Rotareminder for the Rotary Club of Kent
November 5, 2024
Vice President Stacey called the meeting to order and thanked audio booth volunteers Mark Pennell and Roger Kramer. We sang the Star Spangled Banner, played by Sandy Roeger. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Roberta O’Keefe offered the invocation. Our second song was When the Saints Go Marching In led by Dominique Bollenbacher with Sandy Roeger on piano.
Visitors and Guests: There were no visiting Rotarians at today’s meeting. Lisa Soeder was the guest of Dave Myers. Julien Mackerdy was the guest of Jen Lennox.
Happy Bucks: Various Rotarians offered Happy Bucks including Tom Hatch, Paul Organ, Will Underwood, Kathy Myers, Anthony Horton, Tom Larkin, Anne Moneypenny, Dave Myers and Sabrina Christian-Bennet.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nithya noted that all members will receive a survey this week about the Rotary Auction planned for March 11, 2025 at Bell Tower Brewing. The first meeting of the auction committee will be held at 11:15 next Tuesday before the regular meeting.
Denise invited everyone to the PARTA Veterans Day celebration on the 11th at 1 pm in Kent.
Kaleena has tickets for the November 23 benefit to support Habitat for Humanity.
Rebekah noted that the Christmas Party will be held on December 6th at Parkside. Please RSVP and sign up starting next week.
Sabrina invited everyone to the Veterans Day celebration sponsored by the County Commissioners held on the 11th at 11am at the Ravenna Courthouse.
Stacey reminded everyone that our Tuesday meeting during Thanksgiving week will be a Club Social at Bistro on Main.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Stanton Principal Kathy Scott introduced Stanton 8th-grader Emelia Gates, daughter of Dr. Justin and Carrie Gates, as our Student of the Month. Emelia represented Stanton at the recent Diane Burbick Conference, a math and science experience for middle school girls. She maintains a 4.0 GPA, plays softball, volleyball, and cello and is a Stanton Student Ambassador.
TODAY’S PROGRAM: THE ELECTION DAY DEBATES
Todd Kamenash introduced his debate opponent, Dominique Bollenbacher. The three scheduled debates (Pizza, Disney Princesses, and Favorite Divas) each allowed two minutes for each debater followed by a minute of rebuttal for each. Will Underwood served as timekeeper.
Todd led off with strong historical support for thin crust pizza versus Dom’s equally strong backing for Chicago deep dish. In the second debate, Dom blamed Disney Princesses for related blatant consumerism, gender stereotypes, and destroying young girls’ self- image. Todd defended Disney noting more recent attempts to portray young princesses as empowered and confident. Todd’s top four Divas were Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Cher, and Elton John. Dom’s were Julie Andrews, Dolly Parton, and, of course, Taylor Swift.
Audience members voted by secret ballot and while the votes were being tallied, Todd and Dom debated weather vacations are better if planned in advance or unplanned and spontaneous. Todd opts for unplanned vacations. Dom noted that “only an imbecile” would fail to plan in advance.
Sabrina Christian-Bennet offered the response thanking our debaters, especially Dominique, who was declared the winner.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Hatch
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