Last Week's Meeting
Two topics addressed during the Dec. 8 meeting clearly demonstrated the impact of Rotarians in the community at large.
Operation Warm co-chair Dave Stillwagon needs at least 10 volunteers for the winter coat distribution on Thursday, Dec. 16 at Harding Elementary School. Rotarians will be needed as early as 8:30 a.m. that day. Email Dave at daves@ccaworks.org to sign up. Lunch will be served to volunteers at noon, thanks to a generous donation by Chik Fil A.
Operation Warm, in which Rotary raises funds to provide new winter coats to city students, is one of RCY’s largest and most successful programs. The kids stay warm, and interacting with them warms Rotarians’ hearts!
President-elect Sharon Letson and member Adam Lee, both of Youngstown Cityscape, shared good news about the opening of Cityscape at Briel’s, 23 S. Belle Vista Ave. Cityscape purchased the greenhouse and florist shop to preserve the last commercial greenhouse in the city. The Briel family was in business there for 96 years until late 2019, when the owners retired.
Cityscape at Briel’s is brimming with possibilities, Sharon and Adam explained. Cityscape will grow some of its own plants for many beautification projects downtown and along corridors. That also can create training and employment opportunities in the city, especially for returning citizens. Mahoning County Land Bank, a Cityscape partner, also will use the greenhouse for growing space as it participates in Operation Pollination, a Rotary-led local campaign to restore pollinator habitats and thus improve health outcomes.Locally-produced goods – maple syrup, jelly, pottery, textiles and art – can share shelf space in the retail portion of the florist shop, which will add to retail options in the city.
Preview sales of holiday mums and greenery have helped to raise funds and awareness of the Cityscape at Briel’s brand. Once building upgrades have been completed, the facility will open with regular hours of operation to serve gardeners, Calvary Cemetery customers, churches and more, they said.
In other Rotary news, new member Sharon Stringer received her first Paul Harris Fellow Award, courtesy of her friend and colleague Mike Raulin, a former District 6650 Governor.
Samantha Turner, co-chair of the Rotary Groundhog Beerfest, encouraged members to take and display color posters anywhere and everywhere. Each Rotarian is asked to sell four tickets in advance and secure one sponsorship. Also, many volunteers will be needed at the Jan. 29 event, which will have two sessions, from 1 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. at Stambaugh Auditorium. See Samantha or Kevin for more information.
Samantha also reported on Put Kids First, a Rotary program in support of students at Harding Elementary School. The Christmas Shop on Dec. 7 for students to choose presents for their families was a success. The mentoring program, which has paired Rotarians with students throughout the school year, will not resume in January as previously announced, she said. Rotary and the Harding administration are working to develop new programs.
