Byesville Rotary

Meeting time: Friday 7:00 am--8:30 am.

Location: Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville .

Club officers 2023--2024

President--Chuck Fair

President Elect/Vice President--Shana Fair

Treasurer--Tanya Hitchens

Secretary--Jordi Harding

Membership Chairs--Jordi Harding, Lisa Groh

Board members:
Shana Fair--term ends June 2025
Jim Bacos--term ends June 2024
-Jan Wilson-term ends June 2026


Friday, December 23, 2011

Byesville Rotary provides Christmas food baskets to 197 families




Pictured: Front: Rotary members ready for the first family to pick up their Christmas food basket: front--Dennis Harding, Marty Patchen, Don Valentine, Myrna Valentine, Bob Long; back--Evelyn Spring, Chuck Fair, Larry Miller, Jamie Hopps.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!


The Byesville Rotary Christmas food program provided food baskets to 197 families in the Rolling Hills School District. Bob Long, Chair of the Food basket program, and other club members reported on the successful completion of this year’s service project. The club has been providing Christmas food baskets to families in the Rolling Hills School District for over 20 years.
Club members and over 30 students from the Byesville Rotary sponsored Meadowbrook Interact Club worked Friday to sort non-perishable food items and to begin filling boxes in preparation for distribution on Saturday. Students volunteered to pick up donated food items that had been collected at each of the schools in Rolling Hills. As the canned goods and other non-perishable food items arrived at the Main Avenue Methodist Activity Center, Rotary members and Interact students sorted the food by type and began filling boxes with cans of soup, baked beans, canned vegetables, canned fruit, boxes of mac and cheese, Ramon noodles, and bags of cookies.

Early Saturday morning, members arrived to accept delivery of the perishable items destined for the food baskets—turkey, milk, bread, eggs, oleo, potatoes, onions, and oranges. Once the food arrived, a production line was set up to stock boxes and distribution began as families arrived to pick up their food baskets. Volunteers helped families load the food baskets into their cars.

During the meeting, club members also discussed various ways they could improve the program for next year. Club Board members recommended that the club donate $600 to the Salvation Army to help the Army with their Angel Tree effort.

In the Rotary calendar, December is Family Month. During December, Rotarians take time to consider what family means and to celebrate the family of Rotary. It is a big family which includes individual Rotarians from all over the world as well as everyone who becomes involved in Rotary work including people working in the Rotary Foundation as well as every student participating in Rotary youth programs.

Byesville Rotary celebrated the month by inviting speakers who were involved in supporting strong, healthy families. This week the speaker was Pastor Steve Leathley who spoke to the club about family values
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The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Byesville Rotary donates books to Bright Beginnings

Pictured: Wanda Hockenberry Bright Beginnings, and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Reminders:



  • The board meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, December 14, at Plus 1 Pizza in Byesville.

  • Breakfast with Santa was a success thanks to the members of the committee headed by Phyllis and thanks to Santa Claus. Seventy-four adults and 24 children purchased a breakfast. Thirty-seven children under five also attended the breakfast.

  • The Salvation Army needs help sorting gifts. The Byesville gifts are now located at Bill Hartley's house. These gifts will be sorted at his house. Call him for more information.

  • We have 195 families registered for food baskets. We will begin packing on Friday, December 16 at 7:00am at the Main Street Methodist Activity Center.

  • Food baskets will be distributed on Saturday, December 17, at the Activity Center.

  • Bob still needs people to volunteer for bed bucket bell ringing. Call him to volunteer.

  • Phyllis announced that the club will elect a President Elect and a Board member at the next meeting. Dennis Harding and Travis Craig are on the ballot for President-Elect, and Nellie Bichard, Mary Patchen, and Scott Lojas are running for board member.

  • Nellie announced that Debbie Robbins will be hosting a reception for the Irwins at the County Administration Building on Wednesday, December 28, at 3--5:00pm.

Wanda Hockenberry, representing Bright Beginnings Preschool and the Ohio Valley Educational Service Center, accepted a gift of 250 books from the Byesville Rotary. One of the services provide by Bright Beginnings is home visits to help prepare children for classroom work. The books will be given to the children being visited.

Tim Welch, Public Information Officer for the Guernsey County Department of Job and Family Services, presented an overview of the services provided by this agency. The agency provides a wide variety of services aimed at promoting independence and well-being for all individuals and family members. In 2010, Job and Family Services provided help to 1500 people.

The Child Support office can help locate a non-custodial parent or help establish who a child’s father is. Staff members can also help establish and enforce child support and medical support orders. This service includes ensuring that support orders are followed.

Another arm of the agency is responsible for administering the Medicaid program. The Food Assistance Program is designed to improve nutrition and health for individuals living in low-income households. Another program provides temporary assistance for needy families. The assistance is income based and can require people to participate in work activities in order to receive benefits.

Job and Family Services also operates the Guernsey County Opportunity Center currently located at the Job and Family Services main office. The Opportunity Center provides workforce services to employers and to people seeking training or employment. Staff will help job seekers write a resume and/or develop interview skills. They also maintain a list of job opportunities in the Guernsey area.

Job and Family Services is located at 324 Highland Avenue in Cambridge. Office hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am—4:00pm. Offices are closed Saturday and Sunday. The office can be contacted at 740-432-2381. More information can be found at www.gcdjfs.com.

Meadowbrook High School Interact club members attending the meeting were Jessica Haught, Colin Harding, and Samantha Roe.

Bob Long reported that club members are still needed to bell ringing through the week of December before Christmas. He needs volunteers to help with bell ringing through the week before Christmas. Donations from bell ringing are used to support the Byesville Rotary Christmas Food Basket program. Anyone willing to work should call him at 685-2630.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 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 Randy Launder, 740-685-8294

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Byesville Rotary Club ready for Santa Claus’s arrival


Pictured: Byesville Rotary Club members donate gifts to Secret Santa program.

Byesville Rotarians are busy preparing for their Christmas projects. On Saturday, December 10, between 8:30-11:00, at the Stop Nine Senior Center in Byesville, club members will welcome Santa Claus to town with their annual pancake breakfast. Santa will be at the breakfast to talk to the children attending the breakfast.

The club will be serving pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, milk, and coffee. Cooking again this year are Rich Dair, Head Chef, and Larry Miller, Pancake Specialist. Breakfast is $5.00. Pictures with Santa are complementary with the purchase of breakfast. Funds raised at the breakfast will be used by the Rotary to support local service projects such as providing dictionaries for every third grader in Rolling Hills or supplying Christmas food baskets.

Club members celebrated the spirit of Christmas by bringing toys to the Tuesday meeting. The toys will be donated to the Secret Santa program. Tanya Hitchens, Club President, passed out a list of important dates for December. Because of the holiday, the board meeting has been rescheduled for December 15. She encouraged members to participate in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. There are still tags available on the Angel Tree in K-Mart. She reminded members that Christmas food Basket preparation will begin on Friday, December16. Food baskets will be distributed on the following day.

Bell ringers are still needed to help raise funds for the Christmas Food Basket program. Anyone willing to volunteer can call Bob Long, 740-685-3620, to schedule a shift. Donations to support the food basket program are still being sought. Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Bob Long, 740-685-3620, or Chuck Fair, 740-685-2069.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Byesville Rotary learns how Chamber of Commerce nurtures youth leadership



Pictured: John Janczarek, Interact member and Youth Leadership participant; Jo Sexton, President Cambridge Chamber of Commerce; Taylour Kidd, Youth Leadership participant; Dalton Singleton, Interact member and Youth Leadership participant; Rachael Jirles, Interact member and Youth Leadership participant; and Tori Sullivan, Youth Leadership Participant.

