Byesville Rotary celebrates Christmas by donating to Secret Santa

Pictured: Byesville Rotarians donate gifts to the Secret Santa toy drive: JimVaughan, Marty Patchen, Oziel Jeffries, Phyllis Jeffries, Tom Perkins, Jessica Anker, Sharon Miller, Joe Waske, Dr. Mamidi, Nellie Bichard.

Readings for Dec. 22: December Rotarian

• "World Roundup," p. 14.
• "Really smart phones," p. 23.

Announcements and business:

• Board meeting Thursday, Dec. 19, 12N at Pizza Plus.
• District Conference, May 13-16, 2010, in Athens.
• Fill Christmas Food Baskets, Friday, Dec. 18, beginning 8:00am at the Main Street Methodist Activity Center.
• Distribute Christmas Food Baskets, Saturday, Dec. 19, beginning--for some--at 4:30; for the rest of us--6:30am at the Main Street Methodist Activity Center.

Byesville Rotarians celebrated Christmas early at their Tuesday meeting by bringing toys to be donated to the Secret Santa drive. Club members, lead by Joe “Grizz” Smith, shared thoughts about the value of The Four Way Test which provides an ethical guide for decisions. These four questions are used by Rotarians to encourage and foster ideals of service and to encourage high ethical standards in business and personal dealings.
Rotarians typically start each meeting by reciting the four questions of the test: 1) Is it the truth? 2) Is it fair to all concerned? 3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
In the spirit of the season, festivities continued as club members shared “Happy Thoughts” with each other. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed fellowship with each other while they ate breakfast. Nellie Bichard provided Christmas cards to each member, and names were drawn for gifts. Breakfast was catered by the Byesville Village Market.
In other business, Bob Long, chair of the Christmas Food Basket program, reported that all is going well. Bell ringing and other donations have been good. Club members will continue to celebrate the meaning of Christmas by distributing food baskets to families who registered for the baskets on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Main Avenue Methodist Activity Center between 7:00-11:00am.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, December 22, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Cambridge Writers Workshop visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Joe Waske, Pres. Elect, Cambridge Writers Workshop members--Samuel Besket, Beverly Justice, Jerry Wolfrom, Rich Dair.

Reading for Dec. 15:

• Dec. Rotarian, "Test Results," p. 6 and "Maasai Warrior," p. 13.
  

Business and announcements:

• Next meeting is the annual Christmas party and breakfast catered by Village Market.
• Bring toys to be donated to Angel Tree.
• Fri., Dec 11, at 5:00 pm "Breakfast with Santa" committee members will meet at Stop Nine to decorate for the breakfast.
• "Breakfast with Santa" is Sat., Dec 12 at Stop Nine from 8:00-11:00 am. Bring grandchildren for a photo with Santa and come hungry.
• Bell ringing continues--don't forget to show up for your shift.

Cambridge Writers Workshop (CWW) showcased members’ writing skills by asking Rotary Club members to read several humorous radio scripts written by CWW members. Rotary members discovered some of their members were decent performers, and they got to start the day by sharing laughter.
Jerry Wolfrom explained that the Cambridge Writers Workshop (CWW) was established by people who like to write. Members meet every Thursday at 12N at the Crossroads Branch Library. Anyone interested in the craft of writing is welcome at the workshop meeting or can contact Jerry Wolfrom, 439-5370, spectator2@firewireinternet.com.
Members bring a 500 word essay on an assigned topic to each meeting. During the noon meeting, they read and provide constructive criticism to each other on how to improve their writing. Assignments are varied and can be anything from writing about what a person sees outside his/her kitchen window to writing his/her obituary.
Mr. Wolfrom stated that the club is 2 years old. Roughly 100 people have been members at one time. Currently the workshop had 20 active members. Their interests in writing vary widely. Some members like to write short stories; others prefer history, life experiences, or fantasy.
Club members feel that good writing depends on being able to draw on varied life experiences and spending time and effort writing. Everyone can learn how to write effectively.
CWW has published two books of essays and short stories. Both titles—The Day We Learned to Write and Other Acts of Madness (2008) and Wills Creek Chronicles (2009) are available for borrowing at the Crossroads Branch Library. Copies can be purchased from Workshop members.
Byesville Rotary members were reminded that the next meeting is their annual Christmas party. Members are to bring toys to be donated to Angel Tree.

Byesville Rotary looks forward to Christmas

Pictured: Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President, and Dan Navicky, Don’s sponsor, welcome Don Valentine (center) as newest Byesville Rotary Club member.

Reading: December Rotarian

• "Anonymous donors," p. 48.

Business and announcements:

• The Red Eye Tour project brought in about $1500.


• Officers for 2010 were elected: President-Elect--Tonya Hitchens; Secretary--Shana Fair; Treasurer--Chuck Fair; Board member (3 year term)--Dr. Mamidi; Board member (2 year term)--Jim Vaughan.


• There will be a Christmas breakfast at the December 15 meeting. Bring a toy.


• The next board meeting will be Dec, 17, 12N at Pizza Plus.


• The club will meet on December 22.


• There will be no meeting on December 29.

With visions of candy canes, maple syrup and pancakes dancing in their heads, the members of the Byesville Rotary Club are working hard to finish fund raising for their December Christmas Food Basket project. Their deadline for fundraising is December 19, when baskets will be distributed to families living in the Rolling Hills School District. A final registration for Food Baskets will be held the evening of December 7, 3:00-6:00pm, at the Main Avenue Methodist Activity Center.

On Saturday, December 12, the club is offering local families “Breakfast with Santa.” Breakfast is $5 for adults. Children under 12 are free. Santa and a photographer will be on hand to take pictures with the kids. Photographs are free with the purchase of a breakfast. The breakfast will be held at the Stop Nine Senior Center from 8:00-11:00am.

Byesville Rotary club members and friends of Byesville Rotary are staffing red kettles and ringing bells in Byesville Thursday through Saturday through December 19 at the Byesville Peoples and Advantage Banks. All funds collected in Byesville will be used to purchase items for the food baskets.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, December 8, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.