Louisville Rotary Club
We meet Wednesday at noon at The Alsatian,
2300 Reno Dr., Louisville, Ohio 44641
Enter south side of building and turn right to Activities Room.
Mailing Address: 419 E. Main St.
Louisville, Ohio 44641
Phone 330-418-3375
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
January 5, 2022
Song Meister Mark Sigler set the tone for our monthly business meeting by leading the singing of God Bless America. President Glenn Heiller was at the helm, Jared Shive gave the prayer. Fourteen members attended.
Happy Dollars
* Cynthia Kerchner, a Florida Snow Bird, added money to the pot by confessing that this is the first January meeting she has attended in many years.
* Barb DiJacimo reported that her mother has completed the first round of chemotherapy and was prepping for radiation.
* Glenn Heiller told of his son completing bypass heart surgery and is coming home.
The Business
1. Glenn called attention to the new Louisville Rotary mini banner. We now have 25 in our inventory. He also mentioned that our District 6650 Governor planned to attend our second meeting in February. Glenn read two thank-you notes for donations we gave; one from the Community Cupboard, and the other from Paradise Pastor David Anderson.
2. Jared Shive discussed the current arrangement with Rotary International (RI) that includes the $3,000 we sent for a project that was deemed unsuitable by RI. With a change in personnel there, the joint Louisville, Ohio—India project is being reconsidered. Stay tuned.
3. Denny Valentine suggested the club email to all our flag volunteers information about the Grant funds given by the club.
4. Glenn discussed how Rotary International asks clubs to provide local and international impact study groups for several areas of focus. Our club has done this through small committees given a $200 budget or more for each area per year. Over the last few years, most teams have fallen off for a lot of reasons and we haven't put the budget to use. The board would like our club get re-involved with these areas again and so members should sign up (or re-sign up for some of you). The seven committees include: Supporting Education, Promoting Peace, Fighting Disease, Clean Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Saving Mothers & Children, Growing Local Economics and Protecting the Environment. A 2-page handout describing the groups was given to the members and they were asked to sign-up for one of their interest. The thinking is that every member should participate in a committee. The sign-up will be sent to members by email.
5. Cynthia Kerchner had good news. The Beatles are coming to Louisville May 13! Well, a Beatles Tribute band. This will be a part of the summer of fun sponsored by the Downtown Business Association and the Rotary Club. Rotary will sponsor a monthly farmers market on the 2nd Friday during the months of May through September. Location for the market has not been decided.
Cynthia also suggested we invite the new city manger to become a member.
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Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2022
Eighteen members including two guests who wish to be members were in attendance as President Glenn Heiller chaired the noon luncheon meeting held in the Fellowship Hall of Paradise Church last Wednesday. The guests were Tom Pukys and Ray Schlenden. Members dined on hot dogs and a bowl of hot chili capped off with a slice of pie. Following the club rituals, Glenn asked for Happy Dollars:
* Greg Anderson urged members to order supper at the Alliance Chipotle Restaurant as they are returning a portion of meal money as a donation to Louisville High School.
* Tom Pukys introduced himself. Tom, a Rotarian in another community, plans to transfer to our club. He was enthusiastically received.
* Bill Wood was recognized for attaining his third Paul Harris Fellowship. A Paul Harris fellowship is granted to members who contribute $1,000 to Rotary International. Congratulations, Bill.
* Glenn urged members to sign-up for one of our Seven Areas of Focus community service committees.
The Program: Louisville YMCA Community Grant
Amy Simkus and Jennifer Anderson discussed changes and current activities at the YMCA. Amy is the Director of the Louisville Y while Jennifer had been the director for many years but was recently promoted to Vice-President of Operations for the Stark YMCA.
Jen spoke first and discussed the changes the Corona Virus has caused. Today’s Y membership is now 78% of what it was in 2019. “But our January sales are very good,” she said. “During 2021 we were able to support many families and continued to follow our pledge to never turn away anyone who can’t pay. The Y is a community center supported by the community.” Jen told how the middle school kids come in after school lets out because in many cases their parents are working and there is no one at home.
“We have between 30 and 50 kids here after school . . . they come to the Y as a safe place,” Amy added. She worked in the corporate world for 10 years before joining the Y staff. “Every job I ever had helped prepare me for this job . . . I have made the Y my career.” Amy is the mother of a son and daughter also has a 5-year-old grandson and moved to Louisville two years ago.
Jen told of how last Monday evening all the treadmills were in use. “On Saturday we had 148 kids playing basketball. “This is where kids begin to learn the basic game skills.” There is now a Y program for up and coming cheerleaders. “We have 138 kids in gymnastics.” And, according to Amy, we have a program for autistic children. Members learned that the school often uses the Y’s facilities when their facilities are over-taxed.
“This is my vision,” Amy said. “We want to increase our membership from the Louisville Area; we want to encourage and help workplace wellness, and be a source of answers for tons of questions . . . we want to be a better information center. And we’d like to be a partner with the schools.”
