TUESday, March 4, 2025

Nolan Rutschilling is passionate about preventing and mitigating the impacts of climate change, particularly as they impact marginalized populations. Rutschilling, managing director of energy policy at Ohio Environmental Council, will speak Wednesday at Wick Park. Prior to joining OEC, he worked as the Energy and Sustainability Program Director of the Ohio Hospital Association, guiding all energy and environmental efforts related to healthcare systems

President George Nelson strongly encourages all Rotarians to assist with the Kick Butt Citywide Highway Ramp Cleanup along ramps in the Andrews Avenue and Mahoning Commons corridors. Register here and check in at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Covelli Center.

E-waste materials are being collected on Wednesdays for secure recycling. Phones and chargers, computer components, tablets, DVD players, digital cameras, video game consoles, and electrical cables.Data transfer services will be available for $15 per hard drive. The fee will benefit RCY’s peacebuilding initiatives.

RCY is undertaking a “club health check” with an online survey of members. RCY member Maureen Drummond also is the District 6650 membership chair. Speaking to the club on April 2, she said survey questions align with Rotary International’s Action Plan to increase impact, expand Rotary’s reach, enhance participant engagement, and enable clubs to adapt amid changing circumstances. The survey will close May 15, after which President-Elect Gerri Jenkins will analyze the data and plan accordingly. Access the survey here.

Also wanted – bakers. Elisha Samra announced that The Great Rotary Bake Off during the noon meeting on May 7 will be a Rotary Peace Pole fundraiser and public awareness event. Volunteers are asked to make desserts, and club members will vote on the best offering. The winner will receive a special Rotary themed prize (plus bragging rights). Members may sample desserts for a suggested donation of $5.

Members and presidents of six clubs enjoyed laid-back fun during a Multi-Club Mixer that evening at Pastimes Arcade in Girard. Owner Rob Berk, himself a Rotarian, has placed hundreds of pinball and video game machines there for play or display. RCY members engaged in a friendly pinball competition to raise money for our club’s peace pole initiative. A prize basket was raffled off to a Rotarian in attendance. Deb Flora was the winner.

If you haven’t visited Pastimes yet, then check it out. Pay a flat admission fee and play all day – no quarters needed! Pastimes also has a snack bar with hot foods, cold drinks (including local beer) and treats from Sweet Memories Vintage Tees & Candy.

Congratulations to Dionne Dowdy Lacey, executive director of United Returning Citizens, for being nominated for the 34th Annual ATHENA Award. This recognition is for women “who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way and also open doors so that others may follow in their path,” the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber states in its announcement. All nominees will be recognized, and the 2025 recipient will be announced, at an award dinner on May 15 at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield.

It’s celebration time! Meet the six city high school students who will receive RCY-sponsored scholarships to YSU, as well as the WFMJ Regional Spelling Bee winner. Join us at Wick Park and congratulate these young people on their academic successes. 

Services were Feb. 22 in St. Edward Church for Jeanne Foley, who died at age 95. She was the mother of longtime Rotarian Don Foley, to whom we extend condolences. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Foley. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Edward Parish and the Don & Jeanne Foley Scholarship Fund at Ursuline High School.

Pollinator Palooza