Sammy York installed as Rotary president
By GREG COLLINS for the News Herald

Sammy York, new president of Rotary, congratulates outgoing president David Castles for an excellent year as the two exchange pins. York begins his year as president today. He is a longtime member of Rotary who is nearing his fifth anniversary of being in the Kilgore club.

Sammy York was installed as Kilgore Rotary Club President by Steve Brown of Kilgore, District Governor, at a banquet this week at Meadowbrook Country Club.

York, the President and CEO of Citizens Bank of Kilgore, is a longtime member of Rotary. He has been with the Kilgore club nearly five years.

Brown, a Kilgore resident and owner of Mosby Mechanical in Longview, is the District Governor for Rotary District 5830 this year. He was installed Saturday evening at a banquet at Meadowbrook Country Club.

York outlined 10 goals he wants to see met during his year as president. The main goal, he said, is to net 10 new members during the year.

"This is very important to our current club status as well as the future of our club," he said. "This is a goal that will involve all of us, and I think it is a goal that we can easily meet."

Sammy York, new president of Rotary, congratulates K Castles for being selected the Rotarian of the Year. Castles administrated several club projects including a program which gave 650 pairs of shoes and socks to needy Kilgore school children. Also, she helped with the weekly bulletin, took over an extra flag route and participated in all club programs and events.

York also has aggressive goals where it concerns Rotary Foundation donations, donations to match a proposed grant on the eradication of polio and a District Simplified Grant which will benefit people in the Kilgore area.

"I cannot do the job by myself - no one can," he said. "But, this club has a rich history of setting the standard for our district, and I don't think we will expect anything less this year."

Outgoing president David Castles was lauded by York and Brown for doing an outstanding job this past year.

"David was cool under pressure and really did a great job," Brown commented. "He administrated many projects that were successful, and he made sure this club continued its history of being at or near the top in foundation giving."

York said Castles will be a hard act to follow.

"I have a tough person to follow as president," he said. "David did an excellent job with his leadership skills and his desire to make the Kilgore Rotary Club better."

Castles humbly accepted the praise and passed the success along to his board and the club in general.

"We did have an excellent year, thanks to all of the board members who worked so hard and all of the club members who participated in activities and events to further our success."

K Castles was named Rotarian of the Year by the club. Not only did she administrate a program which donated 650 pairs of shoes and socks to needy Kilgore school children, but she also participated in every club event, took over an additional flag route when a club member left, took over bulletin editor when a club member left and was a RYLA leader and assistant district governor.

"This honor is well deserved," York said. "No one this year has done more for Kilgore Rotary, or Rotary in general, than K Castles."

Castles was excited to receive the honor, and thanked the club for giving her the accolade.

"I really enjoy Rotary and the people in the organization," she said. "It is nice to be recognized, but it is a better feeling to know that we have used our resources and our time this year to help people who really need it."

Board members for this year and last year were also recognized during the evening, where entertainment was provided by Cherisa York and Candee Collins. The pair rendered four Broadway tunes from different decades. York sang and played the piano, while Collins sang one solo and was part of two duets. The Broadway musicals they took numbers from included "The Music Man," "Phantom of the Opera," and "Wicked."

Wednesday, Steve Brown, district governor, will make his official visit to start the new Rotary year.

The Kilgore Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon in the ballroom of the Meadowbrook Country Club. Guests are always welcome.