General Chairman Doug Froelich General Vice Chair Todd Stover
The Pro Football Hall of Fame and Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce have named two long-time community volunteers to the top leadership positions for the 2019 festivities that will celebrate the annual enshrinement of new classes into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Doug Froelich is serving as General Chairman, with support and assistance from Todd Stover, General Vice Chairman.
Froelich and Stover are leading a combined corps of volunteers to help provide a world-class experience to the hundreds of thousands of fans who will descend upon Canton for the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, including Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls.
Froelich graduated from North Canton Hoover High School, Kent State University, and Ashland University. He is a teacher, National Honor Society adviser and senior class adviser at Green High School, and previously served on the Green Local School District Leadership Team and as Language Arts Department chairperson.
A 28-year Enshrinement Festival volunteer, Froelich has served on the Hall of Fame Hospitality and Enshrinement Committees and the 50th Anniversary Committee. He has also chaired the Balloon Classic Committee and twice chaired the Security and Logistics Committee. Froelich’s extensive volunteer efforts have been guided by his definition of volunteerism, “Giving of your time, talents, and resources, without expectation of reward.”
Stover, a Canton Central Catholic and Kent State graduate, is the Manager of Program Delivery & Controls at FirstEnergy. This will be his 40th year of volunteer service to the Enshrinement Festival, including 39 years on the Hall of Fame Security Committee, and 11 years as chairman. He is a past-president and chairman of the Jackson-Belden Jaycees, past chairman of Parish Council of Saints Philip & James Church, and is a member of the Edison Men’s Club, Knights of Columbus #11037, and North Canton Eagles Aerie 2223. Todd and his wife Shelly reside in Canal Fulton and are the proud parents of Kyle & Lauren.
Froelich and Stover have been working closely with the staffs at the Hall of Fame and Chamber of Commerce to provide training and resources to enhance an already solid foundation of dedicated community volunteers. These volunteers will be energized and ready to provide all the support necessary to successfully host other large events, such as the NFL Draft and Centennial Celebration, that could be coming to Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village.
The annual Enshrinement Festival is a true celebration of excellence, having expanded significantly over the years and now draws nearly 700,000 people to nearly 20 events. The Festival has an economic impact of over $40 million for the Canton/Stark County area and nearly $65 million for the State of Ohio. In addition, millions of people are able to experience aspects of the Enshrinement Festival and Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls events that are nationally televised.
More than 140 Gold Jackets (living Hall of Famers) are expected to return to Canton this summer to participate in the festivities that surround the Enshrinement of the Class of 2019 (see the article on the Festival Queen for the enshrinees' names). Nowhere else are fans able to see and interact with as many Pro Football Hall of Famers in one place at one time as they are in Canton during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls.
A queen and five royal ambassadors were selected during the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Queen & Royal Ambassadors Pageant on May 9, 2019. Selections were based on personality, poise, beauty, communication skills, academic achievement and service to the community. Leading the way as goodwill ambassadors and role models throughout the community are Queen Emma Kirkbride, and her Royal Ambassadors, Lainey Smith, Haley Burns, Abbey Anderson, Maya Polen, and Lauren Rhodes.
Emma Kirkbride, 19, was crowned the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Queen. Kirkbride is a student at Kent State University at Stark, studying broadcast journalism and communication. She works as a gymnastics and cheer coach at the North Canton YMCA Gymnastics Center. The new pageant queen is the daughter of Eric and Kelly Kirkbride.
The five Royal Ambassadors are:
Lainey Smith, 18, who will be graduating from Archbishop Hoban High School, is the daughter of Jon and Meredith Smith.
Lauren Rhodes, 19, a Hoover High School graduate and Kent State University student, is the daughter of Terry and Sandy Rhodes.
Maya Polen, 18, who will be graduating from Perry High School, is the daughter of Beth and Todd Polen.
Abbey Anderson, 19, a graduate of Louisville High School and student at Hiram College, is the daughter of James and Sherri Anderson.
Haley Burns, 18, who will be graduating from Jackson High School, is the daughter of April and Brian Kerns.
