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Geauga West
We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 7:00 AM
Mayfield United Methodist Church
7747 Mayfield Rd.
Chesterland, OH 44026
United States of America
Home Page Stories
At our club meeting this week, President Ed Slane presented Geauga West Rotarians Mike and Chelsea Talty with Paul Harris Fellowship Certificates and lapel pins.  Paul Harris, an attorney in Chicago, started Rotary in 1905.  Any Rotarian who contributes $1,000 is recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.  Chelsea has now reached the Paul Harris +1 Level which is contributing at least $2,000.  Thank you, Mike and Chelsea, for all of your previous contributions to Rotary International and for all you are currently doing for Rotary District 6630, Geauga West Rotary club and West Geauga Interact Club.  You are truly a remarkable couple, and we are so proud of all of your accomplishments!  Congratulations!
 
Our guest speaker this past Weds was Lyon Bonato from Iron Man Supply in Newbury.  They are located on the corner of Rt. 87 and Sperry Rd.  They have been very busy renovation the building and welcome all to come check out their amazing line of specialty products.  For more information, please check out their website: www.ironmansupply.com
 
The Geauga West Rotary Club was so proud to induct Andrea Pollock as a member of our club at last Wednesday's weekly meeting.  President Ed Slane performed the swearing in ceremony and President-Elect Bob Voss assisted by placing the iconic Rotary Pin on Andrea's lapel!  Andrea embodies the rotary motto of "Service-Above-Self" and has worked tirelessly her whole life to help the children and young adults in Geauga County thrive to become better citizens.  Currently, she is the Director of the Geauga NextStep program and Chagrin Falls Park Community Center.  Our club is honored to have Andrea as a member, and we look forward to harnessing her many talents and ideas to make our club more vibrant than ever!  Congratulations and welcome Andrea!
 
Tickets for Geauga West Rotary Club's annual "Hearts For Service" event are now available for purchase!  Please contact Bob Voss (440) 759-6148 for more information or scan QR code to buy tickets online.
 
Maple Splash Raffle Tickets are now available for purchase @ $20 per ticket.  Please contact Bob Voss (440) 759-6148 with questions or to buy tickets.  Thank you for supporting this amazing raffle sponsored by the Burton-Middlefield Rotary club.  All proceeds go to help so many organizations right here in Geauga County!
The Geauga West Rotary club and West Geauga Interact club rang the bell for the Salvation Army 'Red Kettle" Campaign on Sat. at Giant Eagle and DrugMart.  Despite very cold temperatures early in the morning, the sun was out all day and quickly made the task much more bearable.  I want to personally thank Jim & Paula Zeitz, Jeff Huntsberger, Derek Taylor, Rich Luschin, Bob Somrak and Fred Nevar.  As special shout out goes to Mike Talty who oversaw the Interact students at the DrugMart location and was there practically the entire day!  He deserves an "atta boy" for his "Service-Above-Self" Rotarian spirit!  The final total cash, checks and change are still being tabulated.  It looks like we will easily eclipse $2,000.  If anyone would like to still contribute, then please bring a check to the club meeting on Weds.  I will add it to our final deposit.  Thank you all for giving so selflessly of your time and treasure! 
 
West Geauga H.S. Student Madison Spencer receives the "Student of the Month" Rotary award from Jay Jones.  Madison is currently a senior but has been taking advanced classes at Lakeland CC and plans to pursue an RN degree there with the goal of eventually becoming a nurse practitioner.  Congratulations Madison!
 

Tom Heines, Exec. Dir. and CJ Maynard, Geauga Program Dir. were guest speakers at our club meeting on Weds.  They both explained their roles and the programs offered through Empower Sports.  They started by sharing a video to introduce Empower Sports: https://youtu.be/4LnwTmI7af0?si=SpPf9TPLnpyktvh9

Empower Sports is a nonprofit that provides year-round sports programs for people with disabilities with an emphasis on helping participants develop social skills, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Programs include basketball, softball, flag football, soccer, and much more.

