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 helping everyone learn skills that will allow them to become economically self sufficient. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Sean Barron has co-authored two books on the challenges of being on the autism spectrum. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopment condition that affects how a person processes information and interacts socially. Despite his diagnosis, Barron’s life experiences have been rich. He is a graduate of Youngstown State University with multiple degrees, works as a correspondent for The Vindicator, and lives independently. Meet Barron at lunch on Wednesday in the Wick Park Pavilion.
John Fahnert invites you to be a chaperone Saturday during the Youth Exchange Overnighter at the Central YMCA. Teenage exchange students will attend the YSU vs. Robert Morris University basketball game at 4:30, enjoy dinner and snacks, and use the YMCA’s facilities for rest and recreation.
This weeks menu: Chicken in a Dijon Tarragon Cream Sauce, Roasted Potato, Vegetable, Salad, and Vegetarian options
Rotary Last Week
Congratulations, Reid Schmutz, on your 35th anniversary as a Rotarian!
Jasmine Handy and Olivia Cooke-Murphy of Flying High GROW Urban Farm shared an inspiring presentation about the farm’s community impact. Between the GROW greenhouse at the Mahoning Valley Campus of Care (County Line Road in Mineral Ridge) and the raised-bed gardens on the Flying High Campus (Bryson Street and Bissell Avenue), participants gain real opportunities for work by learning to grow and sell produce. Since 2022, 30,000 Mahoning and Trumbull county residents who live in food deserts have been able to access GROW’s fresh food through the ACTION Mobile Markets. For more information, click here: GROW Urban Farm - Flying High - Flying HIGH Inc.’s mission is to help all people develop their potential and discover their destiny.
As part of Ohio’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will be collecting oral histories to preserve and share with the community on its Digital Archive website. Library Executive Director Aimee Fifarek encourages Rotarians and their families to participate. Go to America 250-Ohio: Share Your Story | The Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County for details.
RCY’s Foundation Committee is now accepting nominations for honorary Paul Harris Fellows for the 2025-26 Rotary year. Nominations received by Feb. 11 will be reviewed by the committee. Individuals selected as Paul Harris fellows will be recognized March 5 during the club’s 111th Anniversary Party at Youngstown Country Club. Nomination forms are being circulated during lunch meetings and must be returned to Becky Mottram in the RCY office.
SAVE THE DATE
Rotary Youth Exchange Overnighter, Feb. 7, downtown Youngstown; see John Fahnert for details.
111th Anniversary Party & Paul Harris Fellow Induction, 6 p.m. Mar. 5, Youngstown Country Club; make reservations by Feb. 24; see invitation in email.
Learn How to Protect Monarch Butterflies - Free Webinar Series
Monarch butterflies continue to face serious challenges, from habitat loss to climate pressures—but informed action can make a difference. The 2026 Monarch Conservation Webinar Series, presented by Monarch Joint Venture, offers adults a convenient and engaging way to learn directly from leading conservation experts.
This free, monthly webinar series takes place online on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 1:00 PM Central (2:00 PM Eastern). Each one-hour session explores timely, science-based topics such as monarch habitat restoration, milkweed diversity, community science initiatives, and practical conservation strategies that can be applied at home or in the community.
The series is designed for a broad audience, including gardeners, educators, land managers, conservation advocates, and anyone interested in supporting pollinators. One registration provides access to the entire series, and recordings are shared afterward, making it easy to participate even if you can’t attend live.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge or take meaningful steps to support monarch recovery, this webinar series is a valuable resource. Registration is free, but advance sign-up is required.
January 24, 1952: Youngstown Rotarians honored their office secretaries who were invited guests at the weekly meeting.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Birthdays:
C. Reid Schmutz 1/26
Anniversaries:
Dionne Dowdy 1/20
5 years
Justin Froelich 1/20
5 years
Jeremy Batchelor 1/25 2 years
NEW MEMBER NOTICES
Anthony Horvath
President and CEO, Safety Kaizen, about workplace safety and operational excellence, and Thrivenest AI, using artificial intelligence coaching to help underserved youth build financial literacy and emotional resilience.
Classification:
Sponsor: Becky Keck
Horvath, 40, of Youngstown, is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Park University and a Master of Science in Safety, Security, & Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University. He has worked in military aviation and explosives, commercial nuclear power, steel and aluminum, rubber, oil, and manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors.
Kanisha Teemer
Business Owner
Classification: Beauty Salon, Child Care Services
Sponsor: Dionne Dowdy
Teemer (nickname Nishe), 35, is the CEO of Your Mobile Cosmo, LLC, and Safe Haven Child Care, based in Austintown. She and her spouse, Richard Warren, have five children.
Eric Hall
Youngstown City School District
Classification: Education
Sponsor: Jeremy Batchelor
Hall is the school district’s Director of Community Partnerships.
Christopher Colon
Executive Director
Classification: Nonprofit Organizations
Sponsor: Jack Kravitz
Colon, 44, leads Thrive Mahoning Valley, an organization that helps newcomers feel at home in greater Youngstown by providing transportation assistance, housing referrals, employment and education connections, legal aid referrals, citizenship assistance, household goods and hygiene products, and more. He is married to Jessica Lev and has three sons.