Jo Sexton, President of the Chamber of Commerce in the Cambridge area, described the Leadership Guernsey program to club members. The goal of the 10 month program is to improve leadership skills in local community members. One of the unique features of this program is that both adults and students are invited to participate. Several of the training sessions are held jointly allowing adults and students to learn from each other.

Training programs begin in September with a retreat which serves as an orientation to the program. Programs are developed by a 15 member Steering Committee. Members of this committee are drawn from graduates of the Leadership Guernsey training program.

Ten programs—one a month--are held. Topics covered by the training sessions include economic development, government and connections with the outside world, business and innovation and technical expertise, law enforcement and problem solving, communication and media, health care and championing change, educations and establishing “stretch” goals, and community service and relationships. The final session combines project presentations with graduation.

At the end of each session, participants are asked to write down answers to three questions: “What three things did you learn today?”, “Which of the three things do you consider the most important?”, and “What would you like to learn more about?”

Rachael Jirles, Dalton Singleton, John Janczarek, all members of the Meadowbrook High School Interact Club and Leadership Guernsey participants, plus Taylour Kidd and Tori Sullivan, Leadership Guernsey participants spoke to club members about what they enjoyed most about program. Rachael stated that she “…liked to be surrounded by people who really cared about what they are doing.” Tori liked working with adults, and John enjoyed planning for the capstone project. Taylour stated that she was impressed by “…learning about what goes on behind the scenes,” while Dalton liked seeing how all the different organizations came together.

Due to the holidays, the club board meeting will be held December 15. Nominating committee members are to attend. Club members will be bell ringing during the week in Byesville. Donations collected will be used to support the Byesville Rotary Christmas Food Basket Program. The club is responsible for providing food for about 200 families.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Byesville Rotarians updated on their Foundation



Pictured: Jan Wilson, Byesville Rotary Foundation Chair; Tracy Mann, Outreach and Donor Service Assistant, the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

In 2005, the Byesville Rotary established a Foundation with a gift of $6800. Today, the Foundation balance is almost $20,000. Byesville Rotary intends their Foundation to be an investment in the future of students enrolled at Meadowbrook High School. To insure that future, the Byesville Rotary Foundation was established as an endowed designated fund which means that the principal is never spent. Only interest and earnings are used for providing scholarships.

Byesville Rotary uses Foundation funds to provide a minimum of $2000 a year in scholarships to Meadowbrook students who plan to continue their education after high school graduation. The fund is supported in part by an annual golf tournament sponsored by the Byesville Rotary. Funds raised by the golf tournament are contributed to the Foundation. In this way, Byesville Rotary hopes to insure a better future for the students in their service area.

Tracy Mann, Outreach and Donor Services Assistant from The Foundation of Appalachian Ohio (FAO), explained to club members how partnering with the FAO benefits small organizations such as the Byesville Rotary. The FAO provides expertise and administrative support that many organizations do not have easily available

Ms. Mann pointed out that some of the benefits of partnering with FAO include investment oversight and expertise as well as administrative support for accounting, deposits, check writing and technical assistance with planned giving or other special gifts. These services allow the Byesville Club to focus on its service projects rather than on the administration of the fund.

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio was created in 1998 with a $1 million state challenge grant. Its mission was “to enrich the current and future quality of life in the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio.” To date the Foundation has awarded more than $2 million in grants to community initiatives. In addition, FAO partners with local communities and organizations, like the Byesville Rotary, to support philanthropic efforts. More information about FAO activities can be found at www.appalachianohio.org.

Madison Butcher and Andrea Broom represented the Meadowbrook Interact Club at the meeting. Bob Long reminded club members to show up for their red bucket and bell ringing shifts which begin next week. He still has open slots and is looking for additional volunteers.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 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 Randy Launder, 740-685-8294

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Past district governor advises Rotarians to invest in the future



Pictured: Tom Kokensparger,Past District Governor, and Marty Patchen, Membership Co-Chair, greet newest Byesville member, Rich Goodwin.

“Rotarians can invest in the future,” Tom Kokensparger said, “by contributing to the Rotary International (RI) Foundation.” He explained that Rotary encourages giving in three areas. Donations can be made 1) to the annual fund, 2) to special efforts such as the Polio Plus program, and 3) finally to the permanent fund which functions like an endowment.

The RI Foundation, established in 1982, provides long-term stability for Rotary service projects and can be used to supplement Rotary programs through lean fund raising years. Donations can be made in a wide variety of ways. Cash from the RI Foundation is used to support local and international humanitarian projects.

Projects supported include the establishment of a heart clinic in Lima, Peru. The clinic is now self-supporting and providing training to doctors. Locally, funds are used to support Rotary Simplified Grants such as the $2000 grant used by the West Laffette Rotary to provide a catalyst to raise funds used to construct 3 ball diamonds for local kids.

Kokensparger pointed out that donating to the RI Foundation meets his “4 wins” test: Rotarians can win by making a major gift to Rotary service projects, by receiving an immediate tax benefit for their gifts, by reducing their capital gains through the donation of appreciated property, and by receiving a lifetime income via a Life Income Agreement based on the size of their gift.

Meadowbrook Interact members Rachel Jirles and Andrew Nameth attended the Rotary meeting and reported that the Interact Club is working on a canned food drive. Food collected through their drive will be used to support the Byesville Christmas Food Basket Program.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 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 Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Byesville Rotary welcomes new member


Pictured: Rich Goodwin, new Byesville Rotary member, and Shana Fair, sponsor.

Club members were updated about the progress of current club projects at the monthly business meeting. During the meeting, Rich Goodwin was inducted as the club’s newest member. Goodwin is the Director of the Guernsey County Public Library.

Bob Long, chair of the Christmas Food Basket Program, asked club members to volunteer for bell ringing in Byesville. Bell ringing begins the third week in November. He thanked Meadowbrook Interact Club members and their advisor, Sharon Miller, for their support of the bell ringing effort.

Long pointed out that over 200 families have already registered for the food basket program. He will not know the final total until after the last two registrations sessions are held. Fund raising is crucial for the club to provide for all who have registered for food baskets. Anyone wishing to donate can call Bob Long at 685-3620.

Two more registration sessions are scheduled on Thursday and Friday, November 3 and 4, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Main Avenue Methodist Church Activity Center located behind the church in Byesville. Call 685-3620 or 638-2290 for more information about the food basket registration.

Jim Vaughan, co-chair of the Breakfast with Santa committee, asked club members to reserve Saturday, December 10, for the club’s annual Breakfast with Santa fundraiser. Breakfast will be served 8:30-11:00am at the Stop Nine Senior Center. Santa will be attending the breakfast. Pictures with Santa are free with purchase of breakfast. Tickets will be $5.00. Menu will be pancakes, eggs, bacon, juice, and coffee.

Joe Waske reported that plans to celebrate the club’s 25th anniversary are being finalized. He asked club members to help him identify past presidents and charter members. The anniversary celebration will be held in conjunction with the club’s changing of the Guard dinner in June.

Club members will celebrate Christmas at their December 6th meeting. Members are asked to bring toys to be donated to the Secret Santa program. Breakfast will be provided during the regular meeting time.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 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 Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Byesville Rotary announces Christmas Food Basket registration dates



Pictured: Jim Vaughan, Speaker Chair; Charles Campanizzi, Historian; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Byesville Rotarians are focused on their big holiday service project—their 16th annual Christmas Food Basket drive. Members will begin red-kettle bell ringing in November. Volunteers are needed for bell ringing shifts. Joe Waske thanked the members of the Meadowbrook Interact Club who have signed up for multiple shifts. He challenged Rotary members to match or beat the number of hours the Interact club is scheduled to bell ring. Anyone wishing to volunteer for bell-ringing can call Waske at 740-685-6675.

