ROTARY NOTES

A publication of the Rotary Club of Warren

400 million people in the world cannot afford basic healthcare. Rotarians are devoted to preventing and controlling Upcoming chronic diseases by: improving access to affordable healthcare; setting up medical Speakers camps; helping to immunize people; focusing on health education; and providing equipment, such as artificial limbs and wheelchairs, for those who are physically challenged.

Jan. 8th Danielle December 18, 2019 Kilgore – Esther House Set Up Tear Down 1/8/20 – Volunteer Needed 1/8/20 – Volunteer Needed 1/15/20 – Volunteer Needed 1/15/20 – Volunteer Needed

Registration Table

1/8/20 – Deb Burn & Don Powers Jan. 15th 1/15/20 – Deb Burn & Don Powers Josh Prest –

Statewide Greeters Legislation 1/8/20 – Volunteer Needed 1/15/20 – Volunteer Needed

Mobile Meals 12/27/20 – Dan Rowland Jan. 22nd 1/3/20 – Don Powers Justice Judi 1/10/20 – Windsor House French – Ohio Supreme Fellowship Invocation Court January, 2020 – Venita Collins 1/8/20 – Venita Collins February, 2020 – Kim Straniak 1/15/20 – Diane Sauer

Magazine Report January, 2020 – Kim Straniak

Rotary Motto FELLOWSHIP

Service Above Self

4-Way Following a great performance Test of the beloved song, Rudolph the

Red Nosed Reindeer, courtesy of Of the things we think, say Diane Sauer and Julia Wetstein, or do: Kim Straniak stepped in to handle Fellowship for Denise May. She Is it the truth? presented traditions from around the world. Is it fair to all In Austria, scaring kids into concerned? the festive spirit, is the Will it build most chilling of Christmas goodwill and traditions. A beast-like demon better creature that roams city streets friendship? frightening kids and punishing the bad ones – nope this isn’t Halloween,

but St. Nicholas’ evil accomplice, Krampus. In Austrian tradition, St. Will it be beneficial to all Nicholas rewards nice little boys and girls, while Krampus is said to concerned? capture the naughtiest children and whisk them away in his sack! In the first week of December, young men dress up as Krampus, frightening children with clattering chains and bells. Avenues A pretty bizarre Japanese Christmas tradition involves families of Service diving into a bucket of KFC. Christmas has never been a big deal in Japan. Aside from a few small, secular traditions such as gift-giving Club Service and light displays, Christmas remains largely a novelty in the country. However, a new, quirky “tradition” has emerged in recent years - a Vocational Christmas Day feast of the Colonel’s very own Kentucky Fried Chicken. Service Icelandic Lads run amok this time of year in one of the more

fun and mischievious . In the 13 days leading up Community Service to Christmas, 13 tricksy, troll-like characters come out to play in Iceland. The Yule Lads visit the children across the country. On each International night of Yuletide, children place their best shoes by the window and a Service different Yule Lad visits, leaving gifts for nice girls and boys and rotting potatoes for the naughty ones. Clad in traditional Icelandic Youth Service costume, these fellas are pretty mischievious, and their names hint at

the type of trouble they like to cause: Gully Gawk, Stubby, Spoon- Areas of Licker, Pot-Scraper, Bowl-Licker, Door-Slammer, Sausage-Swiper, Focus Window-Peeper, Doorway-Sniffer and Candle-Stealer. Atte In Germany, St. Nicholas has three amigos: , Knecht Promoting Peace Ruprecht and a donkey. Not to be confused with Weihnachtsmann (), Nikolaus travels by donkey in the middle of the night on Fighting December 6th and leaves little treats like coins, chocolate, oranges, and Disease toys in the shoes of good children all over Germany, and particularly in

Providing Clean the Bavarian region. St. Nicholas also visits children in schools or at Water home, and in exchange for sweets or a small present, each child must recite a poem, sing a song, or draw a picture. In short, he’s a great guy. Saving Mothers But it isn’t always fun and games. St. Nick often brings along Knecht & Children Ruprecht (Farmland Rupert). A devil-like character dressed in dark Supporting clothes covered with bells and a dirty beard, Knecht Ruprecht carries a Education stick or a small whip in hand to punish any children who misbehave.

