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
October 6, 2021
Members dined on a sauerkraut lunch served in the Fellowship Hall of Paradise Church while conducting business led by club President Glenn Heiller and attended by 21 persons including four guests. Following the prayer given by Paradise Pastor Dr. David Anderson, the group pledged the flag and repeated the Rotary Four-way Test. There was no group singalong today. (Perhaps we need to appoint an assistant songmeister) Guests included Jen and Annika Anderson, Ray Schieiden and Sheila James from St. Joseph Care Center.
* Greg Anderson introduced his wife, Jennifer, and daughter Annika. Our club sponsored Annika in this year’s Constitution Queen festivities where she was a runner-up. She is also a flag route volunteer. Annika skillfully thanked the club for our support and members were impressed with her poise and thoughtfulness. Could we have a future member here? We hope so.
* Randy Starr was inducted into membership by Greg Anderson. Randy received the traditional Rotary lapel pin. Greg told by wearing the pin he has been approached, especially in airports, by fellow Rotarians around the country and the world. Welcome, Randy!
* Glenn spoke to the question of what the club had planned for Larry Collins? We are waiting for local plans for a tribute.
* Glenn announced that the Canton Rotary Club is requesting financial support for their project to instruct people in Kenya how to make face masks. Their request was for $165 which was granted by a unanimous vote.
* Jim Edwards announced that we have three new drivers for our flag program. We now have 112 volunteer drivers.
* Glenn gave the results of the vote for verbiage for the park bench for Kennybob. The choice with the most votes was: Ken Smith Rotarian, teacher, friend, founder of the Rotary Flag Program. There is concern the phrase chosen has too many words and do we want just Ken, KennyBob, Ken Robert Smith? Glenn will run the this by Pat Smith.
* Our annual pancake breakfast is set for Saturday, Nov. 13. The St. Joesph’s Care Center is again donating the foodstuffs. This event is an “all hands on deck” for the club. Chairman Greg Anderson passed around a sign-up sheet. The breakfast runs from 7 am till 11. Members should be on station by 6:30 am.
* Dave Yeagley asked if our club should sponsor a local Candidates Night for persons running for local election. Discussion was spirited with the idea that Rotary has sponsored such sessions that were well-attended, therefore it made sense to continue the event. Others think it is too late due to early walk-in voting that is currently underway and the extensive use of mail voting which has been ongoing for the past week. It would probably take two weeks to put this together. Some others questioned if it was proper for the club to get into the political spectrum. That was checked with the feeling that this was just a service to the community . . . and so on. The issue was put to a vote which found 6 votes for do it; 8 no votes. No candidates night this election.
* Cynthia Kerchner stood in front of the membership and discussed her idea to sponsor a Halloween Night for Friday, October 29 from 6 to 9. (There is no football game that night). She said she had discussed this with City Hall and Main Street would be closed, food trucks would be there, the Jeff Collins band would provide music, the scarecrows would be on display in the Green Space and there will be prizes for the best decorated storefront and others. “We want to involve as many people as we can,” she said. “Maybe we can get the Garden Club to add some decorations downtown. This will not be the St. Louis parking lot. I need help in advertising,” she continued. “How about someone getting bales of straw? Some pumpkins? And why not encourage a food drive — bring cans of food for the Community Cupboard?” Members agreed. So there is now a Rotary Halloween night. Mark your calendars!
Secretary’s note: Cynthia is our “senior” club member, but you wouldn’t know that by the whirlwind energy accompanied with exceptional organizational skills that she puts into every thing she does. Who promotes downtown more that Cynthia Kerchner? No one. Members, we need to make this project a successful one for her.
Coming Events
Oct. 13 — A beekeeper. (This is a must-see program)
Oct. 20 — Stark County Commissioner Janet Creighton. If you have not met Janet before, this too is a must-do.)
Oct. 27 — Alan Harold, Stark County Auditor.
Oct. 29 — The 1st annual Rotary Halloween night.
