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The statement that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,” certainly doesn’t apply to the Rotary Club of Slippery Rock. Our speakers and activities have “roared like a lion” all month long. Dale Duran kicked off the month’s luncheon meeting on Monday, March 2, with a presentation on the Slippery Rock’s Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR). Duran is a board member and frequent instructor and tour mentor for the organization. Her presentation outlined the various programs and classes that the ILR organization sponsors throughout the year for area seniors.
Rotarian extraordinaire Paul Rizza attended this luncheon meeting prior to his death on March 13, 2026. Rizza was a Rotarian for more than 50 years and devoted significant time and energy supporting the Rotary Foundation’s Peace Fellowship Program. He was active in Rotary International and served as President of the Slippery Rock Rotary Club from 1978-1979 and as District Governor of 7280 from 1999-2000. Rizza served on the Rotary International Peace Center Committee and received the Service Above Self Award in 2005 and the Citation for Meritorious Service in 2007. If you would like to honor Paul’s memory, please consider a donation to the Rotary Club of Slippery Rock or the Storm Harbor Equestrian Center at Slippery Rock University.
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Barrett McGinnis, a university student with Multiple Sclerosis, spoke at Slippery Rock Rotary’s morning meeting on March 10 about the many programs the organization sponsors for physically challenged individuals worldwide. Active in many local service projects, McGinnis is particularly dedicated to “Crutches for Africa.” The program, conceived by Rotarian Dave Talbot, himself wheel chair challenged by Polio, collects used and surplus mobility devices and ships and distributes them to developing countries for free to people with mobility challenges regardless of their race, gender, tribe, age or religion. Barrett, a member of the online Keystone Rotaract and a student at Slippery Rock University, works to collect, store and distribute mobility devices for the program together with the Mercer County Area Vocational Technical School, Mercer, PA.
March ended with Harrisville, PA, Police Chief Jordan Waclav speaking to Slippery Rock Rotarians via a Zoom call. Waclav addressed the challenges of being a part time officer responsible for local policing in Harrisville and Marion Township (Boyers) as well as supporting law enforcement efforts in Slippery Rock and other local areas. He also stressed the importance of developing trust with local citizenry. At the end of the call, Rotary President Brad Smith awarded Waclav a $500 grant for the Harrisville Borough Police Department.