Growing Local Never leave a good broom behind in Norway over Christmas; it might Economies get stolen. Perhaps one of the most unorthodox traditions can be found in Norway, where people hide their brooms. It’ a tradition that dates back centuries to when people believed that witches and evil Cl ub Officers spirits came out on Christmas Eve looking for brooms to ride on. To this President day, many people still hide their brooms in the safest place in the house Teri Surin to stop them from being stolen. President Elect The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is celebrated with much fanfare Dominic across the United States, with one of the most elaborate events taking Mararri place on a national stage. Since 1979, a giant nine-meter Menorah has

Vice - President been raised on the White House grounds for the eight days and nights of Christine Cope Hanukkah. The ceremony in Washington, D.C. is marked with speeches, music, activities for kids, and, of course, the lighting of the Menorah. Secretary Judy Masaki The lighting of the first candle at the White House takes place at 4 p.m., rain or shine, and an additional candle is lit each successive night. TheTreasurer The event is free to attend, but tickets must be booked in advance. Cheryl Oblinger Finally, enjoy a consisting of in Venezuela.

the ce Love Christmas, but think it could be improved by a spot of roller- blading? If the answer is yes, visit Caracas, Venezuela this year. Every Past President Christmas Eve, the city’s residents head to church in the early morning – Venita Collins so far, so normal – but, for reasons known only to them, they do so on

roller skates. This unique tradition is so popular that roads across the city are closed to cars so that people can skate to church in safety, Board before heading home for the less-than-traditional Christmas dinner of Members tamales (a wrap made out of cornmeal dough and stuffed with meat, then Bill Beinecke steamed). Ginny Bond Tony Iannucci Ted Stazak Kim Straniak Lisa Taddei Julia Wetstein

Rotary Club WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS Foundation Board

President Chris Shape

Vice -President Cindy Matheson th CAREER AWARENESS DAY is tentatively scheduled for January 28 Secretary from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at JFK. Please consider participating and Judy Masaki being a mentor to these students. THE RYLA CONFERENCE will be held on February 21st through Treasurer rd Cheryl Oblinger February 23 at the Avalon Inn. Our Club will be sponsoring three students (one each from Warren G. Harding, JFK, and Newton Falls). Christine Cope The students enjoy receiving goody bags filled with giveaways provided Jim Ditch by Rotary District 6650. The bags are for 16 to 17 year olds and Ken LaPolla Teri Surin include pencils, highlighters, Post-it Notes, key chains, small toys, playing cards, Frisbees, fast food coupons, gum, candy bars, etc. No political items or caffeine drinks/snacks are permitted. 100 of each item Contact us donated are needed and must be received no later than February 18th. at: Please send items to: ATTENTION: Lori Jewell Rotary Club of Warr en Salem Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 68 713 East State Street Warren, OH Salem, OH 44460 44482 Please make sure “RYLA” is on all mailings or correspondence. th THE DISTRICT 6650 CONFERENCE is scheduled for May 16 at Kent Our Website: State University Stark Campus from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Every Warrenrotary.org Rotarian is encouraged to attend.

PAUL HARRIS FELLOW CHALLENGE – Personalized envelopes with If you have information about your past giving for the Paul Harris Fellow Challenge any questions or fundraiser have been distributed. This year, PDG Geoff and Kim Goll suggestions have pledged to match all donations from $100 to $500 with Foundation about our points to help Rotarians earn their first or next Paul Harris Fellow newsletter, Recognition. This is your best chance to obtain this award. If you or if you participate in this challenge, for each $20 donated, you will also have a would like to chance to win a Paul Harris Fellow for yourself, your spouse, or another become a person. You must mail your pledge in the provided envelope to Cheryl sponsor, Oblinger’s home address no later than December 26th in order for her to I please get it to the Foundation prior to the January 1st deadline. contact: MOBILE MEALS IS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS!! We currently have Judy Masa k i