Tom Heines is a 2007 graduate of West Geauga High School and CJ Maynard is a 2016 graduate of Kenston High School. CJ is Empower Sports’ Geauga County program director, leading all county-based inclusive sports programs for people with disabilities.

Breakfast with Santa was another huge hit at the West Geauga High School this past Sat, Dec. 7th.  The holiday tradition has been hosted by the Geauga West (Chesterland) Rotary club for the past three decades.  This year's pancake batter was called "Easy Morning Mix" and was donated by the Fowlers Milling Co. in Munson Twp. which was used to make delicious plain, blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes! 
 
There was much to do and see while waiting for pancakes and sausage served by the rotary club members.  There was a balloon twister, West Geauga "Class Act" choir, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and, of course, the Big Guy Himself SANTA CLAUS!!
 
This pancake breakfast could not happen without the West Geauga Interact Club which has partnered with our Rotary club for many years now to make this event a success.  We simply could not have done it without all their help and Christmas spirit!  They helped us decorate the night before, assisted during the event and helped clean up afterwards.  A BIG THANK YOU to Chelsea Talty and her (too numerous to mention here) Interact elves!
 
Lastly, Jay Jones deserves a shout out for all his leadership coordinating this event as our committee chair every year!   You epitomize the rotary motto of "Service-Above-Self!"  Great job again Jay!
Our guest speakers on Dec. 11th were Co-Chairs Alice Munn and Marcia Owen of the Geauga Library Foundation Board.  They provided us with a brief update on Foundation programs and, in particular, the status of the Dolly Parton "Imagination Library" Project.  Our club presented her with a $1,500 check to fund the West Geauga School system preschoolers in the Imagination Library program this coming year!
 
Winterfest 2024 is now officially in the books!  If you happened to be present at Parkside in Chesterland on Saturday, Nov. 30th then you witnessed an early holiday gift.  The crowd was blessed with the presence of Lloyd Williamson who is a lifelong Chester Township resident and about to turn 100 years old on Dec. 12th.  Chester Twp. Trustee Craig Richter read a proclamation recognizing Lloyd for his many contributions to the township over his lifetime.  Many of his family and friends were there to acknowledge this special occasion and the entire crowd sang him Happy Birthday!  The West Geauga Chamber of Commerce lent a hand in this year's event by serving hot chocolate and cookies and sponsoring a Christmas tree decorating contest in front of the Township Hall.  Chester Police Chief Craig Young was busy grilling hot dogs, and he admitted he was lucky to be in front of the hot grills as the outside temperature with the wind chill was in the low 20's.  The Girl Scouts sang Christmas songs, and the Boy Scouts lined the walkway with luminaires.  The Geauga West Rotary Club decorates the park each year and is proud to give the corner of Mayfield and 306 a little Holiday cheer as you are hustling and bustling at this time of the year!  In addition, the rotary club served hot apple cider, cookies and popcorn.  Of course, Santa made a cameo visit and gave candy canes to all the children clamoring to get a chance to see him!  The Geauga West Rotary club meets on Weds. mornings at the Mayfield Methodist Church at 7:00AM.  Stop by for a cup of coffee or to just say hi!  We have interesting guest speakers each week and we'd love to have you as a member! Please contact Bob Voss if interested in being a guest speaker or becoming a member!  Thank you and may you have a blessed Holiday Season!
 
The annual Holiday Food basket campaign was a success Saturday, November 23.  Rotarians packed and delivered baskets to seven families in western Geauga County. 
Each family received a basket loaded with a turkey, stuffing, a large assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables, salads, dinner rolls, butter, cheese, and apple and pumpkin pies.  Thanks to "Very Good" Bob for procuring the turkeys.  And thanks to Derek, Jay, and Lauren for packing and delivering.
Geauga West Rotary is very involved in Geauga County community.  We recently were involved with a Halloween event at the West G. It lots of fun and we received community awareness. 
 