The queen and court will be appearing at events during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival to serve as role models and goodwill ambassadors and to promote the welfare of the Stark County community while stressing the importance of volunteerism. The queen and royal ambassadors also will participate in activities with several local civic organizations.In additiona, the queen and royal ambassadors will help welcome the Class of 2019 members: Tony Gonzalez, Ed Reed, Champ Bailey, Ty Law, Kevin Mawae, Johnny Robinson, Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt.
During Friday's meeting, we will also have a Featured Guest Presentation by Joy Dougan and Joan Ortman on "The Purple Bag" project. Joy and Joan are Plain Township Rotarians, who are helping support local domestic violence shelters in caring for their survivors. This project is using the time and energy of 12 local Rotary clubs to raise awareness of domestic violence in our community and to make a difference in our neighbors' lives. Come and hear more about this heartwarming and inspiring example of “service above self”.
We are just TWO MONTHS AWAY from our LARGEST FUND- & FRIEND-RAISER of the year, the 5th Annual CANTON ROTARY OKTOBERFEST!
On Thursday, September 19, 2019, crowds will throng to Downtown Canton, to enjoy beer from up to 20 local and regional breweries, brats and other German fare from Frank's Brats food truck, and musical entertainment, including genuine German dancing and singing.
How can you help?
- Find a SPONSOR for this fun event (or maybe even sponsor yourself?) This is how we actually make money on this event. Go to this LINK for info.
- Buy tickets for yourself, your employees, your friends and your family! Just go to this LINK
- Volunteer to help! How can you not have fun at an Oktoberfest, right? Just let Lauri or Barb know, or contact Co-Chairs Raquel Raderchak or Donny Peterson III (contact info in the directory).
This a FUN event which raises money for our Club's charitable efforts, and gives us the chance to introduce MORE PEOPLE to Canton Rotary!
Please join us in supporting this wonderful event!
During the July 19, 2019 meeting, Rotarian Jeff Scott (sponsor) introduced the newest member of the Rotary Club of Canton, Michael Caskey. Jeff provided this information regarding Michael to the members:
Michael Caskey comes by way of The Canton Repository and has been there for the last 2 and half years. However, Michael has been serving local businesses in Stark County for the last twenty plus years. He dubs himself as an 'audience enthusiast': targeting specific individuals within the public and placing them in front of the right message, at the right time, in the right place.
Michael graduated from the University of Akron, where he earned his B.A. of Communication with a concentration in mass media. He got his start at The Alliance Review, where he helped local small and medium size businesses with their marketing and advertising visions and became personally invested in helping those entities grow.
Michael moved on to the Mini Merchant and Auto Trader Magazine offices on 30th Street, where he continued to engage with local businesses and quickly found himself transitioning into an even more granular opportunity of targeting, this time through digital marketing.
Since that time, Michael has been working in the media world with AutoTrader.com, Gannett and The Plain Dealer…. but has found his way back home to Stark County where it all began. And he couldn’t be happier.
He was responsible for introducing The Auto Extra Magazine/AutoExtra.com to the state of Ohio and he helped launch Drive Magazine in the Stark County area.
Michael is certified in Google Digital Sales and Google Analytics and holds many Strategic Sales Certifications. he also is GateHouse Media’s local trainer for “Selling In The Real World.”
Some of you may have seen him over the last 20 years on the baseball field, or maybe a softball field, or maybe even a basketball court, coaching a Greentown or North Canton youth team when his children were younger. He loves vacationing with his family and looks forward to serving the community as a Rotarian.
During the July 19, 2019 meeting, President Mark Rojek (sponsor) introduced the newest member of the Rotary Club of Canton, Marisa Rohn. President Mark provided this information regarding Marisa to the members:
Marisa Rohn is currently the vice president of Advancement, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships for Stark State College. She also serves as executive director of the Stark State College Foundation. Rohn has held both positions for nearly four years and previously spent one year as Director of Marketing and Communications at the College. In her current role, Rohn focuses on advancing the College’s image and reputation locally, nationally and internationally, while working to enhance philanthropic and workforce relationships and monetary support for both the College and the Stark State College Foundation. In addition to leading the Stark State College Foundation, Rohn oversees Advancement, Strategic Grants, Marketing, Strategic Partnerships, Career Services and Workforce Training for the College.
