Rotareminder notes for 3/26/2024
Meeting was called to order by Amanda Senn. We sang “America” as our patriotic song, and recited the pledge of allegiance. Rick Bissler did the Invocation, and the fun song was “The More We Get Together,” led by Dominique Bollenbacher.
The visiting Rotarian was Nathanael Billow, president elect of the Rotary Club of Akron, and Executive Vice President & Treasurer of The Billow Co. There were no guests.
New Member Inducted
Rick Bissler introduced Mitch Planey for his induction. Mitch is a 2000 graduate of Youngstown State University and a 2002 graduate of The Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 2003. Mitch has spent the majority of his career in the Canton area and joined the Billow Team in 2020. He is a former board member of Ohio Funeral Directors Association. Mitch and his wife, Sophia, live in Uniontown with their daughters Victoria, Nadia and Ariana. He enjoys sports, fishing and camping and loves spending his free time with his family. Welcome, Mitch!
Happy Bucks
Jim Myers gave happy bucks for winning NCAA games. Kathy Myers gave money for a winning bracket, for Amanda Senn for running the meeting, Sandy Roeger for the beautiful music, for Carol’s new hip and for the beautiful weather yesterday. Carol Crimi gave a buck for Josie Myers, because Carol got to sit with her grandparents. Anne Moneypenny gave a buck for the lunch ladies and a delicious lunch. Jen Lennox gave bucks for Davey’s 45th anniversary of employee ownership, that her son won his student government position, and that her daughter had returned safely from Europe. Stephen Belli gave bucks for a successful biking trip overseas. Amanda Senn gave bucks for the heartwarming Portager story about the truck driver who was in an accident (Found here: https://theportager.com/you-people-are-the-best-portage-county-helps-an-idaho-trucker-and-his-dog-daisy/).
Announcements
Todd Kamenesh announced that the NCAA March Madness brackets had raised $830, which is a record for the brackets. So far, Dave Myers is in first place for the men’s brackets, and Roberta O’Keefe was in second. In the women’s brackets, Lee Higgins was in first, and Sandee Reid was in second.
Kathy announced the line up of programs for April, and thanked Todd for his leadership with the brackets and literacy program.
Dominique announced that the Celebrate Portage Board is looking for nominations for community hero, community service, community improvement, employee of the year, youth initiative and health initiative. Nominations can be made at:
https://www.celebrateportage.org/nominationsProgram
For the program, Todd led the group in two rounds of trivia. Out of 8 questions, the highest ranking table got 5 right. But a lot of laughter ensued. Mary Beth Harper responded and thanked Todd for teaching us all some trivial information.