Stories

Dr. Michael Carlson and the associates of Carlson Funeral Home welcomed Medina Sunrise Rotary to an Anniversary Celebration and fellowship breakfast recognizing the club's 20 years of service to Medina.

"We received our club charter from Rotary International in 1994," stated founding club president Becky Shotwell.  "From the very beginning, we have been committed to making a difference in the lives of children in our community and beyond through our time, talents and treasures."

The event was marked by an historic video of the club produced by Carlson Funeral Homes as a special anniversary gift.  A formal flag raising ceremony with a military escort, VFW Post #5137 Honor Guard, 21 gun salute, Taps, the Pledge of Allegiance and a Celtic Eagle bagpiper playing Amazing Grace completed the memorable program.

Dr. Michael Davanzo of the Medina Sunrise Rotary Club, accompanied by First Lady Judith Davanzo, was inaugurated NE-Ohio Rotary District Governor 6630 in a formal banner exchange ceremony to mark the beginning of a his 2014-15 term of office.

The upscale event was held at the Root Candles' Community Room which had been graciously provided by The A.I. Root Company.  Over 100 guests enjoyed the music, food and fellowship while extending their congratulations and well wishes to Dr. and Mrs. Davanzo as they assume leadership of the district's 56 Rotary Clubs, 5 College Rotaract Clubs, 16 High School Interact Clubs and 6 International Youth Exchange Students.

“'Light Up Rotary' is our International Theme," declared Dr. Davanzo, "but it is more than our theme. It is how we live in Rotary, how we think in Rotary, how we feel, and how we work. It is how we make a difference — every day, in every club, every community, every district, and every country where we serve.”

"How you Light Up Rotary is up to you,” Davanzo emphasized. “You know where you are strong, you know what your community needs, and you know how you can help."  When we come together as 1.22 million Rotarians to eradicate polio — and we will — we will have proved ourselves a global service organization capable of great things. And we’ll be even better equipped for the next challenge we choose to take on. We’ll have given the world a gift that will endure forever.”

The Medina Sunrise Rotary Club recently partnered with Judge Kevin Dunn on a Build-a-Bear Workshop.

“All our hard-working Rotarian and student volunteers were a big help,” said retired Judge Judy Cross, Rotary project chair. “The Build-A-Bear program, under Medina County Common Pleas Judge Kevin Dunn, was another big success this year as last. The lovable bears will be given to local foster children and distributed to some of the children who currently attend Medina County’s Windfall School.”

Rotary Club President John Ross added, “We are pleased to continue our partnership with Judge Kevin Dunn on such a worthy project. The Build-a-Bear program is a perfect extension of our Medina Sunrise Rotary mission of ‘Making a difference in the lives of children in our community and beyond through our time, talents and treasures.’”

PHOTOS

Include: Dr. Andres Bello, Will Koran, Sharon Danko, Judy & Dr. Mike Davanzo, John Ross, Becky Shotwell and The Bears

Medina Sunrise Rotary was honored to have our Past Ohio District Governor Jack Young, accompanied by Marsha Pappalardo, visiting today to officiate the Passing of the Gavel Ceremony, to introduce our Rotary International 2013-14 Theme, '"Engage Rotary, Change Lives" and to induct Nate Bowman into the fellowship of Rotary.

"The Passing of the Gavel Ceremony is an honored Rotary tradition signifying the responsibility associated with the office of club president," stated Mr. Young.

In this ceremony, the outgoing club president, Vance Truman, hands the gavel to the District Officer representing Rotary, Jack Young, signifying the return of the responsibility of which he/she was entrusted upon assuming the presidency. The Rotary District Officer then passes the gavel to the incoming club president, John Ross, thus demonstrating confidence in the new president's ability to handle the responsibility of the office of president and maintain or better the club and fulfill the Rotary Motto of "Service Above Self."

Mr. Young concluded the Passing of the Gavel and New Member Induction Ceremonies by thanking the club for their commitment to service and invited all to join him in welcoming our newest Medina Sunrise Rotarian, Nate Bowman, CFO/MCA for Keller Williams in Medina.

WINE & ROSES BENEFIT DINNER AND AUCTION RAISES FUNDS FOR MEDINA YOUTH

Becky Shotwell, president of Stop n' Go, one of the three major event sponsors, which included Medina Auto Parts/Carquest and RICO Manufacturing, said "This was a wonderful evening of coming together as friends to help others in our own community. Medina is a special place and without all of you and your generosity, this evening would not have been possible."

