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 to promote Youth Service. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Brandon Edwin Chrostowski is founder of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute in Cleveland. Founded in 2007, EDWIN’S instills leadership skills in incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men and women through an education in the culinary arts. Individuals are not only equipped with basic culinary skills, but also are assisted with finding employment, have the opportunity to utilize free housing, basic medical care, clothing, job coaching, and literacy programs. EDWINS Restaurant opened in Shaker Square in 2013, and has grown to include an award-winning fine French restaurant, Butcher Shop, Bakery and edwins too; a culinary incubator, community kitchen, event and makers’ space.
Today EDWINS Leadership and restaurant Institute, a 501C3 non-profit organization, graduates nearly 100 students a year between its prison program and restaurant institute. Graduates of the program have gained employment in Cleveland’s finest restaurants after finishing the program or after release from prison. The results have been an astounding 97% employment after graduation.
Chrostowski began his career in Detroit sixteen years ago and has since trained in some of the world’s finest restaurants. He received an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Restaurant Management at The Culinary Institute of America. He apprenticed at Chicago’s legendary restaurant, Charlie Trotters and after graduation worked at Lucas Carton, Paris’ longest standing Michelin 3-star restaurant.
In New York City, Brandon worked at Le Cirque as a Chef de Partie and then as a saucier at Picholine. After spending several years in the kitchen, Brandon had the opportunity to manage Chanterelle in New York City, a New York Times and James Beard award-winning restaurant. Certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2008, Brandon was the General Manger, fromager and sommelier of L’Albatros Brasserie for nearly five years, building it into one of Cleveland’s finest restaurants.
Brandon serves on the advisory committee for Slow Food’s northern Ohio chapter, as well as employment committee for Cuyahoga County’s office of re-entry and DYS advisory committee for employment. He has been awarded the 2014 Movers and Shakers award, the Whitney Young Jr. Award from the Urban League, Crain’s Magazine’s 40 under 40 award as well as the nomination for E&Y entrepreneur of the year.
Last Week's Meeting
RCY board and members presenting the check for $22,000 to the Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America. Left to right are: Sue Figler, Major Gifts Director, BSA; Joelle Kluck, Senior Development Director, BSA; Debora Flora, RCY board member; Jody Gildersleeve, Director of Development, BSA; Stephen DiPaolo, BCA district executive and RCY member; Josh Prest, RCY President; Dave Stillwagon, RCY board member & past president; Sharon Letson, RCY president-elect; Samantha Turner, RCY member & past president; Mike Latessa, RCY board member; Phil Kuestner, BSA program director; Nate Watson, BCA director of camping.
Rotary on the Road at Camp Stambaugh Thanks to the foresight of Rotarians Scott Schulick and Paul Johnson, Scouts who attend Great Trail Council BSA’s Camp Stambaugh this summer will be able to use the camp swimming pool, which has been in disuse since 2019. Scott and Paul brought pool’s plight to the RCY board, which agreed that it was a perfect project to fund with Beerfest and Rotary Foundation dollars. The original swimming pool was funded by a donation from RCY in 1963, and this new gift will restore the pool to code and functional use.
The pool restorations include repair of the pumps, taller fencing, and maintenance of the filtrations system. There is also funding for staffing of the pool, including an aquatics director. The pool surface will be cleaned and treated. The pool is slated to open July 4.
Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910 in the United States, and in the Mahoning Valley in 1912. Camp Stambaugh has been in existence since 1919, making it the second oldest camp in Ohio that has been in continuous operation. Camp Stambaugh allows Scouts of all ages to enjoy the outdoor aspects of scouting.
Developing youth who have character and give back to their communities is a hallmark of scouting. Nate Watson, director of camping, discussed the many amenities available at Camp Stambaugh for Scouts. The camp’s 85 acres contains 8 cabins, and at least 10 campsites. Returning this year is the Cub Scout resident camp, which was suspended in 2019 due to the pandemic. Other activities are a bouldering wall, archery and BB gun range, along with a rigorous firearm safety training program. Over 7,000 individuals will utilize the camp this year, ranging in ages from 5 years to the oldest volunteer.
Program Director Phil Kuestner is looking forward to day camp that will begin in a few weeks, with over 125 kids taking part. The Great Trail BSA is partnering with the United Way to bring kids from some of their programs to Camp Stambaugh so they can experience the outdoors. Adult trainings are also offered by the BSA, including a 5-day adult leader training in the fall, and a National Youth Leadership training for young leaders.
