Stories

Caring and Compassion While Seeking Comprehension 

Imagine, leaving your home country and arriving, alone, in rural Costa Rica where no one speaks your language. You meet the family you are to be staying with for two weeks. They have been told that you desire to understand their language and culture. They seem friendly enough, but they don’t understand you, and you barely understand them. 

Our presentation on Tuesday, January 12 was on "Promises Kept" by AOH Assoc. Vice-President of Operations & Human Resources Jen Kessel.

Orrville Rotary’s Parade of Flags project will experience a major growth spurt in 2015. Plans have been finalized to incorporate the traditional downtown flag display into Rotary’s Parade of Flags program.  For many years, Orrville Boy Scouts have erected approximately 45 American flags on wooden poles throughout the downtown district, in the sidewalk holes incorporated into Orrville’s streetscape project several years ago. The existing flags were in need of replacement, and the old heavy wooden poles have presented a storage problem; so Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce President Lori Reinbolt helped craft a solution that was a win/ win for everyone. The Orrville Area Development Foundation approved funding for replacement fl ags, and the Chamber entered into an agreement with the Orrville Rotary Club to fold the downtown flag locations into their citywide Parade of Flags. Boy Scout troop 60 will partner with the club to again display the new flags over Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriots’ Day (Sept. 11) and Veterans’ Day.  Orrville Plumbing and Heating has donated materials to adapt the existing fl ag display holes to the size of the new flagpoles, which are aluminum, not wood. The new program will launch next month in time for the Memorial Day holiday. 

There is still time to renew or purchase a fl ag subscription for the 2015 Parade of Flags. In addition to the application printed on this page, Orrville area residents can pick up additional flag subscription forms at Buehlers’ Community table or at Heartland Point. Flag subscriptions can also be purchased or renewed online at www.orrvilleflags.org. The club is also offering flag sponsorships for cemetery flags at either Orr or Crown Hill Cemetery. Pricing for all flags is $30 for 2015 or $55 for 2015 and 2016. 

Questions about the flag program or your existing subscription can be directed to orrvilleflags@gmail.com or to Orrville Rotarian Jack Runion at 330-465-5396.

Wilma Raynor (pictured on far left) co-ordinated the effort to collect 92 cereal boxes to commemorate Orrville Rotary’s 92nd anniversary, (over 100 total were collected) Also pictured are club president Mistie Ankenman (second from left) and Sarah Ecker (right) who is the Orrville Salvation Army director, where the boxes will be distributed.