Jen talked briefly of a capital campaign with a goal of $800,000 for a building refreshing. “We want to develop a second gymnasium, redesign the front desk and put resources back into the building,” she said, “I see this as a spark for growth.”
Coming Attractions
January 22 — Demond Germany, the owner of Scratch Restaurant
February 2 — District Governor Steve Wilder
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Pix of Amy Simpkins Pix of Jennifer Anderson
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2022
Perhaps it was the miserable weather outside that kept many Rotarians inside at home missing Wednesday’s noon meeting held at Paradise Church, yet 12 brave souls bundled up and attended the meeting hosted by President Glenn Heiller.
Happy Dollars
* Joanie Aljancic announced, her pride evident, that her grandson Will was the top scorer for the Leopards basketball team in the Canton South game.
* Glenn noted, also pridefully, that his grandson earned all A’s as a junior at the University of Minnesota, proving once again that special talents travel from one generation to the next.
Club Business
1. Members were asked once again to sign up on-line for Areas of Focus committees. Environment and Economic Development committees are filled, but there are many opportunities in the other committees. The on-line link will be forwarded again and if that doesn’t do the trick, members may receive a personal phone call from the president.
2. A Thank you ad will appear in a future Herald recognizing the efforts and projects that happen by the community’s support of our Flag Leasing Program. Cynthia Kerchner suggested the club consider a BBQ in the park this summer as a Thank-You for flag drivers.
The Program
Scratch Steakhouse and Lounge owner Demond Germany answered a host of questions about the current menu, customer feedback, operations and trends over the past two years at his downtown restaurant. Now open seven days each week for lunch and supper, including Sunday from noon till 7, it takes 20 employees at one time to run things on a busy night. He now offers employees health insurance and paid vacations. The current season is a peak time through Easter with 49 reservations for next Sunday. “I have found that our high school students are hard working and have helped greatly with my business,” he said. “But food and supply shortages plus price increases have been challenging. I’m proud we have have been able to keep cost increases at a minimum.” Examples of wholesale price increases include crab meat, shrimp, container shortages and mozzarella cheese. The most popular menu item, he said, was his champagne chicken. He shared that the summer farmers markets and Downtown Days co-sponsored by the Rotary club brought earlier crowds and increased customers to Scratch. Germany made the prediction that food prices will probably not come down because people have been paying them. “Running a successful restaurant means you have to love what you do,” he said. “And I do.” You can find Demond behind the grill and in the dining room kibitzing with customers, his warm greetings and expansive smile warms the room! Find out more about Louisville’s Scratch Restaurant on-line at scarachsteakhouseandlounge.com/
Secretary’s note: A special thank-you to Jared Shive who pitched-hit for me due to my absence Wednesday.
Submitted by Jared Shive and Allen Gress, Secretary
Pix of Demond Germany
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2022
After the prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary Four-Way Test, the meeting got under way in the church’s lounge as there was another group in Fellowship Hall. There was no song today due to a funeral dinner close by. President Glenn Heiller opened reading a thank you note from Bob Hallier for the gift card and a get-well card the club sent.
Happy Dollars
* Glenn spoke of the Rotary motto Service above self shown by Denny Valentine who exhibited that motto last week as he used his snow blower to clean several neighbors’ walks. Thanks Denny, we need more volunteers like you.
* Joanie Aljancic voiced pride in the high school basketball teams victory over Jackson.
* Cynthia Kerchner spoke of an oddity. Last week the discussion was about a meat saw, and that evening on her computer without trying, an ad for meat saws popped up.
* Allen Gress told how his son’s FaceBook was cancelled by Big Tech due to his discussion about politics.
The Program
Travis Kelly introduced Doug Colnery, the meeting’s program presenter. Doug Is the Development Coordinator for StarkFresh, a 501(c)3 program for helping the disadvantaged persons to overcome food insecurity. StarkFresh operates a full-service grocery store at 321 Cherry Avenue located only two and a half blocks from the central SARTA station in downtown Canton.
Doug, with the help of power point, shared the purpose and history of the non-profit agency that began operations in the 1980s. The StarkFresh grocery, which first opened its doors in October of 2020 always has meats (frozen), dairy and varieties of fruit and vegetables. Typically, their prices are about half of that of large grocery stores. Since opening, the store has had 218,760 customers. But it is more than a just grocery store. The message on the first page of the power point states the StarkFresh mission statement: Taking on the causes of hunger by creating realistic pathways out of poverty.”
Among their programs, the 2-story building housing the grocery store and their headquarters also has office space made available to start-up businesses and similar agencies. This space is also used for business incubators and for teaching basic business skills necessary for starting a first time business. Currently there are six tenets. “We teach how to put together a business loan application,” Doug said. “Their office space here gives them a business address necessary for a loan.” There is a conference room for classes and seminars for cooking, canning and growing education. There is a commercial kitchen available to process the food. They operate a cooperative urban farm located at 19th St, NE in Canton, a training farm on Rowland Avenue NE in Canton, and a food distribution center on Walnut Avenue. Another customer favorite is the mobile store, a converted hotel van truck that goes into the neighborhoods selling food items on a weekly schedule. The food van delivers to Louisville with two stops a week, to Alliance plus in and around inter-city neighborhoods.
