Welcome to Rotary!
The Rotary Club of Greenfield, Ohio meets each Thursday at noon. Until further notice the meetings will take place via Zoom as we pray for the end of the coronavirus pandemic. When the danger is past, Rotarians long to return to a noontime luncheon meeting each Thursday at the Catch 22 Sports Pub located at 250 Jefferson St., Greenfield, Ohio.
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Rotary Radio-Telethon rescheduled
as virtual event on Wednesday, June 24 Greenfield and Hillsboro clubs to join forces at Hillsboro Orpheum on June 24 The Hillsboro and Greenfield Rotary Clubs have rescheduled the 48th Annual Ernie Blankenship Memorial Radio Telethon as a combined virtual event only. The event will now take place on June 24 from 7-9 p.m. and will be broadcast live from the Hillsboro Orpheum on the Spectrum Community Access TV Channel, WSRW Radio 1590 AM and 101.5 FM and WVNU Radio 97.5FM. It will also be broadcast on the Society’s Facebook page and its new website, hicoso.org, according to Hillsboro Rotarian Rocky Coss. Due to the current 10-person limit on public gatherings the event will be a virtual event. The telethon will be hosted by First State Bank with Hillsboro hosts Rick Williams and Herb Day to be joined by a host from the Greenfield Rotary Club at the Orpheum. During the event, donors may make pledges by calling (937) 402-5557, by dropping off pledges at the First State Bank drive through at its branch on Harry Sauner Road or by logging onto the event by video conferencing and presenting their donations, which will be broadcast live on radio and the community access TV channel. Additionally, donors who are not able to donate during the event are asked to make a short video presenting their donations and emailing it to Rotary Club to be downloaded and played during the live event. They can do this by recording on smartphones, video cameras or computer. An email address for this will be provided in the near future. This will be a new experience for everyone, including the Rotary members and the volunteers who plan and conduct the event. Terry Mikkelsen of Tech-T Productions, who has provided the camera work for the broadcast, will be hosting the video conferencing platform and will be able to stream the audio and video on the radio and community access TV channel. As always, donors should send their checks payable to HCCSA to P.O. Box 258, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. The Rotary Clubs felt it was necessary to proceed with the event now as it is unclear when larger social gatherings will be permitted. First State Bank, Dale Martin, owner of the Hillsboro Orpheum and Spectrum had been extremely supportive of planning for the event originally scheduled for March 25, and it is important to recognize and thank them for their help in planning the original event and continuing to work with Rotary to make this event happen. Greenfield Rotary Club cancels
2020 Greene Countrie Towne Festival Greenfield’s 2020 Greene Countrie Towne Festival has been cancelled by the Greenfield Rotary Club due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Only one element of the festival is still in play, and that is the popular Rotary auction, which will be conducted online. “We hate to cancel the festival, but under the circumstances it seems the prudent thing to do,” said Greenfield Rotary President Ron Coffey. The festival has been positioned on the third weekend of July for years, and the 2020 dates would have been July 17-19. “We don’t want to put anyone’s health at risk, and hope that the many people who support the festival each year will understand,” the club president said. The Greenfield Rotary Club has been having online meetings since the pandemic brought so many “normal” activities to a halt. The status of the festival has been a topic of discussion for several weeks, and at the Thursday, May 21 meeting members voted to cancel the festival for this year. “While we were meeting today, we got word that the Ohio State Fair had been cancelled. As our festival on the third weekend of July would have been a few weeks earlier than the state fair, we felt we needed to make a decision,” Coffey said. “Vendors, other participating organizations and the public need to know what the festival’s status is so that they can firm up their own plans.” Earlier in May, Rotary International recommended that all Rotary clubs refrain from in-person meetings and events through the remainder of the calendar year. Although each Rotary club is an autonomous organization, these guidelines sparked considerable discussion. Guidelines from the Rotary district are more liberal, but still recommend no physical meetings through the month of June. “We are hopeful that as Ohio and other states continue to reopen there will not be a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases,” Coffey said. “We all want to get together with friends, take vacations and go to festivals, concerts and sporting events. Our hope is that these things will be feasible soon, and we look forward to resuming the Greene Countrie Towne Festival in 2021.” Virtual