Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives through its Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives by helping everyone learn skills that will allow them to become economically self sufficient. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
This week’s Rotary meeting promises to be a fun and flavorful preview of the upcoming Simply Slavic festival. Presenter Aundrea will share highlights of the three-day celebration of Slavic culture, traditions, music, and community. Rotarians will also enjoy a sampling of Slavic-themed food during the noon meeting, making this a meeting you won’t want to miss.
Members are also reminded to sign up for the Rotary Kayaking Trip on June 6th. Interest has been strong and spots are filling up quickly, so be sure to reserve your place soon for what promises to be a great day of fellowship and outdoor fun.
Looking ahead, Rotary’s May 27th meeting will be a special evening gathering at Westside Bowl. Family Fun Night will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will include fellowship, food, bowling, and activities for all ages. Rotarians are encouraged to bring their families and enjoy an evening together outside of the regular noon meeting schedule.
This week’s menu: Kielbasa Hoagies, Caramelized onions, mustard and kraut on side, Cabbage and noodles, Salad (dressing on the side), Vegetable Lasagna :
Rotary Last Week
As a student at Warren G. Harding High School 30 years ago, Michael Engram found a mentor in his football coach, the late Phil Annarella, who wanted his players to be well-rounded individuals. Now Engram, founder of the Game Changers organization, works with high school athletes on developing leadership, entrepreneurship, and persistence as they transition to college, trade schools, or the workforce.
Student athletes are "often coached about how to dribble a ball, but not the skills to get into the workforce," Engram told Rotarians on May 13. Game Changers has been filling the gap since 2013 by offering physical, mental, emotional, and professional development. This includes trips to major events such as attending the ESPY Awards and the new Grad & Go career readiness program that is launching this summer. A Sports Leadership Seminar at Youngstown State University encourages students to pair their experiences with additional skills to think like entrepreneurs.
Engram lauded Rotarians for being "servant-leaders" in the community and emphasized the importance of our club's connections to city schools. Take a moment to mentor "wherever you are able to show and shine your light," Engram said. "You never know what's going to be sown into a kid's life" and how it blossoms later. Engram also is a former member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes board.
In other news, the fourth annual Bike Belmont ride on Sunday, May 17 benefitted from beautiful warm weather, strong community participation, and a dedicated group of volunteers that included many RCY members.
The Rotary District 6650 conference was a wonderful success, with Youngstown being recognized for 100% member giving. Our club has also received a mini-grant towards an Operation Pollination project; monarch tagging. Thank you to all who attended and participated in the conference; with a special shout out Jess who did an awesome job selling Operation Pollination shirts.
In Memoriam
A memorial service has been announced to honor the life and legacy of Rotarian Hunter Morrison on Thursday, May 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Fellows Riverside Gardens. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Elayne Bozick or Bill Lawson.
Hunter Morrison’s impact on Northeast Ohio is profound and enduring. As Cleveland’s planning director from 1980 to 2000, he helped shape transformative projects including North Coast Harbor, the Gateway sports complex, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His leadership continued in Youngstown, where he directed the Center for Urban and Regional Studies at Youngstown State University and guided the nationally recognized Youngstown 2010 plan, focused on sustainable “right-sizing” and community engagement.
A recipient of national planning honors, Hunter remained committed to education, mentorship, and regional collaboration throughout his career. In Rotary, he found fellowship and purpose, embracing “Service Above Self” through projects like Wick Park Recreation Center restoration and Coats for Kids.
SAVE THE DATE
Family Fun Night, 5:00pm - 7:30pm, May 27th, Westside Bowl
Streetscape Planting Day, 8:30am - 12:00pm, May 30th, 260 Wick Park Pavilion, Youngstown, OH 44503, email your T-Shirt size to Troy Rhoades: tkr1028@zoominternet.net
Rotary Kayaking Trip 10am - 12pm, June 6th, Struthers to Lowellville sign up
Ignite the Night, 5pm, July 5th, The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater, 201 S Phelps St, Youngstown, OH 44503
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
January 6, 1952: Youngstown Rotarians packed books to be sent to libraries in The Philippines.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Birthdays:
Gregg Rossi 1/7
Kathleen Prasad 1/11
Anniversaries:
Bill Petro 1/6
43 years
Fred Owens 1/6
38 years
Steve Poullas 1/7
11 years
Suzanne Fleming 1/9
24 years
NEW MEMBER NOTICES
Kanisha Teemer
Business Owner
Classification: Beauty Salon, Child Care Services
Sponsor: Dionne Dowdy
Teemer (nickname Nishe), 35, is the CEO of Your Mobile Cosmo, LLC, and Safe Haven Child Care, based in Austintown. She and her spouse, Richard Warren, have five children.
Eric Hall
Youngstown City School District
Classification: Education
Sponsor: Jeremy Batchelor
Hall is the school district’s Director of Community Partnerships.
Christopher Colon
Executive Director
Classification: Nonprofit Organizations
Sponsor: Jack Kravitz
Colon, 44, leads Thrive Mahoning Valley, an organization that helps newcomers feel at home in greater Youngstown by providing transportation assistance, housing referrals, employment and education connections, legal aid referrals, citizenship assistance, household goods and hygiene products, and more. He is married to Jessica Lev and has three sons.
Anthony Horvath
President and CEO, Safety Kaizen, about workplace safety and operational excellence, and Thrivenest AI, using artificial intelligence coaching to help underserved youth build financial literacy and emotional resilience.
Sponsor: Kelly Becker (Rotary Club of Struthers)
Horvath, 40, of Youngstown, is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Park University and a Master of Science in Safety, Security, & Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University. He has worked in military aviation and explosives, commercial nuclear power, steel and aluminum, rubber, oil, and manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors.
