October 22, 2024

 

President Rachel called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.  Our patriotic song was, “God Bless America.”   It was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  Nelson Burns provided the invocation.  Dominique led Rotarians in singing, “I Saw Her Standing There.” 

 

VISITING ROTARIANS

We had no visitors from other clubs.

 

GUESTS

Lisa Soeder was a guest of David Myers.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

*Auction:  Jennifer Lennox told us the annual Rotary Charity Auction is set for March 11 and that we should anticipate an online questionnaire regarding our auction.

*Trick or Treat in Kent:  Dominique Bollenbacher told us Trick or Treat in Kent is 4 to 6p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27.  She said Friday at 4 p,m. is family Trick or Treat at Hometown Bank Plaza.

*Hero’s Ruck:  It was also mentioned that the annual Kent American Legion Hero’s Ruck will occur November 9 starting in the downtown with a walk to Dix stadium followed by lunch at the American Legion.  Participant donations will fund the event which is designed to match veterans with pets who can socialize them. Participants are asked to fill their backpacks with items for the Animal Protection League.  Proceeds will go to help veterans, and first responder acquire companion animals.

*Leaf Raking for Seniors:  David McKeen needs volunteers to help with Rotary’s annual leaf raking for seniors ‘program.  See David.

*Park Walk:  Jen Lennox reminded us that the Portage County Chambers of Commerce are holding a park appreciation walk October 26 from 9 to 11 a.m.  This year’s annual walk is at Dix Park on S.R. 44 north of Ravenna.

*District 6630:  Former District Governor Larry Lohman said October 24 is World Polio Day. Dunkin Donuts is selling purple iced donuts to raise money for End Polio Now.  Beerhead Bar and Eatery is doing the same in Concord Township.  Larry said District 6630 is holding its awards gala, “Starry Night”, at The Center in Stow from 6 to 9 p.m.  The event is $45 per person and those attending are asked to bring coats, mittens, and cold weather apparel for the needy.

*PARTA Veterans Day:  Denise Bab said PARTA’s annual Veterans Day celebration is November 11 at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial near the Multimodal Parking Center on Erie Steet in Kent. Admission is free.

 

HAPPY BUCKS

 

President Rachel donated for attending a Billie Eilish concert. Roberta O’Keefe donated for attending “Cabaret” at Weathervane and seeing Adam Alderson. Asad donated for having bicycled to Kenyon College in Gambier to see his son. Shawn donated because four Kent Rotarians attend a District Conference.  She also donated because her son Kirk Gordon was hired by Ernst & Young.  Benjamin Tipton donated because the Bell Tower, owned by his family, is celebrating its third year in business.  Larry Lohman donated because his daughter who has been attending college in Florida is safe from Hurricane Milton and is home this weekend.  Dennis Campbell donated because he because he was able to vacation in Savanah, GA.  He said he and his wife, a Nebraska graduate, are going to attend the Ohio State-Nebraska Game.  Christie Anderson donated because she preached on Sunday and mentioned Rotary as a great example of NICE.

 

PROGRAM:  SAIVNG THE ERIE RAILROAD DEPOT

 

The founding of the Kent Historical Society and its purchase of the Erie Railroad Depot on Franklin Avenue was an event that turned the city of Kent around and headed out of desperate days.  A panel consisting of Jim Myers, John Flynn, and Howard Boyle told the story.   Jim said that Sam Apicello, a jeweler, invited Bill Birkner, John Carson, Titus Jackman, Leland Keller, Reed Strimple, Loris Troyer, Titus Jackman and himself formed the Kent Historical Society. In 1971.  Jim said he believe Sam’s inspiration may have been the shootings Kent State, which many found hard to comprehend, and left people grappling for a sense of community.  The  Historical Society identified 16 sites in Kent for acquisition or preservation. One of these was the Erie Railroad Depot, built in 1875, and slated for demolition.  The Historical Society got busy.   Changes in the board brought in Sandra Halem, who replaced John Carson, John Flynn who replaced Titus Jackman, and Howard Boyle, who replaced Sam Apicello who retired to California.  John Flynn met with the Erie Railroad Depot representative about purchasing the Train depot from the Erie Railroad.  The price of $32,100 was established and a quitclaim deed was provided by the Erie. It gave the Historical Society not only the building, but all the land that went with it all the way to Stow Street.  Fund-raising became the order of the day. The Portage County Commissioners provided a $10,000 grant.  An $18,500 grant was secured from the National Park Services.  The Kent Acting and Touring Company staged a performance to benefit.  The many gifts included $10,000 from Dorothy Parson for restoration of the museum area, gifts form Ted and Cal Rowe, the Davey Foundation, and an $18,000 grant from the Ohio Historical Society. Jim said that Bruce and David Hansford repaired the canopy free of charge. Several attempts to get a good developer occurred.  John and Howard were part of the effort that landed George Lewis, who got the exclusive right to develop the station as a restaurant.  His partner was Tom Roehl who owned several themed restaurants.  Roehl was the person who had  the Pufferbelly  concept and gave the name to the restaurant that opened with 3,000 attending the opening night celebration in 1981.  Board members at opening night were Bill Birkner, Loris Troyer, Sandra Halem, John Flynn, Howard Boyle,  Jim Myers, Ted Sapp, Hinda Golding, Leland Keller, Joyce Wiland, Reed Strimple, M.L. Davey.  The central tower in the Depot is named to honor Bill Birkner who devoted so much time and energy to gaining support for the building’s restoration.  The Pufferbelly lease continued for 35 years, the restaurant closing December 16, 2016. 

 

RESPONSE:  Carol Crimi gave the response noting how often she has used the Depot when it was The Pufferbelly and since as Over Easy.