Washington Rotary Club

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, Rotary Club of Washington, Georgia welcomed Jennifer Hopkins with the Wilkes County UGA Extension Office and 4-H District Project Achievement recipient Thad Turner. They were hosted by Rotarians Peggy Anderson and Paula Stevens.

Thad is a student at Washington Wilkes Comprehensive High School and has advanced to the 4-H State Congress competition coming up. He presented his research topic for the competition, the history and significance of Baseball. Thad touched on the equipment specifications, team positions, preparation/performance factors and the importance of mental focus while playing the game. Above all, good sportsmanship and respect for the umpire, coaches and other team members is paramount to a players success. He highlighted Washington’s own MLB umpire, Marvin Hudson.

Forester, land management extraordinaire, and fellow Rotarian Jerry DeBin helped us to literally “see the forest for the trees” during this week’s luncheon with his presentation on the Forest Industry.

With nearly 5.5 million acres of managed forestland and 10 billion cubic feet of standing timber within a 100-mile radius of Washington, southern yellow pine represents the largest crop in our region and one of its most important economic engines at roughly $59 billion dollars annually.

The presentation emphasized that forestry is sustainable because harvested trees are continually replanted, ensuring future generations benefit from the same resource.

Forests provide far more than timber. They create vital wildlife habitat, help keep our air and water clean, store carbon, protect soil, and offer opportunities for recreation, hunting, and outdoor enjoyment. Beyond their environmental benefits, forests contribute to the scenic beauty that defines our region while generating economic value for landowners and local communities. Well-managed forests are a renewable resource that supports both a healthy environment and a strong economy.

Ready to make an investment? Check out the Forest Investment vs. Wall Street 30-year comparison for some fun math 🔽

Rotary Club of Washington, GA featured one of it’s own longtime members, Steve Albertson, as its luncheon speaker yesterday. Steve has owned his own Certified Public Accounting practice in Washington for 31 years. He reviewed key areas of interest in the new OBBB (One Big Beautiful Bill) Tax Bill that became law for the taxable year of 2025.

Notable sections of the 3,200-page OBBB include: Fact versus Fiction - Inflation Adjustments; No Tax on Tips; No Tax on Social Security; No Tax on Overtime Wages; and deductible new car loan interest. Media versus the actual law.

Steve also shared some fun facts about the IRS. It was President Lincoln in 1862 that signed into law a revenue-raising measure to help pay for Civil War expenses. The measure created a Commissioner of Internal Revenue and the nation’s first income tax. It levied a 3% tax on income’s between $600- $10,000 and a 5% tax on incomes of more that $10,000.

That’s a wrap on the 2026 Vidalia Onion Fundraiser! 🧅

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible community for once again showing up in such a big way. From purchasing onions to helping spread the word, your support makes a real difference and helps us continue serving our community through local Rotary projects and initiatives.

What are you making with your Vidalia Onions? 🔽🔽🔽

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, Washington Rotary Club’s Rotarian Ashley Waldorf, hosted her husband Jon Waldorf, as the club’s luncheon guest speaker.

Jon presented an overview of current real estate trends in Wilkes County and his company Waldorf Real Estate Company, which he founded eight years ago. As is similar to the national home buying trend, homes priced in the mid-range category are not moving as quickly as upper and lower priced homes. The good news is that Wilkes County has been experiencing a younger home buyer demographic in recent months. Due to interest rates and economic shifts, it is currently a buyers market.

Waldorf Real Estate Company also recently launched a new land brokerage company to service their growing business in farm and large-acre parcel sales.

Jon D. Waldorf joined the military in 1999, which included a 15-month combat mission to Iraq and retired as an Army Chief Warrant Officer in 2017. After his military service, he followed his great grandfather and grandparents into the Real Estate business. Jon and Ashley are now continuing the third generation of the Waldorf family tradition in real estate.

Jon, we thank you for your service and sacrifice in defense of our country.

This year’s District 6910 Annual Conference was filled with meaningful moments of service, fellowship, and remembrance. ❤️

We were honored to participate in a service project at Cherokee Children’s Home, helping organize donated clothing and arrange the day room to create a more welcoming space for the children and families they serve.

On Sunday, we gathered for a beautiful Celebration of Life ceremony to honor fellow Rotarians who passed away over the last year. We were especially grateful to light a candle in memory of our dear friend, Terry Boswell. His legacy of service and friendship will always remain part of our Rotary family.

Rotary Club of Washington, Georgia hosted two students attending Augusta University, Medical College of Georgia at today’s luncheon, who are currently completing a clinical rotation in their medical school education and training studies at Wills Memorial Hospital. Ashley Oh, a 3rd-year medical student and Heidi David a 4th-year medical student each spoke to their clinical experiences in Family Medicine, ER and Rehab at Wills Memorial.

As guests of Rotarian Amy Johnston, the two are working under the close tutelage of local physicians, Lester Johnston, M.D. and Ra’Shead Pompey, BSK, DS, D.O. during their Clinical Rotation. Upon graduation from AU, Heidi hopes to be accepted for her Residency in OBGYN and Ashley plans to pursue a Residency in Surgery. We welcome them both to Washington.

Rotarian Amy Johnston also gave a brief overview of the construction expansion plans for Millers Bistro which includes apartment housing upstairs in the coming year.