The Pinehurst Rotary kicked off the new Rotary year with Gary Williford's first meeting as president Tuesday, July 7.

He succeeds John Wittenstrom, who says he had a super successful year as president leading the Pinehurst Rotarians with the Holly Arts Festival, several successful blood drives, the annual Rotary Pancake Breakfast and a huge $28,000 fundraiser to benefit a needy Jamaican medical center.

Williford outlined his new board's plan with an inspiring talk in which he challenged the club in several areas -- club service, vocational service, international service, community service and the club's foundation. Williford also wants new quality members and asked his fellow club members to bring in some quality candidates for club membership.

The highlight of the meeting was the club's presentation of a plaque to outgoing president, John Wittenstrom.

The Pinehurst Rotary Club is a businessman's service-oriented club, and it meets at the Pinecrest Inn each Tuesday for a noon luncheon meeting.