Geauga West Rotarians have been busy getting Parkside Park ready for Winterfest, which is coming up November 30th.  Plans are to finish the grounds decorating and get the tree installed and decked out the week of November 18. Many thanks to all who have helped out thus far.
 
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West Geauga Rotary club member Bob Potocar was recently highlighted in Mimi Magazine, for a second time, for the work he does in his roofing & construction business Barbera Home Improvement.  Thank you Bob for everything you are doing to make our community a great place to live, work and raise a family!  You embody the spirit of Rotary's "Service-Above-Self!"
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chester Winterfest is drawing near.
Time for families, friends, good cheer.
Must be our favorite time of year.  
 
Members of the West Geauga High School Interact Club Board joined the Club meeting November 6, accompanied by Interact Advisor and District Interact Chair Chelsea Talty.  The club is thriving and energetic.  They reported on activities to date plus plans for the upcoming months. 
The District Interact Clubs gathered for the annual Interaction event in Peninsula on Nov. 9 to plan the District Interact Project.  We look forward to hearing about that soon.  
The Burton-Middlefield Rotary Club wrapped up its 2024 Maple Splash Fundraising Campaign with its Appreciation Dinner held at the Welshfield Inn on the evening of Sept. 4th.  There were approximately 80 individuals in attendance from over 30 organizations throughout Geauga County who helped make the Maple Splash Raffle another huge success this year.  The picture below is of President Ed Slane of our Geauga West Rotary Club being awarded a check from Maple Splash Chairman and Burton-Middlefield Rotary President Larry Fox in the amount of $2,850 for helping sell raffle tickets.  Thank you, Larry, for the opportunity to help raise much needed funds to better serve our families in need right here in Geauga County!
How fitting to have veteran Ryan Boucher as our guest speaker at our Sept. 11th club meeting.  Ryan is a marine who dutifully served our country, and we thank him for his patriotic service!  Ryan is now an energy supply consultant.  He educated our club about energy supply choices that are legitimate and also some that are scams.  Both good things for us to be aware of.  Ryan helped explain a very challenging subject and how to maximize on our residential and commercial utility usage and how to negotiate better rates with the various power companies.  He is a passionate and highly motivated spokesman for his customers.  Thank you Ryan for such an "illuminating" discussion!  (pun intended! Ha!)  Semper Fi!
 
Our club wished Peter Tuttle a warm farewell as he recently needed to retire from Rotary activities due to health reasons.  Peter has been a stalwart member for the past 10 years.  He has served in numerous capacities at the club level to include President in 2017-2018.  In addition, he served as West Geauga H.S. Interact Club Liaison and District 6630 Membership Chair.  The depth of Peter's leadership and wisdom will be sorely missed.  He embodied the spirit of Rotary's motto of "Service-Above-Self".  Terry Palermo (left) and John Zachariah (right) presented Peter with a special gift of an autographed rotary shirt from the members wishing him the best of health in the future and thanking him for a job well done!
The Geauga West Rotary Club has officially completed its enhancement project at the Chesterland Cemetery by adding a perennial garden, new flagpole and engraved granite stone in the front of the veteran's section.  Many thanks to everyone who helped with the project and to Jim Zeitz and Lisa Luoma for their leadership.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Instead of having our regular morning meeting, fifth Wednesdays provide an opportunity to do some different in the evening with our spouses and significant others.  This week we took in a Captains Game!  The night started out hot and sunny but due to a powerful fast-moving thunderstorm ended up getting rained delayed in the 6th inning!  At that time, the Captains were ahead 5-3.  Unfortunately, many of the fans left the game to seek shelter and the Captains ended up losing 7-5!  Nevertheless, it was a good time and we had a chance to see our Cleveland Guardians first-round draft pick 2nd baseman Travis Bazzana play!
 
 
Ben Altemus, Executive Director of the Geauga YMCA along with staff Deb Drenik and Christina Garratt were guest speakers at our August 21st morning rotary club meeting.  They shared information on the building and all the programs they offer for children and adults of all ages!  We are truly blessed to have such an amazing exercise facility in our county!
 
