Count on us for monthly news and inspiration from around District 6600!
In This Issue
A Message from District Governor Katherine
Hello District 6600 Family!
Welcome to October! As autumn arrives across Northwest Ohio, bringing cooler weather, crisp sweater days, and perhaps even our very first snowflakes around the corner, there is so much energy and excitement brewing in our district. I hope you all have a fantastic month ahead filled with fall fellowship and community spirit!
October Focus: Community & Economic Development
In the Rotary calendar, October is Community and Economic Development Month—a topic that is deeply personal and near and dear to my heart.
Through my work at Soles4Souls, I see every single day how creating opportunities for individuals—sometimes starting with something as simple as shoes and clothing—can completely transform lives. When we empower people with the resources, skills, and dignity to build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities, we create a true ripple effect.
This month, I encourage every club to think about how your local service projects and grants foster economic self-sufficiency in your hometowns. Empowering people to help themselves is one of the most powerful ways we Create Lasting Impact.
World Polio Day: October 24
October 24 marks World Polio Day across the globe.
I hope your club has something special planned—whether it’s a dedicated fundraiser, a social event, or an awareness effort in your town—to shine a spotlight on our relentless fight to end polio. It is so important that our neighbors understand that Rotary is still actively fighting this disease on the front lines, and that we are closer than ever to eradicating it worldwide. Let’s make some noise this World Polio Day!
A Weekend to Celebrate: The Heart of Rotary & Community Peace Summit
I am beyond excited for our upcoming Heart of Rotary Weekend on October 23–24 at Lorain County Community College (LCCC) in Elyria! For the first time, we have paired two extraordinary district events together for one inspiring weekend:
-
- District Foundation Dinner (The Heart of Rotary): Friday, October 23 at the LCCC Spitzer Conference Center. Join us as we celebrate The Rotary Foundation, honor our Paul Harris Fellows and Major Donors, and enjoy an evening of wonderful fellowship!
- Community Peace Summit: Saturday, October 24 at LCCC. Co-presented with YWCA Elyria, this incredible one-day summit brings together Rotarians, educators, students, and civic leaders to turn peacebuilding into local, actionable change. (Admission is free, but space is limited!)
- 🏈 Bonus: It’s the Ohio State bye week! With no Buckeye football game to watch on Saturday, you have the perfect excuse to make the trip to Elyria and spend the weekend connecting with your Rotary family!
Thank you all for everything you do to lift up our communities, support our Foundation, and bring hope to the world. Let's make this October one to remember!
Cheers,
On the Road with DG Katherine
Scroll through to see where she's been in the last month
District News
ACT NOW
Make It a Rotary Weekend: Foundation Dinner & Peace Summit, October 23-24
Clear your calendar for one of the biggest weekends on the District 6600 calendar. On Friday, October 23, we gather for the Foundation Dinner, celebrating our Paul Harris Fellows, Paul Harris Society members, Major Donors, and everyone who supports the work of The Rotary Foundation. The very next day, October 24, Rotary District 6600 and YWCA Elyria co-present the 2026 Community Peace Summit at Lorain County Community College's Spitzer Conference Center in Elyria. A hotel room block is available for anyone who wants to make a weekend of both.
Foundation Dinner — Friday, October 23
Join us for an evening of recognition, fellowship, and inspiration. This year's keynote speaker is Dr. Isabel Scarinci, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she directs the Division for Global and Rural Health and serves as Senior Advisor for Global Cancer at the O'Neal Cancer Center. A behavioral scientist and public health expert, Dr. Scarinci has spent her career developing and evaluating women's health programs worldwide, with a particular focus on cervical cancer prevention. As a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, she's partnered with the Rotary Club of Colombo on Operation Wipe Out — an effort to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama — and in 2021 was named one of Rotary International's six Champions of Health worldwide.
