This is my final newsletter for the Rotary year. As I was told by many, the year would fly by, and it certainly did! I look at my calendar over the last year, and it is amazing all the places, events, clubs, and people I have visited. I was told that June is not a very busy month, as clubs are installing their new officers and the District begins its changeover. But it is not over yet! I am honored to attend the Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Tiawan from June 9–20. The RYLA picnic and banquet are the following week, and after that, we have the Banner Exchange and Awards Ceremony on June 29. After all that, the year officially ends, so stay tuned for the last chapter.
June is Rotary Fellowship Month What a coincidence that June is Rotary Fellowship Month. Our annual International Convention is this month, where we will have the opportunity to meet Rotarians from all over the world. I cannot stress enough how much you would all enjoy attending an International Convention. I know this one is halfway around the world, but in 2028, it will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If there is any way you can attend that one—or any other convention—please do. The fellowship is fantastic. We also celebrate fellowship with our RYLA candidates at Camp RYLA and end the month by coming together to celebrate the people who made this year happen and to welcome Terri Speck as our new District Governor. She has an impactful year planned, and I am excited to see how we grow and expand our reach.
Camp Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) One of our District’s premier events, Camp RYLA, begins June 21 at Hiram College. District 6630 Camp RYLA is a five-day leadership training camp held each June that focuses on the personal and professional development of high school students. Rotary clubs throughout the world are committed to helping shape the leadership skills of today’s youth. Camp RYLA is one way Rotarians achieve this goal. Through Camp RYLA, participants—the “leaders of tomorrow”—have the unique opportunity to be exposed to many facets of leadership by individuals who have already learned to be leaders in their professions or fields. Camp RYLA is an enjoyable and valuable experience for those who can meet the challenge.
We encourage all Rotarians to support our RYLA participants by attending a cookout on Tuesday, June 23, at 6:00 p.m. at Hinsdale Hall at Hiram College. Information and registration can be found here: Register Here. It is a great event that gives Rotarians the chance to get to know our future leaders and provide encouragement for the program. The second way to support our future leaders is to attend the banquet celebrating their graduation from the program. The students are the stars of this program, and without giving away details, it is a great night full of fun and laughter. This event will be held on June 25 at 6:00 p.m. at the Coleman Center at Hiram College. Event details and tickets can be found here: Details & Tickets. Please join us for an experience you will not soon forget.
District Awards & Governor Induction/Banner Exchange Please join us on Monday, June 29, at 6:00 p.m. at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club, where we will hold our 2025–2026 District Awards and 2026–2027 Governor’s Induction & Banner Exchange. This is the night we celebrate the movers and shakers for this Rotary year and mark the transition from one District Governor to the next. The work our members have done over the past year has been amazing, and this is a great opportunity to celebrate our District’s achievements.
We will also witness the induction of District Governor Terri Speck as our new District Governor. Terri has worked tirelessly over the past three years preparing for her year as Governor. She brings an energy and enthusiasm to the position that I am sure will help us continue to grow and increase our impact on our District and the world. I am excited to work with Terri in any way that will help our clubs and District. Registration is filling up fast. Please Register Here and join us for a great celebration.
250 Acts of Kindness Initiative Since launching this program at our District Conference in April, it has continued to grow. This program celebrates our country’s 250th anniversary by encouraging our clubs, families, and communities to perform 250 acts of kindness, fostering compassion, connection, and unity nationwide. Each day, we are bombarded with negativity, divisiveness, and struggles around the world. This initiative gives all of us a chance to say or do something good for others. Such a small effort can produce such a large result. We hope to be part of the nationwide goal of achieving 250 million acts of kindness this year. More importantly, we hope it creates a culture change so our families and friends continue to see the value of positivity and compassion in our daily lives going forward. There are many ways you can join the movement as a club, individual, or business. See below for information on how to register and share your acts on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. For convenience, I have included a link where you can submit your information, and the District will share it with US of Kindness on a regular basis.
