top of page

Louisville Rotary Club

Meeting Minutes

January 8, 2025

This week’s Rotary lunch meeting was held at the Eagles. President Randy Starr called the meeting to order and led the club in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test. Guests Mia Pope – Student and Louisville Neighbors Editor Monica Ellsworth – Green Meadows
Announcements:
1. Bill Wood has received his fifth Paul Harris Award and learned that his able to gift additional awards with his earned points. Bill issued Paul Harris Awards to: a. Barb DeJacimo b. Jared Shive c. Glenn Hellier d. Jerry Dunbar

2. President Randy Starr received two proclamations from the office of Representative Scott Oelslager. a. Jim Dutter, Rotarian of the Year b. Greg Anderson, Citizen of the Year

3. President Randy Starr reminded the club that dues are due by the end of the month.

4. The 100 Year Anniversary Committee is starting to meet, but has nothing new to report.

5. President Randy Starr told the club that there are vacant board positions coming up. Please let him know if you are interested in serving on the Rotary Board.

6. The Rotary Club is still accepting donations for the Amphitheater. $190,000 of the needed $260,000 has been raised.

7. The Stark Community Foundation sent the club a Thank You note for hosting a site visit to the Amphitheater.

8. President Randy Starr thanked the Eagles for the meeting space and food and reminded the club that future meetings will take place on the bottom level of the Eagles building.

Coming Events:

January 15 – Noon Meeting at the Eagles, Andrea Frank, YMCA Parkinson’s Class

January 22 - Noon Meeting at the Eagles, Speaker TBD

January 29 – 5:30 Meeting at the Eagles, Sairey Williams, Harpist

February 5 – Noon Business Meeting at the Eagles

February 12 - Noon Meeting at the Eagles, Brock and Ron Derry, Louisville Herald Database

February 19 - Noon Meeting at the Eagles, Eric Psolla, Brookside Labs, Golf Greens International Traveler

Louisville Rotary Club

Meeting Minutes

January 15, 2025

This week’s Rotary lunch meeting was held at the Eagles. President Randy Starr called the meeting to order and led the club in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test. Happy Dollars Rob Johnson shared that club videos are viewed nearly 1,000 times. Mark Sigler complimented everything going on at Metzger Park, and reminded everyone that it could not have happened without the vision and work of Andy Aljancic. Mark commented that Andy would be thrilled with everything happening at the Park. Guests Landon from Louisville High School was in attendance after a recent bowling victory.

Announcements:

1. Bill Wood awarded his final Paul Harris Award to Al Gress.

2. President Randy Starr reminded the club that dues are due at the end of the month.

3. 100 Year Anniversary – The club is in need of a group photo. Please plan to wear your blue Rotary polo shirt to the next meeting. Denny will take a group photo and individual head shots.
The Program:

Amy Simpkins thanked the Rotary Club for their yearly support of the Louisville Area YMCA. Each year the Rotary’s gift goes towards YMCA memberships for those that cannot afford a membership. Amy and the YMCA also partner each year with the Rotary to facilitate the Warm Coats program. Amy then introduced the speaker, Andrea Frank, the Wellness Director for the Louisville Area YMCA. Andrea shared that she has a passion for whole wellness and has lived all over the country and abroad because of her husband’s military service in the Marine Corps. Andrea discussed the YMCA’s Parkinson’s classes. The classes are five days each week and are at different YMCA’s. Attendees can expect to learn stretches and group exercises that will help them move. Andrea explained that Parkinson’s can look different in each person and they are often at different skill levels. Andrea also discussed the YMCA’s Silver Sneakers program the Foltz Center in East Canton and remarked that the program is free and anyone is welcome to attend. Finally, Andrea discussed her partnerships with the Schools. The YMCA plays a large role in giving the youth in our community a place to move, have fun and learn.
Coming Events:

January 22 - Noon Meeting at the Eagles, Speaker TBD
January 29 – 5:30 Meeting at the Eagles, Sairey Williams, Harpist
February 5 – Noon Business Meeting at the Eagles
February 12 - Noon Meeting at the Eagles, Brock and Ron Derry, Louisville Herald Database
February 19 - Noon Meeting at the Eagles, Eric Psolla, Brookside Labs, Golf Greens International Traveler
Pix of Andrea Frank

Andrea Frank.jpg

 

Louisville Rotary Club

Meeting Minutes

January 22, 2025

Meeting was canceled due to -10 degree temps and snow

​

Louisville Rotary Club

Meeting Minutes

January 29, 2025

 

This week’s Rotary dinner meeting was held at the Eagles.  President Randy Starr called the meeting to order and led the club in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test.