 
The Geauga West Rotary Club was proud to participate again in Unity Day sponsored by the West Geauga Chamber of Commerce on Sunday, August 25th.   Many local businesses and organizations were there to show their support.  Our rotary club sponsored the inflatable bouncing playground which all the kids appeared to thoroughly enjoy!   The West Geauga Interact students were also there to help chaperone and assist the kids while playing on the inflatable bouncing playground!  It was a wonderful day for excellent food, family and fun!
 
 
 
The Geauga West Rotary Club is once again selling engraved bricks to be placed in the Commemorative Walkway around the gazebo at Parkside.  The brick walkway was first completed in 1995 and renovated and rededicated in 2013.  Club members Fred Nevar, Jim Zeitz, Skip Claypool and Bob Voss spent several hours last week power washing and releveling the walkway and installing recently purchased engraved bricks.  It was definitely a "dirty job" and these pics prove it!  Nevertheless, the results were amazing, and the walkway looks as good as new again.  I encourage everyone to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to take a stroll around the gazebo and check it out!
 
 
 
 
 
Geauga West Rotarians Mike Talty, Lisa Luoma, and Ed Slane volunteered with Rotary Disaster Aid USA to cut up and remove down trees from stricken properties in Chesterland on August 23/24.  The volunteer team also included members of Chagrin Valley Rotary Club, as well as Grove City Rotary (Ohio), which coordinates response in this region.
 
 
The Geauga West Rotary Club was able to secure a $3,500 matching District 6630 Rotary grant that enabled them to assist the Township Trustees make several improvements to the Veterans Memorial section at the Chesterland Cemetery just in time for this year's Memorial Day service!  The funds paid to replace the aging flagpole with a much larger, sturdier pole as well as add a perennial garden.  In addition, the grant paid for a large granite boulder provided by Bremec Nursery that was beautifully engraved by Johns, Carabelli & Semerano Cemetery, Memorials & Flowers with the immortal words spoken by President Harry S. Truman honoring all the men & women who have served in our armed forces.  Instrumental in this project were rotary club members George Zehnder, Jim Zeitz and Lisa Luoma, who is also the Township Cemetery Sexton.  They spent hours researching many of the Revolutionary soldiers who are buried in the cemetery and honored these fallen soldiers by placing a poster at their gravesite explaining who these local heroes were and telling their incredible stories.   
 
 
 
Lisa Zimmer, English & Social Studies teacher at the West Geauga Middle School was our guest speaker this morning who talked to the club about the Power of the Pen program at the West Geauga Middle School.  The program encourages creative writing for 7th and 8th grade students to compete at the local, regional and state level.  Rotary International strongly promotes literacy programs all across the world.  The Power of the Pen program is an excellent way for young students to foster their creative writing skills and it offers an opportunity for a challenging non-athletic competitive activity.  Our club has always been a leader in the county in the area of Literacy and supporting this program is just another way of fulfilling that ongoing rotary commitment.
 
