The Centerville Rotary Club met at the Clubhouse at Yankee Trace at noon. Club President Boyd Preston led the Pledge of Allegiance; Harvey Smith gave the prayer including report that ADG Carol Hughes came through her knee surgery well and appreciated our card; and Jim Stuart led the singing of God Bless America. 

 

President Boyd Preston asked Dan Johnson to the podium where PDG Harvey Smith presented him with a Paul Harris Fellow +1. The Club thanked him for his generous donation of another $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation.

 

Frank Perez announced that sign-up sheets are available for the April Rotary Service Days. Service opportunities include:

Foodbank of Dayton - packing food - APRIL 6

Project Read - sorting and packing books - APRIL 6

Centerville-Washington Park District - sorting and cleaning a garage area - APRIL 6

St. Leonard's - light gardening & painting - APRIL 6

Hannah's Treasure Chest - repack diapers for distribution at local charities - APRIL 13

BOGG Ministries - distributing food, playing children's games, etc. - APRIL 16

Sheets will be available for the next couple of weeks, so sign up early and often!

 

Pat Beckel announced several fun events coming up that are sure to create great memories.

DATE NIGHT - May 2 at Benham's Grove includes games (for adults) such as the Newlywed Game and other fun activities.

CIGAR & BOURBON EVENT - in May at Benham's Grove, $100 per person

SECOND FRIDAY EVENTS - May through August at Normandy Square

 

President Boyd Preston mentioned again the District 6670 Conference coming up April 11-13. We're still collecting new shoes for the Shoes for Orphan Souls donations.

Dick Hoback encouraged more wine donations for the Conference's Silent Auction. Bring your donated bottles, shoes, or cash in the next couple of weeks.

 

Erich Eggers invited all to tonight's Rotary Mixer at Remodeling Designs, a great way to introduce prospective members to our club. Significant others are always welcome, too.

 

Arnie Biondo is still looking for host families so we can sponsor an exchange student next year. He suggested asking your church to announce in the weekly bulletin, as host does not have to be a Rotarian. Jen Gibbs noted how wonderful the experience was for her entire family when they hosted Rodrigo. They got to learn about his culture, what a fantastic cook Rodrigo is, and they also got to know his parents. 

 

President Boyd invited all to read the Club in Review he prepared for the website as a way to track the history of our club's activities. It's pretty impressive when you see it all together like this! He reminded all to register for the District Conference coming up April. 12-14. Boyd offered condolences to Lee Hieronymus on the recent passing of his brother, Ted. The Hieronymus family is well-ingrained in Rotary, as Lee, Lee's father, and brother were all past presidents of Rotary clubs. 

 

President-Elect Chuck King and Sgt.-at-Arms Erich Eggers collected the Happy Bucks for Honor Flight.

 

 

Many gave in memory of Lee's brother, Ted. Mike Weir announced he had a brief hospital stay for kidney stones, but then recovered fully while on a cruise to the Caribbean. Birthday donations included Frank Perez and Dick Hoback, followed by the singing of "Happy Birthday." Lee gave thanks for the warm remembrances of his brother and for his barn buddy, Ann. Katie Neubert was happy to have Sam Moser join the club today and Sam slipped in a donation, too. 

 

Arnie Biondo gave thanks for his Fighting Ducks of Oregon for winning the PAC 12 championship. Tom Groszko announced he successfully completed the Cole Climb Race to the top of the Kettering Tower - 600 steps! Sivaji Subramaniam is happy for the arrival of spring. Brian Hayes was thankful to Jim Stuart for getting him out of singing by starting the song today. Pat announced his boys will compete in the Ohio State Gymnastics Championships this weekend. Dan Johnson was excited his Florida Gators are in town tonight for the basketball tournament.

 

Last week Carol Kennard announced the Interact Club will finish up the service project to paint game boards on picnic tables at Oak Grove Park. Rotarians interested in helping can attend an informational meeting with the students at CHS room W234 on Thursday, April 4 at 3 pm. 

 

 

 

Vice President, Frank Perez introduced our speaker, Christine Pirot, Campaign Manager of the Therapeutic Riding Institute (TRI).

 

Christine noted the TRI has roots in Centerville - founded in 1973 right here by Betty Lou Townley, who had a vision of how horses might help people with special needs. Forty-six years later, the program is going strong with 200 volunteers working with 200+ children and their families. During that time, they have been at 14 different locations, packing everything up and moving when rental space was no longer available. 

She was happy to announce they are about ready to close on property of their own - a farm in Sugar Creek Township that includes 24 fenced areas, 21 stall barn, family lounge, indoor arena, onsite offices, and caretakers apartments. They are excited for space of their own which will allow for the program to grow, while they control their own destiny. Of the $500,000 capital campaign, $348,467 has been raised to date and they have until May 1 to gather the rest needed. 

 

Christine described the many programs offered by TRI. 

1. Ages 5 + put on a horse; identify goals for each student, track progress, develop quantitative goals.

2. Equine Facilitation Psychotherapy - the horse provides a bridge to therapy.

3. Equine Assisted Learning - with South Community Therapists

4. Family Lessons - bring family groups together for common activity

5. Horses Assisting Heroes - opportunity for Veterans to ride with family members

6. Field trips/day camps - for youth groups

 

TRI relies on volunteers to assist with programs, but also weeding, office operations, and building things for use in the programs. They have over 200 volunteers and can use more! Students with any type of diagnosis qualify for the programs. Benefits of the program include improved strength, balance, teamwork, building self-confidence, and coordination.

They welcome any amount of cash donation, and also accept in-kind donations such as insulation they will need for the new arena. Their main sources of revenue include fees for classes, donations, and a major fundraising Gala in September. 

 

For more information or to donate, visit TRIohio.org/BringTRIHome.

 

Our Four-Way Test Banner is seen below.