Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives through its Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives by helping everyone learn skills that will allow them to become economically self sufficient. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Dr. M. Mike McNair is publisher and editor of the Buckeye Review. In 2019, when the Vindicator ceased printing, it became the valley's oldest publication. It has served the general market of Youngstown-Warren, with particular emphasis on the African American community, since 1937.
A former member of the Youngstown Rotary, he has served in multiple roles including as Communications Supervisor for Youngstown City Schools; an executive pastor; founder of 100 Black Men, a Mentoring program; relationship coach; and clinical counselor.
Mike sees the culmination of his life’s work and community service as an extension of ministry. He is an ordained minister and an Ohio licensed Clinical Social Worker (LISW-S) with a vibrant private counseling practice – with his wife, Dr. Linda McNair – called Pair of Counseling Service.
During African American History Month, The Buckeye Review is hosting a series of discussions on race to help the community understand the social, physical, mental health, spiritual and political implications of racism.
Last Week's Meeting
Congratulations to Bonnie Burdman, who earned her Paul Harris Fellow plus one!
President Josh handed out new name badges to members in attendance. They are beautifully done, and so easy to read!
The RCY board of directors approved sending $1,000 to Rotary District 6710 in Kentucky for tornado relief.
Vocational service month ended with our last two pairings of members, Shannon Tirone and Msgr. Bob Siffrin, and Luke Politsky and George Nelson.
Did you know Msgr. Siffrin knows sign language? He even taught Shannon a few things! Msgr. Siffrin grew up in Massillon, Ohio with two sisters. The family moved to Cincinnati when he was 8 years old, and it was there that he realized what his life’s vocation would be. He was surrounded by clergy, who had a great impact on him as a child. Msgr. was ordained on June 23, 1979 and is now the Vicar General for the Diocese of Youngstown.
Msgr. joined Rotary after he witnessed Rotary’s exchange student program. He was particularly impressed that families took in the exchange students without an exchange of money, as some programs do. In the spring of 1987, Msgr. joined the Rotary Club of Warren, then transferred to Youngstown in 1992. He was past president from 19997-1998 and has had perfect attendance for 27 years!
Shannon Tirone is Associate Vice President University Relations for Youngstown State University and loves what she does. Her affiliation with Rotary goes back to when she was a child – her dad was a member and past president of the Boardman club and her mom was a member of Struthers and Canfield Rotary. Scott Schulick brought Shannon into the Youngstown club last year.
George Nelson is a journalist, reporter, photographer and editor for the Youngstown Business Journal. He began his education at Youngstown State University as a biology major but after only one quarter, switched to journalism after spending time at the Jambar, the university newspaper. His days are varied and depend on what news is breaking at any given time. He was invited to a Rotary meeting by Ellie Platt in 2016 and felt it was time to give back to the community, so he became a member.
Luke Politsky is the Director of Development & Stewardship for the Diocese of Youngstown. He feels that it was “divine intervention” that led to his career. He heard there was a position open at the Diocese, and contacted the development Director there to declare his interest. Luke was quickly hired. Luke’s duties include the diocesan appeal, grant writing, and communicating with and stewarding donors. Previously he was in YSU’s housing department, assigned to Cafaro House. We all know Luke as our club’s pianist, a side job that actually led him to becoming a member. Luke’s musical talents also include the accordion, and he is a substitute organist at various local churches. Luke also teaches first year orientation at YSU for incoming students.
It won’t matter whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Wednesday. Our 4th Annual Groundhog Craft Beerfest is in the books, and it was a blast!
Stambaugh Auditorium was bubbling with enthusiasm as hundreds of craft beer lovers sampled products by 20 local and regional brewers. While India pale ales were available in abundance, Beerfest attendees had plenty more from which to choose – sours, porters, ciders, hard seltzers and mead also were served.
The atmosphere was upbeat throughout the day. Rotarian Richie Bernacki and Rotary friend Jim Sutman were our DJs during the afternoon session. The band Skyline pumped out rock and reggae tunes during the evening session. Sundog Cellars Ciderhouse & Winery of Columbiana, recipient of the People’s Choice Award this year, brought stilt walker Brittany Marie along for a visit. Our own Youngsatowney Paul met Sunny, the Sundog mascot. After a staredown, they embraced Rotary’s mission to advance goodwill and peace.
The best part of Beerfest is watching the connections being made between brewers and customers, old friends, first-time acquaintances, our own Rotarians and those from other clubs (shout out to Boardman, Struthers and Poland members for volunteering and patronizing our event).
Congratulations to co-chairs Samantha Turner and Kevin Chiu and the Beerfest Committee on coordinating a successful event! Whether you worked at or attended Beerfest, sold tickets, signed on as sponsors or helped to push our social media posts, your contributions are appreciated.
