Louisville Rotary Club
We meet Wednesday at noon in the downstairs at the Louisville Eagles,
306 W. Main St., Louisville, Ohio 44641
Mailing Address: P.O Box 170
Louisville, Ohio 44641
Phone 330-418-3375
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
April 2, 2025
This week’s Rotary lunch meeting was held at the Louisville 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.
Business Treasurer’s Report – President Starr delivered the Treasurer’s Report.
New Members –
Brock Hutchison made a motion to approve Cindy Izotic. Mark Sigler seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Mark Sigler made a motion to approve Kathy Raineri. Jim Dutter seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Barb DeJacimo made a motion to approve Nick Lucas. Mark Sigler seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Rotary Foundation – President Starr explained that the club donated $250 to the Rotary Foundation. The Club will eventually see this money and potentially more returned through Rotary Foundation Grants.
Banquets – Volunteers are still needed the June 25 Annual Banquet and the September 27 100 Year Anniversary Banquet.
Pickleball Update – Tournament will be on April 12.
Amphitheater Update – President Starr showed the club a new pledge card.
President Starr informed the club that a $123,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation District was conditionally-approved, pending approval from the National Park Service. Brock Hutchison spoke to the Club about the importance of 100% of the Club donating to the Amphitheater. Brock reported that 100% of the Board has given or pledged. He reiterated that it is not about the amount that you give, it’s about the fact that you gave and making sure that we can tell future funders that 100% of our Club has given.
Pollinator Program – Glenn Hellier discussed the pollinator program and how the Rotary club is awarded points for pollinator activities. He presented a book list to the club.
The Program:
Cindy Petitti-Walton of the Anthony Petitti Organic Greenhouse discussed pollinator plants. Pollinator plants are essential to life and there are not as many pollinator plants as there used to be. Individuals should consider including pollinators in there landscapes. Home landscapes should be replace every 20-30 years. When you redo your landscape, consider planting pollinators. Cindy even encourages and edible landscape. Pollinators are not just bees. Pollinators are also butterflies, moths and hummingbirds. One good way to achieve this is by planting flowers around your vegetable gardens. Cindy brought several pollinator plant examples and gave them out to new members. Examples were Goldenrod and Butterfly Weed. Another great way to incorporate pollinators is to plant fruit trees. Cindy states that Apple Trees are the easiest and Peach trees are difficult. You can care for these organically and plant flowers around them to encourage pollination. The meeting adjourned at 1:00PM.
Upcoming Events:
April 9 – Noon Meeting – Eagles – George Wassity, Honor Foundation, Stark County
April 16 – Noon Meeting – Eagles – Cathy Sherman, Safe Haven Baby Boxes
April 23 – 5:30 Evening Meeting – Eagles
April 30 – Noon Meeting – Social at the MAPS Museum
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2025
This week’s Rotary lunch meeting was held at the Louisville 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:
Dina Picciano – Town Tavern
Happy Dollars:
Brock Hutchison gave three happy dollars. One dollar to remind the club that the Donor’s Reception for the New Library is Friday Evening. One dollar to remind the club that the Grand Opening for the New Library is Saturday from 10-2. One dollar to inform the club that the Library will be on the ballot in May for a renewal levy. The renewal levy is no tax increase and collects on your home’s 2010 valuation. The renewal levy is an operating renewal and has nothing to do with the new building.
Cynthia Kerchner gave a happy dollar to remind the club that Second Fridays start in May.
Jim Edwards gave a happy dollar that we are up to 817 flag clients.
Jim Dutter gave a happy dollar to remind everyone that the City Manager and Fire Chief would be guest bartending tonight at the Town Tavern.
Announcements:
After being led in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” by Mark Sigler, President Starr launched into New Business.
New Members - Kathy Rainieri and Nick Lucas were sworn into the club by Greg Anderson.
President Randy Starr and Jim Edwards are attempting to have 50 members for the 100 year anniversary. Jim informed the club that the club reached 50 members for the 50th anniversary and steadily declined. The current club is nearly as large as the club has ever been!
Youth Exchange Students – Barb DeJacimo is beginning the process of finding a host family for next year. Please let her know if you or anyone you know is interested.
Pickelball Tournament – Will be held this Saturday at the Louisville Area YMCA. 19 teams have signed up to date.
Dues – Please pay your dues within the next ten days.
April 30 Meeting – Will be a social at Noon at the MAPS Museum. Please sign up if you wish to attend.
Building Flags – Please join fellow Rotarians building flags after the April 23, 5:30pm meeting.
The Program:
Scooter Israel introduced the day’s program – George Wassity of the Honor Foundation. Mr. Wassity explained that the Honor Foundation was started to support the Honor Court. The Honor Court was created for veterans who have felony-level offenses. The Foundation is to help them re-establish honor and dignity and get their life back on track. The Foundation works to provide mental health counseling and substance abuse treatments. The Honor Foundation uses a mentoring program and a strict monitoring program to monitor their progress and ensure they stay on track. Mr. Wassity informed the club that there are caveats to veterans receiving services and benefits from the VA. The Honor Foundation works to fill those gaps. The Honor Foundation is working on a giveback program in Louisville, which will consist of building benches for Metzger Park. The Honor Foundation was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Rotary for the purpose of building the benches.
