PALO VERDE VALLeY TIMES, Wednesday, July 12, 2017 A13
photos by cathyleen rice/palo verde valley times
LEFT: Waymen Dekens (left) poses for a photo with his wife Carolyn Dekens (left) and Rotary Club member Bob Hall at the Rotary Club of Blythe Banquet June 30 after being awarded the
Peacemaker Award for making a huge impact in the lives of Rotary Club members and his many years of service demonstrating compassion and committed leadership around the community.
RIGHT: On behalf of her husband, Dr. John Hadlock, Wanda Hadlock (middle) and son Douglas Prall (right) pose for a photo with Wayme Dekens after receiving a posthumous plaque, honoring Dr.
Johns years of service in the Rotary Club of Blythe, entitled Peacemaker Award. Mentioned by several members of the club, Hadlock was a modest man who always put others before himself.
He carried the weight of the community on his shoulders and gave back in anyway that he could. Gaining respect from so many members of the community, Hadlock was a man of true virtue and
leadership, with the courage, time and helping hands, to do it all.
Blythe Rotary Club celebrates at annual banquet
By Cathyleen Rice
Times Reporter
At least 10 past presi-
dents of the Blythe Ro-
tary Club were present at
the Friday night banquet
held at Waymen and Car-
olyn Dekens residence
to pay tribute to another
successful year of making
a difference in Blythe.
Decorated with a Ha-
waiian sea blue theme,
members of the club gath-
ered for food, awards and
the laughs that came from
old memories from time
well spent together.
As the master of cer-
emonies, Dr. John Maltby
of Maltby Chiropractor
opened up the meeting,
asking which state has
the largest cattle ranch
west of Texas?
The answer? Hawaii.
Maltby thanked each
member for their gener-
ous contributions, which
help alleviate tuition con-
cerns for those students
pursuing higher educa-
tion.
Awarding over 11 schol-
arships this year, Maltby
said, Not one of us put
these students through
school, but all of us.
The Blythe Rotary Club
has handed out scholar-
ships since 1949.
According to Maltby,
Doris Norman, the first
female mayor, was the
first scholarship recipi-
ent.
Elizabeth Rizzotto,
Celine Tellez and Kelly
Pelicano and many more
would walk away as
proud students accept-
ing these scholarships,
Mayra Robles takes
over Farmers Insurance
By Cathyleen Rice
Times Reporter
When it comes to pro-
tecting whats important
to you, Blythe native
Mayra Robles is ready to
help you invest in your
future.
Having prior insurer
experience working for
Freeway and Southern
State Insurance for the
past three years, Robles
said, being able to pro-
vide insurance and fi-
nancial services to the
place she calls home is
not only her job, but her
way of giving back to her
community.
Accompanied by two
other staff members, Ro-
www.pvvt.com
in which these same stu-
dents sent personal thank
you letters to the club,
sharing their apprecia-
tion.
Club member Bob Hall
then presented two peace-
maker awards, with one
recipient receiving it
post-mortem.
Bestowed recognition
and appreciation for fur-
thering the Rotary Foun-
dations goal of world
peace and understanding,
through their service
above self, while also ac-
complishing success both
in their community and
abroad, Waymen Dekens
and John Hadlock were
awarded as this years
peacemakers.
Your commitment to
our Rotarys ideals and a
multitude of other com-
munity involvement is
outstanding, the award
bles and staff will offer
a range of services and
products.
Hoping to meet the
needs of the community,
while also providing do-
nor support, Robles said,
By this time next year,
my staff and I look for-
ward to getting more in-
volved in the community
and being a strong sup-
porter to the children of
Blythe. Also, were here
to provide great custom-
er service and we want
people to be comfortable
when choosing us as
their provider.
To meet Robles and her
staff, stop by 107 W. Hob-
sonway, or give them a
call at (760) 922-3532.
read.
Dekens stood stunned
and overwhelmed,
andsaid without the sup-
port of his wife Carolyn
for the past 60 years and
dear friends like Jay and
Peggy Abbs, as well as
John and Wanda Had-
lock, receiving the award
wouldve been impos-
sible.
My wife supports me
100 percent, and in our
lives, I have a lot of people
to be thankful for, so its
not just me. Fortunately,
its because how blessed
I was, to be in a position
to have such quality peo-
ple to work with. Im not
some super guy, but the
people I was around were
outstanding, Dekens
shared
Accepting the award
on behalf of her husband,
Wanda Hadlock and son
Larry As a second generation Making presentations
Allen Rotarian, Cusick said of his own to his mem-
receives Each and everyone of bers, Cusick gave the
the Spirit you has had an influence Blythe Rotary Club Spirit
Award at the on me. It warms my heart Award to Larry Allen
Rotary Club to be able to do this and be for his commitment, car-
of Blythe an influence on the other ing spirit and the joy he
Banquet generations, my genera- brings in making the club
tion and younger. I like exemplary.
June 30. that I get to learn some- Honored as this years
Allen
thing from each of you, Rotarian of the Year,
was also which adds to my charac- Jorge Corona was rec-
awarded ter. ognized for his distin-
Best Im going out and Im guished service, loyalty
Dress, by coming back, he joked. and devotion to the Blythe
Waymen They said youll never Rotary Club.
Dekens for do anything funner than This guy has done
his spiked being the president of a lot, maybe you guys
hair and your Rotary. Just being havent seen it, but theres
a member is not enough, a lot hes done behind the
Farmer
but being the president scenes, Cusick said on
Bens giddy- is the funnest thing, and behalf of Corona.
up. I must say, I have a great In addition to all those
Douglas Prall received time, Cusick said. distinctly honored at the
Johns plaque, commemo- Commenting on the ceremony, special guests
rating his legacy as a Ro- astonishingly good work at the banquet were May-
Cusick did during his or Joey Deconinck and
tary Club member since
first term, Maltby said, wife, Jacque, as well as
1967.
Michael, I was pleasant- the new faces at Farmers
The funny thing is,
ly, pleasantly surprised Insurance.
wife Wanda shared, he
at how well this year did Making closing re-
was the youngest when
under your presidency. marks about the club
he started and the oldest
Youre your own man, members before taking
when he died.
you did an awesome job his seat, Cusick said,
Sometimes friend-
and I really look forward Theyre a great group
ship isnt always telling
to another year, with you of people, and I wouldnt
friends what they want to
as president. trade them for the world.
hear, but what they dont
want to hear, and John
was the kind of person
able to do that and still be
friends with. John was a
special guy, who would
have helped you, and the
kind of person you could
go talk with and always
feel better afterwards
Hall shared.
Outgoing Rotary Presi-
dent Michael Cusick was
declared the incoming
president.
Mayra Robles
has acquired
Blythes Farmers
Insurance from
Blythe Rotary Club
member Don and
is looking forward
to meeting your
auto, home, life
and small business
needs.
photo by cathyleen
rice/palo verde
valley times