Projects of the North Ridgeville Rotary

The Rotary Club of North Ridgeville accepted the project to renovate Safetyville in late 2006. The project will involve the renovation of most current buildings within the Safetyville complex, as well as the complete reconstruction of several buildings. The project is expected to be completed by June 2008.

Map of the Safetyville complex listing current building locations and sponsors.

In September 2006, the club prepared an assessment of the needed renovations. We then scheduled a tour of the Safetyville site to inform and motivate our members. In October 2006, we summarized and distributed previously completed member surveys in order to arrive at an accurate workforce to complete the project. The club began to solicit local builders and retail stores for the materials needed in October, and started to coordinate the project with other interested outside groups to work with our Rotary teams. At that time, the club organized the following project teams:

Marketing and Promotion: Ron Schwachenwald, Rita Price, George Stokes, Harold Bogner, Dennis Carson, John Musson, Dick Noll, and Pietro Trunzo.

Team One: Shawn Phillips, Doug Charboneau, Bob Bunsey, Shawn Mueller, Kerry Mueller, Chuck Sword, Carl Commons, Chuck Bowman, Paul Kantor, Tom Klear.

Team Two: Dennis Boose, Bob Liston, Dottie Alberto, Warren Blakely, Al Retay, Kim Cromwell, Chris Costin, Paul Graupmann, Craig Phillips.

Team Three: Pietro Trunzo, Richard Backman, Jack Smith, Kevin Corcoran, Casey O'Conor, Regis Holland, Sherry Drummond, Bob Kirkpatrick, Joe Martin, Wade Hammond.

Team Four: Pat Blakely, Dave Gillock, Hyacinth Williams, Adam Sonnhalter, Eric Breunig, Greg Cromwell, Paul Balog, Jeff Hopkins, Miklos Kis.

Kerry (left) and Shawn Mueller shore-up the bracing of one of the new buildings

In December 2006, the club began soliciting local businesses for potential Safetyville sponsorships, which will included buying a building, building a building, or making a donation towards our project. For example, the Friends of the Library have decided to have a mini-library built by the high school shop class as a project.

The first official Safetyville was conducted at the Wilcox Elementary School beginning in 1978. In the mid '90's, the Police Department and a number of concerned citizens began planning for the current facility. Through the donation of time and materials, our current Safetyville was completed and opened in 1998. Since that time, over 1,500 five and six-year olds have participated in the program. In addition, over two dozen other communities have toured our facility and used our site as a prototype.

Registrations for Safetyville begin in May of each year. During the week-long program, participants go through an initial orientation and receive a poster and t-shirt. One day is spent reviewing police safety, another in fire safety, and yet another in school bus safety. The final day of the program includes a review of everything learned during the week, with a closing ceremony and graduation from the program.

If you would like more information about the Safetyville project, contact the webmaster by clicking here.

North Ridgeville third-graders were not at a loss for words during the week of October 30, 2006 when dictionaries were distributed to every student in the third-grade by members of the Rotary Club of North Ridgeville, as part of The Dictionary Project. Fourteen Rotarians passed out more than 375 books at Wilcox and Liberty Elementary Schools, Lake Ridge Academy and St. Peter School.

The project was spearheaded by Assistant Superintendent and Rotarian Dr. Craig Phillips.

"Rotary felt that this was a great opportunity to give back to North Ridgeville by providing students with a tool to help them with lifelong reading. Sponsoring this event is something that we truly see as an investment in the community," Phillips said.

Since its inception in 1992, The Dictionary Project has provided over 4.5 million dictionaries to students around the United States. The goal is to help all students finish the school year as good writers, active readers and creative thinkers by providing students with their own personal dictionary. The dictionaries are a gift to each student to use at school and at home for years to come.

Our core values describe who we are. They never change - even in difficult times or if we perceive that they put us at a disadvantage. They are:

The Four Way Test - Of the things we think, say and do - These are the ethics of Rotary

Fellowship - This is the original purpose and the Foundation of Rotary.

Our Core Purpose is our reason for existing as an organization. It is our Direction. It remains valid always. It is based on the Object of Rotary as follows:

"To encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

2. High ethical standards in business and the professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society.

3. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life.

4. The advancement of International understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the "Ideal of Service".

Available resources enhance or limit our ability and dictate our path to achieving both immediate and ultimate goals. Our available resources are:

2. Experience - our active membership includes seven Charter Members (25 years) and fifteen Past Presidents. Over sixty percent of the members have more than five years of Rotary service.

