The Rotary Club of Kent
July 18, 2023
President Asad called the meeting to order at 12:15. Our patriotic song was God Bless
America led by David Dix, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation by
Raloh Kletzien. The club sang “Don’t Fence Me In.”

 

VISITORS
There were no visiting Rotarians. Nathan Howe, newly appointed Senior Pastor at the
United Methodist Church was the guest of Bill Childers.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Amanda Senn announced that the meeting next Tuesday will be held at the KSU Hotel
We will meet at Stanton Middle School on August 15 and meet new Kent teachers. A
special dinner meeting will be held on August 22 at the Venice Café with Chas Madonio
presenting his book, Bars, Bands, and Rock’n Roll.

 

Doug Fuller announced that Tap Talks tonight at North Water Brewing will feature
Christine Craycroft discussing the past, present, and future of Portage Parks.
Larry Lohman invited everyone to sign up for End Polio night at the Guardians game on
August 17 sponsored by Rotary District 6630. See the website to sign up.
Dave Myers encouraged attendance at the Safetytown Park meeting at 11:15 on 7/20 at
Kent City Schools district office.

 

Asad Khan thanked the Fullers and the Kletziens for attending the Rotary Auction
dinner they won at the Khan home. According to Doug Fuller, “It was spicy!” Asad also
noted that the Kent Rotary Board will meet on 7/20 at the Kent Free Library in the
Bumphrey Room.

 

HAPPY BUCKS
Both Rebekah Wright Kulis and Tom Larkin had happy bucks for Kent School Board
members, for retiring Superintendent George Joseph, and for the recently-promoted
Justin Gates and Anthony Horton.

 

Carol Crimi applauded her “Korean Grandsons” Sojin and Weejin for a successful year
at Stanton Middle School.
Roger Sidoti announced the birth of his granddaughter Francis Jane “Frankie.”

 

Roberta O’Keefe congratulated Adam Alderson on his performance in a recent
Weathervane Playhouse production.

 

Doug Fuller spent two weeks in Estonia with his wife and daughter noting that the
Estonians are focused on building their democracy and have embraced an opportunity
many of us take for granted.

 

Larry Lohman announced that District 6630 has chartered a new club – an ”E Club” with
a banner exchange by DG Julie Brandle. He also congratulated his daughter on her
recent baptism.

 

Nithya Ventaraman announced that she is expecting her third child!

 

PROGRAM
Today’s program, introduced by Amanda Senn and emceed by Todd Kamenash, was
all about getting to know our fellow Rotarians. Those present whose birthday falls in
July and randomly selected other members answered a series of twenty questions
about themselves in a minute and a half. We learned new things about many of them
including:

 

David Dix was introduced to Rotary by his father, who was a member. If he could relive
his career he’d “work harder and do a better job.”

 

Lee Higgins once wanted to be an architect but, looking back, he might have found a
rewarding career as an accountant.

 

Roger Kramer was a member of the Marines and has jumped out of airplanes.

 

Nancy Whitehead claimed, but did not prove, that she can make her tongue look like a
three-leaf clover. She loves Bloody Marys

 

Jen Lennox was introduced to Rotary by Sandy Reid. She loves Italy and singing in a
chorus.

 

Asad Khan would like to have a gin and tonic with Mother Theresa.

 

Dave Myers’ first job was delivering newspapers and now enjoys bourbon on the rocks.

 

Roger Kramer’s name was drawn for a free lunch as the club sang Happy Birthday to
July Rotarians.

 

RESPONSE
Todd Kamenash offered the response thanking everyone for participating and helping
us get to know each other better..

 

Respectfully submitted
Thomas Hatch