Rotareminder for the Rotary Club of Kent
Meeting on April 7, 2026
President Amanda Senn called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. Our patriotic song was God Bless America accompanied by David Dix on piano, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Our song was You’ve Got a Friend with David Dix on piano. The Invocation was offered by Ryan Brannon. Bill Nome, Mark Pennell and Roger Kramer worked tech; Dom Bollenbacher took our photos.
VISITORS
There were no visiting Rotarians today. Incoming Rotarian J. R. Campbell’s guest was his wife Melissa.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
■ Dennis Campbell updated us on forthcoming Kent Area Chamber of Commerce events.
■ Larry Lohman reminded us about the many features and events of the 2026 District Conference & Learning Assembly on April 24–25 at the Cleveland Marriott East, 26300 Harvard Rd., Warrensville Hts.
■ Will Underwood reminded us of the need for volunteer judges and timers for the District 6630 4-Way Test Speech Contest at Springfield High School on Saturday, April 18. Contact Rich Cole of the Port-Summit club to volunteer.
■ Todd Packer informed us about an opportunity to connect with and support our military veterans in Youngstown on April 23.
■ Jennifer Lennox announced an event Tuesday at Spin Bowls, the first in a series of events partnering with the Kent Jaycees and other local service organizations. Look for announcements of future joint events, including perhaps a social event later this summer.
■ Carol Crimi updated us on 2013 Rotary Scholarship recipient Yeonm n Kim, who received his Master’s and PhD at Kent State University. KSU Professor Landon Hancock is traveling to S. Korea to Yeonm n Kim’s university to explore establishing a peace studies center there.
■ Dave Myers announced the March Madness Bracket Buster Challenge winners:
Brian Bialik won the men’s bracket. Brian picked Michigan to win.
Steve Belli won the women’s bracket. Steve picked UCLA to win.
■ Mary Beth Harper announced forthcoming April Rotary programs, two of which will feature Rotarians Ryan Brannon and John Emig.
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
Mary Beth Harper introduced us to walk-on Rotarian J. R. Campbell, Executive Director of the Design Innovation Initiative at Kent State’s School of Fashion Design & Merchandising. President Amanda Senn did the honors of inducting J. R. into our club. Welcome, J. R.!
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Stanton Middle School Principal Kathy Scott introduced our April Student of the Month, 8th-grader Soren Olson. Soren is an A student with broad interests, including art, music, linguistics, and social studies. He also runs cross country and track.
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Mary Beth Harper introduced us to “How To” Month, featuring programs by our members (and one member’s husband), who will show us—or talk to us—about HOW TO do something.
Next week: Kirk Gordon, husband of Shawn Gordon, is an incredible stained glass artist and he will show us some of his work and explain just how he does it.
On April 21, John Emig, will tell us how our property is valued--the inside story of real estate appraisal.
On April 28, Ryan Brannon, co-owner of Bent Tree Coffee Roasters and a new Rotarian, will show and tell us how to make great coffee and give us the inside scoop on his company.
TODAY’S PROGRAM
Mary Beth introduced members of the Famous Rotary Book Club (FRBC) spoke on How to Choose a Book, discussing recent reads, how they selected them, and why they particularly enjoyed and recommend them.
Jennifer Lennox discussed The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook by Hampton Sides.
Paul Organ told us about Kindred by Octavia Butler.
Kathy Myers informed us about The Women by Kristen Hannah.
Laing Kennedy chose The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown.
Will Underwood selected Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Savannah Story by John Berendt.
Mary Beth Harper talked about What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci.
RESPONDER
FRBC member Randy Smith was our responder. He told a real groaner of a joke, and then proceeded to discuss how much he enjoys and benefits from the FRBC reading and fellowship. Randy said that the person who reads the first page of a book is a different person than the person who reads the last page.
We closed our meeting with a recitation of the Rotary 4-Way Test.
Respectfully submitted,
Will Underwood