Youngstown Rotary Clatter - Tuesday June 30, 2026 (Jun 28, 2026)

Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives through its Focus Areas

January is Vocational Service Month

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.

Rotary International Foundation | Rotary International

ROTARY THIS WEEK

Teresa Miller, Executive Director of Valley Partners will speaking this week and discussing the success of the recent Golf Outing Event which they hosted to help support our Operation Warm.

Does your Committee have a message they need to get out, an event they want to promote or something for the Clatter? Please email our Communication Commit at communication@YoungstownRotary.com

Rotarians get a special 10% discount to the The Historical Youngstown Ghost Tour; October 9 and 10, 2026. Just enter the discount code ROTARY10 at checkout. Get tIckets

This week’s menu Stuffed Chicken, Mashed Potato, Gravy, Vegetables, Vegetarian Options, Fall Salad

Rotary Last Week

Youngstown Rotarian Ana Torres took the members on a review of the July-August tour to Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Jack Kravitz and Stacia Erdos were also there to share their impressions with the general group. They started in beautiful Victoria Falls, where some of the group took their first helicopter ride!! They visited a sanctuary for elephants and rhinos. The favorite stop was to visit the Rose of Charity Orphans. Our local Rotary donated items like jackets and soccer balls. The visit was only supposed to be an hour but they stayed longer. Rotarian Jack Kravitz asked if there was anything they could use. He was told a sewing machine -so everyone chipped in a bought one so they could make bags and other things to sell in the gift shop. The safari part of the trip happened in Hwange National Park where the group got up close and personal with giraffes, elephants, crocodiles, birds and lions. They enjoyed star-watching even catching a look at the Southern Cross. They ate wildebeest and warthog. The extension ended with a four day stay in Cape Town where they saw the cell of Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned for 27 years. The next tour is to Croatia and Slovenia in April and there are still spots available.

- By Gerri Jenkins

On Sunday, October 4th, Rotarians from District 6650 joined together and marched in the annual nonviolence week peace parade. A big thank you to all the Youngstown Rotarians who came out, held banners, chanted and made the event memorable for all involved. Ohio Nonviolence week has a host of incredible events this week, including Live Music, and some incredible speakers. For more information: Ohio Nonviolence Week Events

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)

7:00–8:00 PM – The Beck Ward Project

8:30–9:15 PM – Youngstown Symphony Orchestra Performance

9:15–9:30 PM – Intermission

9:30 PM – Youngstown Symphony Orchestra Performance

9:50–10:15 PM – Youngstown Symphony Orchestra Finale & Fireworks

For event details, parking information, and updates, visit www.ignitethenightyoungstown.org

Free Parking Locations:

Covelli Centre Parking Lots

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

Freedom First Keith Lamar Jazz Concert, October 9, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., Youngstown.

Operation Pollination Quarterly Meeting October 20, 10:00 a.m. EST, live via Zoom. Advance registration is required.

Little Free Library Appreciation Luncheon, October 21 2026 at Wick Pavilion, 12pm - 1pm

Pints Vs Polio, October 22nd, 5:30pm - 7:30pm, Penguin City Brewing, 460 E. Federal St, Youngstown, OH

African Queen Monarch

The African Queen is another name for the monarch butterfly which inhabits the continent of Africa. Both the North American Monarch and the African Monarch are known as the poison butterfly, as the poisonous Milkweed plant is their central diet, making them inedible for birds and other predators. While their colouring is similar, the North American Monarch's wings have more of a distinctive stripe and overall they are a larger size. African Queen's make a much smaller migration during their life cycle, with the warmer climates limiting the needs to roam. Both butterflies are important pollinators, and awareness of the importance Milkweed has on Monarch butterflies is a lesson that is now being applied globally.

TUESday, june 30, 2026

ROTARY THIS WEEK

Rotary Last Week

America 250: Ignite the Night Update

SAVE THE DATE

African Queen Monarch

Welcome to Youngstown Rotary

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