Thank you to all who submitted articles and photos! 
You may view larger versions of a story by clicking on the title of the story.
We hope you enjoy our eBulletin.
 

The Akrotarian
eBulletin

 
 
 
Our Mission:
An inclusive, action oriented service organization, Akron Rotary improves our community
and the world while having fun and building friendships.
 
Our Vision:
Together, we aspire to make a lasting, positive impact in the lives of those
in our Akron community and beyond.
 

 

NO MEETING JULY 19th.
There will be a service project and a social taking place July 20th
instead of a weekly meeting.
(see below for details)
 
OUR NEXT REGULAR TUESDAY MEETING IS JULY 26th

 



 

GREGG MERVIS

President & CEO
Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Beginning his professional career in 1981, Akron native, Gregg Mervis is an active member and advocate of the travel and tourism industry. After 14 years of employment with the Quaker Hilton, Gregg left his position as Director of Sales in 1995 to become Director of Sales for the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau and the John S. Knight Center. Fast forward and in 2012, Gregg was named President & Chief Executive Officer, where he is responsible for the management and oversight of the organization’s three (3) business units: Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau, John S. Knight Center, and Greystone Hall.
Club News
Service Project and Social Night July 20th (RSVP by July 15th!!)

We are looking for volunteers for the

Akron Canton Food Bank service project. 

 
The Date is Wednesday, July 20 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the Akron location which is located at 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron, OH 44307.
 
ALL volunteers need to apply/register in order to volunteer.
 
I am the volunteer coordinator for the Akron Rotary Club and you will need the Akron Rotary Club’s address for signing up.
            Akron Rotary Club
            4460 Rex Lake Drive
            Akron, OH 44319
 
I need a head count by this Friday, July 15th, so please let me know if you plan on attending by sending me an email or text:  dhall@preferredlegacy.com or 330-714-1044 Thank you!
If you have any questions please call or text David Hall at 330-714-1044.
 
 
The service project will be followed by a social event open to all at Lock 15. Please come for dinner or drinks or both.  This event is open to anyone that wants to join us; you do not need to attend the service project to join us at Lock 15.  If you are coming to the social event please let David Hall or David Miller know so we can have sufficient table space and chairs for all.  Please join us for an evening of conversation, laughs and fellowship.  Lock 15 is located at 21 W. North St., Akron, OH 44304. Hope to see you there!
 
David Hall, CISP, AFIM
Vice President, Banking Officer
The Preferred Legacy Trust Company
4840 Higbee Ave NW
Suite 4840
Canton, OH 44718
PreferredLegacy.com
New Club Leaders Inducted
Congratulations to Lynda Farkas, our new 2022-2023 Club President. Lynda was sworn in by District Governor David Jones who then had the board of directors also take their oath of office.
 
 
 
    
 

The Rotary Club of Akron

 
Executive Team: 
July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023 
  • President:  Lynda Farkas
  • President Elect: Tom Knauer
  • Vice President: Nathanael Billow
  • Secretary: Terry Dalton
  • Treasurer: Michael Gladysz
  • Sergeant at Arms: Connor Jarvis
 
Directors: 
July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2025
  • Charles Billington III
  • David Hall (replaced Connor Jarvis July 12, 2022)
  • David Miller
  • Rima Muakkassa
Akron Club and Members  Receive Awards & Recognition
Past District Governor and Club Past Akron President John Reyes, was the recipient of the prestigious District 6630 Michael J. Johns Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award.

This award is given to a long-time member in good standing with Rotary District 6630 who has freely given of himself/herself through mentoring, sharing, and serving Rotary. Potential awardees include a past District, Zone or International officer or committee chair (not necessarily a PDG); a supporter of The Rotary Foundation to the best of their ability (not necessarily financial); and someone who has touched our District in many ways throughout the years.
 
John has led the charge on many critical matters within the District and continually provides support, guidance and mentoring for other members.  He and his wife Linda are always ready to help take action to create lasting change for the District, our Clubs and our communities.   They truly exemplify Rotary's motto 'Service Above Self'.
 
