President Gail Moseley called the meeting to order by leading in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ray Evans, Program Host, then followed with an invocation from the 2004 Book of Monbeck. After Gail thanked Steve Dunton and Dave Renninger for checking us in, she welcomed our speaker Bruce Davis and Carol Crimi of the Kent club.
HAPPY BUCK: Brad Ruth shared that his daughter, Delaney has moved from her position in Toledo to NBC4 in Columbus, where she is an on-air reporter.
CELEBRATIONS:
Rotary Anniversaries: Bob Sweitzer is celebrating 13 years as a Rotarian this week and Steve Dunton is observing 8 years.
Birthdays: Our newest member, Tony Malorni, celebrated his birthday yesterday.
CONCERN: Dick Hall is recovering from back surgery at home. He is not yet ready for visitors but would be glad to have a card or text from everyone.
50/50 Todd Hearty and Jeff Film had the winning ticket at their table but pulled the jack of spades, so the pot with only 10 tickets remaining will continue to grow. It is over $500 now.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Foodbank: A reminder to everyone that our new volunteer time for the Foodbank is the fourth Wednesday of each month from 4:30 to 6:30. That is next week, so be sure to sign up as you sign in.
Paul Harris Awards: Those who are new Paul Harris members or who are moving up a level will be recognized next week. Be sure to be at the meeting if you are expecting an award.
Board Meeting Decision about March's Fifth Wednesday: It was decided that for our March 29th event we will hold CPR Training. Jeff Film will organize the event which will be held in Stow's Safety Building. More details will follow. For other information about the meeting see the minutes which are attached to these minutes.
Habitat for Humanity Project: Gail reported that Mary Parr, Steve Dunton and Scott Miller worked with her last Wednesday on the Cluster Project's Habitat House. They learned how to put siding on a house.
Coffee Project: Bob and Annette Oborn reminded everyone that we are still working on the project to collect 200 cans of coffee for the Haven of Rest this month. We are at 150 as of this morning, so bring your contribution next week or drop your's off at the Oborns, 381 Silver Valley Blvd. in Munroe Falls, 44262. You are welcome to also have Amazon deliver an order for you.
Bulldog Bags: Items needed from us by February 8 are: Individual cereal bowls, mini bags of goldfish crackers, small bottles of shampoo or cash for shampoo, 16 oz. jars of peanut butter and 18 oz. jars of grape jelly. Bring your donations to a meeting or drop them off in the lobby of City Hall or at the library.
Rotary Opportunities Through The Rotary Club of Kent: Carol Crimi of the Kent Club was with us to explain two opportunities:
Water Projects: There will be a chance to visit two different water projects, one in Nicaragua (June 4-11) and El Salvador (June 11-18). It is authentic, all-inclusive experience including spending time in the homes of people of the villages. See the attached flier for further information about these COCODA Tours and what you can experience.
Golden Flashes Opportunity: Come to see the Kent State Golden Flashes take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the MAC Center Loge! For $25, you will see the game, and have dinner with a cash bar. This is a fundraiser for the Kent club's foundation. See the attached flier for further information. Carol plans to be back with us next week and will have tickets available. The current date is February 18 but that could change to February 17. If the Flashes continue to win, ESPN will broadcast the game on the 17th.
PROGRAM: Host, Ray Evans. told us that his best post-COVID moment was getting to both Washington DC and Boston to see his grandchildren over the holidays. It had been a long time!
Ray then introduced Bruce Davis who is a "walking encyclopedia for the tire industry." His topic was: "So You Are Considering Buying an Electric Car" He shared many interesting facts about the topic. People are interested in fully electric vehicles because of concern for both the economy and the environment. Fully electric cars have been made in the U.S. for about 10 years but they make up only 6-7% of the U.S. new car sales. We will most likely see this increase as two states already have laws making it illegal to sell cars with internal combustion engines by 2036.
A major concern is the need for more charging stations. We will need many more if electric cars are to be the norm. A charging station can cost between $10,000 and $20,000 for all-electric vehicles. With hybrid cars, there was always the gasoline option for back-up, which is not the case for all electric vehicles. A separate line of tires is necessary due to the extra weight of electric cars and a more instant breaking process. Disposal of the batteries is another issue that has to be resolved. This will be a very interesting process to see how it grows in the future.
Gail ended the meeting by leading us in the Four-Way-Test.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, January 15,7:30 a.m. Morning Meeting at Bellacinos. Paul Harris Fellows will be recognized and "Geauga Mama Dogs and Pups" will be our program
Wednesday, January 25, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Foodbank Vounteer Time at the Foodbank.
Sunday, February 5 from noon until 3:00 Pizza Palooza at the High School
Wednesday, February 8, Bulldog Bag items for next month are due
Saturday, March 11, 10:00-5:00 Business and Community Expo at the high school
Wednesday evening March 29, Fifth Friday Activity, CPR Training at the Safety Building
Friday and Saturday April 28 and 29, District Conference at Orange Village
Friday, June 16, Golf Outing at Fox Den
Submitted by Andy Denton
Andrea Denton
330-474-7265
330-414-1934