Registration for food baskets will be held Thursday and Friday, November 3 and 4, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Main Avenue United Methodist Activity Center located behind the church, 223 E. Main Street, Byesville. No registrations by phone will be accepted. Families living in Rolling Hills School District are eligible to register for this program.

People interested in registering should bring SSN for all family members, proof of income and proof of current address to the registration. For more information about the Byesville Rotary program call Byesville Rotarians Bob Long, 740-685-3620, or Oziel Jeffries, 740-638-2290.

Phyllis Jeffries, chair of the Breakfast with Santa committee, announced that the date for the club’s annual pancake breakfast with Santa will be Saturday, December 10.

Sharon Miller reported that the Interact club raised $220 dollars at their “Purple Pinkie” fundraiser which was held during lunch hour at Meadowbrook High School on October 14. The funds raised will be donated to Rotary International’s Polio Plus campaign to wipe out polio. This project will help the Interact Club qualify for a R otary Presidential Citation.

Byesville Rotary welcomed a new member--Rich Goodwin, Director of the Guernsey County Public Library.

Guest Speaker, Charles Campanizzi a retired educator shared his perspective on the Kennedy assignation in Dallas with members of the club. Campanizzi has spent 43 years studying the assassination and feels there is still more to discover.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Barnett reports radio is poised to adapt new technology to news reporting



Pictured: Jim Vaughan, Speaker Chair, Daniel Barnett, News Director, AVC Communications. And Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Meeting change: Board meeting will be 12N Wednesday, October 16, at Plus 1 Pizza in Byesville.

Guest speaker, Daniel Barnett is employed as the news director of AVC Communications. He is responsible for overseeing the news content of 6 local radio stations.

Mr. Barnett stated he decided to become a journalist because writing is a personal passion. He chose radio journalism because of the intimacy radio can create between the listener and the radio.

He explained a second reasonfor choosing journalism was his admiration for journalists like Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. These men helped shape journalism in the 20th Century and worked to establish journalism as “just the facts.” This approach differed from that of earlier reporters who focused on politics and sensationalism.

However, in the latter part of the 20th century, news reporting began a return to the type of journalism practiced during the early years of the US. News again became combined with politics and sensationalism. Currently, the internet allows people access to all kinds of news sources. Many of these sources can be careless of the facts, and others present only facts supporting a specific point of view.

AVC Communications depends on other news sources for much of the news reported by the station. Most of the reports come from Associated Press Services. Barnett bases his choice on what news to broadcast by determining whether a news item has any local interest. He has a small staff and uses them to cover local news such as local government meetings and checking local police reports.

He stated that all types of journalism—TV, radio, and print--are about to enter a new era and that the American public is ready to support a return to “just the facts” reporting. He explained that radio is better prepared than print to take advantage of current trends in technology such as Twitter or FaceBook. These trends allow for faster reporting and updating and allow interaction with the listener. Radio is already employing technology such as pod casting and streaming.

During a short business meeting, Meadowbrook Interact Club members Erin Smith and Jaclyn Beskid were introduced. Bob Long encouraged members to sign up for red kettle bell ringing. Money raised from the bell ringing is important for club support of their Christmas Food Basket program.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 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 Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Byesville Rotary learns about motivating students to learn



Pictured: Jim Vaughan, Speaker Host; Rusty Roberts, teacher--Rolling Hills School District; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Sharon Miller introduced visiting Meadowbrook Interact Club students Annie Kackley and Rylie Janczarek. They invited club members to the Interact Club’s “Purple Pinkies” fundraiser being held on Friday, October 14, 11:00am-12:30pm in the Meadowbrook High School cafeteria. The Interact Club will donate funds raised to the Rotary International Polio Plus Program. This program aims to end polio worldwide.

Rusty Roberts spoke to the club about efforts to improve the quality of education in Rolling Hills. He has taught for over 36 years in Rolling Hills School district and has been nominated twice for “Ohio Teacher of the Year.” Currently, he is serving on a state advisory council to improve quality of Health Education in Ohio.

Mr. Roberts developed a classroom program which uses community-based agencies to expand learning opportunities in the classroom. This classroom program has been nominated twice for the Magna Award which is a national award recognizing outstanding educational practices.

Mr. Roberts stated that bringing real-life experiences into the classroom motivates students and inspires them to learn. Classes are designed to get kids involved in the planning and learning process in the classroom. He has successfully applied this method in his middle school classes which are student driven. For example, recently his class researched bath salts, a topic suggested by a student. Students researched the project and presented the results of their research in the classroom.

The benefits of a classroom program which involves local community-based agencies include introducing students to services they may eventually need to use as they graduate and move into the world of work. Students are also are motivated to learn by being introduced to real life experiences. They begin to see there is a connection between what they are learning in school and the life skills they will need to be successful once they graduate.

For example, in one class presentation a speaker presented a program on current tax law. Following the presentation, the students filled out state, and federal tax forms.

Byesville Rotary will begin registration for their Christmas Food Basket program on Wednesday, October 19, and Thursday, October 20. Registration will be 9:00AM-12N at the Main Avenue Methodist Church Activity Center located behind the church at 223 E. Main, Byesville. No registrations by phone will be accepted. For more information call Bob Long 740-685-3620, or Oziel Jeffries, 740-638-2290.
Members were asked to help raise funds for the food basket program by signing up for red bucket bell ringing shifts. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the food basket program can call Bob Long or contact any Byesville Rotary member.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 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 Randy Launder, 740-685-8294

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Byesville Rotary announces registration for 16th annual Christmas Food Basket program

Byesville Rotary invites families living in Rolling Hills School District to register for Christmas food baskets on Wednesday, October 19, and Thursday, October 20. Registration will be held 9:00 am-12N at the Main Avenue United Methodist Activity Center located behind the church, 223 E. Main Street, Byesville. No registrations by phone will be accepted.

Byesville Rotary co-partners with the Salvation Army to provide holiday food baskets. Rotary members of the Byesville club have taken responsibility for providing baskets for families living in the Rolling Hills School District—while the Salvation Army provides for the north half of the county.

Families interested in registering should bring SSN for all family members, proof of income and proof of current address to the registration. For more information about the Byesville Rotary program call Byesville Rotarians Bob Long, 740-685-3620, or Oziel Jeffries, 740-638-2290.

Bob Long, chair of the Byesville Rotary Food Basket program, reported, “The need is great but donations are coming in slowly.” Last year Byesville Rotary distributed baskets to over 200 families. Club members have two months to meet their fundraising goals for this project. To make donations, contact any Byesville Rotary member or Bob Long.

As part of this effort, Byesville Rotarians will be staffing red buckets and ringing bells in two Byesville locations beginning in November. Funds donated to red buckets in Byesville will be spent locally to purchase food items for the baskets. One dollar donations combined with other dollar donations can make a big difference in helping to fill the food baskets.

Byesville Rotary will also be working with the Meadowbrook Interact Club to collect non-perishable food. Food items collected in the Rolling Hills schools will be used to fill food baskets. All types of non-perishable food items will be collected by the students. A can of soup, or beans or a package of mac and cheese can make a big difference.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

RYLA students speak to Byesville Rotary about leadership

RYLA stands for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program. This program, sponsored by local Rotary clubs, trains high school students in leadership, citizenship, and personal growth. The Byesville Rotary sponsored Brittany Shelton and Brooke Aleshire at the first annual District 6690 RYLA Youth Conference held at OU in Athens.