The Medina Sunrise Rotary Club's 11th Annual Rotary Foundation Dessert Auction raised over $9,000 to support the Rotary Foundation's global humanitarian, educational and peace programs.

"The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable 1.2 million Rotarians world-wide to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education and the alleviation of poverty," stated Foundation Chairman Will Koran.

Vance Truman, Club President, thanked Rustic Hills Country Club, Rotarians and many friends for their generosity which would continue Rotary's leadership in the global effort to eradicate Polio, fund fellowships in peace and conflict resolution, and contribute to Foundation Grants in humanitarian causes.

Thirty volunteers from Medina Sunrise Rotary and RICO gathered for a workshop at RICO Manufacturing in Medina on Monday evening, at the invitation of RICO Mfg. President Steve Shuck, to repair and adapt toys and assistive devices for children with disabilities.

Barbara Sagar, Rotary club program director, stated that the workshop was sponsored by RePlay for Kids, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization, which provides these services at no cost for non-profit organizations that provide medical, educational, or recreational resources for children with disabilities in the Northeast Ohio area.

As holiday-dressed children gathered around the Christmas Tree to sing a Yuletide favorite, "Jingle Bells," Santa Claus suddenly appeared to the wonder and delight of all who had come to celebrate the Medina Sunrise Rotary annual Family Christmas Party.
 
Connor Jardine couldn't wait to be the first one to run across the room, jump up and give Santa a big welcome hug!  Rotary Club president Daryl Kubilis, our event organizers Becky Shotwell and David Heath and the staff of Rustic Hills Country Club were certainly busy helping Santa Claus with the presents he brought for all the good little girls and boys.
 
A mild December evening with fine food, friendship and and the spirit of giving at Christmas was quietly concluded with Santa Claus joining in as everyone held hands to sing "Silent Night."
 
Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!

Rotary Note:   The Rotary Convention

The Rotarian -- October 2010 

The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is the site of the 2011 RI Convention, including all plenary and breakout sessions and the House of Friendship. It is an easy walk from many downtown hotels, a quick ride on the Riverfront Streetcar to the historic French Market, and will be the site of the Sounds of the South Concert . The center is also steps from Riverwalk Marketplace, a unique collection of 140 shops and eateries.  The convention begins May 21 through 25, 2011.

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

900 Convention Center Boulevard

New Orleans, LA 70130-1799

504-582-3000

Dr. Davanzo extended his congratulations and presented Daryl with a banner displaying the 2011-2012 Rotary International Theme, "Reach Within to Embrace Humanity."

 "'The Medina Sunrise Rotary Club 'Mark Sutherland Scholarships' are awarded annually to honor outstanding high school seniors in Medina County who were selected for their academic achievement, leadership in the community and commitment to the Rotary motto of 'Service Above Self,'" stated Dr. David Loeper, scholarship chairman. "The scholarship is named in memory of past school superintendent, Rotary District Governor Elect, Club President and Paul Harris Fellow -  Mark Sutherland."  Mrs. Judy Sutherland (wife), Medina County ESC Superintendent Will Koran, Cloverleaf Schools Superintendent Daryl Kubilus and Past Highland Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Carlson were present to congratulate the 2011 scholarship winners.

Dr. Mike Carlson and Doug Loehr, two of the three Chairpersons (Mark Morse is missing from photo) for the 2011 Medina Sunrise Rotary Wine & Roses Auction & Dinner Dance, present a check for $10,000 to Jennifer Graham from the Medina County Childrens' Center.  

"We are so pleased, that through our continuing partnership with Rotary, Medina County Childrens' Center has been able to provide safe and compassionate care to almost 300 neglected and abused children in 2010, "said  Executive Director Karen Glass. 

Enhance Service Above Self in your club's projects by first understanding the community's needs. See this month's Rotary Leader for full article.

Humanitarian grants from The Rotary Foundation enable Rotarians to increase their support of international service projects that can help in areas such as this lettuce farm in Niger. Contributions to Rotary Foundation funds enable Rotarians to carry out humanitarian and educational projects.

Donors may direct their gifts to three main funds: the Annual Programs Fund, which supports the Foundation’s humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs worldwide; the Permanent Fund, which provides an endowment; and the PolioPlus Fund.

The Club Officers’ Kit was mailed to governors-elect in November and is also available at www.rotary.org. The kit includes the following manuals: