Rotary Club - Lewisburg, TN

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Duning Recognized as Rotary Senior Citizen of the Year

Ted Duning was named the very first Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year by the Lewisburg Rotary Club.

And true to the remarkable partnership he and his wife shared for 63 years, Mrs. Waverley Murrey Duning was named the 2009 Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year. Betsye Ledford made the presentation at the Nov. 11 meeting of the Lewisburg Rotary Club before Duning's family and friends.

A native of Marshall County, Duning grew up in Cornersville attending the First United Methodist Church. She later graduated from Marshall County High School before graduat-ing from Sullins College in Bristol, TN and then the University of Tennessee in 1943.

In 1944, Duning worked at Traveler's Aid in Nashville where she helped travelers who were lost, ill, broke or in some other form of trouble. After taking socialwork classes at UT, she received a scholarship to attend the Tulane School of Social Work in New Orleans where she met her late husband, Ted, during Mardi Gras in 1946. They were married only 12 days later.

For three years, the couple lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she took a job at the University of Michigan's Central Housing Authority. There, they had their first child, Natilee before moving to Ted's hometown of Richmond, Indiana. Duning threw herself into the social scene as a volunteer when their second child was born, Beth.

In 1955, the couple returned to Lewisburg and helped establish a savings-and-loan association. Soon, a third child was born, Paul, as First Federal S&L was formed. Duning joined the bridge club, the Meriwether Lewis Garden Club and the Woman's Club as first of her many associations in Lewisburg. Then, Tim, a fourth child was born and the couple filled their time with work, church, family and friends. They often entertained old friends and newcomers to the community.

But, school called Duning again and she returned to class at MTSU to become a homebound teacher in Chapel Hill. She has spent the past several years working with the Red Cross, volunteering at Marshall Medical Center, delivering Meals on Wheels and working the polls during elections. She became a charter member of AARP and has in recent years provided counseling at First Methodist Church Care Center for those whose circumstances have pushed them to the edge of desperation.

At age 87, Duning stands as one of the most endearing characters in Marshall County whose "greatest gift is her ability to connect to people one on one."

"She's always ready to listen and empathize and let people tell her their stories," Ledford said.

Duning is truly an Outstanding Senior Citizen.

Shelton Recognized as Rotary Volunteer of the Year

As the end of the year approaches, the Lewisburg Rotary Club turns its focus to recognizing individuals in the community who have made a positive impact through their service, their leadership and as a shining example to others.

Each year, the Lewisburg Rotary Club recognizes its Volunteer of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and the Expert in the Field.

For 2009, the Volunteer of the Year is Betsy Shelton. Rotarian Nancy Pruitt made the presentation at the Nov. 11 meeting of the Lewisburg Rotary Club before Shelton's family and friends.

Shelton has been a community leader and activist along with her husband, Sam, for many years; but her honoring as Volunteer of the Year by the Lewisburg Rotary came as a result of her work as Director of the Care Kitchen.

For the past two years, Shelton has served as Director of the Care Kitchen, a project of rotating churches who come together each Thursday night to serve meals to those in need in Marshall County.

The project began with a small group of 30 but has grown to where the Care Kitchen serves an average of 165 people each Thursday night in the McKnight Center at the First United Methodist Church Complex.

"Her family can attest to the hours she has spent at the McKnight Center," Pruitt said. "She has taken ownership of the Care Kitchen."

With help from Rotarians, citizens and church members from every denomination throughout Marshall County, Shelton has guided the Care Kitchen into a true community service project that continues to receive support and continues to serve the people who need it most in Marshall County.

Tepedino Recognized as Rotary Expert in the Field

As the end of the year approaches, the Lewisburg Rotary Club turn its focus to recognizing individuals in the community who have made a positive impact through their service, their leadership and as a shining example to others.

Each year, the Lewisburg Rotary Club recognizes its Volunteer of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Expert in the Field.

For 2009, the Expert in Her Field is Ginger Tepedino, Guidance Counselor at Marshall County High School. Rotarians Nancy Pruitt and Lee Bowles made the presentation at the Nov. 4 meeting of the Lewisburg Rotary Club before Tepedino's family and friends.

"She is truly a professional and she truly cares about the children," Pruitt said.

Tepedino, a graduate of MCHS, has been serving as the MCHS Guidance Counselor for the past 15 years. With a Bachelor of Science and Masters in Education from MTSU, Tepedino understands the importance of secondary education and has worked tirelessly to assist graduates of MCHS attend and succeed at colleges and universities.

"When you think about it, she has helped over 5,000 kids," said Bowles.

Tepedino also serves the students at MCHS as a sponsor of the Cheer Squad, the Student Council and the Senior Class. She has worked on many Senior Class Night celebrations and she helps get recognition for their efforts at MCHS by providing the Lewisburg Rotary Club with Student of the Month nominees. She has also worked with students to become dual enrollment students meaning high school students who earn college credits before graduating from MCHS.

"With her help, Ginger has helped Dual Enrollment students at MCHS grow from 6 students per year to 38," Bowles said.

Tepedino has been a partner of the Lewisburg Rotary Club, a mentor and a friend to students of MCHS, a leader of the community and a role model to each and every freshman, sophomore, junior and senior at MCHS. For these reasons and many more, Gingerj Tepedino made the perfect choice as the 2009 Lewisburg Rotary Club Expert in the Field.

"Thank you so much for this honor," Tepedino said. "I have enjoyed Rotary, and I am grateful to all the friends I have in this room."

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