In order to qualify for sponsorship, Brittany and Brook submitted an application which included a brief essay describing why they would be an appropriate candidate for the conference and submitted a recommendation from a school administer.

Brook and Brittany were clearly enthusiastic about their experiences at the conference. They explained that RYLA is an intensive training program for young community leaders. The 21/2 days they spent at the conference were packed with hands on activities designed to help students develop character, self-confidence, and self-esteem. They also worked on developing leadership and problem-solving skills.

Their favorite part of the conference was the American RYLA Idol activity. Teams of students were challenged to do a skit dealing with one of the 6 pillars of character: caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness, or citizenship. The skits were goofy but everyone learned a lot about each of the pillars. Because the skits were interactive, the students learned to think on the spot in order to respond to unexpected questions and situations.

Brittany and Brook both felt that training like that offered at the RYLA conference helped changed how they approached life. They both feel they are more pro-active and willing to get involved in activities.

They have convinced the Meadowbrook Interact club to sponsor a “Purple Pinkie Day” to raise funds to help eliminate polio. Each $1.00 donation will pay to immunize 1 child. Donors will have their pinkies colored purple to represent that child that their dollar will help immunize.

The 2012 RYLA Youth Conference will be held July 19-21, 2012. Attendees will be limited to 96 students. Based on Brook and Brittany’s experience at the first conference, Byesville Rotary intends to continue to sponsor Meadowbrook student attendance at the 2ed RYLA Conference.

Byesville Rotary has begun working with the Cambridge Salvation Army to provide Christmas food baskets to local families. Byesville will announce dates for Rolling Hills School District families to register for baskets in the near future.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Rotary District Governor speaks at Byesville Rotary



Pictured: Front row: Brent Rosenthal, District Governor, Brooke Aleshire, Trilyn Treherne, Tessa Bickford, Brittany Shelton. Back Row: Tany Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President, Karli Tellep, Jessica George, and Sharon Miller, Interact Advisor.

During his visit to Byesville Rotary, District 6690 Governor Brent Rosenthal, emphasized Rotary values are meant to be acted upon. He explained that the 2012 year’s theme, “Reach within to embrace humanity” is meant to remind Rotarians everyone shares similar needs, problems, and dreams. The goal of many Rotarian service projects is intended to help alleviate or solve shared problems and needs.

Gov. Rosenthal is challenging Rotary clubs in district 6690 to focus on providing service in two areas. He reminded club members that club members are Rotaries most important customers. A club’s members transform club values into action and spread the value of service out into the community. Clubs have a responsibility to engage their members in service projects by tapping into each member’s passion for service. In practice this means that each club must provide different opportunities for members to become involved. Rotary allows each club the flexibility to define for itself what areas of service members would like to pursue.

His second focus is reducing hunger in Ohio. Governor Rosenthal would like each Rotary club in within the club’s service area to identify at least three service projects addressing the problem of hunger. District 6690 is very diverse including both the richest and poorest zip codes in the state. Hunger is a problem in every community in District 6690. He stated that he is proud that Rotary is one of the few organizations in the world that is able to respond to this type of need

Byesville Rotary Club has focused on hunger for many years. The club supports an annual Christmas Food Basket program which provides food to between 200—250 families each year. The club also makes a donation to a local food pantry each month and has supported the summer school lunch program.

DG also announced to club members that district is interested in helping individual clubs let their communities know what service projects the club is involved in. The district is providing grants to clubs to support a public relations effort. He encouraged Byesville to consider applying for a grant.

Governor Rosenthal was introduced to the officers of the Byesville Rotary sponsored Meadowbrook Interact Club, a service club for students between 14-18. The Meadowbrook Interact Club is one of only 30 in the District.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Byesville Rotary hears about local international company



Pictured: Chuck Fair, Speaker Host; John Kasinecz, Plant Manager Island Aseptics; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

John Kasinecz, plant manager of Island Asceptics, stated that this company which is based in Byesville, has an international business. Products made in the Byesville plant are shipped to 15 countries in the western hemisphere as well as South Africa and China. One of the reasons for choosing Byesville for the plant location is the easy access to two major interstates.

The plant, located at 100 Hope Road in Byesville, operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 51 weeks a year. Six processing and 11 packaging lines are located in a 163,000 square foot space. The local plant has 100 full time employees. Kasinecz explained that business is seasonal. In March through August, production increases. During the high production months, the plant employees 250 people.

International headquarters for the company is located in Walpole, Massachusetts. The headquarters houses the marketing and sales staff. The Byesville plant has the operational expertise and produces products such as beverages, smoothies and bar mixes, and fruit juice concentrates.

Kasinecz pointed out that Island Aseptics is currently the leader in the production of frozen drink concentrates and mixes. The company’s expertise enables them to produce sterile—aseptic—beverages or mixes, put the product into a sterile package, and seal the package so that the beverage will last indefinitely and will not need refrigerated. Getting all the steps exactly right is vital. Island Aseptics prides itself on their quality control and ability to produce products that meet quality standards.

Island Aseptics provides products to restaurants, schools, and the military. This business is bigger than the food business. Some of their customers include Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Restaurants, Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines, Applebee’s, Olive Garden and Red Lobster, Wal-Mart, Gatorade, Welch’s, ALDI, Kroger, Del Monte, and Procter & Gamble. Byesville residents will have enjoyed one of the company’s products if they ever ordered a fruit smoothie from McDonalds.

Tanya Hitchens reminded club members that next week’s meeting will be a membership breakfast and that the District Governor will be visiting. All club members were asked to invite a prospective member to the breakfast.

Sharon Miller, Interact club advisor, introduced Trislyn Treherne, Interact club secretary, and Karli Tellep, Interact club treasurer. Trislyn and Karli spoke to the club about their school and Internet activities.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Chicken BBQ CANCELED

The chicken BBQ scheduled for September 10 has been canceled.

Meadowbrook Interact club officers visit Byesville Rotary



Pictured: Sharon Miller, Interact Advisor; Tessa Bickford, Interact President; Jessica George, Interact Board Member and Interact Photographer; and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Announcements:
-- NYC Red Eye trip has been canceled.
-- Please remember to register for the District Seminar on Saturday,
September 24---http://www.district6690.org/index.php?id=13137

Teresa Bickford, President of Interact, and Jessica George, Interact Board member and club photographer, gave a brief report to Byesville Rotary about Interact plans for the coming year.

The club is considering several types of service projects for the coming year. Interact clubs are expected to complete at least two community service projects a year. Club members are considering the following projects for 2011-12—Pennies for Polio, raising money for a Shelterbox, helping the Byesville Rotary collect and distribute food for the Rotary’s Christmas Food basket program, and sponsoring a talent show.

Interact clubs are Rotary’s service clubs for young people ages 14-18. Rotary clubs sponsor Interact clubs in order to encourage the development of leadership skills and personal integrity, encourage an appreciation of individual responsibility and hard work in young people.

The Meadowbrook club is sponsored by the Byesville Rotary Club. Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting. Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single gender or mixed, large or small. They can draw from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools in the same community.

The members of the Meadowbrook Interact Club are joining the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service. There are more than 10,700 Interact clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas with members totaling almost 200,000 young people.

At the Rotary business meeting, Tanya Hitchens reminded members that the District Governor will visit the club at the September 20 meeting. A membership breakfast will also be held on the 20th. Current members are asked to invite prospective members to the breakfast. Reservations for the breakfast are needed by September 13. There will also be an evening reception on Monday or club members to meet the District Governor.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Local business topic of Byesville Rotary meeting



Pictured: Dennis Harding, Byesville Rotary guest speaker.

