A few weeks ago, the Rotary Club of Palm Valley took a well-earned break from its busy schedule of community service projects to enjoy a fun club outing at Beach Bowling, followed by dinner at the facility. (Beach Bowling is a first-class operation, and it shows — so we were reminded not to call it an “alley.”)
While the spirit of friendly competition was alive and well, accuracy proved optional. There were far more gutter balls than strikes, but laughter easily made up the difference. Most members believed they were respectable bowlers — until the score screens suggested otherwise.
Unknown to many in the group, two Rotarians belong to organized bowling leagues. This became immediately apparent when they arrived with their own bowling shoes, personalized bowling balls and tournament-quality shirts. Their professionalism paid off, as those two members quietly — and mercifully — bowled circles around the rest of us, posting the lowest scores of the evening.
At the next Rotary meeting, several members agreed that a bottle of Advil probably should have been handed out at the door. It turns out bowling muscles are rarely used muscles, and many Rotarians discovered aches in places they didn’t know could ache.
After the bowling concluded, members enjoyed a relaxed dinner featuring appetizers, a variety of entrées, adult beverages, and — most importantly — dessert. The evening was a welcome reminder that fellowship and fun are an essential part of Rotary, strengthening the relationships that make our service possible.
Speaking of service, the Rotary Club of Palm Valley is proud to welcome a new member who truly embodies Rotary’s mission. Lucas Seilhymer, executive director of Mission House by the Sea, has joined the club. Lucas was previously a Rotarian in Illinois, and we are delighted that he has brought both his Rotary spirit and his passion for service to Palm Valley.
Lucas is making a profound impact on our community through his leadership at Mission House by the Sea, where compassion meets action every day. Located in Jacksonville Beach, Mission House is a nonprofit day center serving adults experiencing homelessness and poverty throughout the Beaches area. It is the only facility of its kind in the region, offering a lifeline to individuals facing some of the most difficult chapters of their lives.
Under Lucas’s guidance, Mission House provides far more than temporary relief. The organization offers meals, clothing, showers and hygiene products that restore dignity, along with meeting essential needs. Its on-site clinic delivers primary and senior care, chronic illness management and medical referrals.
Just as importantly, Mission House provides case management, crisis intervention and individualized care plans that help people move forward with hope and purpose. Job placement assistance and pathways to self-sufficiency ensure that support extends beyond today and into the future.
We are grateful for the work Mission House does and for Lucas’s compassionate leadership. His commitment reminds us that while Rotary enjoys the occasional gutter ball and sore shoulder, our true calling is to serve above self.
The Rotary Club of Palm Valley meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at Marsh Landing Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach. Members enjoy fellowship, service and community impact over a four-course sit-down dinner.
For more information, please contact admin@palmvalleyrotaryclub.org or visit palmvalleyrotaryclub.org.
