Hello Fellow Rotarians,
Co-President Brad Ruth opened the meeting by leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark Ferguson, Program Host followed with an invocation about thankfulness.
Brad thanked Gail Moseley and Steve Dunton for getting us checked in this morning. He then shared that we had received thank you notes from Janiel Terry for the help the club gave her when she experienced a fire in her home, and from the City of Munroe Falls for our contribution to "Sparkle in the Park".
CELEBRATIONS:
Blue Pin: In spite of all of the delays given to her by the pandemic, Christine Faranda received her blue badge this morning
Wedding Anniversaries: Mary and Ron Dula are celebrating 33 years of marriage this week and Steve and Monica Dunton are celebrating 28 years.
Rotary Anniversary: This week is Bill Choler's 23rd year as a member of our club.
HAPPY BUCKS: Bruce Redmon explained that last Saturday LouAnn Redmon was honored for founding the GriefCare Place. And, as part of her talk she recognized the club for its contribution to the memorial area at the center.
DRAWING: Marissa's table had the winning ticket but she pulled the jack of clubs, so the pot will continue to grow.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Holiday Helping Hands: The list was ready this morning for members to chose who they will buy gifts for this holiday season for the families we are supporting. If you did not have a chance to choose, please contact Gail at
gmoseley1973@yahoo.com or 330-907-4241 to find out how you can help. Gifts for each child should range between $25 and $30. The wrapping party will be on Wednesday, December 15 from 5:30-7:30 in the Council Chambers of City Hall. A sign-up list was circulated for that as well.
Cluster Project: This Saturday, November 20 we have the opportunity to join other clubs in our cluster in planting saplings at Wood Hollow Park in Hudson. There are two shifts....10:00-12:30 and 12:30 to 3:00. Let Brad know at
bruth@glbainc.com, if you can help.
Shop With A Cop: Jeff Film thanked everyone for their participation so far in the program. He has a very few $5 tickets left but would be glad to sell them or accept donations. The goal is to sponsor 30 children this year.
Foodbank: Mary Dula said that we can now have 15 or 16 volunteers at the Foodbank for the next couple of months. There are several Interact students who have signed up to help but we need a few more Rotarians. Our next time is Wednesday, December 1. Let Mary know you can help with a text at 330-715-6358.
Dictionary Distribution: The distribution to the schools will take place on December 1 right after our morning meeting at Silver Lake. We will be able to go into the classrooms but must wear masks. Come prepared to stay for a bit and do the deliveries. You will work in teams and it should all be done within an hour.
The Rotary Foundation: Dave Renninger thanked the members who have contributed so far and gave us the reminder that checks should be made out to The Rotary Foundation and not to our club. You can give your contribution to him at the December 1 meeting or mail it to the club's post office box which is Box 1352, Stow Ohio 44224.
Stuff the Bucket: As announced previously, we will not ring bells for the Salvation Army this year. However, we will have a Stuff the Bucket Day on December 15 when members can bring checks made out to The Salvation Army,
Football Pool: The winners of $20 from the football pool for the past couple of weeks are: Robert Penrod, Mark Ferguson, Andrea Denton, Dave Christman, Tom Loepp, Melissa Gammell, Dawn Danner, Carrie Leising, Matthew Shaffer, Dave Renninger, Jim Stewart, Tom Dudick, Marcel Clopton, Brian Cargill and Don Couglin. Congratuations! Annette Oborn will write you a check.
Bulldog Bags: Remember that the items for November are: tissues, lip balm, cups or boxes of soup and protein bars. Drop your donations off in the reception area of City Hall. If you want to plan ahead, for December we can donate oatmeal packets, hot chocolate packets and dental floss.
Board Meeting: Minutes are attached to these notes from last Friday's board meeting.
PROGRAM: Program Host Mark Ferguson began by talking about how life changed for him during COVID. He said that his business was almost lost and then swung around to a very good year. There was just no predicting what was going to happen and what was going to work or not work.
Mark then introduced Jeff Goodwin, who is the current president of Trout Unlimited. Jeff grew up in Munroe Falls. This chapter of Trout Unlimited has about 375 members and is actually one of the smaller groups in Ohio. The organization has 387 chapters. The club is not only about fishing but also is involved with conservation and community.
Trout live in beautiful places and are a good indicator of water quality. The goal of the club is to see plenty of trout in the Cuyahoga River. In our area, they spend summers in Lake Erie and then as the water cools they go to rivers. Steelhead trout are a common target of people who fish, but brook trout are the most beautiful. In 1969 Cleveland, and the Cuyahoga River got a bad rap for the fire that made national news. Similar situations occurred in Michigan and New York, but were not as newsworthy. However, partially as a result of that fire, President Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency as a step in improving the quality of our environment. The Cuyahoga has now been transformed as sediment has been removed and the waters are clean enough for fish and to create a huge kayaking area. Through all of these efforts, things are now much more pleasant and beneficial in our area.
To learn more about the organization and the intricacies of what they do, you might want to google Trout Unlimited.
JOKE: Dave Christman told us a great joke about Ohio State and Michigan challenging each other to an ice fishing competition in a year that neither was invited to a bowl game. Ask Dave to tell you the rest of the joke. You Ohio State fans will need it for your friends who are supporters of Michigan.
Next week's joke will be by Roger Cline.
Brad adjourned the meeting by sending us out to serve and by reminding us that we will be on zoom next Wednesday.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Saturday, November 20, 10:00 to 12:30 or 12:30 to 3:00 Sapling Planting in Woods Hollow Park
Wednesday, November 24, morning meeting on zoom
Wednesday, December 1, morning meeting at Silver Lake with Fire Chief Mark Stone as our speaker.
Wednesday, December 8, morning meeting on zoom with Jon Perkowski co-owner of Jonny Burrito's Food Truck speaking on how COVID made his dreams come true.
Wednesday, December 15, morning meeting at Silver Lake for our Holiday Party. Bring checks for the Salvation Army for Stuff the Bucket.
Wednesday, December 15, 5:30-7:30 Holiday Giving Wrapping Party in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Food will be provided. Bring your donations for the families we have adopted.
Wednesday, December 22, No meeting. Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, December 29, No meeting. Happy New Year.
Wednesday, January 5, Morning meeting on zoom
Wednesday, January 12, Morning meeting on zoom.
Submitted by Andy Denton
