FLORENCE – Jo Martin’s first impulse was to cry when the laser equipment critical to her non-profit tattoo removal business broke down. Instead, she prayed. “In less than an hour, I got a call from a man who donated a machine,” Martin said. “Then I cried,” she added, triggering laughter among the audience at a recent meeting of the Florence…
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Goering Center Helping Family Owned Businesses
FLORENCE – Most family-owned small businesses do not survive into the second generation because of breakdowns in communication and trust among family members. That’s the assessment of Steve McLemore, the engagement director for the Goering Center for Family and Private Business. He contends family conflicts, not monetary issues, are the biggest villains. “The hard stuff is the people stuff,” he…
Read MoreButler Explains FC Cincinnati Challenge to Rotarians
FLORENCE – Kevin Butler faces the task of building a base of rabid FC Cincinnati soccer fans who don’t recognize geographical boundaries. He left ESPN for a job as chief branding officer for FC Cincinnati. His charge is marketing, public relations and outreach that creates a one-community brand. His challenge is the Ohio River. “What blows my mind is this…
Read MoreWWII Vet Bickel Shares Utah Beach Landing
FLORENCE – Doug Bickel’s cap acted like a magnet when he returned to Utah Beach on the coast of France for the first time in 71 years. The letters on his cap say “World War II Veteran.” Bickel, 95, was among the 24,000 allied troops who hit the beaches at Normandy in 1944 on D-Day. Everywhere he went upon his…
Read MoreUSO Involved in Hurricane Relief
FLORENCE – When the Kentucky National Guard was called to assist with hurricane relief in the Caribbean in early November, the USO went into action. Members of the Kentucky Guard learned of the assignment only a day ahead of their scheduled departure. The USO put together care packages with food and toiletry items for the military units called together to…
Read MoreBeth Long and New Day Achievement
FLORENCE – Horses don’t lie. They don’t mask their feelings. They don’t talk back or judge you if you pour out your innermost thoughts. And, they’re loving, caring and sensitive. “We use that natural relationship as a mirror to help people overcome their relationship problems,” says Beth Long, founder and CEO of New Day Achievement Program. New Day offers equine…
Read MorePatriotic Employer Awards
FLORENCE – Employees of two Northern Kentucky businesses have received awards for exemplary support of members of the National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve. Rod Bell, area chair for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), presented the awards at a meeting of the Florence Rotary Club on Monday, Oct. 16. ESGR is a Department of Defense program that…
Read MoreAthletic Director Bothof Reviews NKU’s Climb to Division 1
Northern Kentucky University, a significant community asset since 1976, recently completed the move to Division 1 membership and acceptance into the Horizon League. The move more closely aligns NKU with other regional institutions that value athletics and academics. “This allows us to recruit not just athletes, but all students to an outstanding regional university like Northern,” said Ken Bothof, Athletic…
Read MoreMayor Whalen Gives Annual Report to Rotarians
FLORENCE – Senior housing is popping up everywhere, Mall Road is rebounding and a community plaza is almost ready to go. That’s the good news from Florence Mayor Diane Whalen. The bad news is the heroin epidemic rages on, unabated. The mayor presented her annual update on the city’s well-being at the Florence Rotary Club on Monday, Sept. 25. The…
Read MoreBunning Center Addresses Grief and Anger
FLORENCE – Place matters. That’s the assessment of Dr. James Ellis, a professional counselor, chaplain and the bereavement care coordinator at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. That’s why he began lobbying for a separate place at St. Elizabeth’s facilities in Edgewood for grief support as far back as 2009, Ellis said at a luncheon meeting of the Florence Rotary Club on August…
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