Guests

Sairey Williams- Harpist

Monica Ellsworth – Green Meadows

Mary Edwards - Spouse of member Jim edwards

Announcements

  1. Individual and group pictures were taken by Denny Valentine, Valentine Photograph

  2. Jim Dutter verified that all individuals in attendance had their picture taken.

 

New Business:

  1. Sandor is currently traveling please mail in or give a check the current dues

  2. Rotary World Affairs Program February 25, 8am -3pm driver needed. The event will be at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh. Drivers may attend seminars if so desired.

  3. The Rotary now has a complete board for 2025-2026:Jim Dutter President, Greg Anderson President Elect, Brock Hutchison Vice President, Shawndoor Treasurer, Cindy Fisher Secretary, Bill Wood, Barb DiJacamo, Randy Starr Members At Large

  4. Louisville Community Theater will have 3 Murder Mystery Dinner Performances February 14, 15, and 16

  5. Louisville Gardens will have an open house 2/12 5pm-7pm to showcase their new Secure Dementia/Memory Wing

  6. Sairey Williams, Harpist performed several songs and also answered questions about the harp. . Ms. Williams is currently a Physician’s Assistant at several hospitals. She has played the harp for over 23 years and is skilled in several aspects of the harp including the Celtic harp. Ms. Williams has played in various events including weddings, special occasions, and St Patrick's Day events

Coming Events

February 5 – Noon Business Meeting at the Eagles

February 12 - Noon Meeting at the Eagles, Brock and Ron Derry, Louisville Herald Database

February 19 - Noon Meeting at the Eagles, Eric Psolla, Brookside Labs, Golf Greens International Traveler
Pix of Sairey Williams:

Sairey Williams.jpg

Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
February 5, 2025
This week’s Rotary lunch meeting was held at the Eagles. President Randy Starr called the meeting to order and led the club in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test.
Guests Ron Rodack, North Canton Rotary Lexi Sealock, Louisville Gardens Cindy Izotic Dr. Terry Pansino Announcements:

1. Glenn Hellier announced a five dollar fine for all ringing cell phones.

2. Cheri Swisher celebrated her granddaughter’s 21st birthday in Las Vegas.

3. Barb DeJacimo passed around a flyer for a Dueling Pianos Fundraiser for the School’s levy committee.

4. Ron Rodack promoted a Chili Open golf and chili cookoff event for the North Canton Rotary.

5. New members - Monica Ellsworth, Mark Greco and Cheri Swisher will be sworn in next week.

6. Jim Dutter is back from surgery and feeling great.

7. Denny Valentine is taking pictures for the 100 Year Anniversary.

8. Louisville Eagles donated $2,500 for Coats for Kids.

9. Bill Wood shared that we are moving an exchange student from another program into a Louisville home with one of our host families. The living situation for this student was not good. Now, she will get to live with a friend and attend Louisville schools.

10. Bill Wood also shared that RYLA and World Affairs are coming up.

11. President Randy Starr mentioned that the Canton Repository interviewed him for a story about goings-on in Louisville. 12. A reminder that the 100 Year Anniversary Celebration will be September 27, 2025. The Keynote speaker is Stephanie Ulrich from Rotary International.

13. The Annual Meeting will be June 25, 2025 at the Louisville Eagles. Dave Yost will be the speaker.

14. The upcoming Rotary Board will be: Jim Dutter, President Greg Anderson, President-Elect Brock Hutchison, Vice-President Cindy Fisher, Secretary Sandor Gyarmati, Treasurer Glenn Hellier, Sergeant-at-arms

15. Louisville Community Theatre is hosting a Las Vegas Murder Mystery.

16. Louisville Gardens is hosting an open house on February 12 from 5-7pm. New Member Monica Ellsworth of Louisville Gardens would like to join Louisville Rotary to make a difference in Louisville.

