To open our first in-person meeting for a while, Co-President Brad Ruth led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Program Host, Tom Loepp led us in a thought-provoking invocation related to the Ukraine.
Brad thanked Dave from Bellacinos for our great breakfast buffet and welcomed our guest speaker, Don Alexander.
Brad thanked Gail Moseley and Steve Dunton for the great job they do in checking us in every week.
CELEBRATIONS:
Birthday:
John Pribonic will celebrate on March 7. Carrie Leising led us in singing to him.
Wedding Anniversary:
Gail and Jack Moseley celebrated 47 years of marriage yesterday.
Rotary Anniversaries:
Don Coughlin will observe 22 years as a Rotarian on March 8 and Carrie Leising will observe 14 years on March 5.
HAPPY BUCKS:
We are glad to to have Marv Mills back with us today.
Steve Dunton said that he challenged Jeff Film and the Stow Police Department to a no-shave March for the benefit of Bulldog Bags. Jeff declined the offer but Steve wanted everyone to know that his department will not shave and encourages Stow to reconsider.
Dick Hall completed the move to his new home on Monday.
Mary Dula said she is glad that the Skip Playground is being rebuilt.
50/50 RAFFLE:
John Pribonic had the winning number but the Ace of diamonds was drawn, so the pot will continue to grow.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Haven of Rest: Annette Oborn explained that we will collect personal items for the organization through the end of March. (See the list attached to these minutes.) Bring your items to the meetings. You can also contribute a check made out to Rotary Club of Stow-Munroe Falls so that Annette can shop for items, or you may make a check out directly to Haven of Rest and those checks will be submitted along with our items. Annette and her husband, Bob, will tour the Haven of Rest today in response to their coordination of the169 cans of coffee donated by our club and other members of the community.
Foodbank: Mary Dula reminded everyone that tonight is our volunteer night at the Foodbank. Hopefully many Rotarians will volunteer since this is the time we will be having photos taken about 5:00 that will be used to announce our award as Volunteer Group of the Year at the Foodbank. Please wear Rotary work shirts.
The Four-Way Speech Contest: will be held at the high school next Wednesday,March 9 at 3:00. Brad will get the pertinent information to all those who have volunteered to judge.
Rotary Board Elections will be held at our meeting next week. Three positions are available. Let Gail know at 330-907-4241 if you are interested in having your name added to the candidate list.
Meeting Location: We will continue to meet at Bellacinos for the time being with a zoom option available.
Board Meeting: The March 11 Board Meeting will be at City Hall at 7:15. Brad will bring coffee and donuts.
Golf Outing: Scott Miller, Golf Outing Chair, said that our contract has been approved by Silver Lake. Now we can move ahead knowing that the date is confirmed for June 6.
Bulldog Bags: This month's items are: individual sized cereals, Capri Sun, Band-Aids and hand sanitizer. You can drop them off in the reception area of Stow City Hall by March 9.
PROGRAM:
Tom Loepp, Program Host had, a unique way of dealing with the pandemic. He spent three months in Florida, working remotely. He also taught himself to surf, and was particularly "excited" that he learned about undertow.
He introduced Don Alexander, a long-time friend and runner who is a Baldwin Wallace graduate. He and his wife Rae operate the Guardian Race at the site of the Guardian Bridge in Cleveland and attract world-class runners to the race.
But Don had more to talk about than racing this morning. He talked with us about thanking those who had influenced us and made us who we are today.
Don grew up with ADHD before it was commonly diagnosed, but was labeled as one of the "bad kids" in school. He recalled a time in third grade when his Mom was called to school for a conference when his teacher called him a "bad kid". She stood up to that teacher but always had Don's back while at the same time holding him to high expectations and would not take "no" for an answer. This went on through his education and she made him realize that if he committed to doing something that he must follow through.
Back to third grade...He hated school, thought all of his teachers were "old hags" and just didn't want to be there. Then in fourth grade, he was assigned to a young teacher who seemed to "get him." When she started a book report contest, he just wasn't going to participate. Then one day she talked with him about what he was interested in. He said baseball, and after she said that he could read all of the books about baseball that he wanted to, he ended up winning the book report contest and more importantly was forever changed. He began to have a love of reading and learning. He moved to the "top group" and acknowledges that he influence and his Mom's impacted every day of his life. Incidentally, the prize for the contest was a book about John F. Kennedy. He has never read the book but still has it.
He fortunately had the opportunity to thank this teacher and gave the club a challenge this morning. Don said that we all need to be in touch with that person who had a life-changing influence us. Get in contact with them and tell them. If that person is no longer living, get in touch with their children or spouse to let them know of that person's influence and how they molded you.
Don also thanked Rotarians for the more than $2 billion they have contributed toward the elimination of polio. When his Mom was two years old, she had polio and ended up with a paralyzed arm, but obviously not a paralyzed spirit.
JOKE: Brad entertained us with something his Mom used to say that was very similar to "
Next week's joke will be by Carrie Leising.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
REMEMBER THAT WE ARE MEETING IN PERSON AT BELLACINOS. A ZOOM OPTION WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE.
Wednesday, March 9, 7:30 morning meeting at Bellacinos where Don Costello, Finance Director of Stow will be our speaker.
Wednesday, March 9, 3:00 judging of the Four-Way-Speech contest at the high school
Friday, March 11, Interact Talent Show at the High School
Wednesday, March 16, 7:30 Morning meeting at Bellacinos featuring Interact.
Wednesday, March 23, 7:30 morning meeting at Bellacinos with Women's Suffrage Project as our program.
Friday and Saturday. April 22 and 23. District Conference at Sheraton Suites
Saturday, May 7. Help Interact at the Memorial Gardens at the High School
Monday, June 6 Our Golf Outing