Rotary International asks us to Imagine Rotary through our Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Imagine Rotary by developing new members. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
There will be no noon meeting this week as we will be having our annual holiday gathering.The Holiday Party will start at 6 p.m. at Yosteria in Smoky Hollow, for those who registered in advance. Wear holiday attire, ugly sweaters, or business casual. A cash bar will be available.
Members are encouraged to check out the $1.5 million renovation of the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown, which was founded by RCY in 1969. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the club, 2105 Oak Hill Ave.
The Beerfest Committee will be having their monthly meeting on Tuesday, 5:30 at the JCC and online.
The Operation Full Plate challenge has been extended to our Club; activities for us to participate include:
• Collect nonperishable food items
• Volunteer at a food pantry or packing event
• Donate funds directly to a hunger-relief organization
• Invite non-Rotarians to join you in service
“Every food item, every dollar, every hour of service brings us closer to filling more plates across our community.”
Rotary Last Week
It was a "giant leap of faith" for the Henry Stambaugh Association to accept management of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra from the Youngstown Symphony Society, Stambaugh CEO Matt Pagac told us on Dec. 3. Amazingly, the transfer was arranged in a 45-day period, without a financial package.
This is a homecoming for YSO, which performed at Stambaugh from the 1930s to 1969, when the former Warner Theater movie house downtown was repurposed as Powers Auditorium. The symphony's first concert of the season will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22, featuring soprano Amanda Beagle and a "Home for the Holidays" theme.
With 14 orchestras within 75 miles of Youngstown, including the world-class Cleveland and Pittsburgh Symphony orchestras, it is both an accomplishment and challenge to keep YSO going. Each concert costs $75,000 on average, which includes the professional musicians' salaries, staff pay, and facility expenses. "We can't cover the cost of a performance on ticket sales alone," Pagac said. Sponsorships and donations fill the gap.
Stambaugh is the ticketing agent for symphony concerts, various Stambaugh events (including our annual Beerfest fundraiser), the Youngstown Playhouse, Opera Western Reserve, and events at DeYor Pavilion. Stambaugh also has plenty of free, onsite parking, Pagac noted.
In other news, get-well wishes were extended to member Reid Schmutz, who is recuperating at home from an illness. The Beerfest committee's sponsorship commitments are at $26,500 so far, with $14,000 to go to reach this year's goal. How can you help?
Light Up Night was a huge success, with a wonderful presence from Youngstown Rotary. Great work to the Rotarians who decorated the truck and marched in the cold weather, handing out candy to hundreds of kids. Special thanks to Kevin Chiu for letting us use his truck in the Parade and managing to drive it without the inflatable or Groundhog falling off the back.
Santa’s workshop at Oh Wow! saw over 400 cups (and 6 mini buckets) of hot chocolate handed out by Youngstown Rotary volunteers. The hot chocolate booth would not have been possible without the expertise and hard work of Jack Kravitz, who made sure we were serving the best hot chocolate (and not tepid chocolate flavored water). Thank you to RaCole, Ana, Barb, and Jack for volunteering at the hot chocolate station, which was so popular we ended up in several news stories, and got great pictures with Santa.
STEAM MINI GRANT EXTENSION
RCY is extending its call for applications for its STEM and STEAM Mini Grant Program for Educators. Awards with a monetary value up to $500 will be given to applicants from public and private schools grades K-8 in the City of Youngstown. The instructions and application to apply are available on the Rotary Club of Youngstown website https://youngstownrotary.com through Sept. 30.
Funding for the grant program comes from monies raised from the Rotaryclipse fundraising event held at Penguin City Brewing Co. the day before the total eclipse in April. The grant program was created to show appreciation to local educators and support growth in STEM and STEAM for local students.
SAVE THE DATE
Beerfest Meeting Dec 9, 2025, 5:30pm at the JCC (505 Gypsy Lane) with zoom option
Holiday Party Dec 10, 2025, 6:00pm, Yosteria, 252 Valley St, Youngstown, OH, 44407. Celebrate the holiday season with a night of food, fun, fellowship and friendship in Rotary. Spouses and guests are welcome! More Details
Environmental Impact monthly meeting Dec 18, 2025, 11:30am, online meeting
Mid-Year Club Assembly Jan 7, 2026, 12:00pm, Wick Park
Leaf it Alone
As the last of the leaves fall and the winter weather encroaches, you might be tempted to rake the leaves into piles for the curb. But according to the USDA, a smarter, eco-friendlier approach is simply to leave the leaves where they fall — or better yet, use them as mulch in your garden.
Fallen leaves create a natural mulch that helps suppress weeds and slowly fertilizes the soil as they break down. The decomposition process feeds beneficial micro-organisms, enriching soil structure, improving aeration and moisture retention, and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Moreover, leaf litter serves as an unexpected haven for wildlife — from insects to amphibians and birds — offering shelter during chilly months. These creatures contribute to a healthier garden ecosystem by controlling pests and supporting our pollinators.
If you dislike the look of leaves scattered across your lawn, the USDA suggests easy alternatives: shred the leaves with a mower, or simply rake them into garden beds. Mulching leaves around perennials, fruit trees, or garden rows (especially areas with heavy foot traffic or compacted soil) helps prevent erosion, conserves moisture, regulates soil temperature, and supports better soil health through winter and into the growing season.
Ultimately, letting leaves stay, instead of bagging and hauling them off, is a simple but powerful way to improve soil, reduce waste, support biodiversity, and make your garden more resilient through winter and beyond.
