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 preserving access to fresh water and quality sanitation in our community. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Rotary this week will be a Rotary Rapid Fire, where we get an opportunity to get to know our fellow Rotarians.
This week’s menu Lasagna, Veggie Lasagna for vegetarians, Mixed Vegetables, Salad, Rolls and Butter
Rotary Last Week
Youngstown Rotary welcomed Katie DeToro, Executive Director of OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, for an engaging look at one of the Mahoning Valley’s most distinctive community assets.
Katie, who returned to OH WOW! in 2024 after a career in nonprofit leadership and journalism that included time at The Vindicator, shared how OH WOW! continues to evolve. The center offers discovery-based exhibits, educational programs and community outreach, while also serving as a tourist attraction, event and retail space, professional development resource and volunteer opportunity. It is also home to the region’s largest STEAM festival and a member of the national Association of Science and Technology Centers.
Recent additions include a new floor featuring a 3D-printing lab, the relocation of the Makerspace to the second floor, and LightScape, an interactive basement experience exploring light, color and creativity.
But Katie’s message went beyond exhibits and construction. At the heart of OH WOW!’s mission is curiosity. Serving children from birth through age 14, the center encourages young people to explore, experiment, ask questions and discover that learning can be fun.
And that brings us to play. Play is not something that happens after learning—it is a powerful way of learning. It encourages experimentation, creativity and persistence. Katie reminded Rotarians that play benefits adults, too, helping us lead more balanced, joyful and meaningful lives.
OH WOW! also contributes to the Valley’s economic and cultural vitality. Cultural attractions help enhance quality of life, draw visitors and contribute to the overall appeal of a community.
Katie encouraged Rotarians to visit OH WOW! and experience the STEAM Festival firsthand. With approximately 3,000 people expected, it is a great example of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics brought to life through discovery and play.
The takeaway? Stay curious. Keep learning. And don’t forget to play!
Club Updates
Operation Warm: David Stillwagon reported that the campaign goal is $31,000, and the club is currently 75% of the way there. However, only about one-third of club members have participated so far. If you have not yet contributed or raised funds on behalf of Operation Warm, please consider supporting this important Youngstown Rotary annual project.
Membership: The Membership Committee will meet Tuesday, September 17, at 5:30 p.m. at Noble Creature. Chair Jack Kravitz and the committee are working to improve the membership process so it is easier to see where prospective members are in the membership track and to make the process more transparent on the club website. Questions? Contact Jack or join the meeting.
SPOTLIGHT ON BIKE BELMONT
The 4th Annual Bike Belmont is set to roll through Youngstown on Sunday, May 17, 2026, bringing energy, activity, and community pride to the Belmont Avenue corridor. Hosted by the Building a Better Belmont, the event continues to grow as a signature celebration of neighborhood connection and healthy living.
According to the event chair Jack Kravitz, the idea for Bike Belmont began as a simple but powerful exercise. Members of the organization wanted to better understand Belmont Avenue, not just as a roadway but as a place to live, shop, dine, and enjoy. “Many of us had never really taken the time to experience it fully,” Kravitz explained. The solution; a bike ride through the corridor, combining exploration with the group’s shared enthusiasm for cycling.
This year’s event introduces several exciting additions, including a new 5-mile family-friendly ride, a vendor fair, food trucks, and a post-ride “Jazz in the Park” celebration at Wick Park. Cyclists can still choose from the popular 12-mile community ride or the 32-mile airport route, which offers the unique experience of riding on the runway at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.
E-bikes are also expanding access to the event. Kravitz notes their growing popularity, emphasizing that they still require pedaling while helping riders go farther and tackle hills more comfortably. E-bikes will be available for the 5- and 12-mile routes.
With a goal of 500 riders this year, Bike Belmont continues to showcase the Belmont corridor as a vibrant destination- one ride at a time. This is a wonderful opportunity for our Youngstown Rotarians to continue supporting this event by signing up to volunteer and join in the ride. For more information check out the Registration Link at Build a Better Belmont.
SAVE THE DATE
Hispanic Heritage Month Opening Ceremony, September 15, noon–1 p.m., Public Library Main Branch.
Welcome of the Year Awards, September 15, 5:30 p.m., Penguin City, Details
Rotary Bowling, September 15, 6:30pm, Amron Lanes, 492 W. Main St., Canfield.
Membership Committee Meeting, September 17, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m, Noble Creature Wild Ales & Lagers, 126 E Rayen Ave, Youngstown, OH 44503
Peace Parade, October 4th, 2:45pm, meet at the intersection of Wick Ave and Wood Street, Youngstown, OH
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.
Operation Pollination: Conservation in Action at Mill Creek MetroParks
Operation Pollination Mahoning Valley, in partnership with Mill Creek MetroParks, is pleased to introduce an ongoing series highlighting conservation projects, educational opportunities, volunteer activities and community sharing. The featured presentation, “Conservation in Action: Habitat Restoration at Mill Creek MetroParks,” will explore how the park district is restoring and protecting natural habitats through reforestation, invasive species management, grassland and wetland restoration, and other conservation initiatives.
These projects play an important role in supporting pollinators, wildlife and healthier ecosystems throughout the park district. Native wildflowers, healthy forests and protected natural habitats provide valuable resources for pollinators while contributing to biodiversity.
The presentation will be led by Rachel Sobnosky, Natural Resources Manager for Mill Creek MetroParks. The approximately 10–20 minute presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
The program will take place Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EST, live via Zoom. Advance registration is required.
Operation Pollination encourages our community to learn more about the conservation work taking place in our own backyard and discover ways we can help conserve natural spaces for pollinators, wildlife and future generations
March 19, 1971: the William Holmes McGuffey Historical Society of Youngstown presented their plans to establish a park on their McGuffey Homesite property in Coitsville Township.
