This past Weds. we had one of our new rotary members talk to the club about what he does for a living. Kevin Currutt is a Wealth Management Financial Advisor for Lakefront Capital. A few of the subjects he touched upon were Business & Personal Planning, Exit Planning, Group Life Insurance and Disability Income Insurance. While much of what Kevin discusses with his clients is serious business, he was able to interject some levity while conveying the importance of taking steps now to start preparing to protect your and your family's future should something unforeseen happen to you i.e. - accident, injury, medical crisis or death.
Kevin also discussed the importance of setting up your estate properly to avoid Probate Court and how to put your house in order before you are incapacitated and unable to do so for yourself. Please give Kevin a call to discuss your needs at his cell #: (435) 901-1145 or work #:(216) 802-0909
This past Weds. guest speaker was Jason Abate from Abate Floral & Landscaping right here in Chesterland. The Abate Family has been operating their farm and floral/landscaping business for 5 generations! Jason gave us a very nice overview of the many challenges he and his family face trying to maintain their family farm and business each year due to a myriad of seen and unforeseen circumstances. It is very apparent when you meet Jason that his great grandparents, grandparents and parents had a profound influence on him that molded his strong work ethic he is trying to instill in his two sons age 19 & 14. There is no substitute for having your own family operation and the benefit of working together to build the American Dream. Thank you, Jason, for sharing your story with us!
Geauga West Rotary Club President-Elect Jim Zeitz distributed approx. 150 dictionaries to the 2nd graders at Westwood Elementary school this past Monday. This Literacy Project started over 20 years ago by deceased Past President Jim Kisicki our long-time and beloved actor/Rotarian. He cherished the opportunity of giving the students their first personal dictionary that they could keep and put their name on it. He was a master of charming the kids with his illuminating stories of all the incredible amount of important information and facts contained in the dictionary/encyclopedia to include the world's longest word - over a half a page long that no one can pronounce!
Jim has taken over the responsibility for this special literacy project after Jim Kisicki passed away in 2017. He calculated that our Rotary club has distributed approx. 6,000 dictionaries to 2nd and 3rd graders over the past 20 years! What a wonderful legacy to our children and community!
We were honored to have Judge Matt Rambo as our guest speaker on May 13th. He is pictured here with Club Foundation Chair John Zachariah and President-Elect Jim Zeitz.
Here is Judge Rambo's bio:
Judge Matt Rambo was born and raised in the Toledo area of Northwest Ohio. He attended The Ohio State University where he earned a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2002 and Law Degree in 2005. After law school he served as a Magistrate for the Court of Claims of Ohio from 2006-2013. He then served as a Staff Attorney in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and transitioned to private practice in 2018. In 2021 he was elected as a Russell Township Trustee and in 2024 he was elected as a Judge of Geauga County Court of Common Pleas. He currently resides in Russell with his wife of nearly 16 years and two sons.
The Geauga West Rotary Club members help out by serving the Chesterland area Senior Citizens at their Appreciation Luncheon held at the West Geauga Middle School Cafeteria on Weds May 12th. Our Rotary club has been assisting the West Geauga School administration for many years trying to make this day a little extra special for those seniors in attendance. As you can see by the look on our faces, we are truly enjoying ourselves at this event by showing our thanks, appreciation and gratitude to the many seniors in our community!
Lisa Luoma - service with a smile!
Mike Talty - 2026-2027 President-Elect!
(L-R) Jeff Huntsberger, John Zachariah and Rich Luschin
(L-R) Skip Claypool and starting July 1st President Jim Zeitz
I want to thank each and every one of our club members and guests for making our annual "FUN"raising event a huge success! Our “Rotary Roundup and Run for the Roses” with door prizes, silent and Chinese auction items, $5 side board, Derby race raffle, dinner catered by Cove Creek BBQ, live entertainment by Anthony Pappaleo, Maple Museum Tours and Monty the In-Step with Horses therapy horse to greet everyone as they entered! To boot, our cowboy/Kentucky Derby Themed event in the Century Village Museum Lennah Bond Building was all decorated and gave the feeling of being back in time at the OK Corral or in an old time Saloon or Churchill Downs betting on the Kentucky Derby race! It was a lot of work to pull it off but well worth the effort.! (more pics to follow!)
President Bob Voss and his wife Kate Wheeler.
President-Elect Jim Zeitz and his wife Paula.
“Rotary Roundup & Run for the Roses” a Big Success!
Wow! What a weekend it was at our District 6630 Conference of Clubs. As you know, every Spring all clubs are encouraged to attend this event representing all 50 clubs in our district. Current District Governor Bob Oborn did an outstanding job organizing this year's event. And Terry Speck will serve as our next District Governor as of July 1st, 2026!
This year's conference was no disappointment. It began of Friday at 3:00PM with the Business Meeting and Celebration of Life Service t 4:00PM. Then dinner's guest speaker was Wisdom Oddo who is a world peace fellow whose Peace Jam Program in Ghana, Africa is planting seeds of promoting peace throughout the world!
Saturday was a day packed with breakout sessions and the luncheon was all about the youth and all the many programs District 6630 offers to engage them in local and worldwide service projects. Our very own Chelsea Talty serves as the District Chair of the Interact activities and programs that happen at the conference. She did a great job as emcee, and our West Geauga Interact President Ryan Berdis offered a moving “moment of inspiration” to the crowd. That was followed by all the parade of all Rotary Youth Exchange students in bound and outbaound this coming year (we have W.G. student Caleb Wright going to Spain for the short-term program). That was followed by the highlight of the luncheaon when the 4-way Speech Contest finishers of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place give their speeches to the crowd. (W.G. sophomore student Ananya Balasubramanian finished in the top 10 for her first time competing in the District 4-Way Speech Contest.) I was blown away the AMAZING talent these young students possess! I'll try to post the videos of their speeches as soon as I can. After lunch the Interact student's project was to assemble instant lunches for Pack Away Hunger a group that provides sealed packages to food pantries all across NE Ohio. In Less than 2 hours the Rotary members and Interact students packed over 24,000 meals that serve up to 6 people per pack! That's an unbelievable total of feeding more than 144,000 people!!!! Talk about having an IMAPACT!
Then at dinner our keynote speaker was none other than Katie Spotz. She is world renown for her endurance feats raising awareness of the need for clean water in the world. She plans to row across the Pacific Ocean which will take about 8 months and her goal is to raise over 1 million dollars! Katie talked about some of her other incredible endurance races and feats she has accomplished. She has another book out and is about to break another world record by a woman. The first to row across the Pacific. Talk about INSPIRATIONAL! God Speed Katie!
Sue Fox and Joe Keough were our guest speakers this morning and talked about Trauma Support for 1st Responders. Sue is Co-Founder of First Responder Code 4 Wellness. Joe is a retired deputy at the Geauga Sherrif's Office.
