Rotary International asks us to Imagine Rotary through our Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Imagine Rotary by supporting the Rotary Foundation. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Your attendance is encouraged at our Wednesday lunch gathering at the Wick Park Pavilion. District 6650 Governor Richard Tirpak will make an official club visit. Also, members will be asked to vote on an amendment to the club bylaws. President Deanna invites Rotarians to bring guests.
The Rotary After Hours series also will be Wednesday. All are welcome, especially prospective Rotarians and members who are unable to attend on weekdays. Check-in will begin at 5:30 at Bistro 1907 in the Doubletree Hotel. The program will begin at 6 p.m. with updates on Rotary events and projects. Attendees will be introduced at 6:15, and social time will follow. Admission will be $10 at the door. Appetizers will be served, and a cash bar will be available.
Last Week's Meeting
John Miles, CEO of the dinner and flatware manufacturer known as Steelite International, graciously hosted the club’s Oct. 25 meeting at the company’s new world headquarters on West Federal Street. Steelite also has a showroom for clients – who are mostly in the hospitality industry, including many of our downtown restaurants – in the Commerce Building on East Federal Street. The headquarters is relocating from New Castle, Pa. When complete, Steelite will have 120 of its 9,000 employees working in downtown Youngstown. Steelite exports its goods to 146 countries and makes 60 brands of china to meet clients’ needs.
Miles was accepted as a RCY member at the meeting. Brendan Considine and Jack Kravitz received their round badges after completing all new member requirements. Also, attendees gave a fond farewell to the Rev. Gayle Catinella, who is relocating to Toledo.
The Purple Pinkie Project finished well on Oct. 24. Cream stick doughnuts with dabs of purple icing became more than Tuesday morning treats. They were conversation starters about the need to eradicate polio, and how in some countries vaccinations are verified by painting children’s pinkie nails with indelible ink. District 6650 sold 265 dozen doughnuts, which were prepared at the Struthers IGA bakery. RCY members Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer and Jessica Romeo coordinated the campaign on the district and local levels, respectively. RCY members Troy Rhoades and Jack Kravitz were on the distribution team. This fundraiser paid off in many ways.
The annual Pints for Polio fundraiser, held Oct. 25 at Penguin City Beer, converged with the club’s Traveling Groundhog Craft Beer Preview. Thirty Rotarians and their guests enjoyed some hometown brews and each other’s company. Even more people were in attendance because of a Regional Chamber program to bring more diners to downtown that evening. Penguin City donated $1 of each beer to the End Polio Now campaign. Those dollars will multiply, thanks to matching programs.
COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM NEWS
The Youngstown Rotary Foundation has budgeted $30,000 for the 2023-2024 Community Grant Program to provide grant opportunities for nonprofit organizations that serve and impact Youngstown residents while addressing one or more of Rotary International’s Seven Areas of Focus. Read about it here and spread the word to interested parties. The deadline to apply is Dec. 15.
CONVENTION IN SINGAPORE
YOU ARE INVITED!
Join the Rotary International family in sharing and Creating Hope in the World as we come together in breathtaking Singapore for the 2024 Rotary International Convention, 25-29 May.
In Singapore, we’ll take ideas built upon hope and turn them into action as we discover new ways to create lasting change in our communities. We’ll enjoy opportunities to renew relationships made at previous conventions and create new ones together as we set our course toward a better future.
Come! Be inspired!
Please - take a time out to watch this beautiful promotion video:
Sometimes it can be difficult to make changes, but it all starts with perspective.
Often when we talk about native plants, some think we are talking about “weeds” and that natural beauty only means showy exotic plants from other places in the world. But we know now that grass lawns and non-native landscaping creates a wildlife food desert – an area without nutritious plentiful food sources to support a healthy habitat for pollinators. This is as important to wildlife as it is to humans. In fact, it is one and the same. A healthy ecosystem is the beginning of all food chains.
Now that we know, we can begin replacing imported varieties with native species and reducing the size of our lawns. We can add native trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers to our property through landscaping or in pots on patios and balconies. Also, we can all start talking to our friends, families, and neighbors about how small, individual changes can lead to big results for our native pollinators and protection of OUR food supply in the process.
SAVE THE DATE
Winter coat distribution to students, 8 a.m.-noon Nov. 15, Harding Elementary School, 1903 Cordova Ave. Lunch to be served to volunteers. Contact Dave Stillwagon or Stacia Erdos Littleton to sign up.
Annual Holiday Party, Dec. 13 at the Youngstown Country Club. Invitations will be mailed. Wear something that sparkles!
Check out the information for the December 6th Rotary After Hours Series here. We hope to see you "later"!
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
November 1, 1925: the Rotary Home for Crippled Children opened, at a cost of $30,000; Dr. R. R. Morrall was Chief Surgeon; George R. Clegg was President.
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