Rotary on the Ridge Names Mike Baccus 2019-2020 Rotarian of the Year

Rotary on the Ridge named Mike Baccus as its 2019-2020 Rotarian of the Year.

Delayed due to the COVID-19 virus, the presentation was made Sept. 14 as the club began meeting back in person.

As his last official act Immediate Past President Herb Gillis presented Baccus with a plaque at an early dinner gathering of members.

Then during the club's regular meeting in-person and on the online Zoom platform, 2018-19 Rotarian of the Year Drew Truitt re-presented the award so the rest of the club members could take part in the celebration. Baccus is a retired elementary school teacher who lives in Lake Wales.

"Mike is just awesome," Gillis said. "I can think of no one more deserving."

Gillis and Truitt shared some of the service Baccus offered the club during the past year, including that he:

- Managed finances for the club and its foundation

- Helped with weekly meeting setup and teardown

- Purchased food, drinks and other club supplies

- Helped with box drop-off and toy pickup for Toys for Tots

- Dressed up as Josh the Otter for school presentations and community events

- Helped decorate and rode on the club's Christmas parade float

- Coordinated and cooked both days for the Lake Wales Arts Festival artist breakfasts

- Setup tent and display for community events, Friday Night Live

- Worked at least 10 days renovating the Scholarship House for homeless Polk State students, installing moldings, fans mirrors and completing other tasks

Rotary on the Ridge is a regional after-hours service club chartered in December 2016 by Rotary International. Current president is Trey Heath with Century 21 At Your Service Realty. Priorities include business networking, fellowship and community service, and most meetings have a guest speaker.

The club draws members from throughout East Polk County and meets every Monday from 5-6 p.m. at Ouellette Law Firm meeting room, 151 E. Central Ave. in Lake Wales. Visitors are welcome. An online option is available using the ZOOM platform. For more information, email [email protected].