Downtown Rotary

Under the river

Members of the Jefferson City Rotary Club are able to take advantage of a unique opportunity to walk under the Missouri River thanks to Club member Gilbert Cole, who also happens to be operations superintendent for Missouri American Water in Jefferson City.

Rotarians Tom Holt, left, and Tom Carr are shown at the far end of a 220-foot long, 80-foot deep, 7-foot high tunnel that will house new intakes through which Missouri American will draw water from the Missouri River to meet the needs of the Capital City.

The new tunnel is 30 feet deeper and extends 80 feet farther into the river than the 1960s-vintage structure it will replace. Access is via a cage lifted by a crane and lowered to the bottom of the shaft from which the tunnel begins. Visitors are required to take a 90-minute mine safety training course before visiting the tunnel.

Rotarians interested in visiting the tunnel can contact Gilbert at the Missouri American Water Company to arrange for training and a time to visit. The tunnel will be filled with concrete after the water pipes are installed, so this really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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There she is, Miss Missouri

The reigning Miss Missouri USA, Hope Driskill, was the very special guest of the Jefferson City Rotary Club February 7. She's shown with proud parents Jan and Joe Driskill; Joe is a member of the Jefferson City Rotary Club. "I've witnessed the great things this organization has done for the community," Hope said.

She spoke to Club members about the pageant experience (imagine trying to juggle preparation for the pageant with a full course load as a political science major at the University of Missouri in Columbia while maintaining a 3.98 grade point average and keeping up with extracurricular activities).

A 2008 graduate of Jefferson City High School and now a junior at Mizzou, Hope hadn't participated in a pageant since ninth grade, but was encouraged to enter last November's pageant by 2010 Miss Missouri USA Ashley Strohmier, another Jefferson Citian. "Winning has changed my life," Hope says. You can read more about how her life has changed on Hope's blog.

Among her public-service activities as Miss Missouri USA, Hope is especially focused on foster families. "I have been blessed with a loving and supportive family, and I believe every child should have that opportunity," she said. "All of us can make a difference in our family and in our community."

Hope will compete for the title of Miss USA this spring in Las Vegas.

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Shall we gather under the river?

Yes we shall, thanks to Jefferson City Rotary Club member Gilbert Cole of Missouri American Water, who is offering Club members the once-in-a-lifetime experience of a tour of the water company's new tunnel under the Missouri River. The 7-foot-tall tunnel, which is currently under construction, is 30 feet deeper and extends 80 feet farther into the river than the existing 1960s-vintage water intake structure.

Federal safety regulations require that visitors to the tunnel take a 90-minute orientation class prior to the tour. Orientation classes, including lunch, are offered at noon Feb. 15 and 16 and March 3; tours are scheduled Feb. 18 and 19 and March 4, 5 and 12. For more information on the tour, including times, and to RSVP for the orientation session and tour, contact Gilbert at 573-635-6113 or Debbie Farris at 573-634-3801, Extension 1100.

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Alumni Reception and Scholars Banquet

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Under the river

There she is, Miss Missouri

Shall we gather under the river?

Alumni Reception and Scholars Banquet