Guest speaker for the meeting was Dennis Harding who was asked to present some information about his employer—Fabri-Form.

Harding is native to area. Both he and his wife attended Meadowbrook High School. He went on to get a degree in mechanical Engineering at the University of Akron and continued his education by getting an Executive MBA at OU Lancaster.

He is a long time employee at Fabri Form. He began as a production supervisor and worked up to a managerial position. Currently he is the purchasing and materials manager. Fabri Form has corporate headquarters in New Concord and plants in Byesville and Indiana. Harding reported that Fabri Form employs between 40-60 people in Byesville and another 40-60 in New Concord. The company has been able to maintain business during the recent recession by being flexible and changing as the market changes. In 2009, the business began to grow again and currently growth is strong.

Fabri-Form supports several local service activities such as a Relay For Life Team and the local Red Cross Blood Drive.

Harding explained that Fabri-Form is a private company and was established in 1943 in Byesville. It is still owned and managed by the second generation of the founders .The business originally fabricated and formed plastic parts. During WWII, the company manufactured fighter plane carapaces for the war effort. More recently, the company manufactured face masks for astronauts including John Glenn and produced fire shields for fighter pilots.

Harding reported that at present the company has 3 product lines. The company produces a custom transport packaging which is the size of a standard pallet and can be reused. The second product line manufactures original equipment components such as parts for semi-trucks. This line helped Fabri-Form become a tier 1 supplier for several large truck manufacturers such as Freightliner. In a third line, Fabri-Form makes packaging that is designed to contain a product in such as way that the product will not shift or move during shipping.

Tanya Hitchens, club president, reminded members of several important dates and activities. The Red Eye trip to NYC has been cancelled for this year. The club is supporting a Red Cross Blood drive September 7 at Stop Nine Church of Christ Youth Center in Byesville. Because Hurricane Irene led to cancellation of many blood drives, blood is needed. Club members were encouraged to donate. The club will be holding a chicken BBQ Saturday, September 10 and workers are still needed. Monies raised from the BBQ will be shared with Byesville Volunteer Fire Department.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Byesville Rotary sponsoring Red Eye to New York City fundraiser

Announcements:
* The District Govenor will be attending the September 20 meeting. There will also be a membership breakfast at this meeting. All members are asked to invite a prospective member to this meeting.

* There will be a reception with the District Govenor at 6:00pm on Monday night, September 19, at the Colonel Taylor Inn. All members are invited to attend. Board members should plan to attend.

* Workers are needed for the September 11 Chicken BBQ. so far only 6 people have signed up.

* The bus tour to New York City fundraiser needs to have more seats sold or it will have to be cancelled for this year.

* Members are invited to bring ideas for new fundraisers to the next meeting.

Byesville Rotary members are selling tickets for a trip to New York City. This fundraiser will raise money to support various local service projects supported by the Byesville club such as the Christmas Food Basket Program or the club’s literacy projects. The tour will leave for New York City the evening of November, Friday 11, and will return the morning of Sunday, November 13.

The New York trip is planned just at the beginning of the shopping season for Christmas presents. New York stores will be full of new ideas for the new year. Shopping is not the only attraction the Big Apple has to offer. On the last trip, several of the tour participants Rotary travelers took in a New York play. This November the musicals Book of Mormon, Spiderman, Jersey Boys (the story of the Four Seasons), and Wicked will be playing on November 12.

Other members of the bus trip toured choose to see the Empire State building and the Statue of Liberty. Others decided to enjoy the great food available in the Big Apple.

A seat on the bus can be reserved by contacting Tanya Hitchens at 740-581-2099 or jjhitchens@yahoo.com. The total cost of the bus trip is $99. Fifty dollars is due to reserve a seat

Trips were the topic of the day at the meeting. Dr. Mamidi, a club member, shared a picture montage of a trip he took to Russia. He and his wife took a 2 week river cruise that started in St. Petersburg and finished in Moscow. The couple toured the Hermitage which was once a Tsar’s palace and now contains one of the largest art collections in the world.

The Peterhof Palace was the highlight of his trip. Dr. Mamidi stated, “I saw the most beautiful garden I have ever seen.” He went on to explain that none of the many fountains in this garden used pumps. Each fountain was powered by natural gravity as the water flowed from its source in the mountains down to the gardens.

He and his wife also saw many churches which he pointed out are very different from Western churches because each is capped with an onion dome. Dr. Mamidi was told that the onion domes were meant to collect prayers.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Rotary sponsored ShelterBoxes serve disaster victims



Pictured: Sharon Miller, Guest Speaker, and Oziel Jeffries, President-Elect of Byesville Rotary.

No reading assignment for next week. Bring your dollars, the Sgt. of Arms will be bringing the trivia book.

The Board meeting has been moved to Wednesday, August 24, 12n at Plus 1 Pizza in Byesville.

The meeting date with the District Governer has changed. This change also affects the membership breakfast. More information to come.

The club voted to provide $50.00 for a memorial gift for Rom.

Keep selling tickets for the NYC Red Eye Trip. Deadline to reserve seats is Sept. 1. Seats can be reserved with a $50 deposit by the deadline date.

Sharon Miller, guest speaker, at Byesville Rotary, described the ShelterBox program to club members. She explained that ShelterBoxes, also known as “big green boxes,” were developed to be delivered to disaster sites. The boxes contain basic tools and supplies that people need for survival after a disaster hits.

The boxes are the brainchild of Tom Henderson, a Rotarian in England, who established the program in 2000. ShelterBoxes contain survival supplies to support up to 10 people. Contents include a tent, a water purifier, a cook stove and utensils, blankets, children’s activities and basic tools like shovels. The basic contents are supplemented by tools and supplies customized for the climate and the type of disaster. The distinctive green boxes are often the first aid that arrives in a disaster area.

The program depends on donations and volunteers to educate people about the program and to pack and distribute boxes. The goal of the ShelterBox program is to help at least 500,000 people every year. The cost of donating 1 box is $1000 which covers all the contents of the box and shipping.

Rotarians play a big part of the ShelterBox program. To date over 5000 Rotary clubs have participated in the program and have supplied about 50% of all boxes donated.

In 10 years, ShelterBoxes have been sent to victims of 140 disasters in 70 countries. In the United State, ShelterBoxes were sent to victims of Katrina and to survivors of the tornadoes in Arkansas. A ShelterBox Response team worked with the local Rotary Club and Boy Scout troop to distribute boxes to families who had lost everything. The ShelterBoxes provided shelter for about 50 families including 35 children,

Each box is pre-packed so that response to a disaster can be immediate. Each box given a unique number—donors can track where the box they have sponsored is sent. More information about ShelterBoxes is available at www.shelterboxusa.org.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Mid Ohio Foodbank encourages Byesville Rotary to fight hunger in Guernsey County



Pictured: Colin Baumgartner, Communications Director for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Chicken BBQ this Saturday, August 13, at the Rotary Gazebo at the corner of Main and 2ed. streets in Byesville. Chicken sales will begin about 10:00am and continue until chickens are gone. Rotary members are invited to work a shift or drop by and buy a chicken--they are delicious.

A speaker is still needed for the August 30th meeting. Contact Tanya if you know someone who would be willing to speak.

The first meeting of September will be the District Governor's visit. Board members and officers should plan to stay after the regular meeting for a short meeting with the DG. This meeting will also be a membership breakfast. Tanya is asking each club member to invite a guest who is interested in joining Rotary. Deadline for a breakfast headcount is August 30. Please invite a guest by than. Thank you.

Ticket sales for the Red Eye to New York have begun. Flyers will be available next week. All members are asked to sell at least one ticket. Tanya would like to fill two buses this year--that totals about 108 tickets.

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“Records kept by the Mid-Ohio Foodbank reveal that in 2010 there were over 37,000 requests for food at local Guernsey County food pantries,” stated Colin Baumgartner, Communications Director for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.”Twenty six percent of those requests came from children and 28% from seniors over 60.” Over 728,000 pounds of food was supplied to Guernsey County partner agencies. Over 220,000 pounds of the food supplies was fresh produce.

The mission of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank is fourfold. In addition to collecting and distributing food, the Foodbank also works to education communities about hunger, advocates for hunger programs, and collaborates with other agencies to reduce hunger in Ohio.

Local agencies collaborating with the Mid-Ohio Foodbank include the Food Pantry at the Main Street United Methodist Church in Byesville, the Pleasant City Food Pantry, the Byesville Assembly of God, and the Salvation Army.

The Mid-Ohio Foodbank is able to leverage the value of all cash donations. For every $1.00 donated, the Foodbank is able to distribute $8.00 of groceries.

The Mid-Ohio Foodbank serves 20 counties in the mid-section of Ohio, stretching from Union county west of Columbus east to Belmont County on the Ohio River. Within this area, over 500 local agencies work to provide food to senior citizens, homeless citizens, afterschool programs, soup kitchens, and food pantries. It is a big job—80% of the food offered by local agencies comes from the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

Thirty-five per cent of food bank users are working families who are struggling to get by. Their struggle tends to be temporary. Families want to get back on their feet and support themselves. Providing food to these families is the first step to recovery. Most are able to provide for themselves within a year. Almost half of the food distributed goes to the most vulnerable citizens—kids under 18 and seniors over 60.

More information about the work of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank can be found at www.midohiofoodbank.org.

Byesville Rotary 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Operation Hometown Outreach visits Byesville Rotary



Pictured: Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President, Connie Finton, Operation Hometown Outreach.

Warning: the Sgt. at Arms is being VERY creative with questions for fines. Be prepared for anything.

Connie Finton, a volunteer speaker for Operation Hometown Outreach, states that many people are moving away from farms and as a result “...many children do not know where food comes from.” She went on to report that when asked, many children will answer that they get food from McDonalds and others will say “the grocery store.” Fewer and fewer children are aware that the things they eat and drink are produced on a farm and are the result of lots of hard work.

The organization she belongs to, Operation Hometown Outreach, is trying to change that perception. One of their goals is to provide speakers to groups and reintroduce people to the farmers that supply the food in the grocery stores.

Finton is one half of a farm team. She and her husband own Carlene Farm in Tuscararus County. Carlene Farms produces safe dairy products for families .Their farm is family run with no outside help. Help is provided by three of her grandchildren who want to go into farming. The grandchildren will be the 5th generation of Fintons to work the Carlene Farm. Finton and her family consider themselves caretakers of the land and the animals they raise.

Holstein dairy cows are the heart of their farm. On average, the farm has a herd of 85-90 cows that are providing milk. Additionally, there will be a smaller herd of cows that are dry or are expecting calves. Taking care of this many large animals is hard work.

Good care is important because the cows represent a big investment and because the Fintons depend on the animals for their livelihood. Finton said that her family takes good care of their animals because “…it is the right thing to do,” and because if they don’t, the farm will not make any money

Her cows stay in an open sided building that provides shade. The building is furnished with a large waterbed which the cows love so much they don’t like to leave the building. The cows are milked twice at day—at 5:30 am and 5:00 pm. Milking takes about 3 hours for a herd of 90 cows. Dairy farming is a 365 day a year job with no vacations. Cows need milked every day—no exceptions.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 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 Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Bright Beginnings and Byesville Rotary share interest in children’s literacy


Pictured: Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President and Lynne Beros, Director, Bright Beginnings Pre-School Program.

Chicken BBQ Saturday. If you aren't working, come byy and purchase a chicken.

Reading for next week: July Rotarian, "Our better angels,: pp. 30-35.

Lynne Beros, Director of the Bright Beginnings Pre-School Program offered by the Ohio Valley Educational Service Center, explained what her program offers to improve literacy skills in Guernsey County. Bright Beginnings provides early learning programs for pre-school children in the Cambridge, East Guernsey and Rolling Hills school districts and for schools in Noble and Monroe counties.

Byesville Rotary has strong interest in literacy and shares concerns for literacy development with Bright Beginnings programs. Rotary International encourages all Rotary clubs o become involved in literacy service projects. One of Byesville’s on-going literacy projects has been to provide dictionaries to each 3rd grade student in the Rolling Hills schools.

Bright Beginnings assesses a child’s development in several areas such as literacy, physical development and social and emotional development. If the assessment indicates the child would benefit from the Bright Beginnings program, the child is recommended for pre-school services. Many children qualify for the program free of charge based on their developmental need or their family’s income level.

Beros pointed out “…research indicates that the size of a child’s vocabulary at the time the child enters kindergarten is an accurate predictor of school success.” The larger the vocabulary, the better the child will do in his or her school career. Since 85% of a child’s brain develops by age 3, it is important for the child to begin developing literacy skills as early as possible.

In the state of Ohio about 30% of children entering Kindergarten need intervention services like those provided by Bright Beginnings. This means that almost 40,000 children whose literacy skills are below average enter Kindergarten each year. Intervention services offered by Bright Beginnings help a child develop important basic education and literacy skills. Bright Beginnings programs introduce children to many different kinds of books and encourage children to develop an interest in reading and writing.

Staff members at Bright Beginnings are licensed by the state of Ohio and are required to have professional degrees. The current staff of 58 includes teachers, aides, psychologists occupational and physical therapists, administrators, and a nurse. The Guernsey County staff is currently serving 475 students at various schools in Guernsey County.

For more information about Bright Beginnings programs and services, contact Carmen Feldner, 740-435-0320 ex 22, or Wanda Hockenberry, 740-435-0320 ex 30.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Three Byesville Rotarians become Paul Harris Fellows


Pictured: Byesville Rotary Club’s newest Paul Harris Fellows: Oziel Jeffries and Shana Fair. Not pictured, Dr. Mamidi.

Oziel Jeffries, Dr. Mamidi, and Shana Fair were presented with the emblems earned by Rotarians who become Paul Harris Fellows. They were presented with a Paul Harris Medallion, a Paul Harris Fellow pin, and a certificate recognizing their commitment to the objectives and mission of Rotary International.

The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for Paul Harris who founded Rotary with three business associates. It was established in 1957 in honor of Mr. Harris. Rotarians become Paul Harris Fellows when they contribute $1000 to The Rotary Foundation. Funds from The Rotary Foundation are used for a variety of humanitarian and educational programs that save and invigorate the lives of people around the world and that enhance international friendship and understanding. This Foundation helps fund Rotarian efforts to provide food, potable water, immunizations and shelter for millions of people.

Monies from The Rotary Foundation return to local clubs when the club applies for a Simplified Grant. These grants are used by clubs to support local service projects. In the past, Byesville Rotary has used funds from the Rotary Foundation to support its annual Christmas Food Basket program.

Jeffries, Mamidi, and Fair join 13 other members of the Byesville club who are Paul Harris Fellows.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday 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 Randy Launder, 740-801-0017.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Byesville Rotary holds Changing of the Guard Dinner for 2010-2011

On Thursday, June 23, Byesville Rotary held its Changing of the Guard Dinner at the Cambridge Country Club. Arrangements for the dinner were handled by Nellie Bichard and Marty Patchen.

At the dinner, Joe Waske, club president for 2010-2011, expressed his appreciation for club member efforts by presenting a flower and vase decorated with the Rotary symbol to each club member. He then turned the gavel over to Tanya Hitchens, club president for 2011-2012.

Officers also serving during 29011-2012 term are Oziel Jeffries, President Elect; Chuck Fair, Treasurer; Shana Fair, Secretary, Jim Vaughan, Sergeant at Arms; Marty Patchen and Randy Launder, Membership Chairs; Sharon Miller, Interact Advisor; Nellie Bichard, Speaker Chair. Larry Miller will join Jim Vaughan and Dr. Mamidi as a Board member.

During the dinner other members of the club were recognized for their contributions to Rotary. Over half the members were recognized for perfect attendance which means that members made the effort to attend the meetings or volunteered to work on a club projects. Oziel Jeffries, Dr Mamidi and Shana Fair were awarded Paul Harris pins in recognition of their contribution to the Rotary Paul Harris Foundation. Each made an individual contribution of $1000 to qualify for this award. Shana Fair was selected by the club members as Rotarian of the Year in recognition of the contribution this individual made to the club during the year.

After awards were presented, Dan Navicky, club historian, reviewed the highlights of the club year. These included providing over 120 families in the Byesville area with Christmas food baskets, co sponsoring a Health fair with SEORMC that served 125 local people, awarding 4 scholarships to3 seniors from Meadowbrook High School and 1 senior from the Mid-East Career and Techonology Centers Buffalo Campus.

The meets every Tuesday morning at 7:30 am 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 Randy Launder, 740-685-8294.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Byesville Rotary learns “Downtown is living room of the community”



Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President; Heather Dickson, Executive Director of Cambridge Main Street; Rich Dair, Speaker Host.


Heather Dickson, the new Executive Director of Cambridge Main Street, explained that she developed a passion for helping small business early. She has practical experience running a small business. She opened her first coffee house in Little Rock. This shop was followed by two more. When she decided to return home to the Cambridge, she fell back on what she knew and opened a café –Uppities—in New Concord.

She began investigating opening a shop in Cambridge. Her first stop for information was to speak to Fran Taylor who told Dickson that she was leaving her position as Director of Cambridge Main Street. Dickson decided to apply for the job.

Dickson brings energy and excitement to the position. She explained to Byesville Rotary that the Main Street organization is non profit and is supported by volunteers and some private funding.

Main Street is organized around 4 committees. The Organization Committee is responsible for hiring and organizes membership drives. The Economic Restructuring Committee helps businesses stay open and seeks to bring new business to the area. This committee hosts Merchants Matter meetings. Anyone interested in business is invited. Meeting topics vary but are all focused on topics of interest to local business owners such as petty theft.

The Design committee focuses on the physical aspect of the downtown areas such as the looks and user friendliness of the streetscape. This committee is involved in the current renovation of the Wheeling Ave. This project involves range of goals from unseen, underground upgrades of the water lines to the design of the new sidewalks and the choice and placement of new trees. If all goes well the project will be completed November 1.

The Design committee is also working on developing banners that will be hung downtown on the light poles. Committee members are developing a set of standards that banners must meet. Any individual, business, or organization can sponsor a sign about their group or business.

The Promotions committee gets the word out about downtown activities such as the Bike Show and Road Fest. Recently the committee hosted a Garden Tour and Wine Tasting at Dr. Mitchell’s home. Response to this event resulted in the largest number of people attending to date.

For more information about the Main Street organization, contact 740-439-2238.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, June 28, 2011, 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.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Byesville Rotary finds out “What $5.00 can do”



Pictured: Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President: Oziel Jeffries, Scholarship Committee; Erin Paisley, Meadowbrook scholarship recipient; Shana Fair, Scholarship Committee; Marty Patchen, Scholarship Committee.

Readings for next meeting:
June Rotarian, "Good grief," p. 23 and "Superbug," p. 27.

Shana Fair spoke to club members about the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Guernsey County. She is representing the Byesville club as a Relay Honorary Co-chair for 2011.

Fair explained that the original event was just one man who ran for 24 hours. This surgeon wanted to a do something to draw attention to the fact that dealing with cancer is a 24 hour job for cancer patients and their families. He was able to raise $27,000 because people donated money to run a lap with him.

She pointed out that today Relay is the largest end-cancer movement in the world. There are Relay events in over 5,000 communities and 20 countries. In Guernsey County, over 400 people comprising about 30 teams are involved in the event.

She stated that she liked the event because, “…every fundraiser is a volunteer. There are no professional fundraisers—just friends and neighbors working to raise money to end cancer.” She went on to say that if a person talked to any one of the Relay volunteers, that person would discover that each of the volunteers had a personal reason for being part of the Relay. Some are cancer survivors. Others know a family member or a friend that has been touched by cancer.

She went on to say that supporting cancer research and providing support for local cancer patients is expensive. Every dollar donated is important. People should never decide not to give because they feel that a $1 or $5 donation is too small.

When the American Cancer Society (ACS) combines everyone’s $1 and $5 donations, the organization has enough to support 25% of all cancer research funding as well as provide services that can be used by Guernsey County cancer patients. Small donations add up to the $1000 needed for the ACS to give 1 night’s free lodging to a cancer patient and their caregiver in Hope Lodge or help buy a $2000 microscope needed for cancer research.

Erin Paisley, a Byesville Rotary club scholarship recipient, attended the meeting. She will be attending Zane State College in the fall and is enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program. Byesville Rotary also awarded scholarships to Allison Beros, who will attend Zane State, Brandon German, who will attend Mt. Union, and Jared George, who will attend OSU.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, June 7, 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.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Local services for seniors and cancer patients highlighted at Byesville Rotary



Pictured: Shana Fair, speaker Host; Sean Gress, Executive Director of the Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center; and Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President..

Reading for May 24:
May Rotarian, "Waste not," p. 37.

Board meeting has been changed to May 19, 12n, at Plus 1 Pizza, Byesville.

Sean Gress, Executive Director of the Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center and President of the Guernsey County Cancer Society, spoke to the Byesville Rotary about the two hats that he wears.

Gress is celebrating 10 years of service at the Guernsey County Senior Center. He pointed out that there have been some big changes in 10 years. One change has been a big growth in demand for services such as home delivered meals. Gress reported that in 2001, the Senior Center provided 60,000 home delivered meals. Today, the Center provided over 330,000 per year.

Another big change is the development of two service populations with different needs and expectations. Center programs must now cater to Junior Seniors and Senior Seniors. Junior Seniors ages may range from 60 to 90. They are typically very active. Many continue to hold down a job, and many are also taking care of family. Senior Seniors may also be anywhere from 60 to 90, but they tend to be homebound or in assisted living situations.

Both sets of seniors come to the Center to stay active and engaged with other people. A social membership at the Center costs only $7 per year. Membership is open to anyone age 50 or older.

Gress stated that funding for the Center is evolving. Currently, income from the 1.6mil levy $400,000 per year is less than the operating budget expenses. The difference in income and outgo is made up through donations and contributions and an aggressive program of grant writing

As President of the Guernsey County Cancer Society, Gress is actively involved in providing support services to cancer patients. A diagnosis of cancer frequently imposes a financial hardship on the cancer patient and his or her family.

