Welcome to the Rotary Club of Kent

Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

Mark Dawidziak, author and journalist

Will Underwood introduced our Speaker Mark Dawidziak – an internationally-recognized Mark Twain scholar, who has portrayed Mark Twain for the past forty years, among his many achievements. Here is the full video.

Dawidziak, long an admirer of Mark Twain and his works, as well as a fan Rod Serling of the Twilight Zone TV series in the 60’s, has been able to draw some interesting parallels between two men who were once considered the best in their profession. Separated by nearly a century, each was dedicated to their profession – Twain, who got his start writing for newspapers and magazines, and Serling, who experienced an epiphany of sorts by discovering his love for writing when he enrolled in Antioch College after a stint in the military.

Kent Rotary History Moment for Apr 20, 2021

Early in World War Two, in May 1942, Paul Davey suggested to the Rotarians that the members of the military service inducted from Kent would welcome a chatty newsy hometown letter and outlined the formation of an “Uncle Zenas Club” composed of Rotarians who would be willing to correspond with the servicemen. He said the name “Uncle Zenas” seemed a fitting title as it dated back to Zenas Kent, the founder of the city. The plan was cordially received by Rotarians and by the men in the service, and relations set up in this manner were continued for a long period of time. Eventually the large number of men taken from Kent made the plans so cumbersome that it was impossible to continue to correspond with each inductee.

Rona Simmons, Author

Kent Rotary Club welcomed Rona Simmons to speak about her latest book The Other Veterans of World War II.

Rona Simmons has written both novels and works of historical fiction. She coauthored Images from World War II, celebrating the art of WWII veteran and artist Jack Smith. The daughter of a World War II fighter pilot herself, she is proud to honor veterans and their stories through her work. Her stories, articles, and interviews have appeared in regional and national literary journals and online magazines.

Food Drive Contest with Stow Munroe Falls Rotary

Rotarians,

We’ve been challenged by the Stow Munroe Falls Rotary Club to see who can donate more to a food drive in the month of April. More than bragging rights are on the line. Each club’s leadership has agreed that the losing club will donate $100 to the winning club’s choice of charity. Let’s show them what we’re made of!!

The Stow Monroe Falls club will be donating to one of their local charities. Our club will be donating to our familiar friends, the Ben Curtis Family Foundation.

Salvation Army needs help with food drive...

Salvation Army is doing a food drive...giving food to families in need, once a month starting in April. This drive is located in Kent (by the big bus pick up she said). They are in dire need of volunteers to serve others. I told them my Habitat team will donate a few hours to do this May 5. I have roughly five leadership staff that will volunteer that date. Their Captain mentioned she thought I was on the board for Rotary and wondered if I could get five more people from the club. I explained I was not on the board but would be happy to facilitate the request. She is asking all clubs to donate one day to help. Since Habitat has five people, we only need five more. I will mention this to the club next week to see if we can get five members to volunteer on that date?

Thanks all!

Rachel