Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives through its Focus Areas
This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives through Rotary Fellowship. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Join us this Wednesday as we celebrate the installation of the Youngstown Rotary Club's 2026–2027 Officers and officially welcome a new Rotary year. The meeting will be held at noon at the Wick Park Pavilion. Come help recognize our incoming leadership and celebrate the exciting year ahead of service and fellowship.
In other club news, President-Elect Ellie Platt recently joined City Events Director David Labra for a Zoom interview to help promote America 250 and this weekend's Ignite the Night celebration. During the interview, Ellie showcased the Rotary-branded LED foam sticks that will be distributed free to attendees during the event, highlighting Rotary's role as the Presenting Sponsor and our club's commitment to making this community celebration a memorable one.
We look forward to seeing everyone at Wednesday's meeting and, if you're attending, at Ignite the Night on Sunday!
This weeks menu: Burgers, All Beef Dogs, Root Beer, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Portabella Mushrooms baked in Veggie Stock, All Buns, Condiments.
Rotary Last Week
Last week we celebrated the President’s Party at Youngstown Country Club, and what a wonderful evening it was! The event was a tremendous success as members gathered to honor President Gerri Jenkins and recognize the dedication, leadership, and countless hours she has devoted to our club during her presidential year.
President-Elect Ellie Platt attended the International Rotary Conference in Taipei, with District Governor-Elect Ryan Boyce, and her son Jake (an Interact Member). One of the major themes highlighted during the conference was “Create Lasting Impact,” introduced by incoming RI President Yinka Babalola. The theme challenges Rotarians worldwide to focus on sustainable, measurable change in communities while strengthening global partnerships and accountability.
The conference also emphasized the critical role of Rotary youth programs such as RYLA and Interact. Statistics shared at the event showed that a significant portion of Rotary members participated in a Rotary youth program at some point in their lives, reinforcing the importance of investing in youth programs as they pave the way for future Rotarians.
SAVE THE DATE
Scrappers Baseball, 6pm, July 4th, 7/17 Credit Union Field, Eastwood
Ignite the Night, 5pm, July 5th, The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater, 201 S Phelps St, Youngstown, OH 44503
Leave Fireworks to the Professionals
Every year Americans set off thousands of fireworks across the country in the weeks leading up to 4th of July and other summer holidays, but backyard fireworks have more of an impact than you might realize. Most dog owners are well aware of the stress that fireworks cause on their canine friends, but studies have shown that this distress is not just limited to our pets, with livestock and wild animals fleeing habitats in panic and causing injuries. Pollinators too are impacted by backyard pyrotechnics:
Disrupted Navigation: The loud percussive vibrations and bright lights can confuse bees and other nocturnal insects. Bees often become disoriented, failing to return to their hives and instead consuming valuable winter food reserves by staying inside on high alert to guard their colonies.
Migratory Confusion: Flashes from artificial light can disrupt the circadian rhythms and internal compasses of migratory pollinators, like the Monarch butterfly, increasing energy expenditure and collision risks.
Toxic Pollution: The fallout from fireworks deposits heavy metals (such as copper, barium, and strontium) and chemical toxins (like perchlorates) into the soil and water. This can contaminate the host plants and nectar sources that pollinators rely on.
This year, opt to attend public displays (such as Ignite The Night), where professional pyrotechnicians put on displays in urban areas, helping consolidate the impact and reduce the overall effect. For those who still want to do their own celebration, some alternatives which are safer for our pollinator friends include drone light shows, laser light projections, glow sticks, confetti poppers (or cannons), silly string, or bubble machines.
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
June 18, 1997: Youngstown Rotarian Jerry Haber was elected District 6650 Governor.