auction is being planned “We have shared some ideas with artist Tammy Wells about creating limited edition prints to be auctioned at or near the date of the Greene Countrie Towne Festival this year,” Coffey said. “These prints have been extremely popular over the years and we appreciate the support of the buyers who support the auction each year. We also plan to sell other items similar to those sold at past auctions and would be happy to accept donations of new items.” Details of how the auction will proceed are still being developed and will be announced in advance of the event. The festival auction has been the Greenfield Rotary Club’s biggest fundraiser for many years and is an important source of revenue for maintenance of the Ralph W. Phillips Recreation and Civic Center and other Rotary projects in the community. The local Rotary club began sponsoring the festival in 1987 when the previous sponsor of the Greene Countrie Towne Festival was beset with financial problems. “Ironically, I was the incoming president of the Rotary club in 1987 and we put together a smaller, one-day festival to help fill the void,” Coffey said. “I never expected we would need to cancel the festival, but this just shows how unpredictable life can be.” Since those early years, the Rotary-sponsored festival grew and took on the name Wheels of Progress Festival for several decades before the name was officially changed back to the Greene Countrie Towne Festival in 2011. General Duncan McArthur, who founded Greenfield in 1799, described the community as a “greene countrie towne.” The Greenfield Rotary Club meets each Thursday at noon using Zoom technology. When feasible, club members will return to in-person luncheon meetings at the Catch 22 Sports Pub in Greenfield. Condolences expressed to club secretary The Greenfield Rotary Club received sad news that Scott Giffin, 45, the son of our club Secretary Beverly Giffin, passed away on May 19 following an extended illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Scott's obituary and funeral information can be found at the link below: https://www.ebrightfuneralhome.com/obituary/Scott-Giffin Rotary meetings continue via Zoom as club hopes for progress on coronavirus pandemicLike many organizations, Greenfield Rotary Club stopped having physical meetings around mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the club is adapting to social distancing mandates by conducting its weekly meetings using Zoom technology.
The first such meeting took place April 30 and meetings will continue at noon each Thursday until further notice. “As club members have become familiar with Zoom and other technology that helps us reconnect despite the pandemic, the club has purchased a Zoom plan that makes virtual meetings fairly easy to conduct,” Greenfield Rotary President Ron Coffey announced. One of the issues being watched is the status of the Greene Countrie Towne Festival, scheduled July 17-19 and one of the local Rotary club’s biggest projects. Thus far the club is taking a wait and see attitude after receiving recommendations from Rotary International suggesting that clubs refrain from having physical meetings and events for the remainder of 2020. The Greenfield Rotary Club does plan on having its annual auction event whether there is a Greene Countrie Towne Festival or not, Coffey said. “Plans have been discussed for the auction as a virtual event – perhaps taking place via Facebook Live – with the same quality items offered as in the past,” Coffey said. The club typically commissions limited edition prints commemorating some aspect of Greenfield’s history, and the auction generates a lot of money for the club’s operation and projects that benefit the community. Donated items from local businesses, organizations and individuals also add to the interest in the annual auction, the club president said. Coffey asks club members to submit their current email addresses to him so that he can send them the Zoom meeting information for each upcoming meeting. Club would can email their contact information through the club website (www.greenfieldrotary.org), message them to Ron Coffey via Facebook, or leave a message on his home phone (937-981-7328). Currently many events of interest to Rotarians have been postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus. For example, the Rotary District 6670 Conference scheduled April 23-25 in Wilmington was cancelled out of safety concerns. A major fundraiser for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults, originally planned for March 25, was put on hold for 60 days in the hope that it can take place in late May. The Rotary clubs of Greenfield and Hillsboro have cooperated in this project for the past 47 years and are hopeful that the radio-telethon will be able to take place, even if in an altered format. “Please join us at 12:00 p.m. each Thursday as we keep Rotarians connected and informed,” Coffey urged. “Rotarians have a proud history of helping this community in times of need, and in order to help during the pandemic, communication and sharing of ideas is vitally important.” 