This presentation introduces First Responder Code 4 Wellness, a Geauga-based 501(c)(3) dedicated to "the first responder to the first responder." Unlike traditional clinical programs, Code 4 Wellness operates as a mobile outreach service, meeting police, fire, EMS, corrections, and dispatch personnel directly at their stations. The team will discuss the critical need for peer-led, trauma-informed support and how their "boots on the ground" model is breaking down barriers to mental health and wellness by providing professional, direct support without the usual platitudes.
Sue Fox
Co-Founder, First Responder Code 4 Wellness Sue Fox co-founded Code 4 Wellness to bridge the gap between first responders and the specialized support they deserve. With a background as a former volunteer for a sheriff’s department crisis response team and a former board member of the Lake Health Hospitals Foundation, Sue brings deep experience in community advocacy. She holds professional certifications in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, Mental Health First Aid, and is a QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor. Her mission is to provide grounded, professional outreach that addresses the unique realities of the first responder profession.
Joe Keough
Retired Deputy, Geauga County Sheriff’s Office Joe Keough serves as a vital bridge between the wellness mission and the law enforcement community. As a retired Deputy with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, Joe brings decades of local experience and an intimate understanding of the long-term impact of a career in emergency services. His involvement ensures that the organization’s outreach is rooted in the lived experience of Geauga County’s own first responders, helping to foster trust and open dialogue within the ranks.
This Weds. morning's weekly club meeting we had Geauga Co. & Lake Co. Dept. of Health Commissioner Adam Litke come present some of his responsibilities and issues he and his staff face on a daily basis. Many of his duties revolve around septic and well regulations i.e.- approvals, inspections and monitoring maintenance compliance; restaurant health and food safety regulations i.e. - licensing and inspections, monitoring compliance; and property health and safety regulations i.e. - inspections and monitoring of hazardous situations that could harm neighbors of the community at large. Adam gave many recent examples of real-life situations and what his Dept. needed to do to mitigate or successfully resolve the problem. Often these situations are contentious between a property owner and the County officials sometimes requiring litigation and exorbitant costs to properly rectify the problem. Some issues had a simple solution i.e. - routinely pump your septic tank. Other problems can be very costly to resolve i.e. - install a new septic system or drill a new well, etc. He talked a little about the process of condemning a home due to a hoarding situation where the home was either dangerous or hazardous to the health of immediate neighbors or when property owners neglect leaking oil tanks that may have leached into the water aquifer creating a potential contaminated water supply for the surrounding community. It was a very informative presentation!
Guest Speaker - Adam Litke Dept. of Health Commissioner
Our guest speakers this past Weds were from the organization T.O.T. “Teaching Our Traditions”. Kenny Leonardi is Founder and CEO of this organization and Tanya Birman is the current Program Manager.
Our guest speaker this week was Amy Goletz the owner of Avonlea Gardens & Inn located on Fowlers Mill Rd. in the heart of the Fowlers Mill Historic District about 100 yds. north of Mayfield Rd. in Munson Twp. Amy and her husband Joe and three children all pitch in to manage the nursery and beautiful historic Victorian Airbnb. They sell approx. 500 different varieties of native plants! All are meticulously and systematically organized on their website where you can order just about anything you are looking to plant. Amy is an expert in the field and will help guide you on all your gardening needs. Amy is especially knowledgeable about the types of trees, plants, shrubs that will promote not only a beautiful landscape but also will be beneficial to the sensitive ecosystem and balance between your greenery and all the many helpful insects, bees and birds! This was one of the most educational, informative and illuminating presentations our rotary club has ever had. Thank you!
At our Weds. weekly Rotary club meeting, we held a 4-Way Speech Contest for four West Geauga H.S. students. The students were asked to give a 5-7 minute speech about any topic of their choosing. However, they had to apply the Rotary 4-Way Test to their subject. First, "Is it the Truth?; Second, Is it Fair to all concerned?; Third, Will it build Good will and better friendships?; Fourth, Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"
The four students were competing for a chance to advance to the District 4-Way Speech Contest held at Springfield H.S on April 18th. There are about 250 Rotary Clubs in Ohio, and each club can enter at least one student. The winner and runner up then have the opportunity to give their speech at the Rotary District Conference luncheon at the Cleveland East Mariotte on Sat. April 25th.
The Contestants were Paul Barras, Aurora Pavick, Ananya Balasubramanian and current West Geauga Interact President, Ryan Berdis. After the students gave their speeches, the judges determined that Paul and Ananya would advance to compete in the District Contest! Each Student received a $25 gift card for competing and the club will pick up the $150 registration fee for the two students who are going to the district contest. Congratulations to all four students and Good Luck to Paul and Ananya!
(L-R) Ms. O'Janpa, Paul Barras, Aurora Pavick, Ananya Balasubramanian, Ryan Berdis, Ms. Talty, Ms. Balasubramanian.
Well, it's OFFICIAL! Jim Zeitz was duly sworn in to assume the leadership of our club for the Rotary Year starting July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027! He attended the ALL- OHIO President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Columbus this weekend along with 250 of his fellow Presidents-Elect throughout Ohio. Jim would like to give a brief update to you on Weds. morning before the 4-Way Speech Contest begins. He will also unveil the new Rotary Themed Banner for his Presidential Year. Congratulations Jim and THANK YOU for everything you have done for our club and for making my Presidential year a successful one!
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine were present at All-Ohio PETS last week to raise money for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Project. All four District Governors had a contest to see which District could raise the most money. As you can see, the total raised was over $150,000! THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this very worthy literacy project!
At our weekly Wednesday morning Rotary club meeting we were happy to welcome Dr. Steven Oluic as our distinguished guest speaker. Dr. Oluic is the Chair of the Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Board and provided us with an overview of the state of mental health & recovery services from a board chairman's perspective.
Dr. Steven Oluić is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel with 27 years of service—including over a decade overseas in places like Bosnia, Iraq, Korea, Germany, and Mauritania—Dr. Oluić wrapped up his military career as Assistant Dean of Strategy and Policy at West Point, where he also taught as an Associate Professor of Geography. Highly decorated, his awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, seven Meritorious Service Medals, and more—testaments to leadership in combat engineering and beyond.A dedicated scholar, he holds a B.A. from Case Western Reserve, an M.S. from the University of Cincinnati, and a Ph.D. from Kent State. He’s authored a book, numerous articles, and chapters, earning prestigious invitations to speak at the State Department, the FBI, Columbia University, and others. In 2016, he was selected as a Fulbright Scholar for exchanges in Russia.Blending battlefield experience, academic rigor, and global insight, Dr. Oluić offers a unique perspective on strategy, security, and international affairs.
At the very end of his presentation, Dr. Oluic mentioned he was running for county commissioner. Since that was a political endorsement, he was fined and needed to pay restitution by “Feeding our Rotary Pig” whose funds, in turn, will be used to provide Thanksgiving food baskets to several families in need right here in Geauga County.
For those members who were not able to attend this Weds weekly club meeting, here is a brief recap:
First, Membership Chair Ed Slane performed the induction ceremony for new member Dave Saggio. WELCOME DAVE! Your background in IT already proved to come in handy when I needed troubleshooting with our computer before the meeting even began! A shout out to Jeff Huntsberger for sponsoring Dave. This is a big part of Rotary. All new members MUST be sponsored by a current member of the club! We are looking forward to getting to know you better Dave and THANK YOU for bringing your talent, time and treasurer to our club!
