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 promoting peace in our community. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Our guest on Wednesday will be Susan Moorer, Assistant Director, Multicultural Outreach Services at Youngstown State University. Susan has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Youngstown State University in Communications, and a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College. Susan is also a candidate in the Doctor of Educational Leadership Program, at Youngstown State University. She most recently served as the Assistant Director for Student Advocacy & Support, and a Development Officer for WYSU FM - 88.5. She has worked for YSU for a total of sixteen years, in various capacities and departments, such as Coordinator of Outreach & Assessment for the Beeghly College of Education, and the Coordinator of Diversity Initiatives for the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity.
Last Week's Meeting
In celebration of Black History Month, Teiasha Simms opened the meeting with two moving poems. We hope to have those to publish in a subsequent Clatter.
Producing Energy in Ohio
Ohio-produced natural gas and oil is essential to our everyday lives. From reliably and affordably powering our homes, to serving as the building blocks for everyday products, and driving a manufacturing revival, Ohio’s leadership as a natural gas and oil production leader delivers benefits for us all. Over 6,000 products are made from natural gas and oil.
For 25 years, the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Program (OOGEEP), a non-profit organization, has been promoting a positive public awareness of Ohio’s oil and natural gas industries and its economic benefits to our state. George Brown, OOGEEP executive director, explained that in addition to public relations, his organization provides teacher workshops, first responder training, workforce development, and guest speakers such as himself. In addition, OOGEEP also provides scholarships for students interested in pursuing careers in the oil and natural gas industries, and supports science fairs in schools statewide.
While the US is a net exporter of petroleum products and produces the most natural gas and oil in the world, Ohio has the 7th largest crude oil refining capacity in the nation. In fact, if Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia were a country, they would be the third largest natural gas producer in the world. And did you know that the first oil well in the world is in Noble City, Ohio?
The Utica Shale is the primary driver of Ohio’s natural gas production growth, which was more than 30 times higher in 2019 than it was in 2002. Ohio oil production broke a 124-year old record in 2019, topping 27.8 million barrels, with the production from the Utica Shale reaching an all-time high.
In accordance with Ohio Revised Code 1510, OOGEEP is funded by Ohio’s natural gas and oil producers through an assessment on the production of all natural gas and oil produced in Ohio.
Celebrating Little Free Libraries On Wednesday, March 29, Rotary Club of Youngstown will be celebrating those who steward the Little Free Libraries in our area in commemoration of National Reading Month. Stewards will share stories about their LFL, their neighborhood, and reading and book-sharing events. We will have lunch at the Wick Park Pavilion as we normally do, but RSVPs for this program are a must. More information will be forthcoming, but you can RSVP to Sharon Stringer at sastringer@ysu.edu, or call her at 330-717-5513.
Harding Elementary Needs Readers! Yes, that means you! Volunteers are needed to read to the students on Friday, March 3 at the school, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. There are 30 spots to be filled. Please contact Samantha Turner if you would like to participate.
Beerfest Update The 5th annual Groundhog Beerfest was a resounding success! Rotarians stepped up and sold $9,000 in tickets, Stambaugh sold $17,000, and sponsorships totaled $27,000. Net income from all sources was $44,876 while expenses were $9,780. We netted $35,070 that can be used to provide grants to community organizations. Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make this happen.
RSVP for Anniversary Party
Don’t miss the deadline to register for RCY’s 108th Anniversary Party, which will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 8 at YSU DeBartolo Stadium Club, 577 Fifth Ave. In addition to celebrating our club’s long history of service in Youngstown, we also will recognize the club’s newest Paul Harris Fellows. Saratoga Catering will prepare the food, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Cost is $70 for members and guests if paid by March 1. No tickets will be sold at the door. Send checks to the RCY office, 201 E. Commerce St., Youngstown, 44503, or register online using the link a recent group email.
Note: There will not be a lunchtime meeting on March 8.
Operation Pollination
A new weapon against diseases that routinely ravage colonies that are essential for food pollination.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted a conditional license for a vaccine created by Dalan Animal Health, a US biotech company, to help protect honeybees from American foulbrood disease. Currently, there is no cure for the disease, which in parts of the U.S. has been found in a quarter of hives. It forces beekeepers to destroy and burn any infected colonies and administer antibiotics to prevent further spread.
As they have been commercialized, transported, and pressed into agricultural service, honeybees – already stressed - are exposed to a cocktail of different diseases that typically lay waste to large numbers of colonies and require major interventions by beekeepers to keep numbers up.
“It’s something that beekeepers can easily recognize because it reduces the larvae to this brown goo that has a rancid stink to it,” said Keith Delaplane, an entomologist at the University of Georgia, which has partnered with Dalan for the vaccine’s development.
“Our vaccine is a breakthrough in protecting honeybees,” said Annette Kleiser, chief executive of Dalan Animal Health. “We are ready to change how we care for insects, impacting food production on a global scale.”
The vaccine works by incorporating some of the bacteria into the royal jelly fed by worker bees to the queen. The developing bee larvae then have immunity to foulbrood, or fatal bacterial disease, as they hatch.
American foulbrood originated in the US and has since spread around the world. The breakthrough could be used to find vaccines for other bee-related diseases, such as the European version of foulbrood.
The U.S. is unusually dependent upon managed honeybee colonies to prop up its food pollination, with hives routinely trucked across the country to propagate everything from almonds to blueberries. This is because many wild bee species are in alarming decline, due to habitat loss, pesticide use and the climate crisis, fueling concerns around a global crisis in insect numbers that threatens ecosystems and human food security and health.
February 19, 1971: The Herman Ritter Fund for crippled children was dissolved; the assets were divided three ways between the Rotary Fund for crippled children, the East Seals Society, and the Cerebral Palsy Center.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Birthdays:
Deanna Rossi - Feb 22
George Nelson - Feb 24
Anniversaries:
Marvin Logan - 1 Year
The Four-Way Test
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Save the Date:
March 8 – RCY’s 108th Anniversary Party and Paul Harris Fellow Induction, March 8, YSU DeBartolo Stadium Club; by reservation only; $60 per person through Feb. 22, $70 from Feb. 23 through March 1.
March 25 – Highway litter cleanup; details to follow.
April 22 – Public open house, Spring Arts Festival at Youngstown City School District, in cooperation with SMARTS Art School and Operation Pollination, at SMARTS; volunteers needed throughout April to assist; details to follow.
Proposed new member:
Peter Herman
Market Sales
Associate, Allstate
Classification: Insurance
Sponsor: Adam Lee
Peter, originally of Warren and a graduate of Howland High School, now resides in Youngstown. He studied communications at Youngstown State. He enjoys nature, live music and craft beer.
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