honored as the club’s 31st and 32nd Paul Harris Fellowship winners since 1983 were Rotarians Susan Hines, president of Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, and Bob Francis, a retired engineer and chairman of the Hartselle Development Board.
In presenting the awards, Secretary-Treasurer David Burleson explained that for each Rotarian that is chosen as a Harris Fellow $1,000 goes into the Rotary International Foundation and is used to help finance benevolent programs throughout the world. He mentioned the eradication of polio and food production programs in third world countries.
Each of the recipients received a Paul Harris medallion, lapel pin and a certificate of achievement to commemorate the honor.
Honored as recipient of the club’s third annual “Citizen of the Year” award was Joy Sue Groover, director of the Good Samaritan Program at First United Methodist Church in Hartselle.
In his introduction of Mrs. Groover, Burleson stated, “Most people know Joy Sue as the ‘go to’ person if you want to get help for a struggling family that needs food, clothing or shelter. She has helped so many needy people during the 265 years or so she has been associated with the Good Samaritan program.”
A native of Hartselle, Mrs. Groover has served in a number of county schools as a substitute teacher, served as a PTO officer and been a director for Morgan County Habitat for Humanity. She and her husband Joe have been married for 49 years and they have two children and three grandchildren.