Some facts to highlight StarkFresh’s work:
* They have given out at no charge over 300,000 seed packets with planting instructions so people can grow their own food. And they have a seed library.
* Given 1,974 pounds of pots & pans.
* Over 2,142 individuals participated in 217 educational events.
* Their urban training farm raised 6,743 pounds of food.
* Over 615,148 individual servings of food were delivered by the mobile store since 2014.
* Their conference room is available for community use.
* Did you know there have been no grocery stores on Canton’s east side for the past 50 years?
* Our store is open to everybody rich or poor. Store hours are 10 to 6:30 Monday through Friday. Telephone 330-353-8793.
Check their colorful website at www.starkfresh.org “We’re looking at doubling our size,” Doug said.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 1 — Rotary Board meeting — noon in the library
Feb. 2 — Monthly business meeting
Feb. 9 — Megan Conkle for the Canton YMCA
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Doug Colneery
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
February 2, 2022
Club President Glenn Heiller led the opening with 19 persons attending. Paradise Pastor David Anderson led us in prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test were recited. Songmeister Mark Sigler did his thing leading us in song with a very timely version of Let It Snow, Let it Snow.
Happy Dollars
Glenn introduced our special guest and the program presenter, Stephen Wilder, Rotary District 5560 Governor. Members gave him a standing ovation.
1. Joanie gave an Aljancic cheer for her grandsons, both play on the LHS basketball team. Will, a junior, scored a game high 30 points in the Leopards 77-31 defeat of Orrville last Tuesday.
2. Jim Edwards told of an upcoming Herald ad thanking flag workers and flag purchasers. The ad also contains a report of our 2021 accomplishments.
3. Eva Roshong suggested that members bring their monthly Rotary magazines in so they could be placed at other locations for people to read.
4. Bill Wood gave a report of his meeting with parents and students planning to participate in the exchange student outbound program. He said we should be budgeting for exchange students for next school year. The District has two out-going students. It was suggested that we earmark $2,500 per student for the 2022-23 year.
5. Pastor Anderson gave an invitation to all Rotarians regarding the special program for our Sunday service Super Bowl Sunday, February 13. The program is football-marriage topic presented by Rev. Mark Stier and his wife. Mark, is a Louisville and was an outstanding football player for Ohio State University.
Club Business
* Glenn read thank-you notes from the Girl Scouts, the Community Cupboard and the school’s Parent Cafe which is open Tuesday, Feb. 15. All three organizations were beneficiaries of 2021 Rotary grants.
* Glenn discussed the Seven Focus Committees. Six of the seven has members signed up; Clean Water received no interest. Eight members did not sign up for a committee assignment. Eva asked if team leader should call a meeting? Glenn replied that it was up to the committee leader. Jim Edwards volunteered to chair the Fighting Disease Committee and Jennifer Anderson was appointed to chair the Saving Mothers & Children Committee. Each committee has $200 to spend.
* Jared Shive discussed the Global Grant project through Rotary International (RI) for a project in India. The project was not accepted last summer, but our money was not returned. We re-applied, but the second try was also rejected. RI stated that in this case our funds were diverted to other RI projects.
* Glenn announced that the Chamber of Commerce is planning a Chocolate Walk for Saturday, March 26 starting 2 p.m. “Are we interested in participating?”Members decided to participate.
* Eva talked about participating in a project that involves the five Ohio Rotary Districts . The project is giving $10 for a blanket kit. The goal of the District is to get 1,600 kits for distribution. It was suggested as a topic for tomorrow’s meeting agenda.
The Program
Rotary 6650 District Governor Stephen Wilder gave a complimentary visit as he does to all the 46 clubs in our district. The District now has 1,660 members, down slightly due to COVD. Governor Wilder is a past-president of the Plain Township Rotary Club and is currently the mayor of North Canton. He is a the retired North Canton Police Chief. He asked how many of our members were hooked to the district’s on-line ap My Rotary? Only 27% are. Wilder complimented the projects we had last year and gave a pep talk on the value of what Rotary does.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:03
Upcoming Events
Feb. 9 — Canton YWCA Megan Conkle
Feb. 16 — New City Manager - New Rotarian Tom Pukys
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Pix of Steve Wilder
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
February 9, 2022
President Glenn Heiller presided with 20 persons in attendance, including one guest. Jim Dutter made a second visit to the session and here’s hoping he will be back next week. Paradise Pastor David Anderson gave the prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test. Songmeister Mark Sigler had a song, posted the lyrics on the TV screens in Fellowship Hall, and the group sang. Mark’s choice, that shouldn’t surprise anyone, was the early Beatles hit Love Me Do. An interesting note was the song was the first written by Sir Paul when, at age 16, he was still in school. Later, he and John Lennon teamed up for the finished product, but they always considered the song a 50-50 project.
