Last Week's Meeting:
Rotarians looked back and ahead while discussing the Rotary Groundhog Craft Beerfest.
The third annual event was postponed from early February to mid July because of COVID-19. It was held at Stambaugh Auditorium, as usual, but in the parking lot instead of the ballroom. Event co-chairs Dave Stillwagon and club President Josh Prest say the event was a success, despite the challenges of hosting a social event during a pandemic.
The Stambaugh parking lot on Ford Avenue was an “enormous space” to fill, Stillwagon said, and yet provided plenty of room for social distancing. Attendees walked amid brewers, food trucks, a Mahoning Matters community news source tent, and a stage for live musical entertainment.
A final financial report is forthcoming. In addition to RCY members who volunteered at Beerfest, Stillwagon recognized the Boardman Rotarians who poured beer and gave additional support, as well as event sponsors and the Stambaugh Auditorium staff.
Beerfest will return on Jan. 29, 2022, with Kevin Chiu and Samantha Turner as event co-chairs. Beerfest proceeds support RCY’s local grantmaking program.
Cheers to all!
In other news, Bonnie Deutsch Burdman received her round badge for having successfully completed requirements of new members.
More pictures from last week's meeting here.
This Week's Meeting:
Raji Sankar
This week’s speaker is bringing a new concept in restaurants to our area, and she will be sharing that with us on Wednesday. Raji Sankar co-founded Wholesome International in 2004, a multi-concept restaurant development company, which owns and operates Choolaah Indian BBQ restaurants and franchised Five Guys Burgers and Fries restaurants. Raji is co-CEO and is responsible for people, operations and infrastructure. Previously, she held executive and operational leadership positions in technology and media companies. She has served as adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University and as a member on the Board of Directors for Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity.
Choolaah uses traditional Indian cooking techniques and fast-casual ordering, along with responsible ingredient sourcing. It will be located at 1051 Boardman-Poland Road, in between Starbucks and Mission BBQ.
Raji earned a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy from VNIT India, Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Indian Institute of Science and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.
