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.
This week’s speaker will be Youngstown Rotarian Mike Latessa, who will be discussing his Doctoral Dissertation: Exploring Performance Anxiety within Student-Athletes. This should be an engaging session and club members are encouraged to attend and support Mike.
This week’s menu: Meatloaf, Mashed Potato, Vegetables, Salad, Vegetarian option.
Rotary Last Week
District 6650 Governor Ryan Boyce returned July 8 for his official club visit and to challenge each of us to “share your why” behind our membership.
Rotary International’s new annual theme is Create Lasting Impact, and DG Boyce wants to focus on youth. It’s time to offer short-term Rotary Youth Exchanges, he said. The college-level Rotaract program has “so much opportunity” in our district but lost its momentum, which is why Rotarians need to share their passion for service, he emphasized. We must stay in touch with high school Interact clubs and encourage their involvement in programs like the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive.
Look for a new district podcast by DG Boyce and Past DG Kim Weiss; a Veterans’ Day districtwide event on Nov. 11 in Canton; and a district fundraiser at our Stambaugh Auditorium on March 26, featuring an acclaimed organist providing accompaniment to a silent film.
In other news, congratulations to Gavin Switzer and his fiancee, who are expecting a baby girl!
Jodi Glass was President Ellie’s first candidate for Rotary Rapid Fire, in which we get to know a member through a series of fun, quick questions. Jodi, executive director of the Autism Society of the Mahoning Valley, grew up in Campbell and attended YSU. She and her husband have a son, who was diagnosed with autism while they lived in Philadelphia. After returning here, she joined the ASMV board in 2018. She likes Avalon Downtown and Tra’s Gourmet Sandwiches. You can invite her to coffee or tea; she enjoys both. Her favorite TV program is one from the past: “ER”. Rapid Fire concludes with the participant choosing the next interviewee. Jodi chose Becky Keck.
Samantha Turner shared more details about the Put Kids First swim party and picnic on Aug. 5 at the North Side Pool. The hours will be from 11:30 to 1:30. Rotarians are asked to help cook and serve food and/or assist with a book giveaway.
America 250: Ignite the Night Update
We're just days away from Ignite the Night on Sunday, July 5, and excitement is building!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our club, the Youngstown Rotary Club has committed $40,000 as the event's Presenting Sponsor. Even more impressive, Ignite the Night has now secured more than $107,000 in cash and in-kind support from sponsors and community partners, making this community celebration possible.
Rotary will have a strong presence throughout the evening. Be sure to stop by our booth for free America 250 giveaways, including fireworks viewing glasses, DIY kites, tote bags, and coloring books. You'll also spot our inflatable Rotary wheel and Rotary-branded LED foam sticks helping light up the festivities.
Volunteer Information
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to volunteer! A detailed volunteer email, including schedules and assignments, will be sent on Thursday.
Volunteer check-in will take place at the Wean Park entrance near the food trucks. All volunteers will receive an official event T-shirt and enjoy access to the VIP hospitality area, featuring refreshments, snacks, and a private cocktail bar while taking in the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra performance and the evening's spectacular fireworks display.
If you'd still like to volunteer, please contact Ellie Platt at eplatt79@gmail.com by Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Because VIP hospitality space is limited, we won't be able to accommodate additional volunteers after that deadline.
Thank you for helping Youngstown Rotary make Ignite the Night an unforgettable celebration for our community!
Event Schedule
6:00 PM – Doors Open
6:45 PM – Walk of Fame Inductee Presentation (Billy Beck & Rick Ward)
Freeman Court Parking Lot (Directly North of Wean Park)
ADA Parking – Amphitheatre Parking Lot (adjacent to the venue)
Free Shuttle Service
Continuous shuttle service will operate from 6:00PM – 11:00 PM and after the event from:
M70 Parking Lot (YSU Campus)
Stambaugh Auditorium Parking Lots
SAVE THE DATE
Service Award for a Polio-Free World, July 15 - October 1st. Submit nominations online
District Car-Cruise Social, 5pm-8, July 22nd, Gervasi Vinyard, 1700 55th Street, NE Canton, OH 44721 more info
Ignite the Night, 5pm, August 8th, The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater, 201 S Phelps St, Youngstown, OH 44503
Cookout for kids, 12pm, August 5th, North Side Pool, 2160 Belmont Ave, Youngstown
Steak Fry, August 26, details to come.
National Moth Week Shines a Light on Our Nighttime Pollinators
When people think about pollinators, bees and butterflies usually steal the spotlight. But after the sun sets, another hardworking group takes over—the moths.
National Moth Week is July 18th - 26th, a worldwide celebration of these often-overlooked insects and the important role they play in healthy ecosystems. What began in 2012 as a local event in New Jersey has grown into an international citizen science initiative, with participants in all 50 states and more than 90 countries documenting moth species and contributing valuable observations to scientific research.
Moths are vital nocturnal pollinators, visiting flowers while most of us are asleep. Many native plants rely on nighttime pollinators to reproduce, making moths an essential part of the food web that supports birds, bats, and other wildlife. Scientists are also discovering that moths contribute more to pollination than previously understood, helping maintain biodiversity and resilient ecosystems.
Rotarians can celebrate National Moth Week by spending an evening outdoors with family or friends. Simply leave a porch light on or hang a white sheet near an outdoor light and observe the fascinating variety of moths that appear. Take photos, identify your discoveries using a citizen science app, and share your observations to help researchers better understand these remarkable nighttime pollinators.
Sometimes the greatest conservation heroes are the ones working quietly in the dark.
June 30, 2010: A “special” Rotary meeting was held at Henry Bertolini’s bedside with RCY Presidents Steve Kristan, Elayne Bozick, and Mary Womble to ensure Henry’s 63rd consecutive year of perfect attendance.