2026 Community Peace Summit - Saturday October 24
This free, one-day event is built around the theme Create Lasting Peace: Think Global, Act Local — equipping Rotarians, educators, students, and civic leaders with practical strategies for turning peacebuilding ideas into local action. The day includes two keynote presentations, hands-on breakout sessions, networking, and complimentary breakfast and lunch.
Our keynotes: Steven Volk, Emeritus Professor of History at Oberlin College, who taught Latin American history for more than 30 years and has spent over two decades in immigration advocacy as Vice Chair of Oberlin Community Supporting Immigrants — work recognized by the Chilean government in 2001 for helping restore democracy there. And Pushpi Weerakoon, a frontline peacebuilder specializing in transitional and restorative justice, migration management, and diplomacy across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and the Americas. A 2007 Rotary Peace Fellow and 2009 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, she received the Rotary Alumni Global Service Award — Rotary's highest honor for an alumnus whose service embodies the spirit of Rotary International.
Space is limited, so register today!
22 Days. 22 Cases. Let's Get to Zero.
Welcome to October — football games, marching bands, leaf raking, pumpkins, and one of the most important days on the Rotary calendar: World Polio Day, October 24. That's just 22 days from this issue landing in your inbox.
Here's the number that should stop you in your tracks: as of September 2, 2026, there are only 22 confirmed cases of wild poliovirus worldwide, all in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Back in 1988, when Rotary and our partners committed to eradicating this disease, there were roughly 350,000 cases a year. An estimated 1000 children were paralyzed every day. Today, we have never been closer to zero.
Here's how you can help close the gap between 22 and zero:
- Wear your "End Polio Now" t-shirt and paint your pinky purple — and tell people why when they ask.
- Take a few minutes at your next club meeting to talk about polio and how your club can pitch in.
- Share your vaccination story — the school gym, the sugar cube, the line out the door — and tell your kids theirs.
- Keep the conversation going. Awareness is still one of our most powerful tools.
Want to do more than talk about it? Join us at the District's Rotary Foundation Dinner, October 23-24 in Elyria — our own World Polio Day fundraiser, raising money for the final push toward eradication.
Twenty-two cases. Twenty-two days. Let's get to zero, Rotarians.
Help Us Find our Next District Governor
The October 31 deadline is quickly approaching!
Who comes to mind when you think of a Rotarian who is passionate about Rotary, enjoys bringing people together, and wants to serve our wonderful District 6600? Maybe it's someone in your club — or maybe it's you!
Nominations are now open for District Governor for the 2029–30 Rotary year. Our next DG will visit and support clubs throughout the district, encourage and inspire fellow Rotarians, and help our clubs continue making a lasting impact across Northwest Ohio and beyond.
Sometimes great leaders just need someone to recognize their potential and say, "Have you ever thought about becoming District Governor?" Your encouragement could be exactly what inspires someone to step forward.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
- Nomination Deadline: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Tentative Interview Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (location TBD)
To nominate a fellow Rotarian — or yourself — send the required information to Nominating Committee Chair PDG Deb Cheney at debcheneyrotary6600@gmail.com. You can also visit the District's Leadership homepage at the link below for DG Nomination documents.
Who will you encourage to take the next step?
Your Voice Matters! Help Shape District 6600
The District 6600 Manual of Procedures (MOP) is our guidebook for how the District operates. It is based on and aligned with the Rotary International Manual of Procedure and provides a framework that clubs can also use when developing or reviewing their own MOP.
Every three years, the District MOP is reviewed, updated, and voted on by our President-elects. As part of this process, every Rotarian has an opportunity to suggest changes to District policies and procedures.
Have an idea that could make Rotary District 6600 stronger or improve the way we operate? We want to hear it! You can review the MOP and offer suggestions using the two buttons below.
Submit your suggestion by October 31.
Please remember: Submit one survey for each proposal so that every suggestion can be reviewed individually.
Thank you for helping shape the future of Rotary District 6600!
MESA Update: An Open House and a Minibus on a Mission
Two Rotary MESA (Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad) stories worth putting on your calendar this month — one at the warehouse, one on the road.