Bill Wood made a motion to accept Monica Ellsworth and Greg Anderson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Coming Events:

February 19 - Noon Meeting at the Eagles, Eric Psolla, Brookside Labs, Golf Greens International Traveler

February 26 - 5:30 Meeting at the Eagles

March 5 - Noon Business Meeting at the Eagles

March 12 - Noon Meeting, Speaker TBD

March 19 - Noon Meeting, Sherry Rich, Virgil’s

March 26 - Noon Meeting, Jay Barton, Louisville Community Foundation

Louisville Rotary Club

Meeting Minutes

February 12, 2025

This week’s Rotary lunch meeting was held at the Eagles. President Randy Starr called the meeting to order and led the club in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test.

Guests

Dr. Terry Pansino

Announcements

1. Don Marshall announced that the Murder Mystery Theater will be this weekend  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and encouraged members to go

2. Monica Ellsworth shared a happy moment that she was happy to be a new member

3. Glen is in Boston with his daughter

4. Greg Anderson stated with the USAID funding cuts the Rotary Polio project will see a decrease in funding. Chapters and in turn members will need to step up the efforts to support.

5. Lisa Lingenhoel is just happy and happy to be here at the noon meeting!

New Member

Monica Ellsworth, Cheryl Switzer, and Marc Greco were sworn in as new members by Greg Anderson

 

New Business

  • A thank you was received by Chance Bricker of The Construction Foundation for the grant

  • Foreign exchange student Flavy was experiencing some medical issues and was admitted to the hospital. Her father was going to be flying in to be with her.

  • Another foreign exchange student, Lydia from Germany, who is not in the Rotary program will be staying with a family in the Rotary Exchange Program due to some issues with the other host family. It will not be deducted from Rotary funding but we will be supporting her with activities and outings. She will be enrolling in Louisville this week.

  • The 100 year anniversary is rapidly approaching and the committee is diligently working on the details. It will be at the Waters Edge on September 27th.

  • Pickleball Tournament will be Apr 12, 2025

  • 2 local boys and 2 girls were sent to Rotary Leadership. One of them was the grandson of Jim Edwards. Jim reported that he learned a lot and really enjoyed it.

  • Thank you to Denny Valentine for doing all the 100 year Anniversary pictures.

 

Featured Speakers

Brock Hutchison from the Louisville Library and Ron Derry from the Louisville Historical Society presented on the Louisville Herald digital database. The digital database can be found on the Louisville Historical website and the Louisville Library website. It was a collaborative endeavor with the Library and the Historical Society.  Both the Library and a 3rd party hired by the historical society participated in the digital imaging. The database spans the entirety of the time that the Louisville Herald was in print. You can search text from the entirety of the database. You may search the site for general newsworthy information as well as obituaries. The Library also maintains an obituary database wherein you may search by name and date. Microfilm for the Herald is still available however the database is complete with all images from the microfilm.

 

Coming Events

 

February 26 - 5:30 Meeting at the Eagles

March 5 - Noon Business Meeting at the Eagles

March 12 - Noon Meeting, Speaker TBD

March 19 - Noon Meeting, Sherry Rich, Virgil’s

March 26 - Noon Meeting, Jay Barton, Louisville Community Foundation

April 2- Noon Business Meeting

April 9- Noon meeting at Eagles George Wassity Honor Foundation, Stark Couny
Pix of: Monica Ellsworth, Cheryl Switzer, and Marc Greco

Monica Ellsworth.jpg

Louisville Rotary Club

Meeting Minutes

February 19, 2025

This week’s Rotary lunch meeting was held at the Eagles. President Randy Starr called the meeting to order and led the club in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test.

Guests

Dr. Terry Pansino

Eric Psolla

Announcements

1. Barb DiJacamo announced that there will be a fundraiser for Louisville City Schools Dueling Pianos

2. Jim Dutter announced Leopard Swim team is doing very well

3. Barb Di Jacamo updated that the exchange student Flavie was released from the hospital. Flavie's dad is thankful for American healthcare. Lydia is living with the same family as Irmack and has started school at Louisville High

4. 100 Year Anniversary Banquet will be September 27th at the Water's Edge

 

New Member

Terry Pansino has applied for membership

 

New Business

  • The Repository wrote an article on What's New in Louisville and included an annoucement about the Rotary's Ampitheater project

  • Foreign exchange student Flavie was experiencing some medical issues and was admitted to the hospital. Her father was going to be flying in to be with her.

