The Rotary Club of West Chester, the Greater West Chester Sunrise Rotary Club and the Rotary Passport Club of West Chester joined together in choosing and awarding three high school graduates $2,000 college scholarships each. The scholarship recipients were chosen based on essays they wrote about their volunteerism, based on the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.” Letters of recommendation from school administrators added verification of the students’ volunteer work.Receiving scholarships from John Abitabilo (left) and Robbe Healey (right) are Reagan Peri (second from left) and Taylor Krafchick. Also receiving a scholarship was Chinonye Moneme, (center, pictured with from left) David Sweet, Nathan Keisler, Chinonye’s father, John Abitabilo, and Jim Gasho.
The principal and teachers at East High School wrote that Chinonye Moneme, “is a leader in diversity awareness, and tutors other students. She participated in a food drive for Martine Luther King Day of Service. She was also an elementary school mentor, and sent cards to veterans and senior citizens. In addition, she was the school’s cross country manager, and worked on clean-up projects.”
“I have learned the importance of little things each day,’” said Chinonye. She will attend Boston University in the fall, studying mechanical engineering with a focus on environmental renewable energy.
Steve Brown, our outgoing president, received accolades for his leadership in the second half of the 2021-2022 Rotary year, our 100th anniversary, for his outstanding leadership during the (still circulating) pandemic. In addition to keeping club members engaged, Steve gave us brief looks back at our country’s history, and provided humorous moments at every club meeting to lighten the challenging times.
Over 80 individuals, Rotarians and their guests, gathered at Barnaby’s In West Chester for the “historical, phenomenal, first ever” induction of the incoming presidents of the four West Chester Rotary clubs. Members of the four clubs enjoyed socializing over the buffet dinner and beverages, meeting and supporting fellow Rotarians from other clubs, and taking part in the unique raffle.
Longtime member Jim Gasho (he joined in 1986), “Played His Age,” completing 62 holes of golf on July 1st – yes, all in one day!
The third and final part of our 100th Anniversary celebration (1921-2021) was to place a plaque, noting the occasion, at our meeting place, the West Chester Golf and Country Club. The Country Club was willing to support our request to display a commemorative plaque at their site by planting a tree and placing the plaque in a beautiful floral setting. Participating in the dedication of the plaque at the country club were (from left) Eric Houck, WCGCC grounds superintendent, Sue Casso Rogers, one of the 100th anniversary event coordinators, Steve Brown current club president and president during the second half of 2021, and Michelle Venema, club president during the first part of 2021, and an event coordinator. The planting bed contains a small tree, and is full of colorful blooming annuals, all of which complement the plaque. This garden gem at the country club, located near the Pro Shop, is a beautiful way to acknowledge the work of our Rotary Club, and one of the many community partnerships we enjoy. Next time you attend a Thursday club meeting or play a round of golf on the course, take a few minutes to stop by the little garden and view this lovely commemoration, designed by Houck. It will brighten your day!
Golfing is not just a matter of hitting a little ball around a golf course for West Chester Rotarians. It includes lots of fun and fellowship! Even though the skies were a little cloudy, 23 golfers, Rotarians and guests, enjoyed nine holes of golf at the West Chester Golf and Country Club following a recent Thursday noon club meeting. After completing their rounds, most participants returned to the clubhouse for beverages and snacks. On the deck overlooking the golf course, they shared fellowship and laughs (sometimes at each other’s expense!). Thanks to Randy Lindel, Sue Casso-Rogers and others for capturing some great photos and reporting on this event.
Nsengumuremlyi Theoneste, known to us as Theo, and supported by our club for a number of years, proudly shows off the diploma he has finally received.
Ray and Paula Ott stopped by the Rotary Club's table at the Turk's Head Music Festival Sunday, and picked up a copy of the updated club brochure, Chili Cook-off flyer, and viewed the new A-frame. Sue Casso Rogers and Michelle Venema were the first club Rotarians to "woman" the table at the eight hour festival, a popular West Chester event that has restarted this year after the two year pandemic lockdown. A number of Rotarians manned the table throughout the day as thousands of music lovers, and families with children and dogs, crowded into Everhart Park. Mother Nature provided near perfect weather, making it a day to enjoy not only music, food, art, vendors of all sorts, but even an opportunity to register to vote! Let's hope we have many more such weather perfect days ahead!
When over two dozen Rotarians planted a mixture of 100 Maple and River Birch trees recently at Stroud Preserve, they accomplished two goals. The 100 trees celebrated last year’s 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club of West Chester, and it supported the mission of the Environment Committee of Rotary District 7450. “Despite the wet weather, Rotarians showed up to participate in the long-awaited anniversary celebration project, and support the district’s new environment committee,” explained Steve Brown, club president.
About a dozen Rotarians, friends, spouses, children, and a few West Chester Passport Club Rotarians, joined membered of the West Chester club on Saturday for a day in Marshall Square Park. They raked, cleaned up and mulched the trees and bushes together. The day was part of West Chester Borough's "Clean Up West Chester Day". The West Chester club has been volunteering at Marshall Square Park for many years, under the capable organizing and leadership skills of Mac Neilon. Thanks to Randy Lindel for capturing the group just as they were beginning their work. A special treat on this year's day of fun and fellowship, along with their work, the group was rewarded with cookies from The Hickman!
Despite rain, sleet/ice and snow, more than a dozen loyal Rotarian volunteers showed up during the early morning Saturday at the A. Duie Pyle warehouse to load fruit into cars of purchasers of the delicious fruits and vegetables sold during Rotary’s annual fruit sale. Our chair for over 10 years (!), Christine Wildauer (center with the red scarf), reports that among the volunteers was Kate Cipriano and a few other members of the Greystone PTO, who will benefit from over $5,000 raised during the sale toward purchase of playground equipment at the new Greystone Elementary School. As usual, numerous boxes of fruits and vegetables were also donated to the West Chester Food Cupboard. Of interest to longtime members, and our historians, Christine reports that a few years ago, the late Bob Poole presented her with a complete history of the fruit sale from its very beginning.
Sue and Bob Rogers, along with 14 other Rotarians, rang bells for the Salvation Army at the Amish Market from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Debi Friedmann and Rachel Barakat, were among the 17 Rotarians who rang bells at Shop Rite from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual bell ringing is the Salvation Army's (SA) biggest fundraiser for the year. Our club has been helping the SA for more than two decades, raising local funds that stay locally, supporting the SA's programs such as toys for tots , so hundreds of kids have a good holiday. In addition, the SA serves hot meals daily, has a food pantry, and offers programs like rental assistance , job training and placement, disaster services, and more. Our club members have given generously of their time and their own donations to this worthy, local charity. In addition, we are happy to have Capt. Jesus Coralizza among our membership! Thanks to all Rotarians who stepped up to help out!
West Chester Rotarians, their families and community leaders, gathered at the Penn Oaks Golf and Country Club last week to celebrate the Rotary Club’s 100th anniversary. Participating in the presentation were (from left) Sue Casso Rogers, a past club president and gala co-organizer, Michelle Venema, immediate past president and gala co-organizer, Steve Brown, current club president, Valarie Wafer of Canada, RI vice president, Jeff Cadorette of Media, RI Communications Committee, Yvette Houston, president of the Chester Rotary Club, who sponsored our club in 1921, and Jordan Norley, mayor of the Borough of West Chester..png)