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Randy Starr, New Rotarian
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
October 13, 2021
With Songmeister Mark Sigler leading the 20 persons in attendance in a round of All Together Now, the meeting held in Fellowship Hall of Paradise Church got underway. Pastor David Anderson gave a prayer, the Pledge was recited and the Four-Way Test was repeated. There were three guests in attendance.
Happy Dollars
* Don Marshall congratulated Mark for catching an out-of-bounds pass during last Friday’s football game. There was some concern that Mark would get carried away and start running toward the end zone.
* Ron Derry said the Art & History galleries would be open this coming Saturday afternoon featuring a Meet the Artists Day. Ron said that during the period from May 25 through June 25 there were 1,872 guest who attended the History and Art galleries. “Those two galleries did their share to bring people into the downtown,” he said.
* Dave Yeagley thanked those workers who came to the flag barn Monday evening to work on the flag selections. Glenn Heiller seconded the message and gave his thanks, too.
* Jim Edwards cheered that despite losing their game Sunday, the Browns in both their last two games scored 40+ points. Go Browns!
* Pat Fallot spoke of attending the Scouts flag burning and said the Scouts picked up 95 old flags from the club’s old flag drop box.
* Bill Wood announced that the Rotary Youth Exchange Program will be reinstated for this summer. Contact Bill for additional information at 330-284-4779.
* Cynthia Kerchner discussed plans for the 1st Annual Rotary Halloween celebration set for Sat., Oct. 29 from 6-9 p.m. downtown. Live music, a vehicle to accept canned food for the Community Cupboard, the book bike, hatchet throwing, cash prizes for best costume, best decorated store front and more. DORA will be operating. Bales of straw, corn stocks and pumpkins are needed. We need to put up a tent for the band. Our club will have a welcome tent and Glenn Heiller will also cook and prepare bratwurst sandwiches that will sell for $3 each. Umbrellas will be up. Hey Rotarians — advertise on FaceBook and social media.
Business Meeting
1. President Glenn said that in conversation with Pat Smith she favored the name KennyBob on his memorial park bench. The total message must fit in two lines so some editing may be necessary. Jared Shive will take care of that.
2. Scooter Israel asked if the club wanted placemats for the Pancake Breakfast? Yes and he volunteered to solicit advertisers and get them printed. Glenn urged those who haven’t signed up to work the breakfast should call Greg Anderson.
3. Glenn reminded everyone that the grant applications were due the 15th and only two were presently on the table. He was assured that more were coming.
The Program
Scott Keister, a professor at Kent State University and a bee keeper, shared with us his bee keeping operation on his farm located east of New Franklin. “This is a good time for bees as they are storing up food for the coming cold weather,” he said. “Bees need 70-80 pounds of food to get through Ohio weathers.” His message was aided with beautiful slides, the first of a field of Golden Rod. “This is a smorgasbord for bees,” he quipped. The next slide was a beautiful, well-manicured lawn. “This is a terrible lawn,” he continued. But this slide of a yard full of dandelions is a great lawn — for bees.” This fall may not be a good time for the bees due to the drought that dried up the flowers. There is a disease that affects bees and is carried by mites, a tiny insect that attaches itself to the bee. “You must control the mites or they will destroy a hive,” he said. “But it is easier to control mites today than it used to be.” It is important to keep the bees together during the cold. “That actually generates a lot of heat.” When spring arrives, clean out the bees that didn’t make it and check on the queen bee. Sometimes there are 20 to 30 thousand bees in a hive. Red Maple and Silver Maple trees give off nectar bees are attracted to. For those who are afraid of getting stung, Scott said that bees only sting to protect their hives — that is unless you happen to step on one while barefoot.
