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GUEST SPEAKER KATIE BANVILLE

Featured; Jason Strayer, Club President and Katie Banville Associate Artistic Director Cygnet Theatre

DMSB Rotary Takes a Bow with Katie Banville of Cygnet Theatre

October 2, 2026: The curtain rose on breakfast this morning, and DMSB Rotary had the best seat in the house. Our guest star, Katie Banville, has spent more than 20 years as a performer and choreographer and now serves as Associate Artistic Director at Cygnet Theatre. Her stories of the theatre scene of yesteryear were a welcome breath of fresh air, and a gentle nudge to look up from our screens once in a while.

Cygnet has been stealing scenes since 2003 and now calls the historic Liberty Station home, at 2880 Roosevelt Road in the Point Loma Art District. After a $43.5 million renovation, the building is ready for its close-up. Each year, Cygnet puts on six to seven mainstage productions, mixing classics, contemporary plays, and musicals, so there's something for every taste.

Thank you, Katie, for a standing-ovation-worthy morning. Members and readers, your next assignment: grab a ticket, grab a friend, and enjoy some good old-fashioned theatre fun. Our local stages will thank you with a grand applause!

Governor Recognition Award

Featured left to right: Jason Strayer, Club President - Susan Hennefent, Director of Membership and Jeb Bakke, District Governor Rotary Club.

A Well-Deserved Honor: Susan Hennenfent Receives the Governor's Recognition Award

September 25, 2026 - Congratulations to Susan Hennenfent, this year's recipient of the Governor's Recognition Award! Club President Jason Strayer selected Susan for this honor, and the award was presented by District Governor Jeb Bakke. Susan's contributions have played a key role in the club's ongoing success. Her commitment and consistent effort to keep the club moving forward, and her diligence inspires everyone around her to do the same.

On behalf of the entire club, thank you, Susan, for your tireless dedication, your leadership, and your unwavering commitment to our shared success. This recognition is richly deserved, and we couldn't be prouder to celebrate you today.

Congratulations again, — you are, without question, our shining star. Here's to your continued success and to all the inspiration you'll keep bringing to our club in the years ahead!

New Rotarian - Welcome!

Welcome, Kate Kousser — DMSB Rotary's Newest Member!

September 25, 2026 - DMSB Rotary is thrilled to welcome Kate Kousser as our newest member! Kate currently serves as Director of Development for Casa de Amistad, where she channels her talent and passion into supporting the organization's mission and expanding its reach in the community. With more than 20 years of experience spanning the government and nonprofit sectors, Kate brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and hands-on expertise to our club. Her career reflects a deep and lasting commitment to public service and community impact — values that align perfectly with the heart of Rotary. Kate holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of California and a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College, a combination of academic rigor and real-world experience that makes her a tremendous asset to our chapter. Beyond her professional accomplishments, what truly stands out about Kate is her genuine passion for service and her drive to make a difference. We have no doubt she'll bring fresh energy, insight, and enthusiasm to everything we do together.

Please join us in giving Kate a warm welcome to the DMSB Rotary family. We are so excited to see the impact she'll make as a fellow Rotarian and look forward to working alongside her in service to our community!

Pictured below from left to right: Jeb Bakke - Rotary Club District Governor, Susan Hennenfent - Membership Director, Kate Kousser -New Rotarian and Vicky Mallet - Director of Community Service.

September Social

Rotary Amore at the Hacienda! 🍷🧀

What a wonderful turnout for our September monthly social, hosted at the Baumgartner home. Fellow Rotarians gathered for good conversation and a spread of homemade delectable delicious lasagnas! Appetizers kept things lively with cantaloupe, mozzarella and prosciutto, plus a burrata caprese with tomato and pesto. Italian beers and wines rounded things out nicely, because no Rotary gathering is complete without a proper toast or two.

Thank you to our fellow Rotarians for making it such a memorable evening — great food, great company, and a reminder of why these socials are always worth the calories.

Halloween Costume drive

Featured are fellow Rotarians; left to right - Jan Parsons, Kevin Cahill and Patricia Case

DMSB Rotary & StepUSA Halloween Costume Drive

Calling all superheroes, princesses, dinosaurs, and that one kid who insists on being a taco three years running — we need new and gently used costumes!

DMSB Rotary, in conjunction with StepUSA, is organizing a Halloween Costume Drive to make sure the children of our local active-duty and veteran military families have something amazing to wear this October 31st. Because let's be honest, nothing says "thank you for your service" quite like helping a five-year-old become a fire-breathing dragon for one glorious night.

