After Co-president Brad Ruth led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, Program Host, Dave Christman gave us some food for thought for our invocation.
Brad welcomed Bob Oborn back for the first time since he had his health issues. Great to see him!
Visitor, Lindsey Smith, our speaker was welcomed with appreciation to Gail Mosely and Steve Dunton for getting us checked in.
HAPPY BUCKS:
Don Coughlin had two happy bucks this morning. The first was that his granddaughter, Martha Coughlin, who is a student at Miller South, took first place in a contest at the Up Front Art Gallery. His second happy buck was that Don retired after 20 1/2 years at Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority.
CELEBRATIONS:
Rotary Anniversaries: John Long (41) Tom Loepp (25), Bob Oborn (12) and Mary Dula (3) are all celebrating membership anniversaries this week.
Wedding Anniversaries: Jeff and Jennifer Film are celebrating 29 years of marriage.
50/50 RAFFLE: Bob Oborn's table had the winning number but Bob drew the 7 of clubs.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Thank you Bob Oborn thanked everyone for their good wishes during his illness.
Ronald McDonald House Groups of four are now being permitted to prepare meals. Our date will be set for late September or early October. Bob will let us know when people are needed.
Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction: Bob reminded us that the Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction will take place on Wednesday, October 13. Tickets are $125 if you will be attending in person. That ticket includes two meals. There is also a virtual ticket available at a cost of $100. If you are purchasing a virtual ticket, please include your e-mail address. People who attended last year will be contacted to see if they want to purchase a ticket for this year's event.
Foodbank: Tonight from 4:30-6:30 is our night to volunteer at the Akron-Canton Foodbank. Contact Mary Dula at 330-715-6358 if you can help.
Football Books: Pat Messmore had just a few books left, but people were grabbing them before the start of the OSU season this week. Contact Pat at pat@messmoreagency.com to see if you can still get a book.
Summer Sunset Blast: This weekend we will have a booth to sell 50/50 tickets. If you can volunteer, contact Steve Dunton at sdunton707@gmail.com to volunteer. He also has 50/50 tickets available at $5 each or 5 for $20.00, but he needs to have the money by this weekend. Remember that the club gains 50% of these sales for its projects and some lucky winner will get the other half.
Homecoming Float: Brad told us that the Interact students want the club's help in creating a float for Homecoming. Brad Jagger said that his church purchased the float base that formerly belonged to Rotary. The two Brads will work on getting the float to the students. The students also want new shirts for the float. Bob explained that each year our club funds new shirts for them, according to what they design, so we will plan to fund that again.
PROGRAM:
Dave Christman, Program Host said that during the pandemic, he has learned new ways to communicate and has improved his skills in that area.
He then introduced Lindsay Smith, Brand Manager of the Summit County Metro Parks, our speakers. She is a graduate of Ohio University and handles the marketing and communication for the park system. This is an especially exciting year for the park as it is their 100th anniversary. They will have special programs throughout the year with a special celebration on New Years Eve, their actual anniversary.
Today is the first day of the 68th Fall Hiking Spree for the 16 parks in the system which includes 150 miles of trails and 14,000 acres of land. It is the olest and longest running hiking event in the nation. The first year a person completes the spree, they receive a staff and shield. After that they receive a new shield each year.
The parks are funded largely through a real estate tax which received a 73% positive vote in 2020. Prior to the pandemic, the parks averaged 5 million visitors per year, but that increased to 6 million visits last year. 17,000 individuals completed the hiking spree during that time. Most parks are pet friendly, but pets must be on leashes
The staff and the board of the park system want to connect people to nature and the benefits of hiking, and plan for the future by continually refining the system and planting trees for the future. A current project is to reforest 100 acres for the centennial. One of those groves is at Tallmadge Meadows.
Currently, a heavy focus is the Cascade Park which was formerly a golf course. The former clubhouse is being restored to its natural setting and will be available for rent in 2022. Its celebration trail is 1.6 miles and is flat and easy.
Summit Lake will have a new park through collaboration with national funding and the neighborhood people. The old pump house will be transformed into a nature building. This site is part of the effort to bring the parks to the people.
JOKE: Scott Miller had a joke this morning about a bear going into a bar. He will have to tell you that one in person. Next week Ron Taggart will have a joke for us.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Tonight: Volunteer at Akron-Canton Foodbank 4:30-6:30.
Saturday and Sunday September 4 and 5 Summer Sunset Blast at Silver Springs Park. Volunteer at our 50/50 booth.
Wednesday, September 8, Our morning meeting will be virtual and Wendi Polman will be the presenter speaking on "Boot Camp for College Grads"
Friday, September 10, 7:15 a.m. Board Meeting on Zoom
Wednesday, September 15, Morning meeting in person at Silver Lake.
Wednesday, September 22, morning meeting on Zoom.
Wednesday, September 29, morning meeting on Zoom.
Wednesday, October 13, Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction at Guys Party Center. There will be no morning meeting that day.
Submitted by: Andrea Denton