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Scott Keister - Latin Professor, Bee Keeper
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
October 20, 2021
Twenty-seven people attended the noon luncheon meeting chaired by club President Glenn Heiller. The special attraction for this meeting was the day’s speaker — Stark County Commissioner Janet Creighton, who did not disappoint her audience. Paradise Pastor Dr. David Anderson gave the opening prayer, members stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the club’s Four-Way Test. Songmeister Mark Sigler gave an exceptional performance leading the singing of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, a 60s pop song song by The Tokens that was box Office’s office’s top song for 1961. Mark told all that the selection was in honor of Ms. Creighton, a graduate of Canton Lincoln High School whose mascot was the lion. Mark recruited the trio of Greg Anderson, Jim Edwards and Al Gress to be the chorus singing, with gusto, “a-wemoweh, a-wemoweh — a-wemoweh, a-wemoweh . . . in the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight.” Perhaps the next time the song is tried we can substitute a leopard for the lion.
Happy Dollars
* Eva Roshong announced that the club’s scarecrow entry has be replanted since it was found on the ground facedown. Eva suggested it might have sneaked away to visit Unhitched for a brew.
* Joanie Aljancic announced her granddaughter’s engagement.
* Guest Debbie Sigler thanked the members for all the good they do for the community. Husband Mark continued by announcing this was their 50th wedding anniversary.
* Jim Edwards announced that we now have 1,350 flag leases posted by 129 volunteers including 89 citizen drivers.
* Cynthia Kerchner congratulated the membership for coming together to plan Rotary’s First Annual Halloween Night set for Friday, October 29
* Barb DiJacimo said there were 101 applications for the Warm Coats program. Coats will be distributed the afternoon of October 29.
The Program
Following an introduction by Jim Edwards, Ms. Creighton took center stage and told of the closing of Lincoln High School in 1976 and that there were still 1,641 paying Lincoln alumni who have given nearly one million dollars in scholarships since then. “This goes to show what great things can happen when people come together.”
Without prepared notes, Janet spoke off the cuff with factual stories punctuated with her down-home humor. She said the county, for a change, was in good financial condition due to the Covid money and to sales tax revenues that are up. “Stark County is the only county in Ohio that earmarks sales tax monies to safety matters,” she said. “Auto sales are up 9% and overall sales tax is up 14.5% since last year. The real estate transfer taxes are up. The county received $72,000 from the sale of Skyland Pines. But surprisingly, the county normally loses about 11 employees a month, but this year about 30 a month are leaving. “Why?” she asked. “The federal government has made it too easy to not work,” she said. “Meijer's is coming to both Alliance and North Canton; they are investing here because they see Stark County as a hot market.”
The county owns 13 different buildings and now they all have good roofs. “We replaced the 50-year old elevators in the county administration building,” she said. “And we now have a program in place for preventative maintenance with a maintenance schedule.” She was very proud of the new facilities for the county coroner and is now looking at upgrading the county sanitary sewers. “Of course, everyone wants a piece of the money pie.”
She concluded her presentation with untold stories of her year working in Washington D.C. with the President George Bush administration. Each of the three stories had a positive message. When she sat down, there was a solid round of applause and people went off wondering why all politicians can’t have more traits like Janet Creighton? It was a delightful meeting.
Coming Events
October 27 — Alan Harold, Stark County Auditor
October 29 — Rotary Halloween Party
Picture of Janet Weir Creighton
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
October 27, 2021
Nineteen members shared lunch before jumping into the club’s business and program. Paradise Pastor David Anderson gave the prayer, and the traditional opening ceremony was completed. Songmeister Mark Sigler dug out the 1973 Billy Joel music classic Piano Man for our song of the day. But wait! Mark dedicated the song to Stark County Auditor Alan Harold who was to present the day’s program. Mark said that some 20 or so years ago when Alan was an LHS student, he played the song for a school program, and Mark said he has never forgotten that performance. Mark arranged for Pastor David to put the lyrics and background music on the church’s large screen TV’s for the meal. And so the Rotarians sang! Perhaps readers will remember the words with an introduction by harmonica.
It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday night
and the crowd shuffles in.
