Byesville Rotary gets update on Meadow Brook football field renovation

Pictured: Chuck Fair, speaker host, and Bryan Stoney, co-chair of the Meadow Brook football field renovation, displaying sample of new turf.

Bryan Stoney, co-chair of the Meadow Brook football field renovation, reported that the field renovation broke ground on May 29. He said that the field was beginning to show wear and tear and needed renovated.

Meadow Brook officials had 2 major goals they wanted to reach before starting to redo the field. One, they wanted to have $225 thousand committed to the project over the next 3 years. Two, they wanted to have $125 thousand in the bank before starting.

Meadow Brook was fortunate to have 2 major donors who got fundraising started. An anonymous donor pledged $300 thousand matching funds to get the fundraising going. By May 29 of this year, the school had met their fundraising goals and could start on the project. The school officially marked the start of the project by removing the field goal posts.

Step one of the project involves scraping off all the topsoil and replacing it with 900 cubic feet of fill. The second step is to install large French drains. Step 3 will be to cover the drains with gravel. And finally, the artificial grass will be put down.

Stoney stated that the new field is being entirely built with private funds. He pointed out the research studies indicate that injuries to players should be reduced especially injuries to knees. Additionally, because the artificial turf will not be affected by the weather like grass is, the school will be able to schedule the field so that physical education, baseball and softball, and the band can use the field.

Miranda Miser thanked the club for sponsoring her for Buckeye Girls State. She summarized her experience at this leadership development event which teaches young people how government works. At Girls State two parties are formed—Nationalists and Federalists. Each party develops a platform and nominates candidates. During the first few days, campaigns are held. After elections, winning candidates serve as government officials. Miranda served on the Girls State City Council. The Council passed ordinances and developed a budget. Miranda said the experience taught her that “…everyone needs to work together.”

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 is welcome to attend a meeting or call 740-685-3828, or 740-685-8294.

Byesville Rotary reviews 25 years of service to community

Pictured: Dan Navicky, Byesville Rotary Past President, and Oziel Jeffries, current President.

Byesville Rotary celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011-12. During the month of July, some of the club’s past presidents have been asked to reminisce about their terms as president and let club members know about the service and community projects the club worked on.


Dan Navicky served as president of Byesville Rotary for two terms. His first term was 15 years ago in 1997. He remembers he missed his first meeting as president because he was visiting his son in New Zealand. He decided he should do a make-up meeting and attended a New Zealand Rotary meeting. He reported that the New Zealand Rotary members were delighted to have a visitor from the USA and bought him several rounds of drinks.

The rest of his term as president was a little less convivial. The club held two fishing tournaments as fundraisers. They also held an auction at the Cambridge Country Club. Service projects in 1997 included refinishing the gazebo at the park on the Byesville square. Navicky was able to get members of the Meadowbrook Interact Club to help. He stated that the “…kids just whipped through the project in no time.”

The club decided that the park needed brick paths leading to the gazebo. Club members raised $2000 for this project. Many local businesses made contributions toward the purchase of the bricks.

In 2000, Navicky served a second term as president. Service projects included purchasing copies of the Jeff for a Rolling Hills School class and providing support for Philippine flood victims.

Under Navicky’s leadership, the club worked with Southeastern Med to provide a Health Screening. Screenings were provided for 34 people. The service project has grown--in 2012, 125 people were served.

During both of Navicky’s terms, the club was recognized for its service projects by being awarded a Presidential Citation from Rotary District 6690.

Randy Lauder, co-chair of the chicken BBQ committee, reminded members that in order to continue the club’s history of service to community he needs volunteers to work the club’s chicken BBQ fundraiser scheduled for July 21. The Funds raised at this BBQ will be shared with the United Way who will help cook and sell the BBQ’ed chickens.

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 is welcome to attend a meeting or call 740-685-3828, or 740-685-8294.