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Springtime in Slippery Rock & MORE
Spring came early to the Rock thanks in large part to The Rotary Club of Slippery Rock, a major contributor to Slippery Rock in Bloom. According to Rotarian and Chairperson, Slippery Rock in Bloom, Regina Greenwald, “Our beautiful crimson red tulips were supposed to bloom in late April through May for graduation at SRU, but they started blooming this March.” Nonetheless, students, residents and visitors alike have enjoyed the 2026 crop of tulips throughout the borough.
What’s next? Greenwald said, “Stay tuned for red, white and blue flowers during the 250th birthday of the United States.” Slippery Rock Rotary created Slippery Rock in Bloom over 10 years ago, and is one of the club’s major community service projects.
The Rotary Club of Slippery Rock, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, sponsored their second blood drive of 2026 on Wednesday, April 1, at the Slippery Rock Township Municipal Building. Donors provided 36 units of blood on a goal of 24 units at the event, an increase over unit numbers from the club’s drive in February. People donating blood received an exclusive Red Cross x Life is Good T-shirt for their participation.
During their April meetings, Slippery Rock Rotarians enjoyed a variety of programs. On Monday, April6, Lauren Hensley, a physical therapist at the Cleveland Clinic for over 30 years, detailed her cultural and work experiences with the Sheik Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven sheikdoms in the UAE. Early in her career, Hensley was requested to work as a special PT for Sheik Al Nahyan when he was at the Cleveland Clinic recuperating from a kidney transplant in June 2000.
Rev. A. James Lewis, Retired, and President of Hearts 4 Haiti, discussed his organization’s financial and volunteer support to the people of Mombin-Crochu, Haiti, at the Rotary meeting on April 14. The organization enables sustainable, long-term projects like building schools, training teachers, constructing a medical clinic and providing both scholarships and agricultural resources. He explained that such projects create positive, lasting change within both the local community and Haitain Society. Lewis noted that Hearts 4 Haiti was working to elevate the status of women within Haiti by providing them with the opportunity to own property, i.e., farm animals.
Demi Rossman, President of the Slippery Rock Business Association (SRBA), spoke to Rotarians on April 21, about the role SRBA plays in supporting the Slippery Rock community. An affiliate of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, SRBA teams with area businesses, service organizations like Rotary and local government to promote businesses and the overall quality of life in Slippery Rock and surrounding communities. Rossman cited the benefits of SRBA membership, including networking and marketing opportunities, and discussed SRBA support of upcoming local events, including: Slippery Rock in Bloom, Village Fest and Light Up Night.