Meeting Recap

Jay Dzurilla gave the invocation and led the pledge.

Students

The girls soccer team visited us, and they were on their way to the regional finals at Norwalk last Saturday to play against Perrysburg.

Foundation Update

Foundation President Brian Kiplinger reported on the recent Rotary Foundation Board meeting held October 23. The board includes President: Brian Kiplinger, Vice President: Dave Reed, Secretary: Bryan Chaye, Treasurer Dick Kiplinger, Past President: Ashley Gay, Trustees: Kim Harris, Dan Sage and Rick Weiser.

The Foundation’s finances remain strong, with cash of about $37,000 and investments up $13,000 year-to-date, totaling $344,000. Net income for the first quarter was roughly $7,000, and the budget projects a near break-even year before investment gains.

A $1,000 grant was approved for Find Your Voice Now, a nonprofit helping women break free from toxic relationships, following a presentation by founder Annie Roth. Two additional requests are under review.

The board also approved the Hondura project led by Ravi Velu, which will draw $5,000 from Foundation funds and may grow to $20,000 through matching grants at the district and international levels.

Speaker

Scott Maloney - Strongsville Historical Society

Our speaker last Friday was Scott Maloney, President of the Strongsville Historical Society. Scott gave a fascinating look at the history of both the Society and the city itself — tracing Strongsville’s roots back to its founding in 1816 by John Stoughton Strong and the group of pioneers who journeyed here from Vermont.

The Strongsville Historical Society was founded through the vision of Howard and Velda Chapman, who purchased their property on Pearl Road in 1957 with the dream of preserving the community’s history. The first meeting of the group was held in 1962, and it was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1963. When the Chapmans passed away, they left their entire estate — including their home, barn, and three acres of land — to the Historical Society, giving it both a home and a lasting foundation for its mission.

Today, the Society maintains the Strongsville Historic Village, which features eight historic buildings ranging from the 1823 Baldwin House to the 1917 General Store. Many of these buildings were moved from their original locations and painstakingly restored by volunteers. The Historical Society now stewards more than 15,000 artifacts, providing a tangible link to our city’s past.

In addition to its exhibits and open houses, the Society plays an important educational role in the community, especially through its long-standing tradition of hosting third-grade field trips, where students tour each building and hear stories of early Strongsville life.

Scott shared that the organization has grown to about 170 members, several of whom are also Rotarians. Looking ahead, the Society is preparing to hire its first paid Executive Director to help manage operations and ensure the Village continues to thrive for generations to come.

The Historical Society also offers a newly remodeled event space in the Lathrop House — a charming venue for gatherings of up to 44 guests, available for private rentals such as showers, family celebrations, and meetings.

Scott’s presentation was a wonderful reminder of how preserving our past helps strengthen our community’s future — and how Rotary’s partnership with the Historical Society continues to support that mission.