Register Your Club: Visit usofkindness.org/get-involved. Under the “Businesses and Organizations” section, click Sign Up. Designate one member to register the club; this person will receive updates and help track your club's collective impact.
Optional Individual Sign-Up: Members are also encouraged to sign up individually on the same site to receive personal kindness prompts and resources.
Do & Share: Perform acts of kindness—large or small. Share them on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to spread "good news."
o Hashtag: #USK250
o Tag: @usofkindness
Follow: @usofkindness on Instagram and UsOfKindness on Facebook.
Report the Impact: After performing an act, log it via our District’s official Google Form (link below).
By documenting our acts, we show the true scale of Rotary’s service. We will use these numbers to celebrate our achievements at the District level and inspire other organizations to join the movement. I hope to have the number of Acts of Kindness completed by our District to share this month. I will continue to work with District Governor Terri on this program once her year begins.
250 Trees to be Planted in Our District We have had a very positive response to our other initiative of planting 250 trees in our District as a gift for our nation’s 250th anniversary. Several clubs have already submitted information forms for our arborists to work with them on sourcing and purchasing trees. We also have several clubs that have submitted grant applications to use grant funding for tree purchases.
We are meeting with the arborists this week to formalize our plan and establish a timeline for clubs to follow. Ideally, an arborist will work with each interested club to identify the proper tree for its planting location. They will also assist the club with sourcing, purchasing, delivering, and planting the trees. We are targeting a September or October planting date. I hope to have a complete information sheet and timeline sent to all clubs sometime in early July. I would like to thank the four arborists who have volunteered their time and talents to help with this very important project. Thank you for all your help—we could not do this correctly without you:
Tina Graver – Rotary Club of Akron
Mike Emrich – Rotary Club of Mentor
Tom Mugridge – Rotary Club of Hillcrest Sunrise
Ben Askren – Rotary Club of Aurora
End Polio Now Baseball Game at Progressive Field
Please join your Rotary family and friends at the 2026 End Polio Now Guardians game against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, August 19. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and first pitch is at 6:40 p.m. This is District 6630 joining neighboring Districts 6600 and 6650 for an evening of fun in the Pennant District of the ballpark. We hope to have 150 fans there by 6:00 p.m. so we can walk the field together in celebration of ending polio in our lifetime. Tickets are available for purchase now. Purchase Tickets Here.All tickets will be sent through the MLB Ballpark App and will not be mailed.
Disaster Response Committee
After several months of behind-the-scenes organization and clarification, the Disaster Response Committee is now preparing to roll out the program to clubs. Unfortunately, we scheduled a meeting for this last Saturday, and no one showed up. Committee Chair Mike Dunton and I think that there has been too much time since our first committee meeting and now. We think the bast course of action is to ask members to commit or re-commit to being on the committee. Anyone that is a member of a club that is interested in forming a disaster recovery team and who would also like to be on the committee, please email Mike Dunton at madunton@gmail.com. We apologize for the wait, but think the background work will enable us to form, start, and sustain these programs in our clubs. Please email Mike now with your interest.
Thank You In closing, thank you for allowing me to serve as your District Governor this past year. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to lead you during this time. I hope I have made some positive changes that will make our District more inviting, more dynamic, and more fun. I have made so many new friends this year, and I am truly grateful. There are still one or two projects that I need to finish, and I will get them done. Rotary International District 6630 is the best, and we certainly have the best members and fellowship. Take care, and I hope to see you all throughout the coming year at the many great events ahead.
Yours in Rotary,
Bob Oborn District Governor Rotary International District 6630 Stow-Munroe Falls Rotary Club Tel: 330-801-0159 Email: rorotary20252026@gmail.com
Founded in 1969 by Charles Husak Sr. and Layton K. Washburn, the club was originally chartered as the Westlake Rotary Club, with membership open to men who lived or worked in Westlake. In 1976, it was rechartered as the Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club, and in 1988, membership was expanded to include women. Today, members come primarily from the Westlake-Bay Village area, and the club welcomes professionals, businesspeople, and stay-at-home parents of all backgrounds.