  • Another foreign exchange student, Lydia from Germany, who is not in the Rotary program will be staying with a family in the Rotary Exchange Program due to some issues with the other host family. It will not be deducted from Rotary funding but we will be supporting her with activities and outings. She started at Louisville High this week.

  • The 100 year anniversary is rapidly approaching and the committee is diligently working on the details. It will be at the Waters Edge on September 27th.

  • Pickleball Tournament will be Apr 12, 2025 and the Rotary is looking for sponsors

  • The North Canton Rotary will be doing their Chili cookoff this Saturday February 22, 2025

  • Thank you to Denny Valentine for doing all the 100 year Anniversary pictures.

 

Featured Speakers

Eric Psolla with Brookside Labs and Golf Greens Intl Traveler was the featured speaker. Eric has over 40 years of working at his fammily owned business. His business is a science-based soil-analyzing agency in Northeast Ohio specializing in soil fertility and plant health. His family started on a local farm, sold the farm and started the company. The company services some of the top golf courses in the world and it has clients in 45 states, 2 territories, and 14 countries.

Louisville Rotary Club

Meeting Minutes

February 26, 2025

This week’s Rotary evening meeting was held at the Eagles. President Randy Starr called the meeting to order and led the club in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test. Guests Jim Baugh, Brian Walton, Flavie, Michael (Flavie’s father), students Giovanni Foradis, Estrella Lopez Cruz, and Monse Cruz

Announcements:

1. Jim Dutter wished the best of luck to Leopard Basketball and the Leopards Girls Swim Team

2. Cindy Petitti is thankful for the su

4. 100 Year Anniversary Banquet will be September 27th at the Water's Edge.

New Member Terry Pansino has applied for membership New Business ●

Exchange student Lydia from Germany couldn’t attend this evening. Her parents had come to visit and were leaving today ●

The speaker's committee for April thru June has 3 volunteers ●

The Annual Rotary Meeting, June 25th, will be at the Eagles Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost will be the speaker ●

The World Affairs Conference was attended by Estrella Lopez-Cruz and Giovanni Foradis. Estrella was surprised by how much she learned from the conference and Giovanni was humbled by the experience. ●

Pickleball Tournament April 12 is looking for sponsors ●

Rotary 100 year anniversary pictures have been done by Denny Valentine

Featured Speakers (The scheduled featured speaker was changed due to illness) Glenn, the chairman of the pollinator committee, spoke on Operation Pollination. They are working on a project to put seed packets to plant in yard planting bins behind the library. Many will be pollinator plants. Cindy Petitti Walton assisted in the selection of plants and planting guidelines. One bin will display the Rotary’s name. The committee is also working on putting together a book of plants that are pollinator friendly and native to Ohio. The milkweed plants that were accidentally mowed down by the city will be replaced by the city.

March 5, 2025 Meeting Minutes

This week’s Rotary noon meeting was held at the Eagles. President Randy Starr called the meeting to order and led the club in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test.

Guests:

Nick Lucas of Consumers, Exchange students: Ihrmack, Matilda, Lydia, Students: Max Roberts, Ty Schuler, Jenna Steenrod

Announcements:

1. Joan Aljancic the Louisville Boys Basketball won and will be paling Bishop Hartly at 1pm. Joan also announced that she got to see her 3 sons and grandchildren.

2. Don Marshall- missed the past 2 games and they won. Rob Johnson was important to the game by doing a great job narrating for it!