The Geauga West Rotary Club held its annual four-man golf scramble on July 31st at St. Denis golf course in Chardon.  Thankfully, it was a gorgeous day for the outing and 14 teams teed off at noon for the shotgun start.  The winner this year was Team Bob Voss, Glenn Travers, Matt Cebron and his dad Mark Cebron.  It was the third year in a row that Team Voss captured 1st place shooting -11.  As a result, he gets to hold onto the coveted over-sized golf bag until next year!  A special thanks to Bob Somrak who did a great job again as the master of ceremonies and all the volunteers who were instrumental in pulling off another very successful event.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
West Geauga H.S. Senior shares his life changing experience at the District 6630 Rotary Youth Camp at Balwin Wallace College from June 9th-13th.  Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is a 5-day leadership training camp held usually the second or third week in June, which focuses on personal and professional development of high school students. Rotary clubs throughout the world are committed to helping shape the leadership skills of today’s youth. Camp RYLA is one-way Rotarians achieve this goal.  Also pictured is Rotary President, Ed Slane and West Geauga Interact Club Liaison, Chelsea Talty.
Brian Lach, Director of Geauga and Lake County's chapter of the non-profit "Sleep in Heavenly Peace" receives a check from Ed Slane, President of Geauga West Rotary Club in the amount of $3,500.  The funds were used to purchase materials to build 40 beds for children in need throughout Lake and Geauga County.  Our two organizations staged a "bed build" day at the West Geauga Middle school parking lot on June 15th where all the wood purchased from Lowe's was cut, sanded, pre-drilled, partially assembled and stained to be ready for delivery to families whose children qualify for beds that have been identified by Job & Family Services and vetted by Sleep in Heavenly Peace as desperately needing them.  This was a very worthwhile service project for our Rotary club and we hope to continue our partnership with "Sleep in Heavenly Peace" in the future.
For 34 years the Rotary club of Geauga West (formerly Chesterland Rotary Club) has marched in the 4th of July parade.  Every year, they have entertained the parade watchers with their mesmerizing, precision choreographed briefcase brigade!  To the cheers of young and old, this dedicated bunch of Rotarians is always a huge crowd pleaser!  
Our Changing of the Guard was held at Veterans Legacy Woods on June 26th 2024. Outgoing President Chris Wincek, Jr. is given a plaque by Incoming President Ed Slane for his "service-above-self" as club president for the year July 2023 through June 2024. Thank you, Chris, for your leadership and a well-deserved congratulations!
The Rotary District 6630 Foundation Gala, held on November 16 at La Vera Party Center in Willoughby, Ohio, was a remarkable event that brought together Rotarians from various clubs, including several attendees from the Geauga West Rotary Club. This special night was not just a celebration, but also a testament to the enduring legacy and impact of the Rotary Foundation.

As the Geauga West Rotary Club embraces November's Rotary Foundation Month, we take a moment to recognize the extraordinary efforts and contributions made through The Rotary Foundation. Known globally for its exceptional management and effectiveness, the Foundation boasts 12 consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator and an A-plus rating from CharityWatch.

Throughout its history, The Rotary Foundation has been a force for global good, beginning with a single donation of $26.50 in 1917. The Foundation has empowered Rotarians to tackle challenges like poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with projects that have a sustainable impact. These initiatives are a testament to the guiding principles upheld for over a century, manifesting in local and global actions towards peace, disease prevention, clean water, maternal health, education, and economic development.

On November 1, 2023, the Geauga West Rotary Club was honored to host Ms. Elizabeth Bolander, the Executive Director of Fairmount Center for the Arts. Nestled in the heart of western Geauga County, Fairmount Center for the Arts stands as a beacon of cultural enrichment, offering a wealth of multidisciplinary artistic programs. The Center’s offerings span dance, fitness, music, theatre, and visual arts classes, embracing participants of all ages and diverse interests.

We are excited to share a wonderful moment from our club's journey—a special visit from District Governor Julie Brandle. On October 18, 2023, our club had the distinct honor of hosting District Governor Brandle, and it was an event filled with inspiration and camaraderie.

 

Get ready to mark your calendars for an exceptional evening of camaraderie, community, and celebration as the Geauga West Rotary Club hosts its highly anticipated 5th Wednesday event! We invite you to join us at the picturesque Blind Squirrel Winery as we come together to enjoy the finer things in life.

Indulge your senses with an array of delectable light appetizers, thoughtfully sponsored by William N. Masters Co., LPA. Relish in the harmonious pairing of these tantalizing bites with Blind Squirrel's renowned selection of exquisite wines that promise to enchant your palate.

Feeling lucky? Engage in the excitement of our thrilling 50/50 draw—an opportunity to win big while supporting our community initiatives. And for those seeking a satisfying meal, a cash-only food truck will be on-site, offering a variety of mouthwatering options to satisfy your cravings.

