It was a festive evening as Port Orchard Rotary outgoing President Wayne Senter passed the gavel recently to newly installed President Tim Thompson at the installation banquet held at Mary Macs at McCormick Woods.

Also installed were president-elect, Rick Seward; vice president, Lary Coppola; secretary, Robert Baglio; and treasurer, Eric Fong.

Installed as directors were: Community Service, Kim Wilson; Club Service, Jim Civilla; Vocational Service, Rick Metzger; and International Service, Dave Hedger.

Jim Hall, who was originally scheduled to be installed as president but stepped down due to illness, was recognized for his many years of service to the club with a standing ovation. Hall has been the Rotary Foundation chair for several years and moved the club to the number three position in District 5020 with the largest number of Paul Harris Fellows, sustaining members and benefactors of all Rotary Clubs Kitsap County..

After a very humorous fine program by Dave Hedger, came the highlight of the evening — a program by the ubiquitous Neils G. Neilson. Neilson, who has been program director for about as long as anyone can remember, had the audience reeling with laughter with his well known brand of Danish humor, telling stories about the behind the scenes workings of many of the more memorable club programs — such as the national president of COYOTE, a union of prostitutes, an active, card-carrying member of the Ku Klux Klan, a number of well known politicians and many others.

The evening concluded with newly installed President Tim Thompson’s closing remarks, which set the direction and a positive tone for the coming year.

For more information on Port Orchard Rotary, contact Thompson at (360) 674-2381.