At our weekly meeting on February 3, 2017, President Craig Young welcomed the members and the guests to the meeting.
 
Rotarian Kim Kroh gave the Invocation.
 
President Craig then asked those celebrating a February birthday to stand and be recognized. 
 
President Craig then recognized Rotarian Sharon Sirpilla for her outstanding speakers in the month of January.
 
Secretary Suzette Matthews welcomed the following guest to the meeting: Peter Kopko, Carolyn Givens, Don Foley, Dick Kiko, Jr., Tim Blocher, Rick Johnson, Amy Mast, Pat Hoover, Bill McCabe, Pat McCabe, Perry Alexandrides, Ryan Young, Barb Mucci, Kevin Warrene, Rodney Sutton, Tracey Evans, Debbie Poland, Homer Richards, Karen Marsh, Jeff Marsh, Dianne Williams, Jim Ondrus, Peter Taflan, Andrew Castle, Brent Rice, Thomas P. Brown IV, David Kaminski, Paul Hervey, Theresa Thomas, Jim Keller, Kevin Heraghty, Dave Waikem, Chylece Head, Eric Smer, Scott Barwick, Larry Marcus and Franklin Arner.
 
The "Happy Bucks" were provided by the following:
  • Mark Clendenin - In thanks and appreciation for Akron Children's Hospital and the successful cancer surgery performed on his relative;
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  • Rick Taylor - In honor of those who recently volunteered to be Junior Achievement mentors for juniors at McKinley High School: Bill Maddox, Bruce Schorsten, Mark Clendenin;
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  • PDG/PP Dave Ewing - In appreciation for being hired recently at Liberty Ford (after they purchased his previous employer, Downtown Ford);
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  • Bill Sparks - In recognition and appreciation for the Secretary of State's office and the great work they do in assisting businesses in the state;
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  • Bruce Schorsten - In celebration of Super Bowl Sunday and the opportunity to escape politics for an afternoon;
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  • Suzette Matthews - In celebration of John Husted, Secretary of State of Ohio, as our honored speaker today; and in appreciation of Dianne Williams, her sister and flutist, for being our featured musician for the day.
The following "Rotofact" was then read:
 
"Did you know we are close to ENDING POLIO.  As a Rotarian, it is your chance to change the world to make sure no child is disabled by polio ever again.  Since 1979 when our Global POLIOPLUS project started, 2 billion children have been protected from polio, 500,000 new cases have been prevented each year, 5 million people who might otherwise have been paralyzed are today walking, working members of society.
 
With 193 countries now polio-free, the world has made too much progress to falter now.  Currently Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are the only countries where polio has not been completely eliminated. We still have work to do-- but it is an achievable goal, one that you, me, we, along with 1.2 million fellow Rotarians worldwide, can accomplish together!  You really can change the world for the better ONE LIFE at a time through Rotary!"
 
Vice President Michelle Mullaly, with the assistance of Rotarian Bill Liber, drew the SECOND week prizes for the "Unevent" Raffle. *See story above for the winners from the last two week's of drawings.
 
PP Dan Matthews then introduced our new member, Raquel Raderchak.  *Please see story above for Raquel's bio.
 
PP Dan being the speaker chair for the month of February, introduced our speaker, Secretary of State Jon Husted. The topic was "Ohio's Economic Growth Plan".
 
President Craig concluded the meeting by informing the members of next week's speaker: Pete Fierle, Communications Director for the Pro Football HOF. Mr. Fierle will speak on "The Johnson Controls Pro Football HOF Village Sponsorship".
 
**If you are planning on bringing a guest to the February 10th meeting, please contact the Rotary office and register your guests.
 
The following Rotarian turned in a makeup during Friday's meeting:  Chuck Smith; PDG/PP Bob Pattison ( 4-Cocoa Beach Sunrise, FL); PP Dan Fuline (3-District 6650's Pegasus Farm Military Family Center).