Several people were honored at the Luverne Rotary Club's Annual Banquet on March 8.

The special event was held at the Luverne Country Club.

Two of the highest honors were awarded to two of its members during the evening.

Helen Saffold Darby was selected to receive the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. She was presented the award by Assistant District Governor Carol Franks.

&#8220Helen, you have been chosen as a Paul Harris Fellow because this club believes that your life exemplifies the humanitarian and educational objectives of The Rotary Foundation,” Carol Franks said. &#8220We thank you for demonstrating in your life and in your vocation a commitment to helping those in need both here and around the world.”

Darby received a certificate, a lapel pin and a medallion.

Also, Danny Rolling was chosen to receive the &#8220Edward L. Turner, Jr., Rotarian of the Year” Award.

Luverne Rotary Club President Earl Franks said that Rolling had gone &#8220above and beyond the call of service in Rotary.”

&#8220He has donated a lot of money and prizes, both personally and from his business, for Rotary benefits,” Franks read in a written statement from Rotary member Steve Sanders. &#8220He is also a key leader in our ‘Family Day' and fishing rodeoŠ.I can think of no one who has given more time, money and effort in promoting Rotary and our community.”

Rolling said that he had been in the Rotary Club for 11 years, and he loved it.

&#8220We have been given many blessings, and it's our goal to share those blessings with others,” Rolling said. &#8220It's an honor that the club has chosen me for this award, and I'll cherish it forever.”

In addition, several perfect attendance awards were given, with Franks reporting that the club had over 94.63 percent in perfect attendance for 2006.

&#8220Your attendance is one of the highest in the district,” Carol Franks said. &#8220We have Dr. Pat Floyd to thank for that.”

Also honored during the evening with special Service Awards were James Hollis, Jr., for 50-plus years of membership, Jack Jones with over 30 years as a member, and Jim Perdue with over 25 years of membership.

The special guest speaker for the evening was Alva Lambert. Lambert had served as Deputy District Attorney from 1991 until 1994, and in April of 1998, he was appointed the Executive Director of the State Health Planning and Development Agency.