Ticket sales prior to the event exceeded $9,000 and, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, more than $23,000 was donated to support the Beerfest! Final numbers will be provided soon.
Rotary Club of Youngstown Scholarship Fund was moved to the YSU Foundation last year to permanently endow a scholarship to support graduating seniors from Youngstown's public and parochial high schools. The $150,000 scholarship fund generates $6,000 annually to provide six (6) $1,000 scholarships. Applicants must be seniors at Youngstown Chaney, East, Rayen Early College, Ursuline, Cardinal Mooney or Valley Christian High Schools. Deadline to apply is February 1, 2022. If you know of any worthy students, please pass on the information below as soon as possible. Scholarships will be awarded at our meeting on April 20, 2022.
Log on to YSU.edu • On the far right, select the “Tuition and Financial Aid” tab • On the far right, select the “Forms and Applications” tab • Under the “Online Applications” section, select “YSUF Scholarship Application” • At the bottom of the page, log-in with your Penguin Portal I.D. and Password to complete the application
Dialogue with Rotary International President
Registration is open now for “Conversations That Matter” between President Shekhar Mehta and Rotarians in Zones 30 and 31. Join President Shekhar for a virtual meeting on global efforts within the Serve to Change Lives presidential initiatives, which include Each One Bring One, new club development, Rotary Days of Service and Empowering Girls. The event will be from noon to 12:45 p.m. (Eastern time) this Friday, Feb. 4. Advance registration is required. Space is limited. REGISTER HERE Have a question for President Shekhar? You can enter your question when you register!
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
February 1, 1915: the Rotary Club of Youngstown was admitted to Rotary International as club number 137. Future R.I. President and Rotary Foundation founder Arch C. Klumph of the Rotary Club of Cleveland was the keynote speaker for the charter presentation.
--
Operation Pollination
As much as Operation Pollination is symbolized by the bee and Monarch butterfly, at the heart of the project’s mission is preserving and celebrating life -- all life.
Having areas throughout our communities dedicated to providing sanctuary for life to happen and thrive; planning for and encouraging neighborhoods where good homes can be found, with nutritious foods nearby, should always be part of the quality-of-life conversation. Right?
Referring to all life, we need then to consider the places where you and I may not feel at home but nevertheless is where there is so much life to be found.
The challenge is, we’re just not used to thinking small.
That’s the beauty and brilliance of RI designating protecting the environment as a new area of focus.
Talk about big picture! The environment is huge! It’s global! We as members of an international humanitarian organization get that. It’s the “protecting” of it where we are brought down to sometimes the microscopic.
Brilliant.
This is where our education begins. And this is where Mill Creek MetroParks plays a vital role in our community partnership.
Beyond “The Park” that we know, The MetroParks also include NINE lesser-known facilities dedicated to supporting biodiversity by preserving nature – the homes and food sources for “wild” life.
The Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is a 482-acre former fish farm is located along the Mill Creek corridor in Beaver Township, and supports a diverse array of aquatic, wetland, and upland habitats.
Vickers Nature Preserve consists of diverse habitats, including meadows, woodlands, wetlands, and ponds. There are also several small streams flowing through the Preserve that flow directly into Meander Creek just upstream of the Meander Reservoir.
Sebring Woods consists primarily of floodplain forest and wooded wetlands interspersed with open marsh and upland habitats.
Collier Preserve is in Boardman Township, the Mill Creek Preserve consists of over 300 acres of upland and wetland habitats.
There are over 150 acres of land at the MetroParks Farm Natural Areas consisting of woodland, meadow, shrub thicket, pond, and wetland habitats. Two small tributaries to Indian Run also flow throughout the Farm fields.
Natural Areas
The McGuffey Wildlife Preserve is a 78-acre retreat is located on McGuffey Road in Coitsville Township.
Hitchcock Woods is a densely wooded preserve spanning the Mill Creek corridor south of Boardman-Canfield Rd. (Route 224) in Boardman Township.
Sawmill Creek Preserve is a major tributary entering the Meander Reservoir, and protection of this important resource is one of the reasons that the Sawmill Creek Preserve was established.
Egypt Swamp Preserve is a 57-acre preserve is comprised of wetlands, ponds, streams, and floodplains.
As we celebrate all life let me leave you with this quote from E. O. Wilson:
“There's just one world
That we all share
With plants and creatures
Everywhere.
Water from lakes and rivers
Soil of forest and farm
Even the air that's around us
We must never harm.
Mother Earth provides us all
With everything we need
Plants and animals together
Sharing is our creed.”
.png)
