Rotareminder
The Rotary Club of Kent
August 26, 2025
President Amanda Senn called the meeting to order at 12:20. We sang the National Anthem and Christy Anderson offered the invocation. David Dix led us in singing “Don’t
Fence Me In.”
There were no visiting Rotarians or guests at today’s meeting.
Announcements
Bill Childers invited Rotarians to participate in the Salvation Army food distribution onSept 3 from 8:30 to 11 am at the KSU parking lot on the corner of Horning and Summit.
Kathy Myers noted that Nancy Whitehead is selling Rotary branded mugs that are perfect for either hot or cold beverages. Keeps coffee hot and happy hour drinks cold with no sweaty glasses to mar the furniture! Two for $30 – see Nancy. Proceeds support the Kent Rotary Foundation.
Amanda Senn reminded us that Pints for Polio will be held at the Battleground on 9/11 at 5:30. This event is jointly sponsored with the Tallmadge Rotary Club. Amanda would also like to put together a Rotary Golf Team to participate in charitable golf outings next year.
Happy Bucks
There were many Happy Buck contributors today, including Paul Organ and Will Underwood both of whom were married on this day 36 years ago (please note: to different women, in different countries.) Larry Lohman and his wife celebrated 24 years of marriage, Lee Higgins donated in memory of his mother, and Sue Whiting celebrated her return from a successful visit to New York City where she spent time with her grandchildren – and rode the subway without incident. Anne Moneypenny thanked her speaker for showing up and noted she has been back and forth today for the Chamber Golf Outing. Asad Khan and his wife attended his friend’s wedding in Budapest, Hungary. Tom Myers threw in some money for an unknown reason. Roger Sidoti and his wife Mary suddenly realized that they have four children in their 40s. Bill Childers wished happy birthday to his son, Patrick, who is 38 and to Rotarians Anita Herington and Hal Hall. Tom Larkin celebrated the return of faculty staff and kids to school and acknowledged Chas Madonio for hosting the annual Rough Rider luncheon. Sadly,
Coach Amanda Senn’s team lost their first game, but their learning a lot and eager to compete!
Today’s Program: Michael Faenhal, Proprieter of Squirrel City Jewelers
Anne Moneypenny introduced Michael who was a bench jeweler for 15 years with Don Basch Jewelers until he started Squirrel City in Acorn Alley in 2019. Michael started at Kent State in Computer Science, but quickly realized that his interests lie elsewhere. He became an art major working in metal and glass, Graduating in about 2004, he went to work for Don Basch Jewelers and it was there that he honed his craft and acquired the skills and extensive experience necessary to repair and create unique pieces of jewelry.
At Don Basch he mastered such skills as metal casting and cutting, stone setting, enameling, and hand engraving and learned how to work with tools and materials including gold and platinum. Learning a jeweler’s skills is demanding; a diamond cutter, for example, has to train for ten years before allowed to cut a one carat diamond.
When Michael started Squirrel City Jewelers in 2019, he and his wife Amanda moved back to Kent from Stow and welcomed their second son. The Covid years were difficult, but they made it through successfully with Michael focused as an artist and craftsman. He finds his work rewarding because he creates treasures that help people start their lives together and celebrate beautiful life moments.
At Squirrel City Jewelers, Michael can fix or repair treasured objects, provide appraisals, design and create unique pieces, and access gems and materials from around the world. He is pleased to run a unique business in the unique and supportive environment of Kent, Ohio.
Response
Jen Lennox thanked Michael for giving Kent Rotary a glimpse into a world most of us know little about.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Hatch
