The Avon Safety Fair and Avon Lake’s Big Trucks events are great ways for Rotary to support our communities. A member of North Coast’s Rotary Youth Group, Interact was popular at Avon’s events as she used face paint to skillfully create designs that children asked for.
It’s reported that at least 1000 firehats were distributed at Avon Lake’s Big Trucks! The North Coast Rotary table was a popular Passport stop handing out granola bars, fruit snacks, and fun bendable/ toys, mini pull back cars and spring launcher toys. We thank both communities for including us in their events.
North Coast Rotary inducted two new members, Avon Lake resident Doug Fullerton and Avon resident Gael-Sylvia Pullen! We welcome their energy, expertise and look forward to their help in serving our communities.
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.
Conversation with our Mayors is a great way to understand the vision of the four communities North Coast Rotary serves. The 4-Mayor Conference sponsored by the North Coast Chamber was an opportunity to hear our mayors’ public presentations.
(Photo from West Life News April 3, 2024 – Mayors with North Coast Rotary President Joe Matuscak; Mayor Radeff missing from photo)
In addition, Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen, The Village of Sheffield Mayor Bob Markovich and Sheffield Lake Mayor Rocky Radeff, made individual presentations and answered questions from our Rotary members at three separate meetings at the French Creek Family Y. A big thank you to Mayor Jensen, Mayor Markovich and Mayor Radeff for taking the time to meet with us.
Special thanks to Mayor Mark Spaetzel who hosted us at Avon Lake’s City Council chambers and allowed us to hold a brief Rotary meeting there as well.
Whether its supporting economic development, people in need, our libraries, parks, our safety forces and our schools, North Coast Rotarians plan to continue the dialogue and work to make a difference!
North Coast Rotary is excited to welcome new member Rachel Rieth, General Manager Marriott Cleveland Avon. Rachel explained at her induction that she is very familiar with Rotary through her former boss who was a past District Governor. She added, “I’m excited to forge my own path with North Coast Rotary!”
Rachel is a recent graduate of Leadership Lorain County – Class of 2024. Taking her busy schedule into consideration, Rachel designated Peter NeCastro, Marriott Avon’s Director of Sales, as a corporate alternate member. Congratulations to Rachel and Peter; we look forward to involving you in our community initiatives!
The 4-Way Test is an ethical problem-solving tool, the subject of which area middle school students write essays and area high school students write speeches for presentation. Ben Hodge, Superintendent of Avon Local Schools and North Coast Rotary’s Speech and Essay Contest Chair, coordinates both programs with the assistance of Avon, Avon Lake and Brookside teachers. 2024 marked the 12th year for North Coast Rotary’s Speech Contest and the 8th year for the Essay Contest.
This year, Max Wojtus, Avon High School, won North Coast Rotary’s 4-Way Test Speech Contest and went on to compete with 15 other speech contest winners in the recent District competition. Avon High School junior Anika Singh placed second in North Coast Rotary’s contest; Avon Lake’s Kamryn Hess placed third and Avon Lake’s Tyler Birk and Brookside’s Bree Fawley placed fourth. Speech topics included: Why Smoking Cigarettes Should be Banned; Money Can’t Buy Happiness; Child Abuse; Hypermasculinity; and Being a Woman in STEM.
Twelve students, six each, from Avon’s and Avon Lake’s middle school participated in the 4-Way Test Essay contest. They were the top twelve of many submissions. Six won cash awards and all students were recognized with certificates. “Embracing Uniqueness” the essay written by an Avon Lake Student; won first place overall and first place for Avon Lake. Avon Student’s submission “AI in the Art Community” placed second overall and placed first for Avon; and Avon Lake student’s essay “Honesty is the Best Policy” placed 3rd overall and second place for Avon Lake. Three other Student’s essays won cash awards.
We commend those students who participate in these competitions; they invest extra time and effort to understand and apply ethical decision-making tools like the 4-Way test. North Coast Rotary also recognizes and thanks the teachers, and speech and essay judges who assist us in these programs.
Thanks to Scouting drives and the Stamp Out Hunger campaigns, CRS received significant donations. Rotarians were happy to jump start the review, sorting and stocking of donated food.
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.
“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.
North Coast Rotary Club and Foundation 