Coming Events:
April 16 – Noon Meeting – Eagles – Cathy Sherman, Safe Haven Baby Boxes
April 23 – 5:30 Meeting – Eagles – New Member Introductions
April 30 – Noon Meeting – MAPS Museum – Social Meeting
May 7 – Noon Meeting – Eagles – Business Meeting
May 14 – Noon Meeting – Eagles – Susan Verble, Stark Board of Elections
Pix of George Wassity of the Honor Foundation:
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2025 This week’s Rotary lunch meeting was held at the Louisville 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:
Nicole Israel, Happy Dollars Dr. Terry Pansino gave three Happy Dollars. His first dollar celebrated, Rotarian, Brock Hutchison for being featured on the cover of the Louisville Neighbors magazine. He also recommended travel to the Holy Land and spoke about his personal experiences there. Glenn Hellier reminded club members to let him know if they planted seeds, so the club can collect pollinator points. Joannie Aljancic is celebrating one of her grandsons transferring to Holy Cross to play basketball. Rob Johnson reminded the club that Second Fridays start May 9. Denny Valentine announced Mark Sigler’s appointment to the Louisville School’s Hall of Achievement. Announcements New Members – Cindy Izotic was sworn into the club by Greg Anderson.
Youth Exchange Students: Barb DeJacimo announced that an exchange student has been selected for next year. She will let Bill Wood announce the student.
Pickelball Tournament – Was held last weekend. It was a very competitive tournament with all players leaving happy.
April 30 Meeting – Will be a social at Noon at the MAPS Museum. Please sign up if you wish to attend.
Building Flags – Please join fellow Rotarians building flags after the April 23, 5:30pm meeting.
The Program:
Jim Edwards introduced the day’s speaker – Kathy Sherman from Safe Haven Baby Boxes. Kathy decided to get involved with Stark County Right to Life and realized the need for baby boxes. Ohio is fifth in the nation for children being left. The boxes give parents a place to safely leave their baby. The boxes are heated and air conditioned. A silent alarm goes off as soon as the box is opened to notify the proper personnel. A staff member collects the baby and takes them to the Emergency Room. The boxes cost $22,000 each. Kathy introduced Linda Warren for any questions. Linda informed the club that the boxes have been used 55 times. Their preference is to have the parent hand the baby to a staff member, but that does not always happen. The first baby dropped off in Ohio was in Lebanon. Parents have 72 hours to reclaim their baby. If they do not, they forfeit their parental rights. Due to this, the babies are quickly adopted once they are good health and 30 days old or younger. The box for Alliance, OH is on order.
Coming Events: April 23 – 5:30 Meeting – Eagles – New Member Introductions
April 30 – Noon Meeting – MAPS Museum – Social Meeting
May 7 – Noon Meeting – Eagles – Business Meeting
May 14 – Noon Meeting – Eagles – Susan Verble, Stark Board of Elections
May 21 – Noon Meeting – Eagles – Exchange Students: Flavie: Belgium; Lydia: Germany and Irmak: Germany
Pix of Pickleball participants
Louisville Rotary Meeting Minutes
May 14, 2025
The meeting was held at noon at the Eagles. After a meal of chicken salad, veggie and fresh fruit, President Randy Starr called the meeting to order, following with a prayer, and reciting both the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test. Happy Dollars: ● CynthiaK. thanked everyone for their help with Second Friday and reminded the club that next month the Farmer’s Market begins as well. ● Jim D. asked for volunteers for our speaker committee for July-September ● Mayor Fallot invited everyone to attend the Business Chamber networking event at HP’s plant on the West End on Thursday. ● Mark S. contributed a happy dollar he found on the street at Second Friday. ● Barb expressed thanks for the return of Bill Woods from Florida. ● Jimba announced we are up to 1250 flags. Song: Mark played “Seven Bridges” by the Eagles. Guests: Randy introduced Gwen Severini from the Louisville Gardens who will be joining our club. He also announced they have committed to sponsoring the Pancake Breakfast in November. Rotoball weekly winner: Joanie Aljancic won $6.
Business: ● Randy reminded the club that the district conference is May 24th. 4 members will attend. ● A sign up sheet for the June 25th Annual Business meeting at the Eagles was passed around. Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General, will be speaking. ● Randy passed around a sign up sheet for the Metzger trail cleanup immediately after the meeting May 21st where the Exchange Students will give a presentation on their exchange year. We will meet at Greg Anderson’s house. ● Randy filed a district grant request for $1000 toward landscaping for the amphitheater. ● Flags get posted May 19 and 20.
Program:
Susan Verble, Director of the Stark County Board of Elections Ms. Verble explained the bi-partisan nature of the Board of Elections. Both the board and its employees consist of exactly ½ Republicans and ½ Democrats. There are 254,000 registered voters in Stark County and 106 polling places. They have a $4 million dollar budget. They are responsible for voter registration , checking petition signatures, and updating voter rolls. She explained how to stay as an active voter on the rolls and what happens when a voter becomes inactive–and how to remain on the rolls if you did not vote in 2 federal elections in a row. Ms.Verble emphasized that Ohio is “an easy to vote, hard to cheat” state due to our photo ID requirement and various ways you can vote: absentee ballot mail-in, in-person at the Board Of Elections for 4 weeks before election day, or in-person at your assigned polling place on election day. Rotoball: Joanie pulled a translucent green cat-eye marble, so the progressive pot rides to next week. Fewer and fewer marbles are left and someone is bound to pull the solid white marble soon and take home approximately $200.
Submitted by Barb
Pix of Susan Verble Board of Elections