Happy Dollars
* Barb DiJacimo kept members’ attention with a tender story of her sister Andrea’s lost dog named Skye. While Andrea arrived from California to help their mother who is under cancer treatment, the dog ran off. For three weeks family members searched without success. Barb said she prayed for the dog’s return. Now it was time for Andrea to return home. That morning Skye appeared at their front door.
The Program
Megan Conkle, the Director of Housing for the Canton YWCA, discussed the role of today’s YWCA and what social programs are available for Stark County. The Canton YWCA is now in its 112th year of service to the Canton Community. The Y, housed in their building that opened in 1951, is located 231 Sixth Street a short block from downtown. The YWCA is focused on housing for the homeless, support services for women that include meals, clothing and child care which includes the Early Head Start program. “No swimming pool, no gym exercising, here” Megan clarified. “We operate three difference housing shelters with 72 beds for women and children. Between 75 to 80% of the beds are filled every night.” Their Head Start programs are in nine centers across Canton, Alliance and Massillon. “Nearly 70% of our child care children are on track in language and literacy,” according to Megan’s handout. The Early Childhood Learning Center provides quality care and education to children ranging in age from six weeks to 11 years. Their educational goal is to give the children everything they need to make a successful transition to kindergarten. Healthy meals are provided in a safe and creative environment.
Last year, 14,414 emergency homeless shelter nights were provided and 453 persons were served with permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing programs. “But it costs $28 for one day of emergency shelter,” Megan wrote. Emergency sheltering referrals come through the Homeless Hotline. “People need to call the Hotline (330-453-7644) and clients are given priority by needs,” Megan said. “Our main job is to get persons permanent homes.” About 60% of their clients are now in permanent housing arrangements. Residents must be residents of Stark County and we work with people using service animals. Homeless residents have 90 days before they must move on.
The Y partners with THRIVE, a program between the Canton City Health Department and other organizations. The Y employs a Community Health Worker who provides education and support to participants by connecting pregnant women to insurance, medical care, transportation and other resources before, during and after their pregnancies.
Formed in 2020, the Dismantling Racism Coalition of Stark County is part of the Y program. It’s goal is to raise awareness of racism in our communities. Members walk participants through a 15-day or 8-day unity challenge to dismantle racism and advocate for just laws.
“We accept volunteers,” she said. “Our shelters are open 24 hours every day, but there is only a security staff at night.” Operating funding includes both state and federal money, local service contracts and also local donations and grants.
The Y can be reached at 330-453-7644 or on-line at ymcacanton.org
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
February 16, 2022
President Glenn Heiller chaired the noon luncheon meeting held in Paradise Church’s Fellowship Hall. Twenty-eight persons attended, stood for the opening prayer given by Pastor David Anderson, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test. Songmeister Mark Sigler broke from the Beatles tradition and chose a song by Elton John, with lyrics shown on the Hall’s two large screen TVs. Philadelphia Freedom rocked the room as the members got into the swing of the beat. (Read the story about this song printed at the end of these minutes)
Happy Dollars
* Denny Valentine was thankful for the half page ad in this week’s Herald and thanks to Jim Edwards for composing it.
* Ron Derry was thankful for customers for the Historical Society’s fundraiser which included a week’s vacation lodging at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Following the meeting there was a line of Rotarians waiting to purchase the $5 tickets. Tickets can be obtained at the Ahh Gallery or the Historical Society on Main Street.
Short Business Session
# Glenn read the message on a thank-you card from the VFW for their Rotary Grant.
# Greg Parrish gave a quick report on the upcoming Rotary Speech contest which is Friday, March 11, 3 o’clock at the high school. Greg asked asked for volunteers to be speech officials and had four volunteers.
# Glenn mentioned that we had five persons waiting for induction ceremonies which would be held soon.
The Program
Louisville City Manager Tom Pukys took the microphone, settled in and talked about “goings on” in the city and fielded questions from the members. Tom is a 22-year resident of the community and is married to Jane, who grew up in Louisville making this community a natural place for raising their four children. He has been a Rotarian before this gig, but plans to transfer his membership to Louisville. ”Most of my career was in economic planning,” he said. “I always wanted to be apart of something . . . to end up here was something I hadn’t planned for. There are great people on staff here . . . top notch people. The new City Manager, with a degree from Malone University, said Louisville had a strong economic base while reciting the local industries like Allegheny Technologies, H-P Products, Midlake Products and Ohio Transformer Corporation. Questions from the audience ranged from city parks, the schools, streets, downtown development and the affects of the Amazon project just three miles west of town.
Reviewing Tom’s Linked in page. He wrote that he is a certified economic development professional with over 20 years of experience leading all aspects of not-for-profit and private/public organizations. My specialty is to develop new initiatives and programs, that benefit both my organization and the community. My goal is to contribute my experiences and skills into the advancement of an organization that will allow me to continue to make a positive difference to those involved.