Longtime Rotarian Harry Turner passes
The Greenfield Rotary Club was saddened on March 24 to learn that longtime Rotarian and educator Harry V. Turner had passed away. Mr. Turner was a native of Marshall in Highland County and enjoyed a lengthy career in education at McClain High School where he served as principal of that renowned high school. He was the commencement speaker at the 2004 graduation ceremonies at McClain. Following retirement he served as the first executive director of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce. He also was involved in helping the Greenfield Bicentennial Committee commemorate the community’s 200th anniversary in 1999. A longtime Rotarian, Mr. Turner was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1986 for his service to the club and community. According to the club’s records, he joined the club in 1972 and was active in the club’s projects and programs. In more recent years, due to failing health, Mr. Turner was unable to attend the club meetings as often as he would have liked, but when he came he always enjoyed the fellowship. “Our condolences to Mr. Turner’s wife Betty and all of the family,” said Rotary President Ron Coffey. “Our community has lost a man who championed education and always worked for the greater good. Mr. Turner embodied the ideals of Rotary and put service above self. He will be greatly missed.” Services for Mr. Turner will be held at the convenience of the family, with a memorial service to take place at a later date.  Bryn Stepp, southeast region representative for Lt. Gov. John Husted, visited the Greenfield Rotary Club on February 6, 2020 and talked about state initiatives that can benefit rural communities.
Lt. Gov’s rep speaks to Greenfield RotariansBryn Stepp, a southeast region liaison with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted’s office, visited Greenfield Rotarians on Thursday, Feb. 6 and spoke about what the office does and some initiatives the office is working on. One of those initiatives is InnovateOhio. Included in the initiative is the state’s first Broadband Strategy, the absence of which has negatively affected Ohio’s eligibility for some federal grants in previous years, Stepp said. For more information about the initiative, go to innovateohio.gov.
Stepp also talked about funding opportunities for employers through TechCred. This is a grant that allows employers to upskill their current workforce, as well as train new hires. More information is available at techcred.ohio.gov. For information on all the initiatives and programs through the Lt. governor’s office, go to www.ohio.gov, then click on the “our state government” tab, then the “executive” tab, and finally, click on the “Lt. Governor Jon Husted” tab. Greenfield Exempted Village School District Superintendent Quincey Gray shared with Rotarians about the Imagination Kingdom renovation and the related upcoming community meeting on Feb. 13 at 6:30 in the McClain Cafetorium. “The district is excited about the project and is appreciative of the local organizations and volunteers who will be helping on March 6-7-8,” she said. Addressing an issue that has unfolded recently, Gray also mentioned that numerous social media posts regarding a decision made about musical auditions are inaccurate. She said that she is willing to answer questions in order to provide clarification. The school district released a statement regarding the matter on Thursday. It was posted on the McClain High School Facebook page and sent to local media. The Greenfield Rotary Club meets each Thursday at noon at Catch 22 Sports Pub, 250 Jefferson St. For more information about the club, go to greenfieldrotary.org. 
Mrs. Gretchen Foltz, media specialist (standing), attended the Rotary meeting Jan. 9 to talk about the MHSmart program that was designed to help meet the needs of high school students.
