The Paulding County Rotary Club welcomed Ann Pennebaker to speak at this week's meeting. Introduced by club member Randy Arrowood, Mrs. Pennebaker is an author and educator turned recovery counselor involved in a local 12 step program fighting the disease of addiction. Mrs. Pennebaker comes from a highly trained and educated background. However, her passion for the fight against addiction is very personal.

Paulding Rotary Club welcomed Caroline Gränsbo, an international student from Sweden who is currently attending West Georgia University. Caroline is in the Georgia Rotary student program (GRSP). Paulding Rotary is one of three local Georgia Rotary Clubs sponsoring Caroline in the GRSP. Her Paulding-Rotary host family is Brian and Ashleigh Headrick. Miss Gränsbo is pursuing a degree in political science. Last semester she studied American Government learning about the Congress and the Senate for which she received an A in the class.

Rotary Club member Brett Reece welcomed and introduced Linda Vercharen the director of the Family Alliance of Paulding, a nonprofit group dedicated to the local community through vital social services. They provide opportunities for individuals and families to grow and recover through education and advocacy. Best known for providing supervised visitation for foster children and their families.

The Paulding County Rotary welcomed Robby Bruce and Bobby Cox from the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Dept. Robby Bruce has coordinated with many club members about organizing events in and around Dallas, including the Annual Invitational Christmas Parade. Mr. Bruce thank the club for the opportunity to speak about the new and exciting things taking place in the City of Dallas.

The Paulding Rotary Club welcomed Caroline Gransbo, an international student from Sweden who is currently attending West Georgia University. Caroline is in the Georgia Rotary student program (GRSP).

Thank you to the Dallas Rotary Club for proving dictionaries to all the 3rd graders in our county.

The Paulding County Rotary Club welcomed Deidre Holden Supervisor of Elections & Voter Registration for Paulding County. Mrs. Holden gave a thorough explanation of the current advancements taking place to accommodate voters here in Paulding County. Mrs. Holden outlined proposed precinct changes for 2019 to accommodate the substantial growth of the county's voting population. Complaints of long lines and waiting periods in our voting process have resulted in the proposed expansion from our 12 current polling locations to a newly recommended 17 locations.

The 8th Annual Pigskin Preview took place at the Dallas Civic Center in Downtown Dallas, organized by the Paulding County Rotary Club. This year guests were greeted by Paulding County High School drum majors and varsity football cheerleaders, along with their principal, Craig Wilcox. Guests also enjoyed a Hamburger and Hot dog lunch grilled and prepared by the Paulding Rotary Club members. A new record number of community and county representatives gathered to take part in this year’s event.

Missy Cusack of Chattahoochee Technical College and fellow Rotarian introduced 2 of 4 students Julie Mullenix and Rich Omari who are Rotary scholarship recipients and are attending Chattahoochee Technical College. The Paulding Rotary Club gladly continues to provide scholarship assistance to local students furthering their education.

Member Doug LaRoss introduced guest speaker Rita Norris current CareLink Board of Directors Chair. Ms. Norris, who brings years of experience with community service programs, has been involved with CareLink for three years and is held the chair for the past year and a half. CareLink serves as a community health, dental and wellness clinic providing low-cost and high-quality medical support care and resources to the residents of Paulding County. CareLink is a 501(c)(3) organization and is committed to addressing access to care barriers while promoting healthy lifestyles through education and prevention.