Tour the Warehouse — October 9
Rotary MESA welcomes Eloisa Robledo — Past President of Pathways Rotary Club and the voice behind the Dancing for Rain water project story earlier in this issue, pictured here receiving an award from MESA Chair Andy Bone — to the MESA Warehouse on October 9 at 10 AM. Rotarians and anyone curious about MESA are welcome to join. Come see the warehouse's new racking system and get a firsthand look at how volunteers collect, organize, and prepare medical equipment and supplies bound for communities around the world.
Date: Friday, October 9
Time: Approximately 10:00–10:30 a.m.
Location: MESA Warehouse
A Minibus Journey to Mexico
A donated minibus from the Lucy Idol Center made its way to Mexico this month to provide much-needed transportation for a local community there — but only because Andy Bone and Randy Box stepped in when the original shipping plan fell through. Starting October 3, they drove the minibus from Fostoria, Ohio, to El Paso, Texas, where another driver took over, crossing the border to deliver it to the Guadalajara district, where it will be used to transport special needs individuals to their appointments.
Fostoria, Ohio → El Paso, Texas → Guadalajara, Mexico
Before hitting the road, Andy and Randy got a bit of local star power: WTOL Channel 11 stopped by the MESA Warehouse in Fostoria to film a story on their trip, which aired on the station's 5:30 news that evening. Watch the interview HERE
Follow Rotary MESA on Facebook (at the button below) for updates, photos, and stories from the road — and join us in thanking the Lucy Idol Center for the donation, and Andy and Randy for making sure it gets where it's going.
Don't Forget: Rotary On Tap Rolls Into Toledo on the 25th
This is your last newsletter reminder before Rotary On Tap — the district's progressive craft beer tour — rolls into the Toledo area on Sunday, October 25, starting at 1 PM. Go ahead and get it on the calendar now.
Three stops on tap:
- Inside the Five Brewing Co. — 127 W. Third Street, Perrysburg, OH 43551
- Great Black Swamp Brewing Co. — 2250 Tedrow Road, Toledo, OH 43614
- Maumee Bay Brewing Co. — 27 Broadway Street, Toledo, OH 43604
Haven't RSVP'd yet? Go ahead and do it now — since this is the last newsletter mention before the event, we won't have another chance to remind you. We need a headcount so each brewery knows what to expect, and so we can reach you if plans change. And if craft beer isn't your thing, come anyway: there's good food and good fellowship at every stop, too.
Questions, or ready to RSVP? Contact Lee Peters (lee.peters.apo@gmail.com) or Jon Kundo (jkundo@fm.bank).
ON THE HORIZON
Two Reasons to Watch the Rose Parade This Year
If you keep up with district news, you know that DG Katherine Eboch will be riding on the Rotary Float in the 2027 Rose Parade on New Year's Day. To make the story even more special, Katherine's alma mater, Bowling Green State University, will be marching in that very same parade.
This past weekend, during BGSU's Homecoming celebration, that connection got even more personal. Katherine was there when the Falcon Marching Band's invitation to perform in the 2027 Rose Parade was officially announced — and Rose Parade President Terry Madigan was on hand for it. Katherine, a 2017 BGSU MBA alumna and longtime supporter, even got to meet him in person at a BGSU philanthropy event that same Saturday afternoon.
Talk about a full-circle moment: on New Year's Day, Katherine will be waving from the Rotary float while her own BGSU Falcons march along the same path
Want to help Katherine represent District 6600 in Pasadena? Rider positions are funded through personal and club donations to keep the float project sustainable. If you, your club, or your business would like to help Katherine represent District 6600 in Pasadena, reach out to her directly at keeboch@gmail.com. Every contribution is deeply appreciated!
Go Falcons, and go Rotary!
SAVE THE DATE: 2027 All-Ohio District Conference
Theme: Impact United
When: Friday, April 30 & Saturday, May 1, 2027
Where: Hilton Columbus/Polaris
Reminder for your calendar: for the first time in years, all five Ohio Rotary Districts are joining together for one massive, joint District Conference — and it's happening right here in Columbus.