There’s an old man sitting next to me
making love to his tonic & gin . . .
So you ask, what does singing have to do with a Rotary meeting? Remember the old adage you’ve heard from your parents . . . There’s a time and a place? The opening rituals for Rotary include a prayer to thank God, a pledge of Allegiance to show our respect for our country and a recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test as a reminder of why were in this meeting in the first place. The singing at the end of rituals leaves members in a joyful mood with a spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie. Rotary is not just an organization for providing service above self, it’s at time for just plain fun. Call our singing a recipe for peace of mind. Our meetings are not the same without it.
Happy Dollars
* Glenn Heiller was happy he got to see the 2nd Louisville win of the football season.
* Greg Parrish said his wife came to the meeting to listen to the only politician she cares about.
* Alan Harold said his father, Joe Zwick, has recently turned 98, “Dad was a former Rotarian and he wanted me to tell you he said hi.”
* Randy Starr was happy he just completed his first flag route.
* Cynthia Kerchner reminded members for the umpteenth time (which we needed) to be on duty Friday night for the 1st Annual Rotary Halloween Party uptown from 6 to 9.
Club Business
Barb DiJacimo discussed final plans for the Warm Coats distribution set for this Friday afternoon at the Louisville YMCA. Help is needed at the beginng (1 pm) and the end (4) of the session. Barb said after all the coat, hats and glove purchases, there is $36 still left in that fund.
Glenn reminded all we host our annual pancake supper Saturday morning, Nov. 13.
The Program
A familiar face for most residents, Alan Harold, a 1994 LHS grad, returned to talk about his job as the Stark County Auditor. Speaking off the cuff with a message sprinkled with humor, his audience was surprised at the many and varied responsibilities of an auditor. “I’ve been doing this for 11 years,” he said. “And I really enjoy it . . .this is the longest I’ve ever held a job.” One of his main responsibilities is assessing property values and collecting property taxes, an issue that sought most members’ attention. Also, the county auditor is the county’s chief fiscal officer which includes sending employee checks and paying the county’s bills. “We have 2,600 employees on the payroll,” he said. The county’s budget is about $250 million a year. Harold is also in charge of the county’s communication and its infrastructure. “Making sure our PCs work can be a real challenge,” he said. He is the county’s chief assessor setting the value on all many items and with that goes keeping accurate records of the county’s real property. It was noted that there are 130,000 properties with structures and the Auditor must put a value on all of them. There are are also about 10,000 property transfers each year, and each must be recorded and kept. “Every sale goes through my office,” he said. “With the real estate market currently ‘red hot’ that means property values and taxes will go up, too. Harold explained the evaluation process that is outlined in Ohio law. “Louisville property went up on average 12 to 13%,” he said. “In some county areas, property values went up 25%.” He also discussed the difference between inside mileage and outside mileage. “There are 80 different taxing authorities in the county,” he said. Harold also handles complaints about property tax revision. “We had about 800 complaints this season,” he said.
Harold ran out of time, but stayed until all Rotarians questions were answered.
Coming Events
Oct. 29 — Uptown Halloween Party
Nov. 2 — Board meeting — noon Uptown Joe’s
Mov. 3 — Business meeting — trail clean-up weather permitting
Nov. 10 — Find out what a shelter box is
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
November 3, 2021
Club President Glenn Heiller presided over the monthly business meeting with 19 members present in the Fellowship Hall of Paradise Church. Pastor David Anderson opened with a prayer, followed by the Pledge and the Four-Way Test. There was no singing this day.
The first order of business was to act on a proclamation honoring the two LHS senior girls featured in the Canton Repository’s Student-of-the-Month program. Both Bridget DeJacimo and Kendall Loy earned outstanding academic grades, numerous community service projects and sporting achievements.
