The last meeting involved gearing up for the district Four-Way Speech Contest coming up on March 23 at Aurora High School. Local high school speakers are urged to sign up to participate…cash prizes and good practice for real-world situations. The local competition will take place on March 18. Speak up, kids!
The G-H Rotary Club also voted to make a contribution to the Blue Knights’ Shop-With-A-Cop program(associated with the Sheriff’s department) assisting local kids with school supplies for the 2013-14 school year.
Then it was all about Family Week.
Who’s doing what?
Elder Don Holtry will be handling essay contest judging. Tom Collins has Grandparents’ Night at the Garrettsville Library covered, also a face painter. John Crawford, #1 volunteer, sees to the “bouncy house” and the Balloon Man. Jim Irwin is still seeking sponsors for all of the activities, either individually or collectively; still time to get in on this community support( It’s not just about the old reliable businesses, y’know). Families are urged to take advantage of the Family Night Out specials on Friday. Caitlin Lawless is head honcho for the Family Fun Day crafts program. All hands on deck to set up for that and the awards & prizes on Saturday. They’re on a Roll!
And the ball got rolling on Sunday, February 24, with the Family Music Festival to begin the nationally-recognized Rotary Family Week.
It opened with a remembrance of and tribute to Roy Pancost, who was a beloved and appreciated contributor to the Family Week since its inception, eleven years ago. A plaque to the family was a tangible token. Words and music from long-time musical partner, Dale Lacan touched hearts as well.
The program continued with the always comedic–whether intended or not–presentation by the Nelson Sizzlers from the Nelson UMC and Larry’s Diner, featuring Pastor Rick in his persona as “Nadine” (Eat your heart out, Tyler Perry). Their renditions of “Jesus Loves Me” and “Happy Trails to You” were not to be missed. Nor were the musical stylings of Ellen Eckhouse and her very apt pupil, Haley Brady, on the harp. Then it was Olivia Brady on the oboe. Then it was Tyler Brady on the French horn…are we getting a picture of a talented family, here? An ensemble from the Windham UMC and Congregational Church was up next–as it has been from the beginning of this community activity. Tom and Brenda Mesaros (of T&B Tools) did their thing, despite a tech malfunction. Locally-known (GHS ’80), nationally-recorded artist, Russ Nottingham, with his own road crew, wife, Jeri, sons Rusty and Michael, brought original songs: hand-clapping “Catch Me If You Can” (which proceeded after some divine intervention) and a tribute to a silver anniversary, among others. He also gave advance notice of an up-coming concert with Frankie Valens to benefit research on Parkinson’s disease–the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
It all finished up with the Windham group singing “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”
Indeed.
Congratulations to organizer Delores McCumbers and her “second banana”, Jim Irwin.
More Family Week to come. Check out the schedule and join in.
