Greenfield Rotary: celebrating a century of service in 2022!
Welcome to Rotary!
The Rotary Club of Greenfield, Ohio meets at 11:30 a.m. each Thursday at the Catch 22 Sports Pub located at 250 Jefferson St., Greenfield, Ohio. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Zoom option is also available to members and guests.
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Rotarians of Distinction being
recognized during club’s centennial As part of Greenfield Rotary’s centennial celebration in 2022, the club decided that it would be a good idea to commemorate some of the organization’s Rotarians of Distinction, and so a page has been added to this website for that purpose. In one way or another, every local Rotarian has had some kind of a positive impact on the community of Greenfield through their membership in the service organization, their business activities, by giving of their time and resources, and in other ways as well. We hope to add to the list as time permits, and welcome nominations, information and photos from those who have known past or present Greenfield Rotarians and would like to help with this project. Suggestions can be sent via the “Contact the club” window at the bottom of the home page of this website. 50th annual Ernie Blankenship
Radio-Telethon surpasses $120K! The 50th Annual Ernie Blankenship Memorial Radio-Telethon March 30, 2022 brought in more than $120,000 in pledges as the Rotary Clubs of Greenfield and Hillsboro put on events to entertain, educate and raise money for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults. The events took place from 7-9 p.m. in the two communities, emanating from the GCTV Studios at McClain High School in Greenfield and the Hillsboro Orpheum. Viewers watched on local Spectrum TV channels or via streaming over the Internet, with periodic updates given by WVNU 97.5 FM and WSRW Radio 1590 AM. The Hillsboro telethon event was live-streamed on the Society’s website, hicoso.org and remains available for viewing. At the end of the evening, $114,561 had been pledged, but additional pledges and donations were received over the next several weeks. For more information, as well as photos, visit the HCSCA page. 
Patty Day new executive secretary for HCSCA
The Highland County Society for Children & Adults has appointed Hillsboro resident Patty Day as the new executive secretary of the organization to replace the late Gayle Coss. Day was appointed at a meeting of the society’s board of trustees held Jan. 24, 2022. Day has been a nurse for more than 38 years and received her master’s degree in nursing from Otterbein College. She is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She and her husband, Herb Day, own and operate Fun Oldies Herb Day Radio and the Red White and Blue Herb Day Country Radio stations. Patty has served on Hillsboro City Council since July 5, 2019. She is a board member for the Hope for Highland County organization and a member of the Southside Praise and Worship Center Church. Patty has been a lifelong resident of Highland County. She and her husband reside in the city of Hillsboro with two of their 13 grandchildren, Braylin and Patrick. Patty and Herb have three children, Aaron, Karly and Corey, and another son, Chuck, is deceased. Day is the fifth person to serve as executive secretary of the society. Helen Lowell was the first, followed by Betty Collins, Nina Wharton and Gayle Coss. Patty is the contact person for those seeking assistance with medical expenses, equipment, travel and related expenses. She can be reached by telephone at 937-393-2142, by email at contact@hicoso.org or by mail at Highland County Society for Children & Adults, P.O. Box 792, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. On Wednesday, March 30 the Rotary Clubs of Greenfield and Hillsboro will join forces to raise money for the HCSCA. The Ernie Blankenship Memorial Radio-Telethon will be the 50th such event for the benefit of children and adults in Highland County.  Greenfield Rotary President Wes Surritt is pictured with District Governor Carol Hughes, who visited the Greenfield club on Nov. 18.
District Governor Carol Hughes
visits Greenfield Rotary Club Greenfield Rotary Club hosted District Governor Carol Hughes on Nov. 18 and received an inspiring and interesting message from the Springboro resident. DG Hughes, a native of England, emigrated to Ohio in 1993 and has enjoyed a varied career including teaching elementary school, working with the YMCA, and serving as an executive with the Springboro Chamber of Commerce. She has also been involved in Rotary and risen through the leadership ranks of that organization, including her current role leading Rotarians in District 6670. DG Hughes shared some thoughts from Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta, who challenged Rotarians to help the organization grow with the slogan "Each one bring one." DG Hughes encouraged each Rotarian to invite guests to club meetings so they can see what Rotary is all about. The motto of Rotary is “Service Above Self,” and Rotarians have accomplished many good things since the organization was founded in 1905. She mentioned that Rotary undertook the huge task of trying to eradicate polio with a worldwide effort in 1988, and while there are still a very few cases of polio (just four so far this year) in underdeveloped countries, the effort seems headed to a successful conclusion. DG Hughes has studied the composition of the Greenfield club and said there are currently 33 members, with 23 being male and 10 female. The average age of the Greenfield RotaryClub is 56, with just three members currently under 40 years of age. She encouraged the Greenfield club to invite potential members and share some of the good things that the club has done through the years. Realizing that not everyone can easily attend a noon meeting on Thursdays, the district governor encouraged club members to consider establishing a satellite club that would meet in the evening, or for a breakfast meeting. DG Hughes read a quote from the late Rotary founder, Paul Harris, stating that times change and Rotary needs to change with them. She encouraged club members to be creative and responsive to the needs of community members who might like to join but need some flexibility. She also addressed visiting McClain High School seniors in the audience and encouraged them to get involved in programs offered by Rotary. Rotary International is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, she said, and will continue to make a positive difference in the world. DG Hughes received a standing ovation from the Rotarians in attendance, and presented local Rotary President Wes Surritt with a flag from her home club. She is in the process of visiting all 48 clubs in the district. For more information about Rotary, here are some useful links: Rotary International: www.rotary.org District 6670: www.rotary6670.org District 6670 events noted by DG Carol Hughes
The following information is from the Rotary District 6670 newsletter: Some upcoming District events to add to your calendar: DaCdb University Trainings Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14, (zoom) President Elect Training Dec 15, Feb 23 (zoom) Rotary Leadership Institute Part II Jan 13, 20, 27 (zoom) Rotary Leadership Institute Part III May 14 (in person) Grant Training Seminar Feb 9 (zoom) District Team Training Seminar Feb 16 (zoom) President Elect Training Seminar Mar 11-12 (in person) Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Mar 18-20 (in person) District 4 Way Speech Contest Mar 27 (in person) Youth Peace Advocacy Leadership and Service Day April 23 (in person) District Gala Dinner/Conference April 29 (in person) District Day of Service April 30 (in person) All the above events plus some additional Club events are listed on the District website at www.RotaryDistrict6670.org. As you can see, a lot of these events are on zoom. All links can be found on the website. Rotary supporters honored at Appreciation Dinner; Borsini, Wells tabbed for Paul Harris FellowshipBuyers of limited-edition prints and other supporters of Greenfield Rotary Club were honored at the club’s annual appreciation dinner November 11, 2021 at the Washington Country Club.
