Barnesville Rotary Club News

Richard Sidwell, Mary Sidwell, Jill Hissom

Rotary Program April 1, 2025:  At this meeting, 2025 President-Elect Mary Sidwell gave members an overview of her experience attending Rotary District 6690 President Elect Training Seminars (PETS) on March 14-15.  Every year the incoming President attends in-depth training in Columbus with four other Ohio district clubs to assist in developing goals for the club’s next year. Seminars introduce ideas, opportunities, and the PEs get to know others in our district on their way to be leaders of the 55 clubs in the SE Ohio district. Mary and her husband, past president Rich attended the conference and took in many ideas and inspiration from their fellow members and speakers presenting.  

The five districts in attendance had a friendly competition to raise funds for project Soles for Souls- they raised $50, 583 to give new athletic shoes to homeless children in Ohio. Our Rotary District 6690 received this year’s Ohio PETS Service Above Self Trophy by contributing $24,660 to the project.

Also at the  April 1 meeting, the acceptance of board member Jill Hissom to become Barnesville Rotary’s President-Nominee and to be President for the 2026-27 year, was announced.

Assistant Rotary District Governor Melinda Thompson

Rotary Program April 8, 2025: On April 8 Rotary District 6690 Assistant Governor Melinda Thompson (member of St. Clairsville Rotary) attended the meeting and provided an update on the Polio eradication efforts and status of the virus in the world.

 Since Global efforts were initiated, Rotary has vaccinated more than three billion children worldwide. The cases of polio have been reduced by 99.9% since 1988. Only two countries in the world have active polio cases: Pakistan & Afghanistan.

Polio will be defeated. Rotary is committed to continuing its work and has the continuing commitment of the Gates Foundation donation matching 2-1. April 24-30th is Polio Immunization Week. She thanked all those for giving to this important cause and encouraged others to give. We now have a total of 12 members to RD6690 125 Club. Melinda gave 125 pins to seven of Barnesville members – Brenda Brown, Rob Brewer, Jake Hershberger, Tom Morrison, Richard Riesbeck, Mary Sidwell, and Rich Sidwell. Other 2024-25 donors are Carol Preston, Ron Preston, Nancy Napolitano, Doug Huff, and Mark Froehlich.

President Brandi reviewed the February 27th board meeting and shared with members progress towards this years’ goals. Treasurer Ed Eberhart gave a financial report and explanation of the expenditures.

The club has completed the Literacy for Peace Project which aims to assist youngsters with learning values of the Rotary 4-Way test by providing books for students. This year’s project was $500 for Barnesville Elementary School preschoolers for the purchase of 150 books.

This year’s scholarship committee will be choosing two recipients for two $1,000 scholarships to be presented in May-Rotary’s Martin Schumacher Memorial & Rotary’s Helen Carpenter Memorial Scholarships. Barnesville High School and Olney Friends School students are eligible.

Mary Sidwell reports that our Peace Pole is finished and ready to be placed on the corner lot of N. Chestnut and E. Walnut St. close to the downtown area in public view, with the gracious permission of the owners. Plans for date of dedication will be shared beforehand.   

A report of the Annual Rotary Marlin Harper Memorial Special Olympics Fishing Tournament included confirmation of June 21st date at Rotary Lake, lunch and trophy presentation afterwards at the Rotary Shelter. This event is in partnership with the Union Local Rotary Club and volunteers from the BHS Interact students and BHS football team. The club continues to seek sponsors for the tournament.