As usual, our first meeting of the month was devoted to Club business. Unfortunately, the meeting turned somber with the unexpectedly sad news that one of our beloved Rotarians, Bob Cohen, had passed away quietly the evening of December 6, 2016. We sang ‘God Bless America’ in honor of Bob, whose love of music and theatre was known by all. He was a wonderful and faithful leader of our Morgannaires for many years and will be missed by all.
The next item of business was the auction of two Rotary vanity plates that Pete Mickolay happened to come across in his Rotary paraphernalia. Pete served as the impromptu auctioneer and garnered a total of $60 from two lucky Club members – John Callahan and Deb Geiger – that will be donated toward our Club’s polio plus commitment. We’re all anxious to see the new plates on Deb’s and John’s cars!
Although early in our campaign, George Mowrer gave a brief update on the progress of our annual giving efforts for our RI Foundation. Letters were mailed out to all Club members, and George reported that he received a number of gifts that day. He also reminded us that our RI Foundation contributions are going to be used to support an international project that our Club has committed to support – a telemedicine project to provide health care to thousands of rural residents in Puna, India, who find it difficult to travel great distances to an actual health care facility. Our goal is to have EVERY Club member support this year’s annual giving campaign in recognition of RI Foundation’s 100th Anniversary
Our last presentation, made jointly by Thea Lind, Deb Geiger and PE Gerry Foran, focused on our Club’s signature event, Taste & Tunes. Deb Geiger shared that close to 50% of the Club participated in the survey that was sent out several weeks ago. Of those who participated in the survey, approximately 25% felt we should continue the event. A common thread in the survey is the feeling that more Club members should be actively participating and volunteering for the event to ensure it success. PE Gerry Foran concluded the presentation noting that although Taste & Tunes has become our Club’s signature event over the past few years, it is important to him that the Club is 100% behind the effort. He encouraged additional input from our Club.
Finally, as part of our Who’s That Rotarian, I asked who among our Club lunched with the President of North Korean. Interestingly, it was Gordon Sommer!! I think we’d all like to hear the story behind that bit of Rotarian trivia!
Looking forward to seeing everyone next week!
President Gail
Announcements and Presentations:
President Gail read two thank you notes – one from the Hispanic Center and the other from New Bethany Ministries – for the donation of food our Club made to ensure their clients had a hearty meal for the Thanksgiving holiday. Thank you Rotarians for helping to meet the needs of those less fortunate in our community.
Ron Bauer announced that most of the time slots have been filled for our annual Salvation Army bell-ringing at Christkindlmarkt on Saturday, December 10, from 11:00am to 8:00pm. Thank you to all who volunteered their time. A last call for volunteers to cover 3 remaining times was made.
Tracy Bozik, who is coordinating our annual Dictionary Project, thanked the handful of Rotarians who helped to label and sort dictionaries the prior Saturday. She asked for additional volunteers to distribute dictionaries to third grade students in the BASD. This is one of the most rewarding experiences you can do as a member of our Club. Don’t miss out – call Tracy today to schedule a day and time – from start to finish, it’ll only take an hour out of your day.
During this special season of giving, Sylvia Doyle has been requesting donations for a coat drive to benefit children from the Bethlehem Boys & Girls Club. Through a Rotary-approved organization called Operation Warmth, we have set a goal of purchasing 30 coats at a cost of $18 each. That means we need 30 Rotarians to purchase one coat or 60 Rotarians to donate $9 toward a coat. There are names of children on the Holiday Tree at the registration desk. We have had a wonderful response to the drive so far. THANK YOU! Last day to donate for a coat is 12/14. Please give your checks or cash to Sylvia Doyle or President Gail.
Calling our golfers! Mark your calendars for Monday, May 15 (rain date is May 22) for our annual Rotary Golf Tournament at the Bethlehem Municipal Golf Course. A golf committee meeting is scheduled on December 21 at 11:15.
Don’t forget to show our support of Morning Star’s Holiday Breakfast meeting on 12/22 at Moravian Village. Although, it will not replace our Wednesday, 12/21 noon meeting, you can use it as a make-up during the busy holidays. Schedule: 7:10 – 7:30 meet and greet; 7:30 Breakfast and festivities. Cost is $10 per person, plus you can sponsor a member for the Liberty HS Chorus, who will be providing the entertainment. If you are planning to attend, please see Jill Long.
Other Upcoming Events/Activities:
Service Project to fight hunger – Saturday, March 11. We will be joining our sister Area 2 Rotary Clubs – Morning Star, Nazareth, Easton, and Saucon Valley. We will be packaging food through Outreach Hunger for local good pantries in our respective communities at Moravian College. Catherine Trawinski and Diane Donaher will be coordinating these efforts for our Club. We will need many volunteers from our Club.
March 11th is also the date our District 7430 has selected to celebrate the RI Foundation’s 100th Anniversary. The celebration will be in the form of a Gala that will be held at Pine Crest Country Club in North Penn. It is close enough for many of us to attend, so please save the date on your calendar.
Our District is planning a fun, yet impactful, service opportunity. On March 26-April 2, 2017, your fellow District 7430 Rotarians will be leaving for a 7 day round trip cruise, leaving from Miami and sailing to the Dominican Republic on the Fathom Adonia, an elegant, yet relaxed, 710 passenger ship. Rotarians will have a chance to serve and participate in Impact such as teaching English, helping with tree planting and reforestation, making water filters for home use, pouring concrete floors, aiding a women’s chocolate cooperative as well as a paper recycling and craft entrepreneurship. When not serving, you can relax at beautiful Amber Cove, a $90 million dollar facility, and enjoy the beach, hiking, touring, zip lining, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, and more! Cost is $299 pp for an inside or outside cabin*, $599 pp for a room with balcony, $999 pp for a suite! Airfare and onshore leisure activities not included.
December 14 Program: Carol Obando-Derstine from PPL will be talking about PPL’s community programs.