The induction ceremony was quickly followed by Foundation Chair John Zachariah who awarded Rich Luschian and Jay Jones with Paul Harris Fellowships! It is a high honor to receive a Paul Harris Fellowship award because it means that member has donated at least $1,000 to Rotary International! Congratulations again to both gentlemen!
Then John introduced our guest speaker the Hon. Judge Matt Lynch. What a very informative talk Judge Lynch gave about our judicial system and how it works at the local, district, state and federal level. It is truly amazing how complicated the judicial branch of our government is and how it processes cases and does its best to see that "Lady Justice is Blind” in our country. Of course, there are always pressures that all judges receive in effort to persuade or dissuade them from ruling a certain way on a highly controversial case. We also learned that it is important to exercise your right to vote for your local and state judges and make an effort to find out their positions before casting your ballot. After fielding many thought-provoking questions from our members, I feel we all left with a much deeper appreciation for the work that all of our elected judges do on a daily basis all across this great land to uphold the laws of our Constitution to the best of their ability and conscience.
Therapist Sarah Swiger, from In Step with Horses was our guest speaker at our Weds. morning meeting. Sarah gave the club an update on the status of the $5,000 grant the organization received last year from the Geauga West Rotary Foundation and expressed her gratitude for the funding which enabled them to expand services and purchase many needed items for their equine therapy program. Last year, approx. 360 individuals received either individual or group equine assisted services which was a significant increase from the previous year. Sarah explained the many ways horses can help an individual to increase their confidence and self-esteem and actually shorten the time it takes to improve their overall well-being or trust levels. Horses are not judgmental but do give important feedback depending on how the person around them is feeling. Horses can provide clues to the therapists to focus on specific areas of treatment and how to help process certain emotions. The psychological bond that is created between the horse and individual becomes stronger and serves as a mutual benefit for each other. Simply put, horses are natural healers!
Ryan Berdis, West Geauga HS Interact President attended our morning meeting to bring our club up to speed on the myriad activities and projects his club is engaged in and planning at this time! It was amazing to hear about the breadth and scope of the service projects and the diversity of organizations they are actively trying to support through raising awareness and funds for these various groups. Some of the projects are school-related efforts, such as collecting recyclable waste at the school and bringing it the Chester Twp. Recycle Center., separating out aluminum cans from the recyclable waste specifically for ABC (Aluminum Cans for Burned Children) to help burned victims, stocking a school supply closet for teachers to utilize throughout the year when a student needs something so it doesn't have to come out of the teacher's pocket; putting together baskets for children who are removed from home by Child Protection so they have an emergency backpack of age-appropriate personal items they will need to make the transition to foster care easier; spend a day at a local nursing home engaging the seniors to participate in arts and crafts or other appropriate recreational opportunities, and many more worthwhile projects!
West Geauga High School teacher Cindy O'Janpa was our guest speaker at our Weds morning's meeting. She talked to us about the school's new public speaking program that was launched last semester. She informed us that the new pilot program was a success with about 6 students ranging from Freshman to Seniors who are mastering the skills and self-confidence necessary to improve their ability to speak in large public settings. Similar to the Toastmasters program the philosophy is to get the students to learn how to formulate their ideas and opinions in writing and then be able to articulate them effectively in front of an audience. While this task can present challenges, the lesson these students are learning will help them throughout their careers and life in general. Thank you, Cindy, for implementing this much needed class into the WGHS curriculum!
Club Foundation Chair John Zachariah and Club President Bob Voss presented member Bob Somrak, Jr. with a Paul Harris Fellowship Certificate and lapel pin at our Weds. club meeting this week. Anyone that personally contributes $1,000 to the Rotary International Paul Harris fund is eligible to receive this award. Congratulations Bob! It was much deserved and long overdue!
At our weekly club meeting this past Weds, Membership Chair Ed Slane inducted Kevin Currutt into our club! Kevin is a registered financial professional working with Northwestern Mutual Investment Services in Cleveland. He is a native of Chesterland and attended West Geauga Schools. Apart from a relatively brief stint in Wyoming, he has spent most of his life in our area. He knew Dan Peck and Andrew Blaschke from high school. Dan introduced him to the Rotary Club and is his sponsor. We are pleased to have Kevin as a member and are excited to see what role he will play and impact he will have on our club! We are all looking forward to getting to know him better. Congratulations Kevin!
Rotary is the world's premier international humanitarian service organization We are a diverse global network of community, business, and professional leaders who address relevant social causes to change lives and build goodwill and peace at home and abroad.
We work with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and national governments toward our top goal of eradicating polio worldwide.
We also focus our time, energy, and efforts on service projects encompassing the following:
The Geauga West Rotary Club hosted special guest speaker Laura Bartchak who is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Harriet Tubman Movement. The Harriet Tubman Movement is an advocacy group dedicated to helping people along the road to freedom. This group serves persons who have been victims of human trafficking – sex trafficking, prostitution, and other forms of exploitation. (https://www.harriettubmanmovement.org/ )
Ms. Bartchak gave an excellent power point and video presentation that gave the audience a strong grasp on the subject of Human and Sex Trafficking in the country and, in particular, here in NE Ohio. This is a widespread and underreported crime that continues to exploit and subject many of our youth and young adults into a life of servitude at the hands of people who make a living abusing their victims. If you think this does not happen in Geauga County, then you would be dead wrong. Chester Twp. Police Chief Craig Young provided a case that happened recently right here in Chesterland involving two girls. Thankfully, they were rescued due to being reported and the Harriet Tubman organization partnered with the police to provide these two girls the help and assistance they needed to begin getting their lives on a track of safety, security and normalcy.
Geauga West Rotary President Bob Voss is seen here receiving his Paul Harris Fellow +3 lapel pin from Foundation Chair John Zachariah. Paul Harris was a lawyer in Chicago who started the first Rotary Club in 1905. Over the past 120 years, Rotary has grown to be the oldest, largest volunteer service organization in the world with approx. 1.4 million members, 45,000 clubs in 200 countries! Achieving a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) award signifies donating at least $1,000 to Rotary International (RI). A PHF+3 level indicates contributions totally at least $4,000 to RI. Congratulations Bob!
A big THANK YOU! to Jeff and Sally Huntsberger for hosting our club Christmas Party at their home last Saturday Dec. 20th. Despite Sally freshly recovering from her very recent hip replacement surgery, she was all dressed up and filled with Christmas cheer as she eagerly awaited and greeted all guests at the door. She truly is a "Bionic Woman!" In addition, I'd like to thank Bob Piecenski again for catering the party and it goes without saying that there was PLENTYof food for everyone to enjoy! We also had a former member, and a few wives join the party (Larry & Debbie Corbus and Loretta Pitorak). It's so nice to stay connected! We are all part of the Rotary Family! There were just over 20 people who were able to attend the party, and it was a nice way to end the year by celebrating all the things we accomplished in 2025 in Rotary and our personal lives. We have so much to be thankful for and we are truly blessed!