Prior to joining Stark State College in January 2015, Rohn served for nearly 12 years as the vice president of marketing and fund development at Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Inc. Previously, she was a market manager for United Way of Central Stark County and gained other experience in global communications at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and development and public relations at Akron Children’s Hospital.
Rohn, named a member of The Repository’s 2013 Twenty Under 40! class, and a graduate of the 23rd class of Leadership Stark County, is active in the community, including roles with Stark State’s English advisory board, Alliance Development Board, Stark County Capital Campaigns Committee, the Innovation Committee of Strengthening Stark and the Ohio Association of Community Colleges Workforce Board. She also is a board member for Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Inc. where she also serves as a member of the organization’s Executive Committee.
Marisa holds an MBA with a concentration in Marketing as well as a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications with a minor in Spanish from Walsh University. She also holds a certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University School of Philanthropy.
Rohn lives in Jackson Township with her husband of 17 years and high school sweetheart, Rich, and their two teenage daughters, Haley and Alayna. She spends her free time with her family and enjoys watching her oldest daughter run track and cross country and her youngest daughter play soccer and run track.
The following Rotarians have achieved perfect attendance for the 2018-2019 Rotary calendar year. The number in parentheses is consecutive years of perfect attendance. They are as follows:
Barkan, Jack (18), Clendenin, Mark (4), Clevenger, Tom (13), Ewing, Dave (34), Feaser, Paul (6), Fettman, Steve (18), Fleischer, Frank (2), Fuline, Dan (34), Hale, Bruce (4), Hamilton, Lynn (7), Lattavo, Phil (30), Maddox, Bill (18), Matthews, Dan (17), Matthews, Robert (11), Matthews, Suzette (6), Mullaly, Michelle (4), Neutzling, Virginia (24), Ortman, Jerry (28), Pattison, Bob (33), Pelger, Drew (4), Peterson, Don (2), Pitts, Larry (34), Rojek, Mark (6), Schott, Ernie (19), Schrade, Dave (13), Sinclair, Tom (31), Taylor, Rick (7), Tietze, Amanda (9), White, Paul (9).
The Rotary office received a "Thank You" note from Denise Dessecker and the Philomatheon Society. Denise writes:
"Steve (Fettman) and Rotary Committee, Thank you for the delicious food at the picnic, the members and I appreciate all that you all do for us. The fresh fruit and Bingo prizes were a big hit and we enjoy the company and fellowship with everyone".
During the July 19, 2019 meeting, President Mark Rojek welcomed 44 members and 10 guests to the meeting. Rotarian James Boggs led the members in singing the National Anthem.
The Invocation was provided by PP Rick Huetter.
Congratulations to PP Bob Pattison who held the winning 50/50 ticket worth $23.00.
Secretary Julia Dick welcomed the following guests to the meeting: M J (Al) Albacete (speaker); Pat Albacete, Marc Warner, Richard Haldi, Diane Belfiglio, Mark Holland, Tom Haas, Gary Brown (all guests of speaker M J Albacete); Ron Ponder and PDG Joe Belinsky (Bolivar) (guests of Frank Fleischer).
The "Happy News" was given by the following:
PP Rick Taylor - happy to let us know about the Plain Township Golf Outing on Friday, August 16th. The cost is $80 and includes breakfast, lunch and golf. *Please contact Rick or Plain Rotarian Rich Tirpak at rstirpak@neo.rr.com if interested in participating.
Sam Shaheen - happy to say thanks to Canton Rotary for welcoming him back as a member!
Steve Fettman - happy that his son, Zac, graduated from pharmacy school at the University of Cincinnati last month and recently passed the Board. He is a third generation Fettman pharmacist.
Bob Matthews - happy to express a thank you to his Health Screen committee and the Rotarians for their support of the Health & Wellness event which won first place District award for "Community Service"
President Mark then expressed his pleasure for the Rotary Club of Canton receiving a District award during the District #6650 Banquet held on July 11, 2019. The Club won the Roland Luhman Award for 'Best Community Project' for its Health Screen & Wellness Fair. Mark was also very pleased that our Club was presented a certificate from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and Rotary District #6650 for it's financial support of Rotary's Polio Eradication campaign. The Rotary Club of Canton raised at least $1,000 toward Polio Plus. He thanked all the members who contributed toward this effort.
