North Coast Rotary

Thank You Ridge Tool!

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Craig Sumner President Professional Tools, Ridge Tool in Elyria (and an Avon Lake resident) hosted North Coast Rotarians for an informative tour throughout their facilities. While in their theater-style auditorium we learned about Ridgid’s history beginning in 1923 and their growth into a worldwide operation through their parent company Emerson.  Director of Marketing Becky Brotherton, Plant Manager Joe Hofferth, Quality Manager Dave Resor and Business Unit Manager Jackie Marsh answered questions and took us through the plant.  We were amazed by the automated robotic processes, the exceptionally clean and brightly lit facility and their advanced safety equipment.  Ridge Tool is a valued company in our region and a premier employer and we appreciated the opportunity to visit and tour.  

Camp Imagine

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Several weeks ago, North Coast Rotarians heard updates on Camp Imagine, a very special non-profit created in 1987 in Avon Lake. Involved since 2009, Frank Krempasky explained that the program is a combination extended school year service and camp experience for developmentally disabled children in pre-K through 12th grade. This year they enrolled 108 children from 9 different area school districts. Learn more about Camp Imagine at: http://www.campimagine.org

More About Our Communities

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This Rotary Year, North Coast will focus on our communities, local businesses, services and non-profits.

Our first meeting in July, we were updated on the Behavioral Health of Lorain County by Michael Doud, Executive Director of the MHARS (Mental Health Addiction and Recovery Services)Board, Don Schiffbauer, Executive Director of the Nord Center, and Dan Haight, President of The LCADA Way. There are various ways to stay informed about their services, to volunteer and advocate for behavioral health. Learn more about these organizations from their websites: http://www.mharslc.org https:www.nordcenter.org http://www.thelcadaway.org

Make Music Day Avon Lake

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Celebrating with more than 1000 cities in 120 countries around the world, musicians, musical groups, singers, and performers entertained guests at Veteran’s and Bleser Park on Make Music Day Avon Lake on June 21st the summer solstice.  Despite temperatures in the mid-90’s people of all ages gathered to enjoy the multitude of performances at locations including the Bleser main stage, the porch of the Folger house, the grassy areas outside the ball fields, and the gazebo. Make Music Day Avon Lake was the inspiration of Marilyn Zeidner, Executive Director of Music on a Mission and co-founder of Project DREW.  For the 2022 event, North Coast Rotary assisted Marilyn in planning, organizing, marketing, fundraising and staffing. Read more here –  Make Music Day Avon Lake!

Avon Bicycle Rodeo – Safe Bicycling for Children

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Nine Avon Police Officers and Lieutenants instructed 51 Avon children ages 7-11 in Safe Bicycling Practices at the Bicycle Rodeo on Saturday, June 4, 2022.  The Avon Parks and Recreation Department pre-registered the children, organized the two sessions and coordinated the event.  Reed Allen and employees of Reed Allen State Farm Insurance Agency provided new helmets for each rider and assisted with the process.  North Coast Rotarians, Joe Matuscak, Doug Maurer, Bob Murphy, Allen Porter and Jinnyn Tata, helped the Avon Police and Avon Rec Department employees manage the traffic and check-in of incoming students and at the various skill stations.  Students and parents were appreciative of the opportunity to become safer bicyclists and thanked the Avon Police Department for the Bicycle Rodeo.

The hands-on instruction included bicycle safety inspections checking wheel alignment, brake operation, and inflating tires. The officers checked the fit of each rider’s bicycle helmet, replacing them with new ones if needed. Following the safety inspection students rode through a series of skill stations related to everyday riding situations – practicing starting and stopping, the safe way to exit a driveway, negotiating intersections and avoiding common road hazards.  

2022 Scholarship Awardees!

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North Coast Rotary Scholarship Awardees for 2022
Brookside – Leah Mussall, Avon – Elizabeth White, Avon Lake – Sydney Ryan, Avon Lake – Gabriela Marsala, Brookside – Nura Afaneh, Scholarship Awardees 2022 North Coast Rotary Foundation

Nura Afaneh, Leah Musall, Sydney Ryan and Elizabeth White were awarded $1000 scholarships each for their “Service Above Self.”  Their leadership roles and service to others included captaining various sports teams, President of the Avon Lake Choir program, President of BHS National Honor Society, Treasurer of Interact Service Club, volunteering at St. Mary of the Woods, Genesis House, sponsoring a club for mental health awareness and more. 