Club President Wes Surritt welcomed members and guests to the annual event, which featured a delicious meal of prime rib, chicken or a vegetarian option. The club president expressed gratitude for the excellent community support shown by the print buyers and introduced a number of special guests, including Assistant District Governor Beth Huber and her husband Jerry; Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen Jacolyn Bolender; Bonnie Baldridge, who is involved with the Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen Pageant, and Charles Shonkwiler and his wife Rita, representing the Greenfield Antique Car Club. President Surritt also acknowledged supports who were unable to attend, including artist Tammy Wells, creator numerous limited edition prints sold at the festival, Ken Friedman of the Greenfield Antique Car Club, Greg Miller of the Greenfield Antique Tractor Club, and Gary Binegar and Rod Halterman of Binegar Auction Service. Unable to attend but receiving praise for their contributions to Rotary were District Governor Sigrid Solomon, reigning Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen Emma Smith, artist Tammy Wells who has created a number of limited edition prints that the club sells at the festival each July, auctioneers Gary and Mandy Binegar, Matt and Ellen Binegar and Rod Halterman, and the Greenfield Antique Tractor Club. Also recognized were the buyers of limited edition prints that have been a mainstay of the Greene Countrie Towne Festival for approximately 30 years, helping to raise money for the Rotary Club that is then put back into the Greenfield community. This year the buyers included Greenfield Research, Sitterle Insurance, Wooden It Be Nice, Southern Hills Community Bank, Adena Greenfield Medical Center, Dr. Richard Mizer and Cristy Hill, Murray-Fettro Funeral Home and Corner Healthmart Pharmacy, Community Savings Bank, Weller’s Plumbing & Heating, and Jim and Merleen Van Dyke. A highlight of the evening was the announcement of a two new Paul Harris Fellow honored for their service to the club and the community. The honorees for 2021 are Dr. Eric Borsini and Tammy Wells. Dr. Borsini, who served as club president in 2009-10 and has served the community service through volunteerism and as a member of the Greenfield Village Council, was congratulated by Pat Hays for epitomizing Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” Dr. Borsiniexpressed his thanks to the club as well as his gratitude for being part of the Greenfield community, where everyone knows everyone else and people work together to make the village a better place in which to live, work and raise families. Although unable to attend the dinner, Tammy Wells also was recognized for having created the limited edition prints sold at Rotary auctions since 2003. Revenues from the sales have helped Rotary finance many projects for the benefit of the community and helped the club maintain the Ralph W. Phillips Civic & Recreation Center. Pat Hays explained that the Paul Harris Fellowship is named in honor of Rotary’s founder, who with three other businessmen launched the very first Rotary club in Chicago in 1905. The club sends $1,000 to Rotary International for each Paul Harris Fellowship it awards, and the money is used to help people around the world as part of the international organization’s outreach. It appears that the club has now sponsored 50 Paul Harris Fellows since it made George M. Waddell the club’s first recipient in 1985. During the evening it was noted that the Greenfield Rotary Club was chartered in May of 1922 and will be celebrating its 100thanniversary next year. The evening concluded with a drawing for table arrangements. In closing, President Surritt thanked everyone who attended and noted that, whether they are Rotarians or not, they deserve thanks for their efforts on behalf of the Greenfield community. The club wishes to thank Angela Shepherd for coordinating details for the festive dinner and program.  Outgoing Rotary president Ron Coffey (left) congratulates 2021-22 President Wes Surritt at the Greenfield Rotary Club meeting on July 1.
Wes Surritt welcomed as
new club president for 2021-22 As a new Rotary year began on July 1, 2021 Wes Surritt began his duties as club president of the Greenfield club. Ron Coffey, who served as president during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 years, congratulated Surritt at the club's meeting and wished him well. Both men have led the club in the past, with Coffey serving as president in 1987-88 and Surritt handling the presidential duties about six years ago. The Rotary Club of Greenfield was chartered in May of 1922, and during Wes Surritt's term as president the club plans to celebrate its centennial. The new president of Rotary International is Shekhar Mehta, and the theme of his presidency is Serve to Change Lives. Carol Hughes of the Springboro Rotary Club is the new district governor of District 6670. Beth Huber of the Wilmington Rotary Club is continuing to serve as assistant district governor. Other club officials are listed in the column at left. The Greenfield Rotary Club meets at 11:30 a.m. each Thursday (except holidays) at the Catch 22 Sports Pub, 250 Jefferson St. in Greenfield. |
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