Rotareminder 1/14/25
Called to order by Rachel Kerns at 12:10. Our patriotic song was the national anthem, and Rachel led us in the pledge of allegiance. The invocation was by Mark Pennell, and the fun song was “Lift Every Voice and Sing” led by Dominique Bollenbacher.
No visiting Rotarians or guests, but lots of announcements: Doug Fuller said the Tap Talk on Tuesday at 7 at North Water Brewing Company was about Ray’s. Carol Crimi thanked everyone for their pledge contributions, and said the monthly accounting of the contributions was coming. If anything was inaccurate or missing, please ask Carol. Bill Childers said he would be attending the Prayer breakfast at the UCC on 1/18 at 10 a.m. or the Skeels breakfast on 1/20 for MLK day if anyone wanted to join him. Nithya Venkataraman reminded everyone that the auction will be on 3/11 at Belltower and that they were looking for creative sponsorships and would have fliers next week. She gave the example that Nancy Whitehead would be the drink sponsor and is sponsoring a tumbler and a signature drink at the event. Rachel Kerns invited everyone to a ribbon cutting on 1/26 for the 73rd home for Habitat for Humanity; let her know if you’d like to attend.
Happy bucks: Julien Mackerty was happy because he got a car and is enjoying the calm before the storm that is tax season. Kathy Myers was happy because of her granddaughter’s birthday. Jeff Roeger was happy because his youngest daughter was accepted by the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music, and his mom would be playing piano the next two weeks.
Birthdays:
Lisa Soeder remembers hiding a stray kitten from her dad and sister, who were allergic.
Khaleena Gharky remembered getting detention in middle school because she and her friends were throwing candy. She was the only one who got caught!
Bill Myers remembered going on an adventure with his brother to buy and set off fireworks with cash taken from a kitchen drawer.
Stacey Richardson remembered going to Washington DC with a friend for a weekend to “visit a college,” but they didn’t visit the school at all, and instead hung out in DC all weekend.
Carol Crimi remembered her brother setting a couch on fire and having to put it out with a garden hose and move it back into the house before her grandfather got home.
Program
Stacey Richardson introduced Chalan Lowry, who is the executive director of Portage Animal Protective League. Chalan has spent 13 years heading up the Portage APL, which is mission driven to help animals in need and is funded entirely through donations.
Chalan said the APL’s first priority is to investigate reports of cruelty and to help sick and injured animals in our community. Here are some interesting facts about the APL:
- She said the APL will offer a 30-day hold of animals for people with a temporary need for animal shelter, and they’ll spay/neuter/vaccinate the animal and give it back to the owner when they return.
- The APL also has a pet food pantry, but it requires a sign up.
- They will take in any domestic animals (cows, pigs, horses, etc), and often collaborate with Happy Trails on larger domestic animals.
- They have a mobile spay/neuter clinic which is available 3 times a month at a low cost.
- They do not euthanize for space/age. They will sometime euthanize for medical reasons or because an animal is not safe.
- They cover all of Portage County.
- They can house about 70-80 cats, not including those in foster care. Last week they had 116 cats in their care!
- They have 15 part-time and full-time staff.
- Nelson Burns pointed out they do a nice job memorializing animals, which can be done for birthdays, weddings, etc. They also have cage sponsorships and merchandise available.
- They have animal traps that can be rented for catching animals that get outside.
- Heroes Ruck: A collaboration with the American Legion to raise money to help pay for the adoption fees for vets. In 2024, 50 animals were adopted through this program, held on Veterans’ Day.
- Other events: Paws to Celebrate on 4/12, Barktober 5K in October, Paws to Taste in November.
- They are always looking for volunteers, always need cat/kitten foster parents and dog walkers. Their biggest needs are cat and dog food, litter, bedding, towels, bleach, paper towels. Amanda Senn offered to take any blankets/towels brought to the 1/21 Rotary meeting to the APL.
- Chalan doesn’t like labeling dogs, and thinks Pit Bulls get a bad rap. All dogs are labeled mixed breed at the APL.
Chas Madonio thanked Chalan and encouraged everyone to visit the APL, a visit he called both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Heartwarming because the staff does such a great job, and heartbreaking because there is such a great need.
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