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Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) directives, our Rotary club is unable to meet face-to-face, but we want to continue sharing news of what members are doing to get through the pandemic. If you'd like to share what you're doing, email Carol at cgkennard@woh.rr.com or text a photo to 937-581-6744. 
 
This Week at Rotarian's homes: May 7, 2020
 
From Jeff Senney - The Senney’s and Thorp’s often meet at Dorthy Lane Market on Saturdays for wine after shopping. With this option unavailable, Sharon and I loaded up a back pack with red wine and plastic cups and took a walk toward the Thorp’s house. We didn’t call ahead.  But we only live about a mile away so either we would get lucky and see Brad And Chris or we would enjoy a nice walk.  Turns out when we got there, we saw Brad's son Bo but not Brad or Chris.  Turns out Brad and Chris were across the street. They can tell you why.  But we eventually ended up back at the Thorp’s house and enjoyed some wine together from a safe social distance.  
 
Centerville Rotary had our first Zoom Social this week - it was fun to see and catch up with everyone. Hope you can join us next time!
 
Judy Budi - At work it is all COVID - new rules, new processes, more education. At home projects and cooking with Gerry.
 
How long will we make masks?
 
Ron Hollenbeck - I finished the small vase, and have been working on a walnut bowl.  It's 16" in diameter, with a depth of 7".  It's a pretty piece of walnut, and should look really nice once it's finished.
And here's the finished bowl.  16" diameter, 7" height.  Nice piece of Claro walnut from California.
 
 
Mark Febus - The Education Foundation Committee was hard at work today interviewing candidates! We have more tomorrow before we make our decision!
 
Dawayne Kirkman - The Far Hills Church, which will now be known as Fearless Church, has fully transitioned to its new location and its lease at Sinclair in Centerville is fulfilled—we will surely miss them.  With this, we are beginning a new era at Sinclair in Centerville and even in these unusual times, we believe that there are great things ahead! We wanted to share pictures of the new signs with you all and a video about our first year in this Centerville: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=4fyIIMoanLg&feature=youtu.be 
 
Bulletin Editor
Carol Kennard
Sponsors
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Speakers
May 07, 2020
Storytelling
May 21, 2020
Montgomery County Educational Service Center
Jun 11, 2020
Rotary Scholarship Presentations
Jun 18, 2020
UD School of Business
Jun 25, 2020
Installation of Officers @ Benham's Grove
Jul 02, 2020
Four Cities Young Leader Academy
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Dawayne Kirkman
May 2
 
Bill Menker
May 7
 
Rebecca Quiñones
May 8
 
Raj Grandhi
May 24
 
Peachy Metzner
May 30
 
Spouse Birthdays
Susan Grandhi
May 15
 
Isaiah Febus
May 24
 
Mandy Groszko
May 30
 
Anniversaries
Sofie Ameloot
Gregory Camp
May 14
 
Join Date
Erich Eggers
May 1, 2003
17 years
 
David Wolf
May 2, 2002
18 years
 
Robert Ford
May 16, 2019
1 year
 
Sury Peddireddi
May 16, 2019
1 year
 
Joyce C. Young
May 18, 2000
20 years
 
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
 
We held our first Zoom Rotary Club meeting today May 7, 2020
 
 
President Chuck King opened the meeting and welcomed all in attendance (26). This is our 8th week without an in-person meeting. Chuck led the pledge of allegiance, reciting of the 4-Way Test, and Brian Hayes offered the prayer.
 
 
Chuck noted the best way to have a successful Zoom meeting is for everyone to mute themselves, unmuting when they wish to speak, so background noise does not disrupt the speaker. Typically, if you touch your photo, the microphone will show up and once you click on it, a red line shows up, noting your are muted. Just click it again to unmute. Only one person at a time can speak.
 
Judy Budi gave an update on the Rotary Scholarship program. Thirteen students were interviewed via Zoom and 5 were chosen to receive scholarships this year. All will be invited to attend our June 11 Zoom Rotary meeting to introduce themselves to the club. One question asked of all applicants was how they are dealing with the COVID-19 restrictions. Judy said all students remained positive, noting slowing down and spending time with families as a benefit. They appreciate the community support shown and see this as a small blip in the big story of their lives. The students were inspiring!
 
Ron Hollenbeck reported on the Haiti water pump project - 11 clubs have pledged a total of $33,625 which will build three pumps. The funds will be transferred to Design Outreach who will get the pumps installed in Haiti as soon as conditions allow. Each pump will provide clean water for 1,500-2,000 people each.
 
Chuck noted communications from our District Governor, echoing Rotary International's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure everyone's health and safety. Recommendations once in-person meetings resume include that no one should be required to attend, and if anyone feels uncomfortable to attend the meeting, they shouldn't attend. The initial recommendation was to have no in-person meetings through the rest of the calendar year, but after discussion with several club presidents in our district, it was decided that each club could make their own decision, following Governor DeWine's directives and feedback from their club members. District Governor Sigrid Solomon stated she feels in-person meetings won't take place before July 1.
 
Chuck said we will continue Zoom meetings each Thursday at noon until further notice. He will email a link to the meeting next week. That link will be able to be used for all future meetings. We will also have monthly Zoom socials, although we can have them more often, if desired. Several club members have started reaching out to other Rotarians to touch base and offer assistance when needed. A survey is being developed to help guide the future direction of how we deal with social distancing requirements, meetings, etc. 
 
