Frank Perez welcomed everyone to the 12th Zoom meeting of the Centerville Rotary Club, as we are still unable to meet face to face due to the coronavirus. There were 23 people in attendance.
Frank welcomed members Jen Gibbs and Phil Raynes, who were able to attend the Rotary Zoom meeting this week.
Dick Hoback led the Pledge of Allegiance (with assistance by Frank Perez), Bill Menker recited the 4-Way Test, and Harvey Smith led us in a prayer.
President Frank Perez provided these updates:
The Board, after hearing from the Pancake Committee, has voted to cancel the breakfast for this year. There were several concerns with the ability to host the event this fall including:
- The current trend of COVID will make it difficult to do the planning and fundraising necessary.
- Restrictions on gatherings that will likely continue into the fall.
- Access to the cafeteria at Centerville High School cannot be assured.
The committee is looking into options for a Spring fundraiser and will make a recommendation to the board in August. We fully expect to return to having our pancake breakfast in October 2021.
Effective use of the internet is not just important, it’s a necessity. In order to take full advantage of those opportunities, we will now be looking for a chairperson for our website and a chairperson for social media. You don’t need to be an expert, just willing to help and learn. If you are interested or know a member who is interested, please reach out to me or Brad Huffman.
Our Happy Dollars for this quarter are going to Project Warm – please be generous with your Happy Dollars for this good cause. You can send your check to the club mailbox: Centerville Rotary Club, PO Box 41431, Centerville, OH 45458. Brian Hayes called on Rotarians for Happy Bucks:
- Dale Berry ($20) gave for his second coat.
- Harvey Smith ($20) is happy to see Jen Gibbs at the meeting.
- Jen Gibbs ($20) was happy to be at the meeting today.
- Jeff Senney ($20) was happy since he shot 37 on the 9 holes at Community Golf Course and for visits with his grandbabies.
- Elda Gotos-Gay ($20) was happy to see Jen here today and thanked her for taking such good care of them at St. Leonard’s.
- Arnie Biondo ($6) gave $2 each for Jo being here as our speaker today, Jen being here today, and Brian Hayes for his mentorship and guidance on his speaker duties.
- Jim Harris ($20) is happy for Phil Raynes and Jen Gibbs returning to Rotary and for his youngest granddaughter’s birthday this weekend - the last of his grandchildren to leave their teen years.
- Chuck King ($20) is happy to see Jen and Phil again.
- Phil Raynes ($20) noted he enjoyed last week’s photo of Carol Kennard with her daughter and granddaughter, and that her granddaughter’s smile kept him happy all week.
- Frank Perez ($20) was happy to have all three boys and their families home for the weekend.
- Terry Hanauer ($40) enjoyed time at a family church camp last week.
- Brad Huffman ($20) announced his 15.5 year old daughter is learning to drive and will get her temps today!
- Dick Hoback ($20) is happy to be going to Norris Lake with his family to celebrate his 80th birthday!
- Sofie Ameloot ($20) had issues with audio, which made her sound like a mouse, but sent this via chat: for seeing Jen and missing last week. We had a wonderful trip in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Loved Madison especially. Many things were closed but we would not have done this trip if it had not been for COVID. Nice family trip with all the girls.
Our speaker today is Jo Dyck, owner of The Little City Cooking School.
Arnie Biondo introduced our speaker today: Jo Dyck is originally from Toronto and has a degree in Education. She moved to Cincinnati in 1994 and started looking into culinary ventures. Once she moved to Oakwood, Jo renovated the downstairs of her house and opened The Little City Cooking School.
Jo mentioned she was still using her teaching degree - just in teaching people how to cook! Before COVID, they had classes 6-7 nights each week with people filling the 10 cooking stations. The school offers adult and junior cooking classes, private & corporate events, and Master Chef courses for adults and children.
The most requested class is the filet mignon dinner. You prepare and eat it there, although since COVID, there is now the option to package it up to take home instead.
They offer corporate events - with fun having one team compete against another team. In the 16 week Master Chef course, participants earn a white chef jacket at the end. The Junior Master Chef course is for ages 10+ that includes learning knife skills, rolling pasta, etc. The next session will begin in January, 2021.
Jo has 12-13 staff members including Joe Fish, who came from the Racquet Club and has over 25 years experience, and Maddie Hill who also has her own business - Amelia Bakes & Co.
Other programs Jo has held include:
- Dine with a Chef: ticketed event at a local restaurant
- The Little City Food Tour: Downtown Gourmet - visit 6-8 restaurants to sample food and visit with chef
- 2nd Food Tour: Brunch & Bites
These programs are on hold due to COVID
COVID shut them down in March, and they have been catching up on postponed classes since reopening in June. Jo has been working to see how they can better utilize social media to get their message out. Some new ideas are:
- Zoom cooking classes with friends; receive ingredient list ahead of time.
- Working with Living Dayton to develop a Dinner Coach series that you could watch at your convenience.
For more information or to sign up for classes ($75-$90 each), visit the website:
Or follow them on Facebook
Frank Perez thanked Jo for the great program and said for everyone to have a great week, stay safe and healthy!
