This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives by giving to the many projects supported by the Rotary International Foundation
This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives by giving to the Rotary International Foundation which supports local and international causes. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Sgt. Corban Baker, Outreach Coordinator for the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission, will be our guest.
Baker graduated from Brookfield High School, and joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation. He served for 5 years and 4 months, primarily at MCAS Beaufort South Carolina. He completed three 6-month deployments, including one aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in the Arabian Gulf, and one in Al Asad, Iraq.
He has been to 20 different countries and 38 U.S. states. After his service, he attended YSU and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications in 2012. After graduation, he spent three years in Southern California as a comedian, actor, and news anchor. In 2015 he became the evening weeknight anchor for 33 WYTV News, and held that position for more than 5 years until joining the Veterans Service Commission in March.
Corban has a wife and a daughter and resides in Howland.
Last Week's Meeting: William Cleary Tribute
Youngstown Rotarians honored the late Dr. Bill Cleary, a long time, active member who passed away on September 8, 2021, with moving, heartfelt, and sometimes humorous stories about what made Bill, well, Bill. A common theme ran through all of the remembrances, that of a person who was a gentleman, a true Rotarian, a loyal friend, a fisherman, and a leader in the community.
An avid outdoorsman, many recalled Bill’s stories that were centered around his many fishing trips, which several Rotarians in attendance were fortunate enough to experience with him. Bill was also a passionate gardener, and never hesitated to offer advice and critique regarding perennial plantings. Bill paid attention to the goings-on around him, and was always the first hand up at meetings when asked at the end if there were any questions.
As a leader and community volunteer, Bill served on many boards. The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Mahoning Valley Historical Society, and Park Vista/Ohio Living all benefitted from his expertise and commitment. While working as a physician, Bill was active in the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, Ohio Medial Association, and the Mahoning County Medical Society.
The following shared their memories of Dr. Bill Cleary: Reid Schmutz Bill Russell Scott Schulick Charlie McCrudden (remote from New Hampshire) Sharon Letson Frank Kishel Paul Johnson Bill Lawson Dave Stillwagon Elayne Bozick
Rest in peace, Dr. Cleary. You will be sorely missed.
Rotarians who knew Dr. William J. Cleary Jr. may fondly remember his love of telling fish tales, but his Rotary legacy cannot be exaggerated.
Bill had been a member of RCY for more than 49 years when he died in September at age 89. He was a Youngstown native who was practicing internal medicine when he joined the club in April 1972. He was sponsored by another local physician, Dr. Robert Lundstrom. The opportunity to connect with working professionals while serving our community has brought members into Rotary’s ranks for more than a century.
Bill’s leadership qualities were recognized, which led to him becoming the club president from 1983 to 1984. During his tenure, a very successful raffle of a new Cadillac earned the club $18,000 -- the equivalent of raising an impressive $47,500 today. Interviewed for RCY’s centennial celebration in 2015, Bill said he was especially proud of RCY’s support during his presidential year of the Sunflower Project of Bangkok, in which food and medicine was shipped overseas to benefit Thai infants and children. There is little doubt that he put his professional training and connections to work on that project, an example of Service Above Self.
After Bill was succeeded as club president by Dr. Y.T. Chiu -- another longtime, cherished Rotarian -- he could have devised an exit strategy. He wasn’t lacking in commitments. His medical practice was ongoing. He served on boards at Mahoning Valley Historical Society, Salvation Army, Park Vista, Associated Neighborhood Center and his church, St. Edward Parish. His membership in the Rockwell Springs Trout Club in northern Ohio was an outlet for his interest in fly-fishing. Did he still need Rotary? Did Rotary need him? He affirmed both by continuing his association for 37 more remarkable years.
Bill was impeccably dressed when attending weekly meetings. He asked questions of many presenters because he was genuinely inquisitive about many topics. He participated in a range of service projects, from mentoring school children to working at the craft beer festival. He was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow for his generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation to fund transformative service projects, locally and globally. When the COVID-19 pandemic began and in-person meetings were suspended, Bill was a faithful attendee of virtual meetings on the Zoom platform.
His passing brought sorrow to Rotarians who loved and respected him. Remembering him now offers a moment of reflection for the membership. Why did we join? What do we want to accomplish? What does it mean to put community service ahead of our own interests?
A small number of Rotarians can speak to Bill’s prowess in fishing. As a Rotarian, his high caliber is something to which all of us can aspire.
Fisherman’s Prayer Author Unknown
God grant that I may live to fish for another shining day. But when my final cast is made I then most humbly pray, When nestled in your landing net As I lay peacefully asleep, You’ll smile and judge that I’m good enough to keep.
Permaculture – What is it and why is it Important?
This weekend, Operation Pollination partners visited the 25-acre Bending Tree Permaculture Farm founded 7 years ago in Youngstown, Ohio.
Permaculture is the ethical, scientific, and synchronistic design of natural systems to ensure a sustainable philosophy of living. It also aims to facilitate abundance for the future of humanity by producing all the food and materials it needs on a local scale. At its core, permaculture is simply the collaboration of humans and nature in action.
RCY members assisted as Chaney Middle School students received science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) learning kits on Oct. 29.
The “Learning Lunchboxes” were supplied by the Center of Science and Industry, a science museum and research center in Columbus that aims to provide 50,000 free take-home kits in Ohio’s 611 school districts to enhance in-class learning. RCY sweetened the deal by helping with packaging and distribution on Friday afternoon at the school.
Rotarian Justin Jennings, chief executive officer of Youngstown City Schools, requested the club’s participation. President John Prest, Past President Samantha Turner and member Barbara Brothers were among the volunteers.
Each box contains five activities that augment Ohio’s learning standards while promoting apprecation of STEAM, culture and history.
COSI provided enough Learning Lunches to enable Rotarian Becky Keck, president of SMARTS Community Art School, to secure some for her students.
The learning kits have been distributed since March in socially distanced events in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
LinkedIn has become a powerful social media tool for growing your personal professional network, enhancing your brand, and building meaningful business relationships. Did you know that the platform also provides an excellent opportunity for attracting new Rotarians?
November 12, 1990: Rotary Club of Youngstown sponsored fifteen high school students on a field trip to the Pittsburgh Institute of International Affairs (it was the largest group from a single Rotary Club).
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Birthdays:
Paul Garchar - Nov 12
Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer - Nov 14
Anniversaries:
Linda Kostka - 16 Years
Michael Latessa - 5 Years
Tony Perrone - 5 Years
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From President Josh:
"We raised $300 at the event from attendees drinking Penguin City Beer, donated by Penguin City, with an additional donation from West Side Bowl. We matched that with our Foundation to total $600. After the match from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we hit $1,800 which will provide 1,077 inoculations for polio."
