Byesville Rotary Club News

Byesville Rotary learns adventures change your perspective

2012-02-15T16:15:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Dan Navicky, Speaker Host, and Greg Adams, Guest Speaker.

Club business: Club members approved the following requests for donation--

Main Avenue Methodist Church--$200 for activity hall clean up: Oziel Jeffries moved; Chuck Fair 2ed; passed.

Living Word donation of $100: Oziel Jeffries made motion; Chuck Fair 2ed; passed.

Girl’s State Leadership Conference registration fee $250: Oziel Jeffries moved; Marty Patchen 2ed; passed. this will support Darlene Miser's daughter's attendance at Girl's State.

Rotary Float donation of $50: club members informed of board decision to donate.

Relay For Life donation of $100: Rich Dair moved; Chuck Fair 2ed; passed.

Breakfast with the Bunny committee has been meeting. Breakfast is planned for Saturday, March 31. members will be asked to sign up to donate syrup or wrapped candy for the plastic eggs.

Dan Navicky introduced guest speaker, Greg Adams, mayor of New Concord, co-founder of Resource systems, and adventurer.

Adams encouraged his audience to accept opportunities for adventure big or small. Adventures help people see things they take for granted from a new perspective. “I learned way more than I expected,” he stated. Part of the adventure he shared with his daughter included a 10 day hike through an African wilderness. There were no toilets or even Port-a-potties, no running water, no electricity, and no nicely maintained roads. During the hike, Adams said he realized in America “…we have a lot of gifts that we don’t appreciate.”

Adams presented a slide show which communicated a sense of his adventure to Mt. Kilimanjaro. The mountain is the highest in Africa and is one of a very few mountains that allow people to hike to the top. People do not have to be trained in technical mountain climbing techniques.

Adams explained that every year about 25,000 people try to reach the top of Kilimanjaro. Just over 50% make it. The hike is challenging but not impossible. Kilimanjaro is over 19,200 high and the biggest challenge to hikers is dealing with altitude sickness which prevents many people from reaching the top.

Adams explained that altitude sickness is unpredictable and can affect even the fittest of hikers. Symptoms include nosebleeds, dehydration, headaches, and loss of appetite. Altitude affects each person differently, and no one can predict if they will be affected or not.

For their trek up the mountain, Adams and his daughter each carried a 33 pound backpack of personal items. They were accompanied by 18 guides who carried their own personal items as well as everything else needed for the trip—tents, food, and medical supplies which included a cardio unit and oxygen.

To climb the last 4000 feet to the peak, Adams and Clare got up early, hiked to the peak then back down to their camp. At this altitude, Adams said “…you move slower and need to work to keep your brain clear and focused.”

Adams stated that this adventure reinforced his belief that “…taking time to spend with people that you care about…” was as important as the adventure itself.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Byesville Rotary plans spring projects

2012-02-08T12:50:00.003-05:00

Easter Bunny accepts invitation to Byesville Rotary "Breakfast with the Bunny"

Byesville Rotarians will be busy this spring. Activities include both service projects and fundraising events,

On March 20, Byesville Club members will select a Meadowbrook student to represent the club at the Rotary District Four Way Test Speech contest. The Four-Way Test contest challenges students to think about how personal ethics affects their lives. Each student competing in the speech contest is asked to give a 5-7 minute original speech in which the student applied the Rotary Four-Way Test to everyday relationships

The club’s annual Breakfast with Bunny fundraiser is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 31. The menu is pancakes, sausage, and eggs. The Easter Bunny will attend and meet with all children attending the breakfast.

Interact club induction scheduled for April 3 at Meadowbrook High School. Interact is a Rotary organization that encourages and supports high schools students to become involved in community service projects. One of the projects the Interact Club is considering is the ShelterBox program. ShelterBoxes were developed to be delivered to disaster sites. The boxes contain basic tools and supplies that people need for survival after a disaster hits. Boxes were sent to victims of Katrina and to survivors of the tornadoes in Arkansas.

The 2012 Scholarship Committee, chaired by Jim Bakos, has begun to put together scholarship application packets which will be available to Rolling Hills seniors graduating from Meadowbrook High School and from Mid-East Career and Technology Center—Buffalo Campus. A total of 5 scholarships will be awarded.

Plans for the annual Byesville Rotary Golf Scramble are in process. Donation to this event raise funds to support the scholarship program. The outing is tentatively planned for a weekend in May.

Byesville Rotary will work with Southeastern Med to sponsor their 11th Annual Health Screening this spring. Date of screening and information about registering for the screening will be provided at a future date.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Byesville Rotary celebrates Rotary Awareness Month

2012-01-31T15:21:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Byesville Rotary members who volunteered to participate in the weekly program—front row: Phyllis Jeffries, Dennis Harding, Evelyn Spring, Rich Dair, Barb Dair; second row: Carl Keefer, Jan Wilson, Jim Bakos, Bob Long, Darlene Miser, Oziel Jeffries, Marti Patchen, Jim Vaughan, Sharon Miller, Shana Fair, Larry Miller, Chuck Fair, Tanya Hitchens, Rich Goodwin, Nellie Bichard, Dan Navicky, Randy Launder, Don Valentine, and Dalton Summers.

An average of 62% non-Rotarians recognizes the Rotary name. Only 37% of this group has some idea about what Rotary does. Byesville Rotarians hope to increase the number of people who know what Rotary does by doing what they do best—giving back to their community.

Byesville Rotary—like all Rotary clubs—is an organization of people who are service oriented and who support the goal of making the world a better place through projects focusing on water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, maternal and child health, disease prevention and treatment, economic and community development, and peace and conflict resolution. Most clubs begin with service projects in their own communities.

Byesville Rotarians supported education and literacy by donating dictionaries to Rolling Hills third graders, donating books to Bright Beginnings, and providing scholarships for Rolling Hills graduates. They worked to improve health by sponsoring an annual Health Fair in association with SEORMC. Club members contributed to economic and community development by contributing to local projects such as the Guernsey County Trail and Byesville Scenic Railway. Other local projects included their Christmas Food Basket Program and support for organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Meadowbrook Athletic Boosters, Byesville Volunteer Fire Department, and VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Larry Miller, January Program Chair, celebrated Rotary Awareness Month by inviting club members to participate in an interactive program. Members were asked to share the reason they choose to join Rotary International, why they decided to join Byesville Rotary rather than another Rotary club in area, and what caused each member to have an “aha" moment about Rotary.

Almost all members agreed one reason each chose Byesville was because the club involved members in hands on service projects such as local service projects like the club’s Byesville Rotary Gazebo Park clean up or the club’s signature chicken BBQnfundraiser.

Some said they chose to join Rotary because they liked how the “Four Way Test” encouraged Rotarians to behave ethically in their daily business and personal lives. Others stated they chose to join Byesville because the group is open, friendly, and members like to laugh.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Byesville Rotarians excited about Guernsey County economic opportunities

2012-01-25T20:00:00.002-05:00

Pictured: Jim Vaughan, Sergeant at Arms; Norm Blanchard, Director, Guernsey County Port Authority; Shana Fair, Speaker Host.

Norm Blanchard, Director of Guernsey County Port Authority, shared his perspective about the positive outlook for economic development in Guernsey County. Currently the Port Authority has been very busy in working with local residents and representatives from oil and gas companies who want to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the county’s shale resources. Blanchard expects county residents to see rapid changes occurring in the next year.

Blanchard stated that, he sees no negatives with the arrival of oil and gas interest in the area. He reassured club members that the state of Ohio has learned from the experience of other states and is passing regulations enabling the state to stay ahead of any potential problems.

Growth leads to challenges to community. The Port Authority is identifying projects aimed at limiting any negative effects. For example, the junction of Rt. 209 and I70 is all ready congested and will continue to get worse. The Port Authority has asked the state for a traffic study to identify possible solutions to this bottleneck.

Another challenge is to upgrade infrastructure at the airport by improving the fuel system, adding de-icing equipment, and lengthening the runway by 700 feet. The cost of adding length to the runway is estimated to be a $3.3 million project.

Blanchard advised club members to watch for construction projects to multiply in the near future. He reported that all buildings in the county are either sold or leased. The county needs to provide space for business offices and living quarters for families and workers. He stated that $200,000 to $300,000 four bedroom, 3 bathroom homes will need to be constructed to provide housing for people moving into Guernsey County. Additionally, 3 hotel chains are discussing the possibility of building hotels in the area. The Port Authority is working to find appropriate locations for these businesses.

Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary president, encouraged all members to consider attending the district conference May 18-19. Randy Launder updated club members about plans for the club’s 25th anniversary celebration. Kick-off for the celebration will be held February 21 at the weekly club meeting. The celebration will culminate with a banquet on June 28.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294

Byesville Rotary learns “Service Above Self” important to Martin Luther King

2012-01-17T16:14:00.002-05:00

Pictured: Pastor Randolph White and Larry Miller, Speaker Host.

Pastor Randolph White spoke to the club about Martin Luther King’s legacy. Pastor White’s relationship to Martin Luther King is longstanding. In 1972, he was instrumental in organizing a group which helped establish a Martin Luther King Memorial.

He explained that King worked to build community between people based on camaraderie and fellowship. King was aware that it would take work to create communities that accepted and appreciated everyone, no matter what their race, creed, or gender.

Pastor White stated that King’s view of the future was influenced by his early experiences. He was close to his grandparents and had a large extended family. His experience of a large, supportive family helped shape his definition of community which he defined as a place where each person would be accepted and appreciated with no qualifications or requests to change. Pastor White pointed to the example of the Good Samaritan as an example of how a member of King’s community would behave.

King knew that life experiences can result in hurts and offenses which can cause people to resent other and desire revenge. King encouraged people to overcome this type of negative feelings because they can prevent people from being kind to or respecting his/her neighbors.

King also believed in making change through non-violent methods. He felt that every effort should be made to avoid war and other types of violence. He was aware that his passion to make changes in American society could result in violence toward him and his followers.

Randy Lauder and Dennis Harding, chairs for the chicken BBQ fund raisers, invited any member interested in helping with the BBQ’s to stay for a short meeting after next Tuesday’s morning meeting. Bill Hartley will check with the Health Department to find out if there have been any regulation changes since last summer.

Plans for marking the club’s 25th anniversary are in process. A small celebration will be held during one of the morning meetings to mark the founding date of the club. A larger and more formal celebration will take place during the Changing of Guard dinner in June.

Rotary Historian visits Byesville Rotary

2012-01-12T09:29:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Larry Miller, Speaker Host, and Elden Hudson, Speaker.

Meeting notes:
The club has reserved two spots for local students at the 2012 RYLA Conference that will beld this summer in Athens.

Elden Hudson, a member of Rotary for 56 years and currently a member of the Zanesville Noon Rotary Club, spoke to Byesville club members about the 100 year history of Rotary International

In 2012, Rotary Clubs celebrate 107 years of service. Unlike some service clubs, Rotary has survived 2 world wars and the Great Depression. Rotary clubs were the inspiration of one man with an idea. Paul Harris established the first club on February 23, 1905 in Chicago. Only four men attended the first meeting. By October, the new club had 30 members.

Club meetings were informal and were open to business and professional men. The meeting place changed or “rotated” each week with a different member hosting the meeting at his place of business. This characteristic lead to the adoption of “Rotary” as the official club name. The rules and activities of these early meetings are reflected in the characteristics of modern Rotary meetings.

The goal of the club was to provide a place for business men to meet in fellowship with each other. At Rotary meetings, members addressed each other by their first names—a big change in etiquette during the early 1900’s when businessmen always addressed each other as “Mr.” Members were fined for “misdeeds” such as forgetting to wear the club pin or getting their picture in the paper.

In 1908, a second club was established in San Francisco. By 1910, ten clubs had been established around the United States. By 1911, the club was international with clubs in Canada, England and Ireland.

Rotary began developing from a club enabling member to network with other businessmen to a service club soon after Rotary was established. The first recorded humanitarian act was when club members donated $150 dollars to a help a young doctor replace his horse. In 1907, the Chicago Rotary financed a public restroom for Chicago. The importance of service to club members is reflected in the club motto “Service Above Self.”

Today, Rotary is an international club with a total of 4200 clubs worldwide and over 200 million members.
Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Byesville Rotary honors charter member

2012-01-05T11:51:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Carl Keefer; Mr. and Mrs. Eagleson, Cookie and Steve Connell.

Happy New Year to all.

Election results for club officers 2012-2013:

Dennis Harding: President-Elect

Shana Fair: Secretary

Chuck Fair: Treasurer

Scot Lojas: Board member term 2012-2015

Club also voted to accept two changes to bylaws:

Meeting cancelations: Meetings will be cancelled only if Guernsey county declares a Level 3. Members are encouraged to decide if it is safe for them to drive under other conditions. Lots of make ups are available--Board meetings, service projects, committee meetings, or Cambridge Rotary meeting. Oziel moved to accept; Joe seconded; motion passed.

New member proposals will be submitted to Baord; after their approval, name will be announced to club members who will have 7 days to submit any concerns, in writing, to the Secretary. If nothing is submitted, porposed member will be inducted into club. Chuck moved to accept; Nellie seconded; motion passed.

This year the Byesville Rotary lost Joe Eagleson, a charter member, to injuries sustained in a work related accident. During the business meeting, the club presented a plaque honoring his memory to Eagleson’s parents, sister and brother in law, Cookie and Steve Connell. Eagleson’s wife, Cindy, was unable to attend.

Carl Keefer, a long-time friend and Byesville Rotarian, presented the plaque. Carl remembered Joe for two things. The first was his workmanship. The second was his dependability. Keefer said that once Joe was employed to do a job, he could be depended on to finish it and to get it done right the first time. Carl pointed out the he and Joe shared several common interests and frequently spent time sharing thoughts over the phone.

Eagleson’s father stated that he “…hoped Joe would be remembered for his good works.” His mother shared that Joe really liked the Rotary club and was disappointed that he was unable to contribute more to the club activities.

Steve Connell, also a Byesville Rotary charter member, related that he and Joe worked together on getting the Byesville Rotary Club established. Joe worked hard to develop the membership and was very good at making sure all the necessary paperwork was completed and submitted. Steve said that Joe was drawn to Rotary because of the Rotary concept of service and community. He finished by hoping that Joe will be remembered for his contributions to the club.

During the business meeting, officers for 2012-2013 were elected. Dennis Harding will be President –Elect for 2012; Shana Fair, Secretary; Chuck Fair, Treasurer; and Scott Lojas, Board member for 2012—2015.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017

Byesville Rotary provides Christmas food baskets to 197 families

2011-12-23T09:33:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Front: Rotary members ready for the first family to pick up their Christmas food basket: front--Dennis Harding, Marty Patchen, Don Valentine, Myrna Valentine, Bob Long; back--Evelyn Spring, Chuck Fair, Larry Miller, Jamie Hopps.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!

The Byesville Rotary Christmas food program provided food baskets to 197 families in the Rolling Hills School District. Bob Long, Chair of the Food basket program, and other club members reported on the successful completion of this year’s service project. The club has been providing Christmas food baskets to families in the Rolling Hills School District for over 20 years.
Club members and over 30 students from the Byesville Rotary sponsored Meadowbrook Interact Club worked Friday to sort non-perishable food items and to begin filling boxes in preparation for distribution on Saturday. Students volunteered to pick up donated food items that had been collected at each of the schools in Rolling Hills. As the canned goods and other non-perishable food items arrived at the Main Avenue Methodist Activity Center, Rotary members and Interact students sorted the food by type and began filling boxes with cans of soup, baked beans, canned vegetables, canned fruit, boxes of mac and cheese, Ramon noodles, and bags of cookies.

Early Saturday morning, members arrived to accept delivery of the perishable items destined for the food baskets—turkey, milk, bread, eggs, oleo, potatoes, onions, and oranges. Once the food arrived, a production line was set up to stock boxes and distribution began as families arrived to pick up their food baskets. Volunteers helped families load the food baskets into their cars.

During the meeting, club members also discussed various ways they could improve the program for next year. Club Board members recommended that the club donate $600 to the Salvation Army to help the Army with their Angel Tree effort.

In the Rotary calendar, December is Family Month. During December, Rotarians take time to consider what family means and to celebrate the family of Rotary. It is a big family which includes individual Rotarians from all over the world as well as everyone who becomes involved in Rotary work including people working in the Rotary Foundation as well as every student participating in Rotary youth programs.

Byesville Rotary celebrated the month by inviting speakers who were involved in supporting strong, healthy families. This week the speaker was Pastor Steve Leathley who spoke to the club about family values
.
The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017

Byesville Rotary donates books to Bright Beginnings

2011-12-13T16:41:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Wanda Hockenberry Bright Beginnings, and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Reminders:

The board meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, December 14, at Plus 1 Pizza in Byesville.

Breakfast with Santa was a success thanks to the members of the committee headed by Phyllis and thanks to Santa Claus. Seventy-four adults and 24 children purchased a breakfast. Thirty-seven children under five also attended the breakfast.

The Salvation Army needs help sorting gifts. The Byesville gifts are now located at Bill Hartley's house. These gifts will be sorted at his house. Call him for more information.

We have 195 families registered for food baskets. We will begin packing on Friday, December 16 at 7:00am at the Main Street Methodist Activity Center.

Food baskets will be distributed on Saturday, December 17, at the Activity Center.

Bob still needs people to volunteer for bed bucket bell ringing. Call him to volunteer.

Phyllis announced that the club will elect a President Elect and a Board member at the next meeting. Dennis Harding and Travis Craig are on the ballot for President-Elect, and Nellie Bichard, Mary Patchen, and Scott Lojas are running for board member.

Nellie announced that Debbie Robbins will be hosting a reception for the Irwins at the County Administration Building on Wednesday, December 28, at 3--5:00pm.

Wanda Hockenberry, representing Bright Beginnings Preschool and the Ohio Valley Educational Service Center, accepted a gift of 250 books from the Byesville Rotary. One of the services provide by Bright Beginnings is home visits to help prepare children for classroom work. The books will be given to the children being visited.

Tim Welch, Public Information Officer for the Guernsey County Department of Job and Family Services, presented an overview of the services provided by this agency. The agency provides a wide variety of services aimed at promoting independence and well-being for all individuals and family members. In 2010, Job and Family Services provided help to 1500 people.

The Child Support office can help locate a non-custodial parent or help establish who a child’s father is. Staff members can also help establish and enforce child support and medical support orders. This service includes ensuring that support orders are followed.

Another arm of the agency is responsible for administering the Medicaid program. The Food Assistance Program is designed to improve nutrition and health for individuals living in low-income households. Another program provides temporary assistance for needy families. The assistance is income based and can require people to participate in work activities in order to receive benefits.

Job and Family Services also operates the Guernsey County Opportunity Center currently located at the Job and Family Services main office. The Opportunity Center provides workforce services to employers and to people seeking training or employment. Staff will help job seekers write a resume and/or develop interview skills. They also maintain a list of job opportunities in the Guernsey area.

Job and Family Services is located at 324 Highland Avenue in Cambridge. Office hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am—4:00pm. Offices are closed Saturday and Sunday. The office can be contacted at 740-432-2381. More information can be found at www.gcdjfs.com.

Meadowbrook High School Interact club members attending the meeting were Jessica Haught, Colin Harding, and Samantha Roe.

Bob Long reported that club members are still needed to bell ringing through the week of December before Christmas. He needs volunteers to help with bell ringing through the week before Christmas. Donations from bell ringing are used to support the Byesville Rotary Christmas Food Basket program. Anyone willing to work should call him at 685-2630.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294

Byesville Rotary Club ready for Santa Claus’s arrival

2011-12-07T10:29:00.001-05:00

Pictured: Byesville Rotary Club members donate gifts to Secret Santa program.

Byesville Rotarians are busy preparing for their Christmas projects. On Saturday, December 10, between 8:30-11:00, at the Stop Nine Senior Center in Byesville, club members will welcome Santa Claus to town with their annual pancake breakfast. Santa will be at the breakfast to talk to the children attending the breakfast.

The club will be serving pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, milk, and coffee. Cooking again this year are Rich Dair, Head Chef, and Larry Miller, Pancake Specialist. Breakfast is $5.00. Pictures with Santa are complementary with the purchase of breakfast. Funds raised at the breakfast will be used by the Rotary to support local service projects such as providing dictionaries for every third grader in Rolling Hills or supplying Christmas food baskets.

Club members celebrated the spirit of Christmas by bringing toys to the Tuesday meeting. The toys will be donated to the Secret Santa program. Tanya Hitchens, Club President, passed out a list of important dates for December. Because of the holiday, the board meeting has been rescheduled for December 15. She encouraged members to participate in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. There are still tags available on the Angel Tree in K-Mart. She reminded members that Christmas food Basket preparation will begin on Friday, December16. Food baskets will be distributed on the following day.

Bell ringers are still needed to help raise funds for the Christmas Food Basket program. Anyone willing to volunteer can call Bob Long, 740-685-3620, to schedule a shift. Donations to support the food basket program are still being sought. Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Bob Long, 740-685-3620, or Chuck Fair, 740-685-2069.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Byesville Rotary learns how Chamber of Commerce nurtures youth leadership

2011-12-07T10:23:00.002-05:00

Pictured: John Janczarek, Interact member and Youth Leadership participant; Jo Sexton, President Cambridge Chamber of Commerce; Taylour Kidd, Youth Leadership participant; Dalton Singleton, Interact member and Youth Leadership participant; Rachael Jirles, Interact member and Youth Leadership participant; and Tori Sullivan, Youth Leadership Participant.

Jo Sexton, President of the Chamber of Commerce in the Cambridge area, described the Leadership Guernsey program to club members. The goal of the 10 month program is to improve leadership skills in local community members. One of the unique features of this program is that both adults and students are invited to participate. Several of the training sessions are held jointly allowing adults and students to learn from each other.

Training programs begin in September with a retreat which serves as an orientation to the program. Programs are developed by a 15 member Steering Committee. Members of this committee are drawn from graduates of the Leadership Guernsey training program.

Ten programs—one a month--are held. Topics covered by the training sessions include economic development, government and connections with the outside world, business and innovation and technical expertise, law enforcement and problem solving, communication and media, health care and championing change, educations and establishing “stretch” goals, and community service and relationships. The final session combines project presentations with graduation.

At the end of each session, participants are asked to write down answers to three questions: “What three things did you learn today?”, “Which of the three things do you consider the most important?”, and “What would you like to learn more about?”

Rachael Jirles, Dalton Singleton, John Janczarek, all members of the Meadowbrook High School Interact Club and Leadership Guernsey participants, plus Taylour Kidd and Tori Sullivan, Leadership Guernsey participants spoke to club members about what they enjoyed most about program. Rachael stated that she “…liked to be surrounded by people who really cared about what they are doing.” Tori liked working with adults, and John enjoyed planning for the capstone project. Taylour stated that she was impressed by “…learning about what goes on behind the scenes,” while Dalton liked seeing how all the different organizations came together.