What sets our club apart from others is our welcoming spirit
At our core, we are a club that genuinely supports one another while also embracing every guest and speaker who joins us at a weekly meeting. Visitors often comment on the warmth of their welcome and the sense of inclusion they experience from the moment they arrive.
Just as importantly, we are united by a shared commitment to strengthening our community and improving the lives of those who live and work in Westlake, Bay Village, and beyond. As one of our past presidents said, “We are a club on the move, always striving to live our mission of Service Above Self.” That spirit of friendship, inclusion, and action is what truly makes our club stand out.
Our club continues to grow and thrive.This year, we proudly inducted six new members, and look forward to the impact they will make through Rotary service. We are also honored that our esteemed member, Terri Speck, will serve as District 6630 Governor 2026-2027!!
Our Fundraising
The Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Art Festival is held annually on the last Saturday in July. More than 60 talented artists will display and sell their work on the grounds between Westlake Porter Library and Westlake Elementary School. In addition to outstanding artwork, attendees enjoy live music, food trucks and family-friendly activities.
First organized in 2021,the festival has quickly become our signature fundraiser and a highly anticipated community event.This year, the festival was featured in Rotary Magazine's calendar of events!
Other fundraising efforts
Annual Golf outing in September or early October
Sweetest Day Rose Sale – Club members sell dozens of roses to family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Nearly 300 roses are sold annually.
Our Service Projects
Our service projects have included but not limited to:
Providence House “Diaper Drop” – Each time a fifth Wednesday occurs in a month, members collect diapers and personally deliver them to Providence House. To date over 30,000 diapers have been donated.
Westlake Senior Center 90+ Birthday Celebration – Members assist with set up, serving, and cleanup for the annual brunch honoring Westlake residents age 90 and older. This year’s event welcomed more than 140 attendees.
Westlake Adopt-a-Family – Each holiday season, members purchase, wrap and distribute gifts for local families in need in partnership with the Westlake Senior Center.
“Epiphany” Project – In partnership with St. Paul Lutheran Church and Redeemer Crisis Center, members help prepare and distribute boxes containing essential household items, food, and toys for families in need.
Greater Cleveland Food Bank – Members volunteer their time to assist with food distribution efforts.
Youth Challenge – Members clean and detail transportation vans used by students participating in Youth Challenge programs.
Footpath Foundation – Members assisted with the installation of fencing, an entrance gate, and an accessibility ramp.
Lakeview Cemetery – Members place flags on veterans’ graves during Memorial Day weekend in honor of their service.
Community Support
The club provides annual financial support to numerous organizations, including:
Best Buddies, Connecting for Kids, Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation, Footpath Foundation, Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, Meals on Wheels, Providence House, S.T.A.R. Summer Camp, Village Project, Youth Challenge, Edna House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland.
Additional organizations receive support throughout the year following presentations to the club.
The Club also awards annual college scholarships to deserving students from Westlake and Bay Village High School.
When/Where we Meet: The Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club meets every Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Westlake Porter Public Library. Guests are always welcome.
On the evening of June 4th, the Hillcrest Rotary Sunrise Club held its 16th Changeover/Charter Dinner!The club was honored to have District Governor Elect, Terri Speck, preside over the program.
Outgoing President, Maureen Garnett, was celebrated and thanked for her wonderful leadership during the past Rotary year.Incoming President, Joe Cicero, was sworn in and recognized the members of his Board who will work with him and the club in the coming year to “Create a Lasting Impact.”
To cap off the evening, Trish Eustace was deservedly named the Rotarian of the Year!
On Saturday, May 16, the RC of Burton-Middlefield came up with another fun and successful project. We partnered with Goodwill of Northeast Ohio and collected gently used items from community members.
