Upcoming weeks are going to mean busy times for members of the Rotary Club of West Liberty, it was learned Friday noon at the weekly meeting of the organization at the West Liberty Public House.
From hosting political forums to putting together holiday food/coat and hygiene items drives for individuals, seniors and families in the community, Rotarians will be kept busy with community projects, including participating in the West Liberty Halloween Trick or Treat Trail event on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 31.
Rotarians will be dressing up and handing out treats along with dozens of other businesses, organizations and individuals at the annual event held along the Heritage Trail adjacent to Elm Street on the west side of town, beginning at 5 p.m. at the south entrance of the West Liberty High School.
Trick-or-treaters will march south down the trail to the Historic Depot Museum, where they can get free pizza courtesy of the West Liberty Parks & Recreation Department. Regular trick-or-treating in the community follows.
Rotary did host a public political forum for eight candidates running for the West Liberty School Board of Education Wednesday night, Oct. 25 at the west Liberty High School auditorium. Ken Brooks and Allie Paarsmith, members of the group, was finalizing questions Friday afternoon after the meeting.
The group will also be aiding the annual Voluntary Action Committee’s Christmas Box drive in mid-November, seeking delivery drivers for Nov. 14 and Nov. 16, as 175 families are anticipated to benefit from the food drive, along with 35 senior citizens.
Gretchen Nollman said she wanted to reinitiate a program she helped start several years ago of providing hygiene items for families as well to give with the Christmas Box program, including toothpaste and brushes, deodorant and other supplies. She would contact local businesses to help gather those items. Fresh fruit for the boxes will also be provided by the West Liberty FFA Chapter.
Rotarian Bill Koellner said it’s great to see some of these initiatives coming back, noting the pandemic sometimes “make these things go away.”
Rotary is also in the midst of their “Warm Coats” program, noting more coats are going to be needed this year than ever before and it was noted area churches are collecting gloves, scarves, mittens, socks and hats which will also be given away through the holidays at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
“When you start to think about the needs of the community, there are GREAT needs,” Koellner told the group.
Librarian Allie Paarsmith said the library would also be participating in the Trick or Treat Trail this year and said the library is working on helping form a parent support group as well as helping dual language learners. The library is also initiating a Friday adult puzzle club and coloring club and Paarsmith reported the library does have a display case available for groups or history items.
Kara McFerren, who is a member of the city council, talked about the upcoming Nov. 7 election and forum and also noted she is president of the “Golden Years” organization which governs three subsidized housing units in the community. She said that group is seeking board members.
Rotarian President Ken Brooks said there are two new restaurants coming into town in the near future including La Chiva Loka II, which opened Friday at 1100 North Columbus Street across from Giri BP.
Rotary meeting leader Cliff McFerren introduced Tim McCaslin, the new dietary manager at Simpson Home.
Rotary meets every Friday at noon at the West Liberty Public House, accessible through the alley off Fifth Street.