The Geauga West Rotary Club is thrilled to announce a significant step towards enhancing the infrastructure of Highbrook Lodge, a historic camp dedicated to individuals with vision loss. With the invaluable assistance of a District Grant, our club is embarking on a vital mission to replace the roof of the beloved chapel at Highbrook Lodge. This project underscores our unwavering commitment to empowering our community and supporting the unique experiences that Highbrook Lodge offers.

The Geauga West Rotary Club is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the upcoming Unity Day event, organized by the West Geauga Chamber of Commerce. This event is a remarkable opportunity for our club to engage with the community and promote our shared values of unity, collaboration, and service. As part of our involvement, the Geauga West Rotary Club will host a vibrant booth, fostering connections and celebrating the spirit of togetherness that defines our community.
 

July 12, 2023

The Geauga West Rotary Club gathered for a memorable meeting on July 12, 2023, filled with inspiration, recognition, and a commitment to service. The session featured esteemed guest speaker Andrea Gutka from WomenSafe, who shared her insights and experiences on creating a safer and more inclusive community. Additionally, the club had the honor of witnessing the presentation of the prestigious A.Z. Baker Award to Past President Lisa Luoma by Area Governor Ed Slane.

July 8, 2023

Burton, Ohio - The Geauga West Rotary Club made a significant impact on the local community as its members enthusiastically participated in the renowned Maple Splash event organized by the Burton-Middlefield Rotary Club. This annual fundraising extravaganza, supported by businesses and the community alike, has become a cherished tradition for locals. This year, the grand prize of the Maple Splash Raffle, a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado, drew crowds from far and wide.

On a picturesque summer evening at Sunnybrook Preserve, the Geauga West Rotary Club hosted a joyous and memorable event to mark the Changing of the Guard. Attended by esteemed guests, including District 6630 Governor Dave Jones, the gathering was a true celebration of the club's accomplishments and a warm welcome to its incoming officers and directors.

We hope to have a great turnout for our annual Geauga West Rotary Golf Outing on August 2, 2023! The outing will be held at St. Denis Golf Course in Chardon, Ohio. Let's hope for beautiful weather!
 
Here are some photos from our 2022 Golf Outing. Looks like everyone is having a wonderful time!

"Hearts For Service"

Geauga West Rotary (formerly Chesterland Rotary) invites you to participate in our annual fundraiser, to benefit the great charities supported by our Rotary Foundation.

Click Read More for more information.

 

Each year the Rotary teams with Salvation Army locally to help LOCAL folks in need.   This year the take was down a bit but still successful. 
 
Each year the Geauga West Rotary hosts a Winter-Fest and provides Santa to a ton of kids.  This year was a special event. 
Geauga West Rotary has some very special people who are constantly working for the benefit of our community.   Every so often there is a recognition of special efforts.   One of the Rotary's affiliates (Interact Club) received international recognition for her special contributions.   Congratulations Chesea.    
 
 
Fun and Patriotic.... Who says that the Rotary folks are not talented and that we don't have timing?   Our brief case brigade proves that wrong each 4th of July. 
 
Each year the Geauga West Rotary hosts a winterfest event at Parkside park in Chesterland. 
 
What a great changing of the guard.  With all the Covid challenges we still found an opportunity to socialize safely having a lot of fun.   Check out the year in wrap up video.
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Speakers
Mike Talty
Feb 05, 2025 7:00 AM
Rotary District Leadership Class
Upcoming Events
January 2025
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Club Executives & Directors
President
President Elect
Treasurer
Secretary
Sergeant-at-Arms
Club Administration
Immediate Past President
Club Public Image Chair
Youth Protection Officer - Chair
Fundraising Chair
Community Service Chair
R.I. Foundation Chair
Youth Services Chair
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Join Date:
  • Edward Slane
    January 1, 2004
    21 years
  • Jim Zeitz
    January 1, 2003
    22 years
  • Rich Luschin
    January 2, 2006
    19 years
  • John Zachariah
    January 13, 1981
    44 years
  • Morris Eason
    January 27, 2021
    4 years