Collection dates: September 14th – October 15th

All costumes, all sizes welcome — from tiny infants who will have no memory of being a pumpkin, to adults who absolutely will remember. New or gently used, we'll take it all (yes, even that costume from three Halloweens ago still hiding in the back of your closet).

Let's put smiles on some faces and create happy memories for the families who give so much for all of us.

For more information, contact Vicky Mallet at 858-245-7968.

Thank you, and Happy Halloween!

Welcome to our Club!

Service Above Self

We meet In Person

Fridays at 7:00 a.m.

Hilton Del Mar

15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Del Mar, CA 92014
United States of America

District Site

Venue Map

October Social
Oct. 15, 2026
****DARK****
Oct. 16, 2026
Tijuana House Build
Oct. 17, 2026
STEP USA Halloween Costume Distribution
8320 Juniper Creek Ln

Oct. 17, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Foundation For the Children of the California's (FCC)
Oct. 22, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Halloween Blood Drive
Oct. 31, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Katie Banville

Oct 02, 2026

Cygnet Theatre, histroy and news

Robert Logan

Oct 09, 2026

San Diego Fire Dept

Ray Ellis

Oct 23, 2026

Balboa Forever

Ron Swaisgood, PhD

Oct 30, 2026

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Kaitlyn Elliott-Norgrove

Nov 06, 2026

San Diego Lagoon

Terry Kraft

Nov 13, 2026

USS Midway Museum

Jennifer Bright

Dec 04, 2026

Nature Collective

View entire list...

October 2026

15 16 17

22 23

Jason Strayer

jason.strayer@scoutenv.com

425-876-0413

Discover the Del Mar Solana Beach Rotary Club – Where Service and Fellowship Flourish!

Since our inception in 1992, the Del Mar Solana Beach Rotary Club has been dedicated to making a difference in our community and beyond. As part of Rotary District 5340, encompassing 67 clubs in San Diego and Imperial Counties, we're driven by a passion for service and a commitment to meaningful impact.

Why Rotary?

As the world's pioneer service club, Rotary International has a rich history dating back to 1905. With 34,000 clubs and 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide, Rotary leverages collective resources to tackle global challenges, from eradicating polio to promoting education and fostering peace.

What do we do?

At our club, you'll experience the joy of service while building lasting friendships. Whether it's through our weekly Friday morning meetings, engaging in fellowship activities, or participating in our signature event, Lobsterfest, there's always an opportunity to have fun while making a difference.

Who do we serve?

We're deeply involved in a diverse range of projects, from supporting local initiatives like Just in Time for Foster Youth and Casa de Amistad to international efforts such as the El Salvador Preschool and Community Center and India Women’s Home for Mental Health Care. Through educational, humanitarian, and cultural programs, we touch lives and create positive change, both locally and globally.

Ready to join us?

Visit our website to learn more about our club and how you can get involved. Or better yet, stop by for a complimentary breakfast at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel every Friday morning. Experience firsthand the warmth of our community and the impact we're making together. Come be a part of something truly special – join the Del Mar Solana Beach Rotary Club today!

Join us!

Contact Susan Hennenfent

shennenf@gmail.com

1-619-890-2623

DMSB Rotary

P.O. Box 1115

Solana Beach, CA 92075

DMSB Facebook Page

_______________________________

Past President

President

President Elect

Vice President

Treasurer

Secretary

Membership

Public Relations

Fundraising

Board Member at Large

Molly Fleming

Foundation (TRF)

Kellen Bonnafoux

Community Service

Vicky Mallett

International Service

Herbert Liberman

Next Generation Chair

Nicole Mione-Green

Young leaders take the stage at Rotary Conventions

Connect with the next generation of global and community leaders at the 2027 Rotary International Convention in Barcelona, Spain.

Beguiled in Barcelona

To discover the 2027 Rotary International Convention host city of Barcelona, start by getting lost.

Pennsylvania club's tourney is the reel deal

The Oil Creek Classic, a fly-fishing tournament held each May, has been sponsored by the Rotary Club of Titusville, Pennsylvania, since 2014 to raise money for youth programs and scholarships.

Volunteers root out an invasive plant with a fiery nature

In California, volunteers root out an invasive plant with a fiery nature

From the soul: Otis Redding's legacy

Otis Redding’s family is fulfilling the singer’s legacy by lifting up today’s young musicians

https://www.facebook.com/dmsbrotary