SPORTS COMPLEX DONATION: The Rotary Club of Enid donated $35,000 to the Enid Sports Association for use in completing the Advance Soccer Complex in southwest Enid. The Aug. 1 donation was the last part of an overall $75,000 donation. The money will build a water feature at the complex with the Rotary Logo included.
Jennifer Crenshaw, center, was introduced as a new member of the Rotary Club of Enid on Sept. 20. She was presented by club President-elect Cindy Allen and membership sponsor Tom Andrew. Jennifer is a Farmers Insurance agent in Enid. When not active selling insurance or in community activities, Jennifer enjoys spending time golfing, reading or with family. Welcome, Jennifer.WELCOME! Enid Rotary President Carrie Sanders welcomed two new members to the organization on Sept. 12.
John-Baptist Sekumade, at left, is chaplain at Elara Care home care and hospice in Enid. Originally from Nigeria, he is a graduate of Texas Southern University and previously has been an attorney and a pastor in Texas.
John Gray, center, is Enid-based overdose prevention coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Health. John has an extensive background in the human services area, including previously coordinating the Coach A Kid mentoring program through the United Way of Enid and NW Oklahoma. John has a bachelor’s degree from the New York Institute of Technology.
Rotary Club of Enid President Carrie Sanders, left, exchanged banner with Rotary 5750 District Governor Deena Fisher. Exchanging banners is a longstanding Rotary tradition. Fisher, who is from Woodward, visited the Enid Club Aug. 29.
Our condolences to family and friends of Ronnie Valdez, past local and regional Rotary leader, who died this past week at age 67. Ronnie, an Enid businessman and Rotarian for more than 30 years, served as Rotary district governor in 2005-2006. He was president of the Rotary Club of Enid in 2002-2003. He served as assistant district governor for three years, including a year as assistant to the late Irv Honigsberg of Enid. Leading District 5750, Ronnie was responsible for 40 Rotary clubs and more than 2,000 members in and around Oklahoma City and northwest Oklahoma. Ronnie was known for his fun-loving, outgoing personality. His involvement had been more limited in recent years as he fought a lengthy battle with diabetes. We extend sympathy to his wife, Gwen, and three daughters.
With sadness we share news of Tim Traynor’s death. A longtime Enid attorney and civic leader, Tim was an active Rotarian for decades, as was his father for many decades before. Services are pending at Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Tim had deep roots in Enid reaching back five generations. Tim’s community involvement dates back to 1970, when he returned to Enid after military service and earning his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Oklahoma. Tim was president of the Garfield County Bar Association, president of The Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma board and served on the Parrish Council at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He was a Pillar of the Plains honoree in 2015. With the United Way of Enid & NW Oklahoma, Tim was a longtime volunteer, annual campaign chairman and board president. It was his work with United Way that led to him to the concept of what he described as his most rewarding community project - the community foundation. Tim helped found and establish the Enid Community Foundation, now the Cherokee Strip Community Foundation. What he described as a “pipe dream over lunches” became an organization that has grown to more than $30 million. With that, Tim’s pipe dream will have the finances to continue – and continue helping our community and region - for decades to come. We extend our sympathy to Tim’s wife, Suzy, their sons and the many people who called Tim “friend,” including longtime law partner and fellow Rotarian John Wynne.
WELCOME! Enid Rotary Club President Carrie Sanders, at left, introduces Tina Crane as a new member of the organization. Tina is business development specialist and physician liaison for Integris Bass Baptist Health Center, where she works with referral hospitals and doctors in the 14-county area surrounding Enid. Outside of work, Tina enjoys playing tennis, golf, jogging and OSU athletics. She is also active in PEO Chapter FS and Oakwood Christian Church. Tina is married to Justin Crane and has two adult sons.