36th Annual Rotary Breakfast

By Bryan Ramsey | May 7, 2025 |

Teri Moss, Contributing Writer
Jim Thompson, John Thompson and Jim Thal

Teri Moss, contributing writer

For the past 36 years the Fredericktown Rotary Club has hosted the Azalea breakfast. The first breakfast was held at the Madison County Senior Center which was located where Subway is now, on Circle Square. Once the senior center moved into their new building on Spruce Street, the breakfast was also held there for a few years.

Former Rotary Member Bill Banks organized for the breakfast to be held in the fellowship hall of the Methodist Church, where he is a member, and where it has been held each year since.

At the breakfast last Saturday, Rotary members John Thompson and Jim Thal shared some of their memories of past Rotary Breakfasts. Many fond memories were shared about members and community leaders they have served with in the past.

The first Rotary breakfast began as a fundraising event for what is now known as Rotary Park. The park was completed in 2002 and dedicated to J. Don Weiland, a former Rotary member.

The Rotary Breakfast feeds an average of 500 people annually. Rotary members are very thankful to Fred and Debbie Yates, overseers of Pinecrest Camp, who order all the food needed for the breakfast, allowing the club to make a bigger profit.

Jim Thal has been a member of Rotary since 1966 when he joined the Farmington Rotary Club. He lived in St. Louis for a few years, and when he came back to Fredericktown in 1975 to take over the family business, he joined the Fredericktown Rotary Club helping with the breakfast and serving the community for over 50 years.

“I pushed for the scholarship program to be started about eight or nine years ago,” Thal said. “We need electricians, plumbers, mechanics, welders, etc. More scholarships are needed for Trade Schools. I can’t stress enough how important Trade Schools are.”

Criteria for the Rotary scholarship includes having acceptable grades, good attendance, a strong work ethic, a love for our community, and a well thought out plan for their future.

The four recipients of the Rotary Scholarship for 2025 even helped serve at the breakfast. Andy Pacinda plans to attend MAC Tech and get a degree in Mechanics. Maddie Stephens plans to attend Cape Technology Center to get her LPN certification and then go to MAC to get her RN certification. Sidney Feltz plans to attend Maryville university to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Pakey Matthews plans to pursue a career in agriculture and Veterinary Medicine.

The Fredericktown Rotary Club describes who they are on their Facebook page: “We are neighbors, community leaders and global citizens uniting for the common good and taking on some of the world’s most pressing challenges.” It could also be said of the Rotary that they are helping to empower the next generation to do the same.