Due to the holidays, the club board meeting will be held December 15. Nominating committee members are to attend. Club members will be bell ringing during the week in Byesville. Donations collected will be used to support the Byesville Rotary Christmas Food Basket Program. The club is responsible for providing food for about 200 families.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Byesville Rotarians updated on their Foundation

2011-11-16T10:50:00.001-05:00

Pictured: Jan Wilson, Byesville Rotary Foundation Chair; Tracy Mann, Outreach and Donor Service Assistant, the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

In 2005, the Byesville Rotary established a Foundation with a gift of $6800. Today, the Foundation balance is almost $20,000. Byesville Rotary intends their Foundation to be an investment in the future of students enrolled at Meadowbrook High School. To insure that future, the Byesville Rotary Foundation was established as an endowed designated fund which means that the principal is never spent. Only interest and earnings are used for providing scholarships.

Byesville Rotary uses Foundation funds to provide a minimum of $2000 a year in scholarships to Meadowbrook students who plan to continue their education after high school graduation. The fund is supported in part by an annual golf tournament sponsored by the Byesville Rotary. Funds raised by the golf tournament are contributed to the Foundation. In this way, Byesville Rotary hopes to insure a better future for the students in their service area.

Tracy Mann, Outreach and Donor Services Assistant from The Foundation of Appalachian Ohio (FAO), explained to club members how partnering with the FAO benefits small organizations such as the Byesville Rotary. The FAO provides expertise and administrative support that many organizations do not have easily available

Ms. Mann pointed out that some of the benefits of partnering with FAO include investment oversight and expertise as well as administrative support for accounting, deposits, check writing and technical assistance with planned giving or other special gifts. These services allow the Byesville Club to focus on its service projects rather than on the administration of the fund.

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio was created in 1998 with a $1 million state challenge grant. Its mission was “to enrich the current and future quality of life in the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio.” To date the Foundation has awarded more than $2 million in grants to community initiatives. In addition, FAO partners with local communities and organizations, like the Byesville Rotary, to support philanthropic efforts. More information about FAO activities can be found at www.appalachianohio.org.

Madison Butcher and Andrea Broom represented the Meadowbrook Interact Club at the meeting. Bob Long reminded club members to show up for their red bucket and bell ringing shifts which begin next week. He still has open slots and is looking for additional volunteers.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294

Past district governor advises Rotarians to invest in the future

2011-11-09T14:27:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Tom Kokensparger,Past District Governor, and Marty Patchen, Membership Co-Chair, greet newest Byesville member, Rich Goodwin.

“Rotarians can invest in the future,” Tom Kokensparger said, “by contributing to the Rotary International (RI) Foundation.” He explained that Rotary encourages giving in three areas. Donations can be made 1) to the annual fund, 2) to special efforts such as the Polio Plus program, and 3) finally to the permanent fund which functions like an endowment.

The RI Foundation, established in 1982, provides long-term stability for Rotary service projects and can be used to supplement Rotary programs through lean fund raising years. Donations can be made in a wide variety of ways. Cash from the RI Foundation is used to support local and international humanitarian projects.

Projects supported include the establishment of a heart clinic in Lima, Peru. The clinic is now self-supporting and providing training to doctors. Locally, funds are used to support Rotary Simplified Grants such as the $2000 grant used by the West Laffette Rotary to provide a catalyst to raise funds used to construct 3 ball diamonds for local kids.

Kokensparger pointed out that donating to the RI Foundation meets his “4 wins” test: Rotarians can win by making a major gift to Rotary service projects, by receiving an immediate tax benefit for their gifts, by reducing their capital gains through the donation of appreciated property, and by receiving a lifetime income via a Life Income Agreement based on the size of their gift.

Meadowbrook Interact members Rachel Jirles and Andrew Nameth attended the Rotary meeting and reported that the Interact Club is working on a canned food drive. Food collected through their drive will be used to support the Byesville Christmas Food Basket Program.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Byesville Rotary welcomes new member

2011-11-03T10:56:00.001-04:00

Pictured: Rich Goodwin, new Byesville Rotary member, and Shana Fair, sponsor.

Club members were updated about the progress of current club projects at the monthly business meeting. During the meeting, Rich Goodwin was inducted as the club’s newest member. Goodwin is the Director of the Guernsey County Public Library.

Bob Long, chair of the Christmas Food Basket Program, asked club members to volunteer for bell ringing in Byesville. Bell ringing begins the third week in November. He thanked Meadowbrook Interact Club members and their advisor, Sharon Miller, for their support of the bell ringing effort.

Long pointed out that over 200 families have already registered for the food basket program. He will not know the final total until after the last two registrations sessions are held. Fund raising is crucial for the club to provide for all who have registered for food baskets. Anyone wishing to donate can call Bob Long at 685-3620.

Two more registration sessions are scheduled on Thursday and Friday, November 3 and 4, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Main Avenue Methodist Church Activity Center located behind the church in Byesville. Call 685-3620 or 638-2290 for more information about the food basket registration.

Jim Vaughan, co-chair of the Breakfast with Santa committee, asked club members to reserve Saturday, December 10, for the club’s annual Breakfast with Santa fundraiser. Breakfast will be served 8:30-11:00am at the Stop Nine Senior Center. Santa will be attending the breakfast. Pictures with Santa are free with purchase of breakfast. Tickets will be $5.00. Menu will be pancakes, eggs, bacon, juice, and coffee.

Joe Waske reported that plans to celebrate the club’s 25th anniversary are being finalized. He asked club members to help him identify past presidents and charter members. The anniversary celebration will be held in conjunction with the club’s changing of the Guard dinner in June.

Club members will celebrate Christmas at their December 6th meeting. Members are asked to bring toys to be donated to the Secret Santa program. Breakfast will be provided during the regular meeting time.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Byesville Rotary announces Christmas Food Basket registration dates

2011-10-26T10:10:00.001-04:00

Pictured: Jim Vaughan, Speaker Chair; Charles Campanizzi, Historian; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Byesville Rotarians are focused on their big holiday service project—their 16th annual Christmas Food Basket drive. Members will begin red-kettle bell ringing in November. Volunteers are needed for bell ringing shifts. Joe Waske thanked the members of the Meadowbrook Interact Club who have signed up for multiple shifts. He challenged Rotary members to match or beat the number of hours the Interact club is scheduled to bell ring. Anyone wishing to volunteer for bell-ringing can call Waske at 740-685-6675.

Registration for food baskets will be held Thursday and Friday, November 3 and 4, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Main Avenue United Methodist Activity Center located behind the church, 223 E. Main Street, Byesville. No registrations by phone will be accepted. Families living in Rolling Hills School District are eligible to register for this program.

People interested in registering should bring SSN for all family members, proof of income and proof of current address to the registration. For more information about the Byesville Rotary program call Byesville Rotarians Bob Long, 740-685-3620, or Oziel Jeffries, 740-638-2290.

Phyllis Jeffries, chair of the Breakfast with Santa committee, announced that the date for the club’s annual pancake breakfast with Santa will be Saturday, December 10.

Sharon Miller reported that the Interact club raised $220 dollars at their “Purple Pinkie” fundraiser which was held during lunch hour at Meadowbrook High School on October 14. The funds raised will be donated to Rotary International’s Polio Plus campaign to wipe out polio. This project will help the Interact Club qualify for a R otary Presidential Citation.

Byesville Rotary welcomed a new member--Rich Goodwin, Director of the Guernsey County Public Library.

Guest Speaker, Charles Campanizzi a retired educator shared his perspective on the Kennedy assignation in Dallas with members of the club. Campanizzi has spent 43 years studying the assassination and feels there is still more to discover.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Barnett reports radio is poised to adapt new technology to news reporting

2011-10-24T14:50:00.002-04:00

Pictured: Jim Vaughan, Speaker Chair, Daniel Barnett, News Director, AVC Communications. And Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Meeting change: Board meeting will be 12N Wednesday, October 16, at Plus 1 Pizza in Byesville.

Guest speaker, Daniel Barnett is employed as the news director of AVC Communications. He is responsible for overseeing the news content of 6 local radio stations.

Mr. Barnett stated he decided to become a journalist because writing is a personal passion. He chose radio journalism because of the intimacy radio can create between the listener and the radio.

He explained a second reasonfor choosing journalism was his admiration for journalists like Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. These men helped shape journalism in the 20th Century and worked to establish journalism as “just the facts.” This approach differed from that of earlier reporters who focused on politics and sensationalism.

However, in the latter part of the 20th century, news reporting began a return to the type of journalism practiced during the early years of the US. News again became combined with politics and sensationalism. Currently, the internet allows people access to all kinds of news sources. Many of these sources can be careless of the facts, and others present only facts supporting a specific point of view.

AVC Communications depends on other news sources for much of the news reported by the station. Most of the reports come from Associated Press Services. Barnett bases his choice on what news to broadcast by determining whether a news item has any local interest. He has a small staff and uses them to cover local news such as local government meetings and checking local police reports.

He stated that all types of journalism—TV, radio, and print--are about to enter a new era and that the American public is ready to support a return to “just the facts” reporting. He explained that radio is better prepared than print to take advantage of current trends in technology such as Twitter or FaceBook. These trends allow for faster reporting and updating and allow interaction with the listener. Radio is already employing technology such as pod casting and streaming.

During a short business meeting, Meadowbrook Interact Club members Erin Smith and Jaclyn Beskid were introduced. Bob Long encouraged members to sign up for red kettle bell ringing. Money raised from the bell ringing is important for club support of their Christmas Food Basket program.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Byesville Rotary learns about motivating students to learn

2011-10-13T09:15:00.001-04:00

Pictured: Jim Vaughan, Speaker Host; Rusty Roberts, teacher--Rolling Hills School District; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Sharon Miller introduced visiting Meadowbrook Interact Club students Annie Kackley and Rylie Janczarek. They invited club members to the Interact Club’s “Purple Pinkies” fundraiser being held on Friday, October 14, 11:00am-12:30pm in the Meadowbrook High School cafeteria. The Interact Club will donate funds raised to the Rotary International Polio Plus Program. This program aims to end polio worldwide.

Rusty Roberts spoke to the club about efforts to improve the quality of education in Rolling Hills. He has taught for over 36 years in Rolling Hills School district and has been nominated twice for “Ohio Teacher of the Year.” Currently, he is serving on a state advisory council to improve quality of Health Education in Ohio.

Mr. Roberts developed a classroom program which uses community-based agencies to expand learning opportunities in the classroom. This classroom program has been nominated twice for the Magna Award which is a national award recognizing outstanding educational practices.

Mr. Roberts stated that bringing real-life experiences into the classroom motivates students and inspires them to learn. Classes are designed to get kids involved in the planning and learning process in the classroom. He has successfully applied this method in his middle school classes which are student driven. For example, recently his class researched bath salts, a topic suggested by a student. Students researched the project and presented the results of their research in the classroom.

The benefits of a classroom program which involves local community-based agencies include introducing students to services they may eventually need to use as they graduate and move into the world of work. Students are also are motivated to learn by being introduced to real life experiences. They begin to see there is a connection between what they are learning in school and the life skills they will need to be successful once they graduate.

For example, in one class presentation a speaker presented a program on current tax law. Following the presentation, the students filled out state, and federal tax forms.

Byesville Rotary will begin registration for their Christmas Food Basket program on Wednesday, October 19, and Thursday, October 20. Registration will be 9:00AM-12N at the Main Avenue Methodist Church Activity Center located behind the church at 223 E. Main, Byesville. No registrations by phone will be accepted. For more information call Bob Long 740-685-3620, or Oziel Jeffries, 740-638-2290.
Members were asked to help raise funds for the food basket program by signing up for red bucket bell ringing shifts. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the food basket program can call Bob Long or contact any Byesville Rotary member.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294

Byesville Rotary announces registration for 16th annual Christmas Food Basket program

2011-10-06T14:38:00.000-04:00

Byesville Rotary invites families living in Rolling Hills School District to register for Christmas food baskets on Wednesday, October 19, and Thursday, October 20. Registration will be held 9:00 am-12N at the Main Avenue United Methodist Activity Center located behind the church, 223 E. Main Street, Byesville. No registrations by phone will be accepted.

Byesville Rotary co-partners with the Salvation Army to provide holiday food baskets. Rotary members of the Byesville club have taken responsibility for providing baskets for families living in the Rolling Hills School District—while the Salvation Army provides for the north half of the county.

Families interested in registering should bring SSN for all family members, proof of income and proof of current address to the registration. For more information about the Byesville Rotary program call Byesville Rotarians Bob Long, 740-685-3620, or Oziel Jeffries, 740-638-2290.

Bob Long, chair of the Byesville Rotary Food Basket program, reported, “The need is great but donations are coming in slowly.” Last year Byesville Rotary distributed baskets to over 200 families. Club members have two months to meet their fundraising goals for this project. To make donations, contact any Byesville Rotary member or Bob Long.

As part of this effort, Byesville Rotarians will be staffing red buckets and ringing bells in two Byesville locations beginning in November. Funds donated to red buckets in Byesville will be spent locally to purchase food items for the baskets. One dollar donations combined with other dollar donations can make a big difference in helping to fill the food baskets.

Byesville Rotary will also be working with the Meadowbrook Interact Club to collect non-perishable food. Food items collected in the Rolling Hills schools will be used to fill food baskets. All types of non-perishable food items will be collected by the students. A can of soup, or beans or a package of mac and cheese can make a big difference.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

RYLA students speak to Byesville Rotary about leadership

2011-09-28T14:37:00.000-04:00

RYLA stands for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program. This program, sponsored by local Rotary clubs, trains high school students in leadership, citizenship, and personal growth. The Byesville Rotary sponsored Brittany Shelton and Brooke Aleshire at the first annual District 6690 RYLA Youth Conference held at OU in Athens.

In order to qualify for sponsorship, Brittany and Brook submitted an application which included a brief essay describing why they would be an appropriate candidate for the conference and submitted a recommendation from a school administer.

Brook and Brittany were clearly enthusiastic about their experiences at the conference. They explained that RYLA is an intensive training program for young community leaders. The 21/2 days they spent at the conference were packed with hands on activities designed to help students develop character, self-confidence, and self-esteem. They also worked on developing leadership and problem-solving skills.

Their favorite part of the conference was the American RYLA Idol activity. Teams of students were challenged to do a skit dealing with one of the 6 pillars of character: caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness, or citizenship. The skits were goofy but everyone learned a lot about each of the pillars. Because the skits were interactive, the students learned to think on the spot in order to respond to unexpected questions and situations.

Brittany and Brook both felt that training like that offered at the RYLA conference helped changed how they approached life. They both feel they are more pro-active and willing to get involved in activities.

They have convinced the Meadowbrook Interact club to sponsor a “Purple Pinkie Day” to raise funds to help eliminate polio. Each $1.00 donation will pay to immunize 1 child. Donors will have their pinkies colored purple to represent that child that their dollar will help immunize.

The 2012 RYLA Youth Conference will be held July 19-21, 2012. Attendees will be limited to 96 students. Based on Brook and Brittany’s experience at the first conference, Byesville Rotary intends to continue to sponsor Meadowbrook student attendance at the 2ed RYLA Conference.

Byesville Rotary has begun working with the Cambridge Salvation Army to provide Christmas food baskets to local families. Byesville will announce dates for Rolling Hills School District families to register for baskets in the near future.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Rotary District Governor speaks at Byesville Rotary

2011-09-23T14:29:00.001-04:00

Pictured: Front row: Brent Rosenthal, District Governor, Brooke Aleshire, Trilyn Treherne, Tessa Bickford, Brittany Shelton. Back Row: Tany Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President, Karli Tellep, Jessica George, and Sharon Miller, Interact Advisor.

During his visit to Byesville Rotary, District 6690 Governor Brent Rosenthal, emphasized Rotary values are meant to be acted upon. He explained that the 2012 year’s theme, “Reach within to embrace humanity” is meant to remind Rotarians everyone shares similar needs, problems, and dreams. The goal of many Rotarian service projects is intended to help alleviate or solve shared problems and needs.

Gov. Rosenthal is challenging Rotary clubs in district 6690 to focus on providing service in two areas. He reminded club members that club members are Rotaries most important customers. A club’s members transform club values into action and spread the value of service out into the community. Clubs have a responsibility to engage their members in service projects by tapping into each member’s passion for service. In practice this means that each club must provide different opportunities for members to become involved. Rotary allows each club the flexibility to define for itself what areas of service members would like to pursue.

His second focus is reducing hunger in Ohio. Governor Rosenthal would like each Rotary club in within the club’s service area to identify at least three service projects addressing the problem of hunger. District 6690 is very diverse including both the richest and poorest zip codes in the state. Hunger is a problem in every community in District 6690. He stated that he is proud that Rotary is one of the few organizations in the world that is able to respond to this type of need

Byesville Rotary Club has focused on hunger for many years. The club supports an annual Christmas Food Basket program which provides food to between 200—250 families each year. The club also makes a donation to a local food pantry each month and has supported the summer school lunch program.

DG also announced to club members that district is interested in helping individual clubs let their communities know what service projects the club is involved in. The district is providing grants to clubs to support a public relations effort. He encouraged Byesville to consider applying for a grant.

Governor Rosenthal was introduced to the officers of the Byesville Rotary sponsored Meadowbrook Interact Club, a service club for students between 14-18. The Meadowbrook Interact Club is one of only 30 in the District.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Byesville Rotary hears about local international company

2011-09-14T17:20:00.004-04:00

Pictured: Chuck Fair, Speaker Host; John Kasinecz, Plant Manager Island Aseptics; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

John Kasinecz, plant manager of Island Asceptics, stated that this company which is based in Byesville, has an international business. Products made in the Byesville plant are shipped to 15 countries in the western hemisphere as well as South Africa and China. One of the reasons for choosing Byesville for the plant location is the easy access to two major interstates.

The plant, located at 100 Hope Road in Byesville, operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 51 weeks a year. Six processing and 11 packaging lines are located in a 163,000 square foot space. The local plant has 100 full time employees. Kasinecz explained that business is seasonal. In March through August, production increases. During the high production months, the plant employees 250 people.

International headquarters for the company is located in Walpole, Massachusetts. The headquarters houses the marketing and sales staff. The Byesville plant has the operational expertise and produces products such as beverages, smoothies and bar mixes, and fruit juice concentrates.

Kasinecz pointed out that Island Aseptics is currently the leader in the production of frozen drink concentrates and mixes. The company’s expertise enables them to produce sterile—aseptic—beverages or mixes, put the product into a sterile package, and seal the package so that the beverage will last indefinitely and will not need refrigerated. Getting all the steps exactly right is vital. Island Aseptics prides itself on their quality control and ability to produce products that meet quality standards.

Island Aseptics provides products to restaurants, schools, and the military. This business is bigger than the food business. Some of their customers include Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Restaurants, Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines, Applebee’s, Olive Garden and Red Lobster, Wal-Mart, Gatorade, Welch’s, ALDI, Kroger, Del Monte, and Procter & Gamble. Byesville residents will have enjoyed one of the company’s products if they ever ordered a fruit smoothie from McDonalds.

Tanya Hitchens reminded club members that next week’s meeting will be a membership breakfast and that the District Governor will be visiting. All club members were asked to invite a prospective member to the breakfast.

Sharon Miller, Interact club advisor, introduced Trislyn Treherne, Interact club secretary, and Karli Tellep, Interact club treasurer. Trislyn and Karli spoke to the club about their school and Internet activities.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Chicken BBQ CANCELED

2011-09-08T11:50:00.002-04:00

The chicken BBQ scheduled for September 10 has been canceled.

Meadowbrook Interact club officers visit Byesville Rotary

2011-09-08T11:35:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Sharon Miller, Interact Advisor; Tessa Bickford, Interact President; Jessica George, Interact Board Member and Interact Photographer; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Announcements:
-- NYC Red Eye trip has been canceled.
-- Please remember to register for the District Seminar on Saturday,
September 24---http://www.district6690.org/index.php?id=13137

Teresa Bickford, President of Interact, and Jessica George, Interact Board member and club photographer, gave a brief report to Byesville Rotary about Interact plans for the coming year.

The club is considering several types of service projects for the coming year. Interact clubs are expected to complete at least two community service projects a year. Club members are considering the following projects for 2011-12—Pennies for Polio, raising money for a Shelterbox, helping the Byesville Rotary collect and distribute food for the Rotary’s Christmas Food basket program, and sponsoring a talent show.

Interact clubs are Rotary’s service clubs for young people ages 14-18. Rotary clubs sponsor Interact clubs in order to encourage the development of leadership skills and personal integrity, encourage an appreciation of individual responsibility and hard work in young people.

The Meadowbrook club is sponsored by the Byesville Rotary Club. Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting. Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single gender or mixed, large or small. They can draw from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools in the same community.

The members of the Meadowbrook Interact Club are joining the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service. There are more than 10,700 Interact clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas with members totaling almost 200,000 young people.

At the Rotary business meeting, Tanya Hitchens reminded members that the District Governor will visit the club at the September 20 meeting. A membership breakfast will also be held on the 20th. Current members are asked to invite prospective members to the breakfast. Reservations for the breakfast are needed by September 13. There will also be an evening reception on Monday or club members to meet the District Governor.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Local business topic of Byesville Rotary meeting

2011-09-01T10:25:00.001-04:00

Pictured: Dennis Harding, Byesville Rotary guest speaker.

Guest speaker for the meeting was Dennis Harding who was asked to present some information about his employer—Fabri-Form.

Harding is native to area. Both he and his wife attended Meadowbrook High School. He went on to get a degree in mechanical Engineering at the University of Akron and continued his education by getting an Executive MBA at OU Lancaster.

He is a long time employee at Fabri Form. He began as a production supervisor and worked up to a managerial position. Currently he is the purchasing and materials manager. Fabri Form has corporate headquarters in New Concord and plants in Byesville and Indiana. Harding reported that Fabri Form employs between 40-60 people in Byesville and another 40-60 in New Concord. The company has been able to maintain business during the recent recession by being flexible and changing as the market changes. In 2009, the business began to grow again and currently growth is strong.

Fabri-Form supports several local service activities such as a Relay For Life Team and the local Red Cross Blood Drive.

Harding explained that Fabri-Form is a private company and was established in 1943 in Byesville. It is still owned and managed by the second generation of the founders .The business originally fabricated and formed plastic parts. During WWII, the company manufactured fighter plane carapaces for the war effort. More recently, the company manufactured face masks for astronauts including John Glenn and produced fire shields for fighter pilots.

Harding reported that at present the company has 3 product lines. The company produces a custom transport packaging which is the size of a standard pallet and can be reused. The second product line manufactures original equipment components such as parts for semi-trucks. This line helped Fabri-Form become a tier 1 supplier for several large truck manufacturers such as Freightliner. In a third line, Fabri-Form makes packaging that is designed to contain a product in such as way that the product will not shift or move during shipping.

