President Randy Smith welcomed the group.
David Dix led today’s patriotic song, America the Beautiful.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Randy followed by an invocation by Carol Crimi.
Guests
Asad Khan introduced his guest Bill Myers. Bill will soon be the new fire chief in Kent and is hoping to become a member.
Announcements
Todd Kamenash congratulated Bill Myers and then updated the club on the cereal box challenge. The club collected 2,208 single size servings of cereal through donations. We are waiting on official results from the Stow-Munroe Falls club and Kent, Washington club to see who won the challenge. Todd thanked everyone for participating.
Doug Fuller extend an invitation to everyone to take him up on his offer to provide a May 4th visit and personal tour on campus to provide his personal experience as a student at that time. Contact Doug if you are interested. Roger Sidoti and Carol Crimi thanked Doug for his offer and expressed how wonderful Doug’s personal presentation is and encouraged others to participate.
Larry Lohman, Governor-elect for the district, reminded everyone about the district leadership assembly May 15th from 9-12. It is open to all members, not just leadership in our club as we are all leaders in our communities. See rotarydistrict6630.org for more details and to register.
Roberta O’Keefe asking for anyone willing to offer the prayer at weekly Rotary meeting to contact her by text to 330.235.3958, or by email at r.okeefe4370@gmail.com. She is especially looking for newer members to volunteer.
Student of the Month
Anthony Horton introcuced Evelyn (Evie) Caldwell, joined by her parents Heather and Wade Caldwell, as this month’s Stanton student of the month.
100th Anniversary Moment
Jim Myers shared the names of local Rotarians and citizens that were engaged in local civilian activities on the homefront during WWII. This included members serving or leading on the food rationing board, citizens bond sales, air raid, cadet air corps at KSU, and more.
Program
Will Underwood introduced Richard ‘Pete’ Peterson as today’s speaker. Richard is an author and is presenting today on his book titled The Turnpike Rivalry: The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns.
The author received a Masters and PhD from Kent State University and spent time in Kent from 1967-1969. He said he and his wife often refer to their time in Kent as one of the happiest time of their lives.
He is now a professor emeritus of English at Southern Illinois University. He is the author of Extra Innings: Writing on Baseball and Growing Up with Clemente as well as the editor of The Pirates Reader and The St. Louis Baseball Reader. His essays have also appeared in the Chicago Tribune and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Peterson’s presentation focused on the rivalry between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers claiming that he can’t imagine a better rivalry. The reasons he believes the rivalry is so good are the proximity between the two cities, the working class character of both cities, and that the teams have never been good at the same time. He also discussed the relationship of bullies that keep the rivalry going strong.
Questions and discussion wrapped up the program with club members asking Pete about the following: team owners, players both old and new, 2021 prospects, the fate of Ben Roethlisberger this season, Terry Bradshaw and Tim Couch, and team uniforms including the bumblebee uniforms of the Steelers.
Today’s program responder was Chas Madonio.