5. Communications (poor access to press and the media and lack of member input).

6. Lack of affluence (need additional affluent members and members who are backed up by their employer's corporate commitment - need access to funding to finance projects).

Far reaching goals aid long term vision. Where are we going? What is our direction?

2. Increase ability to serve by increasing club size as the community grows.

4. Build the Club's Foundation's assets to a large enough total such that the investment earnings will support significant scholarships and other charitable activities.

- Attract active new members, the bulk of which should be under age 45 at induction (reverse the increasing average age of the membership).

- Revitalize and actively continue a strong Member Orientation and Retention Program.

- Encourage bonding and Rotary awareness by increasing the opportunities for fun and fellowship.

Strengthen existing programs to educate and inform the community about Rotary and its service to the community.

- Inventory existing projects and fundraisers to eliminate or change those that have become stale.

- Increase the net revenue from fundraisers in order to offset the cost of inflation and add to or improve service projects.

- Promote significant growth of the Foundation's assets in order to finance charitable activities.

Beginning 7-1-2006, obtain a net increase of at least three members each Rotary year by targeting new businesses, speakers, and the Chamber of Commerce list (Membership Committee). Attract younger members to lower the average member age (All members). Member Orientation Program operating routinely (Membership Committee). Hold at lease four social and family events for members each year (Social Subcommittee).

Beginning 7-1-2006, strengthen ties with the area newspapers and establish ties with the broadcast media (Public Relations Subcommittee). Beginning 10-1-2006, conduct a Club Visibility Study (Public Relations Subcommittee). Beginning 1-2-2007, begin participating in community events again (Community Service / Civic & Revenue Committees).

Beginning 7-1-2006, implement the new Dictionary Project (Dictionary Project Subcommittee), and commence the new Safetyville repair and maintenance project (Safetyville Renovation Subcommittee). Beginning 7-15-2006, re-implement the Exchange Student Program by finding a reliable source of Host Families (Exchange Student Subcommittee). Beginning 1-2-2007, inventory existing projects and change as necessary (Board of Directors). Beginning 8-1-2007, establish one joint service project with other clubs or groups each Rotary year (Directors with Community & International Service Committees).

Beginning 8-1-2006, inventory existing fundraisers & change as necessary, and identity "The Event" to become the club's signature event & commence / continue its development (Revenue Projects Committee).

Beginning 8-1-2006, insure compliance with all laws and regulations, promote growth to finance increase in charitable activities, and hold at least three Trustee Meetings each Rotary year (Club Foundation Trustees).

Beginning in August of each year, complete an annual review of the By-Laws and change as necessary (as assigned by the President). In April / May of each year, study the Club's administrative practices and change as necessary (Board of Directors and Club Officers).

A. This compilation does not provide any Tracking and Measuring mechanism, other than target dates, for the various elements. If desirable, these can be added at the annual review and update in the spring.

B. Those elements that have specific completion dates should be considered for re-including each year.

The Annual Night At The Races presented by the Rotary Club of North Ridgeville was again a great success. In addition to individual race wagering, sideboards were sold with all proceeds for the evening going towards the club's Endowment Fund. All in attendance enjoyed the food, fellowship, and the atmosphere of "being at the track". A big THANK YOU to all members and spouses who helped with the planning, set-up, event work, and clean-up.

Many "thanks" to the Interact Club for all of their help - selling tickets and serving food.

The Annual Rotary Club of North Ridgeville Steak Fry was again a huge success. Everyone in attendance enjoyed great weather, great food, and great fellowship, with all the proceeds going towards the many worthwhile projects.

The club wishes to thank the All American Sports Center for allowing us to host the event in their facility, the North Ridgeville High School Interact Club for all of their help throughout the event, and all of the Rotary volunteers who assisted in set-up, bartending, serving, food preparation, and clean-up. And a special thanks to the Muellers' for once again preparing the "best steaks in town"!

Once again this year, our Club has helped Community Club feed the needy in our community by donating two-thousand pounds of potatoes.

(L-R) Rotarians Paul Graupmann, Greg Cromwell, Community Care Director June Yost, Rotarians Dottie Alberto, Paul Balog, and Regis Holland. Kim Cromwell not shown.

The Club gives a big "thank you" to these Rotarians for helping with the delivery, and everyone else with their donations to make this presentation possible!