Tanya Hitchens, club president, reminded members of several important dates and activities. The Red Eye trip to NYC has been cancelled for this year. The club is supporting a Red Cross Blood drive September 7 at Stop Nine Church of Christ Youth Center in Byesville. Because Hurricane Irene led to cancellation of many blood drives, blood is needed. Club members were encouraged to donate. The club will be holding a chicken BBQ Saturday, September 10 and workers are still needed. Monies raised from the BBQ will be shared with Byesville Volunteer Fire Department.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Byesville Rotary sponsoring Red Eye to New York City fundraiser

2011-08-24T18:26:00.003-04:00

Announcements:
* The District Govenor will be attending the September 20 meeting. There will also be a membership breakfast at this meeting. All members are asked to invite a prospective member to this meeting.

* There will be a reception with the District Govenor at 6:00pm on Monday night, September 19, at the Colonel Taylor Inn. All members are invited to attend. Board members should plan to attend.

* Workers are needed for the September 11 Chicken BBQ. so far only 6 people have signed up.

* The bus tour to New York City fundraiser needs to have more seats sold or it will have to be cancelled for this year.

* Members are invited to bring ideas for new fundraisers to the next meeting.

Byesville Rotary members are selling tickets for a trip to New York City. This fundraiser will raise money to support various local service projects supported by the Byesville club such as the Christmas Food Basket Program or the club’s literacy projects. The tour will leave for New York City the evening of November, Friday 11, and will return the morning of Sunday, November 13.

The New York trip is planned just at the beginning of the shopping season for Christmas presents. New York stores will be full of new ideas for the new year. Shopping is not the only attraction the Big Apple has to offer. On the last trip, several of the tour participants Rotary travelers took in a New York play. This November the musicals Book of Mormon, Spiderman, Jersey Boys (the story of the Four Seasons), and Wicked will be playing on November 12.

Other members of the bus trip toured choose to see the Empire State building and the Statue of Liberty. Others decided to enjoy the great food available in the Big Apple.

A seat on the bus can be reserved by contacting Tanya Hitchens at 740-581-2099 or jjhitchens@yahoo.com. The total cost of the bus trip is $99. Fifty dollars is due to reserve a seat

Trips were the topic of the day at the meeting. Dr. Mamidi, a club member, shared a picture montage of a trip he took to Russia. He and his wife took a 2 week river cruise that started in St. Petersburg and finished in Moscow. The couple toured the Hermitage which was once a Tsar’s palace and now contains one of the largest art collections in the world.

The Peterhof Palace was the highlight of his trip. Dr. Mamidi stated, “I saw the most beautiful garden I have ever seen.” He went on to explain that none of the many fountains in this garden used pumps. Each fountain was powered by natural gravity as the water flowed from its source in the mountains down to the gardens.

He and his wife also saw many churches which he pointed out are very different from Western churches because each is capped with an onion dome. Dr. Mamidi was told that the onion domes were meant to collect prayers.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Rotary sponsored ShelterBoxes serve disaster victims

2011-08-19T14:51:00.004-04:00

Pictured: Sharon Miller, Guest Speaker, and Oziel Jeffries, President-Elect of Byesville Rotary.

No reading assignment for next week. Bring your dollars, the Sgt. of Arms will be bringing the trivia book.

The Board meeting has been moved to Wednesday, August 24, 12n at Plus 1 Pizza in Byesville.

The meeting date with the District Governer has changed. This change also affects the membership breakfast. More information to come.

The club voted to provide $50.00 for a memorial gift for Rom.

Keep selling tickets for the NYC Red Eye Trip. Deadline to reserve seats is Sept. 1. Seats can be reserved with a $50 deposit by the deadline date.

Sharon Miller, guest speaker, at Byesville Rotary, described the ShelterBox program to club members. She explained that ShelterBoxes, also known as “big green boxes,” were developed to be delivered to disaster sites. The boxes contain basic tools and supplies that people need for survival after a disaster hits.

The boxes are the brainchild of Tom Henderson, a Rotarian in England, who established the program in 2000. ShelterBoxes contain survival supplies to support up to 10 people. Contents include a tent, a water purifier, a cook stove and utensils, blankets, children’s activities and basic tools like shovels. The basic contents are supplemented by tools and supplies customized for the climate and the type of disaster. The distinctive green boxes are often the first aid that arrives in a disaster area.

The program depends on donations and volunteers to educate people about the program and to pack and distribute boxes. The goal of the ShelterBox program is to help at least 500,000 people every year. The cost of donating 1 box is $1000 which covers all the contents of the box and shipping.

Rotarians play a big part of the ShelterBox program. To date over 5000 Rotary clubs have participated in the program and have supplied about 50% of all boxes donated.

In 10 years, ShelterBoxes have been sent to victims of 140 disasters in 70 countries. In the United State, ShelterBoxes were sent to victims of Katrina and to survivors of the tornadoes in Arkansas. A ShelterBox Response team worked with the local Rotary Club and Boy Scout troop to distribute boxes to families who had lost everything. The ShelterBoxes provided shelter for about 50 families including 35 children,

Each box is pre-packed so that response to a disaster can be immediate. Each box given a unique number—donors can track where the box they have sponsored is sent. More information about ShelterBoxes is available at www.shelterboxusa.org.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017

Mid Ohio Foodbank encourages Byesville Rotary to fight hunger in Guernsey County

2011-08-09T17:27:00.001-04:00

Pictured: Colin Baumgartner, Communications Director for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Chicken BBQ this Saturday, August 13, at the Rotary Gazebo at the corner of Main and 2ed. streets in Byesville. Chicken sales will begin about 10:00am and continue until chickens are gone. Rotary members are invited to work a shift or drop by and buy a chicken--they are delicious.

A speaker is still needed for the August 30th meeting. Contact Tanya if you know someone who would be willing to speak.

The first meeting of September will be the District Governor's visit. Board members and officers should plan to stay after the regular meeting for a short meeting with the DG. This meeting will also be a membership breakfast. Tanya is asking each club member to invite a guest who is interested in joining Rotary. Deadline for a breakfast headcount is August 30. Please invite a guest by than. Thank you.

Ticket sales for the Red Eye to New York have begun. Flyers will be available next week. All members are asked to sell at least one ticket. Tanya would like to fill two buses this year--that totals about 108 tickets.

***********************************************************************************

“Records kept by the Mid-Ohio Foodbank reveal that in 2010 there were over 37,000 requests for food at local Guernsey County food pantries,” stated Colin Baumgartner, Communications Director for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.”Twenty six percent of those requests came from children and 28% from seniors over 60.” Over 728,000 pounds of food was supplied to Guernsey County partner agencies. Over 220,000 pounds of the food supplies was fresh produce.

The mission of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank is fourfold. In addition to collecting and distributing food, the Foodbank also works to education communities about hunger, advocates for hunger programs, and collaborates with other agencies to reduce hunger in Ohio.

Local agencies collaborating with the Mid-Ohio Foodbank include the Food Pantry at the Main Street United Methodist Church in Byesville, the Pleasant City Food Pantry, the Byesville Assembly of God, and the Salvation Army.

The Mid-Ohio Foodbank is able to leverage the value of all cash donations. For every $1.00 donated, the Foodbank is able to distribute $8.00 of groceries.

The Mid-Ohio Foodbank serves 20 counties in the mid-section of Ohio, stretching from Union county west of Columbus east to Belmont County on the Ohio River. Within this area, over 500 local agencies work to provide food to senior citizens, homeless citizens, afterschool programs, soup kitchens, and food pantries. It is a big job—80% of the food offered by local agencies comes from the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

Thirty-five per cent of food bank users are working families who are struggling to get by. Their struggle tends to be temporary. Families want to get back on their feet and support themselves. Providing food to these families is the first step to recovery. Most are able to provide for themselves within a year. Almost half of the food distributed goes to the most vulnerable citizens—kids under 18 and seniors over 60.

More information about the work of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank can be found at www.midohiofoodbank.org.

Byesville Rotary 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017

Operation Hometown Outreach visits Byesville Rotary

2011-07-27T09:05:00.001-04:00

Pictured: Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President, Connie Finton, Operation Hometown Outreach.

Warning: the Sgt. at Arms is being VERY creative with questions for fines. Be prepared for anything.

Connie Finton, a volunteer speaker for Operation Hometown Outreach, states that many people are moving away from farms and as a result “...many children do not know where food comes from.” She went on to report that when asked, many children will answer that they get food from McDonalds and others will say “the grocery store.” Fewer and fewer children are aware that the things they eat and drink are produced on a farm and are the result of lots of hard work.

The organization she belongs to, Operation Hometown Outreach, is trying to change that perception. One of their goals is to provide speakers to groups and reintroduce people to the farmers that supply the food in the grocery stores.

Finton is one half of a farm team. She and her husband own Carlene Farm in Tuscararus County. Carlene Farms produces safe dairy products for families .Their farm is family run with no outside help. Help is provided by three of her grandchildren who want to go into farming. The grandchildren will be the 5th generation of Fintons to work the Carlene Farm. Finton and her family consider themselves caretakers of the land and the animals they raise.

Holstein dairy cows are the heart of their farm. On average, the farm has a herd of 85-90 cows that are providing milk. Additionally, there will be a smaller herd of cows that are dry or are expecting calves. Taking care of this many large animals is hard work.

Good care is important because the cows represent a big investment and because the Fintons depend on the animals for their livelihood. Finton said that her family takes good care of their animals because “…it is the right thing to do,” and because if they don’t, the farm will not make any money

Her cows stay in an open sided building that provides shade. The building is furnished with a large waterbed which the cows love so much they don’t like to leave the building. The cows are milked twice at day—at 5:30 am and 5:00 pm. Milking takes about 3 hours for a herd of 90 cows. Dairy farming is a 365 day a year job with no vacations. Cows need milked every day—no exceptions.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Bright Beginnings and Byesville Rotary share interest in children’s literacy

2011-07-22T12:02:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President and Lynne Beros, Director, Bright Beginnings Pre-School Program.

Chicken BBQ Saturday. If you aren't working, come byy and purchase a chicken.

Reading for next week: July Rotarian, "Our better angels,: pp. 30-35.

Lynne Beros, Director of the Bright Beginnings Pre-School Program offered by the Ohio Valley Educational Service Center, explained what her program offers to improve literacy skills in Guernsey County. Bright Beginnings provides early learning programs for pre-school children in the Cambridge, East Guernsey and Rolling Hills school districts and for schools in Noble and Monroe counties.

Byesville Rotary has strong interest in literacy and shares concerns for literacy development with Bright Beginnings programs. Rotary International encourages all Rotary clubs o become involved in literacy service projects. One of Byesville’s on-going literacy projects has been to provide dictionaries to each 3rd grade student in the Rolling Hills schools.

Bright Beginnings assesses a child’s development in several areas such as literacy, physical development and social and emotional development. If the assessment indicates the child would benefit from the Bright Beginnings program, the child is recommended for pre-school services. Many children qualify for the program free of charge based on their developmental need or their family’s income level.

Beros pointed out “…research indicates that the size of a child’s vocabulary at the time the child enters kindergarten is an accurate predictor of school success.” The larger the vocabulary, the better the child will do in his or her school career. Since 85% of a child’s brain develops by age 3, it is important for the child to begin developing literacy skills as early as possible.

In the state of Ohio about 30% of children entering Kindergarten need intervention services like those provided by Bright Beginnings. This means that almost 40,000 children whose literacy skills are below average enter Kindergarten each year. Intervention services offered by Bright Beginnings help a child develop important basic education and literacy skills. Bright Beginnings programs introduce children to many different kinds of books and encourage children to develop an interest in reading and writing.

Staff members at Bright Beginnings are licensed by the state of Ohio and are required to have professional degrees. The current staff of 58 includes teachers, aides, psychologists occupational and physical therapists, administrators, and a nurse. The Guernsey County staff is currently serving 475 students at various schools in Guernsey County.

For more information about Bright Beginnings programs and services, contact Carmen Feldner, 740-435-0320 ex 22, or Wanda Hockenberry, 740-435-0320 ex 30.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017

Three Byesville Rotarians become Paul Harris Fellows

2011-07-13T17:29:00.002-04:00

Pictured: Byesville Rotary Club’s newest Paul Harris Fellows: Oziel Jeffries and Shana Fair. Not pictured, Dr. Mamidi.

Oziel Jeffries, Dr. Mamidi, and Shana Fair were presented with the emblems earned by Rotarians who become Paul Harris Fellows. They were presented with a Paul Harris Medallion, a Paul Harris Fellow pin, and a certificate recognizing their commitment to the objectives and mission of Rotary International.

The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for Paul Harris who founded Rotary with three business associates. It was established in 1957 in honor of Mr. Harris. Rotarians become Paul Harris Fellows when they contribute $1000 to The Rotary Foundation. Funds from The Rotary Foundation are used for a variety of humanitarian and educational programs that save and invigorate the lives of people around the world and that enhance international friendship and understanding. This Foundation helps fund Rotarian efforts to provide food, potable water, immunizations and shelter for millions of people.

Monies from The Rotary Foundation return to local clubs when the club applies for a Simplified Grant. These grants are used by clubs to support local service projects. In the past, Byesville Rotary has used funds from the Rotary Foundation to support its annual Christmas Food Basket program.

Jeffries, Mamidi, and Fair join 13 other members of the Byesville club who are Paul Harris Fellows.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Byesville Rotary holds Changing of the Guard Dinner for 2010-2011

2011-07-10T16:34:00.001-04:00

On Thursday, June 23, Byesville Rotary held its Changing of the Guard Dinner at the Cambridge Country Club. Arrangements for the dinner were handled by Nellie Bichard and Marty Patchen.

At the dinner, Joe Waske, club president for 2010-2011, expressed his appreciation for club member efforts by presenting a flower and vase decorated with the Rotary symbol to each club member. He then turned the gavel over to Tanya Hitchens, club president for 2011-2012.

Officers also serving during 29011-2012 term are Oziel Jeffries, President Elect; Chuck Fair, Treasurer; Shana Fair, Secretary, Jim Vaughan, Sergeant at Arms; Marty Patchen and Randy Launder, Membership Chairs; Sharon Miller, Interact Advisor; Nellie Bichard, Speaker Chair. Larry Miller will join Jim Vaughan and Dr. Mamidi as a Board member.

During the dinner other members of the club were recognized for their contributions to Rotary. Over half the members were recognized for perfect attendance which means that members made the effort to attend the meetings or volunteered to work on a club projects. Oziel Jeffries, Dr Mamidi and Shana Fair were awarded Paul Harris pins in recognition of their contribution to the Rotary Paul Harris Foundation. Each made an individual contribution of $1000 to qualify for this award. Shana Fair was selected by the club members as Rotarian of the Year in recognition of the contribution this individual made to the club during the year.

After awards were presented, Dan Navicky, club historian, reviewed the highlights of the club year. These included providing over 120 families in the Byesville area with Christmas food baskets, co sponsoring a Health fair with SEORMC that served 125 local people, awarding 4 scholarships to3 seniors from Meadowbrook High School and 1 senior from the Mid-East Career and Techonology Centers Buffalo Campus.

The meets every Tuesday morning at 7:30 am at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Byesville Rotary learns “Downtown is living room of the community”

2011-06-21T19:28:00.001-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President; Heather Dickson, Executive Director of Cambridge Main Street; Rich Dair, Speaker Host.

Heather Dickson, the new Executive Director of Cambridge Main Street, explained that she developed a passion for helping small business early. She has practical experience running a small business. She opened her first coffee house in Little Rock. This shop was followed by two more. When she decided to return home to the Cambridge, she fell back on what she knew and opened a café –Uppities—in New Concord.

She began investigating opening a shop in Cambridge. Her first stop for information was to speak to Fran Taylor who told Dickson that she was leaving her position as Director of Cambridge Main Street. Dickson decided to apply for the job.

Dickson brings energy and excitement to the position. She explained to Byesville Rotary that the Main Street organization is non profit and is supported by volunteers and some private funding.

Main Street is organized around 4 committees. The Organization Committee is responsible for hiring and organizes membership drives. The Economic Restructuring Committee helps businesses stay open and seeks to bring new business to the area. This committee hosts Merchants Matter meetings. Anyone interested in business is invited. Meeting topics vary but are all focused on topics of interest to local business owners such as petty theft.

The Design committee focuses on the physical aspect of the downtown areas such as the looks and user friendliness of the streetscape. This committee is involved in the current renovation of the Wheeling Ave. This project involves range of goals from unseen, underground upgrades of the water lines to the design of the new sidewalks and the choice and placement of new trees. If all goes well the project will be completed November 1.

The Design committee is also working on developing banners that will be hung downtown on the light poles. Committee members are developing a set of standards that banners must meet. Any individual, business, or organization can sponsor a sign about their group or business.

The Promotions committee gets the word out about downtown activities such as the Bike Show and Road Fest. Recently the committee hosted a Garden Tour and Wine Tasting at Dr. Mitchell’s home. Response to this event resulted in the largest number of people attending to date.

For more information about the Main Street organization, contact 740-439-2238.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, June 28, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary finds out “What $5.00 can do”

2011-06-02T13:21:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President: Oziel Jeffries, Scholarship Committee; Erin Paisley, Meadowbrook scholarship recipient; Shana Fair, Scholarship Committee; Marty Patchen, Scholarship Committee.

Readings for next meeting:
June Rotarian, "Good grief," p. 23 and "Superbug," p. 27.

Shana Fair spoke to club members about the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Guernsey County. She is representing the Byesville club as a Relay Honorary Co-chair for 2011.

Fair explained that the original event was just one man who ran for 24 hours. This surgeon wanted to a do something to draw attention to the fact that dealing with cancer is a 24 hour job for cancer patients and their families. He was able to raise $27,000 because people donated money to run a lap with him.

She pointed out that today Relay is the largest end-cancer movement in the world. There are Relay events in over 5,000 communities and 20 countries. In Guernsey County, over 400 people comprising about 30 teams are involved in the event.

She stated that she liked the event because, “…every fundraiser is a volunteer. There are no professional fundraisers—just friends and neighbors working to raise money to end cancer.” She went on to say that if a person talked to any one of the Relay volunteers, that person would discover that each of the volunteers had a personal reason for being part of the Relay. Some are cancer survivors. Others know a family member or a friend that has been touched by cancer.

She went on to say that supporting cancer research and providing support for local cancer patients is expensive. Every dollar donated is important. People should never decide not to give because they feel that a $1 or $5 donation is too small.

When the American Cancer Society (ACS) combines everyone’s $1 and $5 donations, the organization has enough to support 25% of all cancer research funding as well as provide services that can be used by Guernsey County cancer patients. Small donations add up to the $1000 needed for the ACS to give 1 night’s free lodging to a cancer patient and their caregiver in Hope Lodge or help buy a $2000 microscope needed for cancer research.

Erin Paisley, a Byesville Rotary club scholarship recipient, attended the meeting. She will be attending Zane State College in the fall and is enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program. Byesville Rotary also awarded scholarships to Allison Beros, who will attend Zane State, Brandon German, who will attend Mt. Union, and Jared George, who will attend OSU.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, June 7, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Local services for seniors and cancer patients highlighted at Byesville Rotary

2011-05-13T19:59:00.008-04:00

Pictured: Shana Fair, speaker Host; Sean Gress, Executive Director of the Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center; and Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President..

Reading for May 24:
May Rotarian, "Waste not," p. 37.

Board meeting has been changed to May 19, 12n, at Plus 1 Pizza, Byesville.

Sean Gress, Executive Director of the Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center and President of the Guernsey County Cancer Society, spoke to the Byesville Rotary about the two hats that he wears.

Gress is celebrating 10 years of service at the Guernsey County Senior Center. He pointed out that there have been some big changes in 10 years. One change has been a big growth in demand for services such as home delivered meals. Gress reported that in 2001, the Senior Center provided 60,000 home delivered meals. Today, the Center provided over 330,000 per year.

Another big change is the development of two service populations with different needs and expectations. Center programs must now cater to Junior Seniors and Senior Seniors. Junior Seniors ages may range from 60 to 90. They are typically very active. Many continue to hold down a job, and many are also taking care of family. Senior Seniors may also be anywhere from 60 to 90, but they tend to be homebound or in assisted living situations.

Both sets of seniors come to the Center to stay active and engaged with other people. A social membership at the Center costs only $7 per year. Membership is open to anyone age 50 or older.

Gress stated that funding for the Center is evolving. Currently, income from the 1.6mil levy $400,000 per year is less than the operating budget expenses. The difference in income and outgo is made up through donations and contributions and an aggressive program of grant writing

As President of the Guernsey County Cancer Society, Gress is actively involved in providing support services to cancer patients. A diagnosis of cancer frequently imposes a financial hardship on the cancer patient and his or her family.

The Guernsey County Cancer Society can provide financial assistance of up to $800 per person to any Guernsey County cancer patient. The funds can be used for prescription drugs, transportation costs to and from treatment, home care workers, prosthesis and wigs, or nutritional supplies needed as part of treatment. The only requirement is that the diagnosis of cancer must be made by a physician. For more information about assistance contact 740-432-9290.

Funding for the Guernsey County Cancer Society comes in part from United Way of Guernsey Count. Additional funding comes from individual, wills and trusts, memorials and gifts, and other community organizations.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 24, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Meadowbrook Interact Club inducts new members

2011-05-13T19:54:00.002-04:00

Picture 1--
Pictured: New Interact members. First row: Marissa Hood, Jaclyn Beskid, Alex Eckelson, Maurie DeLong. Second row: Brittany Shelton, Paige Taylor, Shelby Stover, Bethany Bergerson, Brittany Nixon, Brooke Aleshire, Tressa Stone, Sarah Stine, Andrea Kackley. Third row: Michael Fedorke, Derek Kackley, Spencer Gibbs, Kyle Roberts, Jared George, Andrew Nameth. Not shown: Alyssa Poland, Caleb curry.

Picture 2—
Pictured: Interact officers for 2011-2012. Tessa Bickford, Jessica George, Karli Tellep, Trislyn Treherne, Brooke Aleshire, and Brittany Shelton.

Byesville Rotary members attended the induction of 21 new members into the Meadowbrook High School Interact Club. The Byesville Rotary sponsors the Meadowbrook club. Interact Clubs are the Rotary’s service clubs for students age 12-18.

Interact clubs are expected to complete at least two community service projects a year. The Meadowbrook club members have set five goals for the 2011-12 year. Club members plan to provide volunteers to help at Byesville Rotary activities, to have club members participate in the annual Rotary sponsored Four-Way Speech competition, to recruit 10 new Interact members during the 2011-12 year, and to send at least one Interact member to each Byesville Rotary meeting. They are also planning to meet requirements to qualify for the International rotary Presidential Citation.

Current Interact officers Katherine Jirles, Katlynn Tonnous, Kate Kovalchik, and Devon Cork presided at the induction. They were assisted by Sharon Miller and Ryan White, Interact advisers. Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President Elect, welcomed the new members and congratulated the club on the service activities they participated in during 2010-11.