Expect a weekend packed with inspiring keynote speakers, interactive breakout sessions, hands-on service projects, and statewide fellowship you won't find anywhere else. We'll celebrate what Ohio Rotarians have accomplished together this year and mark a historic milestone: 40 Years of Women in Rotary.
Whether this is your first conference or your dozenth, this is one to put on the calendar — a once-in-a-generation gathering of Rotarians from across the state.
Registration and hotel booking details are still on the way — we'll share them here as soon as they're available. Let's make sure District 6600 shows up in force!
Membership, Reimagined: Companion Clubs Take Center Stage at September's Third Monday Series
This September's Third Monday Series turned its attention to membership — and delivered one of the most actionable sessions yet.
District Membership Chair Jim Duke led the discussion on member retention, covering the basics that make the biggest difference: strong new-member orientation, social activities, mentorship programs, and simply recognizing the contributions members already make. Participants swapped real strategies from their own clubs, including a red badge system for new members, more interactive meeting formats, and finding ways to engage members around their personal interests rather than just committee assignments.
The highlight of the session, though — and the reason it's worth carving out time to watch the recording — was a presentation from Patrick of Rotary's North America Club Creation Team on companion and satellite clubs. Patrick made the case that companion clubs aren't just a way to start something new — they're a retention tool in disguise, giving members who can no longer make the main club's meeting time or format a way to stay involved with Rotary instead of drifting away. He walked through a simple four-step process for starting a companion club, and the numbers are hard to argue with: the Club Creation Team's help is free, and getting started takes about 15 minutes.
Want the full conversation, including Patrick's presentation? Watch the recording on the District’s YouTube channel by clicking the button below. And if you're ready to explore a companion club for your own club, you can book time with the Club Creation Team directly at clubcreationteam.org — you'll just need to create a free account first.
Missed this one? Catch the next Third Monday Series session on Monday, October 19 at 6 PM EDT using the zoom link below. Public Image Chair, Jen Allred, will be discussing the Rotary International’s recently released guidelines on Club and District use of AI.
FOUNDATION NEWS
District Grants in Action: North Coast Rotary Takes on a Flooring Project
Last month, we told you about the $54,870 in District Grants approved for the 2026–2027 Rotary year, funding 15 projects across D6600 clubs. This month, Grants in Action follows one of those projects into motion: North Coast Rotary's Community Resource Services (CRS) Facility Flooring Project.
North Coast Rotary is funding new flooring for the Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services facility through a Rotary District 6600 grant, which provides a 50% match to funds raised by the club. Through the generous support of the community and proceeds from various club fundraisers, North Coast Rotary contributed $5,000 toward the project — and with the district match, the total funding available for the new flooring is $7,500.
The CRS expansion will provide additional storage space for non-perishable food items and accommodate installation of a large-capacity refrigerator, allowing CRS to offer community members fresh produce and other perishable foods requiring refrigeration.
As part of the project, North Coast Rotary members moved shelving, redistributed essential supplies, and sorted donated items to prepare the expanded space for flooring installation. Ryan Virtue, CRS director and North Coast Rotary member, assisted and directed Rotarians throughout the effort.
The project reflects North Coast Rotary's ongoing commitment to supporting local organizations and addressing needs within the communities it serves — Avon, Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake, and Sheffield Village — embracing the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self."
Watch this space next month as Grants in Action continues following this year's District Grant projects from approval to completion.
Global Grant Collaboration Brings Clean Water to Rarámuri Families
Contributed by Eloisa Robledo, Pathways Rotary
The road into the Sierra Tarahumara doesn't make it easy — rugged terrain, humid heat, and a landscape of extraordinary natural beauty all at once. But when Rotarians from District 6600 arrived in the community of Kírare last August, it was the warmth of the welcome that stayed with them.
