Author: northcoastrotary

Celebrating the End of the ’23-’24 Rotary Year and Installation of Officers

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Rotarians and guests enjoyed an evening at Emerald Event Center to celebrate the achievements of the past Rotary year, recognize outgoing President Joe Matuscak and Install the incoming President Cathy Pugh and her leadership team.

Joe Matuscak thanked everyone for joining us that evening and Rachel Reith and Pete NeCastro of Emerald Event Center for hosting.  He added that all four Mayors were invited and extended a special thank you to Village of Sheffield Mayor Bob Markovich who came. 

Joe presented an overview of his past year/s.  He highlighted Rotary’s community partners including Ridge Cleaners, Lorain County Community College, Scott Latiolais, President Tri-C Westshore, Marilyn Zeidner with Music on a Mission, and the North Coast Chamber.  Joe noted how local media helps Rotary increase the impact of our projects and fundraisers and thanked the Morning Journal, Chronicle Telegram, Cleveland.com, Westlife, WEOL and WOBL for their support. 

Joe swore-in the ’24 – ’25 President Cathy Pugh.

President Cathy Pugh swore-in the ’24 – ‘25 Officers Vice President and President Elect Kim Urig, Secretary Jamie Wise, Treasurer Lawrence Calabrese, Deputy Treasurer Jinnyn Tata and Foundation Coordinator Gina Eschke (not present).  Past President Joe Matuscak will also be a member of the Club Executive Board.  Members of the North Coast Rotary Foundation, Inc. Board include: Cathy Pugh, Kim Urig, Jamie Wise, Larry Calabrese, Jinnyn Tata, John Daly and Gina Eschke (not pictured).

President Cathy Pugh explained that Joe’s gift from North Coast Rotary was a donation to purchase a bed through the LCADA Way Adopt-a-Bed program. In parting, Joe honored seven members who assisted him during his presidency, awarding “Rotarians of the Year” plaques and flowers (Gina Eschke not pictured).

Pictured are from left to right: Allen Porter, Theresia Oreskovic, Cathy Pugh, Jinnyn Tata, Larry Calabrese and Doug Maurer.

Blankets for Beds Recognition

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North Coast Rotary thanks  ALCC President Marty O’Donnell and the Avon Lake Community Council (ALCC) for its recent award of Project of the Year in partnership with Ridge Cleaners.  Marty presented the award to Rotarian Cathy Pugh.  Cathy accepted on behalf of Joe Matuscak who developed the idea of cleaning and sanitizing gently used blankets for those in need.  Ridge Cleaners Owner Lisa Sebastian immediately volunteered to clean and sanitize them absorbing the cost.  

Cathy Pugh and Lisa Sebastian also received Congratulations from Representative Joe Miller on behalf of the members of the House of Representatives, and a Proclamation of Recognition and Congratulations from Avon Lake Mayor Mark A. Spaetzel. The Blankets for Beds project is ongoing. Our thanks to our most recent donors from Good Neighbors Thrift Shop, Vermilion Schools Interact group and the Sheffield Lake and Lorain Offices GenFed Financial Credit Union.

Scholarship Awardees

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Scholarship awardees from Avon High School, Avon Lake High School and Brookside High School joined our June rotary meeting. We heard highlights of each awardee’s achievements and each awardee spoke about their college plans. 

Lincoln Barnhart from Brookside High School was awarded the Service Above Self scholarship selected from students participating in the Rotary youth program Interact.  Zuriah Radeff-Koonce a Brookside High School senior was awarded a Service Above Self scholarship.  

Avon Lake senior, Mary Bigenho was awarded two scholarships, one funded by the Weems family and a Service Above Self Bon Russell Memorial Scholarship.  

Avon High School Principal Kristina Buller introduced Ishani Kishorepuria who was awarded the Jane Kuzman Memorial Scholarship for Service Above Self.  

With donations and revenue from fundraisers, North Coast Rotary (formerly Avon/ Avon Lake Rotary) has awarded scholarships to graduating seniors for decades.  The scholarship amount began at $500 each, increased in 2009 to $750 each and increased to $1000 each since 2012.  Rotarian Gina Eschke coordinates the program.  

A Big Thank You to Tri-C Westshore, our Sponsors and Sip & Support Guests

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With the tremendous support of Tri-C Westshore, North Coast Rotary’s sixth Wine Tasting Fundraiser was our most successful event ever.  One hundred guests enjoyed sampling the wines from six regions around the world arranged through Heidelberg Distributors.  “The food was fabulous!” Gourmet appetizers were provided by Aramark chefs; mini beef-wellingtons and sweet and spicy candied bacon twists were crowd favorites. Tri-C Creative Arts’ students displayed (and sold) their art.  A variety of raffle baskets and music performed by a trio of Tri-C students contributed to everyone’s overall enjoyment.  Plans are already underway for the 7th Sip and Support event to be held at Tri-C Westshore in 2025.

See More Here: 2024 Sip and Support Wine Tasting Fundraiser – A Success!

Welcome New Member Robyn Gauder

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“I look forward to all that is to come serving this community and working with this incredible team,” said Robyn Gauder, Membership Director of the French Creek Family Y as she was inducted into North Coast Rotary by President Joe Matuscak.

We look forward to Robyn’s involvement in our service efforts throughout our communities and region.