The Proclamation
WHEREAS, during the months of September and October of 2012 LHS seniors Bridget DeJacimo and Kendall Loy were featured in the Canton Repository’s Student-of-the-Month page; and
WHEREAS, both students have earned outstanding grades, have participated in numerous county activities and sporting events, and
WHEREAS, the two students from Louisville High School were selected in consecutive months which is very unusual for the county-wide newspaper, and
WHEREAS, these two students are positive role models for their peers and younger students and,
WHEREAS, their achievements exemplify the Rotary’s motto Service Above Self, therefore
The membership of this Rotary Club wishes to congratulate Bridget DeJacimo and Kendall Loy and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. May God be with you both.
The proclamation was voted and approved by a unanimous vote of its members.
Happy Dollars
* Joanie Aljancic asked for members to thank Cynthia Kerchner for her work organizing and promoting last Friday’s First Annual Halloween celebration. The membership responded with enthusiastic clapping.
* Pat Smith gave a new Rotary windbreaker that belonged to Kennybob for someone who could use it. Glenn passed in on to Rick Dunlap, a new Rotarian. Rick quipped that his wife is happy for his joining which will now keep him off the golf course Wednesdays.
* Joanie also said the Louisville Police officer Raychel Carosello was honored as the school resource office of the year in Stark County. Thanks for your service Raychel.
The Business Meeting
1. Glenn gave an update on the park bench for Kennybob. It has been ordered and when it arrives we must measure it to determine how many words will fit on the back boards.
2. Barb DiJacimo discussed the Warm Coats distribution. With able assistance by members of the school’s Care Team, she gave out 120 coats, hats & gloves. “Not having access to the list of families who qualify has made this a challenging year. I thought 20 extra coats would be enough. Next year I’m going to go ahead and order extra in the larger sizes.” She did receive a check from Midlake Industries for $350 which she will use to purchase hats & gloves after Christmas and save for next year’s project. Barb has found that matching hats & gloves are the most preferred choice. “The Warm coats project is a vital part of our community,” she said.
3. The seven grants applications were presented to the membership for approval which was granted. The $6,700 in grants also includes the sponsorship of a horse for the Veteran’s horse farm facility on Meese Road. The grant monies will be distributed this month.
4. Glenn asked about someone to be the program chairperson for the months of Jan., Feb. and March. It was suggested that Eva & Travis Kelley be joint chairpersons.
5. Glenn requested help following the meeting. One group would participate in the semi-annual trail clean-up while the other group met in the flag barn to work on flags.
6. Glenn reminded members to be there for the Pancake Breakfast at the middle school, Saturday morning November 13th. The St. Joseph’s Care Center is donating food for the event. It was noted that we need to find another large coffee maker as the school’s is not available. “We go through a lot of coffee,” an astute member chimed. Glenn was given the authority to purchase one if necessary.
7. Eva said the Rotary wheel she used for the club’s scarecrow has mysteriously disappeared. Perhaps it will show up.
8. Cynthia Kerchner gave $160 in cash back to the club. “I had $800 for the Halloween celebration,” she said. “I didn’t use the $160. I do think we met our goal of helping the businesses and getting people downtown.”
9. There was discussion but no decision about a club Christmas Party. It was generally said that the party was liked and needed, but where to hold it? Al Gress had the idea to use the small room at Varian’s Orchard, but that was not met with excitement. More on this matter at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 1 o’clock.
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2021
Interest in today’s program about shelter boxes drew 21 persons to the meeting which included two guests. Bob Meadows and Rick Dunlap were welcomed guests. As usual Paradise Pastor David Anderson gave a timely prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance seemed to be spoken with more enthusiasm than usual which carried over to the Four-Way Test. Of course, the song of the day was fitting for the topic and directed as only Mark Sigler can. Mark’s choice was — Bob Dylan’s Shelter from the Storm. Some of the members had a little difficulty with the lyrics, but it could have been because the song was published in 1975 and was ranked 66th by Rolling Stone Magazine for Dylan’s 100 greatest songs. Members are often amazed at what they learn from attending Rotary meetings.