They were there for the Global Grant Phase III "Dancing for Rain" Water Project (WASH), which is bringing Water Harvest Systems to 760 Rarámuri individuals across the Sierra Tarahumara region of northern Mexico — families who, until now, have walked 3 to 5 kilometers a day just to reach water. The project is a joint effort of eleven Rotary International Districts, ten RI clubs, and The Rotary Foundation, with co-investment from FECHAC (the Chihuahua Businessmen's Foundation), CAPTAR, and other nonprofit partners totaling $215,904 in U.S. funds.
The visit fell during one of the project's most hands-on phases: delivering materials for the water-harvesting systems. Rotarians helped pre-position construction materials at the salón ejidal in Kírare, in the municipality of Batopilas — from there, residents carried the materials on foot along walking trails to their homes, work that will complete 16 of the 200 planned installations.
What the visiting Rotarians — including Jamie Wise, President of the North Coast Rotary Club — found waiting for them was gratitude that went well beyond politeness. Tribal authorities and residents spoke about what reliable water means for everyone in the community, from the youngest child to the oldest adult. The women of the community, in particular, asked for something more: they'd valued the project's training sessions so much that they wanted them expanded to reach women in neighboring villages too.
As the visit ended, one resident summed it up simply: "Thank you so much for coming from so far away to help and visit us — come back again."
For the Rotarians and partners who've carried this grant through years of planning and review, moments like this are the reason. Thank you, Rotary Foundation, for helping make accessible, clean water a reality for the Rarámuri — this is Rotary at its best.
Rotary Youth In Action
RYE Student Alex Arrives Safely in Czechia
This smile says it all. Alex, our Rotary Youth Exchange student sponsored by the Rotary Club of Maumee, has arrived safely in the Czech Republic — greeted with a warm, personalized welcome from her host club, Rotary Club Plzeň Beseda in Pilsen. Her lifelong adventure is officially underway!
While we celebrate Alex's send-off, RYE Chair Mary is already looking ahead. She needs to submit the district's wish list of inbound students for the 2027-28 year — DGE Lee Peters' year — by October 31, and that list is only as strong as the number of clubs willing to commit to hosting. If your club is interested in hosting an inbound student, now's the time to let Mary know. The sooner she has your commitment, the better the odds of getting the district's full wish list approved. The current countries that we can exchange with include Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkiye.
Also looking to send a student abroad? Long-term and short-term outbound applications are open too — don't wait to apply.
Learn more, host, or apply at the button below. Email Mary Aufdenkampe at mary_aufdenkampe@hotmail.com with any questions.
Calling All Speakers: 2026-27 Rotary 4-Way Test Speech Contest Kicks Off
Fall is the time to start planning for the Rotary 4-Way Test Speech Contest — one of the most meaningful ways our clubs connect with the students and schools in our communities. High school students in grades 9-12, including those in a recognized homeschool program, prepare and deliver a 5-7 minute speech applying the 4-Way Test to an issue that matters in everyday life or relationships:
Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Speeches must be original and written by the student — no AI-generated content or AI-assisted sourcing. Notes are allowed, but memorized delivery scores best, and there are no props, displays, or prompting.
For Clubs: Hosting a local contest gives students real public speaking experience and puts your club's name in front of local schools and families. If you're planning to host, now's the time to line up participating schools. Two dates for your calendar: let the District Contest Chair know your club's contest date by March 13, 2027, and complete your club contest — with the registration form for your winner — by March 27, 2027.
For Schools & Students: Ask your local Rotary club whether they're hosting a contest this year. It's a chance to build public speaking skills, think critically about an issue you care about, and compete for real prize money.
The District 6600 Speech Contest will be held April 3, 2027, at St. Marys Memorial High School (2250 State Route 66 North, St. Marys, OH 45885). District prize money: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, $250 for third — every other contestant is recognized as a Fourth Place finisher with a certificate.
Questions, or ready to get your club or school involved? Email Liz Schultz at director@oberlinheritage.org to learn more.