The Goodwill supplied a large covered trailer plastered with splashy media all over and dropped it off at the parking lot of Century Village in Burton, OH, just off the square. Through advertising and word of mouth donators by the dozen came by and dropped off gently used clothing, toys, stuffed animals, small lamps and appliances and many other knick-knacks that they no longer needed and we filled the trailer almost three quarters full, which turned out to be an amazing amount of stuff.
The arrangement is that Goodwill then takes it to their warehouse and re-packs it in large bins. The club receives $70 per bin. As this process takes some time we do not have an accounting yet but whatever BMR ends up with will be both a “plus” and an easy project. A Goodwill driver arrived back at the collection sight at 12 PM, hooked up the trailer and drove off. Doesn’t get much easier than that and those who donated were glad to do some “decluttering”.
The Garrettsville-Hiram Club celebrated its 100th anniversary with an intimate gathering held on the exact day it reached this remarkable milestone, June 11, 2026.
The event took place at Garretts Mill & Brewing and was attended by club members, their families, and several Past District Governors. Among those in attendance was Garrettsville-Hiram club member Dr. Robert L. Jackson, DVM, who served as District Governor during the 1990–91 Rotary year. His presence, along with that of other distinguished guests, helped make the occasion both memorable and meaningful.
Club President Trish Danku-Carlson announced plans for a public Storybook Walk later this summer along the Tom Collins Memorial Rotary Trail at Village Park. The trail honors the memory of Tom Collins, a dedicated Rotarian whose commitment to serving others left a lasting impact on the community.
Trish ensured that everyone was well fed with a delicious array of appetizers and an outstanding meal. Club member Pam Montgomery devoted many hours to researching the club's rich history, while Jeff Drebus transformed the information into an engaging slideshow presentation. A PDF version of the slideshow can be viewed by clicking HERE.
District Governor Bob Oborn sent his regrets, as he was traveling to the Rotary International Convention and was unable to attend the celebration. In his place, District Governor Nominee Designate Carrie Heppner presented President Trish Danku-Carlson with a 100th Anniversary Certificate in recognition of the club's century of service and commitment to the community.
Photo with 100th Anniversary Certificate L-R: DGND Carrie Heppner, PDG Dr. Robert Jackson, PDG Dale Smith, Club President Trish Danku-Carlson, DGN Richard Cole, PDG Cheryl Warren
Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 25, 2026, as the Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club hosts its 6th Annual Art Fest! Come visit our vibrant celebration where creativity and community service come together. Set on the ground of the Westlake Porter Public Library in Westlake, Ohio, this event is more than a showcase of local talent. It is also our premier fundraiser that fuels meaningful change right here in our community.
Event Highlights
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2025(Rain or Shine)
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Westlake Porter Public Library lawn, Westlake, Ohio
Admission:Free, with plenty of free parking
Features:
- Over 60 artists displaying and selling their work
- Food trucks
- Beer and wine garden
- Live music performances
Making a Difference
Proceeds from Art Fest support Rotary initiatives, including youth scholarships, educational programs, and local nonprofit organizations, helping us make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. For event details and photos from last year’s celebration, visit:http://www.westlakebayvillagerotaryartfest.com
Meet Our Featured Artist
This year’s featured artist is Beck Center of the Arts, a non-profit, performing arts and arts education organization dedicated to inspiring and enriching the quality of life for Northeastern Ohioans. The center is known for combining professional theatrical productions with comprehensive curriculum-based arts education in Creative Arts Therapies, dance, music, theater, and visual arts, serving over 150,000 annually in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake, Medina, and Summit Counties.
Attendees will have the chance to learn more about this local treasure and learn more about their extensive programming.
Get Involved
Artists: Interested in exhibiting your art? Applications are still open—registration materials are available on our website.
Sponsors: Want to support the cause? We’re accepting individual and corporate sponsorships. Details and forms are available online.
Join the Celebration!
Whether you’re coming for the art, live music, food trucks, or the opportunity to give back, we look forward to welcoming you to this special milestone celebration!
11753 Garfield Road