MHSmart helps meet needs of
McClain High School students Gretchen Foltz, media specialist at McClain High School, visited the Greenfield Rotary Club on Jan. 9 to talk about a new program that benefits local students. MHSmart is a program that allows high school students to request a need — for food, clothing or hygiene products — and do it privately. Foltz said high school students in need don’t get the help that younger students do, whether it be for lack of programs to help, or the teenagers not asking out of embarrassment. The MHSmart program was created to allow students to make a private request through a Google form on the school’s website. When the need is addressed, the student is notified and can pick up whatever they requested when it is most convenient for them. For requests like coats and jeans and other clothing, Foltz has gone to the Greenfield Area Christian Center (GACC). But she said there aren’t so many clothes there for teenagers, though there are plenty for little kids and older people. Clothing donations, she said, can be made to GACC or the high school office. Jeans, hoodies, bras, underwear, socks, towels, sheets, school supplies, hygiene products and funding needs are some of the requests the school has fielded. Foltz said she and other staff are working on a way to handle the food needs and that having a pantry is a long-term goal of the program. “We get together, we find the money somehow” to make it happen,” Foltz said. “We care about our kids.” Anyone interested in making a monetary donation can do so at the high school office. Checks should be made payable to MHSmart. Donations of any type may be made to the high school office as well. If anyone has questions about how they can help, call Foltz at the high school office at 937-981-7731. Chief Oyer honored with Service Above Self Award
Greenfield Police Chief Jeremiah Oyer (right) was honored by the Greenfield Rotary Club on Dec. 12 when Club President Ron Coffey presented Oyer with a Service Above Self Award for his dedicated service to the community of Greenfield. Chief Oyer has been with the local police department since 2001, beginning as a patrolman, being promoted to sergeant in 2007 and being appointed as chief in 2016. He has also worked with two K-9 units, Bono and Rony, been active in the SRT Team, served as a range instructor, been to Sniper School, taught at the Southern State Community College Police Academy, and received several annual “Drug Buster” awards in Highland County. Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self,” and the local Rotary club likes to acknowledge those same characteristics in others who work hard on behalf of their community. 
Greenfield Police Chief Jeremiah Oyer (right) receives Service Above Self Award from Rotary President Ron Coffey at the club's Dec. 12 meeting.
Pat Hays (left) presents Paul Harris Fellowship Award to Greenfield Rotarian Heath Fettro.
Fettro honored by Rotary club as Paul Harris Fellow
Heath Fettro was honored at the Greenfield Rotary Club’s newest Paul Harris Fellow in November as Rotarian Patrick Hays presented him with a plaque and pin in recognition of Fettro’s outstanding dedication to the principles of Rotary. The club made a $1,000 donation to Rotary International in Fettro’s name. The Paul Harris Fellowship is named after the founder of Rotary International, as Harris started the organization in 1905 in Chicago, IL and there are now more than 35,000 Rotary clubs worldwide. Supporters honored at 2019 Appreciation Dinner; Paul Harris Fellowship and service awards announced Buyers of limited-edition prints and other supporters of Greenfield Rotary Club were honored at the club’s annual Appreciation Dinner November 14, 2019 at the Washington Country Club. President Ron Coffey welcomed members and guests to the annual event, which featured a delicious meal of prime rib or salmon. The club president expressed gratitude for the excellent community support shown by the print buyers and introduced a number of special guests, including District Governor-Elect Greg Birkemeyer and his wife Peg; Assistant District Governor Beth Huber; Bonnie Baldridge, who is involved with the Greene Countrie Towne Festival Queen Pageant, and Ken Friedman of the Greenfield Antique Car Club. 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 the past 27years, helping to raise money for the Rotary Club that is then put back into the Greenfield community. This year the buyers included Wooden It Be Nice, WW Dry Cleaners, Southern Hills Community Bank, Adena Greenfield Medical Center, Sitterle Insurance, Greenfield Research, Dr. Richard Mizer and Cristy Hill, Community Savings Bank, Wes Surritt, and Murray-Fettro Funeral Home. Highlights of the evening was the announcement of a new Paul Harris Fellow and recipients of Service Above Self Awards. Pat Hays explained that the Paul Harris Fellowship is named in honor of Rotary’s founder, whowith 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. For 2019, the Greenfield club submitted the name of Rotarian Heath Fettro as the newest recipient of the prestigious award. Hays mentioned some of the ways that Fettro has contributed to the success of the local club and embodied the ideals of Rotary. Due to his career responsibilities, Fettro was unable to attend the Awards Dinner but he will be given his plaque and pin at a later date. It appears that the club has now sponsored 48 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 born in 1922 and is just three