Featured with his wife Gay on the cover of Rotarian Magazine in July 2019when Mark assumed his new position as President of Rotary International, he could not have imagined what the next year would bring to our world – Covid 19!
Prior to becoming President, Mark served as District Governor, RI Director, presidential aide, Rotary Foundation trustee and chair of the Council on Legislation and the 2014 Sydney Convention Committee.
Mark grew up on a small beef and grain farm in Ridgeway, IL. A born orator, Mark won a blue ribbon for his speech, “A Dream Becomes a Goal” at the Illinois State Fair in 1966 and later became the president of the Gallatin County 4-H Federation. A natural entertainer, Mark and his sister won the Hawaiian -themed costume contest at Ridgeway’s annual Popcorn Day, an event he still attends regularly. As a high school senior, Mark was recognized as Outstanding Catholic Youth of the Year and delivered the valedictory address. His volunteer activities were too numerous to list. No surprise he was voted most likely to succeed.
I will leave it to you to learn more about Mark’s extraordinary and exemplary life as a farm boy, scholar, volunteer, orator, attorney, Rotarian, husband, father, church land community leader, and more, by accessing yourJuly 2019 Rotarian, pages 24-35. His is an amazing story of life, love, service, and fulfillment. As he says, “Rotary Connects the World”. Nicknamed the ‘cheerful traveler’, Mark will share with us more about his year as RI President as well as how he sees Rotary evolving to better serve the needs of mankind! Watch for your ZOOM invitation and join other Canton Rotarians for this great program!
Every Monday this year, I will be sitting down and putting down my Rotary thoughts, reflecting on the prior week. It has been a really challenging Rotary year for President Drew. He is coming through it well, but we all need to ask him how we can help. It is OUR club after all, and working together makes us stronger in the end.
Thanks to everyone who made it out to our 9/11/20 Lake Cable outdoor Zoom lunch meeting, where we hit a new milestone of 31 attendees! The scenery was magnificent and the company was great. We had box lunches from Jersey Mike’s, did some socializing, and watched our excellent speaker on Zoom. Not perfect, but I will take the win.
This week’s outdoor lunch gathering has us back at The Sanctuary Golf Course and I am hoping that we can continue to maintain or even increase our live and Zoom attendance! Between the folks on-line with Zoom and those at the outdoor event, we should strive to have attendance reaching our 'normal' 60 that we average at the Krassas Center. Let's make it happen!
The Sanctuary in North Canton is the location for the in-person gathering this Friday 9/18/20 to socialize, have lunch, and watch the Zoom presentation on a large screen. Box lunches are $12 cash at the event. Please RSVP to President-Elect Mark Clendenin at: plan42morrow@gmail.com or by text at 33-267-8869 to RSVP.
RSVP needed by Wed evening to assure your lunch is there for you. Thanks! Hope to see you (live or on-line) Friday!
At our Zoom meeting on September 11, 2020, President Drew Pelger opened the meeting by welcoming 44 Canton Rotarians, plus guests: Massillon Rotarian Richard Regula; Perry Township Rotarian Tom Nelligan; Allyson Bussey; Tonja Marshall; Ed Murray; and our speakers, Michael Crawford and Anne Graffice.
Vice President Julia Dick, who was filling in for Secretary Paula Mastroianni, presented some interesting historical facts for the day.
Julia also received "Happy Bucks" from Becky Clark, Mark Clendenin, Raquel Raderchak, and Mark Rojek.
Announcements:
President Drew thanked Mark Clendenin for his help with the in-person Rotary meetings and reminded Rotarians to send their RSVPs to Mark for next week's in-person meeting by Wednesday evening.
Past President Michelle Charles welcomed our guests and our speakers, Michael Crawford and Anne Graffice from the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company.
Next Week's Speaker will be Mark Maloney, Rotary International Immediate Past President.
The annual joint meeting of the Rotary Clubs of Canton and Massillon will be held in Massillon on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Massillon Eagles #190. The traditional rally celebrates the ancient football rivalry between the McKinley Bulldogs and the Massillon Tigers. Join your fellow Rotarians at the socially distanced in-person meeting, 11:30am to 1:30pm.
Cost is $18 and this year you must pay in advance for your RSVP and ticket to the event. There will be no walk-ins or payment taken at the door. You can pay online or send a check to the Rotary Office.