Tom can be reached at citymanager@louisvilleohio.org or by phone at 330-875-3321ext, 201.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 23 — Tom French talks about Child & Adolescent Behavior
March 2 — Monthly business meeting
More on Elton John’s Philadelphia Freedom according to Google
This is his first song wrote consciously as a single, a tribute to Elton's friend Billy Jean King and her tennis team called the Philadelphia Freedoms. Elton had told her he would have Bernie (Elton’s song writer) write lyrics for her, capting the idea of winning despite all odds, and she thought "No way!". Elton, who met Billy Jean and Jimmy Connors in 1973, had been allowed to play against her on court and the song should be in return for that.
But he did it and asked Bernie. "I said to Bernie: could you write a song called Philadelphia Freedom for me? Thank you, Elton". "I can't write a song about tennis" protested Bernie. But he did do it. "It's not exactly the easiest title to deal with" added Bernie. Bernie claims that lyrics mean nothing.
Billy Jean explained "Elton was so nervous when he played me the song, but I loved it... it was so thoughtful, it meant a lot".
Their friendship remains over the years. "I beat Billy Jean at tennis once" Elton recalled. "I was standing there in a kind of daze when she came up and said — “Shall we play for real now?”
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Pix of Tom Pukys, City Manager
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
February 23, 2022
President Glenn Heiller presided over the meeting with 19 persons in attendance. Paradise Pastor David Anderson gave the opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test were recited and Songmeister Mark Sigler led the song that livened up the meeting.
The Program
Joseph French, M.Ed. and Melissa Coultas were the presenters representing the Child & Adolescent Behavior Health Center. Their programs and services are offered in homes, schools, their four Stark County offices, pediatric offices and other community locations throughout Stark County. The agency serves children from birth to age 24. C&A’s mission statement states: Working together to be the premier resource for emotional and behavior health services and products to help children, youth and families successfully meet life’s challenges. Some of their programs include: case management, diagnostic assessment, behavior therapy programs, early childhood consultation & treatment, parenting skills development, peer mentoring services, psychiatric evaluation, medication and management, sexually inappropriate behaviors and substance abuse treatment services. They are a United Way agency.
The Canton Office is located at 919 Second St. NE. They can be reached at 330-454-7917 or online at childandadolescent.org.
An Alliance Office is 1207 West State Street. 330-823-5335.
The Belden Clinical Services is 4641Fulton Dr. NW. 330-433-6075.
The Plain Community Office, 1811 Schneider St. NE. 330-470-4061
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary with assistance from Denny Valentine.
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
March 2, 2022
Nineteen members, including five new members, attended the club’s monthly business meeting Wednesday. President Glenn Heiller conducted the session that was begun with prayer given by Mark Sigler. Mark asked God to be with the Ukrainian citizens during the Russian invasion. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test were recited. Sigler, who is also the club’s song meister, led the group in a rousing round of Row, Row, Rotary, a club song written by Louisville Rotarian Eva Roshong.
Happy Dollars
* Greg Anderson asked for prayers for his father-in-law who is having serious surgery this week.
* Barb DiJacimo, with anther member’s urging, reported her daughter Bridget was crowned the 2022 LHS Hearts Dance Queen recently.
Club Business
Glenn discussed club participation in the upcoming Chocolate Walk planned for March 26 in downtown. The club will have a tent and serve hot chocolate to participants in the walk.
The spring walking trail clean-up was discussed and was decided to do it when the weather is nicer sometime in April. Our club has been doing the trail clean-up for the past 13 years.
Next on the agenda was where to go for the annual June banquet now that Skyland Pines is a historical note. A barbecue in the Green Space was mentioned. More discussion of this will be in the future.
The BIG activity of the day was the induction of five new members. Induction Master Greg Anderson handed the ceremony as Rick Dunlap, Jim Dutter, Tom Pukys, Ray Schleiden and Amy Simpkins officially became new members of the Louisville Rotary Club. Still going strong, the club founded in 1925, is looking forward to celebrating 100 years of service to the community 33 months from now.
Upcoming Programs
March 7 — LHS Principal Garry Tausch
March 16 — Project Rebuild
March 23 — Louisville Police Chief Andy Turowski
March 30 — Dr. Michael Thomas
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Back row: new Louisville Rotary inductees: Rick Dunlap, Amy Simpkins, Ray Schlenden,
Front row: Tom Pukys, Jim Dutter,
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Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
March 9, 2022
With 19 members in tow, President Glenn Heiller conducted the meeting with the Louisville High School Principal on tap to present the day’s program. Paradise Pastor David Anderson gave the prayer, members pledged the flag and recited the Four-Way Test in unison. So in honor of the day’s high school program, Songmeister Mark Sigler led all in singing the Beach Boys song Be True to Your School. This 1963 song used the melody of the University of Wisconsin fight song — On, Wisconsin. The Beach Boys rendition was later featured in a number of TV series productions and a motion picture film.