 
In addition, the following the following awards were presented to our Club and our other members for the 2021-2022 Rotary Year:
 
Outstanding Leadership & Service Award:  Cheryl Warren, PDG 
The award was presented by PDG Lohman to Cheryl as well as Bob Oborn (Stow-Munroe Falls), Mike Davanzo, PDG (Medina SR) and Kathy Berkshire (Lakewood Rocky River SR) for their unwavering leadership and service during his year as Governor. 
 
The A.Z. Baker Award - The Akron Rotary Club 
Akron was one of 29 clubs (out of 50) to receive this award.
The A. Z. Baker Service Awards were established in 1978 at the recommendation of then District Governor James P. Banks, and by action of the District Board of Trustees. This award honors our own "Mr. Rotary," A.Z. Baker, from the Rotary Club of Cleveland who served as Rotary International President in 1955-1956. His dedication and commitment to Rotary truly exemplified SERVICE ABOVE SELF and this award was designed to honor his memory by encouraging all clubs in the district to participate in each of the Avenues of Service which are the foundation of club activity.
 
Clubs qualify for this coveted award through the accumulation of achievement points.
 
Club Training & Educational Awards - The Akron Rotary Club
Akron was one of 7 clubs (out of 50) to receive this award.
This award is given to any Club that has shown a commitment to the ideals and spirit of Rotary during the 2021-2022 Rotary Year.

 
Individual Training & Educational Awards 
This award is given to any Rotarian who has shown a commitment to the ideals and spirit of being a Rotarian during the 2021-2022 Rotary Year. 
13 individuals in the District received this award, 5 from the Akron Club:
  • Cheryl Warren, PDG
  • John Reyes, PDG
  • Julie Brandle, DGE
  • Lynda Farkas
  • Stew Buchanan, PDG 
Congratulations to all of the 2021-2022 District Award Recipients!! 
 
RSVP for the PRESIDENTS PARTY July 29th
 
You're invited to the
President's Party
Honoring Steve Buie.
 
image
 
You can also bring family and friends.
 
Jul 29, 2022 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 
$50.00 per person
 
Akron Rotary Camp
4460 Rex Lake Drive
Akron, OH United States of America
44319
 
 
Join us on Friday, July 29th as we honor our outgoing President Steve Buie. A celebration party will take place at Akron Rotary Camp in the Pavillion (lakeside), 4460 Rex Lake Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. 
  • 6:00pm - 6:45pm Cocktails and Relish Tray Appetizer 
  • 6:45pm - 7:45pm Dinner Buffet 
  • 7:45pm Celebration Program hosted by Past President Dr. Robert McGregor
Dinner Buffet Menu: 
  • Tossed Salad 
  • Artisan Rolls 
  • Lemon Roasted Chicken on the bone 
  • Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions 
  • Rigatoni with Marinara Sauce 
  • Oven Roasted Irish Potatoes 
  • Green Beans 
  • Dessert 
Vegetarian Option Available Upon Request 
Any questions, please contact Mella Castner at Akron Rotary Camp - mellac@akronymca.org or (330) 644-4512
 
 
 
Thank you,
Dr. Robert McGregor, Past President 2019-2020
 

 
Short Term Youth Exchange Students Visit Club
Apolline Snyers from Belgium, Serena Guo and Manuel Nuñez from Akron.  Apolline and Serena are doing the STEP or Short Term Exchange Program this summer: 4 weeks together in Akron, 4 weeks together in Belgium.  Manny is doing the long-Term program and will leave for S. Korea at the end of August.  He will spend 11 months attending classes and hosted by Rotarian families.
Akron Rotary Youth Exchange Summary
For 2022-2023 we have an exciting level of RYE activity.  We have two Long-term Outbound students Manny Nunez (S. Korea) and Samantha Kramer (Brazil) and one Short-term student Serena Guo to Belgium on direct exchange.

Our Outbound Exchange student Samantha (Sammy) Kramer attended our Rotary lunch June 28 with her father, Keith Kramer.  She will leave for Brazil in late July to be there on time to start school.  She wore her RYE jacket with a collection of pins already evident, so I’m certain she will have a fabulous time.  She has communicated with her host family and is excited about going.   Sammy’s grandfather is a Rotarian from Cincinnati and a former District Governor.  He was the pin donor to her collection’s early start.