Thedeadline to receive payment is Friday, Sept. 25. You will receive your confirmation ticket by email to bring to the meeting. Masks are required as you enter and leave the facility.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles Banquet Hall is located at 303 Weirich Blvd. NW, Massillon, OH 44647.
Questions? Call Rotary Club Vice President Julia Dick at 330-284-9307 or Rotary Club President-Elect Mark Clendenin at 330-267-8869.
Let's show our support for the McKinley Bulldogs at the Massillon-Canton Rotary meeting. Go Bulldogs!
Due to COVID-19 we advise you to observe all necessary precautions for your health and the health of others.
A small group gathered at pbs Animal Health for a Sept. 11 tribute.
MASSILLON Nineteen years ago, as the dust settled and the country began to see the gravity of the events of the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Americans stood together.
The color of your skin, religious beliefs, status in life and political affiliation didn’t matter.
“We stood as one nation,” Steve Toohey, president of Operation Flags of Freedom, told a small group gathered Friday at pbs Animal Health, at 2780 Richville Drive SE.
Toohey served as the speaker for a 9/11 tribute hosted by the pet supply store. He was joined by local dignitaries and area first responders.
He recalled the clear, crisp morning of Sept. 11.
“This country and world was turned upside down,” he said. “We all remember that day. Where we were at and what we were doing.”
When the first plane struck the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m., Americans hoped it was a freak accident, but 17 minutes later when the second plane hit the other tower, the country knew it was under attack, he said.
When Flight 77 hit the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m., the United States was at war, Toohey said. When the final plane crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pa., Americans knew it was time to start fighting back, he said.
Life would never be the same.
Thousands of innocent lives were lost that day, including 343 New York City firefighters, 23 New York City police officers and 37 New York Port Authority officers.
Those left to mourn the dead would soon be mourning others who helped in the cleanup and recovery efforts who were stricken by cancer and respiratory diseases brought on by their service.
Several thousands of businesses collapsed after the attacks and the economy was left in limbo, Toohey said.
Since then, Americans have been living in uncertain times.
“We are suspicious of people that are different from us and are wearing a backpack,” Toohey said. “Evil is among us and it is looking for the next moment to strike.”
The war on terrorism has left more than 7,000 U.S. troops killed in action and many more who have served are left with physical and emotional scars they deal with daily, he said.
“It was a tragic day, but we stood together as Americans,” he said. “Tell your children about it. Tell you children they have the power to make our country, our world a better place to live.”
Dan Matthews, president of pbs Animal Health, thanked military members, veterans and first responders for their service, taking a moment to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
He asked those attending to take the time to consider how they could make the world more peaceful.
“With the deeply troubled tone of discourse in our country, my prayer for everyone in the community is to take a more loving compassionate attitude toward each other,” Matthews added.
Former Rotarian, George E. Mani, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2020. The following obituary was posted in the Canton Repository on September 13, 2020.
George E. Mani
May 23, 1927-August 20, 2020
A celebration of George's life along with Military honors will be 11:30 am Saturday, September 19, 2020 with family and friends at Union Cemetery, Louisville, OH, with Revs. Andrew Taylor Peck and Dianna Shirey officiating. Masks and social distancing will be followed.
A private Masonic service will precede the graveside service at Arnold & Spiker-Foster-Shriver Funeral Home.
Due to the current COVID Virus, the family understands those wishing to honor George's life safely may view the graveside service on the Arnold Funeral Home Facebook Page, donate to a food bank, help a neighbor, make someone laugh or say a prayer on the 1st tee. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in George's name to Trinity United Church of Christ 3909 Blackburn Rd. NW, Canton, OH 44718 or to a charity of choice. You may sign the guest book at:
Featured with his wife Gay on the cover of 
Every Monday this year, I will be sitting down and putting down my Rotary thoughts, reflecting on the prior week. It has been a really challenging Rotary year for President Drew. He is coming through it well, but we all need to ask him how we can help. It is OUR club after all, and working together makes us stronger in the end. .jpg)
The annual joint meeting of the Rotary Clubs of Canton and Massillon will be held in Massillon on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Massillon Eagles #190. The traditional rally celebrates the ancient football rivalry between the McKinley Bulldogs and the Massillon Tigers. Join your fellow Rotarians at the socially distanced in-person meeting, 11:30am to 1:30pm.