Interact Club

Interact, a Rotary-sponsored youth service club, was launched by the Rotary International Board of Directors in 1962. The first Interact club was established by the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Florida. Interact clubs provide opportunities for boys and girls in secondary school to work together in a world fellowship of service and international understanding. The term "Interact" is derived from "inter", for international, and "act", for action. Every Interact club must be sponsored and supervised by a Rotary club and must plan annual projects of service to its school, community and in the world.

The Rotary Club of North Ridgeville sponsors the North Ridgeville High School Interact Club, which was chartered during the 2001 - 2002 Rotary year. Rotarians Giles Norrington and Warren Blakely spearheaded the project and continue to guide the group with the assistance and support of North Ridgeville High School Principal, Mrs. Patricia Bahr. With about 15 active members during the last school year, the club initiated several fundraising projects to do good in the community and internationally; including their first annual garage sale held this past spring. Although relatively small in numbers, the students truly demonstrate the Rotary Motto of "Service Above Self". For example, although the Rotary Interact Bylaws require meetings every-other week, the students themselves insist on meeting every week.

All of their fundraising efforts allowed them to make a $300 donation to the Rotary International Polio Eradication Project. In addition, they also assisted in the DNA Testing Project, which was made available to area children through the North Ridgeville schools and at the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. During their first year, the club conducted a book drive and delivered over 800 books to an inter-city elementary school in Cleveland. In 2003, they culminated their year with a Rotary-sponsored trip to Cedar Point, hosted by Rotarian Chris McCully with transportation provided by the North Ridgeville Schools.

The Club in 2003-2004 has continued to grow in numbers and community assistance projects. They have raised money through candy sales at the high school , as well as a walk-a-thon in support of numerous worthy associations. They were the main support behind a youth mentoring program with the Wilcox Elementary School in December, and our own Giles Norrington became Santa for a day to delight of everyone in attendance. May 29 ended their fundraising efforts for this school year with their second-annual Garage Sale at the High School gymnasium. You will find more details on the News and Events Page of this web site.

Today, there are more than 6,000 Interact clubs with 140,000 members in 96 countries around the world. Interactors develop skills in leadership and attain practical experience in conducting service projects, thereby learning the satisfaction that comes from serving others. A major goal of Interact is to provide opportunities for young people to create greater understanding and goodwill with youth throughout the world.

Members of the North Ridgeville High School Interact Club were guests of our Rotary Club during our meeting on December 8th, 2006. Rotarian Adam Sonnhalter is our club's advisor for the group, while North Ridgeville High School Principal Patricia Bahr is the school advisor.

The Interact Club recently held a Pizza Challenge on October 28th as a fundraiser for Community Care. Local pizza eateries Dominos, Donatos, Our Place, Pizza Hut, Georgios, Izzos and Petey's Filling Station all competed. Attendees sampled all of the varieties of pizza and voted for their favorite, with Petey's Filling Station walking away as champion. Nearly $1,900 was raised and over 200 pounds of food was collected for distribution to those in need in North Ridgeville. There were 300 people in attendance. THANK YOU for everyone who volunteered with this project

Interact President Kathy Ulicky presents Rotary Club President Giles Norrington the $300 in proceeds from their 2004 Garage and Bake Sale. The Rotary Club matched their donation for a total of $600 to the Sparrow Village Aids hospice project.

The 2003-2004 Interact Club finished their year with another successfulRummage and Bake Sale. Does it look like they have any fun?

The Charter Members of the North Ridgeville Interact Club, with advisor Giles Norrington.

Past President Regis Holland (left), Maureen "Mo" Sill, 2005-2006 Interact President, and President Regis Holland

YOUTH EXCHANGE

    Youth Exchange is one of the most popular programs to promote international understanding and develop lifelong friendships. It began in 1927 with the Rotary Club of Nice, France. In 1939 an extensive Youth Exchange was created between California and Latin America. Since then the program has expanded around the world. In recent years more than 7,000 young people have participated annually in Rotary club and district sponsored exchange programs.

