Garrettsville – Garrettsville-Hiram Rotarians met at their new venue at Cal’s II at noon on Monday, April 28, 2014; it was a good meeting, model for many more.
Ted Lysiak reported that the construction of the new intermediate school is—so far—on track to be completed as scheduled, on August 20. Consultations with the YMCA are ongoing, regarding which spaces at the Park Ave. building will be used by them and which will be the domain of the PCESC. Teachers from that building will be packing up their accumulated materials to be moved to the new digs by the high school football team, after storage in some donated semi trailers over the summer. Whew! Demo models of the tech component of the grant—Google Chrome book and HP laptop—circulated and the 4C’s aspect of their acquisition—creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking—were brought out. He also invited all to the Wednesday, April 30 presentation by the Portage County Drug Task Force at the Iva Walker Auditorium.
Carol Donley reported on the latest developments in the ongoing adventure of the group’s sponsored international exchange student, Rachel Schwan, who will be heading out to Thailand in August. Carol was able to participate in the district investiture program when the exchange students got their Rotary blazers (and pins)to identify themselves when they speak to international Rotary groups. Rachel will also be receiving local club banners and pins to use when making presentations. So far, no word on an exchange student coming to the Garrettsville-Hiram community. Also mentioned was the generous impulse of district Rotarians making #GarrettsvilleStrong donations at the conference.
Tom Collins reported on the recent roadside clean-up between Garrettsville and Hiram with the assistance of the Garfield Interact Club and the Boy Scouts AND Jim Irwin and John Crawford. Interesting things turned up in the highway waste collection. Lunch, furnished by McDonald’s, was enjoyed by all. Also from Tom, mention of his visit to the Mantua-Shalersville club meeting to hear a presentation by Portage Park District head, Chris Craycroft, explaining and urging support for the county parks levy which will be up for passage on May 6. The system could be an economic engine for the county and for the Garrettsville/Mantua area, located at either end of the Headwaters Trail. Possible co-operation between the clubs to promote the trail is a thought for the future.
Rotarians are everywhere and many of them were in evidence at the “Garrettsville Day” in Blazin’ Bill’s rib celebration recently. As a business owner who in the past suffered a fire of total destruction and a Rotarian, the owner/operator graciously turned over a percentage of that evening’s profits to the recovery efforts. Plenty of locals and plenty of Rotarians from far afield attended to support the cause. Plans for the Rotary contribution to the rebuilding effort will be taking shape soon.
The club voted to make a contribution to the Garfield after-prom committee.
Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly will be coming up this summer. Candidates are being sought.
