ALL IN THE FAMILY
Two past club presidents, who happened to be married to each other, received special recognition as Paul Harris Fellows during the March 26 meeting of the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville. Rotarians Dr. Stephen Stratton, DDS and Patty Benton were honored by James Wakeman, Club Foundation Chair, during a presentation which was held at The Parkview in Westfield.
Pictured left to right, Wakeman, Stratton and Benton.
Wakeman stated, “Our Rotary club has other husbands and wives who are both Paul Harris Fellows, but none who received the honor at the same time. The timing associated with this shared commitment to Rotary makes this presentation that much more special.” Stratton was awarded his second Paul Harris (PH+1) pin, having earned his first in 1989. As the presentation was given, Wakeman said, “Steve joins a remarkable company of people throughout the world, who are recognized for their devotion to the ideals of good will, peace and understanding.” Upon receiving this honor, Stratton stated, “By contributing to The Rotary Foundation, I can be sure that my dollars are being spent for the most good, by the most responsible, caring people.” Benton was also honored with a PH+1 pin with a sapphire embellishment for earning the PH second level award. Wakeman announced, “In achieving the second level of the Paul Harris Fellow status, Patty is recognized for her continuing support of the ideals of Rotary and The Rotary Foundation, whose motto is ‘Doing Good in the World.’” Benton said about her honor, “I first became aware of the Paul Harris Fellow recognition when The Rotary Foundation’s Polio Plus Campaign was promoted at our club. For a relatively small amount of money, I am able to contribute immensely, and to quote the sixth president of Rotary Arch Klumph, ‘for the purpose of doing good in the world.’”
Encouraged to join Rotary in 1978 as a way to meet people in the community and to participate in Rotary activities that would benefit the local, regional and world community, Stratton has served the club as secretary, vice president, president in 1981, board member and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards chair. He hosted a Rotary Exchange student, and has been an active participant in all club fundraisers over the years. He served lunch to the masses of cross-country skiers after the annual ski marathon; parked cars for the annual Ice Castle in Mayville; and helped to build tent platforms at Camp Merz. He continues to participate in the club's highway clean-up.
Benton, who joined Rotary in 1991, became the club's first female president in 1995. She also served as secretary, vice president and board member. In 1993-1994, she hosted a Rotary Exchange student from Colombia. She reluctantly resigned from Rotary in 1998 due to career obligations. During the years when she was not able to continue her membership, Benton still helped with the club’s annual Gold Rush and auction events. After she retired in 2017, she rejoined Rotary. She currently serves as a board member and community service chair. As a member “back in the day,” she participated in all of the club’s fundraisers and activities, including Ice Castle parking, Camp Merz tent platform project, and highway clean-up. For years, Benton helped with the annual Gold Rush event by procuring all of the food, as well as baking 300 potatoes in a pizza oven! She currently chairs the “Rotary Scholarship Pancake Breakfast.”
The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville congratulates Steve Stratton and Patty Benton on earning their Paul Harris Fellow awards, and it offers its gratitude to them for their commitment to service and to the ideals of The Rotary Foundation and Rotary International.