S.T.R.I.V.E. — Helping Students Reach Their Full Potential
If your club has a S.T.R.I.V.E. program, please send your students' names to Carol Sobczak, S.T.R.I.V.E. Chair, by October 31 to be considered for the District competition.
S.T.R.I.V.E. stands for "Students Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of Education" — a program that helps students who are struggling academically, rather than those already at the top of their class. Through mentoring and group meetings with motivational speakers, students in the bottom third of their senior class commit to improving their attendance, grades, and behavior over the course of the year.
Each participating club selects a "top achiever" to compete for a District scholarship.
Carol is also looking for Rotarians to join the District S.T.R.I.V.E. Committee this year — a small time commitment with a big payoff: watching a struggling student turn things around.
Want to start a S.T.R.I.V.E. program at your club, or need this year's Toolkit? Visit the District's Programs page for S.T.R.I.V.E materials and more information. Ready to submit your students, or interested in joining the committee? Contact Carol Sobczak at cas1958@sbcglobal.net.
District 6600's Newest Interact Club Springs Into Service
District 6600 has a new Interact Club — and it wasted no time getting to work. The Early College Interact Club, sponsored by Pathways Rotary Club, held its very first service project this month: helping continue one of Elyria's most beloved traditions, the annual Balloon Drop at the Elyria Apple Festival.
What makes this club unique is its members: all of them are Elyria-area high school students who are also taking college courses at Lorain County Community College. The club was initiated by Christa Battle — a College and Career Access Advisor for the College Now program, a member of Elyria Sunrise, and now the Early College Interact Club's advisor.
That Companion Club connection between Elyria Sunrise and Pathways Rotary (read more in our July 2026 issue) turned out to be the perfect launchpad for the new club's first project. The Balloon Drop has been an Elyria Sunrise tradition for years, delighting kids across the community with sweet surprises hidden inside hundreds of balloons. This year, Elyria Sunrise members kicked things off by filling the balloons with treats, and the Early College Interact Club — 42 members strong — picked up right where they left off. Both groups came back together to inflate the balloons before the big drop at noon on Saturday. Rotarians and Interact members are shown in the photo above, coming together to finish the project.
It's exciting to see so many young people eager to serve their community — especially willing to give up part of their Saturday to help bring a cherished tradition to the children of Elyria.
District Calendar
Rotary invests in people to create measurable, lasting economic improvement in their lives and communities. Through this Area of Focus, the Rotary Foundation helps build the capacity of entrepreneurs, community leaders, and local organizations; creates opportunities for productive work; reduces poverty in under-served communities; and supports career-focused studies in economic and community development.
District Monthly Calendar
District Governor and Presidents Meeting
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM [zoom link]
District Visioning Session
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM [zoom link]
District Leadership Team Meeting
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM [zoom link]
District 6600 Third Monday Series
Monday, October 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM [zoom link]
District 6600 Foundation Dinner
Friday, October 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Community Peace Conference
Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Presidents-Elect and DGE Meeting
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM [zoom link]
District Governor and Assistant Governor Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM [zoom link]
To learn more about these events and to get instructions on connecting by zoom, visit the DACdb District Calendar.
Save the Date
Mark your calendars now for these District Events. More details to come closer to registration dates.
District Advisory Council Meetings
Locations are TBD. Watch DACdb for more info. November 7, 2026 February 6, 2027 June 5, 2027
All Ohio District Conference in Columbus
Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1, 2027
To learn more about these events and to get instructions on connecting by zoom, visit the DACdb District Calendar.
Club Spotlight
Elyria Rotary’s Fried Ice Cream: An Apple Festival Tradition Worth the Calories
Contributed by Steve Hosler, Elyria Rotary
An apple a day may keep the doctor away—but at the Elyria Apple Festival, Elyria Rotary has spent decades finding ways to make that apple considerably less healthy.
