Rotareminder
The Rotary Club of Kent
November 18, 2025
President Amanda Senn called the meeting to order at 12:10. We sang “My Country ‘tis of Thee” and Anne Moneypenny offered the invocation. David Dix led us in singing “Kent State Fight Song.”
Assistant Governor for the Portage Cluster, Elana Koh, was a visiting Rotarians at today’s meeting. Immy Underwood, Will’s daughter, was his guest. Immy is a veterinarian in Chagrin Falls.
Announcements
- Doug Fuller reminded everyone that Red Michel will tell the story of the Williams Brothers Mill at tonight’s Tap Talks starting at 7 pm at North Water Brewing.
- Jen Lennox noted that we will meet at Bistro on Main next week. Please let her know if you will be attending.
- Todd Kamenash announced that Kent State’s food drive, Food in a Flash, will accept donations of groceries at Eastway on November 19 from 9 to 3, and at various locations on campus through November 24th.
- Amanda encouraged everyone to attend the Holiday Party at Over Easy on Dec 5. Sign up with Rebekah Wright Kulis – the cost is $45. You can submit nominations for Rotarian of the Year to President Amanda.
November Birthdays
Jeff Roeger reminded us that this year’s challenge is to name an unforgettable place you’ve visited.
- Nov 23 Rick Bissler Robinson Hospital for the births of his two daughters
- Nov 16 Asad Khan Many places around the world, but especially Singapore.
- Nov 26 Mary Beth Harper Falkland Islands to see the penguins.
- Nov 28 Nelson Burns The New Jersey shore with a colleague who was thrilled to step into an ocean for the first time in his life.
- Nov 29 John Flynn First, visiting Lou Groza’s home in Berea, Ohio and seeing his 1954 MVP award. Second, working with Yankee Manager, Gene Michael and attending a game at Yankee Stadium sitting in George Steinbrenner’s seats.
Mary Beth Harper won the drawing for a free lunch.
New Member Introduction
Anne Moneypenny introduced Ryan Brannon, our newest member. Ryan is a founder and CEO of Bent Tree Coffee in Kent, which has grown to include wholesale, retail, coffee shop, and online businesses. Bent Tree Coffee is available at Heinan’s, Giant Eagle, Acme, and Meijer’s. Today, Bent Tree employs twenty people.
TRHS Student of the Month
Carter Stevenson was introduced by THRS Principal, Dennis Love. Carter is a 4.0+ student, a National Honor Society member, and a participant in the Athletic Healthcare Program. He’s the first to compete at State in Cross Country in over 20 years and also plays hockey and lacrosse. He’s considering a biology and pre med major in college.
Today’s Program: Crucial Conversations with Rev. Dr. David Palmer
Dr. Palmer is the retired Senior Minister at the United Methodist Church of Kent. He spoke today about how to talk with a “good person to whom bad things are happening.” He was introduced by this month’s program chair, Nancy Whitehead, who read an excerpt from A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh in which Piglet converses with his friend Pooh, who is depressed and going through a rough patch. Dr. Palmer began his presentation by noting that Piglet knew just what to say to help his friend.
He posed the question, “How can we best respond to a friend who is struggling with anxiety?” and then drew upon the ancient story of the Book of Job to search for answers. The Book of Job, was written in the 5th or 6th century BC and, much like the contemporaneous Plato’s Dialogues, is structured as a series of conversations between Job and several friends. Job has lost everything – his property, his children, his health. He wonders why God has forsaken him and allowed these horrible things to happen. His friends sit with Job quietly for a few days and offer comfort, but then suggest that he must have done something bad to deserve his punishment, or that perhaps his faith was not strong enough. Hmmm… not much help.
However, there are lessons to be learned from these encounters. First, it’s important to be a good listener and a caring presence. Also, don’t try to answer the “Why me?” question -- it’s best to simply acknowledge a friend’s pain and suffering.
Another friend appears and reminds Job of the greatness of God, whose peace surpasses all understanding. We can find such peace through spiritual practice, religious rituals, quite reflection, and joining in community with others. Perseverance through troubled times also helps. Job never gave up searching for peace and was ultimately rewarded with his happiness restored. A happy ending to life’s travails cannot always be expected, but the message of Job’s story is that we do well if we can be a vehicle for the caring presence and love of God.
Response
Adam Alderson offered the response and thanked Dr. Palmer for his leadership and guidance so that we all can be supportive of those in need.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Hatch