Interact officers for 2011-12 were introduced: President--Tessa Bickford; Vice President--Brooke Aleshire; Secretary—Trislyn Treherne; Treasurer—Karli Tellep; and Board Members—Jessica George and Brittany Shelton.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 10, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

25th Annual Byesville Rotary Scholarship Golf Tourrnament

2011-04-30T15:47:00.004-04:00

When: May 22, 2011
Where: Wildfire Golf Course
New Concord, Ohio

Three Man Scramble - $55.00 per player/$165.00 per team
Proximity Prizes & Mulligans included
Registration @ 7:30am - Shotgun Start @ 8:00am

1St Place = $300.00
2nd Place = $200.00
3rd Place = $100.00

Hot Dogs & Beverages @ the turn
Dinner catered by TJ’s Market

All proceeds go to Scholarships for Meadowbrook High School Students

(Registration Form)

Golfer #1 __________________________________________________ Captain

Golfer #2 __________________________________________________

Golfer #3 __________________________________________________

Check Amount Enclosed ______________________________________

Make Check Payable to “Byesville Rotary”

For more information contact:

Trevor Black, Co-Chair
740-685 9999
58328 Richport
Senecaville, OH 43780

Trent Black, Co-Chair
740-685-2525

Larry Miller, Rotarian
740-439-7606

Byesville Rotary plans annual scholarship golf scramble

2011-04-27T20:25:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Participants in the Byesville Rotary 2010 Scholarship Golf Scramble.

Reminders:

The next meeting will be held at Meadowbrook Highschool. The club's Interact Club will be inducting new members and officers. Be sure to come out and support these great young people. Don't forget your meat donation for the food pantry.

Our first chicken BBQ of the year will be this Saturday--April 30. If you cannot remember the time you signed up to work--call Chuck Fair--685-2069. If you didn't sign up and want to work, you will be welcome. Work starts about 7;00am and goes until the chickens are sold.

Larry Miller reported that May 22 is the date of the Annual Byesville Rotary Scholarship Golf Scramble. Golfers will meet at 8:00 am at the Wildfire Golf Club in New Concord. Volunteers are needed to help with registration and preparing hotdogs.

The scramble will be composed of three person teams. Entry fee will be $55 per team member. Businesses are invited to sponsor teams at $165 per team. Larry asked that all Byesville members invite friends and family members to join a team and participate in the outing.

Cash prizes will be $300, $200, and $100 for first, second, and third place teams. Winners' prizes and assorted door prizes will be awarded at the end of play. Included in the entry fee are hot dogs and drinks at the turn and a fried chicken lunch.

People wishing to register for the event should contact Trevor Black, 740-260-9747, Trent Black, 740-680-5410, or Larry Miller, 740-260-2216.

The Byesville Rotary Annual Golf Scramble raises funds to provide scholarships to local high school seniors. This year the club was able to present three scholarships to seniors from Meadowbrook High School and to one senior at the Mid-East Technical and Career Center, Buffalo Campus.

Jim Bakos, the chair of the Scholarship Committee, reported that the committee members reviewed the written applications from students interested in the scholarships. Applicants who qualified were then interviewed. The committee has selected the students who will be awarded the 2010-11 scholarships. Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary president, will present the scholarships to the students on May 16 at the Meadowbrook High School Award Dinner.

The club's next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 3, 2011, at Meadowbrook High School. Club members will be attending the Interact Club induction of new members and 2011-12 officers.

Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people ages 14-18. The program gives young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects while developing leadership skills and meeting new friends. The Meadowbrook Interact club is sponsored by the Byesville Rotary. Sharon Miller, Interact advisor, reported that Interact members have signed up to work at the Rotary chicken BBQ on Saturday,.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary urged to “Donate Life”

2011-04-22T18:05:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Randy Sheline and Kathy Warhola showing Donate Life Donor Quilt.

Kathy Warhola, regional representative for Lifeline of Ohio, asked Rotary members to “…make a commitment to continue to help people after you are gone.”

She was accompanied by Randy Sheline, an organ recipient, who said, “The [organ transplant] surgery saved my life.” He pointed out that because someone was willing to be an organ donor, he had a second chance at life.

He received 6 organs during his original surgery. Two years later, he received a 2ed kidney. The organ donation allowed him to return to work and lead a normal life.

Kathy pointed to a quilt made by family members of people who became organ donors. Each square in the quilt represented a person who was willing to “Donate Life” by registering for the organ donation program. The quilt is one of 11 similar quilts. Each quilt square is made by the family of an organ donor.

Kathy encouraged the members of Byesville Rotary to enroll in the donor registry. To date, approximately 56% of all Ohioans have registered to become organ, eye, and/or tissue donors. She advised each person interested in becoming a donor to let their family know about their desire to become a donor.

At present over 110 thousand people are waiting for organs. One person is added to the list every 10 minutes. Eighteen people die every day because organs were not available. Lack of donated organs is especially acute for people needing kidneys.

Kathy reassured club members that Lifeline transplant teams do not get involved until after a person’s death. A person’s commitment to become a donor will not interfere with medical care. Consent for donation will be confirmed with family members after all lifesaving efforts have been made.

A person agreeing to be a donor can help 50 or more people. All major religions support organ, eye, and tissue donation as an act of charity. The decision to donate will not affect a person’s medical care or cost anything to the donor’s family or estate. Organ donation will not interfere with funeral plans.

For more information about “Donate Life” contact 1-800-525-5667 or www.donatelifeohio.org.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, April 26, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Easter Bunny has breakfast with the Byesville Rotary Breakfast

2011-04-11T20:39:00.005-04:00

Pictured: The Easter bunny and his crew of helpers.

Reading for April 12: April Rotarian, "Too much information," p. 27 and "Angelique Kidjo," p. 31.

Byesville Rotary members finished planning for their Breakfast with the Easter Bunny fundraiser. The breakfast has become an annual event for the Byesville Rotary. Everyone attending has a good time and a great breakfast.

This year the breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, April16, 8:30-11:00am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center in Byesville. Club members will prepare a breakfast of eggs, sausage, pancakes, coffee and juice. Donation is $5.00.

Children attending with an adult are treated to a picture with the Easter Bunny and an Easter egg treat. Pictures are complementary with purchase of breakfast. Photos will be taken by Allie Beros.

Funds raised by the breakfast will be used by the Byesville Rotary to support local Rotary projects. For more information about the breakfast or to make a donation to this fundraiser, call Phyllis Jeffries at 740-638-2290.

Jay Jackson, a guest at the weekly meeting, invited club members to participate in the Byesville Mainstreet clean up on April 23. Volunteers are to meet at the traffic light at 10:00am.

Master at Arms, Rich Dair presented an “Atta-boy” award to Grizz Smith for service to the club. Smith is currently chair of the landscaping committee. The committee is working to improve the visual appeal of the Rotary Gazebo park are. Committee members will meet April 12 at the park to work on a spring clean-up that will include cleaning walks, edging beds, and putting down mulch.

Club members voted to make a donation to the Great Guernsey Trail to help support the installation of a water fountain at the Lore City end of the trail.

Erica Clouse wins Byesville Rotary Four-Way Test Public speaking contest

2011-03-29T20:10:00.006-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President; Trevor Mourer, runner up; Erica Clouse, first place; Sharon Miller, Four Way Test Public Speaking Contest Speech Chair.

Reading for April 5: April Rotarian, "Rest Stop," p. 23, and President's Message.

Reminder--next meeting is a business meeting. Remember to bring your canned meat donation and individually wrapped candy to stuff Easter Bunny eggs.

Byesville Rotary held their club’s Four-Way Test Public Speaking Contest during the Tuesday morning weekly meeting. All students assigned to Meadowbrook High School as a home school were invited to participate in the contest.

The contest requires each student prepare and give a 5-7 minute original speech in which the student applies the Rotary Four-Way Test to everyday relationships. Students are evaluated on speech content, organization, and delivery.

The club awards were $150 to the first place winner, and $100 to as many as 3 runner ups. The winner of the Byesville Rotary contest will compete in the District competition on April 16. The District will award prizes of $1000, $750, and $500 to the first, second, and third place winners.

Rotarians believe that making business and personal decisions guided by personal ethics is important. They are confident that a person who consistently applies the Four-Way Test each day in business will also get into the habit of doing it in his or her home, social, and community life. Using the test helps a person become a better parent, a better friend, and a better citizen.

The Four-Way Test speaking contest challenges students to think about how personal ethics affects their lives. The 24 words the students are asked to present a speech on are:

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build good will and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Three of the club’s members served as judges for the competition. Erica Clouse was selected as first place winner and Trevor Mourer as runner up.

Both are seniors at Meadowbrook. This is the third year Erica has participated in the Four Way Test competition. She plans to attend the Fisher College of Business at OSU in the fall. She will work on a double major in business accounting and agricultural communication.

Trevor will attend Mount Union in the fall. He plans to major in exercise science and hopes to own his own gym someday. He will also be playing football as a defensive end at Mount Union.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, April 5, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Financial officer from Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities explains budgeting goals

2011-03-24T11:19:00.005-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President; Stephanie Neuhart, financial officer for the Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities; and Tanya Hitchens, Speaker Host.

Readings for next meeting: March Rotarian, "Pure Banerjee," p. 39 and "Breaking new ground," p. 42.

Club business:

Four Way speech Contest will be held during next week's meeting.
The Breakfast with the Bunny committee asks Rotary members to bring a bag of individual wrapped candy to be used to stuff plastics eggs for the kids coming to the Bunny Breakfast.

Stephanie Neuhart from the Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) spoke to the Byesville Rotary about the GCDD’s efforts to do more with less. Ms. Neuhart stated that the GCDD has been developing and applying good money management skills in recent years. These skills will enable them to meet the challenges posed by state and federal budget cutting for the present budget cycle.

The GCDD budget is based on local, state and federal monies. Local financing is currently based on 2 levies: a 4 mil levy passed in 1990 and a 2 mil levy passed in 1999. The levies provide 55% of the Board’s income.

The goal of the GCDD has been to maintain services within their current budget by operating more efficiently and identifying ways to reduce costs. They have done well. Other county Boards of Developmental Disabilities are looking at the GCDD operation to identify best practices that they could apply.

One method GCDD is using to reduce costs is through staff attrition. Personnel are not being replaced as staff members resign or retire. Several years ago, GCDD employed 58 people full time with an additional 15-20 part time workers. In 2010, the number of staff was down to 53.

A second method GCDD uses to maintain services is to identify alternate sources of funding. When funding from real estate taxes dried up, GCDD began refinancing services with federal money and Medicaid dollars.

GCDD staff has also identified previously unused resources which can be used to provide funding for programs such as the new Bridges and Transition program. The goal of this program is to prepare clients to be integrated into the community. The program is designed to teach life and work skills to clients ages 14-22. Clients leaving the program will be prepared to be employed in the community.

One of the results of the Board's efforts to be efficient is that, unlike other county Boards, GCDD does not have a waiting list of clients needing services. Everyone requesting assistance has been provided with the services they need.

For more information about the Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities and services they provide, contact 439-4451.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, March 29, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary learns Guernsey County families face homelessness

2011-03-12T11:15:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, Stephanie Laube, Multi-system Youth Coordinator for Creative Options; Stevie Fairchild, Ohio Valley Educational Service Center; and Bob Werner, President—Samaritan Center.

Club business:

Reading: None assigned for next meeting.

Breakfast with the Bunny committee is woking on this fundraiser. Members wanting to help, contact Phyllis Jeffries. Members are asked to donate a few dollars to Larry Miller to purchase plastic egg or bring in candy that will fit into the plastic eggs.

Oziel Jeffries is this year's Chicken BBQ chair. The first BBQ will be held April 30. See Oziel to volunteer.

Club members voted to donate $50 to Tanya so she can purchase non-perishable food items to be donated to the food drive being held at District PETS.

The Four Way Test competitors will present their speeches at the March 29 meeting.

Program:

“Homelessness is an emotional issue,” stated Stevie Fairchild who works as Homeless Liaison for the Ohio Valley Educational Service. Emotions caused by losing a home are particular hard on the children and young people caught in this situation.

In Guernsey County, homelessness affects families who live in or who are related to families located in Guernsey. Most homeless children are members of a one parent family.

Fairchild describes a homeless person as a child or a young person who does not have a fixed and suitable night time residence, who is doubling up and sharing a house with family and or friends, or who is a runaway living on the street or with friends or relatives. In order to help the child, Fairchild begins by helping the parents.

Local statistics as of September, 2010, identified 138 Guernsey County children as homeless.

Homelessness is a multifaceted problem that affects many different areas of a person’s life. Dealing with homelessness and the problems associated with it involves many different agencies. Fairchild and Stephanie Laube work to link up homeless families with various social agencies, services and local organizations such as churches.

One of the local organizations they work with is the Samaritan Center for Transitional Housing. Bob Werner, president of the Samaritan Center, stated that his organization has two goals. One is to provide a temporary home for 6 weeks or more. This time will allow families to get back on their feet. The second goal is to teach families how to break the cycle of homelessness by learning skills that will enable them to help themselves. Families involved in the Samaritan program are asked to save a portion of their income toward a safety deposit and first month’s rent for a permanent home.

Werner reported that a house has been donated to the Samaritan Center to serve as transitional housing. Vandals stripped the unoccupied house of pipes, fixtures and appliances. The building needs work and about $50,000 worth of materials to make it livable. Werner estimates turning this house into a home will take 2 years.

Currently, the Samaritan Center is raising funds through local fund raisers such as a Soup and Dessert Luncheon being held at the St. Benedict Activity Center on March 11, 11:00-2:00.

For more information about meeting the needs of homelessness, contact Stevie Fairchild, 439-3558, of Stephanie Laube, 432-9271.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, March 15, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767. More information about the Byesville Rotary can be found at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com

Byesville Rotary begins new service project

2011-03-03T13:36:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Jim Vaughan, Shana Fair, Landscape Committee members, and Joe (Grizz) Smith, Landscape Committee chair.

No reading assignment for next week.

Guest: Devin Cork, secretary of Byesville Rotary Interact Club.

Business meeting:

Members voted to give $3200 to District for EREY and to allocated 100 points toward Paul Harris to each member of the club listed on the July 1, 2010 SARS report.
Members voted to authorize up to $450 for Four Way speech Contest prizes.
Tanya reported that next year the District Governor will focus on hunger. He wants each club to be involved in 3 hunger campaigns and 3 literacy campaigns. Club Presidents Elect have been asked to bring non-perishable food items to the District Assembly. Tanya is asking members to bring food items to the next meeting.
The club has been asked by the Relay For Life Planning Committee to select a club member to serve as an Honorary Co-Chair for the Relay this year. Joe asked for a volunteer.
The Landscape Committee will meet next week after the regular meeting.

Spring is coming. Thoughts of Byesville Rotary members are turning to gardening. Under the leadership of Dr. Joe (Grizz) Smith, Byesville Rotary is making plans to upgrade the landscaping at the Rotary Gazebo at the corner of Main and 2ed. streets in Byesville.

Members of the Landscaping Committee, led by Grizz, have begun meeting and developing plans for the gazebo area. This area is used for a variety of activities. Club members want to insure that landscaping will enhance, not hinder, use of the area. The committee wants to design a landscape that will be easy to care for and will be visually enticing to people driving through town, walkers, and visitors to the village.

Some of the activities taking place in the gazebo include the use of the site for rest, relaxation, and reflection, for posting signs to be seen from the street, and for the Byesville Rotary chicken BBQ. Committee members want the area to be seen as a welcoming spot for public use and to present a visually positive image of Byesville from the street.

Projects being considered are to upgrade the current BBQ fire pit and redo the wood storage bin which has become an eyesore. Committee members would like to use plants to create a visual break between the next-door parking lot and the gazebo area. They plan to landscape the corner of Main and 2ed so that signs can be posted and be seen from a moving car easily. They also would like to ensure landscaping in this area allows for easy mowing around signs.

An important consideration in the new landscaping design will be developing a landscape that will be attractive through all four seasons. Perennials and annuals providing pops of color during spring, summer, and fall will be added. Plants chosen will need to be attractive in the winter.

The club plans to preserve the gazebo as a focal point. They will also preserve the mature trees already in the area and would like to enlarge the plantings near the row of Norway spruce at the rear of the area.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, March 8, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767

Members of SkillsUSA visit Byesville Rotary

2011-03-03T13:30:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President; George Bell, SkillsUSA advisor; Denzel Davis, SkillsUSA President; Cory Hanning, SkillsUSA treasurer; and Dr. Joe Smith, Speaker Host.

Two students from Mid-East Technical and Career Center, Buffalo Campus, explained to the Byesville Rotary how the student organization, SkillsUSA, helps develop student skills and encourage all members to become active examples of the organization’s motto “Champions at Work.”

Denzel Davis is president of the Buffalo Campus organization. He is a senior in the dental assisting program. Cory Hanning, also a senior, is the treasurer. He is in the commercial art program. Both students plan to continue their education at a college or university. They were accompanied by George Bell, the group advisor, and Dan Coffman, Director of the Buffalo Campus.

The students, wearing distinctive red, SkillsUSA sports jackets talked about their recent trip to Washington DC. They represented the local SkillsUSA group at a leadership training conference. Trip requirements included that the students wear the official SkillsUSA jacket and have an “elevator speech” ready to explain the purpose of the organization when they were asked what the jackets represented. An “elevator speech” is a short—60 second—explanation of the SkillsUSA organization and its goals.

About 23 clubs were chosen internationally to attend the Washington DC Leadership Conference. The trip to Washington provided experience in many areas. Students attended leadership training sessions. Representatives from the Buffalo group visited Senator Sherrod Brown’s office and got experience in lobbying by presenting arguments for the continued support of the SkillsUSA program. Twenty three clubs, including the Buffalo Campus group, were chosen to participate in laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

SkillsUSA is a vocational/leadership club for students. The goal of the organization is to help students enrolled in trade and industrial education develop leadership skills, create respect for the dignity of work, help students attain a purposeful life, and inspire enthusiasm for learning.

Every year new officers are elected to represent the student membership. SkillsUSA also sponsors competitions in each trade area as well as leadership skills. All of the elections and competitions are held at the local, regional, state, and national levels. These competitions inspire a desire for excellence in the group members.

If Denzel and Cory are an indication, the organization is successfully meeting its goals. The Buffalo Campus has 200 students participating in the SkillsUSA organization.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, February 24, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary gets update on Buffalo Campus renovation

2011-02-08T16:30:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, Dan Coffman, Principal Buffalo Campus, and “Grizz” Smith, Speaker Host for February.

Readings for next meeting:

February Rotarian, "Dare to dream," pp. 44-47.

Program change for next meeting:

Program will be skills students from Buffalo Campus. Jim Vaughan's presentation "Trip to Alaska" will be rescheduled to a later date.

Grizz has scheduled a Rotary Gazebo landscaping meeting for Tuesday, Feb. 22, after the regular Rotary meeting. It will last 45min-1 hr. This will be an idea session.

Dan Coffman, Director at the Buffalo Campus, Mideast Career and Technology Centers, updated the Byesville Rotary about the renovation project on the Buffalo Campus.
Buildings on the Buffalo are about 40 years old and badly in need of updating. As a result of a recently passed levy, the Buffalo Campus now has the means to renovate its facilities.

Renovation is a joint project between the local school board for the Mideast Career and Technology Center and the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC).Both organizations are partnering in the design, funding, and building phases of the project. As part of this partnership, the Mideast Buffalo Campus is putting up $10 million and the OSFC is matching that amount with $20 million.

Currently, Buffalo Campus and the OSFC are in the design phase of their project. Enrollment on the Buffalo Campus is up 35%. This has lead to overcrowding in the academic classrooms. One of the goals of the renovation is to reduce crowding by adding more academic class rooms. Project leaders would also like to connect the two buildings. The new construction joining the buildings will be used for academic classrooms. Finally, 2 new science labs will be constructed.

Buffalo Campus wants to renovate without affecting classes. Cooperation between the contractors doing the construction and the Buffalo Campus administration is vital so that classes will not be interrupted by the construction.

Coffman hopes that he will be able to include some of his students in the construction by developing internship or job shadowing programs.

If all goes well in the planning stages, renovation should start this summer. The project should be completed by 2013.

Buffalo Campus is now accepting applications for all programs offered on the campus. Some of the programs offered are auto technology, building trade, dental assisting, and health technology. Students interested in applying should talk to their school counselor.For more information contact 740-685-2516, 1-800-551-1556 or visit www.mid-east.k12.oh.us

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, October 12, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary looks forward to spring

2011-02-02T09:34:00.002-05:00

Readings for next meeting:

February Rotarian, "President's Message," p. 1, and "Living with land mines." p. 30.

Members interested in helping with the Rotary Gazebo landscaping project should contact Grizz Smith.

Members interested in working on the high school student 4-Way Test Speech Contest should contact Sharon Miller.

The club will be staffing a booth at the Community Resource Day on Thursday, Feb. 7, 3:00-7:00pm, at the Armory. Joe Waske is organizing this. If you would like to work a shift at the booth, contact him.

Byesville Rotarians began discussing spring projects. Club members will be staffing a booth at the Community Resource Day on Thursday, February 17. Everyone interested in knowing more about the Byesville Rotary and club projects is invited to stop by and talk to a current member.

Joe “Grizz” Smith has organized a committee to work on improving the area around the Rotary Gazebo in Byesville. Committee members include Joe Waske, Jim Vaughan, and Shana Fair. The group plans to upgrade plantings around the gazebo. They are planning to add color and to focus on using native, Ohio plants.

The club is sponsoring a Four-Way Test Way Speech Contest. The student winning the Byesville contest will also serve as the club’s representative at the Rotary District Contest on April 16. Prizes for the District Contest are: first place--$1000, second place--$750, and third place--$500. The Byesville club is currently discussing the prizes they will offer.

The Byesville Rotary invites any Meadowbrook High sShool student interested in competing to contact Sharon Miller, Four-Way Test Speech Contest chairperson, 740-685-6513.

Students must write and present a 5-7 minute speech examining how the Rotary Four-Way Test applies to every day relationships in the life of a student.

Rotary encourages everyone to use high ethical standard in their business and home lives. The Four-Way Test is a 24 word measuring stick that can be used as a guide for right thinking and ethical behavior.

The Four-Way Test is: “Of the things we think, say or do—

Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it BUILD GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?”

The winner of the Byesville Rotary Speech contest will compete in the District contest and present his/her speech at the Byesville business meeting in May.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, January 25, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary introduced to the country of Turkey

2011-01-28T10:54:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Rich Dair, Speaker Host; Dr. Mamidi, guest speaker. And Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President.

Readings for Feb. 1:

February Rotarian, "Picture this: Your photo, a winner," p. 16-17, and "Purchases for polio," and crossword, p. 72.

Next meeting is the business meeting: BRING YOUR MEAT DONATION!!! Thanks.

During a short business meeting, the Byesville Rotary reviewed plans for spring projects. These projects include a Health Fair, staffing a booth at the Community Resource Day, and a landscaping project at Rotary gazebo in Byesville.

Dr. Mamidi, a Byesville Rotarian, was the guest speaker. Dr. Mamidi provided a slide show and spoke about the trip he and his wife took to Turkey. The history of Turkey is varied and ancient. Because of its strategic location, the country has been ruled by many different cultures. It is also a country of many different religions including Christian and Muslim.

The county itself is a little larger than Texas. One of the reasons the area has played a large role in history is because its capitol, Istanbul—once known as Constantinople, guards the straits linking the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. The straits provide the narrowest crossing between Europe and Asia. Istanbul, located in two continents—Europe and Asia.

Many historical sites are located in Turkey such as Mt. Ararat and Troy. The county has many ancient Roman ruins including many amphitheaters and public baths. Dr. Mamidi and his wife were able to visit many of these sites.

One of the most interesting was the town of Ephesus. The Temple of Artemis was located here. This temple was considered one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World. The temple was an important site for pilgrims to visit. The many ancient tourists visiting the Temple helped Ephesus become the second largest city in the Roman Empire. Today all that is left of the Temple is one lonely pillar.

Another site visited by the Mamidi’s—Heirapolis, was famous for its hot water baths. Many people came to the baths in the belief that bathing in the carbonated water could cure illnesses. Sometimes the hoped for cure did not occur. As a result, there is an extensive necropolis or graveyard nearby.

The Mamidi’s also visited the Cappadocia regions. This region is characterized by over 100 cities carved into the volcanic rock of the region and that are completely underground. At present, 6 of these underground cities are open to the public. Dr. Mamidi and his wife stayed in a modern hotel that was built underground and got a taste of what it was like to live in the underground cities.

Dr. Mamidi and his wife concluded their tour of Turkey in Istanbul. While there, they saw the Topkapi Market and the Hagia Sofia which was first a church under Emperor Constantine and later became a mosque. They also took a cruise and toured the Dardanelle and Bosporus Straits.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, February 1, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767

Byesville Rotary learns how to give “A Special Wish”

2011-01-20T09:04:00.002-05:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, Pat Vaughan, A Special Wish Foundation” representative, and Rich Dair, Speaker Host.

Reading for Jan. 25

January Rotarian, "Rotarian Redoux," p. 33.

Pat Vaughan, representing the “A Special Wish Foundation” of Muskingum and Guernsey Counties, explained that the goal of the foundation is to provide children who have life threatening illnesses or disorders with “…at least one magical moment” in their lives. These moments are based on the child’s wish.

The Special Wish Foundation was established in 1983 and national headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio. The Zanesville Chapter, serving Muskingum and Guernsey Counties, was founded in 1994. To date, the Foundation has granted 39 wishes to children in the area. Six of the wish recipients were children living in Guernsey County.

The average cost of a child’s wish is $3015. Funding for the wishes comes solely from the generosity of individual, organizations, business, religious institutions, and local fundraisers sponsored by the Special Wish Foundations. Locally, the Special Wish Foundation is supported by volunteers who park cars for $5.00 during the Zanesville Gus Macker tournament. Parking areas are donated by Zanesville banks. A second fundraiser is an “Absentee Party.” Donors respond to the party invitation with a donation based on what they might spend going to a real event.

The most popular wish granted is a trip to Disney World. The child and his or her family will stay in a free cottage in Kissimmee. The trip is a joint effort between the local Special Wish Foundation and volunteers in Florida who keep the cottage refrigerator stocked with kid snacks. Perkins Pancake House provides free breakfasts and dinners. Bus transportation is provided to and from Disney World.

The Special Wish Foundation invites families, friends, or medical personal to refer children qualifying for the program. Referrals can be made to: A Special Wish Foundation—Zanesville Chapter, PO Box 2573, Zanesville, OH 43702-2573 or by calling 740-452-3432 or 740-685-8017.

Wishes are granted to children up to 20. Immediate family members are included in the wish whenever possible. Wishes cannot be given to a child more than once, and the Special Wish does not provide wishes to children who have had a wish fulfilled by another organization.

Byesville Rotary starts 2011 learning about healthy eating habits

2011-01-14T16:30:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, Linda Warrick, Certified Health Coach, guest speaker, and, Rich Dair, Speaker Host.

Reading for Jan. 18:

January Rotarian, "Mentoring," p. 109.

Remember to register for the 2011 District 6690 Conference. Use this website:

http://www.district6690.org/index.php?id=13172

Linda Warrick, a Certified Health Coach, pointed out, “Excess weight is often accumulated gradually.” People suddenly realize they are 10, 20 or 30 pounds heavier than they used to be. She continued, “This excess weight can contribute to the development of diabetes, depression, or high blood pressure. “People with relatives suffering from these problems are at higher risk for developing them than people whose relatives are healthy.

Fortunately, losing weight can help avoid, reverse, or reduce the impact of this type of medical condition. For example, some people are able to control their diabetes with diet and exercise rather than with insulin.

The first step a person should take before beginning a weight loss program is to visit his or her family physician and discuss what type of diet would be most effective and safe.

Weight loss is challenging and food habits can be hard to change. There are many, varied resources available that can help a person stay on diet, lose weight, and maintain weight loss. Ms. Warrick suggested several tools that people can use to help them reach their weight loss goals.

Tools can be used alone or in combination. These tools can include using one of several different meal replacement programs offering ready-made meals and portions. These programs typically provide pre-proportioned meals and do the calorie counting for the dieter. A second tool is to use a mentor or health coach who will help the dieter stay focused. Another tool is providing education to the dieter about weight loss and healthy life style habits. And finally, many dieters find someone to support and encourage them during their diet. Support can take many forms—some is provided on-line, through coaches or mentors, or through diet books and meetings with a support group of fellow dieters.

For more information about diet and nutrition, contact Linda Warrick at 740-584-5673.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, December 18, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Christmas Food Basket Pictures

2010-12-24T09:09:00.004-05:00

Pictured: Meadowbrook High School students and Interact Club members ready to start packing food baskets.

Pictures from the Food Basket sorting and packing day and from the distribution day can be seen here.

Thanks to Meadowbrook High School students and the Interact Club members for all their help with the sorting and packing and for collecting canned goods and donations.

Enjoy the holidays.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2010-12-23T10:57:00.000-05:00

See you in January. Enjoy the holidays.

Rotary Interact Club supports Christmas Food Basket Program

2010-12-23T10:37:00.002-05:00

Pictured: Marty Patchen (on left), Larry Miller (back row, 6th from right), Randy Lauder (back row, 5th from right)—Byesville Rotarians, Ryan White, Byesville Rotarian and Interact Advisor (back row, 3rd from right), and some of the Meadowbrook High student volunteers.

No readings for next meeting.

Next meeting is January 4, 2011.

Students from Meadowbrook High School and the Byesville Rotary high school Interact Club exemplified the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” on Friday and Saturday, December 17 and 18.

The students of the Interact Club inspired their fellow students to get involved in collecting and donating canned goods for the food basket program. They had a very successful food collection program this year and collected almost 3000 cans of food. Students and staff of Rolling Hills elementary and middle schools also participated .

On Friday, students met Byesville Rotary members at the Main Street United Methodist Activity Center to sort canned goods and other non-perishables. By noon, 175 boxes of food were ready for distribution on Saturday. Without the participation of the students, Byesville Rotary members would have been working into the afternoon.

On Saturday morning, more high school students arrived to help the Rotary distribute the food boxes. Lots of muscles were needed to move two food boxes per family from the Activity Center to waiting cars. In addition to the box of non-perishable goods, families also received a box of perishables which included a turkey, apples and oranges, onions, bread, butter, eggs, and milk.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, November 9, 2010, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767

Byesville Rotary supports Secret Santa

2010-12-15T20:29:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Dr. Mamidi, Nellie Bichard, Dan Navicky, Jim Vaughan, Bill Hartley, Chuck Fair, Joe Waske, and Joe Smith.

Reading for December 21:

December Rotarian, p. 54, p. 64.

Byesville Rotary held their annual Christmas breakfast meeting. Rotary members celebrated Christmas by bringing toys to be donated to the Secret Santa program. Bob Long arranged to have the breakfast catered by Byesville Village Market.

On Saturday, December 18, Byesville Rotary members and Meadowbrook High School Interact club members will distribute Christmas food baskets and Angel Tree items to the families who registered. Distribution will begin at 7:00am at the Main Street United Methodist Activity Center in Byesville.

Byesville Rotarians continue to staff red kettles. Funds raised will be used toward supporting the food basket program. Individuals wishing to make a donation in support of this Byesville Rotary project or volunteer to help with bell ringing can contact Bob Long at 740-685-3620 or mail a donation to 290 SW 2ed Street, Byesville, OH 43723.

The chair of the Breakfast with Santa fundraiser reported the breakfast was successful. About 110 adults and children attended the breakfast. Santa was able to meet with each of the 50 children who came to the breakfast. Complementary pictures with Santa Claus were presented to each child attending. Allie Beros photographed the children with Santa.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, December 21, 2010, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary welcomes new member

2010-12-15T20:24:00.002-05:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President; Marty Patchen, Membership Co-Chair; Dennis Harding, New byesville member; and Larry Mille. Membership Co-Chair.

Membership co-chair Larry Miller presented new member Dennis Harding to club members. Harding works as a manager at Fabri-Form facility in Byesville.

Nominating committee presented a slate of officers and asked for any additional nominations from the floor. Members elected to serve 2011-12 terms are: Oziel Jeffries, President Elect; Chuck Fair, Treasure; and Shana Fair, Secretary. Larry Miller was elected to serve as Board Member for 2011-14 term. Tanya Hitchens, current President Elect, will serve as club President for 2011-12.

Club members were reminded that next week they will celebrate Christmas by bringing toys to be donated to the Angel Tree. Club members will also spend time socializing over breakfast.

The chair of the Breakfast with Santa committee reported that everything is ready for Santa and his elf to arrive on Saturday, December 11. Breakfast will begin at 8:00 at the Stop Nine Senior Center. The committee will meet on Friday night to decorate tables and set up Santa’s chair.

Club members voted to make a donation to the Kick Cancer Foundation sponsored by Rotary District 6690. Monies from this foundation are used to support cancer research at James Cancer Center in Columbus.

Go Buckyes or Go Blue?! Challenge

2010-11-10T09:28:00.002-05:00

The Rotary Foundation--End Polio Now Challenge

Go Buckeyes

Go Blue

5 November 2010

Dear Rotarian,

Go Buckeyes or Go Blue?! The text donation contest between Ohio State and Michigan fans begins next Friday 12 November and ends on the day of this season's big game in Columbus on November 27th. The Foundation will track all text donations by date and team name. To give a one time $5 donation in that two-week period, Rotarians along with their family, friends, and colleagues would text the word “polio” and either "OSU" or "UM" to 90999. There is no limit to the number of contributions an individual can make during those two weeks.

We encourage you to distribute this promotional flyer and post information concerning this event on your club and district websites and in your newsletters. Not only may your team win, but Rotary will win by being that much closer to reach our goal of US $200 Million and eradicating polio forever!

Should you have any questions concerning the challenge, please contact Amanda Epting, Coordinator for Rotary’s $200 Million Challenge at Rotary's200MillionChallenge@rotary.org.

Sincerely,

Rotary's $200 Million Challenge Team
The Rotary Foundation Contact Center:Available for all general Foundation-related inquiries866-9ROTARY (866-976-8279) contact.center@rotary.org
Rotary International One Rotary Center 1560 Sherman Avenue Evanston IL 60201 USAThis e-mail was sent to joewascs@cs.com.At any point you can change your e-mail preferences by choosing the appropriate option:Update profile/E-mail address Unsubscribe Click here to read about Rotary International’s privacy policy.

Byesville Rotary cleans up gazebo area on the Byesville square

2010-11-08T15:05:00.005-05:00

Pictured: Larry Townsend, Jim Vaughan, Rich Dair, Chuck Fair, Don Valentine, Marty Patchen, Bill Hartley, Joe “Grizz” Smith; kneeling—Sharon Miller, Barb Dair; not pictured—Shana “yes, I know I owe a dollar” Fair (photographer).

Reading for November 14:

November Rotarian, "Lasting lessons," p. 38.

Date changes:

Board meeting--November 18.

Activities;

Bell ringing--Bob needs volunteers for shifts. call him.
Blood drive--November 17, at the Stop Nine Teen Activity Center, 12N.
Call Larry Miller or Marty Patchen with nominations for officers and board members.
November 19-20, Riesbeck's food Drive. cost to club to participate is $145.00

Bright and early, Saturday (Oct. 30), a team of Byesville Rotarians showed up at the gazebo located on the square in Byesville. They were carrying pruning shears, saws, rakes, and other gardening tools.

The work party was lead by Joe aka “Grizz” Smith, Master Gardener and Byesville Rotarian. Grizz is an educator as well as a Master Gardener. Everyone on the work crew got short lessons on how to prune and trim and weed properly. By noon, the work crew had improved the looks of the area. Grizz inspected everyone’s gardening efforts and congratulated his team on how much they had accomplished.

During the weekly Tuesday meeting, Grizz gave kudos to team members for all they learned during the work party. Chuck learned how to identify dead but still potent poison ivy plants. Jim learned to love a tool call the turf cutter. Don learned to hate a tool called the telescoping pruner. Shana learned a correctly pruned tree allows a bird to fly through without bumping into branches. Bill learned three bungees are needed to tie down a load of brush. Barb learned the difference between hand pruners and hedge clippers. Jim and Larry learned to watch out for Marty while they were running a chain saw. Sharon learned how to shape an overgrown shrub.

The team will be back to finish their clean-up project in a few weeks.

Joe Waske, club president, updated members about the progress of ongoing Rotary projects. Rolling Hills School district will be contacted and invited to participate in a canned goods food drive. Food collected will support the Byesville Rotary Christmas food basket program.

Plans for “Breakfast with Santa,” scheduled December 11, are in progress. Club members are asked to bring a bottle of pancake syrup or donate $2.00 toward the purchase of candy canes needed for the breakfast.

On November 19, the club will participate in Riesbeck’s food drive. Contributions from this effort will also be used toward the Christmas food basket program.

Joe reported that the Red Eye Trip to New York City was successful. Trip participants enjoyed shopping, touring, seeing plays, visiting museums and exploring Rockefeller Plaza. No one got lost or missed the bus, and 52 happy, tired Guernsey County residents returned safely to Byesville early Sunday morning.

Byesville Rotary hears about the transforming power of the 4-Way Test

2010-10-21T20:28:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Rich Dair, Speaker Host, Elden Hudson, Zanesville Noon Rotary, and Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President.

Reading for next meeting:

October Rotarian, "Ten reasons to visit New Orleans," p. 30.

Many people know Rotary as a service organization. Fewer know that Rotary also encourages members to use high ethical standards in their business and home lives.
Rotarians use the 4-Way Test as a measuring stick for conduct and as a guide for right thinking. Elden Hudson from the Zanesville Noon Rotary Club shared the history of the 4-Way Test with Byesville Club members.

The 4-Way Test has been a part of Rotary since it was officially by Rotary International in 1943. In 1932, Herbert J. Taylor, the author of the 4-Way Test, was assigned to rescue a company from bankruptcy. He decided to emphasize the company’s character, dependability and service orientation. He searched for a code of ethics to be guide for company behavior and policies. He wanted something short that could be remembered and easily applied on a daily basis. All the codes he found were long and impracticable. Finally, Taylor wrote a 24 word ethics code he titled the 4-Way Test.

Company employees began using the code to check their decisions, plans, company policies, and advertising statements. The result—the company came back from bankruptcy and developed into a business valued at $2 million dollars.

Taylor discovered that the benefits of the 4-Way Test were not limited to business. He said, “…you cannot constantly apply the 4-Way Test … each day in business without getting into the habit of doing it in your home, social and community. You thus become a better father, a better friend, and a better citizen.”

What are these 24 words that can have such a transforming power? They are:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build good will and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

On his death, Taylor gifted the copyright of the 4-Way Test to Rotary International. These 24 words are used successfully around the world in business, government, and schools—wherever Rotarians are—as an effective measuring stick for ethical thinking.

Hudson challenged members of Byesville Rotary to use the 4-Way Test on a daily basis. He ended his talk by relating his personal experience with the transforming power of these 24 simple words.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, October 26, 2010, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767

Byesville Rotary learns Secrest Center committed to providing services for seniors

2010-10-15T20:01:00.001-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, Karen St. Clair, WIC Program, and Rich Dair, Speaker.

Reading for next meeting:
October Rotarian, "Up Front," p. 11 and "Focus on fundraising," p. 27.

Courtney Welch, Financial Director, stated that the mission of the Secrest Center is to provide services that will “… enable our seniors to remain in their homes and live as independently as possible.” In 1980, two years after it was established, the Secrest Center became an independent entity. As an independent organization, the Center does not receive Ohio State support from Senior Levy monies.

The Center’s main source of income is their bingo program. Bingo is played 6:30 pm Sunday and Monday. The monies earned form the bingo games support services offered to seniors. The Center earns additional income by providing catering services, offering a Sunday dinner program, renting the hall for private activities, and from donations. The dining hall holds 300 people and can be rented for $200.00 which is reduced to $175 if the renters will clean up after their event.

The Center also offers oversight of the CHORE program which is the only service provided by the Center depending on state funds generated by the Senior Levy. The CHORE program provides lawn mowing and heavy household cleaning to seniors requesting the service.

The Center originally provided services to local residents in the Senecaville area. Since the closing of the Senior Center in the Caldwell area, services have been extended to residents from the Caldwell area. Center staff is currently considering ways to increase income so that they will be able to meet increased demand for services.

Corina Morris, Kitchen Director, is in charge of providing food services at the Center. These services include breakfast and lunches. Three course lunches are $3.00 for people 60 and over and $5.00 for those 50 and younger. Sunday dinners are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children.

While the Center’s main focus in on services to seniors, all age groups are welcome to at Sunday dinners as well as breakfast and lunch on the weekdays. A member of the Byesville Rotary reported that he had eaten at the Secrest Center. He said, “The staff provides good food at a good price:”

The Secrest Center is located at 201 High Street in Senecaville. The staff can be reached at 740-685-6345.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, October 19, 2010, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767

Byesville Rotary supports Rolling Hills Gridiron and Boosters Clubs

2010-10-08T16:22:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Jerry Gress, representative from the Gridiron Club accepts donation from Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President.

Joe Waske began Tuesday’s meeting by presenting a check to Jerry Gress from the Rolling Hills Gridiron Club. This club, started by parents, supports Rolling Hill 7th-12th grade football programs. Rotary club members are also sending a donation to the rolling Hills Boosters Club. A representative from the Boosters was unable to attend the meeting to accept.

Bob Long won the 50-50 drawing by getting the ace of hearts. Congratulations, Bob. We start a new 50/50 with a new deck next week.

Chuck Fair won the “Atta Boy” award for his support of the chicken BBQ.

Oziel Jeffries volunteered to chair the chicken BBQ committee for next year.

Joe asked for a volunteer to serve as the chair of the Family of Rotary Committee. The chair will be responsible to send the District Family Chair information about family related events sponsored by the club.

Larry Miller and Tanya Hitchens are building a slate of nominees to run for club positions for 2011-12. They need nominees for President Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and a board member. Contact one of them if you are interested in serving.

Chuck handed out copies of the Treasurer’s report. All is well.

Grizz Smith presented his ideas about updating the landscaping at the Rotary Gazebo in Byesville. He asked for volunteers to sit on a landscape design committee. Shana and Joe volunteered to participate. Grizz will send a sign up sheet around. He is also planning a clean-up day at the Rotary Gazebo to be held Saturday, October 30, at 9:00. Members volunteering should be garden tools such as pruners, rakes, etc.

The Byesville Rotary Red Eye Tour to New York City is sold out. The group will be leaving Friday, October 22, at 7:00pm.

Randy White, Interact club advisor, reported that the Meadowbrook Interact Club is considering adopting Soldiers Angels as a service project. Rotary Interact clubs focus on young people 15-18. The program provides young people opportunities to develop service ethics and leadership skills. The Meadow Brook Interact club is one of 28 in District 6690.

Byesville and Cambridge Rotary Clubs will be hosting 43 students participating in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program (RYLA). Thirteen of the youth visitors are inbound from foreign countries. Thirty are students from the United States and are preparing to spend up to a year abroad. This Rotary sponsored program is the largest youth exchange for high school students in the world.

The Rotary clubs from Byesville and Cambridge are responsible for providing meals and a location for the students to stay for the week end they are here. In addition, the students will learn about the Rotary philosophy of service by participating in a service project.

Byesville Rotary has begun planning for their annual Christmas Food Basket program. Members of the club will be raising money by bell ringing again this year. Bob Long, chair of the Food Basket program, is developing a bell ringing schedule.Food basket stuffing will be Friday, Dec. 17, at 8:00am. Food basket distribution will be Saturday, Dec. 18, 7:00am. Both will be located at the Main Street United Methodist Activity Center.

Plans are being made for Breakfast with Santa, a club fundraiser that helps support the Food Basket program. Jim Vaughan, chair of the Breakfast with Santa committee, has already contacted Santa Clause. He reported that Santa has put the Breakfast on his schedule. Santa loved talking to the children at the breakfast last year and can’t wait to talk to them again this year.

2010-10-01T18:46:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Rich Dair, Speaker Host, Anna Hodges, President Eastern Ohio Art Guild, and Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President.

Reading: October Rotarian--p. 23, "One for the road."

Additional business:

The Byesville Rotary District Simplified Grant has been approved.
Members wishing to attend the District Foundation and Membership Conference on October 16--please submit your names to Shana Fair. She will register members from our club as a group.
Zanesville RotaryNoon club will be holding a Gun Fest on Oct. 2.
Club members agreed to share support of the Youth Exchange Program on "December 4-5 with the Cambridge club.

“Arts enrich local communities,” said Anna Hodges, President of the Eastern Ohio Art Guild (EOAG). Creativity contributes to the development of a vibrant and growing community. Areas positively affected include a local area’s economic as well as cultural well-being.

Anna encouraged Rotary members to develop their creativity by “…taking time to really look at what’s around you.”

Rotary members learned that EOAG focuses on supporting the arts in two different areas. The Guild provides workshops, seminars, and art classes that offer individuals an opportunity to learn more about the arts. The Guild also provides a venue for artists to show and exhibit their art works.

No one is too young or too old to expand his or her art skills and knowledge. EOAG offers programming for all ages. Current activities and programming include summer camp for kids. Different activities are offered for different age levels--kindergarten to 2ed grade, 3rd to 5th, and middle school to high school. Older children are given the opportunity to learn what it is to be a studio artist

On October 30, EOAG will host Night Gallery. Guest artist Ray Basham will turn the gallery into a creepy, haunted house. Horror films will be shown in basement, and gory, gooey refreshments will be offered. Guests are invited to attend in costume. Prizes will be awarded to the Best Overall, Most Creative, and the Most Creepy. Tickets, available at EOGH, are $10 in advance and $15 at door. Night Gallery is being sponsored by South East Area Transit.