3. Barb DeJacimo - Expressed appreciation for attendees and Basket Raffle at the dueling Pianos

4. Volunteers are needed for the Rotary Four Way Speech Contest next Wednesday at 3pm at the HIgh School. The Rotary donated $200 for winners

5. The Rotoball winner was Jerry Treasurer's Report The bank account increased by $2500 donation from the Eagles for Coats for Kids New Member Dr Terry Pansino was unanimously voted in to be a new member. Dr Pansino is a retired physician and a former member. New Business ●

4 Students went to the RYLA program in Canfield, Ohio. Max Roberts said that he learned a lot more than leadership and gained new friends.Ty Schuler said that was a great opportunity. Jenna Steenrod enjoyed new confidence coming home. The Rotary pays for all arrangements for attendees. ●

It was Exchange Student Ihrmack’s birthday and a birthday song was the song of the day. Ihrmack, Matilda from Denmark and Lydia from Germany are all doing well. ●

The Rotary Annual Meeting will be June 25th at the Eagles. Tickets will be $40 ●

Louisville 100 year banquet will be September 27th at the Water’s Edge.Tickets will be $60 and they are looking for hospitality volunteers for the evening ●

The Rotary District Newsletter featured 2 pages of the Amphitheater project. ●

Rotary dues invoices were set out. Please pay Randy or Shandor ●

2nd Fridays start in May volunteers are appreciated. ●

A special attraction will be added to Umbrella Alley for the 250th USA Birthday! ●

Cindy Fisher is working on the 100th year memory book Featured Speakers There was no speaker as it was a business meeting..

March 12th   

No minutes were submitted for the website. Steve Dorcheck, sports editor for the Canton Repository was our speaker. 

All I remember is Steve gave Claude Paumier, his teacher at Canton South, all the credit for his ability to write 3 different times. Apparently Claude had quite an influence on his career. 

​

March 19th, The program was Cheri Rich from Virgils Ice Cream I am awaiting the minutes to publish them.  A YouTube video broadcast of the meeting is included below.
Pix of Cheri Rich

Chery Rich.jpg

Below is the first video of a Rotary meeting ever! We will get better at this. 

March 26, 2025

This week’s Rotary lunch meeting was held at the Louisville Eagles. President-Elect James Dutter called the meeting to order and led the club in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Four-Way Test.

Guests:

Tom Siegfried, Coach, State Champion Louisville Leopards Beau Siegfried, Captain, State Champion Louisville Leopards Brayden Gross, 

Cindy Izotic introduced Kevin, a former Rotary Exchange.

Student Happy Dollars Joannie Aljancic gave a happy dollar for the State Champion Louisville Leopards Announcements After being led in “We are the Champions” by Mark Sigler, the representatives from the Leopards basketball team took center stage.

Coach Siegfried introduced Beau and Brayden and spoke to the Rotarians about the hard work and dedication showcased by his team throughout their historic season. Above all else, Coach Siegfried values community and he preaches the importance of community to his teams. He is confident that the young men on this team will go on to do remarkable things in their communities. Coach Siegfried was incredibly thankful of our community that surrounded and supported the team. Over 300 Leopard faithful came to the hotel in Dayton to see the team off to the final game. Coach Siegfried ended his talk remarking on how excited he was to be able to speak to the Louisville Rotary Club and invited Beau and Brayden to speak. Both Beau and Brayden expressed their gratitude to the community for all of the support. They are appreciative of everyone who rooted for them in-person, on tv and over the radio.

The Program:

Jay Barton from the Louisville Community Foundation was the evening’s speaker. Before his presentation, Mr. Barton shared a story showcasing the character of the Leopard basketball team. Mr. Barton attended the birthday party of a terminally-ill child and Coach Siegfried and his team attended the party for four hours, dressed as superheroes. Mr. Barton was explained that the Louisville Community Foundation was created in 2000 and has raised over $3,000,000 for the Louisville community. He is proud to have the Louisville Rotary as a valued partner and is happy to be working alongside Rotary on the Amphitheater project. To date, the Rotary has $121,317 at the Louisville Community Foundation for this project. Mr. Barton shared several success stories from the Louisville Community Foundation that ranged from helping a teenager raise money for police dogs to working with the Louisville YMCA. Mr. Barton is particularly proud that less than 2% of the Foundation goes to overhead. There are no paid people, office costs or utilities. Finally, Mr. Barton discussed Umbrella Alley, which has been a major partner of the Louisville Community Foundation.
Pix of Jay Barton

Jay Barton.jpg
bottom of page