Newsletter - Current  Jul 22, 2010

print this page

North Ridgeville Rotary News

July marks the beginning of a new Rotary year, a new theme, new officers, and the heat of summer. As I begin my year as your Club President, I first want to thank you for the honor to serve in that position.

Rotary has defined July as Literacy Month. As you vacation at the beach or just relax on the deck, enjoy a glass of ice tea and a good novel, consider how many people struggle with the written word. I remember how my grandfather had to rely on others because he hadn’t learned to read and write. Soon our local schools will open and once again we will have an opportunity to put dictionaries in the hands of third graders, giving them a tool to become literate.

There is so much more that can be accomplished through the combined efforts of Rotary International. Each week you set aside $2 in hopes of personal gain through our raffle. Consider setting aside $2 toward Every Rotarian Every Year, and next spring you’ll have met the $100 annual goal.

Semi-annual dues are payable by October, but we have to pay RI and the District this month, leaving the Club funds very thin for a few months. Early payment can give us a bit of wiggle room and keep us from missing opportunities to serve.

Yours in Rotary,

Carl Commons

Meet The Member

Local Landscaper Plants Hope In The Community
Serving the community means so much more than money for Brian-Kyles Construction, Inc.

Givers gain, according to Doug Maurer, president of Brian-Kyles Construction, Inc. And for the last several years he has been giving to charitable causes that mean a lot to him personally. What he gains from that is immeasurable.

For Maurer, being a good corporate citizen isn’t a conscious decision – it’s who he is as a person. Indeed, when a supplier of his was diagnosed with cancer, he dedicated the award-winning Home & Garden Show display he was working on at the time in her honor.

“When something like this happens, you feel helpless,” says Maurer. “I asked myself what I could do to make a difference.”

What he did was follow the lead of his supplier before she was diagnosed. He rolled up his sleeves and helped where he could. Ironically, his supplier was volunteering her time to help another friend with cancer and Maurer admired her selfless act.

The display at the Home & Garden Show caught the eye of Dr. Alexander and Mrs. Maria Zolli, co-chairs for the American Cancer Society’s Life Saver’s Ball, which is hosted at Deluca’s Place in the Park. Maria Zolli asked if Brian-Kyles would participate in the event. Since then, Maurer and his team have volunteered time and resources to transform Deluca’s into various destinations via their landscaping skills. That year it was an Italian villa. Another year it was an “island” theme. And last year Deluca’s was transformed into the “Orient” complete with a bridge, pagoda and Bonsai trees.

“It’s a labor of love for Doug,” says Maria Zolli. “He donates everything and takes absolutely zero [dollars]. He transforms the room and you forget where you are.”

According to Zolli, every year people are blown away by the transformations. “The crowd always applauds when we announce that Brian-Kyles provided the landscaping. [The landscaping] sets the mood and more people are willing to donate.

“Doug works himself silly – I’m talking hours and hours of work. And what he does for us, he does without asking for anything in return,” says Zolli.

Music on a Mission
Another way Brian-Kyles gives back to the community is via Music on a Mission (http://www.musicmissioninc.com/), a local non-profit organization that raises money for music therapy. The program is dedicated to providing music to those who are not likely to have access. The organization reaches out to VA hospitals, women’s shelters and homeless shelters among other places. To raise funds, the organization hosts concerts at Barnfull of Tunes in Avon Lake.

“Doug is one of our heroes,” says Jim Miraldi, a volunteer for Music on a Mission. “He has spent a lot of time making Barnfull of Tunes a fun place to be.”

According to Miraldi, Brian-Kyles helped the organization meet its fundraising goals by expanding the parking areas to enable more folks to attend concerts. “We were limited to the amount of people we could accommodate. Doug has gone above and beyond any of our [volunteer] expectations. He maintains the landscaping and dresses up the whole barn. Without his contributions, Music on a Mission would have very little visibility.”

“Being a part of the business community means you are part of the community as a whole. Our philosophy is simple – give back without expectations,” says Maurer. “Whatever I can do to help support the communities we serve, I will do my best to continue rolling up my sleeves.”

Editor's Note: Want to see some of Doug's work in person? Brian-Kyles is hosting an open house July 24 -- BBQ from Rotunos and garden tours. Click here for details.

Three Quick Questions With . . .

Tissy Simon

1. What do you hope to get out of your membership in Rotary?
I really enjoy the service projects aspect of Rotary. I take great pride and pleasure in helping others in need as well as making our community a better place to live, learn and work. I look forward to our weekly meetings, meeting new people and making new friendships.

2. What would your theme song be, and why?
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts. Several excerpts from the song that are always in the forefront for me are: "may all your dreams stay big," "life becomes all that you want it to," "help someone every chance you get," and "give more than you take." I find joy in giving more than I take, and I do help someone every chance I get. Each one of us is responsible for our life’s journey…I live each day as though it’s my last day and this song drives that message home. Click here to hear the song.

3. If you could be invisible for one day, where would you go and what would you do?
I would like to spend a day in heaven. I have recently lost several loved ones and would like see if they are happy and able to watch over my family.

Jennifer Toth

1. What do you hope to get out of your membership in Rotary?
I hope in some way to be able to "give back" to the community or those in need and less fortunate through Rotary. I also know that I am gaining life-long friendships!

2. What would your theme song be, and why?
"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper. I’m a fun-loving person who enjoys life! Click here to hear the song.

3. If you could be invisible for one day, where would you go and what would you do?
In my boss’s office -- this way I would really know what she thinks of me!

Club Happenings

The Queen Lives

The Rotary Club of North Ridgeville Facebook page is a great way to stay informed on upcoming events. Not a member of Facebook? Join the 500 million subscribers that are part of the social media revolution -- it's fast, free and easy to set up an account. Need help? Traci Purdum will walk you through the process. . . just ask! It's a great way to stay in touch with family and friends!

Already a member -- be sure to visit our page by clicking here.

---

Quoteable Paul Harris

"In the clashes between ignorance and intelligence, ignorance is generally the aggressor."

---

Roto News is published on or around the third Friday of the month. To contribute news, photos or articles, please send submissions to me, Traci Purdum >> tracipurdum@yahoo.com. All submissions must be in by the 2nd Friday of the month.