Contact 740-432-8100 for more information about programs being scheduled for December and January.

The Guild also supports an exhibit gallery. The gallery operates as a co-op. Artists wanting to exhibit pay an exhibition fee. Exhibitors do not need to be a member of the Guild to exhibit. All items exhibited must be original art. No copies are accepted.

Currently, EOAG has 95 active members and 30 sponsors. Four members are professional artists who earn a living from the sale of their art.

EOAG works to provide opportunities for local community members of all ages to become involved with art on many different levels—from that of artist or creator to art appreciator and supporter.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, October 5, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary learns the Guernsey Co. Opportunity Center is not just about jobs

2010-09-25T18:12:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, Sue Thomas-Sikora, Manager and Marie Schockling, Program Co-coordinator from Guernsey Co. Opportunity Center, Rich Dair, Speaker Host.

Readings for Sept. 28 meeting: September Rotarian--

President's message
Rotary Stories, p. 48.

Established in 1998, the goal of the Guernsey County Opportunity Center is to get people re-employed and back to work. Sue Thomas, Manager of the Center, pointed out that the Center provides “…a one stop spot” for people seeking jobs to begin their search.

The Center works with both job-seekers and employers. An important responsibility for staff members is to provide support services to job seekers. The services offered are aimed at meeting a variety of needs such as customized training programs, help writing resumes both paper and on-line, sponsoring job fairs, and wage subsidy programs.

People who are actively looking for work are offered support services to help provide for basic needs and to reduce emotional stress while the job seeker looks for re-employment. These services include referrals to child care providers, transportation assistance, and referrals to other agencies providing help to provide basic needs.

A second responsibility of the Center is to work with employers. Staff members work with businesses to provide on the job training for newly hired employees. They also work with at risk businesses to develop strategies to help the business avoid closing or downsizing. If a company does close, Opportunity Center staff works with both the company and employees to manage the closing process, to reduce harm to employees, and to help them find reemployment as quickly as possible.

The Opportunity Center is a fully funded government agency with a civilian advisory board. Services are offered free to community members. The Guernsey County Opportunity Center is located in the Willett-Pratt Center on the Zane State Campus in Cambridge. More information is available at 740-432-2381 or http://www.guernseyworks.com/

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, September 28, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

District Governor recognizes Byesville Rotary commitment to “Service above Self”

2010-09-19T18:16:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Bill McCoach, Assistant District Governor; Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, Calvin Gebhart, District 6690 Governor.

District 6690 Governor Calvin Gebhart described 4 qualities that make good Rotary clubs great. He identified the qualities as, “…a spirit of service, the belief that each individual club is an important part of Rotary International, club members’ willingness to support Rotary service goals by supporting the ‘Every Rotarian Every Year’ program, and the recognition that one person can make a difference.”

The “spirit of service” is basic to all Rotary members. People who join Rotary are people who want to contribute to their local community and to work toward improving people’s lives around the world. Some Rotarians serve by donating money; some serve by donating time and effort to insure service projects are implemented.

Individual member contributions provide the foundation on which every Rotary service project is based. One way to participate as an individual is through the Every Rotarian Every Year program. Rotarians are encouraged to give $100 every year. Without individual donations from thousands of Rotary members, Rotary would not be able to finance local and international service projects such as the eradication of polio.

McCoach is “…glad to have the opportunity to see all clubs in District 6690 involved in service.” He noted that Byesville Rotary projects such as scholarships to local high school students, the Christmas food basket program, and support of the Dickens Victorian Village and the Byesville Scenic Railway are examples of service projects that “…build the spirit and resources of the local community.”

McCoach supports each club’s efforts to serve. He listed Rotary programs that benefit from individual club involvement—Rotary Youth Leadership Award, sponsorship of Rotaract (college students) or Interact (high school students), and the eradication of polio campaign. Additionally, local District 6690 clubs can support Lifeline of Ohio or “Kick Cancer” campaigns.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, September 21, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767. More information about the Byesville Rotary can be found at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com

Byesville Rotary learns about the passion and vision of founder Frank Harvey’s The Living Word

2010-09-09T13:42:00.003-04:00

Katrina Mazaher, general manager of The Living Word Outdoor Drama, outlined to Byesville Rotary members how the passion play of Christ came to the Cambridge area and its plans for the future.

Frank Harvey had a passion for drama, but was equally passionate about religion, so he decided to combine the two.

He was involved in the civil rights movement of the 1960’s and while in Atlanta, Georgia, he directed his first passion play at the Atlanta Stadium. Surprisingly, and for the first time, he cast a black man to play Jesus Christ. Ebony Magazine at the time said the event undoubtedly saved Atlanta from all the civil disobedience going on at the time.

In late 1972, on land that he and his wife owned, construction began. It is still at the same location—6010 College Hill Road.

From humble beginnings, the first set was built by area volunteers and was ready for its first performance in 1974. Today, it is a far cry from that first performance. The sets are bigger and better. There is a new welcoming center and a new parking lot capable of handling the large tour buses. According to Mazaher, it is an ongoing challenge to make it bigger and better. Something new is the introduction of different plays to be performed, like The Sound of Music. Other musicals and dramas are planned for the future.

The outdoor drama begins the last week of June and runs through the end of September. The concession and gift shop open at 6:30 pm followed by a set tour at 7:15 and the performance at 8:00pm.

Byesville Rotary will next meet 7:30 am, Sept. 7, at the Stop Nine Senior Center, 60313 (GPS use 60299), Southgate road, Byesville. To learn more about Byesville rotary, call membership chairs Marty Patchen, 685-3828, or Larry Miller, 439-2767.

Byesville Rotary welcomes new member

2010-09-09T13:31:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Marty Patchen, Membership Chair; Barb Dair, new Byesville Rotarian; Larry Miller, Membership Chair.

Readings for next meeting:

September Rotarian, "Fragile resilience," p. 42.

Important dates and events:

District Governer's Reception and Business Meeting: Monday, September 13, 6:30, Colonel Tayler Inn.

District Governor Rotary meeting visit, September 14, 7:30 at Stop Nine Senior Center; breakfast will be provided.

Please note date corrections and cancelations:

Sept. 11 Chicken BBQ--CANCELLED

Red Cross blood donation drive--Sept. 15.

Dairs Rotary social--Sept. 18.

Marty Patchen and Larry Miller, Membership Co-chairs, introduced new member, Barb Dair, to the members of the club. Barb has been an unofficial member for some time. She often joined her husband, already a member of the Byesville Rotary, to help out at fundraisers such as the club’s Breakfast with the Bunny and Breakfast with Santa.

Club members also welcomed visiting Rotarian, Daniel Kebede. He is a member of the Redman Rotary club located in Seattle, Washington. He shared details of his club’s biggest fundraiser—The Redspoke Bicycle Tour (http://www.redspoke.org/). This is a 5 day, 300 mile tour from Redmond to Spokane. Each rider must donate a minimum of $625. The tour is limited to the first 100 riders to register. According to their web-site, they have already begun planning for next year’s event and already have quite a few corporate sponsors.

During their monthly business meeting, Byesville Rotary members approved donations to the Masonic Learning Center, Cambridge Performing Arts, Rotary International Rose Parade Float, and the Dickens Victorian Village to support maintenance of the coal miner manikins at the Byesville Scenic Railway depot.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, August 17, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary discovers local historic sites provide “living history” experiences

2010-08-26T14:48:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President; Debbie Allender, John and Annie Glenn Historic Site and National Road/Zane Grey Museum; Rich Dair, Speaker Host.

Reading: September Rotarian

"Polio's second act," p. 30.

Debbie Allender, representing the John and Annie Glenn Historic Site and the National Road/Zane Grey Museum introduced Byesville Rotary members to two local opportunities for first hand experiences of the area’s history.

New Concord is the site of John Glenn’s boyhood home which is now serves as the John and Annie Glenn Historic Site. Debbie reported, “John Glenn agreed to [the use of his home as a] museum on condition the site be used for education.

Visitors to the John and Annie Glenn Site are offered two distinct living history experiences. Visitors are introduced to life during the 1937 Depression or learn how families coped with life on the home front during WWII. Tours may include an introduction to ration coupons, clothes made from feed sacks, and the meaning of blue or gold star flags. At the conclusion of the living history experience, visitors tour the upstairs exhibits which include John Glenn’s boyhood bedroom and toy room as well as galleries with mementoes from John Glenn’s life and career.

The National Road/ Zane Grey Museum focuses on three areas of local history--the National Road, Zane Grey, the author, and Ohio art pottery. The recently renovated museum introduces visitors to the history of the National Road. Sections of the original road are still in use today as parts of Old Rte. 40 and Rte. 40.

A second section of the museum is dedicated to Zane Grey, a local boy from Zanesville, who grew up to be the author of a series of successful Western novels. A final section displays art pottery produced in the area from local clays. Debbie stated that this important collection of Roseville, Weller and Rookwood potter is worth over $1 million.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, August 31, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary learns Pritchard-Laughlin developing site for outdoor events

2010-08-18T11:28:00.002-04:00

Pictured: Jodi Schott, Managing Director, Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center.

REading: August Rotarian

"President's Message."
"Social Climbing," p, 52.

Events:

Red Eye Bus tour to NYC; Oct. 22-24; call Tanya Hitchens to reserve a seat--581-2099, jjhitchens@yahoo.com
Chicken BBq scheduled for August 28; volunteeers to work needed; call Chuck Fair, 685-2065, to sign up for a shift.

Jodi Schott, Managing Director of the Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center, informed club members of new services being offered. The Civic Center, located on Glenn Highway west of Cambridge, opened 18 years ago. Jody has worked at the Center for 12 years.

Most Rotary club members were aware that Pritchard-Laughlin was available for all types of events ranging from wedding receptions and cooking shows to theatrical productions such as the Variety series. “Use of the facility has increased. Two hundred twenty-five events are already scheduled for this year. That is up from a previous high of 175 events in one year,” Jodie reported.

Jodi pointed out that this year staff is working to expand the services the Center offers by developing the outside area. A pergola is being built on the grounds at the rear of the building. The pergola will provide a picturesque setting for weddings and other events. The lawn around the pergola will be perfect for tents to be erected.

More information about Pritchard-Laughlin is available at 740-439-7009 or http://www.pritchardlaughlin.com/.

The Rotary club has seats available on the Red Eye Bus Tour to NYC scheduled for October 22-24. Total cost is $95. Seats can be reserved with a deposit of $50 due by August 27. The remaining $45 is due by September 17. The deposit and trip total are non-refundable. Contact Tanya Hitchens, 581-2099 or jjhitchens@yahoo.com, to reserve a seat.
Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, August 24, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767

Cambridge Farmers Market Manager encourages Byesville Rotarians to become “Locavores”

2010-08-16T14:25:00.006-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, Cookie Connell, Cambridge Farmers Market Manager, Rich Dair, Speaker Host.

Readings: August Rotarian

"Fit for flying," p. 46.

"Rotary stories: Rotary boy of the year," p. 48.

Cookie Connell, number 1 volunteer and Market Manager for the Cambridge Farmers Market, tempted Byesville Rotarians to visit the Farmers Market with descriptions of the produce, baked goods and crafts offered Fridays on the Cambridge Courthouse lawn.

“This is the 5th year for the Cambridge market,” Cookie said, adding that the idea for the Market was the brainchild of the Cambridge Main Street organization. The Market is held every Friday, May through October, 9:00am –1:00pm. Each week there is a different mix of about 24 venders.

The one requirement is that items on sale must be produced by the vender. Farmers offer freshly picked seasonal produce such as corn, green beans, and herbs. Bakers sell fresh, homemade breads, pies, and cookies. A cheesemaker offers locally made cheese. Craftspeople offer handmade jewelry, candles and various cloth and fabric creations.

New this summer is the “Locavore” event. Cookie described a “Locavore” as a person who makes a conscious choice to eat locally produced food. During the event a chef creates a delicious lunch using food items purchased at the Market the morning of the event.

The next Locavore “Lunch on the Lawn” will be held September 24. Chef Lydia Simonette from New Concord will be cooking. Tickets for lunch are $10.00.

This Friday, children are invited to attend the “Children’s Sprouts Day.” Children will learn how food is produced before it ends up in a box or a can on the grocery store shelves.

Service clubs are invited to set up tables in the resource area of the Market. Fundraisers are allowed as long as the fundraiser does not compete with any of the venders. Tables for service clubs are free. Venders are charged $10 a week or $100 for 26 weeks for a vending site

Cookie has the answers to questions about the Market. Contact her at 439-5522 or bkigal@yahoo.com.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, August 17, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Hospice of Guernsey visits Byesville Rotary to discuss end of life care

2010-07-28T19:13:00.002-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, Dama Ferguson, Hospice of Guernsey, and Rich Dair, Speaker Host.

Readings for August 3:

August Rotarian, p. 30, "Teaching Tolerance."

August 3 is a business meeting--remember to bring canned meat or $3.00 to give to Bob Long.

Important dates:

August 7--chicken BBQ--need volunteer workers.
August 28--chicken BBQ--need more volunteer workers.
August 26--noon board meeting at Plus 1 Pizza.

A Red Eye Bus Tour is being planned for the latter part of October. Tanya Hitchens is chairing committee. Current committee members are Dan Navicky, Oziel Jeffries, and Phyliss Jeffries. Club members are asked to begin recruiting passengers.

Dama Ferguson from Hospice of Guernsey described the how their services provide “a special kind of caring.” She explained that Hospice believes in a team approach to end of life. Dama stated, “The focus of the team is to make each day as good as possible for the patient and the family.”

A second goal is to give the patient control over decisions concerning how and where they want to spend the rest of their lives. Families are encouraged to become directly involved with the patient’s care and decision making.

The most important members of the team are the patient and the patient’s family. The patient’s doctor is an integral part of the team. Hospice staff members providing services include a primary nurse who is on 24 hours call and who visits the patient 2 to 5 times a week. Other team members can include a social worker who provides emotional and financial counseling, a pastor, music practitioner, reflexologist, art therapist, or home health aide.

Services are provided to the patient at his or her home where a family member or friend agrees to become the primary care giver. Depending on need, some patients are provided services in a nursing home.

Dama hopes that Hospice can increase the number of people using the services the Hospice can provide. She said that the biggest reason people do not contact the hospice is because people avoid talking about death. Hospice staff members are trained to help people deal with the anxiety and fear that a terminal illness can cause.

Hospice of Guernsey also provides services to Noble County and parts of western Belmont County. For more information, contact, 740-432-7440, 1-800-283-0316 or hospiceofguernsey@firewireinternet.com

The club’s next chicken BBQ will be held August 7 at the Rotary gazebo in Byesville. The club has begun plans for a Red Eye Bus tour to New York City in the latter part of October.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, August 3, 2010, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767

Byesville Rotary learns how WIC promotes health for kids and expectant mothers

2010-07-21T15:30:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, Karen St. Clair, WIC Program, and Rich Dair, Speaker Host.

Readings for July 27:

July Rotarian: pp. 56 and 57, and "Dental health" p. 64.

Board meeting: July 22, 12n at Plus one Pizza.

Karen St. Clair, from the Guernsey County WIC program, spoke to the club about the nutrition education program. WIC is a federal program providing nutrition supplements to people who meet the program guidelines. People eligible for the program include expectant mothers, mothers who are breastfeeding, and parents who have a child under 5 years old. They must also live in Ohio, meet the WIC income guidelines, and have a medical card. To find out more about the Guernsey County program, call 740-439-3577, exts. 242, 248, or 249.

Parents who are interested in the program must interview with a WIC staff member as part of the qualification process. The interview includes a nutrition assessment and a brief health assessment geared toward identifying possible health problems such as a child’s failure to thrive or low blood iron.

Karen stated that the program not only provides monthly food coupons aimed at improving the nutrition of participants’ diets but also provides education about nutrition. WIC staff will recommend changes in diet and issue a food packet of coupons individualized for a family’s specific nutrition needs. The food coupons help a family purchase nutritional food such as cereal, juice, milk, fresh fruit and vegetables.

The program also provides breastfeeding information and support for women who want to breastfeed their new infant. More information about WIC is available at http://www.odh.ohio.gov

In other business, the club voted to donate money to support Kelly DeLancey‘s participation in the Junior Olympic Nationals being held in California, July 27-Aug. 1. Trevor Black reported that the annual golf outing fundraiser earned almost $3500 for the Scholarship Fund. He felt the club can do even better next year by increasing the numbers of teams participating. The clubs next chicken BBQ will be held August 7 at the Rotary gazebo in Byesville.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, July 27, 2010, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767

Byesville Rotary learns quality of Byesville water and sewage utilities has positive economic impact for Byesville

2010-07-16T20:19:00.002-04:00

Pictured: Randy Mercer, Byesville Village Administrator, and Phyllis Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President.

Randy Mercer, Village Administrator from Byesville stated he has two responsibilities. He manages the water and sewer assets of village and serves as liaison between Byesville Village Council and Mayor. He is also responsible for insuring that Byesville water and sewer utilities are able to meet current demands as well as adjust quickly to meet the demands of local economic growth.

Two recent projects insure that Byesville is ready to meet the challenges of growth. A new water treatment plant, opened in 2004, is the first of its kind in a municipality in Ohio. A new waste water plant is currently under construction. The new waste treatment plant was required by the Ohio EPA which helped Byesville get the funding for the project. It is expected to open in April, 2011.

In spite of these new projects, Mercer reported that Byesville water remains the lowest in Guernsey County. The quality and low cost of Byesville water convinced Colgate to stay in Byesville rather than move production to Mexico. Colgate needs good, cheap water to produce its products. Mercer explained that Byesville water costs and quality kept Colgate production costs in Byesville cheaper than production costs would have been in Mexico.

Mercer uses new technologies to keep costs down. He has integrated all data collected into a central site, is employing a GPS type system to locate resources such as water valves, has connected all buildings with wireless bridges to improve communication, and uses wireless technology to collect billing information. These innovations allowed him to reduce staff by 20% and maintain the quality of service. Information about Byesville Water and waste water utilities can be found at www.byesville.us/water.htm

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, July 20, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Dickens Village mannequins visit Byesville Rotary

2010-06-29T13:46:00.002-04:00

Pictured: Rich Dair, Speaker Host; Jonett Haberfield, Dickens Village; Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President.

Jonett Haberfield demonstrated to the Byesville Rotary members how the Dickens mannequins are constructed. The Byesville Rotary has a personal interest in the mannequins. The members sponsor two Dickens coal miners located at the Byesville Scenic Railway depot.

The sculpting process begins with a Styrofoam head used to display wigs. Cellu-clay is molded over the head and facial details are added. After two weeks, the clay used for the heads is dry. The heads are then painted with a flesh colored based coat. Finally, individual facial characteristics are painted on the head.

Five years ago, Dickens Village started with 105 mannequins. This year, 180 will be on display. One of the new displays will be a group of animated ice skaters.

Jonett explained it takes up to 30 hours to create a head for a new character. In addition, Dickens artists must repair heads of older characters. While heads are being repaired, the costume committee is refreshing the mannequins’ costumes. Up to 80% of the clothing worn by the mannequins must be replaced each year. These activities keep the 15 Dickens artists and the costume committee busy all summer and fall.

Jonett reported that during the 2009 season, 36 busloads of tourists arrived in Cambridge. Four of the tour buses spent the night in Cambridge. The economic impact of the bus tours on the local economy is estimated to be $40,000.

The number of tour buses arriving in Cambridge for the 2010 season is increasing. To date, 61 buses have scheduled tours of the Dickens Village. Forty-one of the buses will be staying overnight. These tours will have an estimated $316,000 impact on the Cambridge economy.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, Tuesday, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary learns importance of tourism to County

2010-06-29T13:41:00.002-04:00

Pictured: Rich Dair, speaker Host; Debbie Robinson, Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors and Convention Bureau; Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President-Elect.

For 30 years, the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) has worked to bring tourists to Guernsey County years old. Debbie Robinson, one of the VCB staff, reported that the efforts of the VCB staff have a positive effect on local business revenues, jobs, and tax revenues for local and state governments.

A 2007 study produced by the Ohio Tourism Division reported that the VCB’s efforts generated $15 million in taxes collected from visitors; provided employment for 1,822 members of the community, and added $29.9 million to local payrolls.

The mission of the VCB is threefold: 1) to promote the Cambridge/Guernsey County area, 2) to educate community members about the value and importance of tourism to the area, and 3) to promote the development of tourism and tourism related businesses.

Typically, 80% of the visitors to Guernsey County are day trippers, staying for just the VCB is working to improve tourism in the county by more than 6% by marketing to families, empty nesters, and young transitionals. These age groups are a good match for the county because many of the area’s attractions are family oriented.

Currently the VCB uses various methods to market Guernsey C. these methods include publishing vacation guides, traditional advertising, attending trade and travel shows, direct mail, news releases, and brochure distribution.

The newest method is the VCBs award winning web site—visitguernseycounty.com.

Ms. Robinson finished her presentation by saying, “The biggest and best resources in the county are our people.”

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, Tuesday, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Cambridge Writers Workshop visits Byesville Rotary

2010-06-22T14:58:00.001-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary Pres. Elect; Beverly Justice, Sam Besket, and Jerry Wolfrom, members of the Cambridge Writers’ Workshop.

Jerry Wolfram told the Rotary that the Writers’ Workshop is now 3 years old and has about 20 writers who regularly attend meetings. He described the group as eclectic. The members represent all types of people from different parts of the county with different interests in writing. Some are interested in writing specific types of fiction; others are interested in history and non-fiction. They share one thing in common—each of the members wants to be published.

He emphasized that writing is and getting writing assignments to be done by the next meeting. Members also spend time during the week working on their own stories.

Wolfram issued an open invitation to anyone interested in writing and published to talk to a club member. The club can offer good advice, backed by experience, on how to get a book published. The club members have recently published their 3rd book of short stories written by club members—The Wills Creek Trilogy.

Sam Besket, a member of the Writers Workshop, presented the results of research he has done on the history of common words such as “golf” and idioms like “a dead ringer.” “Golf” came from Scotland and is shorthand for “Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden.”

Beverly Justice presented one of her fictional short stories about a tornado and Mayor Day.

The meeting concluded with two of the rotary members reading a radio script created by the Writers’ Workshop. The script was a takeoff on the Abbott and Costello comedy routine “Who’s on First.” In this case, a customer was trying to purchase a new computer from a not-so-helpful salesman.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, June 29, 2010, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Cambridge Writers Workshop visits Byesville Rotary

2010-06-15T16:13:00.005-04:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary Pres. Elect; Beverly Justice, Sam Besket, and Jerry Wolfrom, members of the Cambridge Writers’ Workshop.

Readings for June 15:

June Rotarian, World roundup, p. 14; North Korea, p. 19, June calendar, p. 21.

Byesville Rotary golf outing supports scholarships

2010-06-15T16:07:00.004-04:00

1) Byesville Rotary 2010 golf Outing winners: Adam Veselenak, Van Fossen, and Ben McManaway
2) Local students awarded scholarships by Byesville Rotary. Candace Neff, Alyssa Ayers, Shayla Mallett, Levi Snyder.

Four local students received scholarships from the Byesville Rotary.
The Byesville Rotary awarded four scholarships to local students. Three of the students--Levi Snyder, Candace Neff, and Shayla Mallett-- attend Meadow Brook High School. The 4th student--Alyssa Ayers--attends Mid-East Career and Technology Center.

Levi Snyder plans to major in Psychology and is considering attending West Liberty University or Zane State. He was inspired to go into psychology because after the death of his coach, he realized “It is important for people to help each other through difficult times.

Candace Neff plans to major in speech or physical therapy. She will be attending West Liberty University where she will be playing softball as well as attending classes.

Shayla Mallett will be attending Muskingum University. She chose to major in accounting because “I like math and a family member is a successful CPA.“

Alyssa Ayers is currently enrolled in the dental assistant program at Mid -East. She plans to attend Zane State and get an Administrative Office Assistant degree. She hopes to stay in the field of dentistry. When asked how she became interested in becoming a dental assistant, she said, “I was curious about the field and once I gave it a try, I found I liked it.”

The Byesville Rotary Scholarship program is supported by the club’s annual golf outing. This year the outing was held at Wildfire in New Concord. Trent and Trevor Black chaired the committee responsible for the event.

Members of the winning team at this year’s outing were Adam Veselenak, Van Fossen, and Ben McManaway. Thirteen three person teams vied for the top honors. Local business support helped insure the success of the outing.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, June 22, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

2010-05-27T09:34:00.002-04:00

Pictured: Rich Dair, Speaker Host, Cliff Little, OSU Extension--Guernsey County, Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary Pres.

Readings for June 1:

June Rotarian, "Digital divide," p. 27-28.

Cliff Little from the OSU Extension Office spoke to Byesville Rotary about educational programs the Extension offers to Guernsey and Noble County communities. There are educational programs for everyone--children, adults, amateur gardeners, farmers.

Cliff is one of many Extension staff members located throughout the state who work to bring the knowledge of the university directly to people involved in four major areas--family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, community development, and agriculture and natural resources.

Members of the club were impressed by how many businesses and individuals in Guernsey county can benefit from using the resources provided by the Extension. Easy access to educational programs and other services provided by the Extension is available at http://guernsey.osu.edu/

Cliff explained how current issues can have a direct affect on the local community. For example, developing fuels from soybeans and switch grass will provide additional market opportunities for farmers and will lead to cleaner air for all of us.

Club members who spent Saturday barbequing chickens reported that the chickens sold quickly. All were sold by 1:00.

One of the club members, Jamie Hopps, is taking responsibility for a program to provide supplies to soldiers serving overseas. Club members can see her to find out how they can contribute.

Guernsey County Auditor visits Byesville Rotary

2010-05-13T18:59:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Rich Dair, Speaker Host, Tony Brown, Guernsey County Auditor, Phyliss Jeffries, President.

Reading for May 18:

May Rotarian, "The rude, the loud, and the tweety," p. 27.

Recheduled events:

Chicken BBQ--Saturday, May 22--same times, same place.
Golf Outing--Sunday, May 23, Wildfire, New Concord.

Tony Brown, Guernsey County Auditor, was guest speaker As Auditor, he is responsible for accounting for all the money received by Guernsey County during the year. This includes issuing checks to cover the County obligations, distributing tax dollars to townships, villages, cities, and various other institutions.

He administers the biweekly county payroll which covers about 500 employees.
He is also responsible for checking all commercial weighing and measuring equipment used by businesses in the County. Ensuring accuracy of this type of equipment protects County residents from being charged unfairly. During the year, the auditor inspects over 100 pieces of equipment at 150 businesses in the County.

Mr. Brown assured the club members that he cannot raise or lower property taxes. Tax rates are determined by budget requests submitted by each government unit. Ohio law allows the county to asses a tax rate of 10 mills without a vote. County residents must vote to approve any increase in the tax rate over 10%.

Tony is pleased that the Auditor’s office now has a web site--www.Guernsey county.org/agencies/auditor.asp. More information about the services the auditor/s office provides and contact numbers are available on the site.

Another service that the County Auditor’s office provides are several programs providing tax relief to specifically defined residents of the County. These programs include the Homestead Exemption for people over 65 and the Current Agriculture Use Valuation (CAUV). Contact the Auditor’s Office for more information, 740-432-9243.

Because of rain, the club had to cancel its annual golf outing. The event has been rescheduled for May 23, at Wildfire in New Concord. Additional three person teams are still welcome. Fees are $55 per person. Lunch and cash prizes are included in the fee. People interested in participating should contact Larry Miller, 439-7606 or lmiller@pebo, Trent Black at 685-2525, or Trevor Black at 685-2550.

The chicken BBQ planned for May 8 was cancelled because of windy conditions. It has been rescheduled for May 22. As usual, it will be held at the gazebo in downtown Byesville.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 4, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Updates for golf Outing and Chicken BBQ

2010-05-08T16:04:00.002-04:00

The Golf Outing has been rescheduled for:
****Sunday, May 23--same time, same place.****

The chicken BBQ scheduled for Saturday, May 8 , was cancelled because of weaather.

Byesville Rotary/SEMed health screening serves 120

2010-05-06T18:44:00.002-04:00

Pictured:
1) Don Huston, VP of Marketing, Planning, and Development SEMed, Dan Navicky, Chair of Health Screening committee, Jen Navicky, screening participant.

2) Ray Chorey, CEO SEMed, and Larry Miller, Byesville Rotary, discuss event set-up.

Reading for May 11: May Rotarian: “Sound of Virtue,” p. 52.

Reminder: Chicken BBQ Saturday.

Dan Navicky, Chair of the Byesville Rotary Health Screening Committee, reported that the 2010 Health screening held on Friday, April 30, was a success. This is the 9th year that the Byesville Rotary and Southeastern Med have co-sponsored a health screening. Ray Chorey, CEO of SEMed, and Don Huston, VP of Marketing, Planning, and Development for SE Med, dropped by and were pleased with the event organization and number of people participating.

Appointments were required for people who wanted to participate in the screening program. Appointments insure that there are no lines or long waits. Participants were asked to fast 10-12 hours before coming to the screening. Juice, coffee and donuts were available to participants after they completed their screening.

The basic cost of the screening was $45 to be paid at the time of the screening. The basic screening included 26 different tests which checked for potential problems such as anemia, diabetes and heart disease, kidney and liver function. For an addition cost of $10 each, PSA and TSH (thyroid) screenings could be added. Screening results will be sent to the participants who will be responsible to get a copy to their family doctors.

SE Med personnel staffed educational displays about SEMed, colon cancer, and heart health . SEMed staff also provided blood pressure checks. Jamie Hopps, chair of the Byesville Rotary LifeLine committee, had a display with information about organ donation.

In other business, Grizz and Shana are setting up a class aimed at introducing computers to non-users. The class will be very basic and concentrate on using e-mail. Four Rotary members have expressed interest. The class is being organized for Tuesday and/or Thursday evening. Dates to be announced. Anyone interested should talk to Grizz or Shana. Don't worry, we are not trying to turn you into tekkies.

A date for rescheduling the Golf Outing will be announced soon.

Dues for the year are due. Dan passed out papers reminding members of the deadline.

Stop Nine needs sponsors for a prom night celebration aimed at keeping kids from drinking. The club voted to send them $50.00.

The Changing of the Guard dinner will be Thursday, June 24, at the Cambridge County Club. Nellie and Marti are chairing the planning committee. The club voted to pay for members dinners. Members will be asked to pay for their guest’s dinners, cost to be about $20-25 depending on the entrée. Each person will need to be responsible for paying for their drinks. Social hour will start at 6:00; dinner will be at 7:00.

Phyliss asked that each member think about whom they would like to select as Rotarian of the Year. Voting will take place at the May 11 meeting.

Senecaville Methodist Church is providing lunches during the summer for children whose parents are not available at noon. The club voted to donate $50 toward this project.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 11, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767. More information about the Byesville Rotary can be found at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com

Golf outing rained out

2010-05-03T14:56:00.001-04:00

The golf outing will be rescheduled. Possible date is Sunday, May 16--same time, same place.

Byesville Rotary learns about cancer services in Guernsey County

2010-04-30T19:45:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Shana Fair, Speaker Host; Tim Callahan, American Cancer Society, Joe Waske, Byesville President Elect.

Reading for May 4: April Rotarian, ?????; May Rotarian, "President's Message."

Events:

May 2, Scholarship Golf Outing at Wildfire; call Larry Miller for more information. More teams welcome.
May 8, chicken BBQ.

Tim Callahan from the Guernsey County American Cancer Society (ACS)spoke to the club about the activities and services ACS provides to Guernsey County residents who are cancer patients, cancer survivors, or caregivers.

The ACS was founded in 1946. Since that date, ACS has raised over $14 billion to support research for better treatments and for a cancer cure. ACS has provided funds supporting 44 different Nobel Prize winners.

Currently, the Guernsey County ACS is preparing for its annual Relay for Life which will be held at Meadowbrook on June 18-19. The Relay began in 1981 when Gordy Clapp decided to spend 24 hours walking or running as a way of illustrating that cancer never sleeps.

Since the first Guernsey County Relay thirteen years ago, local volunteers have raised about $700,000 for cancer research and for the support of services offered to local cancer patients. In the last two years, volunteers have raised over $100,000 a year. In 2009, the Guernsey Relay was given special recognition as a “Club Relay.” This award recognizes the top 50 Relays in the state of Ohio. One of the Guernsey County teams--Detroit Diesel--was recognized as on of the top 50 teams in the state.

In other business, The club members voted to donate money to send the Rolling Hills 5th graders to the John and Annie Glen Museum.

Carl Keefer, a Byesville Rotarian and veteran, asked the club to consider supporting Joe Smith’s Veterans Memorial Highway project.

The club will hold its first chicken BBQ of 2010 on May 8. Volunteesr to work are needed. The BBQ will be held at the rotary Gazebo in Byesville at the corner of Main and 2ed. Chickens will be ready for sale about 11:00am. Sales will continue until the BBQ’ed chickens are gone.

Applications for the club’s scholarships have been received. The scholarship committee is in the process of reading the applications. The committee will meet after the May 4th meeting to select the students who will be interviewed for the scholarships.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 4, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767. More information about the Byesville Rotary can be found at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com

Meadowbrook High Interact Club inducts new members

2010-04-20T18:26:00.004-04:00

Pictured: Interact Distinguished Service Citations—Levi Snyder and Cody Gann.

Pictured: Meadowbrook Interact 2010 inductees--back row: Tyler Tickle, Devon Cork, Karli Tellop, Macie Penrod, Miranda Miser, Rachel Jirles, Jessica George, Erica Clouse; front row: Katie Kovalchic, Katlynn Tonnous, Kaila Czigans, Erikka King, Erin Smith, Trislyn Treherne, Bria Graham, Tessa Bickford.

Reading for April 27: April Rotarian, "The view from San Quentin," p. 30.

Additional meetings:

Chicken BBQ planned for April 24--CANCELLED.
April 29, 12N, Plus 1 Pizza, Board meeting.

The Byesville Rotary sponsored Interact Club at Meadowbrook High School inducted 18 new members on Tuesday. Rotary members attended the induction ceremony which was held at the high school library.

To qualify for membership, students interested in joining Interact were required to attend all Interact meetings held during the school year. They were also asked to volunteer as workers at two Rotary sponsored events such as the chicken barbeques or the Christmas food basket program. Rotary members were able to meet most of the new inductees at these work events.

The 18 new members inducted are: Tessa Bickford, Erica Clouse, Devon Cork, Kaila Czigans, Jessica George, Bria Graham, Rachel Jirles, Erikka King, Katie Kovalchik, Miranda Miser, Macie Penrod, Erin Smith, Karli Tellop, Tyler Tickle, Katlynn Tonnous, and Trislyn Treherne.

Interact Clubs are Rotary’s service clubs for young people ages 14-18. These clubs are a good opportunity for students to get involved in community service and to get acquainted with local business and community leaders. The clubs are sponsored by a local Rotary making them true “partners in service” and key members of the Rotary family. The Meadowbrook club is the only Interact Club in Guernsey County.

Principal Dalton Summers, Interact Director, also awarded Distinguished Service Citations to club members for their enthusiasm, willingness to work on club projects and dependability. Award winners for 2010 are Kody Gann and Levi Snyder.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, April 27, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Roatry learns about MWCD plans for maintenance

2010-04-14T15:15:00.003-04:00

Pictured: Chuck Fair, Speaker Host; Darrin Lautenschleger Public Affairs Administrator, JWCD; Joe Waske, Pres. Elect.

No readings for next week. Special meeting at:

Meadowbrook High School Library for Interact Induction at 7;30 am.

Donates and coffee.

Darrin Lautenschleger, Public Affairs Administrator of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), spoke to the Byesville Rotary about MWCD goals in the coming years. Established in 1933, MWCD’s original goals were to reduce loss of lives and property by creating a system of dams and permanent lakes or reservoirs within the 18 counties forming the district.

Currently, The MWCD is responsible for 14 reservoirs and dams. It partners with the Army Corp of Engineers to develop and maintain the dams. It functions as a political subdivision of Ohio. The MWCD is the largest conservancy district in Ohio.

The system of dams and reservoirs developed over 70 years ago is beginning to show its age. MWCD is developing plans to maintain and repair different elements of the system. In addition, MWCD is working to solve problems associated with sedimentation, erosion and water quality.

Failure to maintain the system of dams and reservoirs can have significant economic consequences. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers estimates that the MWCD flood control system saved about $475 million in property damages during 2004. In addition to preventing serious flooding, the lakes in the MWCD attract 5.5 million visitors every year who spend money at local businesses.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, April 20, at the Meadowbrook High School Library. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary welcomes new member

2010-04-07T21:07:00.004-04:00

Pictured: Marty Patchen, Membership Chair, Jim Vaughan, new member sponsor, Darlene Miser, new member, Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President.

Reading for next meeting:

April Rotarian, "The Rotarian conversation with Greg Mortenson," p. 36.

Events:

April 20--Interact induction at Meadowbrook High School library, 7;30.
April 24--proposed date for first chicken BBQ--workers needed, see Bill Hartley
April 30--Health Screening at Methodist Activity Center--appointment required.
May 2--Annual golf Outing Fundraiser--3 person teams needed, call Larry Miller

Byesville Rotary is pleased to welcome Darlene Miser to the club. Darlene is a local businessperson and owner of M&M Delivery and M&M Feed and Supply.

Phyliss Jeffries reported that the club’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny served doubled the number of people served compared to last year.

The club’s next fund raiser is their Annual Golf Outing which will be held on Sunday, May 2, 8:00am at Wildfire in New Concord. Club members are recruiting 3 person teams. Fees are $55 per person. Lunch and cash prizes are included in the fee. Monies raised by this fundraiser will support scholarships given by the club to Meadowbrook High School seniors.

Anyone interested in participating in the golf outing can contact Larry Miller at 740-439-7606 or lmiller@pebo.com, Trent Black at 685-2525, or Trevor Black at 685-2550.

The health screening the club co-sponsors with SEORMC will be held April 30. Appointments are required. Call 740-435-2900 beginning April 19 to schedule an appointment.

Club members began planning for their first chicken BBQ of the season. A tentative date has been set and volunteers are needed to work.

The club’s Interact club will hold its induction ceremony Tuesday, April 20, 7:30 am at Meadowbrook High School. This event will take the place of the weekly meeting. Members are encouraged to attend in support of the students participating in this group.
The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, April 13, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Easter Bunny Breakfasts with Byesville Rotary

2010-03-31T12:33:00.005-04:00

Dr. Joe Smith, Byesville Rotarian; Charney Fitz, Coordinator of Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE); Stevie Fairchild, Adult Education Coordinator for the Guernsey County Literacy Council; Joe Waske, Pres.-Elect, Byesville Rotary.

Byesville Rotary Easter Bunny encourages Caroline Gilligan to read.

Readings for next week:

March Rotarian, "Social networking," p. 23.
April Rotarian, "President's message," p. 1.

Jim Vaughan reported that preparations for “Breakfast with the Easter Bunny” are complete. He said that Harvey, the big Easter Bunny is looking forward to greeting local children. Breakfast will be served on Saturday, April 3, at the Stop Nine Senior Center on Southgate Road in Byesville from 9:00am-11:00am.

The breakfast menu is hot pancakes, sausage, and eggs served with juice and coffee. Pictures with the bunny are complementary with purchase of breakfast. Allie Beros will be taking the pictures. The Easter Bunny will give each child an Easter egg filled with treats from the bunny.

March is Literacy Month in the Rotary calendar. Byesville Rotary invited three speakers to their morning meeting to talk about the importance of being able to read and write.

Dr. Joe Smith, Byesville Rotary member and retired educator, defined literacy as “The level of reading and writing skills necessary to participate fully in daily life.” Communities with higher literacy rates are also communities more likely to be chosen for economic development. These communities also typically establish and support public institutions such as libraries, K-12 schools and higher education, parks and community services. The members of literate communities are healthier and live in more peaceful environments.

These observations are reinforced by the fact that 98% of the people who cannot read or write—about 900 million-- live in developing countries. In the United State, 40 million workers cannot read well enough to keep up with technology improvements in their workplace.

Services are available locally to help people learn to read or write or to help people improve their reading and writing skills.

Charney Fitz, Coordinator of Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) reported that in Guernsey County “the illiteracy rate is 11% of the population….” ABLE provides tutors for adults who want to improve reading skills. For more information call 1-800-350-1242 or 740-454-7242.

Stevie Fairchild, Adult Education Coordinator for the Guernsey County Literacy Council, also provides reading tutoring locally. Recently 20 people sponsored by her organization were trained in a multi-sensory approach to reading which has proved successful. For more information, contact 740-439-3558.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, April 6, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary supports Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

2010-03-25T15:00:00.004-04:00

Pictured: 1) Tonya Hitchens, Dir. Of Service and Supports Administration and Medicaid Services; Robbie Davis, Crystal Linkhorn, Tim Stclair, and Charity Rambo—members of the Guernsey Independent Stars; Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary Pres.

2) Tonya Hitchens, Dir. Of Service and Supports Administration and Medicaid Services; Patty Davis, Special Olympics participant; Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary Pres.; Yolando Christian, Special Olympics participant; Vivienne Barrows, Recreation Coordinator.

Readings: none for next week.

Activities: Bring a donation of syrup for the Bunny Breakfast.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. In recognition of the challenges facing people with disabilities and their accomplishments in overcoming their disabilities, representatives from the Guernsey County Developmental Disabilities (DD) were invited to speak at the March Byesville Rotary meetings.

Robbie Davis, Crystal Linkhorn, Charity Rambo, and Tim St. Clair are all members of the Guernsey Independent Stars—a self advocacy group. Members of this group work with DD staff to set goals that lead to personal independence.

Charity Rambo told the Rotary, “If you have a disability, you can do anything you put your mind to.” She has put her mind to many things. As a result, she serves as vice president of the Independent Stars, works at Guernsey Industries, lives in a group home and participates in volunteer projects such as raking and bagging leaves at Jackson Park.

Crystal Linkhorn told Rotary that being blind, “…does not limit what you can do.” She serves as secretary for the Independent Stars, has a Facebook page, and is the spokesperson for DD Awareness Month. She demonstrated that technology can help. She owns a Netbook with sound that enables her to keep in touch with others via email.

Patty Davis and Yolando Christian talked to the Rotary about the Special Olympics. This program is open to anyone 8 years old and up who is eligible for DD services. Sports offered include competitive swimming which is offered August-December; basketball offered October-May; Bowling offered January –April, and track offered March-May.

The Guernsey County Special Olympics is accredited through Special Olympics Ohio. Athletes must be registered in order to compete. Vivienne Barrows, Recreation Coordinator and coach, said Guernsey County usually has about 15 athletes qualify for the Special Olympics. This program helps participants learn new skills and provides positive social and community interaction and support. Yolando said that she participates in “…track, walks every day and has lost 80 pounds.”

For more information about the Special Olympics program, call Kerrie Laferre, 740-439-4451.
The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, March 30, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Guernsey County Developmental Disabilities staff visits Byesville Rotary

2010-03-04T11:18:00.006-05:00

Pictured: Kelly Brown, Supervisor of Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Stephanie Neuhart, Business Manager, Phyliss Jeffries, Pres. Byesville Rotary, Tanya Hitchens, Speaker Host.

Readings for March 16: None. Rich will be acting Master at Arms. He has promised a mystery. The clue is " These boots are made for walking. If you wear the wrong color, you may pay."

Kelly Brown, Supervisor of Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities (formerly Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities) stated, “Our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.” The DD staff works to meet this mission by using all available resources as effectively as possible.

The DD provides a variety of services to developmentally disabled children and adults and to their families. Four departments provide the majority of services.

Early Intervention focuses on children from birth -2 years who have developmental delays and/or specific medical conditions. Help Me Grow teaches parents how to use play to help a child’s development. The Golden Rule School is the most visible program. The staff focuses on insuring that each child in the school is provided opportunities to reach his or her potential. The school provides one program for children and young people ages 7-22, and a pre-school program, Bright Beginnings, for children 3-6.

Service and Support Administration (SSA) provides an interface between community service agencies and children 3 and above and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. An important part of this service is to develop goals for individual success which will enable individuals to live successfully as part of the larger community.

DD activities are financed through various agencies. Local funding, provided by 2 continuing levies, contributes 35-40% of the DD budget. State funding comes through a patchwork of agencies such as the State Department of Education, the Health Department, and the Department of Developmental Disabilities. The DD Business Manager, Stephanie Neuhart, balances all the different sources of support and keeps the books straight. Additionally, she works to increase funding by writing grants for special projects and needs.

More information about the DD is available at 740-439-4451 or http://www.guernseycountydd.org/

During a short business meeting, rotary members were introduced to Catherine Jirles, The President of the club’s Interact Club, which is a Rotary sponsored organization for high school students. Dan Navicky reported that the Annual Health Screening will be limited to 120 participants. It will be held April 30.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, March 16, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary plans 2ed annual “Breakfast with the Easter Bunny”

2010-03-04T11:18:00.002-05:00

Pictured: The Easter Bunny and Alli Beros, photographer at “Breakfast with the Ester Bunny.”

Reading for March 9:

February Rotarian, "Is peace possible?, p. 59.

Additional activities:

March 9, 8:30 am--short "Breakfast with the Bunny Committee" meeting.
Members asked to donate bottle of syrup or make cash donation toward the purchase of an inflatable Easter bunny.

Byesville Rotary members were updated on progress of current service projects during the monthly business meeting.

On Saturday, April 3, 9-11:00am, the club will host “Breakfast with the Easter Bunny” at the Stop Nine Senior Center on Southgate Road. The breakfast menu is pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice and coffee. Members are asked to donate a bottle of maple syrup or make a donation towards the Easter decorations for the breakfast. Alli Beros, a local photograph, has volunteered to take pictures of children with the Easter Bunny.

Dan Navicky, chair of the Health Screening Committee, reported that plans are completed for the annual health screening sponsored by the club and Southeastern Med. He passed out information pamphlets. Registration for the clinic will begin April 19.

Jim Bakos, chair of the Scholarship Committee, reported that applications for scholarships have been sent out. Deadline for submissions is April 7.

Jamie Hopps, chair of the Lifeline Ohio Committee, showed club members the informational materials about organ donation she will be displaying at the Health Screening. She also passed out pins to each of the club members who are signed up as organ donors.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, March 9, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Dean of Ohio University Zanesville visits Byesville Rotary

2010-02-23T16:17:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President –Elect; Dr. Fonseca, Dean Ohio University Zanesville.

After two weeks of snow and weather cancellations--Welcome back all!!! Think Spring.

Reading for March 2:

February Rotarian, "Bea Shall Overcome," p. 52.

Reminders:

Don't forget meat donations next week.
Breakfast with the Bunny committee will meet Monday, March 1, 6:30 at People's in Byesville. If you want to help with the project, come to the meeting.
The Scholarship committee is looking for volunteers to interview students applying for scholarships. Contact Jim Bakos 740-685-6629 or bakos@cebridge.net

Dr. James Fonseca, Dean of the Ohio University Zanesville Campus (OUZ), updated the Byesville Rotary about current OUZ programs and plans. Dean Fonseca reported that tuition at OUZ is very reasonable. A new program—Access to Success—can provide first-time, full-time freshmen of any age with a tuition waver of up to $3100. More information about this program which runs through the spring of 2012 is available at ouzservices@ohio.edu or 740.588.1439.

This tuition waver means that tuition costs at OUZ are at the same price level as tuition at 2 year and tech colleges. It also means that getting an education at OU Zanesville is a big bargain because Ohio University is rated as one of the top 16 universities in the United States.

Currently, there are about 1500 students registered at OUZ. The campus is homey and friendly. Dean Fonseca stated that class sizes are kept small so that each student can receive the individualized attention associated with a small, liberal arts college.

OU Zanesville is proud of the 55 full-time faculty teaching classes at OUZ. Many are recognized internationally for their research. The Dean is especially proud of the number of women scientists who teach at OUZ. These instructors include a physicist, a biologist, geologist, and anthropologist.

The Dean’s goal is to develop a new site and establish an OU Cambridge Center which will allow OUZ to expand class offerings. OUZ has outgrown the classroom space being used for classes at the Willett-Pratt Center. The Dean stated, “Plans are being developed that will allow OUZ to offer the first two years of coursework at an OU educational center in Cambridge.”

More information about OU Zanesville is available at http://www.zanesville.ohiou.edu/welcome.htm

During the business meeting, club members were invited to join the “Breakfast with the Bunny” planning committee and the Scholarship Committee which will begin interviewing students soon. The club has begun planning its annual health screening. Dalton Summers, Interact advisor, reported that several students from the area will be participating in the “Four-way Speech Contest” which will be held on April 17.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, March 2, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Wal-Mart presents donation to Byesville Rotary

2010-02-02T16:46:00.005-05:00

Pictured: Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President, Jay Jackson, Wal-Mart Assistant Manager.

Readings for February 9:

February Rotarian--"A Day in the Life of Rotary," p. 31.

The monthly business meeting of the Byesville Rotary included an unexpected visit from Jay Jackson, Wal-Mart Assistant Manager. Mr. Jackson presented the club with a donation to support the club’s local service projects.

Club members also voted to send a donation to the Kick Cancer Foundation. This donation will go toward building a Rotary Endowment fund. Interest from the endowment will be given to the James Cancer Center to support research for a cure.

The club president suggested the club participate in Polio Eradication Week which will be February 23-March 2. Member suggestions included providing publicity for the Rotary effort to eliminate polio within the next few years and contributing money to support the effort. A contribution to help pay for the erection of the Byesville Scenic Railway’s Miners Memorial Statue was put on hold until the bronze sculpture is completed. The Golf Outing Committee co-chaired by Chris Morris and Larry Miller will begin planning the Annual Byesville Golf Outing. Proceeds from the outing support the club’s scholarship project.

Club members discussed the possibilities of a new project aimed at improving student health. Several members are working to gather the information needed in order to plan for this type of project.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, February 9, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary learns about the past and future of the Kennedy Stone House

2010-01-26T14:47:00.002-05:00

Pictured: Chuck Fair, speaker host; Jim Ferguson, Pres. Friends of the Kennedy Stone House; Phyliss Jeffries, Pres. Byesville Rotary.

Readings for Feb. 2:

January Rotarian: "Philanthropy," p. 64.
February Rotarian: "President's Message," p. 1.

Jim Ferguson, President of the Friends of the Kennedy Stone House located at Salt Fork State Park, reviewed the history of the Stone House and described efforts to restore the house. In 1837, Benjamin Kennedy paid an Irish stonemason $500 to build the 4 room house. For an extra $60, the stonemason also built a root cellar. Kennedy, followed by his son Mathew, raised merino sheep on the farm. In 1914, Mathew’s widow turned the farm over to tenants. In 1966, the homestead was sold to the state.

During this period, the building deteriorated. In 1999, Polly Cornish saw the possibilities of the property and founded the Friends of the Kennedy Stone House. She was instrumental in inspiring dozens of volunteers to donate time or money toward the restoration project. Much has been done in the last 10 years, but the project is far from finished.

When restoration began, only the stone walls of the house remained. Roof and floors were missing. Today, the house has been restored and furnished with period furniture. It functions as a museum, providing a glimpse of life on a Guernsey County farm in the 1800’s.The summer kitchen and root cellar have been rebuilt. An herb garden has been planted and the area landscaped.

In addition to restoring the house, a Veterans Memorial Courtyard has been built to honor all who have served in the military. The Courtyard consists of 1300 bricks, each etched with the name of a veteran. The Friends current project is to complete a Memory walk. The Walk is open to anyone. Bricks for this walk for cost $50. There are a few spaces left.

A cabin to house docents has been completed. This cabin provides a comfortable living space for people who volunteer to dress in period clothing and provide tours for visitors. Already, volunteers have been scheduled for all of 2010 and half of 2011.

The museum is open for tours Friday-Monday from 1:00-5:00, May through October, Thanksgiving Day, and weekends if the weather cooperates. For more information, contact the Salt Falk State Park Office, 740-439-3521.

In other business, Rotary members voted to send a donation to the Rotary’s Haitian earthquake assistance effort. Larry Miller and Chris Morris, co-chairs of the Annual Golf Outing and Fundraisers, reported that Chuck Fair, Marty Patchen, Jan Wilson, and Joe Waske have volunteered to work on the golf outing. Jamie Hoops has volunteered to organize the club’s LifeLine of Ohio support.
The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, February 2, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Lifeline of Ohio encourages Byesville Rotarians to “Share Life”

2010-01-26T14:44:00.001-05:00

Pictured: Phyllis Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President; Cathy Warhola, Lifeline of Ohio.

Ms. Warhola, regional representative for Lifeline of Ohio, explained to the Byesville Rotary club how donated organs and tissues can change people’s lives. Ms. Warhola, a registered nurse, said she saw first hand how much a donated organ could change a patient’s life. She worked with patients waiting for a kidney and who needed dialysis 3 times a week. Each dialysis session took 3 hours. Between sessions, patients had to limit liquids to 2 cups a day and watch what they ate. A donated kidney meant no more dialysis sessions and a normal diet.

Every person who agrees to become an organ donor can save up to 8 lives and can help up to 50 people with a tissue donation. Organs that can be donated include the heart, lungs, pancreas, liver, kidneys and small intestine. Tissues that can be donated include the eyes, bone, veins, heart valves, and skin.

Ms. Warhola stated, “Surgeons have a 4 hour window to use organ donations. Most donations from people in Guernsey County will be used to make a difference in the lives of community members.”

There is no cost to donors or their families for an organ or tissue donation. Donations are only accepted from deceased donors with the agreement of their family.

Fifty-four percent of Ohio’s citizens have agreed to be organ donors. Currently, there are over 105,000 people in the United States on the waiting list for organs. Another patient is added every 10 minutes. To join the donor registry or to get more information about organ and tissue donation, call 1-800-525-5667 or visit www.lifelineofohio.org.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, January 26, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary learns about Byesville Scenic Railway Miners statue project

2010-01-12T15:55:00.006-05:00

Pictured: Phyllis Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President; Steve Stolarik, Byesville Scenic Railway.

Reading for Jan. 19:

January Rotarian, "President's Message," p. 1 and "Nowhere to go," p. 32.

Snowy weather schedule:

Rotary meeting cancelled if Rolling Hills School District is closed.
Meeting will be held if Rolling Hills School District is on 2 hour delay.

Members who did not bring canned meat to the meeting can bring their meat donations to the Jan. 19. meeting.

Committee meetings:

Golf Outing Fund Raiser: Co chairs--Larry Miller and Chris Morris. Contact one of them to work on the committee.
Budget Review: Co-chairs--Bob Long and. Chuck Fair. Members--Joe Waske, Tanya Hitchens, Dan Navicky, Shana Fair. Contact one of co-chairs to serve in this committee.

Steve Stolarik, History and Museum coordinator for the Byesville Scenic Railway, updated members of the Byesville Rotary about progress made toward purchasing a statue of a miner. The statue will commemorate the miners of Guernsey County.

Byesville Scenic Railway selected a Zanesville artist, Alan Cottrill, to create a bronze, 6 foot high sculpture. Many people riding the train are repeat visitors. Steve feels that people come back because they are trying to get in touch with their ancestors and the history of members of their families. The bronze statue will help people retrieve their past.

“Because people are trying to understand their past,” Mr. Stolarik stated, “it was important that the statue represent a real miner—dirty and raggedy.” Viewers examining the sculpture closely will find that the miner is missing a finger. Steve said that the missing finger represents every miner injured on the job.

The budget for the statue is $36,000. This figure does not include the cost of the base needed to hold the sculpture in the ground. The base will be of black concrete molded to look like the floor in a coal mine. Cost for the base is estimated at $2,000. To date, $17,404 has been contributed to the sculpture project by visitors who have ridden the train. The Scenic Railway expects to be able to install the statue in two years. To make a contribution toward the construction of the Byesville Scenic Miners statue, contact Steve Stolarik at history@bsrw.org.

Currently, two other miners, created by the Dickens Village artists and sponsored by Byesville Rotary, sit in the train depot. Many visitors pose with the miners for pictures. Steve expects that people will want to have pictures taken with the bronze statue. The statue will be mounted on a low base to keep it accessible to visitors.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, January 19, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary celebrates Christmas by donating to Secret Santa

2009-12-15T13:37:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Byesville Rotarians donate gifts to the Secret Santa toy drive: JimVaughan, Marty Patchen, Oziel Jeffries, Phyllis Jeffries, Tom Perkins, Jessica Anker, Sharon Miller, Joe Waske, Dr. Mamidi, Nellie Bichard.

Readings for Dec. 22: December Rotarian

"World Roundup," p. 14.
"Really smart phones," p. 23.

Announcements and business:

Board meeting Thursday, Dec. 19, 12N at Pizza Plus.
District Conference, May 13-16, 2010, in Athens.
Fill Christmas Food Baskets, Friday, Dec. 18, beginning 8:00am at the Main Street Methodist Activity Center.
Distribute Christmas Food Baskets, Saturday, Dec. 19, beginning--for some--at 4:30; for the rest of us--6:30am at the Main Street Methodist Activity Center.

Byesville Rotarians celebrated Christmas early at their Tuesday meeting by bringing toys to be donated to the Secret Santa drive. Club members, lead by Joe “Grizz” Smith, shared thoughts about the value of The Four Way Test which provides an ethical guide for decisions. These four questions are used by Rotarians to encourage and foster ideals of service and to encourage high ethical standards in business and personal dealings.
Rotarians typically start each meeting by reciting the four questions of the test: 1) Is it the truth? 2) Is it fair to all concerned? 3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
In the spirit of the season, festivities continued as club members shared “Happy Thoughts” with each other. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed fellowship with each other while they ate breakfast. Nellie Bichard provided Christmas cards to each member, and names were drawn for gifts. Breakfast was catered by the Byesville Village Market.
In other business, Bob Long, chair of the Christmas Food Basket program, reported that all is going well. Bell ringing and other donations have been good. Club members will continue to celebrate the meaning of Christmas by distributing food baskets to families who registered for the baskets on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Main Avenue Methodist Activity Center between 7:00-11:00am.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, December 22, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Cambridge Writers Workshop visits Byesville Rotary

2009-12-10T15:34:00.004-05:00

Pictured: Joe Waske, Pres. Elect, Cambridge Writers Workshop members--Samuel Besket, Beverly Justice, Jerry Wolfrom, Rich Dair.

Reading for Dec. 15:

Dec. Rotarian, "Test Results," p. 6 and "Maasai Warrior," p. 13.

Business and announcements:

Next meeting is the annual Christmas party and breakfast catered by Village Market.
Bring toys to be donated to Angel Tree.
Fri., Dec 11, at 5:00 pm "Breakfast with Santa" committee members will meet at Stop Nine to decorate for the breakfast.
"Breakfast with Santa" is Sat., Dec 12 at Stop Nine from 8:00-11:00 am. Bring grandchildren for a photo with Santa and come hungry.
Bell ringing continues--don't forget to show up for your shift.

Cambridge Writers Workshop (CWW) showcased members’ writing skills by asking Rotary Club members to read several humorous radio scripts written by CWW members. Rotary members discovered some of their members were decent performers, and they got to start the day by sharing laughter.
Jerry Wolfrom explained that the Cambridge Writers Workshop (CWW) was established by people who like to write. Members meet every Thursday at 12N at the Crossroads Branch Library. Anyone interested in the craft of writing is welcome at the workshop meeting or can contact Jerry Wolfrom, 439-5370, spectator2@firewireinternet.com.
Members bring a 500 word essay on an assigned topic to each meeting. During the noon meeting, they read and provide constructive criticism to each other on how to improve their writing. Assignments are varied and can be anything from writing about what a person sees outside his/her kitchen window to writing his/her obituary.
Mr. Wolfrom stated that the club is 2 years old. Roughly 100 people have been members at one time. Currently the workshop had 20 active members. Their interests in writing vary widely. Some members like to write short stories; others prefer history, life experiences, or fantasy.
Club members feel that good writing depends on being able to draw on varied life experiences and spending time and effort writing. Everyone can learn how to write effectively.
CWW has published two books of essays and short stories. Both titles—The Day We Learned to Write and Other Acts of Madness (2008) and Wills Creek Chronicles (2009) are available for borrowing at the Crossroads Branch Library. Copies can be purchased from Workshop members.
Byesville Rotary members were reminded that the next meeting is their annual Christmas party. Members are to bring toys to be donated to Angel Tree.

Byesville Rotary looks forward to Christmas

2009-12-03T09:35:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President, and Dan Navicky, Don’s sponsor, welcome Don Valentine (center) as newest Byesville Rotary Club member.

Reading: December Rotarian

"Anonymous donors," p. 48.

Business and announcements:

The Red Eye Tour project brought in about $1500.

Officers for 2010 were elected: President-Elect--Tonya Hitchens; Secretary--Shana Fair; Treasurer--Chuck Fair; Board member (3 year term)--Dr. Mamidi; Board member (2 year term)--Jim Vaughan.

There will be a Christmas breakfast at the December 15 meeting. Bring a toy.

The next board meeting will be Dec, 17, 12N at Pizza Plus.

The club will meet on December 22.

There will be no meeting on December 29.

With visions of candy canes, maple syrup and pancakes dancing in their heads, the members of the Byesville Rotary Club are working hard to finish fund raising for their December Christmas Food Basket project. Their deadline for fundraising is December 19, when baskets will be distributed to families living in the Rolling Hills School District. A final registration for Food Baskets will be held the evening of December 7, 3:00-6:00pm, at the Main Avenue Methodist Activity Center.

On Saturday, December 12, the club is offering local families “Breakfast with Santa.” Breakfast is $5 for adults. Children under 12 are free. Santa and a photographer will be on hand to take pictures with the kids. Photographs are free with the purchase of a breakfast. The breakfast will be held at the Stop Nine Senior Center from 8:00-11:00am.

Byesville Rotary club members and friends of Byesville Rotary are staffing red kettles and ringing bells in Byesville Thursday through Saturday through December 19 at the Byesville Peoples and Advantage Banks. All funds collected in Byesville will be used to purchase items for the food baskets.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, December 8, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary starts bell ringing fund drive in Byesville Nov. 25

2009-11-25T10:41:00.002-05:00

Pictured: Dr. Mamidi, Byesville Rotary member and speaker, Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President.

Reading for Dec. 1:

December Rotarian--"President's message," "The remarkable Mr. Harris," pp. 31-46.

Business and annoucements:

Bell ringers still needed--call Bob to schedule.
The Christmas party is on hold until after Christmas.

Byesville Rotary club members and friends of Byesville Rotary will begin staffing red kettles and ringing bells in Byesville on Wed., Nov. 25. Byesville Rotary, in cooperation with the Cambridge Salvation Army, has agreed to be responsible for providing Christmas Food Baskets to families in the Rolling Hills School District. This year the club expects to donate over 250 baskets to local families. All funds collected in Byesville will be used to purchase items for the food baskets.
Bell ringers will be collecting donations at the Byesville branches of Advantage and Peoples banks on Nov. 24, 27, and 28 and in December every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through December 19.
A final registration for Food Baskets will be held the evening of December 7, 3:00-6:00pm, at the Main Avenue Methodist Activity Center.
The speaker for the meeting was Dr. Mamidi, one of the club’s newest members. He spoke about his journey from the Indian town of Brhampur to medical school in the United States. He specialized in cardiology and became a clinical cardiologist. He explained that he prefers to work in rural areas rather than the city. He practiced in Logan, West Virginia, for 30 years before he came to Cambridge and currently works at Genesis.
Dr. Mamidi pointed out the heart disease is often silent and the disease typically begins in a person’s 20’s. A person can help reduce his/her risk for heart disease by making changes in life style. Recommended changes include eating a heart healthy diet and including exercise in daily activities.The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, December 1, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Byesville Rotary learns everyone benefits from the farming industry

2009-11-20T12:31:00.002-05:00

Pictured: Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President; Blaine Neilly, Board Member, Ohio State Farm Bureau; Carl Keefer, Speaker Host.

Reading for Nov. 24:

November Rotarian, "World Roundup," p. 14-15, "Poverty," p. 80.

Business and announcements:

Don Valentine was inducted in to the club.
Dec. 1 meeting will be officer and board election. Current candidates are: President elect--Rich Dair and Tonya Hutchins; Secretary--Shana Fair; Treasurer--Chuck Fair; Board--Jim Vaughn. Please call Dan Navicky to submit additional names.
Marlene's Bar and Grill held a fund raiser for the Christmas Food Basket Program. $1340 was raised.
Final registration for Christmas Food Basket--December 7, 3:00-6
Phyllis shared a letter from Lucia from Venezula. She can be reached on Facebook under "Maria Lucia Lloret."

Blaine Neilly, a farmer and board member for the local Ohio State Farm Bureau, spoke to the Byesville Rotary club about the importance of the agricultural businesses in Guernsey County. He pointed out that agriculture remains important source of income for Ohio. For example, Ohio produces more Swiss cheese than another other state and ranks second in the production of chicken eggs.
The aims of the Farm Bureau are to support sustainable agriculture and insure a plentiful, safe, and affordable food supply. Mr. Neilly stated agriculture faces 4 big challenges in meeting these goals during the coming year. Hungry white tail deer like farm crops and caused an estimated $100,000 worth of damage in Guernsey County last year. Farmers must find effective methods to control the deer population in order to maintain a plentiful supply of agricultural products.
A second challenge to farming is the migration of urban people to the country. Many urbanites have a romantic view of rural areas and object to the normal byproducts of a working farm--noise, smells, and dirt. A third challenge is educating people about the realities of farm life. For example, when news agencies reported that tomatoes from specific areas were contaminated with salmonella, many farmers with untainted tomatoes lost income because people stopped buying all tomatoes.
A final challenge to farmers is efforts by outside organizations to develop and enforce restrictions on how farmers raise veal and swine and produce eggs. Impact on this type of regulation is not limited to people in agricultural based businesses. Shoppers could see less produce and meat in their markets and have to pay more for the items they purchase.
People do not have to be farmers to join the Farm Bureau. For more information on the benefits of membership visit www.ofbf.org or call the local Farm Bureau office.
Mr. Neilly stated that a scholarship for Guernsey County students is available for any college sophomore or higher in an agriculture related major. Students can apply by contacting the local Farm Bureau Office, the Soil and Water Conservation District office (432-5624), or Mr. Neilly at 432-5195.0
The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, November 24 at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Civil War re-enactor visits Byesville Rotary

2009-11-11T17:56:00.003-05:00

Pictured: Phyllis Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President, Vicki Keefer, Rev. Carl Keefer, Rotary member and speaker.

Reading for Nov. 17:

November Rotarian, "Paved with Good Intentions," p. 43.

Reminders:
Bring candy canes to Nov. 17 meeting.

"Breakfast with Santa" committee meeting, Monday, Nov. 16, 6:30 at Peoples Bank in Byesville.
Board meeting, Nov. 19, at Pizza Plus.
Bell ringing volunteers needed--contact Bob Long for schedule.

Carl Keefer, also known as Captain Keefer, Chaplain for 15th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company E, spoke to Byesville Rotary about Civil War re-enactment. Mr. Keefer is also Vice President of the Southeast Ohio Civil War Roundtable and a veteran. He was accompanied by his wife, Vicki Keefer. Both were dressed in period clothing.

To be considered authentic, clothing worn by re-enactors must duplicate the originals. One requirement is that the clothing must be made by hand using the same equipment and the same fabrics available during the Civil War. The Keefer’s outfits were made using a manual treadle sewing machine like the ones available in the 1860’s.

In addition to sharing information about Civil War reenactments, Rev. Keefer shared a short story he authored about Grant’s last visit Lincoln in Washington D.C. For more information about becoming involved in Civil War reenactments, contact Rev. Keefer at 432-7734.

Byesville Rotary club members will begin staffing Salvation Army red kettles. Watch for them at Byesville Peoples and Advantage banks this month. Monies raised will be used for the Christmas Food Basket program. More volunteer bell ringers are needed.

Members are reminded to bring candy canes to the next meeting. The candy canes will be used as favors for all the children visiting with Santa at the clubs “Breakfast with Santa” scheduled for December 12.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, November 17 at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.