On behalf of the Geauga West Rotary Club, Skip and Pam Claypool exemplified Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self" by preparing and delivering one large pan of turkey casserole to the residents living at the Next Step Geauga Home located on Aquilla Rd. in Claridon Twp. Program Director Andrea Pollock, who is also a member of the GW Rotary Club, is always appreciative of the many generous offerings of volunteer service and assistance from the four Rotary clubs in Geauga County. "The Next Step Program is a community-based initiative that provides stable housing and individualized case management services for young adults aged 18-24 who are victims of crime and have experienced trauma. The program aims to support these young adults in their transition to self-sufficiency by offering case plans, housing, employment, education, transportation and health care support." The Next Step program has been in existence in Geauga County for over 10 years and can accommodate 8-10 young adults living at this home.
"Merry Christmas!" to the Next Step Geauga Program
On Dec. 10th and Dec. 17th, Josh Sens and Dan Peck were officially inducted as two of Geauga West Rotary Club's newest members! Josh is no stranger to Rotary as his son Aiden was heavily involved in the West Geauga H.S. Interact Club and RYLA program. Dan was a former member of our club many years ago and has recently rededicated himself to get back involved with our rotary club once again. Josh comes from an extensive background in the financial world and has played a pivotal role collaborating with Lawrence Ford in writing the newly released book "The World Doesn't Need You!" Dan has owned and managed several local businesses such as; Apex Landscaping and Painting Solutions. We are very fortunate to have two talented entrepreneurs as members and look forward to seeing how their involvement will impact our club and community in positive ways! Welcome abord Josh and Dan!
The Geauga West Rotary Club and West Geauga Interact club rolled up their sleeves to ring the bell for the Salvation Army "Red Kettle" Campaign on Sat. Dec. 13th at the Giant Eagle and DrugMart locations. The four Geauga County Rotary Clubs (Chardon, Burton-Middlefield, Chagrin Valley and Geauga West) have partnered with the Salvation Army for many decades to help raise funds to assist those most in need in our communities. 100% of the funds collected in the red kettles remain in Geauga County to help our neighbors who desperately need assistance to survive at this time of year. The help comes in many forms ( i.e.- food, heat, electricity, rent assistance, etc.)
The weather was cold and snowy most of the day, but that maybe worked to our advantage as many of the patrons were in the Christmas spirit and even the Grinch's appearance did not sour the festive mood! A big THANK YOU! to all the Interact Students and Rotary club members who stood post for an hour ringing the bell. The final amount raised at DrugMart and Giant Eagle has not been officially tallied, but it appears the total will eclipse $2,500! In addition, our Rotary club always makes a $500 donation bringing the total to more than $3,000 raised for the Salvation Army this year! That beats last year's total by $500!
Geauga County Magistrate Abbey King was our guest speaker this weds at our weekly Rotary club meeting. She gave us an excellent review and comprehensive summary on our Juvenile Court system in Geauga County. We learned about the many challenges that come with adjudicating young children and teenagers who find themselves in trouble with the law. It was heartbreaking to hear the types of cases that come before her in court which can range from truancy from school, engaging in delinquent acts of theft or violence, continually disobeying parents or other authority figures, to taking illegal drugs or finding themselves in sexually or physically abusive situations at home with their parents. Many of the initial interventions administered by the court with these first-time young children and teenage offenders are geared to help them learn tough lessons without severe punishment or penalty. However, as a minor child creeps closer to the age of becoming an legal adult at the age of 18, then the consequences can be detrimental and potentially cause irreversible psychological damage for the rest of that person's life. It is not a job for the faint of heart, and we are proud that Ms. King sits on the bench of Chardon Juvenile Court as Magistrate to give these kids an opportunity to get support and turn their behavior around before it's too late!
The Geauga West Rotary Club held its 33rd annual pancake Breakfast with Santa at the West Geauga HS on Sat. Dec 6th. The Rotary members and WG Interact students all pitched in to help make the event a huge success! It took all hands on deck starting with decorating the cafeteria Friday afternoon and serving on Sat. from 8:30AM until 12:30PM. There was a total of 413 adults and children who attended the all-you-can-eat blueberry, chocolate chip and plain pancakes with Richard’s maple syrup; sausage; O.J., apple juice, white/chocolate milk, coffee and cookies all for only $8.00!! Of course, the “Big Guy” Santa was there to take pictures with all the good little boys and girls and make sure their stockings are full and they get all the toys and goodies on their Christmas list! Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer was also in the house to ensure Santa’s sleigh makes it to every one of those children’s houses this year! Overall, it was a very festive setting with the kids playing games, enjoying face painting, balloon twisting and the WG choir singing Christmas carols! The ambiance captured the true meaning of the holiday season and the spirit of Rotary’s motto of “Service-Above-Self.” Thanks again to every rotary member and interact student who volunteered to give a little something back the community we so dearly love! Merry Christmas everyone!
Winterfest 2025 is officially in the books! And, what a wonderful evening at Parkside it was on Saturday! The snowstorm on Thanksgiving gave the park just the right “glow” which set the stage for the Christmas Holiday lighting! (Also glowing were all the children wearing glow in the dark necklaces courtesy of the GW Rotary club!) The park couldn't have looked more festive with parents and the kids enjoying the winter wonderland. The bonfire was roaring, the hot chocolate and hot cider was flowing too! Police chief Young was grilling hot dogs and Twp. Administrator Purchase, along with Trustees Mazzurco and Richter were serving up S’mores! Val Mahalick and our local Girl Scout troops sang several Christmas carols, and Sam Mathews and our local Boy Scout troop lit luminaries along the walkway. The Geauga West Rotary Club was also serving popcorn and cookies to go with the hot chocolate and hot cider! Master of Ceremonies and GW Rotarian Bob Somrak did an excellent job keeping pace with the evening's event and culminated with the announcement of the arrival of Santa who helped with the countdown for the lighting and later passed out candy canes to all the good little girls and boys! What a beautiful scene it was after all the lights on the fence, gazebo, tree, lamp posts and displays all lit up in unison. It was purely magical!
Doug and Lauren Levin owners of Turney's ACE Hardware store in Chesterland were our guest speakers on Wednesday morning. They provided the club with the wonderful history of their family's local hardware store. Turney's Hardware is a family-owned and -operated business that was established in 1960 in Chesterland, Ohio. Did you know it is the #1 grossing ACE Hardware store in Ohio and one the top in the entire USA!!! It is by no accident that Turney's has grown to become this successful. It all started with Lauren and Doug's parents who have worked extremely hard and smart to position their hardware store to be at the top. While their original name has changed, the way they treat their customers and staff remains the secret sauce to their continued success!
Winterfest is always held on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year is no different. November 29th at approx. 5:00PM hundreds of adults and children will gather at Parkside for the ceremonial Holiday lighting of the park. There will be plenty of food and drink for young and old alike i.e.- hot chocolate and hot cider; popcorn & cookies served up by the members of the Geauga West Rotary Club. The Rotary club is responsible for decorating the park each year with the support of our Township Trustees and Park Board. Preliminary decorating has already begun and there is more to come! The police chief will be serving hot dogs again this year and the township will be serving S'Mores!