Club Business
* Glenn reminded members of the high school Rotary Speech contest scheduled for Friday at 3. Four members volunteered to serve as judges.
* Glenn reminded members of the Chocolate Walk planned for Saturday, March 26. The club will make and give out hot chocolate drinks for the participants.
* It was announced that the Area of Focus Fighting Diseases was awarded the $200 grant to Refuse of Hope. The group Saving Mothers & Children was given $200 for the Warm Coats program.
* A committee to plan the June Awards banquet was formed with Denny Valentine, Joanie Aljancic, Mark Sigler and Al Gress volunteering to serve. Having used Skyland Pines in many past years, someone quipped that maybe Amazon had a lunch room we could use. Come on, that’s the best I can do for humor this week.
* LHS District IV basketball players honored this week including: Junior Will Aljancic, 1st team; Sophomore Hayden Nigro, 1st team; senior Tyler Boldon, 1st team; and Freshman Brayden Gross, honorable mention.
* Last week, four seniors signed scholarship letters for four different colleges including Ohio Wesleyan, Mt. Union, Notre Dame College and Washington & Jefferson.
The Program
With unneeded fanfare, Mr. Garry Tausch took the stage and began his message with a litany of activities and achievements current among the LHS student body. This first year at the helm of the high school, he last served as principal of Washington Elementary School in the Marlington School District. But prior to that he had been a teacher in the Louisville Middle School for 25 years. Garry was more interested in talking about his students than his background, but we did get him to admit to being a graduate of Perry High School and that his college work was done at the University of Akron. He is married to Michelle and is the father of a 22-year old son and a daughter, 19.
But back to his students, for he feels every enrolled student is his student. There is not room to discuss all the ongoing accomplishments, yet several stand out such as: three students this year honored as Repository Students of the Month, a National Merit Finalist, his first Senior Sunrise for the first day of school, 9 wrestlers going to state competition, the basketball team playing Saturday for a regional title — a first in Louisville’s basketball history after having captured LHS’s first district championship since 1993, gymnast Charlotte Neusch placed 13th in the state, and a record 22 students participating in Speech & Debate competition in Columbus.
Principal Tausch looks forward to a graduation in the football stadium this spring (he silently prays for a sunny day), a last day sunset with the seniors, organizing a first-time boys volleyball team, watching Cinderella, a school musical set for March 17, 18 & 19.
Mr. Tausch took a few questions before the meeting ran out of time. He adroitly discussed the status of an athletic league and told of how the school has a diversity club. “We’re still working to get all students back to in-person teaching from the Covid havoc,” while pausing. “I’m surrounded by very good people . . . this is where I belong.”
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Pix of Garry Tausch
Bonus picture of Judges and contestants of the LHS speech contest
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
March 16, 2022
President Glenn Heiller had to move quickly to present a worthy meeting when our scheduled speaker cancelled. But veteran Rotarian Eva Roshong, along with new members Rick Dunlap and Jim Dutter stepped up and made for an enjoyable productive session. Before the three took over, the club opened with the traditional beginning with Glenn giving the prayer and leading the Pledge and Four-Way Test. Songmeister Sigler, wearing a green sweatshirt for St. Patrick’s Day, decided to forego singing the traditional Irish favorite Danny Boy, led the singing of Its a Grand Old Flag. Dining on sloppy joe sandwiches and french fries, 21 members enjoyed the day.
Happy Dollars
* Greg Parrish thanked the four speech judges that gave their time judging the annual high school speech contest last Friday.
* Dave Yeagley gave an update on his father’s recovery from serious surgery. He is doing much better.
Club Business
* Glenn reminded us the Chocolate Walk is Saturday the 26th.
The Program
Eva Roshong. Eva talked about her weekend conference for Rotary presidents-elect held in Columbus. Because of the Covid the meetings for the last two years were on-line, but this one, of course, was in person. The highlight of the conference was Eva’s chance to meet and spend time with the president of Rotary International, Jennifer Jones. Hailing from Canada, Jones is the first woman president of Rotary International since its 115 years of existence. For a souvenir Eva brought back a neat blue & gold umbrella. Next year will be the second time Eva has held the local presidency. She said she met the president-elect from Alliance who has been their club’s leader 4 or 5 times. “The speakers were amazing,” she said. “Ask yourself why you are a rotarian? And tell others to ‘like’ us on Facebook.”
Secretary’s note: It is custom for new club members to be called upon to introduce themselves to the club. Following are the personal stories of Rick Dunlap and Jim Dutton.