Congratulations to these graduates from Avon, Avon Lake and Brookside High Schools who stood out among the 53 well-qualified applicants for the North Coast Rotary scholarships.  

In a separate application process, Gabriel Marsala was awarded a $1000 scholarship by Marilyn Weems for her interest in continuing to study and learn the French language.   

Rotarians Build Beds at Good Knights of Lorain County

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Last Saturday, Rotarians from Westlake/Bay Village, Westshore, Lakewood/Rocky River, Lakewood/Rocky River Sunrise, and North Coast volunteered in a Bed Build at Good Knights in Amherst. We were also joined by several members of the Masons and followed a Keller-Williams day at Good Knights.

The non-profit organization, Good Knights, builds and delivers beds for children in Lorain County who don’t have a bed of their own to sleep in and are instead sleeping on the floor every night.

We cut wood, drilled holes, sanded each wood piece, readying them to be dipped/stained dried, and assembled.   The Cluster of Rotary clubs from District 6630 also donated enough funds to fund the building of 20+ beds, including frames, mattresses, pillows, and bed linens.   Rotarians look forward to helping at future Build Days and supporting the mission of Good Knights Lorain County.

Lauren Ksiazek, MSW, LSW, Executive Director of Lorain County Office on Aging (LCOOA)

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LCOOA Executive Director
Lauren Ksiazek

At today’s meeting, Executive Director of LCOOA, Lauren Ksiazek presented highlights from the 2021 Older Adults Needs Assessment (the last assessment was done in 2008). 

Lauren concluded with recommended actions:  To build on the Coalition for Quality Aging, to increase collaborations and partnerships, advocacy at all levels of government, to educate the public about the needs, and to develop sustainable and significant funding sources for aging services.  Lauren asked, “Who will be the Champion of this Population?” 

To further the discussion, the Executive Director has been sharing this information with multiple groups and organizations.  The survey results are available on the LCOOA website.  https://lcooa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/LC-Older-Adults-Needs-Assessment.pdf

To learn more contact Executive Director Lauren Ksiazek at:  lksiazek@lcooa.org

The LCOOA is the primary agency for supporting Lorain County’s older adult population.  25% of Lorain County residents are aged 60 or older, and this number is expected to continue growing.  Funding for the survey was provided by the Community Foundation of Lorain County and the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging.

North Coast Business Expo

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Rotarians enjoyed meeting with local area vendors, businesses, professionals, and non-profits at the Power of More/North Coast Chamber Business Expo held last week at Ahern’s in Avon Lake.  The club benefits from this opportunity to let others know what we do.  Through networking at this Event, we found interesting business-owners who will be invited to be a speaker at a club meeting and others who would consider joining Rotary. 

We also shared information about the 2nd annual Make Music Day celebration in Avon Lake on June 21st.  

Our thanks to Ted Esborn, Director Economic Development and Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka, who have provided North Coast Rotary with the opportunity to participate in the Business Expo since 2015.

4-Mayor’s Luncheon and Mini-State-of-the-City Address

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The North Coast Chamber of Commerce with Power of More invited Joe Matuscak, incoming president of North Coast Rotary to speak at the 4-Mayors’ State-of-the-City/Luncheon last week. At the event, attended by approximately 250 guests, each mayor presented an update on key happenings in Avon, Avon Lake, Sheffield Village and Sheffield Lake. The Mayors also spoke of unity and collaboration, similar to Rotary Clubs’ commitments to service locally and regionally.

The North Coast Rotary was proud to be one of the sponsors of the Luncheon.  From the podium, Joe directed everyone’s attention to a profile-sheet “Get to Know Us” at each place-setting. “North Coast Rotarians share common interests, have fun, make a positive impact in our communities through service, share business connections and expand our personal and professional networks.” 

Joe thanked the North Coast Chamber, the Mayors and the other sponsors of the event for the opportunity.  North Coast Rotary serves Avon, Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake and Sheffield Village. Twelve North Coast Rotarians were there and available for questions about the club’s projects and membership.