The Boy Scouts are placing luminaries along the walkway, and the Girl Scouts will be singing Christmas Carols too! There will be a bonfire (weather permitting) to keep every warm and toasty. Finally, Santa Claus will be making a cameo appearance after the park is lit to give all the eager children candy canes!
A special thanks to Bernie Stark a Chesterland resident for donating this year's Christmas Tree and to Rich Luschin, Fred Nevar, Jim Zeitz, Andrew Blaschke and Kevin Conway for lending a hand decorating on Friday! Also, a Big Thanks to Very Good Pizza for giving us sustenance by delivering 3 pizzas to the park to help keep us strong!
H&M Landscaping Founder and Senior Vice President Mark Mazzurco started his landscaping business while he was still a student at West Geauga H.S. in 1988. Unfortunately, Mark was unable be here this morning, so his brother Joe Mazzuco was our "pinch" guest speaker! Joe eventually joined the family landscaping business by partnering with his brother. The Mazzurco brothers grew their homegrown landscaping venture to more than 25 million dollars a year in business! As our population continues to age, more people will require help with cutting the grass, leaf removal and snowplowing. Take your pick! One day, we all will need help! Thanks for sharing your personal and family success story and what hard work can do and where it will take you in this amazing land of opportunity, we call the United States of America!
Toby Larson who is leader with the Boy Scout Troop 3104 came to speak to our club this morning. He provided a nice concise summary of what the Boy Scouts are up to in Chesterland and Geauga County. He and Sam Matthews request financial assistance from our club to help fund the Pinewood Derby Race every year. The Geauga West Rotary Club is always receptive to helping our important local organizations to ensure the continued levels of activities and opportunities they provide small kids and teenagers in the Chesterland area.
The Geauga West Rotary Club is pleased to announce that Phil Caris was inducted into our club this morning by Past President and Membership Chair Ed Slane. Phil is no stranger to Rotary and was a member of another club for many years. However, since retiring and moving back to the area he has been attending our breakfast meetings and decided to reengage with Rotary once again. And, we are very glad about that decision! Phil is also a board member on the "In Step with Horses" Organization. He is a very active member in the community with a focus on service and giving back to others in need. Welcome aboard Phil!
Todd and his wife Patricia (Trish) are beekeepers and have been caring for honeybees and selling honeybee products for 15 years mainly in Munson Twp., Geauga, Ashtabula and Lake County. Todd is an expert in the field of caring for bees and ensuring not only their survival over the winter but thriving during the pollination season in order to reap the benefits of harvesting their honey, wax and other natural products made from these tireless workers! We learned about many facets of the stewardship of honeybees and their essential daily habits, etc. Thank you, Todd, for sharing your passion and pure reverence of the honeybee and their magical busy world not typically seen by us!
The Geauga West Rotary Club donated $500 to the United Methodist Mayfield Church this morning to help offset some of their operational expense for providing our club with such a wonderful place to host our weekly rotary club meetings. Steve Vegel, Dir. of Plant Operations received the check on behalf of the church. Steve is present just about every Wednesday morning at 7:00AM to assist with any issue that arises with the facility. He is a dedicated employee of the church and has a big caring and giving heart. Thanks Steve and the United Methodist Mayfield Church for helping our Rotary club thrive!
Approximately 500 children dressed in costume for an early Halloween Trick or Treat celebration at the Geauga West Rec. Council Camp last Saturday evening. The Geauga West Rotary Club along with many other groups and parents were there to give the little trick or treaters a good scare and, of course, some candy! Thanks to Lisa Luoma, Skip Claypool, Mike Talty, George Zender and Andrew Blaschke for helping out with the event and dressing in costume for the occasion! Who let the Dogs Out! Woof! Woof!
This week's guest speaker was Dr. Karen Hale from the Burton Century Village Museum. She and two of her staffers were in attendance dressed in period clothing to inform our club about all the events and activities happening there throughout the year. The information Dr. Hale presented was very interesting and showcased the rich history that is a huge part of our heritage in Geauga County. Every building located in Century Village Museum were moved there from somewhere in Geauga County. The oldest cabin dates all the way back to 1798! The ladies also brought with them some interesting artifacts and items that were commonly used back in the early 19th century. It was fascinating to hear how people lived in the early 1800's when Geauga County was founded and starting to become inhabited. Many local names that are still living in the county today are direct descendants of the early settlers over 200 years ago! Thank you again Dr. Hale and your staff for taking the time to get up so early on a Wednesday morning to come speak to our club and inform us of your important mission at the Burton Century Village Museum. As a strong advocate and proponent of preserving our local history in Geauga County, our club is planning to have it annual fundraiser at the Lennah Bond building on May 2nd, 2026! There will be more information to come but please save the date!!
On Sat. Sept 27th, the Chagrin Valley Rotary Club held a fundraiser call "Putts for Peace" at the Golf Dome Mini-Golf course in Bainbridge Twp. A total of 32 golfers, male & female, of all ages played in the fundraising event. If you have never played this putt-putt course, then I urge you to give it a try. It will challenge the best of golfers! The course is in excellent shape with undulating fairways and greens with water hazards galore! Bob Voss and his wife Kate attended the event and played as a twosome. While their total score of 108 did not win the combined twosome low score, Bob's individual score of 47 was the lowest of the day! By the way, Par is 47 for this course! Congratulations Bob! Carrie Heppner, President of the Chagrin Valley Rotary Club and chairman of the event Charlie McGibbony made an impromptu visit to our club meeting this morning to present Bob with the first-place trophy, sleeve of balls and a Chagrin Valley Rotary hat!
Katie Davis from the West Geauga Schools Levy Committee was our featured guest speaker this morning. She did a masterful job educating our members on the pros/cons and complexities of Issue 16 on the ballot this Nov. 4th. It is a "Substitute" levy that will combine two co-existing "Emergency" levies. It will not increase property taxes and still capture the state's 12.5% rollback money for the school district! After fielding many questions, it seemed pretty clear that Issue 16 is poised to be approved by the voters of the West Geauga School System! We wish Katie and the entire West Geauga School system the very best of luck!
WOW! A BIG shout out and congratulations to Superintendent Dr. Nancy Benincasa and the entire West Geauga High School board and staff for an unprecedented report card! Keep Wolverine Pride going strong!
The 5th Annual West Geauga Interact Volleyball Tournament is now officially in the books. And what a gorgeous afternoon it was for the outdoor sand volleyball tourney held at Parkside in Chesterland. Over 75 West Geauga students attended the event. Bob Piecenski owner of "Very Good Pizza" provided enough pizza for the kids to last them for a week! A big "THANK YOU" to Chelsea & Mike Talty and Fred Nevar from the Geauga West Rotary club for helping organize and referee the games! The tournament winner this year was team "Volleybubus!” Congratulations!