years away from celebrating its 100th anniversary. Andrew Surritt III announced the names of two Service Above Self Award winners, so named for their selfless contributions to their community. MSgt. John Wilson, adviser of the McClain Cadet Corps, was honored for his work with young people in giving them a sense of direction, discipline and other tools for success. MSgt. Wilson started the Cadet Corps program at McClain High School during the 2017-18 school year and it has enjoyed significant growth. A second Service Above Self Award was announced for Greenfield Police Chief Jeremiah Oyer for his outstanding work in the community. Surritt said Chief Oyer was unable to attend but expressed thanks for his leadership of the police department and his willingness to work with other first responders to protect and serve. Coffey also took time to recognize Andrew Surritt III for his strong leadership during two years as president of the club, and acknowledged that Andrew continues to coordinate the club’s major projects without seeking any attention for himself. Wes Surritt served as Sergeant at Arms during the evening, fining numerous Rotarians for failing to wear neckties. Few Rotarians dare to wear ties to the dinner as in the past many ties have been snipped by scissors-wielding Sergeants, so it’s an easy way to raise money. And the money helps finance future Paul Harris Fellowships, so it’s for a good cause. The evening concluded with a drawing for table arrangements. In closing, President Coffey 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 and Jackie Gardner for coordinating details for the festive dinner and program. Supreme Court Justice Judi French speaks
at Greenfield Rotary Club meeting October 10, 2019 Greenfield Rotarians were treated to an informative program by Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith L. "Judi" French on October 10. Justice French, a native of the village of Sebring in Mahoning County, has dedicated her career to public service, serving as a lawyer for a state agency, an assistant attorney general, counsel to the Governor, and as a judge. She was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2013, elected to her first six-year term in 2014 and has visited all 88 Ohio counties. Justice French told Rotarians about growing up in a community roughly the size of Greenfield and her interest in the law that has led to an interesting career path, including arguing two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. She outlined how the appeals process works, how she and her fellow justices deliberate matters that come before the Ohio Supreme Court, and how justices are selected to write the majority opinion in each case. Justice French is passionate about widening judicial access and works with the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation and legal-aid organizations around the state, advocating for changes and programs that will ensure access to justice for all Ohioans. Following her remarks, Justice French opened up the floor to questions and fielded a variety of queries from interested Rotarians. Good food and interesting programs are part of the Greenfield Rotary Club’s weekly routine. The club meets at 11:30 a.m. on Thurdays at the Catch 22 Sports Pub, 250 Jefferson St. District Governor Sigrid Solomon
visits Greenfield club on September 26 Rotary District Governor Sigrid Solomon paid an official visit to the Greenfield club on September 26, sharing a bit about her personal Rotary journey and encouraging all Rotarians to stay involved and not be shy about sharing news of Rotary’s many worthwhile projects locally, regionally and around the world. DG Solomon was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and currently is employed at Wilmington College, where she has served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students/Title IX Coordinator for the past nine years. Inspired by her experience as a Group Study Exchange participant in the fall of 1998, she began her Rotary journey in 2000 in Abingdon, Virginia, then later joined Wilmington AM club in 2007. She has served in many capacities in Rotary, including Club President, Assistant District Governor and now District Governor. She discussed various projects where Rotarians have made a difference in fighting diseases, raising money, improving communities and generally making the world a better place. Ms. Solomon pointed out that as Rotary nears the accomplishment of one longtime goal – the eradication of polio from the planet – there are other challenges, such as bringing people together and create lasting change around the world. District-wide, Rotarians have established the following strategic priorities and objectives: Increase Our Impact; Expand Our Reach; Enhance Participant Engagement and Increase Our Ability to Adapt. The District Governor congratulated the Greenfield club for its involvement in the local community and encouraged Rotarians to develop a strategic plan to help the club grow and accomplish its goals. She invited everyone to attend the District Conference scheduled April 23-25, 2020 in Wilmington. Also attending the meeting was Assistant District Governor Beth Huber, also of Wilmington. Club President Ron Coffey thanked DG Solomon and ADG Huber for attending and invited them to come back as often as they are able. The Greenfield Rotary Club meets at 11:30 a.m. on Thurdays at the Catch 22 Sports Pub, 250 Jefferson St. |
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