The 41-member Sparta Rotary Club was honored over the weekend as among southern Illinois’ best for club growth, community service and overall excellence.  The multiple awards were presented during the Rotary District 6510 Annual Conference and are a remarkable achievement, according to Thomas H. Ripperda, 2012 to 13 District Governor.  He honored the club for leading the district in membership growth, for building a playground to serve a poor neighborhood, and for winning the district’s “Governor’s Trophy” for medium-sized clubs.  That trophy is presented annually to the club which scores the highest on a multiple-criterion evaluation, which weighs club administrative accomplishments, vocational service, community service, service to youth, international service, and support for Rotary’s worldwide charitable arm, The Rotary Foundation.  District 6510 comprises 48 clubs and some 1,685 individuals in Illinois’ 28 southern-most counties.  The Sparta Rotary Club meets at noon Tuesdays at Southside Ribs, located at 903 South Saint Louis Street in Sparta.  Prospective members are welcome.