The Guernsey County Cancer Society can provide financial assistance of up to $800 per person to any Guernsey County cancer patient. The funds can be used for prescription drugs, transportation costs to and from treatment, home care workers, prosthesis and wigs, or nutritional supplies needed as part of treatment. The only requirement is that the diagnosis of cancer must be made by a physician. For more information about assistance contact 740-432-9290.

Funding for the Guernsey County Cancer Society comes in part from United Way of Guernsey Count. Additional funding comes from individual, wills and trusts, memorials and gifts, and other community organizations.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 24, 2011, 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.

Meadowbrook Interact Club inducts new members



Picture 1--
Pictured: New Interact members. First row: Marissa Hood, Jaclyn Beskid, Alex Eckelson, Maurie DeLong. Second row: Brittany Shelton, Paige Taylor, Shelby Stover, Bethany Bergerson, Brittany Nixon, Brooke Aleshire, Tressa Stone, Sarah Stine, Andrea Kackley. Third row: Michael Fedorke, Derek Kackley, Spencer Gibbs, Kyle Roberts, Jared George, Andrew Nameth. Not shown: Alyssa Poland, Caleb curry.

Picture 2—
Pictured: Interact officers for 2011-2012. Tessa Bickford, Jessica George, Karli Tellep, Trislyn Treherne, Brooke Aleshire, and Brittany Shelton.

Byesville Rotary members attended the induction of 21 new members into the Meadowbrook High School Interact Club. The Byesville Rotary sponsors the Meadowbrook club. Interact Clubs are the Rotary’s service clubs for students age 12-18.

Interact clubs are expected to complete at least two community service projects a year. The Meadowbrook club members have set five goals for the 2011-12 year. Club members plan to provide volunteers to help at Byesville Rotary activities, to have club members participate in the annual Rotary sponsored Four-Way Speech competition, to recruit 10 new Interact members during the 2011-12 year, and to send at least one Interact member to each Byesville Rotary meeting. They are also planning to meet requirements to qualify for the International rotary Presidential Citation.

Current Interact officers Katherine Jirles, Katlynn Tonnous, Kate Kovalchik, and Devon Cork presided at the induction. They were assisted by Sharon Miller and Ryan White, Interact advisers. Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President Elect, welcomed the new members and congratulated the club on the service activities they participated in during 2010-11.

Interact officers for 2011-12 were introduced: President--Tessa Bickford; Vice President--Brooke Aleshire; Secretary—Trislyn Treherne; Treasurer—Karli Tellep; and Board Members—Jessica George and Brittany Shelton.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 10, 2011, 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.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

25th Annual Byesville Rotary Scholarship Golf Tourrnament

When: May 22, 2011
Where: Wildfire Golf Course
New Concord, Ohio


Three Man Scramble - $55.00 per player/$165.00 per team
Proximity Prizes & Mulligans included
Registration @ 7:30am - Shotgun Start @ 8:00am

1St Place = $300.00
2nd Place = $200.00
3rd Place = $100.00

Hot Dogs & Beverages @ the turn
Dinner catered by TJ’s Market

All proceeds go to Scholarships for Meadowbrook High School Students

(Registration Form)

Golfer #1 __________________________________________________ Captain

Golfer #2 __________________________________________________

Golfer #3 __________________________________________________

Check Amount Enclosed ______________________________________




Make Check Payable to “Byesville Rotary”

For more information contact:

Trevor Black, Co-Chair
740-685 9999
58328 Richport
Senecaville, OH 43780

Trent Black, Co-Chair
740-685-2525

Larry Miller, Rotarian
740-439-7606

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Byesville Rotary plans annual scholarship golf scramble


Pictured: Participants in the Byesville Rotary 2010 Scholarship Golf Scramble.

Reminders:


  • The next meeting will be held at Meadowbrook Highschool. The club's Interact Club will be inducting new members and officers. Be sure to come out and support these great young people. Don't forget your meat donation for the food pantry.

  • Our first chicken BBQ of the year will be this Saturday--April 30. If you cannot remember the time you signed up to work--call Chuck Fair--685-2069. If you didn't sign up and want to work, you will be welcome. Work starts about 7;00am and goes until the chickens are sold.
Larry Miller reported that May 22 is the date of the Annual Byesville Rotary Scholarship Golf Scramble. Golfers will meet at 8:00 am at the Wildfire Golf Club in New Concord. Volunteers are needed to help with registration and preparing hotdogs.

The scramble will be composed of three person teams. Entry fee will be $55 per team member. Businesses are invited to sponsor teams at $165 per team. Larry asked that all Byesville members invite friends and family members to join a team and participate in the outing.

Cash prizes will be $300, $200, and $100 for first, second, and third place teams. Winners' prizes and assorted door prizes will be awarded at the end of play. Included in the entry fee are hot dogs and drinks at the turn and a fried chicken lunch.

People wishing to register for the event should contact Trevor Black, 740-260-9747, Trent Black, 740-680-5410, or Larry Miller, 740-260-2216.

The Byesville Rotary Annual Golf Scramble raises funds to provide scholarships to local high school seniors. This year the club was able to present three scholarships to seniors from Meadowbrook High School and to one senior at the Mid-East Technical and Career Center, Buffalo Campus.

Jim Bakos, the chair of the Scholarship Committee, reported that the committee members reviewed the written applications from students interested in the scholarships. Applicants who qualified were then interviewed. The committee has selected the students who will be awarded the 2010-11 scholarships. Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary president, will present the scholarships to the students on May 16 at the Meadowbrook High School Award Dinner.

The club's next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 3, 2011, at Meadowbrook High School. Club members will be attending the Interact Club induction of new members and 2011-12 officers.

Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people ages 14-18. The program gives young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects while developing leadership skills and meeting new friends. The Meadowbrook Interact club is sponsored by the Byesville Rotary. Sharon Miller, Interact advisor, reported that Interact members have signed up to work at the Rotary chicken BBQ on Saturday,.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Byesville Rotary urged to “Donate Life”


Pictured: Randy Sheline and Kathy Warhola showing Donate Life Donor Quilt.

Kathy Warhola, regional representative for Lifeline of Ohio, asked Rotary members to “…make a commitment to continue to help people after you are gone.”

She was accompanied by Randy Sheline, an organ recipient, who said, “The [organ transplant] surgery saved my life.” He pointed out that because someone was willing to be an organ donor, he had a second chance at life.

He received 6 organs during his original surgery. Two years later, he received a 2ed kidney. The organ donation allowed him to return to work and lead a normal life.

Kathy pointed to a quilt made by family members of people who became organ donors. Each square in the quilt represented a person who was willing to “Donate Life” by registering for the organ donation program. The quilt is one of 11 similar quilts. Each quilt square is made by the family of an organ donor.

Kathy encouraged the members of Byesville Rotary to enroll in the donor registry. To date, approximately 56% of all Ohioans have registered to become organ, eye, and/or tissue donors. She advised each person interested in becoming a donor to let their family know about their desire to become a donor.

At present over 110 thousand people are waiting for organs. One person is added to the list every 10 minutes. Eighteen people die every day because organs were not available. Lack of donated organs is especially acute for people needing kidneys.

Kathy reassured club members that Lifeline transplant teams do not get involved until after a person’s death. A person’s commitment to become a donor will not interfere with medical care. Consent for donation will be confirmed with family members after all lifesaving efforts have been made.

A person agreeing to be a donor can help 50 or more people. All major religions support organ, eye, and tissue donation as an act of charity. The decision to donate will not affect a person’s medical care or cost anything to the donor’s family or estate. Organ donation will not interfere with funeral plans.

For more information about “Donate Life” contact 1-800-525-5667 or www.donatelifeohio.org.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, April 26, 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.