March 2nd Newsletter

 

Thanks to Dan Mazzola and Tom Bahr for getting us signed in this morning and helping our speakers get ready for us.  Annette Oborn opened the meeting with a thought-provoking invocation.

 

Brad Jagger was our announcer.  He welcomed visitors Rev. Ben Walker and Don Hutchinson and then called on Katie Wright and Bob Oborn for Happy Bucks.  Katie told us that although she will still be with Metis Construction, she has accepted a position as Director of the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center.  For Bob's Happy Buck, he asked Christina Gary to tell us about helping Annie Hanson at the STEM Program where she acted as a judge for the students.

 

Carrie Leising (7) was not here to celebrate her Rotary anniversary but Don Coughlin was with us to celebrate his 15 years in Rotary.  Be sure to wish John Pribonic a happy birthday this week. 

 

The 50-50 pot will continue to grow as the 6 of hearts was drawn. 

 

In honor of the present political climate, Brad gave us several quotes and asked us to determine which political leader said those words.  It ended up that it was Adolf Hitler who said them all.  Food for thought!

 

Newer members Allan Mangus and Mike Dunton were welcomed.

 

For the anniversary celebration, Suzanne Garrett still needs pictures for the timeline.  If you e-mail them to her, she will get them back to you.  Her e-mail is ersuz@hotmail.com.  We still need addresses for former presidents, Bob Crane and Bill Wyers.  If anyone knows how to reach them, please send me the information at dentontaz@aol.com.  And attached to this newsletter, you will find a list of projects and fundraisers that the club has done in our past 35 years.  Look for things that are missing and also send those to me.  The dates on the list are the dates of the project.  If you know correct dates, please get those to me as well. 

 

Tonight is our time at the Foodbank.  If you signed up, be there from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

 

Christina Gary sent a list to people who will be in charge of programs for the next several months.  She reminded everyone to get the information to her as soon as you have it as to what your program will be.  She also was delivering anniversary invitations to those in the club who  did not receive them last week.

 

Sympathy to Tom Loepp upon the death of his father and to Roger Cline upon the death of his mother-in-law. 

 

The Four-Way Speech contest will happen next week at the high school.  Thanks to Amber Zibritosky for making the arrangements and recruiting the judges.   The three winners from Stow High School will give their speeches to us on March 30th.

 

Yesterday Jacqui Bowman sent out an e-mail recruiting volunteers for Hero's Day.  Be sure to look at it and volunteer to do what you can.

As a follow up on last week's Bulldog Bag presentation, plan to eat at Arby's on Norton Rd. next Wednesday, May  9th from 5:00-8:00p.m.  Receipts turned back into Arbys that evening will gain 20% for the project.

 

The District 6630 Conference will be April 22-24.  The club will pay the registration for anyone from our club who is planning to attend.  Go to the district website: www.rotarydistrict6630.org for more information about the conference.  The full schedule will be posted soon.

 

We will have the next Club Assembly on March 16.  At that time we will look at our revised by-laws and hold elections for board members, so your attendance that day is especially important. We will get more information to you after the March 11th Board meeting.

 

Congratulations to Roger Cline who has been named a Director of the North American Youth Exchange Network for Rotary International.  We are grateful for your service in this area. 

 

After the regular meeting, the board met to discuss some possible changes for the Achievement Banquet.The decision was that because of the short time involved, we will do the same thing this year that has been done in the past.  Then, shortly after the banquet, we will form a committee which will meet with school personnel to evaluate what to do for next year.

 

Bob Oborn introduced Rev. Ben Walker and Don Hutchinson from the Haven of Rest Ministries.  Rev. Walker told us about the history and work of the 72-year-old entity and Mr. Hutchinson discussed "Seniors Riding".  They are a group of 5 people who ride about 150 miles along the shores of Lake Erie to raise money for the Haven. Last year through pledges and donations, they raised more than $75,000.

 

The Haven served over 200 men women and children every night last year.  In addition to housing for people who have no where else to go, they offer both men's and women's programs .  They do everything they can to help people prepare for jobs that will help them to have a future without having to count on the Haven.  However, they still offer assistance after people leave the Haven.  Reasons people end up at the shelter include domestic abuse, drug usage, neglect, breakdown in the family and falling through the cracks of society.  Seventy percent of the men and women they serve are between 18 and 35 years old.

 

Volunteers are the lifeline of the Haven.  For instance, 10,000 to 12,000 pounds of clothing are processed every week in addition to other service. 

 

Wednesday, March 9 at 3:00 Four-way test judging at the high school

Friday, March 11 at 7:15a.m.  Board Meeting at Silver Lake

Monday, March 14 at Anniversary Club Committee at Corner Cup

Wednesday, March 16:  Club Assembly for our regular meeting

Friday, April 1: Cooking for Ronald McDonald House

Sat. & Sun. April 2 and 3.  Community Showcase at the High School

Wednesday, April 6, Foodbank 5-7p.m. at the Foodbank

Friday, April 8 at 7:15 a.m. at Silver Lake Board Meeting

Friday, April 15 Anniversary Celebration of the Club at Silver Lake

Thurs-Sun April 22-24 District Conference at Mayfield Heights

Thursday, April 28 Achievement Banquet at the High School

Saturday, May 7: Heroes Day

Monday, June 6: Golf Outing at Silver Lake

Wednesday, October 12  Reverse Raffle Silent Auction

Friday, November 11 Veterans Day Program at Stow Glen

Sunday, October 12:  100 years of Rotary Foundation at Severance Hall

 

In this current political atmosphere where there seems to be a lot of yelling and nastiness, make a special effort to say something kind to another person this week and let them know how much you appreciate them. It can be our gift to the world.  Have a great week!