This past Weds. Sept. 17th District 6630 Governor Bob Oborn paid a visit to our club. He shared his background and expressed his sole purpose was to assist all clubs in our district to be successful. Bob has always led by example and wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to his passion for Rotary! We are so fortunate to have him at the helm as our District Governor, and he is working hard to ensure we as Rotarians "Unite for Good!" all over the world!
Rotary Foundation Committe Chair John Zachariah awarded three club members with Paul Harris Fellow Recognition awards this morning! Ben Pintabona who became a Paul Harris Fellow for the first time; Fred Nevar who is a Paul Harris plus 2 and Jeff Huntsberger who reach Paul Harris plus 4 level. A member must donate $1,000 in order to become a Paul Harris Fellow. You attain a higher level with each $1,000 you contribute to Rotary International. All donations to the Paul Harris fund are invested by Rotary International for three years and then the interest earned are returned back to the home District to become available as matching funds for local projects! It is an amazing opportunity for local giving to be maximized for the benefit of our communities all across the world! Thank you to our two Charter members Ben and Fred and the club's first member Jeff for their contributions and prestigious awards!
West Geauga School Superintendent Dr. Nancy Benincasa was our guest speaker this morning. She gave us an excellent overview of the current status of the WG school system which is currently ranked in the top 12 out of 864 high schools in the state of Ohio! Wow! She explained the myriad of courses, programs, and other activities offered as well as the upcoming levy that will be placed on the ballot this November. The program is in very good overall scholastic and financial shape. WestG Treasurer/CFO Karen Pavlat was also in attandence to address any fiscal questions. Parents can be proud and excited with the new innovative courses offered and individualized approach to educating their children. In addition, Dr. Benincasa recognizes the importance of having the support of our Rotary Club with regard to the Literacy programs offered in the school i.e. - 3rd grade dictionary project and Power of the Pen program. Our club is also interested in assisting the school implement a required speech or debate class in the 9th grade. It was good to hear from the Superintendent and be reassured that parents are receiving quality services for their taxpayer dollars! Thank you, Nancy, for coming to our meeting this morning. We are thankful for our long-term relationship with the West Geauga schools and look forward our ongoing partnership with you and your staff to continue the traditions in place and creating new opportunities in the future!
Frank Lanza from the Chagrin Valley Rotary club was our guest speaker Weds. morning. Frank has been a rotary member for 44years! In addition, he has been a member of the Chagrin Chamber of Commerce for about as long and started his business the Highway Garage on Washington St. about 45 years ago too! Frank is a dynamic speaker and did not disappoint us with his command of the information and facts surrounding 529 Funds. These funds are intended for parents to save money for their children's college education someday. Well, Frank not only educated all four of his kids but all eight of his grandchildren as well. Now there aren't any more family members that can utilize the massive amount of 529 funds he has accumulated in his account over the past 30 years. He is attempting to change state and federal legislation tax laws that will eliminate the 10% penalty for early withdrawal of these funds as well as the tax on any funds withdrawn that are not utilized for educational purposes. He has spoken to congressman David Joyce and State senator Bernie Moreno to get support for these changes. Frank would like for all parents who are no longer using their 529 funds to be able to donate the entire amount in their accounts to the local Rotary Foundations which are 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations so that the entire 100% of the funds can be used to educate students who are not related and may not be attending accredited colleges or universities. Frank wants to see the funds go to teach our youth to get into the trades and reward them for working in jobs that require them to "work with their hands!" It is a great idea whose time has come, and our club wholeheartedly supports this effort. We wish Frank the best of luck as his home club and foundation has already begun to implement this pilot program so he can point out to our legislators that it works! Go get 'em Frank!
The Geauga West, Burton-Middlefield and Chardon Rotary Clubs all coordinated to volunteer staffing the Geauga County Rotary Fair booth in the Merchant Hall 2 building this year. It was a great idea, and many older and even some younger adults came up to share their prior experiences with Rotary, Rotaract and Interact! The weather for all five days of the fair couldn't have been better - cool and sunny. I'm guessing another attendance record will be set this year! There were many families with small children who also loved stopping at our booth to get a Geauga West logo mini-football, a glow necklace or a build-your-own mini airplane kit that we were giving away!
Past Geauga West Rotary member Eric Wittine was our guest speaker at last Weds. club meeting. Eric is an amazing individual who fluently speaks several languages and has been traveling to Guatemala on previous missions sponsored by the Mayfield Methodist Church to help build houses for families who lost everything in the recent earthquakes. Eric just returned from a mission where he and a group of volunteers helped the local Guatemalans build a church and four houses in one week! The Geauga West Rotary Club is proud of the missionary work he and the Mayfield Church has done and have supported their missions in the past. President Bob Voss informed Mr. Wittine that the club board has approved $500 to offset expenses incurred on this past mission or towards future missions.
Geauga YMCA Staff member Deb Drenik was gracious enough to be our guest speaker at our club meeting last Weds. Aug. 20th. She shared the many programs offered by the YMCA and then gave us a comprehensive tour of the entire facility. This community resource is truly one of a kind and everyone should check into individual or family memberships. The YMCA offers so many programs and opportunities for you to stay healthy and active! Don't delay and take the first step by giving Deb a call today at (440) 285-7543!
The Geauga West Rotary Club is pleased to introduce our two newest members of the club. Terry Nagy and Kevin Conway were officially inducted as members at our Wednesday weekly meeting. Past Assistant District 6630 Governor and Past Geauga West President Ed Slane did the honors by performing the formal induction ceremony. Ed is currently serving as our club's membership chair. The club's 2025-2026 goal is to add 10 new members! We're well on our way to meeting that goal.
Terry and Kevin offered a little background about themselves. Both are residents of Chesterland. Kevin works for Patio Enclosures and Terry, a retired engineer by profession, is very close to opening the Purpose Brew Works, with his business partner, on Mayfield Rd. just east of Rt. 306. We are blessed to have two incredible individuals as Rotarians and members of our club! Welcome Terry and Kevin!
What a beautiful, sunny, hot day it was for the Geauga West Rotary Club's 34th annual golf outing which was held at St. Denis Golf Course in Chardon on Weds. July 30th. The outing always begins with a delicious catered brunch by Frank Arco of Rise-N-Dine in Chesterland. Rotary club Past President Ed Slane was the "Ultimate Grill Master" and provided grilled ballpark hot dogs, brats and Italian sausages for lunch to everyone on the turn! Then, after the golf scramble was over, everyone retreated to the air-conditioned party room for appetizers and drinks. Dinner was catered by St. Denis staff which consisted of pulled pork and BBQ chicken with garlic potatoes and vegetables.
There were three team tied for first place with a score of -11. The eventual winner (as calculated by going back to the lowest handicap hole) was the Chester Township Road Department team! Congratulations! (see pic below)
There was also a putting contest before the 12:00 shot gun scramble. 1st Place winner was Bob Voss and 2nd Place went to Bob Somrak. The winner advanced for a chance to sink a 50ft. putt for $10,000. So, close to going in!