      The Rotary Club of North Ridgeville has an extensive and proud history of involvement in the Youth Exchange Program. One of our more recent students, Rodrigo Cuevas, arrived in the fall of 2002 from Rancuaga, Chili. He made the transition to our country relatively easily, and became a member of the North Ridgeville High School soccer team and earned his varsity letter. He enjoys music, sings, and plays guitar as well. Rodrigo enjoyed his stay in our country so much, that he postponed his departure several times until the very last day when his visa expired. And when his host family, Paul and Sally Balog, took him to the airport for his trip home, nine of his high-school friends were there to see him off! He is now back home in Chile, attending a six-month pre-college school where he is studying to take the college admissions exams. Unlike the United States where most everyone has the opportunity to attend college if they so choose, the results of the college admissions exams in Chile determine if one will be able to attend college, and if so, what areas of study they will be able to pursue.

      The Rotary Club of North Ridgeville sincerely thanks the Paul and Sally Balog family, the Kerry and Mary Ann Mueller family, and the Hyacinth and Kenrith Williams family for being our most recent host families.

Rodrigo Cuevas, pictured with Paul and Sally Balog.

Exchange Student Rodrigo Cuevas speaking to the Club about his country and his experiences in the United States.

Brad Coyne, our most recent outbound Exchange Student, spent almost a year in Australia, returning in July, 2001. Brad gave the club a hilarious account of his escapades "Down Under" at a club meeting upon his return home. He had a noticeable Aussie accent, and told about his "tough life" overseas - spending a great deal of time snowboarding and water-skiing! Brad became one of the Charter Members of the Interact Club upon his return to school.

      Our other most recent inbound Exchange Students include Audry Cazes from France and Pilar Mendoza from Venezuela. Audry was from a farming district in southern France. Pilar had already graduated high school upon her arrival in the United States, and had the opportunity to meet the girl from Chagrin Falls who stayed with Pilar's parents in Venezuela while she was with us! Pilar assisted in the teaching of the advanced Spanish classes and was honored by the North Ridgeville School District and Lorain County for her outstanding artwork.

      The values of Youth Exchange are experienced not only by the high school-age students involved but also by the host families, sponsoring clubs, receiving high schools and the entire community. Youth Exchange participants usually provide their fellow students in their host schools with excellent opportunities to learn about customs, languages, traditions and family life in another country.

      Youth Exchange offers young people interesting opportunities and rich experiences to see another part of the world. Students usually spend a full academic year abroad, although some clubs and districts sponsor short-term exchanges of several weeks or months.

Exchange Student Audry Cazes from France, as she prepares to present her country's flag during the 2001-2002 District Conference.

Exchange Student Pilar Mendoza from Venezuela

Namsai "Oom" Wongsaeree, our Thailand Exchange Student, with Rotarian Tom Klear

EASTER EGG HUNT

2006 marked the 58th Annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Rotary Club of North Ridgeville. The event takes place on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, and is held at the North Ridgeville High School Ranger Stadium. This year, over 10,000 eggs were stuffed with candy and/or prize slips - with approximately 400 prizes distributed to the lucky egg hunters.

Months before the event, Rotarians Pat Blakely and Kerry Mueller begin planning for the big day, as well as purchasing the plastic eggs, cleaning and sorting the eggs saved from the year before, and purchasing some of the prizes. Weeks before the event, Rotarians spend hours stuffing the plastic eggs with candy at the First Merit Bank Community Room (thanks, Bob!). The day finally arrives, and our Rotarians prepare the field and distribute the 10,000 eggs over four separate age groups for hunting; ages 1 to 3, ages 4 to 5, ages 6 to 7, and ages 8 to 9.

Over 10,000 eggs quietly await the hunters arrival at Ranger Stadium

One hour before the "bell", the gates open and several thousand children, parents and grandparents descend upon Ranger Stadium. Of course, the Easter Bunny is there to greet the little ones!

The Easter Bunny is always one of the highlights for children of all ages.

And when everyone is finally assembled and can wait no longer, the Rotary Bell is rung and the eggs are gobbled up in less than a minute!

It doesn't take long for the eggs to be collected - we have excellent "egg hunters" in North Ridgeville!

The youngest children (ages 1 to 3) are allowed help from a parent or grandparent.