Chuck is establishing an advisory group to make recommendations for future direction of the Club:
- Operation of the club in this changing environment
- Keeping membership engaged
- How to address service projects, Pancake Day, literacy program (dictionary/thesaurus)
 
Chuck also mentioned the club is researching ways to have an electronic payments options for dues, happy bucks, etc. The Castle is this quarter's Happy Bucks recipient and we are falling short of projections. We may extend them into the next quarter. He noted the next quarter dues statement will be for RI and District dues only. Anyone who did not ask for their previous quarter meal payments to be donated, will be credited on this next invoice. Anyone who pays for Pancake Day tickets with their dues will also be credited.
 
Happy Bucks
Please make checks payable to Centerville Rotary Club and mail to PO Box 41431, Centerville, OH 45441-0431.
 
Harvey Smith - $10 talked to Soloni who reports her family is healthy and adjusting to doing college work on the computer. He also talked to Rodrigo who is also doing well and does NOT like doing college work on the computer! Don Gerhardt is having health issues and his wife had a bad fall and is now at Heartland recovering. Harvey talked to Joyce on Monday, who said her recovery is coming along. Harvey also noted he has Arnie and Ray's new PHF pins.
 
Mark Febus - $20 noted how wonderful the scholarship candidate interviews went and felt the discussions were great. Thanks to Judy and committee for a job well done.
 
Ron Hollenbeck - $100 said his wife is ecstatic to have him home more (some members requested confirmation from Lori), and he enjoyed working at the Grotto Garden with Chuck, removing honeysuckle. The Castle is a great organization that can really use our support.
 
Deb Dulaney - $20 also noted how great the scholarship candidate interviews went and thanked Judy for her leadership. It was a great experience and after hearing from these impressive students, Deb commented, "The world is not such a bad place!"
 
Carol Kennard - $20 said she is happy to see so many people spending time outdoors and in their parks, and is proud to be in a profession that provides a mental outlet for people during this health crisis. She talked to Kitty, who does not have access to Internet at home, and asked if anyone knew of free wi-fi parking lots. (Speaker Bridget later noted all Job & Family Services locations offer free parking lot wi-fi, and also all Verizon customers currently have free hot spots.) Carol also talked to Don Gerhardt this week and his daughter followed up with an email requesting his Rotary website login information, which Carol provided so his daughter can help him stay connected.
 
Frank Perez - $20 is happy to see everyone again. Boyd Preston - $20 happy to see everyone, and especially Peachy! Elda Gotos Gay - $50 is happy to see everyone and be together again. Peachy - $50 is so happy to get to see everyone and gave all a gigantic air hug!
 
Ray Merz - $10 for missing 10 meetings while in Florida before the pandemic restrictions. On recommendation, they chose to drive back instead of flying and the hotel they stayed in had excellent cleaning/disinfecting practices in place. 
 
Arnie Biondo - $100 announced his daughter is graduating from Miami University and had two job offers already, accepting a full time position at People's Bank. Brian Hayes - $5 announced his oldest son is graduating from Wright State University and has a "big boy" job.
 
Sofie Ameloot - $20 is enjoying time at home with her family - feels like Thanksgiving every day. Her daughter is cooking more which has freed her up for more home projects. Chuck King - $20 gave for a great meeting!
 
Brian Hayes introduced our speaker, Bridget Flaherty, Storyteller.
 
Bridget shared her interesting experience at the grocery store just prior to the Stay at Home went into effect. Whenever she shops, it takes awhile because she has to read labels due to many food allergies in her family. She's one who takes too long and is in your way. And she gets frustrated because there are so many choices, it takes a long time to shop. Everyone was shopping for an apocalypse and as she stood in line to check out, she noticed a restless toddler in line behind her. They met eyes and smiled, so she started singing "You Are My Sunshine," and slowly others joined in until most of the store was singing. When they finished the song, the child raised her arms and declared, "AGAIN!" Everyone laughed and she was reminded of the beauty of human connections and sharing of joy. The next time she went to the grocery two weeks later, everyone was wearing masks, going about their business and getting out quickly. It is a scary time, but we can get through.
 
Bridget talked about the point in her life when she lost her job and had to make a decision between a new full time IT job or going into Storytelling as her main job, which had always been her dream. It was a scary time for her but on her way home to cry and try to make a decision, she came across a car broken down on the side of the road. She stopped to offer help and gave the driver and his black lab puppy a ride to the gas station. While waiting in the car for him to get gas, Bridget's girlfriend called which made her break down crying. When the gentleman returned to the car and found her crying, he asked what was wrong. He said that while he had been cursing the world for his bad luck of running out of gas, he now realized that he was meant to meet her that day. He said he knows a lot of people and could help her find a job, and asked her to talk things through with him. His advice - the worst job you could have is a part-time waitress. Don't give up on your dream! 
 
So today - even waitress jobs aren't available. She's had her storytelling events and programs cancelled and no revenue coming in. She got scared again. Then she got busy figuring out how to survive financially and has gotten to projects she had put off. She is now offering Zoom sessions for people interested in starting something new or how to get through this difficult time. She has enjoyed witnessing the greatness in others as they work through new ideas. Isolation has taught us how to look more into what we really want to do.
 
She ended by encouraging us all to "sing our own song."
 
Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Centerville
Service Above Self
We meet Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Golf Club at Yankee Trace
10000 Yankee Street
Centerville, OH  45458
United States
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THIS WEEK ON SOCIAL MEDIA
 
Did you know you don't even have to be on Facebook to see what's posted on the Centerville Rotary Facebook page? You can get to it easily by clicking on the FB link on the home page of the club's website.
 
Each week in the eBulletin, we'll make it even easier for you to connect through social media, by including links to our Facebook, website, and LinkedIn.