Our 34th annual golf outing is scheduled for next week! July 30th at St. Denis golf course. Please see flyer below and make every effort to support this important fundraiser. There is still room for your Foursome! See you out on the links!
This week's club meeting speaker was Skip Claypool. He gave a well-crafted power point presentation on House Bill 335 which seeks to modify the law governing county budget commissions, property taxation, county sales taxation, and alternative apportionment formulas for local government and public library funds. He focused on the issues surrounding local property taxes and the effort currently underway to change the way Ohio funds public services, such as, public education. Skip was able to condense the 180-page H.B. 335 into manageable segments making it understandable how our property taxes are levied, and which form of tax might be utilized to make funding public education constitutional and, hopefully, more affordable for property owners in the future. For more information go to: H.B. 335. Nice job Skip!
The Geauga West Rotary club played in the Hillcrest Sunrise Rotary club's annual golf outing at Pine Ridge on Friday. Members Fred Nevar, Jim Zeitz and Bob Voss played in the event and are standing in front of the hole our club sponsored. The weather was almost perfect for a change - cool and cloudy with temps in the low 70's! Our team came out hot birdying 4 of the first 6 holes but couldn't make another birdie putt until the last hole. Our final score was -5 under par. The winning team finished -12 under and the second-place team finished -11. The Hillcrest Sunrise club put on an excellent outing with fantastic food, silent auction prizes, booze cart, 50/50 cash raffle and a putting contest. Bob Voss won the putting contest by beating out another player who also made the 40 ft. putt to advance to the putt-off. Congrats to Bob and the West Geauga Rotary club for participating in the outing and for making the Hillcrest's outing a success!
Josh Sens of Conscious Capital was our guest speaker this past Wednesday. His son Aidan just graduated from West Geauga High School and was a very active Interact Student with the Rotary Youth Leadership Award program at the district level for the past two years. His dad talked about a new business venture with the assistance of Lawrence Ford the "Shaman of Wall Street." Josh explained how his career path and hard work has led him to financial success but was somehow still lacking in personal fulfillment. He is attempting to structure a company with investment and marketing partners to help people learn how to navigate pursuing personal rewarding careers while feeling excited about how they are impacting their community and the world.
Josh triggered many questions from the guests and members in attendance as we all search for personal meaning while trying to do good in the world! Sounds just like the philosophy of Rotary in many ways. Service above self and targeted in ways that YOU believe are important to give your TIME, TALENT and TREASURE! Josh ended with the belief that we are all put of this planet for a reason, and he would like to help people find out what that is to maximize their God-given potential and live in harmony with whatever may be there life's pursuit.
The Maple Splash Festival was a huge success on Sat., July 12th at the Burton Century Village. The Burton-Middlefield Rotary Club did an outstanding job running the raffle and the event. The weather was hot and sunny, and a gentle breeze kept blowing all day to keep everyone from becoming too overheated. There were over 40 local private and other non-profit businesses who set up booths at the festival as well.
Over 7,500 maple splash tickets were sold along with a 50/50 cash raffle that totaled almost $30,000! There were approx. 100 Chinese auction items as well as other incredible raffle prizes. I do not have the final revenue totals from Larry Fox, Maple Splash Chairman, but it looks like they might break another record!
The festival started at 2:00PM and lasted until 9:00PM. There were live bands and several food trucks and an ice cream truck too! Our club assisted with the "Kids Zone" by playing four different games with the kiddos. There was a huge velcro soccer target that seemed to attract most of the kid's attention. A big thanks and appreciation to Mike & Chelsea Talty and the Clover Electric Employees, Jim & Paula Zeitz, Derek Taylor and Geauga West Rotary Club First Lady Kate Wheeler for volunteering their time to play with the kids and hand out prizes all day!
D&S Automotive Managers Mark Metz and Amy Marsh were our rotary guest speakers at our weekly Weds. club meeting on July 9th. One shop is located in Geauga County on Fifth St. in Chardon near the Walmart. They also have five other shops located in Mentor, East Mentor, North Ridgeville, Elyria and Kirtland.
D&S Automotive has been satisfying customers with their outstanding auto repair service for almost 50 years. They provide quick and reasonable estimates and stand 100% behind all work they perform with their guaranteed warranty on the work they perform. They have virtually all 5-star reviews which is a testament to the type of dedicated, caring and professional people employed at D&S.
We wish them all the best!
CHARDON’S NUMBER-ONE AUTO REPAIR CENTER
Chardon, Ohio, is home to the number-one collision repair shop in Geauga County, D&S Automotive. If your car needs repairs after an accident, or just small cosmetic repairs like dings or dents, D&S can handle all of your auto body needs. We handle all aspects of body work, right down to windshield repair and replacement.
Our Chardon location is now a Tesla-Lite Certified Repair Facility, providing cosmetic repairs on parts, including bumpers, trunks, side mirrors, wheels, and glass. At this time, we do not provide collision repair or body work for Tesla vehicles—those services can be found at our Mentor location only.
Contact D&S Automotive in Chardon today and find out why we are a Progressive Insurance Preferred Body Shop and Geauga County’s top choice for auto body repair and accessory installation. We also service Hambden for collision repairs!
Happy 249th Birthday America!!! Once again, the Geauga West Rotary club participated in Chesterland's 4th of July parade. What a beautiful day it was too! The club's briefcase brigade was the hit of the parade dazzling spectators with their brilliant, choreographed dance routine. The large inflatable rotary sign was a new prominent feature this year in the bed of Andrew Blaschke's (RED EFT Arborists owner) truck and trailer he was pulling while candy was being tossed to the children along the parade route. The West Geauga Interact club led the procession as they do every year!
Liberty Camp CEO Linda O'Brien receives a check for $500 from the Geauga West Rotary club to help fund the 2025 one-week, half day summer camp program in Geauga and Lake County. Hundreds of children from the second to seventh grade return every year to learn more about the history and founding of our country. The mission is to educate kids of the early trials and tribulations that our country went through in its infancy and how it relates to the many struggles we are still faced with today. One of the goals is to teach the kids that their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are inalienable rights that come from God and are not bestowed upon them by any one man.
The Geauga West Rotary Club held its Changing of the Guard event at Veterans Legacy Woods Park on June 25, 2025. The event is to celebrate Past President Ed Slane for his accomplishments during his term July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Thank you again Ed for your dedication and leadership throughout the year and how you miraculously managed to "pull a rabbit out of your hat" keeping our club moving forward in a positive direction with our magician-like prowess in keeping with your rotary year's theme "The Magic of Rotary!"
We also inducted the new President Bob Voss and his officers and directors for his term commencing July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This is Bob's second term as President of the club as he served 20 years ago in 2005-2006. The club also celebrated its 35th anniversary as a rotary club that started on March 16, 1990 and was chartered by the Burton-Middlefield club. There are still three charter members in our club who were there when it all began 35 years ago (Fred Nevar, Joy Black and Ben Pintabona)
On Tuesday, President Ed Slane, President-Elect Bob Voss and Charter/Club Member of 35 yrs. Fred Nevar tackled refurbishing the three benches the club donated to the West Geauga High School and Middle School. Approximately 18 years ago, our club donated and installed two benches on behalf of the club and one bench on behalf of the West Geauga Interact club.
