Byesville Rotary learns about the past and future of the Kennedy Stone House

Pictured: Chuck Fair, speaker host; Jim Ferguson, Pres. Friends of the Kennedy Stone House; Phyliss Jeffries, Pres. Byesville Rotary.

Readings for Feb. 2:

• January Rotarian: "Philanthropy," p. 64.
• February Rotarian: "President's Message," p. 1.

Jim Ferguson, President of the Friends of the Kennedy Stone House located at Salt Fork State Park, reviewed the history of the Stone House and described efforts to restore the house. In 1837, Benjamin Kennedy paid an Irish stonemason $500 to build the 4 room house. For an extra $60, the stonemason also built a root cellar. Kennedy, followed by his son Mathew, raised merino sheep on the farm. In 1914, Mathew’s widow turned the farm over to tenants. In 1966, the homestead was sold to the state.

During this period, the building deteriorated. In 1999, Polly Cornish saw the possibilities of the property and founded the Friends of the Kennedy Stone House. She was instrumental in inspiring dozens of volunteers to donate time or money toward the restoration project. Much has been done in the last 10 years, but the project is far from finished.

When restoration began, only the stone walls of the house remained. Roof and floors were missing. Today, the house has been restored and furnished with period furniture. It functions as a museum, providing a glimpse of life on a Guernsey County farm in the 1800’s.The summer kitchen and root cellar have been rebuilt. An herb garden has been planted and the area landscaped.

In addition to restoring the house, a Veterans Memorial Courtyard has been built to honor all who have served in the military. The Courtyard consists of 1300 bricks, each etched with the name of a veteran. The Friends current project is to complete a Memory walk. The Walk is open to anyone. Bricks for this walk for cost $50. There are a few spaces left.

A cabin to house docents has been completed. This cabin provides a comfortable living space for people who volunteer to dress in period clothing and provide tours for visitors. Already, volunteers have been scheduled for all of 2010 and half of 2011.

The museum is open for tours Friday-Monday from 1:00-5:00, May through October, Thanksgiving Day, and weekends if the weather cooperates. For more information, contact the Salt Falk State Park Office, 740-439-3521.

In other business, Rotary members voted to send a donation to the Rotary’s Haitian earthquake assistance effort. Larry Miller and Chris Morris, co-chairs of the Annual Golf Outing and Fundraisers, reported that Chuck Fair, Marty Patchen, Jan Wilson, and Joe Waske have volunteered to work on the golf outing. Jamie Hoops has volunteered to organize the club’s LifeLine of Ohio support.
The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, February 2, 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.

Lifeline of Ohio encourages Byesville Rotarians to “Share Life”

Pictured: Phyllis Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President; Cathy Warhola, Lifeline of Ohio.

Ms. Warhola, regional representative for Lifeline of Ohio, explained to the Byesville Rotary club how donated organs and tissues can change people’s lives. Ms. Warhola, a registered nurse, said she saw first hand how much a donated organ could change a patient’s life. She worked with patients waiting for a kidney and who needed dialysis 3 times a week. Each dialysis session took 3 hours. Between sessions, patients had to limit liquids to 2 cups a day and watch what they ate. A donated kidney meant no more dialysis sessions and a normal diet.

Every person who agrees to become an organ donor can save up to 8 lives and can help up to 50 people with a tissue donation. Organs that can be donated include the heart, lungs, pancreas, liver, kidneys and small intestine. Tissues that can be donated include the eyes, bone, veins, heart valves, and skin.

Ms. Warhola stated, “Surgeons have a 4 hour window to use organ donations. Most donations from people in Guernsey County will be used to make a difference in the lives of community members.”

There is no cost to donors or their families for an organ or tissue donation. Donations are only accepted from deceased donors with the agreement of their family.

Fifty-four percent of Ohio’s citizens have agreed to be organ donors. Currently, there are over 105,000 people in the United States on the waiting list for organs. Another patient is added every 10 minutes. To join the donor registry or to get more information about organ and tissue donation, call 1-800-525-5667 or visit www.lifelineofohio.org.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, January 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.

Byesville Rotary learns about Byesville Scenic Railway Miners statue project

Pictured: Phyllis Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President; Steve Stolarik, Byesville Scenic Railway.

Reading for Jan. 19:

• January Rotarian, "President's Message," p. 1 and "Nowhere to go," p. 32.

Snowy weather schedule:

• Rotary meeting cancelled if Rolling Hills School District is closed.
• Meeting will be held if Rolling Hills School District is on 2 hour delay.

Members who did not bring canned meat to the meeting can bring their meat donations to the Jan. 19. meeting.

Committee meetings:

• Golf Outing Fund Raiser: Co chairs--Larry Miller and Chris Morris. Contact one of them to work on the committee.
• Budget Review: Co-chairs--Bob Long and. Chuck Fair. Members--Joe Waske, Tanya Hitchens, Dan Navicky, Shana Fair. Contact one of co-chairs to serve in this committee.

Steve Stolarik, History and Museum coordinator for the Byesville Scenic Railway, updated members of the Byesville Rotary about progress made toward purchasing a statue of a miner. The statue will commemorate the miners of Guernsey County.

Byesville Scenic Railway selected a Zanesville artist, Alan Cottrill, to create a bronze, 6 foot high sculpture. Many people riding the train are repeat visitors. Steve feels that people come back because they are trying to get in touch with their ancestors and the history of members of their families. The bronze statue will help people retrieve their past.

“Because people are trying to understand their past,” Mr. Stolarik stated, “it was important that the statue represent a real miner—dirty and raggedy.” Viewers examining the sculpture closely will find that the miner is missing a finger. Steve said that the missing finger represents every miner injured on the job.

The budget for the statue is $36,000. This figure does not include the cost of the base needed to hold the sculpture in the ground. The base will be of black concrete molded to look like the floor in a coal mine. Cost for the base is estimated at $2,000. To date, $17,404 has been contributed to the sculpture project by visitors who have ridden the train. The Scenic Railway expects to be able to install the statue in two years. To make a contribution toward the construction of the Byesville Scenic Miners statue, contact Steve Stolarik at history@bsrw.org.

Currently, two other miners, created by the Dickens Village artists and sponsored by Byesville Rotary, sit in the train depot. Many visitors pose with the miners for pictures. Steve expects that people will want to have pictures taken with the bronze statue. The statue will be mounted on a low base to keep it accessible to visitors.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, January 19, 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.

Byesville Rotary celebrates Christmas by donating to Secret Santa

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

Readings for Dec. 22: December Rotarian

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

Announcements and business:

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

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

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

Cambridge Writers Workshop visits Byesville Rotary

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

Reading for Dec. 15:

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

Business and announcements:

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

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

Byesville Rotary looks forward to Christmas

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

Reading: December Rotarian

• "Anonymous donors," p. 48.

Business and announcements:

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


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


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


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


• The club will meet on December 22.


• There will be no meeting on December 29.

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

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

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

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

Byesville Rotary starts bell ringing fund drive in Byesville Nov. 25

Pictured: Dr. Mamidi, Byesville Rotary member and speaker, Phyliss Jeffries, Byesville Rotary President.

Reading for Dec. 1:

• December Rotarian--"President's message," "The remarkable Mr. Harris," pp. 31-46.

Business and annoucements:

• Bell ringers still needed--call Bob to schedule.
• The Christmas party is on hold until after Christmas.

Byesville Rotary club members and friends of Byesville Rotary will begin staffing red kettles and ringing bells in Byesville on Wed., Nov. 25. Byesville Rotary, in cooperation with the Cambridge Salvation Army, has agreed to be responsible for providing Christmas Food Baskets to families in the Rolling Hills School District. This year the club expects to donate over 250 baskets to local families. All funds collected in Byesville will be used to purchase items for the food baskets.
Bell ringers will be collecting donations at the Byesville branches of Advantage and Peoples banks on Nov. 24, 27, and 28 and in December every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through December 19.
A final registration for Food Baskets will be held the evening of December 7, 3:00-6:00pm, at the Main Avenue Methodist Activity Center.
The speaker for the meeting was Dr. Mamidi, one of the club’s newest members. He spoke about his journey from the Indian town of Brhampur to medical school in the United States. He specialized in cardiology and became a clinical cardiologist. He explained that he prefers to work in rural areas rather than the city. He practiced in Logan, West Virginia, for 30 years before he came to Cambridge and currently works at Genesis.
Dr. Mamidi pointed out the heart disease is often silent and the disease typically begins in a person’s 20’s. A person can help reduce his/her risk for heart disease by making changes in life style. Recommended changes include eating a heart healthy diet and including exercise in daily activities.The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, December 1, 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.