Washington Rotary Club

05/29/2026

Rotary Club of Washington, GA featured one of it’s own longtime members, Steve Albertson, as its luncheon speaker yesterday. Steve has owned his own Certified Public Accounting practice in Washington for 31 years. He reviewed key areas of interest in the new OBBB (One Big Beautiful Bill) Tax Bill that became law for the taxable year of 2025.

Notable sections of the 3,200-page OBBB include: Fact versus Fiction - Inflation Adjustments; No Tax on Tips; No Tax on Social Security; No Tax on Overtime Wages; and deductible new car loan interest. Media versus the actual law.

Steve also shared some fun facts about the IRS. It was President Lincoln in 1862 that signed into law a revenue-raising measure to help pay for Civil War expenses. The measure created a Commissioner of Internal Revenue and the nation’s first income tax. It levied a 3% tax on income’s between $600- $10,000 and a 5% tax on incomes of more that $10,000.

05/28/2026

That’s a wrap on the 2026 Vidalia Onion Fundraiser! 🧅

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible community for once again showing up in such a big way. From purchasing onions to helping spread the word, your support makes a real difference and helps us continue serving our community through local Rotary projects and initiatives.

What are you making with your Vidalia Onions? 🔽🔽🔽

05/28/2026

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, Washington Rotary Club’s Rotarian Ashley Waldorf, hosted her husband Jon Waldorf, as the club’s luncheon guest speaker.

Jon presented an overview of current real estate trends in Wilkes County and his company Waldorf Real Estate Company, which he founded eight years ago. As is similar to the national home buying trend, homes priced in the mid-range category are not moving as quickly as upper and lower priced homes. The good news is that Wilkes County has been experiencing a younger home buyer demographic in recent months. Due to interest rates and economic shifts, it is currently a buyers market.

Waldorf Real Estate Company also recently launched a new land brokerage company to service their growing business in farm and large-acre parcel sales.

Jon D. Waldorf joined the military in 1999, which included a 15-month combat mission to Iraq and retired as an Army Chief Warrant Officer in 2017. After his military service, he followed his great grandfather and grandparents into the Real Estate business. Jon and Ashley are now continuing the third generation of the Waldorf family tradition in real estate.

Jon, we thank you for your service and sacrifice in defense of our country.

05/28/2026

This year’s District 6910 Annual Conference was filled with meaningful moments of service, fellowship, and remembrance. ❤️

We were honored to participate in a service project at Cherokee Children’s Home, helping organize donated clothing and arrange the day room to create a more welcoming space for the children and families they serve.

On Sunday, we gathered for a beautiful Celebration of Life ceremony to honor fellow Rotarians who passed away over the last year. We were especially grateful to light a candle in memory of our dear friend, Terry Boswell. His legacy of service and friendship will always remain part of our Rotary family.

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

Rotary Club of Washington, Georgia hosted two students attending Augusta University, Medical College of Georgia at today’s luncheon, who are currently completing a clinical rotation in their medical school education and training studies at Wills Memorial Hospital. Ashley Oh, a 3rd-year medical student and Heidi David a 4th-year medical student each spoke to their clinical experiences in Family Medicine, ER and Rehab at Wills Memorial.

As guests of Rotarian Amy Johnston, the two are working under the close tutelage of local physicians, Lester Johnston, M.D. and Ra’Shead Pompey, BSK, DS, D.O. during their Clinical Rotation. Upon graduation from AU, Heidi hopes to be accepted for her Residency in OBGYN and Ashley plans to pursue a Residency in Surgery. We welcome them both to Washington.

Rotarian Amy Johnston also gave a brief overview of the construction expansion plans for Millers Bistro which includes apartment housing upstairs in the coming year.

04/20/2026

Washington Rotary Club was pleased to welcome Tracie Haughey, CEO/CFO of Wills Memorial Hospital on Thursday, April 16, 2026 as Guest Speaker. She presented an overview of the hospital and the services they provide.

Tracie has lived in Washington, GA for 26 years and raised three children here. She earned her college degree in accounting and finance at Presbyterian College and began her professional career working at Ernest and Young CPA firm. She joined Wills Memorial Hospital in 2010 as Assistant CFO to manage their clinics; then was promoted to CFO in 2014; and CEO in 2016. She has been serving as both CEO and CFO since that time, now over 10 years.

Wills Memorial Hospital was established in 1924 as the first hospital in Wilkes County. In 1978 it was designated a 501 c(3) Not For Profit Entity. In 2000 it received designation as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) and in 2012 opened Community Medical Associates (CMA), a wholly owned Rural Health Clinic. (RHC)

The hospital provides services in Emergency, Radiology, Laboratory, Physical, Occupational, Speech and Respiratory Therapy, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Wound Clinic and Infusion Clinic. Community Medical Associates provides Primary Care in Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Pediatric Care. The hospital also operates a Skilled Nursing (Swing Bed) Nursing Facility within the hospital.

The GA Heart Tax Credit is an excellent opportunity to support our local hospital. It is a 100% state tax credit which allows GA income earners to donate to the hospital in lieu of paying state taxes.

Rotarian Michael Horgan will be presenting this Thursday, April 23, 2026 on The Rotary Foundation and one of it’s Missions to eradicate Polio in the World. Rotarian Jennifer Tolleson, will be speaking on April 30 about Artificial Intelligence. Come join us!

04/15/2026

For a limited time, you can stock your kitchen with these famously mild onions while supporting projects that make a difference right here in the City of Washington, GA and beyond.

Why Vidalia onions?
They’re versatile, delicious, and only available for a short season. Perfect for grilling, salads, sandwiches, or caramelizing into something unforgettable.

Why Rotary?
Every bag you purchase helps fund local service initiatives, scholarships, and global humanitarian efforts.

🧅 10 lbs = $15
🧅 25 lbs = $30

Place your order in the comments or contact your local Rotarian. Delivery early May.