PP Rick Taylor then reminded everyone of the upcoming "Oktoberfest" being held on September 19, 2019, just about two months away. Sponsorships and tickets are available (see article above). *Sponsorship forms and flyers were handed to each member on their way out. Rotarians need to get the word out so we can sell tickets. We also need to encourage everyone to volunteer. This event is going to take many hands to succeed.
Rotarian Jeff Scott (sponsor) welcomed our new member, Michael Caskey, to the Rotary Club of Canton (*see story above);
President Mark Rojeck (sponsor) then welcomed another new member, Marisa Rohn, to the Rotary Club of Canton (*see story above);
President Mark then welcomed the speaker for the meeting, former Canton Rotarian M J (Al) Albecete. Al spoke on "The Sculptures of the Stark County Courthouse: Unique to Ohio".
After the question and answer period, raffle tickets were distributed to each person in attendance for a chance to win one of two prints of a watercolor of the Courthouse Angels donated by the artist, Diane Belfiglio, who was in attendance. Two tickets were drawn and the winners were: PP Curt Werren and new member Rotarian Michael Caskey.
President Mark concluded the meeting with the following announcements:
next week's meeting will provide everyone with information on this year's Hall of Fame Enshrinement events. The speakers will be HOF General Chairman Doug Froelich and General Vice Chair Todd Stover. The 2019 HOF Queen and her Royal Ambassadors will also be in attendance and will provide members and guests with information about themselves.
there will be information coming out regarding an upcoming Akron Rubberducks game where President Mark will be throwing out the first pitch. This will be a wonderful time to attend this event and enjoy fellowship with fellow Rotarians, not to mention cheering on President Mark!
the final drawing of the Unevent raffle will take place during next week's Rotary meeting. Two final prizes along with the Grand Prize of $500 cash will be handed out.
don't forget to consider sponsorship for the upcoming Oktoberfest being held on Thursday, September 19, 2019.
The following will receive a makeup for attending the Board meeting on Tuesday, July 16, 2019: Executive Board members were President Mark Rojek, President Elect Drew Pelger, Vice President Mark Clendenin, Secretary Julia Dick, Sergeant-at-Arms Robert Matthews. Board of Directors in attendance were Frank Fleischer, Bill Liber, Jeff Scott, Dan Fuline, Jim Molnar, Steve Fettman, Paula Mastroianni and Parliamentarian Bob Pattison. Also attending the meeting to bring the Board up-to-date on the Oktoberfest was Co-Chairman Don Peterson.
JULY 26, 2019
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During Friday's meeting, we will also have a Featured Guest Presentation by Joy Dougan and Joan Ortman on "The Purple Bag" project. Joy and Joan are Plain Township Rotarians, who are helping support local domestic violence shelters in caring for their survivors. This project is using the time and energy of 12 local Rotary clubs to raise awareness of domestic violence in our community and to make a difference in our neighbors' lives. Come and hear more about this heartwarming and inspiring example of “service above self”.
We are just TWO MONTHS AWAY from our LARGEST FUND- & FRIEND-RAISER of the year, the 5th Annual CANTON ROTARY OKTOBERFEST! 
During the July 19, 2019 meeting, Rotarian Jeff Scott (sponsor) introduced the newest member of the Rotary Club of Canton, Michael Caskey. Jeff provided this information regarding Michael to the members:
During the July 19, 2019 meeting, President Mark Rojek (sponsor) introduced the newest member of the Rotary Club of Canton, Marisa Rohn. President Mark provided this information regarding Marisa to the members:.jpg)
The following Rotarians have achieved perfect attendance for the 2018-2019 Rotary calendar year. The number in parentheses is consecutive years of perfect attendance. They are as follows:.jpg)
The Rotary office received a "Thank You" note from Denise Dessecker and the Philomatheon Society. Denise writes:
During the July 19, 2019 meeting, President Mark Rojek welcomed 44 members and 10 guests to the meeting. Rotarian James Boggs led the members in singing the National Anthem. 