ROTARY CLUB OF NORTH RIDGEVILLE
CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY PROJECT

FLAG POLE DISPLAY
AND
ROTARY PLAZA
AT THE
SHADY DRIVE COMPLEX

The Rotary Club of North Ridgeville has developed a Centennial Community Project within the City of North Ridgeville's Shady Drive Complex to establish a Flag Pole Display and Rotary Plaza. The 25 year-old complex boasts thirteen diamonds, football field, and playground, and has just completed a new concession stand - restroom facility. The complex used to have two separate flag poles with flowers planted around the base; one near the center of the complex and one near the back of the complex. However, the flagpole near the back of the complex has been removed, while the remaining flagpole is in need of upgrading. Neither flagpole had lighting for night displays. The Club also developed a plaza on the south side of the new facility, which includes a three-flagpole display with lighting. The plaza features seating with landscaping. The location of the plaza is separated from the baseball diamonds by the parking lot and the concession stand - restroom facility, and is located under some of the only natural shade in the complex. The plaza provides a most welcome respite for even the heartiest of baseball enthusiasts.

The project was financed and completed over a two-year period.

The flagpole display and plaza began next to the concession stand and will extend partially into the parking lot. This is how the project area looked before we began.

Phase II of the project is currently being constructed, and this is how the area looks on April 22, 2005.

Part of the project included improving draining problems, A drain has been installed along with a brick walkway to the delivery area of the concession stand.

The Flagpole Display was constructed on the southwest corner of the project site. The construction required the removal of one tree. The tree was located directly between two larger trees positioned between the concession stand - restroom and the main parking lot. It was dying and would needed to be removed in the near future for safety reasons even if this project was not being completed. The Club will planted two trees in the complex, in addition to the landscaping throughout the plaza, to help replenish the flora within the park. The Club saught the assistance of the North Ridgeville Parks & Recreation Department in removing the tree and stump.

One thirty foot (30') and two twenty-five foot (25') aluminum poles were erected at the southwest corner of the project area and includes a base and plaque commemorating the dedication of the display by the Rotary Club of North Ridgeville for the Centennial Community Project. Two aboveground commercial lighting fixtures were mounted on the south side of the concession stand - restroom facility to illuminate the flags at night.

Construction of the actual project began on Saturday, May 8th with the digging and placement of the ground tubes for the poles. On Lorain County Pride Day the following weekend, Rotarians and other volunteers completed the placement of the poles, as well as light landscaping. City workers installed the light fixtures in July, and the flags are now proudly and properly displayed at night.

Rotarian Regis Holland and volunteer Jeff Brown drill pilot holes for the ground tubes which will hold the poles in place.

The plaza is located between the south side of the concession stand - restroom facility and the main parking lot. General grading was completed prior to the installation of the plaza base. Hardwood mulch provided the base for the plaza. Park benches were placed throughout the plaza. Stone-block edging separate the plaza from the parking lot. In addition, the Flagpole Display was landscaped with appropriate plantings. Phase Two of the project was completed in June 2005 order to meet the Rotary Centennial Community Project deadline.

The project was funded by the Rotary Club of North Ridgeville with the assistance of a matching fund grant from Rotary International. As much of the work as appropriately possible was completed by Rotarians. Rotary is an organization that provides humanitarian service and helps build goodwill and peace throughout the world. This Rotary Centennial Community Project provides the ideal opportunity for the Rotary Club of North Ridgeville to showcase the remarkable scope and power of Rotary service.

POLIO ERADICATION: FULFILLING OUR PROMISE

      In 1985, Rotary International launched PolioPlus, one of the most ambitious humanitarian programs ever undertaken by a private-sector organization. PolioPlus was the catalyst for the World Health Assembly's resolution in 1988 to eradicate polio. Today, thanks to Rotary's $500 million commitment and its leadership in mobilizing volunteers, the world is on the threshold of eradicating the polio virus.

      Great progress has been made. Fewer than ten countries still have polio. The number of cases worldwide has decreased 99 percent since 1985. The greatest obstacle to victory is adequate funding. A $275 million shortfall must be overcome in the period 2002 - 2005.

      For this reason, the Rotary International Board of Directors and the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation decided to conduct a one-year campaign to help fill the funding gap. The campaign sought $80million in cash and pledges during the 2002 - 2003 Rotary year ending June 30, 2003. (Pledges may be paid over a three-year period).

      Our club initiated the Sports Extravaganza Raffle last year as an opportunity for each Rotary Club of North Ridgeville Rotarian to help generate $300 in donations to Polio Eradication during the three-year pledge period. Once again this year, we are offering the opportunity for one winner to win two Club Seats and Parking to the Cleveland Browns vs. Arizona Cardinals game in November 2003, two Lower Level Seats to a Cleveland Cavaliers game during the 2003 - 2004 season, two Prime Seats to a Cleveland Indians game during the 2004 season, and two Prime Seats to an Ohio State Football game during the 2004 season. Tickets are only $5.00 each, and all proceeds are sent to the Rotary Foundation for the final elimination of polio worldwide. Tickets can be purchased from any North Ridgeville Rotarian. The Drawing will take place at the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of North Ridgeville at 12:00 noon on Friday, November 7th.