We used to call the Happy Dollars portion of the meeting Betty Bucks, a tribute to Betty Derry who almost always had important items that brought money into the pot. So in thinking and wishing Betty a speedy return, here’s today’s Betty Bucks;
Well, this meeting we jumped right into business:
* Flag pick-up is Friday & Saturday November 12 &13 depending on the weather.
* Pancake Day — Need a volunteer for help on Friday unloading food stuffs. Randy Starr jumped to the chance and volunteered to help Greg Anderson lug the grub.
There is need for another hand mixer — contact Greg.
About a dozen or so signs in the flag barn, pick one up after the meeting for posting.
Dave Yeagley announced Biery Cheese ordered 200 meals and must be delivered by 10:30.
Cooks and bakers should be on duty by 6:30 Saturday. (That’s in the morning!)
Dining room staff need to be in by 7.
All members stick around for clean-up that begins at 11:30.
The new coffee makers are in and ready. We average about 550 cups of coffee.
* The Christmas Party. Wednesday, December 8 from 6 to 9 in Edwards Insurance Building located at the northwest corner of Mill & E. Main. Use the side entrance. Bring a side dish to share and your own beverage of choice.
The Program
Jack Young, a Rotarian and past president, did not talk about himself much, saving his time to tell of his life’s work with the Shelter box program. We do know he is an exNavy Seal and we that he lives in Brunswick. Jack has been working with the program since 2000. Shelter BoxUSA is based in Sarasota, Florida and is committed to disaster relief. Since 2000, Shelter Boxes has been received for 250 disasters in 92 countries and have helped provide emergency relief to over a million people. In most cases the victims had lost everything and had no place to go. But before Shelter Box can enter a country, the organization must be invited by that government. So what is a shelter box? One was brought to the meeting and its contents were on display.
A shelter box provides different types of aid and emergency supplies such as durable tents that can house 8 to 10 persons. Young said he had seen a group of 20 using one tent, but that was very crowded. Supplies include water filters, a cook stove, thermal blankets, tool kits, cooking equipment, hats, gloves and scarfs, a solar-powered light, mosquito nets, waterproof ground mats and a children’s activity pack. Shelter boxes allow families to survive and rebuild their lives after being displaced from their homes following a disaster or humanitarian crisis. The green boxes weight 120 pounds.
There are instructions and recipients keep the items. Rotary International, the Boy Scouts, the Red Cross and other international agencies work with the Shelter Box program. A box cost was $1,000 in 2000, and in the year 2021, the cost is still $1,000. The Louisville Rotary Club has participated in five crisis with the gift of a shelter box. Money raised by Rotary Clubs typically accounts for about 50% of donation support for Shelter Box. Rotary International and Shelter Box have been mentioned in over 8 hours of TV coverage including CNN, Sky News, Fox News and the BBC.
So what can we do as a club? Raising community awareness, donating or fundraising for Shelter Box will all be used for aid to people made homeless by disasters all over the world. Visit www.shelterbox.org for additional information.
Coming Attractions
Nov. 13 — Pancake Breakfast, Louisville Middle School.
Nov. 13-14 — Pick-up flags
Nov. 17 — Judge O Farrell with guest from Hartville Rotary Club
Nov. 24 — No meeting enjoy your turkey.
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
November 17, 2021
President Glenn Heiller brought the meeting to order, Paradise Pastor David Anderson gave the prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test were repeated and Songmeister Mark Sigler took center stage. The song for the day was Over the Woods and Through the Snow commemorating Thanksgiving Day just 8 days away. Actually the singing was not all that bad.
Happy Dollars
* Allen Gress passed around a get well card for all to sign to be delivered with a gift of Heggy’s candy to Betty Derry.
* Bill Wood told a touching story of his son’s dog who had disappeared for two weeks but returned home unharmed. Could it have been a love vacation?
* Joanie Aljancic gave a tribute to the local Girl Scouts who helped at last week’s pancake supper. It was suggested and agreed we send money donation to the Scouts and also ask them to send a sign-up sheet for their annual cookie sale.
Short Business Session
Glenn said the total income from the pancake breakfast was not all collected or counted, but that information would be available next week. Glenn also asked for help retiring the 50 flags waving proudly on the uptown Green Space.
It was noted that there is a celebration of life for former city manager Larry Collins Friday evening beginning at 5 in the Eagles Hall on West Main Street.
Glenn reminded all of the Christmas Party set for the evening of Dec. 7 at 6 o’clock. The program is in the lower level of the Tom Edwards Building at the northwest corner of N. Mill and E. Main Streets. Bring a dessert or another goodie plus your beverage of choice. This is a family affaire and spouses and children are welcomed and encouraged. No word yet if Glenn will don a Santa Claus suit and greet the children attending.
The Program
The best laid plans . . . Jim Edwards would say, sometimes go astray. Jim is in charge of programming for this quarter. The speaker called in sick so Jim had to find a replacement. Local attorney and Rotarian Don Marshall responded to the call and shared the story of his most unusual court case. The case involved a wrongful death claim and Don defended the victim’s family. The case and all its twists and turns gave all of us a better understanding of the complexities of a lawsuit. Incidentally, after 4+ years of litigation the matter was settled out-of-court. The topic was timely with the two criminal cases now in the forefront of evening newscasts.
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Pix of Don Marshall
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
December 1, 2021
With the holiday spirit in the air, 18 members met at Paradise Church for a business meeting to plan for the month of December. Songmeister Mark Sigler led us in singing three stanzas of Jingle Bells while members could feel, here in a church, the reason for the season.
Happy Dollars
* President Glenn was grateful for LHS basketball team for their decisive victory in their first home game of the season.
* Greg Parrish complimented Joanie Aljanic for her grandson’s top scoring effort in that game. That talented young man has good genes!
* Bill Wood, home from 10 days at Daytona Beach, Florida, told of the housing boom there and the terrible traffic. He said that a law there covered the cutting of trees on private property. When one is cut, another must be planted to replace the downed one. He also told of a developer who has plans to build 10,000 new homes there. Most of the members decided that Louisville is a pretty good place to live.
* Jim Edwards was showing off his new No. 6 Browns shirt. Six is Baker Mayfield’s number.
* Bob Hallier told of how impressed he is that he could dial into the current discussion before the U.S. Supreme Court. We could too!
Club Business
1. Membership application for Rich Dunlap was approved and both he and Randy Starr will be formally inducted during a meeting TBA.
2. The Christmas Party. The Christmas Party will be Wednesday evening, 6 p.m., at the Edward’s Insurance Building at the corner of N. Mill and E. Main. Use the side entrance. Bring a side dish and BYOB. This is a family affair and Glenn will do the welcome bit, asking members to introduce their guests including the children. Songmeister Mark Sigler will lead us in singing Christmas carols and perform. Did the Beatles do any Christmas songs?
3. Light Up Louisville. Dave Yeagley brought up the idea for the Rotary tent for Sunday’s Light Up Louisville ’s Christmas event. Why not serve hot chocolate? Could we make coffee and hot chocolate in the new coffee makers? Yes, it was decided to place the tent at Paradise Church under their portico. Volunteers should show up three-ish. A table can be borrowed from the church. No decision was made regarding cookies, etc.
4. The club voted to donate $200 to Paradise for their capital equipment fund drive.
5. The tree for Kennybob Smith has been planted and the bench is on order. This spring we can schedule a dedication.
6 Rotary banners. Dave Yeagley suggested we purchase 25 small Rotary banners at $10 each. Everyone agreed. It was discussed that we get a display form to showcase the club banners that we have accumulated. Paradise Pastor David Anderson took the banner and will ask the church sewing group if they can sew the small banners on the felt hanging.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:50.
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
Louisville Rotary December 8th Christmas Social was held behind the Insurance Center in downtown Louisville.
Louisville Rotary Club
Meeting Minutes
December 15, 2021
Club President Glenn Heiller opened the meeting with Jared Shive giving thanks, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited as was the Rotary Four-Way Test. The surprise of the day occurred because Songmeister Mark Sigler was AWOL, Amy Simpkins volunteered to lead the members in a group sing. Amy led a rousing rendition of Jingle Bells. So besides Songmeister Sigler we now have Songmeisterin* Simpkins, the club’s new song mistress.
Happy Dollars
* Glenn cited the high school basketball team that came back from being down 8 points in the 4th quarter to defeat Austintown Fitch playing on their court.
* Greg Parrish chimed in pointing out the grandsons of Jim Edwards and Joanie Aljancic playing on the team with Joanie’s Brandon the leading scorer.
* Al Gress passed out recipes for a goodie that wife Gail brought to the Christmas gathering. Seems a number of people asked for the recipe and she followed through.
Club Business
Glenn discussed the preparation for flag posting and thanked a number of Rotarians who pitched in to sort damaged or worn flags and worked to assemble over 200 new flags. In that vain, he purchased Rotary hats for each of the volunteers. We found out that there’s a difference between male hats and female hats. Glenn also noted that due to the Christmas-New Years holiday period, there will be no meeting. The next Rotary meeting will be January 5th, 2022.
The Program
The club has had a long-standing tradition for new members to present a program introducing themselves, but alas we sometimes have forgotten that step. This week recent new member Randy Starr was on tap.
With long career in sales and sales management for a number of businesses, Randy showed his prowess in public speaking. Members found out that Randy is an LHS graduate — class of 1976 — and that his family has now five generations who either have attended or are attending Louisville High School. His great grandparents settled in Louisville in the 1930s. Randy is also married to Theresa, also a LHS grad who is a speech & hearing therapist. She is a specialist in children with Aspergers Syndrome. The couple has two children, both working in the field of education.
While in high school Randy was involved in all sports, but enjoyed tennis the most. After graduating and attending Kent State University he played on the university tennis team. He recalled that at that time the high school did not have tennis courts, so all the matches were on the away teams’ courts. Randy still plays a mean game of tennis and racquetball and is practicing for this coming year’s Senior Olympics which will be held in Florida. He participated in the last Senior Olympics and finished with a ranking of 5th in the world his age class. Randy is also a bowler and has several 300 games to his credit. “I was on a bowling team that won the Stark County bowling championship,” he said.
During his working career, he traveled around the world, but found time to visit every major league baseball park. And some minor league ones, too. “I like to travel,” he said. Randy is also a Lionel train enthusiast and has a large layout that can support six trains running at the same time.
According to Randy, he had the first lawn care service in Louisville which he started when he was 14. He also worked at the Varsity Isle (only older members will remember that ice cream store), and he worked for 14 years at Metgzer’s Liquor store on West Main Street. (only older members will recall that business, too). When Andy Aljancic was Louisville Recreation Director, he convinced Randy to be an umpire for the summer little League baseball program and he did so for six years. Randy also credits Jim Kerchner as an important person in his life growing up in Louisville.
Outside of town, Randy worked for 32 years at the Firestone Country Club for their televised Tournament of Champions. “Did you know it takes 1,100 people to run a major golf tournament?” he asked. Randy once provided security for Tiger Woods and shared a meal with him.
Time ran out and one wonders if Randy could go on and on about the many things he has accomplished in his life. He wrapped up his message to fellow Rotarians with the brief but powerful message — “Be proud of what we do.”
Randy, welcome to Rotary. We can use your work ethic and experience.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
* In the German language, meisterin is the female spelling and meister is the masculine spelling for the same term. Please don’t ask about the pronunciation. Danke schon.
Submitted by Allen Gress, Secretary
No Meetings were held on Dec. 22 & Dec. 29 due to the Holiday Season.