Rick Dunlap. Rick is married to Eileen who also happens to be an Irish dance instructor. (Our meeting was the day before St. Patrick’s Day). Rick was proud to say that Eileen is also proficient in fixing and installing electrical and plumbing. Their the parents of two girls. He laughs when telling the story of how he asked for Eileen’s hand in marriage. He hired an airplane to fly over the University of Michigan football stadium with a banner asking her to marry him. “The plane flew over 12 times before she finally said ‘yes’.” Rick grew up living on Easton Street with six other siblings and attended North Nimishillen grade school. “I had a lot of jobs . . . the Hartville Muck, the Root Beer stand in Louisville and for the Post Office. Rick started at Kent State University, worked at Hoover and went into the Air Force. He spent a year stationed on the Alaskan Aleutian Islands. “It was my hardship tour,” he said. “Hey, I could have been in Nam.” He graduated from KSU with majors in Special Education and math. then taught at Jackson High School. “I also was a disc jockey and sing tenor in a musical group called The Nothings,” he said. Rick loves golf.
Mark Sigler wanted to know if you do any Beatles songs?
Welcome to our club, Rick.
Jim Dutton. Jim grew up on 55th Street in Plain Township and graduated in 1971 from Middlebranch High School where his father was the principal. “Plain Township didn’t even have a grocery store then,” he quipped. “But it was a great place to grow up. Back then we left home in the morning and came home at dark.” For grades 10 - 11- 12 he attended Hoover High School and upon graduating went to Kent State University. He eventually got his draft notice and was sent to Viet Nam where he was a member of a reconnaissance group stationed along the DMZ. He was married in 1973 to a young lady from Mansfield and has celebrated 49 years of marital bliss.
Jim has spent 40 years in the food business, mostly with the McDonald’s restaurants. He retired in 2016, but still does assignments for John House, a personal friend, who owns restaurants in Louisville and others in Stark County. He is the father of three boys, all graduated from Louisville High School. “I got them through college without debt,” he announced proudly. He, too, plays guitar in a band that has been together since 2008. “We do gigs all over Ohio, but we don’t play bars.” He also likes to golf and has coached youth baseball teams for a number of years.
Welcome Jim and we’re eager to hear your band play sometime.
Upcoming Programs
March 23 — Louisville Police Chief Andy Turowski
March 30 — Dr. Michael Thomas
April 6 — Business meeting & trail clean-up
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Pix of speakers: Jim Dutter and Rick Dunlap
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
March 23, 2022
Led by President Glenn Heiller, the usual club rituals were completed. Twenty-one members were in attendance and were looking forward to the program to be presented by Police Chief Andy Turowski. Sadly, there was no singing today.
Happy Dollars
* Allen Gress mentioned for anyone who had not heard the news that Akron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary won the state boys basketball championship last week. All of SV’s tournament opponents were out-scored by wide margins, so Louisville fans can take heart that they lost to the best team in the state. We are still very proud of our team!
* Don Marshall praised the performance of the high school play Cinderella that was performed last weekend.
* Ron Derry announced tickets for the spring Historical Society Dinner were available for the May 4 dinner to be held at the Brookside Event Center. Tickets are $30. This is the society’s biggest fundraiser.
* Glenn announced that Betty Derry’s 80th Birthday Bash dinner set for this Saturday at the Eagles Hall. Betty has begun her 2nd round of chemo this week.
* Jim Dutton announced that performing for the Summer Second Friday Evening program May 2, the Beatles Tribute Band will perform a 2-hour show. Stay tuned for a second concert coming in June by the Crosby, Sills & Nash tribute band.
Business
# Bill Wood reminded Rotarians the hot chocolate booth for Saturday’s Chocolate Walk needs volunteers.”
# Glenn reminded members of the annual Metzger Park & walking trail clean-up set for Wednesday, April 6. Meet at Greg Anderson’s house. Lunch that day will be at Samantha’s Restaurant for our business meeting.
The Program
Police Chief Andy Turowski needed no introduction and began his presentation with a visual graphic accompanying by a give and take discussion of his annual report to the City Council. The report is a public record and the Chief provided a copy to this writer.
As secretary, I believe the facts reported speak clearly to the proficiency of our city’s police department and Chief Turowski’s leadership. I believe, too, that the community is best served by the facts and statistics of the enforcement of laws that govern where we live and work. Hence, my report is a review of those facts & statistics as reported.
Page 1 contains the department’s stated purpose and mission. It is the mission of the Louisville Police Department to prevent crime through education and awareness and to apprehend violators of the law when crime occurs. We complete our mission of enforcement of state laws, local ordinances and federal statutes through the implementation of modern police methods with the highest level of professional standards and ethics.
In 2021 the LPD registered 5,112 computer-aided dispatch calls, mostly calls for service. This is higher than 2020 which logged 4,597 calls, but were less than 2019 which had 5,441 calls. In 2,004 of the 2021 calls resulted in police reports filed. There were 120 persons arrested in 2021 compared to 90 in 2020, a 33% increase. There were 144 criminal charges filed in 2019. The 2021 citations represented 268 offenses. This past year traffic enforcement was heavily impacted by COVID.
Crime rates in 2021 remained low and in some cases are lower that 2020 rates. Crimes that most affect a resident’s feeling of safety and security are burglary, robbery, vandalism, theft, assault plus breaking & entering. There was a 4% decrease of these crimes in 2021. There were NO stranger-based sex offenses in 2021.
