Events

Bill Steele is a cave explorer and speleologist who has led and participated in expeditions to many of the longest and deepest caves in the USA, Mexico, and China. He has explored hundreds of caves across North America and Asia^] and has written two books chronicling his expeditions: Yochib: The River Cave, and Huautla: Thirty Years in One of the World's Deepest Caves.^[5] TV shows such as National Geographic Explorer, NOVA and How’d They Do That? have aired programs on his expeditions.

Beth Reilly-Long is from Brooklyn, New York. After 9/11, she relocated to Texas in 2006 and worked in the sports business world. Her son and daughter graduated from Timber Creek HS. She joined the Keller Citizens Police Academy Alumni Associatoin serving as Secretary and then President. 

Kathy Sherwin lived in  Hurst where is attended her first PD Citizens Police Academy in Hurst  and was Volunteer of the Year in 1999. She attended the Keller PD Citizens Police Academy in 2005 and was chosen as Keller PD Volunteer of the Year four times. She and her husband have 1 son and 2 very smart grandchildren. 

Patricia “Pat” Peters is the Past Governor for Rotary District 5790 for the 2023-24 year. Pat, an Austin, Texas native, has lived in Denton since 1981. After receiving a scholarship from the Rotary Club of Austin, she earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Southwestern University. Pat also holds Master’s degrees in English Literature and Library Science, both from the University of North Texas. She has had a 25-plus year career in libraries, including stints at Lewisville and Decatur Public Libraries.

Pat is a member of the Rotary Club of Decatur, having served in many roles since joining in 2013, including club president in 2015-16. At the District level, Pat has been a RYLA counselor, District Literacy Coordinator, Assistant Governor, charter member of the Visioning/Planning Team, District Secretary, and Lone Star PETS facilitator. Pat is a Paul Harris Society member and a Rotary Leadership Institute facilitator.

Pat is married to Jeff, a musician and retired IT guy who is also a member of Decatur Rotary. They have two adult children: Kerri, a high school theater teacher, and Chris, an actuary. Long-time members of First United Methodist Church of Denton, Jeff and Pat sing in the choir and Pat is the church librarian. She occasionally also does the children’s sermon and tells stories for Vacation Bible School.

Dr. Michelle Kimzey is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Texas Christian University. She is
the Founder and Director of Rethinking Dementia: Awareness, Education and Research at the
Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Her passion and commitment are evident
through her work which seeks to increase awareness of persons living with dementia and to
offer strategies and education to those providing care. She has created a collaborative
environment between students, people with dementia, and the community. Engaging people
living with dementia in research is the priority. She incorporates people living with dementia
into all aspects of our research.

Hear about the important aspects of Rotary which include Membership, Youther Services, Community Services, Golf Tournament, Field of Honor, Star Spangled Streets, Programs, Club Services, Public image and the Sergeant At Arms. An important highlight will be the classification speech from Acting City Manager Aaron Rector. 

Kari-Ann served in the US Navy and retired from Civil Service with the Federal Aviation Administration in an Air Traffic Control Executive management position in 2014.  

After her retirement, Kari-Ann had a chance to live out a childhood dream of learning to Scuba dive.  She earned her first certification in 2017, and is now a Master Scuba Diver and Divemaster.  Her continued desire to serve led her to pursue advanced training in Adaptive Scuba and start assisting others to experience the magic of Scuba and the excitement of doing what they might not ever have thought possible!  She earned her Diveheart Advanced Adaptive Dive Buddy, Handicapped Scuba Association Professional Buddy, and PADI Adaptive Techniques Specialty to support her continued desire to serve others.

Kari-Ann’s 25 years of management experience, focus on service, as well as her sense of adventure and curiosity has put her in a unique position to serve as President and co-founder of Adapt-Able Foundation

Carl Cogdill started volunteering with Easterseals, ARC and tutoring troubled kids in Midland Texas around age 12. At age 25 after an automotive accident causing a T4 SCI and paralysis, he shifted volunteering from the cognitive area to more athletics focused programs.

The change was inspired while in the hospital by a visit from Concho Valley Disabled Sports Association volunteers. He learned just how different life would be and what was needed to continue forward with a full life. He started off playing wheelchair Basketball, football, baseball 5k, 10k, marathons and mini triathlons. All those sports went to the side after the first tennis ball was hit. Tennis was now the main athletic focus. He was able to achieve a world ranking, win several tournaments and coach others in the able-bodied and adaptive sports world. Fully retiring from coaching and playing something was needed to keep an active lifestyle.

2016 rolled around and SCUBA was discovered. After going to several dive shops, the lack of a more inclusive system was noticed. Changes needed to be made so everyone could enjoy the physical, spiritual, and psychological benefits of SCUBA. With that in mind the Open Water course was completed with no modifications, just innovations and adapting to make things work. Wanting to share this new world, he completed the courses to allow him to become a PADI Divemaster.  Being a professional looking for a program with like-minded people was next on the agenda. He then met Kari-Ann who was presenting at a local dive club and it was an instant connection!  

Carl loves the fact that Adapt-Able Foundation is founded and run by people that are part of the community. Always looking for ways to “ADAPT” and grow without losing focus on the individuals.

 REMEMBER  “I can, you can, together we will”

The mission of the Keller History Museum is to promote awareness and
appreciation of Keller’s unique history and to promote community unity by offering guest
speakers and educational classes.

Our almost 100-year-old house, the Wild Rose, houses the station House Train
Room, the Keller History Room, the Yesteryear Room, the Textile Room, and the
Communications Room.

Debby has been involved with nonprofits for over 20 years and the Keller History
Museum for over 5 years. Debby is the chairman of the museum';s board. Her
professional journey spans roles as a teacher and educational consultant. She is
dedicated to educating the community about Keller';s history.

Speakers include LIndsey Bell, Caroline Mercer, Ellie Johnson, Saxon Bruedigam, Ashton Bryant, Sam Kennedy, and Jadyn Castillo with Bryce Gerhardt.