The weather has taken its toll over the years as this is not the first time they needed a face-lift. I am now proud to report that all three benches are looking pretty spiffy again! As you can see, the results are dramatic! Andrew Blaschke will clean up under the benches, lay down a weed barrier and spread mulch to add the final touches on the project. Add this to the long list of successful projects and events completed under Ed Slane's leadership!
The Chester Township Officials held a solemn but beautiful Memorial Day Service at the Chester Twp. Cemetery on May 26th at 10:00AM. Approximately two hundred residents were in attendance on the warm and sunny morning. The Geauga West Rotary Club recently completed its service project to honor our veterans at the cemetery which included installation of a new flagpole, granite boulder with bronze plaque inscribed with the immortal words of President Harry S. Truman, and garden area of annuals and perennials surrounding the flagpole. Kudos to club members Jim Zeitz (wife Paula) and Terry Palermo for all their help with the project. Job well done!
Aiden Sens is awarded West Geauga H.S. "Student of the Month" honors from the Geauga West Rotary Club Secretary Jay Jones. Aiden's dad Josh was also present to watch his son receive this award. Aiden has been an exemplary student as well as very involved with the H.S. Interact Club the past three years. He has become an ardent spokesperson for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) and an advocate for the benefits of attending this program. He readily admits that his speaking skills and confidence have flourished due to the many activities and events he has participated in through Rotary. Aiden is interested in pursuing his studies in the field of engineering here or abroad, if the opportunity presents itself. We wish him all the best in his future!
The Geauga West Rotary Club recently installed an additional 20 engraved commemorative bricks around the gazebo in Parkside park! The engraved bricks are still for sale and have been part of an ongoing fundraiser for the club over the years. Fred Nevar lends a hand by delivering the engraved bricks to the gazebo.
The Rotary family will miss you very much, Terry. We thank you for the Service Above Self that you lived out in our club and in our community. Rest in peace.
At the April 9 Club meeting Mike Talty, Club Youth Service Chair, presented West Geauga H.S. seniors Madison Spencer and Juliana Faraguna presented with the 2024-2025 Interact Service Above Self awards. Madison and Juliana served as Interact Club President and Vice-President, respectively. During their years in their club, they have dedicated many hours to organizing and leading fundraising efforts and managing projects in our school district and in Northeast Ohio. Geauga West is proud of their efforts and wishes them continued success in their careers. They will be recognized at the High School Senior Awards night in May.
For the past 30 years, the Geauga West Rotary Club has been providing every third-grade student attending Linsday, Westwood and St. Anselm's Elementary schools with a brand-new dictionary! Jim Zeitz has been leading this very important program for the past 8 years and helps our club fulfill one of the major missions of Rotary International - Literacy.
The goal of the Dictionary Project is to help all students in completing the school year as good writers, active readers and creative thinkers. It is a community effort on the part of the Geauga West Rotary Club designed to improve student literacy by providing third grade students with a gift of their own PERSONAL DICTIONARIES to use in school and at home for years to come.
Educators see the third grade as the dividing line between learning to read and reading to learn. A Student Dictionary, however, is more than a dictionary. It includes over 150 pages of supplemental information including the Constitution of the U.S., the Declaration of Independence, brief biographies of all U. S. presidents, maps of the seven continents, and information about all 50 states and more than 175 countries in the world as well information on the planets in the solar system and lots more. Always fascinating to the students is the last page in the book which contains the longest word in the English language containing 1,909 letters; this word is a term for a formula of Tryptophan synthetase A protein.
The parents and teachers of the third graders recognize that “The limits of your language are the limits of your world” (Ludwig Wittgenstein). Teachers indicate that they typically integrate the use of the dictionary/gazetteer into the classroom activities in writing, reading, communication and research assignments. We are proud to announce that once the books are in the students’ possession, we receive thank you notes from the students, their parents, and their teachers. Third graders are also vocal about being pleased to receive a copy of the dictionary as an older sibling already has a copy of the book and they are happy to have their own personal one.
Thank you to our Club members President Ed Slane, Jim Zeitz, Skip Claypool and Lisa Louma who participated in this year’s efforts going into the third-grade classrooms to share information about our Rotary Club and previewing the uses of the dictionary.
The Geauga West Rotary Club held its 34th annual "Hearts for Service" fundraiser at the E.O.U.V. Hall in Novelty on the evening of February 15th, 2025. It was a night of fun for those who braved the snow and cold weather that suddenly hit the area that morning. Despite the wintery mix outside it was warm and inviting inside the hall for all our 170 guests that attended that night. The event included appetizers, dinner, desserts and open bar. In addition, there were silent and Chinese auction items, 50/50 side boards and a $1,000 grand prize raffle. Our club would like to thank our West Geauga H.S. Interact Students who helped by donating two auction items, managing the coat room and selling raffle tickets! They received all the funds for their efforts i.e.- 100% auction item proceeds and tips from the coat room. We would like to thank everyone who participated in our event to make it another success. We are pleased to report that you helped us raise approx. $11,000 that night! These funds will help our club and foundation continue to fulfill the mission of rotary and will eventually be disbursed to many worthwhile local non-profit organizations throughout our county. Thank you again for your ongoing and tireless support of Rotary!
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!
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.
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!
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 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.
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!"
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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 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!
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.
Veterans Project Completed at the Chesterland Cemetery
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.
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.
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.
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 Geauga West Rotary Club is excited to announce two of our most beloved annual events: Chesterland Winterfest and Santa's Breakfast. These events, cherished by our community, embody the spirit of the season and our commitment to bringing joy and warmth to everyone around us.
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 holiday season approaches, the Geauga West Rotary Club has been bustling with activity, preparing for the much-anticipated Winterfest event scheduled for Saturday, November 25. This past weekend was a flurry of festive endeavors, showcasing the spirit and dedication of our club members.
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.
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.
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.
The Geauga West Rotary Club's Briefcase Brigade took center stage at the Kiwanis Club of West Geauga hosted Independence Day parade, captivating the crowd with their spirited performance.
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.
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.
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.
The coronavirus has impacted the world, the nation, and those in Geauga County in ways that is hard to believe. The Chesterland Rotary, soon to be the Geauga West Rotary, has stepped up in this crisis and is supporting our senior population and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center (UH Geauga).
Brandon Chrostowski, founder of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute in Shaker Square, Cleveland, Ohio, spoke to the Chesterland Rotary Club about his mission to give a second chance to people recently released from prison through a 6-month Culinary Training program.
Today marks one year without a case of polio in Nigeria. Their year without a polio case is a critical step toward a polio-free Africa. Get involved and you can help #endpolio globally:http://www.endpolio.org/donate.
Planning for the Chesterland Rotary-Masindi Education Foundation 2015 Combined Golf Outing is underway. The event will be held on August 12, 2015 at Fowler's Mill Golf Course.
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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. 
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