“Despite increases in crime across the country and in areas near to us, we were able to maintain exceptionally low levels of crime,” Turowski said. “Response times in 2021 have improved over prior years.”
Response times: Emergency response 3:22. Non-emergency response 4:00.
“As a department we were involved in or supported 23 community events, including a variety of events that included farmer’s markets, car shows, festivals, training and educational programs,” he said. (Turowski did not include high school athletic events in this category).
The department employed 13 full-time officers and six part-time including a chief, three lieutenants, one detective, two school resources officers and one administrative officer. Achievements include: Rachael Carosello was honored as the Ohio School Resource Officer of the year and was the Stark County Community Officer of the Year by the Stark County Police Chief’s Association for her work with domestic violence victims. Officer Zack Clark was honored as Louisville Police Officer of the Year.
LPD officers receive approximately 40 hours of training each year.
These are other activities our police community is involved with:
* An officer is assigned to the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.
* We have maintained involvement in the county Safe Communities organization that promotes traffic safety.
* We are involved with the county Anti-Drug Coalition working to prevent and reduce drug abuse.
* Involvement in the county OVI (DUI) task force.
* Involvement with the Alliance PD regional SWAT Team.
* Membership in the Stark County Children’s Network Board.
* Memberships in both the Stark County and Ohio Police Chief’s Associations.
* The department has a drop-off drug box available 24/7.
“We look forward to a safe and productive 2022,” said Chief Turowski.
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Chief of Police; Andy Turowski
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
March 30, 2021
Nineteen members attended the meeting led by President Glenn Heiller. Paradise Pastor David Anderson opened with a prayer, members stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test. Songmeister Mark Sigler outdid himself with the singing of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now (I’m Having too Much Fun). Mark said he chose this song in honor of the day’s speaker Dr. Michael Thomas. Linda Parrish was a guest for the 2nd week. Welcome, Linda.
Happy Dollars
* Glenn jumped in first telling how his high school back in Minnesota was runner-up state champions in boys basketball.
* Eva Roshong told how she enjoyed last Saturday’s Chocolate Walk.
* Ron Derry thanked everyone for attending the Saturday evening 80th birthday party for Betty. “She’s doing better,” he said. Also, he casually mentioned that he had tickets for the Historical Society’s May dinner.
* Jim Edwards, with his usual excitement, reported 260 paid flag clients with an estimated 1,369 customers last year. There are 15 cancelations due to changes of address.
* Amy Simkus gave a sales pitch for the Louisville Community Theatre’s production coming up this weekend.
Business
# President Heiller announced the Military Family Center is sponsoring local high school benefit concerts at 4 PM April 3 at Zion UCC Church in North Canton and 7 PM April 9 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Massillon. The programs are headlined A Chorus for a Cause. No admission charge, but donations are accepted.
# Item 2 by the President — Next week, April 6, our meeting is at Samantha’s Restaurant at noon followed by the trail clean-up at 1. Meet at Greg Anderson’s house some for assignments.
The Program
Dr. Michael Thomas, DDS, presented the program sharing information about the Second Friday series beginning in May. The second Friday is one of the programs sponsored by the non-profit Louisville Downtown Business Group. One of their features is the 2nd Friday season for the revised Farmers Markets that will run from 4 to 6 the 2nd Friday for the months May, June, July, August & September. Second Friday activities may continue on every month with activities inside during the winter months. Warm weather activities will be held on the closed Main Street, downtown from Chapel Street to Mill Street. Thomas passed out a drawing of the first Second Friday that has a Center Field at the intersection of Umbrella Alley & Main. Food trucks are shown to set-up shop on the north side along the alley leading to St. Louis Church. The western section of Main Street will feature an art mart with support from Ahaa Gallery. The Beatles are coming . . . well, the Beatles Tribute Band will perform May 2 with a 2-hour program. In June the Crosby, Stills & Nash tribute band will play and Jimmy & the Soul Blazers will perform sometime in September.
Dr. Thomas said the Downtown Business Group is an outgrowth of the ArtsinStark 20/20 project. The new local group is now referred to as ACT (Arts,Culture & Together). The Downtown Business Group works in concert with the Chamber of Commerce, according to Thomas. The mission statement for the Downtown Business Group reads:
To build the relationship between
Louisville area businesses and the community
through events, activities, and goodwill
The Louisville Rotary Club will have a role with the Farmers Markets much the same as last summer.
Thomas graduated from LHS, Notre Dame University and earned his dental degree from Ohio State University. His dental practice is in North Canton. Dr. Thomas has served on the Louisville School Board, the Louisville Tree Board, the Louisville Public Library and a host of community and professional organizations. He is best known as a philanthropist for many local causes, often involving trees and his beloved Leopard sports teams.
Upcoming Programs
April 13 — Project Rebuild
April 20 — The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
Pix of Dr. Mike Thomas