BSA Director of Development Jody Gilldersleeve
L’enfant terribles Josh Prest, Luke Politsky, and Stephen DiPaolo show off the plaque noting the Rotary Club of Youngstown donation that funded the Camp Stambaugh swimming pool in 1963.
Rotarians and others check out the soon-to-be-opened swimming pool at Camp Stambaugh.
The link below takes you straight to the Pollinator Room where Operation Pollination has display walls (please check it out). During RICON, ten Operation Pollination Ambassadors have volunteered to staff the room during the convention's duration.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE your Club members to visit the virtual Expo during RICON. It is only a click away. Tell them to use the q, w, e, a, s, and d keys to navigate around the room (as well as the arrow keys).
6650 District Conference
TODAY is the FINAL DAY to register for the District 6650 conference!
Saturday, June 25, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
at Walsh University Barrette conference center
$50 per person
To see all details go to:
www.eventbrite.com
search events for Rotary 6650 District Conference 2022
You can pay by credit card
You must designate club name during the registration process
The board has adopted new by-laws for the Youngstown Rotary Foundation. They are attached here for your review and within the by-laws, a new board is being created for the Foundation. Club members will be needed to join this board. Nominations will be approved by the end of June during the last board meeting for the 2021-2022 Rotary year.
We will need three at-large Past President members and three at-large non-Past President members. They will be for various lengths of the terms since we will have to stagger terms during the initial years of the board, but the terms are set for three years. All details are in the attachment.
Please submit nominations to President Josh by June 8.
Memorial Luncheon
A memorial luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. June 10 at A La Cart Catering, Canfield, for Atty. Ralph Beard, a former RCY member who died Jan. 16, 2022, in Evans, GA. He grew up on Youngstown’s North Side, graduated from OSU College of Law with distinction, and began his career in Youngstown as a trust officer and later partner in the law firm of Harrington, Huxley and Smith (which later merged with Harrington, Hoppe and Mitchell). He excelled in estate planning. He advised leaders of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, YSU Williamson College of Business and the Butler Institute of American Art in various matters. After retiring, he became an OSU Master Gardener and enjoyed playing bridge and backgammon. He leaves his wife, Toni, a daughter and two grandchildren.
Rotary International Tour
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
June 1,1925: Ninety-nine members of the Rotary Club of Youngstown had a 100 percent attendance during the past month.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Anniversaries:
John Slanina - 12 Years
Dave Stillwagon - 8 Years
Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki - 3 Years
Troy Rhoades - 4 Years
Save the Date:
Join RCY at Beers, Cheers, & Gears
Join us at the following locations and enjoy great fellowship while sipping on your favorite beverage:
June 29, Foundation Lounge in downtown Youngstown
July 21, Penguin City Beer
August 18, Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Eastwood Field
More details with be forthcoming.
Newer members, sponsors and board members are encouraged to attend the next Fireside Chat on Wednesday, June 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the home of Scott Schulick, 2304 Fifth Ave., Youngstown, 44504. This event enables new members to learn more about our Club, connect with members and officers, and enjoy an evening of fellowship. For those looking to graduate to the round membership budget, attending a Fireside Chat is a requirement. Please RSVP to Membership Committee Chairman Mike Latessa by Friday, May 27, or contact him for additional information. Mike’s email is Mike_Latessa@yahoo.com
You Are Invited:
The time is approaching for our club's annual President's Party. We will be honoring outgoing president Josh Prest on Thursday, June 23 at 6 pm at the Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center.
For those new to our club, the annual president's party is the highlight of our annual Rotary social events. All members pre-pay $35 in our dues toward your ticket to the party and your reservation is an additional $25 when you register. Guests will be $65 this year.
We hope all Rotarians will make an effort to attend to celebrate our club's accomplishments as we "Serve to Change Lives" this Rotary year under President Josh's leadership.
ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE PAID IN FULL AND RECEIVED BY JUNE 13, 2022 AT 5PM. THERE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS DEADLINE DUE TO CATERING DEADLINES DUE TO SUPPLY CHAIN DELAYS. PLEASE GET YOUR RESERVATION IN EARLY.
Invitations will be sent to your address on record or you may register online using the link:
To register or modify your registration, please click on this link:
