Rotary Club of Mantua ended the summer by hosting their 4th Annual Poker Paddle. Participants paddled their kayaks from Camp Hi in Hiram to Buchert Park in Mantua Village, gathering a five-card poker hand along the way. Back at Buchert Park, after experiencing a beautiful fall-like day on the scenic Cuyahoga River, the poker hands were evaluated for winners. The top hand this year, two pairs which won $350. Second place won $200 with the third-place winner getting $100. The winner of the 50/50 raffle went home with $51 this year. The Poker Paddle is one of the main fund raisers for Mantua Rotary. Proceeds from this fund raiser will be used to sponsor the Crestwood Primary School Safety Town in 2026.
Looking forward to the fall and beginning of winter, Mantua Rotary is working towards holding their biannual Christmas Tour of Homes this year. It was unfortunately cancelled the previous two scheduled times because of the Covid quarantine. Presently we are in need another house or two to complete the tour itinerary. If a Crestwood School district resident would be willing to decorate for the holidays early and host the event in their home on the weekends of November6,7,8,9 and November 14,15,and 16, please contact us at www.mantuarotary@gmail.com
Other business being discussed by the club involves the development of a new website that can more easily be used to register people for our events. The Merry Christmas Tree Challenge is planned again for December. Rotary supplies volunteer businesses with tabletop tree to decorate. Decorated trees will be available to the public to make a bid during the Merry Christmas in Mantua Village events and the arrival of Santa. This month’s speaker was Randy Ellis, president of the Mantua Shalersville Chamber of Commerce, who spoke to Mantua Rotary members about the revitalization of the Chamber over the past two years, their goals, planned activities, and ideas as to how Mantua Rotary and the Mantua Shalersville Chamber of Commerce can work together more closely.
Rotary Club of Mantua meets the first three Thursdays of each month at 6:30 in the Restoration 44 Coffee Company Community room. Interested visitors are welcome. Let us know you are attending at mantuarotary@gmail.com.
