Click here to read the entire newsletter.
Slippery Rock native John Greaves received the 2026 Walwik Community Service Award on Monday, June 1, 2026, from the Rotary Club of Slippery Rock. Rotary President Brad Smith, and PDG Judy Hughes presented the award to Greaves during a dinner in his honor at the Iron Bridge Inn, Mercer, PA. The award recognizes a non-Rotarian area resident who exemplifies Slippery Rock Rotary’s vision of community service.
During the evening’s festivities, Greaves received a certificate which named him an honorary Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow for his numerous years of dedicated service to the Slippery Rock Community. He also received a Rotary Pin and Medallion during the award ceremony.
In making the award presentation, Rotary President Brad Smith said, “The Paul Harris Fellowship is one of Rotary’s highest recognitions and is awarded to individuals who exemplify the Rotary ideal of ‘Service Above Self’. For the majority of his life, John has truly embodied the spirit of community service. Prior to retirement, he worked with area teens as a history teacher, coach and athletic director. “
He continued, “And since 2011, he has served our community as a member of the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Department earning many firefighting certifications and serving in numerous positions, including: active firefighter, lieutenant, captain, engineer, facilities manager, board member and community educator for fire safety. Even today after retiring from active duty in 2025, John still supports fundraising efforts for the fire department.”
Slippery Rock High School Senior, Molly Smochek, is the 2026 recipient of the Slippery Rock Rotary’s 2026 High School Senior Scholarship. The $1,000 award is given to a high school senior who best demonstrates Rotary’s mantra of “Service Above,” academic achievement, overall character and extracurricular activities. Smochek plans to major in Psychology and Occupational Therapy at Slippery Rock University this fall.
The need for blood doesn’t take a summer vacation. To steady the course, the Rotary Club of Slippery Rock is sponsored another community blood drive Wednesday afternoon, June 3, 2026, at the Center Presbyterian Church in Slippery Rock. People donating blood during the event received a $15 e-gift card. Slippery Rock Rotary’s blood drive netted 20 units for the American Red Cross. The club’s next blood drive is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, at Center Presbyterian Church.
Barrett DeRubeis McGinnis, a member of Rotaract at Slippery Rock University, spent Strawberry Days in Grove City, June 12 and 13, supporting Crutches 4 Africa. In addition to setting up the tent and publicizing the event, McGinnis collected enough mobility equipment donations to fill a trailer, including several motorized wheelchairs, walkers and many crutches and canes — truly an awesome example of “Service Above Self.”
The new website for the Slippery Rock Rotary Club, the Harrisville Satellite Rotary Club and SRU Rotaract went live after a week-long beta test the third week of June. Dedicated to the memory of Rotarian Paul Rizza, the site is designed to be a communication portal for the use of area Rotarians and the general public. Special thanks to Pam Ball of Pam Ball Designs for her computer wizardry and Slippery Rock University for ariel photos and drone footage of the university. Enjoy the site at https://slipperyrockrotary.org/ .
The Harrisville Satellite Club also unveiled their newly developed club logo during June. The logo incorporates the biggest community event in Harrisville — their annual July 4th fireworks display — and one of Harrisville’s oldest and most popular local businesses Hughes Ice Cream Shop. The logo was designed by Rotarian Jim Hughes.
A Slippery Rock Rotarian for over 21 years and 40-year employee of First National Bank Mike Hufnagel was the featured speaker during the club’s meeting on Wednesday, June 16. Currently Branch Manager in Slippery Rock, Hufnagel spoke of the many changes he’s witnessed thru the years since joining the original First National Bank of Slippery Rock as new college graduate. He addressed the historical growth of a single local bank in Slippery Rock into a major banking player with multiple banks in PA, OH, VW, MD, DC, VA, NC and SC. Hufnagel also addressed banking and security challenges caused by the advent of the Internet and now Artificial Intelligence. He also stressed the continuing importance of customer service and takes pride that his local branch remains customer focused. Hufnagel plans to retire later in 2026 to spend time with family and friends.