North Coast Rotary

Congratulations to 7th and 8th Grade 4-Way Test Essay Contest Winners!

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This spring, for the seventh year, Avon and Avon Lake 7th and 8th grade students participated in North Coast Rotary’s essay contest.  Each student prepares an essay applying an ethical decision-making tool (the 4-way test) to their life experiences or society.  Both Districts submit their top finalists to North Coast Rotary’s competition.  A committee of Rotarians reviews and evaluates each essay for focus, content development, style, and other factors and selects first, second and third place winners. 

Congratulations to these students for their effort and achievement, and much thanks to their Language Arts teachers for their support in this endeavor.  

Avon Lake’s Caroline Wells, Lucia Durbin and Aubrey Kozar won 1st, 2nd and 3rd place respectively for the overall competition and for their school district. 

Fatma Abdelnaby, Isabella Gentile and Reagan Sudik won 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for Avon.  

4th Place finalists included Deana Abedeljaber, Ava Luchesi, Jocelin Ochs, Amira Owens, Baya Rojek and Kaylin Whatley.

Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The Four-Way Test asks that of the things we think, say or do: 

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Rotary Visits Tri-C Westshore Campus

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On Tri-C’s 60th anniversary, Rotarian and Tri-C Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Kris Walz and Campus President Scott Latiolais and other Campus leadership showed Rotarians the Westshore campus, first opened in 2011 and significantly expanded in 2019.  The naturally lit open areas, special Veterans Support lounge, newly opened food pantry and one-stop student support center complement the lecture hall, labs and training rooms to help students be successful on this campus.  New scholarship opportunities were also announced for students in Avon, Avon Lake and North Ridgeville.

Welcome new Rotarians Thomas Pihlblad and Jamie Wise

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First Federal Lorain Personal Banker Thomas Pihlblad and retired 30-year Navy veteran Jamie Wise were recently inducted into Rotary membership. Our club and foundation are already stronger with their involvement.

With Thomas’s support First Federal Lorain became a sponsor of the Sip & Support fundraiser.  Jamie Wise immediately became involved in the scholarship review committee process.  

Jamie and her husband and Thomas are volunteering at the upcoming wine tasting event and you can meet many North Coast Rotarians there! https://northcoastrotary.org/wine-tasting-fundraiser-april-29th-4-pm-7-pm/

Rotary on-the-Road

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A big thanks to Shurtape Technologies, Inc., Tri-C Community College and UH Seidman Cancer Center who graciously hosted North Coast Rotarians in the past four weeks.  In their different ways, these three employers are critically important to our area’s economic success.  Local service initiatives, such as Blankets for Beds and fundraisers, Sip and Support were also discussed.  Rotarians look forward to opportunities to collaborate with them in the future.  (see additional posts)

UH Seidman Cancer Center at St. John Medical

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On our visit, Rotarian and UH Community Outreach Director Paul Forthofer, Nurse Manager Deanna Turns, Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner Roben Leaverton and Clinical Partner Bryson Mackson gave Rotarians a better understanding of the cancer treatment experience.  Their staff of approximately 75 team of oncologists, surgeons, nurses, pathologists and other care staff provides patients with comprehensive cancer care.  As they explained, cancer patients come in feeling vulnerable; as they get to know the treatment team, some patients become “family” which is most rewarding.  Opened in 2012 the Westlake facility participates in clinical trials as well.  We were all provided with a reminder and a summary form to keep our medical information accessible in times of emergency.

Congratulations Speech Contest Winners!

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Students representing Avon, Avon Lake and Brookside High Schools challenged themselves in the North Coast Rotary 4-Way Test Speech Contest, now in its tenth year.  Dr. Cathy Pugh, Rotarian and speech contest judge said, “The students were an impressive group, poised and prepared and they chose interesting and timely topics.”  

Dylan Roof, Avon HS earned 1st place recognition and will proceed to the Rotary District Speech contest.  Camryn Evans, also from Avon HS earned 2nd place.  Both Avon Lake HS student Seamus Sinclair and Brookside HS student Sabrina Bibb tied for 3rd place.   Read more here: Rotary Four-Way Speech Contest

Successful Fundraiser – Avon Great Pizza Bake-Off Feb. 16 2023

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 “With the biggest crowd in 4 years, Avon High school was proud to support North Coast Rotary’s annual pizza bake off!” commented Avon Superintendent Ben Hodge.  Close to 400 guests enjoyed sampling pizza and voting for their favorites.  Many guests continued on to the Fusion concert sure of a seat in the new expanded capacity Performing Arts Center.

White Box Pizza won the People’s Choice Award and the Best Crust Award; Master Pizza won Best Pepperoni; Marco’s Pizza won Best Specialty and Domino’s Pizza won the Judge’s Choice Award.  Rotary thanks these pizzerias for their participation.

Joe Matuscak, Rotary club and foundation president and Doug Maurer who coordinated the event thank the many guests who attended, the Rotarian and Interact Club volunteers, Avon High School staff, the Fusion Concert performers, Midway Trophies and our club and foundation sponsors (see Placemat Recognition).  

North Coast Rotary donated $100 towards the Avon Unified Sports organization.  Remaining proceeds will be used for youth and community initiatives.

Read more: Successful Fundraiser – Avon Great Pizza Bake-Off Feb. 16 2023

The Avon High School Great Pizza Bake Off Thursday February 16 2023, 4:30 PM before the Jazz concert!

Touring Avon Lake Regional Water – Thank you!

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“I’ve been in Avon Lake for over 30 years and didn’t realize what a gem we have in our city” said one Rotarian after informative presentations from Chief of Utility Operations Greg Yuronich and Facilities and Asset Manager Bobby Kimevski.  

Rotarians learned about daily operations and from real experiences what must be done to overcome unexpected events (remember “Frazil Ice”).   In years past, ALRW was awarded the best quality water in Ohio~our ALRW supplied tap water is better than bottled water!  

A big thank you to Greg Yuronich and Bobby Kimevski and Board member Dave Rickey who facilitated this tour.  Avon Lake Regional Water supplies 200,000+ customers in seven counties, and you can learn more at:  https://avonlakewater.org/