For more than 40 years, Elyria Rotary’s famous fried ice cream has been one of the festival’s sweetest traditions. Vanilla ice cream is wrapped in a crunchy waffle sandwich, dipped in a secret-recipe batter, and dropped into a vat of hot oil until it surfaces as a golden, crispy and completely unhealthy dessert. Add a generous topping of apples or strawberries (of both!), and you have a dessert that would not be approved by your medical team but is certainly appreciated by festival-goers.
The lines can stretch down the street, and Rotary members regularly hear some variation of, “We wait for this all year!” Elyria Rotary members also get into the act by pre-purchasing tickets. Approximately 3,000 fried ice cream “sandwiches” are served during the three-day festival.
It Takes a Club to Fry an Ice Cream
More than 80 Rotarians and volunteers really help make the project happen each year. They prepare and wrap the ice cream sandwiches, fry them in vats of very hot oil, add the fruit toppings, and hand them over to customers with a smile—often swatting away some pesky bees that want to get in on the action. It is truly “all hands-on board.” This year we were joined by DGE Lee Peters.
Depending on what Mother Nature serves up with the apples (and this year, it was continuous rain through most of the festival which dampened our output), the project typically generates $14,000–$16,000. Proceeds support Rotary scholarships for students at local high schools, community projects and support of local organizations. So, while the dessert may be bad for your diet, buying one is actually good for the community.
From Two Fryers to a Mobile Frying Unit
The Elyria Apple Festival began in September 1981, and Elyria Rotary has been part of the tradition from the start. The festival now fills Ely Square with food, entertainment, arts and crafts, a princess pageant, and plenty of fun.
Rotary’s original setup was considerably more modest: two deep fryers, some folding tables and a refrigerator. The club broke even after startup expenses in its first year and earned $3,000 the following year. Then, in 1985, someone apparently decided that fried ice cream wasn't enough fried food. Rotary added fried turkey legs. That idea was, according to club history, a real turkey.
Fortunately, Elyria Rotary returned its attention to only frying ice cream. It worked, as by 1989 profits had grown to $7,000. Following the 1991 festival, Rotarians decided the operation needed an upgrade. Three generous Elyria Rotarians underwrote the cost of a new mobile booth, which was designed and put into service in September 1992.
That mobile booth—and the fried ice cream tradition—are still going strong decades later. So, the next time someone tells you an apple is good for you, remember that Elyria Rotary has a better idea: Wrap it in ice cream. Fry it. Add fruit. And, most importantly, use it to raise money for a good cause. That's how Elyria Rotary has turned an Apple Festival treat into more than four decades of Service Above Self…one fried ice cream sandwich at a time.
Oregon-Northwood Rotary Builds Bridges (and Beds) with Kiwanis
On Saturday, August 22, the Oregon-Northwood Rotary Club teamed up with the East Toledo Kiwanis Club for a Let's Build Beds event, and together with community volunteers built 35 beds for children in need.
It's the first time in recent history that Oregon-Northwood Rotary has partnered with Kiwanis on a project — made possible by two Oregon-Northwood Rotarians who also belong to the local Kiwanis Club. By all accounts, that connection made all the difference in pulling off a successful day.
Great work, Oregon-Northwood — here's hoping it's the first of many partnerships like this across the district!
Editor’s Note - Oregon-Northwood isn't the only club finding value in teaming up with Kiwanis. Port Clinton Rotary and Kiwanis now meet at the same restaurant in separate meeting rooms — a change that came about after the restaurant found itself opening early twice a week to host both clubs. By coordinating to meet the same day, the two clubs helped the restaurant run more efficiently. And when one club has a program planned that's relevant to the whole community, the two groups will sometimes combine their meetings altogether.
EVENT FLYERS
October 2026
October 10, 2026
October 24, 2026
November 6, 2026
November 7, 2026
November 9, 2026
Want your event flyer to appear in this newsletter?
Add it to the DACdb Calendar as a Club Fundraiser or email your flyer to
d6600-public-image@googlegroups.com to be featured here.