 
The Kramers, who live in Stow, are going to host Yara Martin Salas while Sammy is in Brazil.  Yara has managed to get her J1VISA so she can now purchase her airline ticket.  It was an arduous process, but she and her father finally succeeded and are elated. We received a very nice message from Jesús Martin, her father, thanking all who facilitated the visa process.  Yara has already made out her schedule with help from Sam’s mom Tonya Kramer, and hopes to play volleyball for SMFHS.   Yara will arrive July 27.  Yara is the 4th member of her family to do the Rotary Exchange.  One older brother went to Syracuse several years ago.
OLivia Pilon will serve as Counselor to our Inbound student Yara Martin Salas.
 
On July 12 Manuel Nunez, Outbound student to S. Korea, attended the lunch installation of President Lynda Farkas. His father, Jacinto Nunez, an active member of our club, was present as well.  In addition to Manny, Serena Guo our STEP student (Short Term Exchange Program) was a guest with her Exchange sister from Belgium, Apolline Snyers.  Apoline brought a Rotary flag from her sponsor club in Enghien, Belgium, to give to President Lynda Farkas.  Apolline’s father is currently president of the club in Belgium.   Serena’s mother, Grace Zhang, and sister, Anabelle Guo, were also guests for lunch.  Serena will go to Belgium in August to complete the final leg of the exchange.    It’s exciting to have young people involved in Rotary again.  
 
The RYE Committee is planning a welcome potluck for Yara.   Lynda Farkas will host the committee and our Inbound student Yara on July 31st at her home on Turkeyfoot Lake (6 pm).  It has also listed strategies to engage our Inbound student and club members in activities throughout the year and looks forward to playing an active role helping young people bridge the cultural gap.
Calling All Rowers!
Want to have some fun while rowing for a great cause?
Please consider being on the Dragon Boat team!
 
\
 
 
We need to verify if we can support a full team very shortly so let me know if you are fully interested in participating and if you have anyone else who may like to participate.
 
CONTACT:  
Brian Kosarko
briank@twinpines.technology
Direct:330-606-3490

 
DETAILS:
We need at least 8 women in the boat at any point in time and the boat holds 20 people, our team can have up to 24 people.
 
Here is the website for the event http://dragonsonthelake.com/

COST:
It costs $1200 for the team to participate in the event so expect about $50 per person out of pocket.
 
I will check with our Rotary Club to see if they will sponsor us again ... but we cannot count on this right now.
 
PRACTICE:
There will be 1 practice before the day in an evening decided by the event organizers.
 
On the day of, the event starts at 7:30am but as we have learned, only the captain or 1 person needs to be there to sign us up. The rest of the people need to be there around 8:30 to get ready. The races start at 9am so all the team would need to be there and ready in case we are in one of the first races.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
SHIRTS:
We will have to check with fellow Rotarian Tom Knauer to see if he can help with shirt logo again if anything needs changed.
Otherwise, I think I can get new shirts at about $25 each if we get 12 or more, $22 if we get 18 or more. These are performance t-shirts with the logo on them.

OUR TEAM:
Our current team is below with the indented people being invited by the Rotarian above them:
 
Brian Kosarko
              Angela Kosarko
              Hannah Lingel
Connor Jarvis
David Hall
              AnnMarie Hall
Olivia Pilon
              1 or 2 work associates?
 
Maybe
Julie Brandle
Karen Hrdlicka
Susan Colville-Hall
Brian Shanower (Brian K)
Natalie Shanower (Brian K)
Garrett Morgner (Brian K)
Bri Hastings (Brian K)
 
If you know anyone who would be interested or wants to participate, let me know and we can add them to the list.
 
Hoping you can join us!!
 