DNA SAMPLING PROGRAM

      The Rotary Club of North Ridgeville received approval for a Club World Community Service Project to conduct DNA sampling for children in our community at our Annual Easter Egg Hunt in 2002. Rotary International and District 6630 also approved a $1,000 CAP Grant for purchasing the DNA sampling kits, the first fully approved CAP Grant in the District. But that's not all . . . Our Interact Club at North Ridgeville High School raised nearly $300 for more DNA sampling kits through their fundraising campaign called "Doughnuts for DNA".

      The DNA sampling kits are for family records only, and provide parents DNA samples of their children. The kits provide critical information in the event of a lost child. Although we don't like to think it could happen to us, it could. And these kits can speed up the recover process.

      The club continued making the DNA sampling kits available to children in our community through the schools and the 2003 Easter Egg Hunt. Future plans include making them available to school children in the fall of 2003. Please contact any North Ridgeville Rotarian if you know of any parents that would like the DNA sampling kits for their children.

The 2004 Reverse Raffle / Silent Auction was a huge success, as over 225 attended our Spring Fling at Fountain Bleu in Avon Lake, Ohio.

The accommodations at Fountain Bleu were perfect, as we were able to establish the side boards along with "Caller" Jeff Brown at the front of the room, and all Silent Auction items were available for viewing and bidding in the middle of the room on the dance floor. The food was delicious, the service outstanding, and the fellowship extraordinary. The Rotary Clubs of North Ridgeville and Avon / Avon Lake wish to thank everyone who helped with the program, as well as everyone in attendance. Over $8,000 was raised for our club, which will go towards the upcoming Centennial Project at Shady Drive and our other essential projects throughout the year.

The District 6630 Annual Conference was held at the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio April 22 - 25, 2004. North Ridgeville Rotarians Warren & Pat Blakely, Giles Norrington, and Dennis Boose with his wife Lisa attended the event, titled "Rotary in My Back Yard".

The Conference began Thursday with a fun filled evening at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in the Rainforest. Participants enjoyed animal shows, a scavenger hunt, and a buffet dinner.

Friday began with the Annual Business Meeting, presided by District Governor Jack Harig. Warren Blakely and Giles Norrington were our clubs official voting members for the meeting. The "Hail to the Indians" luncheon featured Sharon Hargrove as the Keynote Speaker. Participants spent the afternoon at a golf outing at Silver Lake Country Club, or enjoyed a Magical Mystery Bus Tour of Akron. The evening dinner was in Recognition of Paul Harris Fellows, Major Donors, Benefactors, and special award recipients, and was hosted by Past District Governor Daniel Sazima. Dennis Boose was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow recipient during the past year, and Pat Blakely received her second Paul Harris Fellow. Rotary International President's Representative Robert Coultas was the Keynote Speaker. Akron Rotarian Gene Fiocca and his band played for the attendees, followed by Hospitality Suites, one sponsored by the Rotary Club of North Ridgeville along with other clubs from Cuyahoga County Southwest and Northwest clubs.

Warren Blakely, in festive attire, presented attendees with beads when entering our Mardi Gras themed Hospitality Suite.

Saturday began with a series of informational sessions. These included "New Members are Right Around the Corner; Where to Find Them and How to Keep Them", "Your Service and The Rotary Foundation" presented by our own Warren Blakely, and "Business Ethics and Values". The luncheon was highlighted by the presentation of the top our winners of the 4-Way Speech Contest conducted by the District.

The Governor's Banquet began with the Honor Guard, R.O.T.C., Air Force, University of Akron, Arnold Air Society presenting the colors, followed by the Parade of Flags with the Youth Exchange Students accompanied by a Trumpet Volley. Governor Harig presented Polio Eradication Awards and a Service Above Self Award, followed by Rotary International President's Representative Robert Coultas as the Keynote Speaker. Moscow Nights, with Vitaliy Bezrodnov of the Lakewood / Rocky River Club, performed a series of Russian songs for those in attendance prior to the opening of the Hospitality Suites.

Projects of the Rotary Club of North Ridgeville