Byesville Rotary Club News: February 2018

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Byesville Rotary hears about CDC projects

Pictured: Larry Miller, speaker host, Rhonda Stemmer, Byesville Rotary president, and Ron Gombeda, Executive Director, Community Development Corporation.

Melinda Yerian, co-chair of the clubs annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny confirmed that the event will be held on Saturday, March 24, from 8:30—11:00am. The location has been changed to the Stop Nine Senior Center in Byesville this year. Cost is $5.000; children under 5 are free, and a free picture with the Easter Bunny will come with breakfast.

Ron Gombeda, Executive Director of the Community Development Corporation (CDC), spoke about some of the many projects in which the CDC is involved. Gombeda described the CDC as a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization which works to do what the government cannot do to improve the community.

Much, but not all, of the work done by the CDC is funded by grants. Gombeda pointed out that in the last 14 years, he has raised over $10 million in grants. For example, the CDC has recently received a $20,000 grant to improve the Great Guernsey Trail. Improvements will include new trash barrels, observations decks, and benches. However, not all funding is through grants. On Saturday, March 3, the 9^th Annual Great Guernsey Trail Winter Banquet—a fund raiser for the Trail-- will be held at the Eagles.

The CDC has also helped keep the county beautiful by cleaning up litter and removing log jams from waterways. The organization has filled 6,163 trash bags with discarded junk and collected 32, 913 tires. That is a lot of ugliness removed from our county.

Gombeda pointed out that the CDC provides services to all age groups. The organization holds a Guernsey County Fish Camp for 80-100 kids every year at Jackson Park. This event is lots of fun for the kids who learn about the joys of fishing and how to improve their fishing skills. Gombeda is also working on turning the Ramage Auction House located in Byesville into a children’s hands-on museum. Guernsey County disabled veterans are provided with free transportation with priority given to medical appointments. Typically, the CVC provides between 80-90 runs a month.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting. #6690

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Byesville Rotary plans spring activities

Pictured: Rhonda Stemmer, Byesville Rotary president, and Captain Wilkinson, Guernsey County Sheriff’s Department.

Byesville Rotary has a busy spring planned. The kick-off event will be the club’s annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. The tentative date is Saturday, March 24 at the Stop Nine Teen Center. Melinda Yerian, co-chair of the event, asked for volunteers to help her with the food. Proceeds from this event will be used to fund local service projects.

The club will partner with Southeastern Med to offer the club’s 17^th annual health screening. Chair this year is Dan Navicky. More information and a date to be announced at a future meeting.

The club will also join with Cambridge Rotary, Lions, Lioness, and Kiwanis service clubs to hold a food drive at Reisbeck’s and Wal-Mart. This event is in support of five local food pantries.

In May, the club will hold its 32ed Scholarship Golf Tournament. Proceeds from the tournament are used to provide scholarships to Meadow Brook seniors. Members of the local community or invited to make a donation toward this effort or spend a day enjoying a round of golf with friends. Larry Miller will chair the event again this year.

During the business meeting, club members voted to make a $100 pledge to the Westerville Rotary club which is asking Rotarians for donations for the families of the fallen Westerville police officers. The club also donated $100 in support of the Living Word.

Larry Miller was the lucky winner of the 50/50 drawing.

Captain Wilkinson from the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Department updated the club on the new 911 system being implemented in Guernsey County. He reported their goal was to have the system operational by September.