What a great program this week, and thanks to all who were able to attend the meeting! This week we heard from Bill George, who co-founded Touchstone Theatre in 1981, where he is currently an ensemble member. For the last 18 months, Bill and the team from Touchstone have been working on their latest creation, Festival UnBound. Over this time period, they have been meeting with various constituencies (schools, political figures, business leaders, students, etc.) to find out what is on the minds of those who live and work in our community, all in the context of “what does the future hold for the Lehigh Valley?” The deliverable will be a 10 day festival with more that 40 events that “will utilize the arts as a compass to chart a course for the future.”
Bill George speaking about Festival UnBound
Bill took some time to reflect on the first community event like this done by Touchstone,
Steel Festival: Arts and Industry. Bill mentioned how fellow Rotarian, Hank Barnette, was instrumental in the creation of that performance. The year that Festival UnBound occurs (2019) will mark the 20
th anniversary of Steel Festival. The festival will occur October 4
th through October 13
th. If you want to learn more, click here…
Festival UnBound. Thank you Bill for an outstanding program.
Diane Donaher also spoke to us about the value of contributing to the annual fund of Rotary International. She shared with us videos of the impact RI can have domestically (feeding the hungry with food that would have otherwise been wasted in Seattle) as well as internationally (providing potable water in Ghana). This is in addition to the funds from RI that get contributed back to our district to provide funding for district grants. We are close to our goal of $18,000 and 100% participation, so please do your part to help us get there!
Gail Evans would like to extend an invitation to all members of the Bethlehem Rotary to attend the State of the Community: 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment Data Release. The event will be held on Tuesday, June 11th at 4:00PM in Nitschmann Middle School. Light refreshments will be served.
This week, is a special week. In addition to inducting Will Rathbone to RI, we will be treated to musical performance by Mariah Nagle, this year’s recipient of the Schrempel Music Scholarship. Come hear Mariah perform AND hear about her future plans that we are supporting with our scholarship!
The DYK (Did You Know) this week:
- In 1989, our club membership was over 200! It was in 1989 that The Morningstar Club was formed! Two large Rotary clubs in one community…. Bethlehem is a special place!!
Who knew?????? Now you do!!
Some reminders:
- There will be a Board meeting this Wednesday morning, 7:30AM in the Snyder Room of the HUB at Moravian College. Members of the incoming Board are welcome, but not required, to attend.
- New Member Orientation will be held on Tuesday, June 18th at the offices of Hampson Mowrer Kreitz (53 S. Commerce Way, Suite 150). Even if you are not a “new” member, if you have not attended an orientation meeting, I would strongly encourage you to do so… all are welcome!