only four drivers covering Rotary’s routes on Fridays and are in desparate need of more. Please consider assisting us in meeting our commitment to Trumbull Mobile Meals! Contact Kim Straniak or TMM Volunteer Coordinator Terri Dean if you are able to lend a hand. W OPERATION WARM coats, hats, gloves, and scarves, donated by Berk Enterprises, are on the way!! They will be distributed to the Salvation Army, Warren City Schools, STEAM Academy, the Warren Family A Mission, and other agencies to benefit our community’s families. Volunteers will be needed for disbursement. Stay tuned for the date. JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT MEETING ON JANUARY 8th AT THE HOPE R CENTER. Until then, enjoy the holidays with your family and friends. THE MARINES HAVE LANDED! The Rotary Club of Warren teamed up with the Trumbull County U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots Program to donate toys to 40 children in the custody of Trumbull County CSB. R The toys were delivered to the children on December 19th by Operation Toys Chairman Mike Bollas and Darlene Mink-Crouse. Rotarian Marilyn Pape, who works at CSB, accepted the toys on the children’s behalf. E

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R (Picture courtesy of the Warren Tribune)

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PROSTHETICS OF MAHONING VALLEY

Ron Blakeman has served W as Pastor for Mineral Ridge Church of Christ for the past six years. Prior to that, he A was in sales for more than 30 years, working his way up to Vice-President of Sales and R Marketing and Business Development for a company in New York. R He also served as Director of Marketing and Business Development for a Prosthetic E and Orthotic Company for four years. During this time, he noticed that many individuals needed prosthetics but were N either underinsured or had no no insurance coverage. With the cost of the devices ranging anywhere from R $45,000 to $150,000, people had no options. As a result, in 2008, Blakeman started Prosthetics for the Mahoning Valley, better known as PMV Foundation, specializing in providing artificial limbs for amputees. O Many local prosthetists worked with him to serve needy individuals by accepting lower payments. In 2011, Blakeman met “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart, a Professional wrestling manager, and Pro Wrestler Steve “The Freak” T Chamberland, who changed the face of PMV forever. Chamberland had founded a charity foundation, 50 Legs, for the purpose of providing amputees with the necessary care and prosthetics that they could not A otherwise afford/ Their mission was to help them live a happier and healthier life and to foster public education and awareness. Pastor Blakeman was able to merge PMV with 50 Legs and serve a growing R number of individuals. Blakeman shared inspiring stories of concert pianists, athletes, and children who benefitted from this merger. However, he stated that Y their unique perspective on life taught him that when you are passionate about something, you gain much more than a company’s benefactors.

W TRIPLE JACKPOT

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E Today, the Grand Jackpot totaled $165. Congratulations to Daily Winner Chris Shape!

N HAPPY BUCKS

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A *** Chris Shape was a Happy Winner! He also said that after his accident, when amputation was a possibility, he was happy to be able to speak with Ken Kramp! R *** Dominic Mararri offered a Happy Buck for our speaker who has a heart for helping people. *** Darlene Mink-Crouse wished everyone a Happy Holiday! Y *** Diane Sauer offered a Happy Buck for Ken Kramp, who once helped move cars at her dealership on a rainy day. She also shared that she bought the music book she played from today at Bell Music Center when she was first married. *** Julia Wetstein offered a Happy Buck for Rotarians who give all year long to others, many of whom they never meet in person.

*** Dallas Woodall appreciated Danny Rowland’s holiday jacket! (It was indeed something to behold!) He also offered a Happy Buck for Alba Lucia Cardona, a young girl from Columbia who received prosthetic hands W through the Warren Rotary many years ago.

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R THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

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E I love everything about the holidays: N the decorations, the parties and spending time with friends & family. But what I love most I R is that feeling of giving back. Every bit counts. O - Brad Goreski

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