Doug Merrill receives a Paul Harris +2 from President Dr. Paul Harvey. Doug's wife, Deb Martin, assisted with the presentation.
Al Walker was presented with a Paul Harris +4 - a recognition from our club for Al's years of service as our club treasurer.
Kim Tenreiro is recognized with an ICU award for his outstanding work on our Flag Project!
Jodi Wilbur is the 2026 Rookie Rotarian of the Year
President-Elect Paul Harvey (left) is also 2026 Rotarian of the Year
Clark Kurtz acknowledges the work of Canandaigua Rotarians in keeping up this website, as club President-Elect Paul Harvey displays the District 7120 award won by the club.
7'th grade student Kira Casella (center) is honored with a Paul Harris Award for raising $2,500 over the years at the Rotary Bowl-a-thon
Judi Gorenflo receives a Paul Harris+2 Award
Scott Kesel receives his Paul Harris +4 Award
On August 27th our club paid a visit to Happiness House in Canandaigua where Jackie Lyttle, Vice President of Foundation, Development & Strategic Initiatives CP Rochester, Happiness House and Rochester Rehabilitation Center, shared with us the history of the Happiness House facilities located in Canandaigua. Jackie talked about all of the services provided at Happiness House, which are available for children as well as adults. A tour of the main facility was offered after our meeting.
A few Canandaigua Rotarians volunteered to help The Spot fill and transport 900 backpacks, which are provided free of charge to the families needing them. The backpacks are filled with school supplies specific for each grade level. Pictured here are Marty Potter and Kathi Nevin. Kathleen Draper and her daughter also volunteered. The Spot provides school supplies and clothing to Canandaigua students throughout the school year, with a dedicated room in each of the school districts buildings.
Past President, Kim Tenreiro, presents a big check to 'The Spot', an organization supporting student needs at the Canandaigua Schools.
$2100 was raised during the club's annual Past President's Day.
Shelby McPherson (center) was inducted as our newest Canandaigua Rotarian at our July 2nd meeting. Shelby is joined by Dr. Paul Harvey (club president), Donna Miller (Shelby's sponsor), and by Mark Sheppard and Janet Tenreiro (members of our membership committee). Welcome Shelby!
President-Elect, Dr. Paul Harvey, presents President, Kent Gilges with a plaque honoring Kent's year as our club president.
Thank you Kent for your service and best wishes
Paul on your upcoming year as Club President!
Rotary exchange student, Maria Clara Polese presented a wonderful program on herself, her family and her home country of Brazil for our club on June 18th. Maria Clara will be heading home in July. We will all miss her as she has been an outstanding
Rotary Exchange Student.
Maria Clara participated in the Canandaigua Academy Graduation Ceremony which took place at CMAC.
Walter Marshall was honored as our 2026 Student of the Year from Canandaigua Academy. Walter was recognized for being an exceptional student academically and for his involvement in music. Although he plays trombone in the school band, his forte is playing the piano.
Pictured from left to right, Greg Kane (CA music teacher), Walter's father & mother, Ellen Polimeni, Walter Marshall, and Club President, Kent Gilges.
Dr. Paul Harvey has been honored as our 2025-2026 Rotarian of the Year!
Paul joined Rotary in 1995 and has spent years serving on various committees, being a committee chair and helping out in our community in a variety of ways. Paul is our president-elect for our Rotary year 2026-2027.
Congratulations Dr. Paul Harvey!
(From Left to Right, Paul's wife, Barbara, Paul, Donna Miller, Paul's son & Paul's brother)
Jody Wilbur has been honored as our 2025-2026 Rookie Rotarian of the year!
Jody joined our club in 2025 and jumped right in by helping to develop a new fundraiser, a Monte Carlo night, where over $15,000 was raised for Family Promise of Ontario County. Jody has embraced being a Rotarian in so many ways and is certainly a welcome addition to our Rotary family.
Congratulations Jody!
(From left to right, Holly, Jody's daughter, Jody, and her friend, Ron.)
Bruce Kennedy was recognized at our June 4th meeting for having 69 years in Rotary ! Congratulations Bruce! Your years of service in Rotary is simply amazing!
George Herren (right) is honored for 53 years of perfect attendance by President Kent! And in the process received his Paul Harris +4 award.
On April 25th our Rotary Radiance Team participated in the first annual walk-a-thon for the comfort care home, Light Hill. Our team raised the second highest amount for all the participating teams (over $5000) and we won the prize for best costumes!
Don Collins, (center) who is already a Rotary Major Donor, received a Paul Harris +8. Thank you Don for your outstanding support of the Rotary International Foundation
Jody Wilbur, (center) was recognized with her first Paul Harris award. Jody joined our Rotary Club this year. At the very beginning of her membership she put her talents to work in organizing a Monte Carlo night fundraiser for Family Promise of Ontario County. The event was a huge success and raised thousands of dollars for the homeless shelter. Congratulations Jody!
Our club enjoyed watching a teaser of the upcoming school play, 'Shrek'.
Each spring the Canandaigua Academy Players visit our club to provide us a sneak preview of the play they will be performing. It is always one of our favorite meetings of the year!
Shrek will be performed on March 13th, 14th & 15th at the Canandaigua Academy auditorium.
Peter Wolak (second from left) becomes a Canandaigua Rotarian
Paul Harris recognition was awarded to Kim and Greg Kane, both of whom are music teachers in the Canandaigua School District. Kim teaches music at the Primary School and Greg at Canandaigua Academy. They were recognized for the outstanding dedication they both have demonstrated to enriching students lives through music.
Melissa Fiorentino (4'th from right), Melanie Soberon (3'rd from right) and Matt Parsons (2'nd from right) become Canandaigua Rotarians
On October 9th, Canandaigua School Superintendent, Jamie Farr was inducted as the newest member of our club. Canandaigua Schools joined as a 'Corporate Member', so along with Mr. Farr, were associate members Matt Schrage, Sarah Callahan, and Matt Fitch. (Picture, from left to right: President Elect Dr. Paul Harvey, Judi Gorenflo, Jamie Farr, Matt Schrage, Sarah Callahan, Matt Fitch and Donna Cator)
Salvation Army Captain Jeremiah Eisley (second from right) becomes a Canandaigua Rotarian
Jody Wilbur (right) becomes a Canandaigua Rotarian
On the afternoon of August 21st, some members of our club met at the VA Hospital in Canandaigua to help spruce up the Serenity Garden located on the grounds.
Pictured here is Rotarian, Ben Green, helping load up some of the weeds and deadwood removed from the gardens.
On Thursday evening, July 24th, many in the community joined our Rotary Club at Kershaw Park to enjoy the sounds of the Finger Lakes Community Band. This outstanding community band is directed by Greg Kane. Despite the sweltering 90 degree heat, the concert was enjoyed by all in attendance, including a seagull who flew in for the occasion.
Canandaigua Rotary donates to Family Promise
Carol Maue becomes a Canandaigua Rotarian
John Reys-Guerra (second from left) becomes a Canandaigua Rotarian
Incoming President Kent Gilges receives the mike from outgoing president Kim Tenreiro.