Brian Kosarko
SAVE THE DATE: Akron Rotary Camp Regatta September 24th

View Our Akron Rotary Facebook Feed for More News

Join Our Conversations . . .
ImageImage

 

Join Our
Social Media Conversations 

  Image  Image
________________
 

If you or someone you know wants to share news with us
<Click to Email us>

________________
 
OUR UPCOMING LUNCH MENU at BOUNCE:
 
July 26
Rice bowl bar w/trimmings
Summer fresh fruit tray
Chocolate brownies and sugar cookies
Akrotarian Supporters
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Speakers
Jul 19, 2022
Jul 26, 2022 11:45 AM
Akron Summit County Convention Visitors Bureau
Aug 02, 2022 11:45 AM
University of Akron
Aug 09, 2022 11:45 AM
Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition
Aug 16, 2022 11:45 AM
Community Action Akron Summit, Inc.: Intersection of Akron Innerbelt and War on Poverty
Aug 23, 2022 11:45 AM
Akron Symphony
Aug 30, 2022 11:45 AM
United Way of Summit & Medina: New Bold Goals
Sep 06, 2022 11:45 AM
Cleveland Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center
View entire list
Upcoming Meetings/Events
2022 Invocation speaker & Greeter sign up
Bounce Innovation Hub
Jan 04, 2022 – Dec 27, 2022
 
President's Party Honoring Steve Buie
Akron Rotary Camp
Jul 29, 2022
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
Board of Directors Meeting
Bounce Innovation Hub with Virtual Option
Aug 09, 2022 11:00 AM
 
Board of Directors Meeting
Bounce Innovation Hub with Virtual Option
Sep 13, 2022 11:00 AM
 
Club Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Jacinto Nunez
July 1
 
Morgan Goldthwaite
July 10
 
Jim Durr
July 11
 
David Koly
July 15
 
Thomas Gedelian
July 30
 
Tamara Mora
July 31
 
Mella Castner
August 3
 
George Romanoski
August 4
 
Laura Smiley
August 5
 
Hilary DeSaussure
August 6
 
Katerina Papas
August 8
 
Nick George
August 8
 
Douglas Hausknecht
August 10
 
Doug Kohl
August 11
 
Roger Read
August 11
 
Julie Ann Sweet-Buntin
August 13
 
Kathryn Michael
August 13
 
Brian Kosarko
August 16
 
Mike Shearer
August 20
 
Marcia Holcomb
August 21
 
Rick Rogers
August 22
 
Robert McGregor
August 22
 
Fred Swartz
August 23
 
Lance Chima
August 25
 
Join Date
Bill (JR) Manby
July 1, 1995
27 years
 
Brad Jeffries
July 3, 2007
15 years
 
Carol Marturano-Becker
July 7, 2020
2 years
 
Lynne Hastings
July 8, 2009
13 years
 
George Romanoski
July 12, 2011
11 years
 
Aimee Wade
July 20, 2021
1 year
 
Elizabeth Campbell
July 21, 2015
7 years
 
Johnna Economou
July 21, 2015
7 years
 
Rich Fry
July 21, 2020
2 years
 
Ann Marie O'Brien
July 23, 2019
3 years
 
Cheryl Warren
August 1, 1995
27 years
 
Hugh Alpeter
August 1, 1983
39 years
 
Nick Browning
August 1, 1992
30 years
 
Rick Rogers
August 1, 2005
17 years
 
Thane Billow
August 1, 2017
5 years
 
Laura Horovitz
August 2, 2016
6 years
 
Daniel Riemenschneider
August 8, 2000
22 years
 
Tamara Mora
August 8, 2017
5 years
 
Kevin Smith
August 15, 2017
5 years
 
Robert McGregor
August 19, 2014
8 years
 
Vivian Harig
August 22, 2017
5 years
 
Michelle Wilson
August 24, 2021
1 year
 
Brian Kosarko
August 26, 2014
8 years
 
John Margida
August 26, 2014
8 years
 
Mella Castner
August 26, 2014
8 years
 
Advertisement for Russell Hampton
Advertisement for ClubRunner
Advertisement for ClubRunner Mobile
 
Learn More About Akron Rotary!
<Email Us>
 
Join Leaders Exchange Ideas Take Action
 
Please add mailservice@clubrunner.ca to your safe sender list or address book.
To view our privacy policy, click here.

 
 
 
© 1914-2021 Rotary Club of Akron, Ohio