Last week Bethlehem Rotarians were able to meet and get to know two of our newer members-Patrick Kerssen and Michelle Morton-as they presented their classification talks. As some of our first virtual new members, it was great to hear from them and discover the path in their lives that led them to join Rotary.
Patrick Kerssen is a professional musician working throughout the region. Growing up in New Jersey Patrick is a 2018 Moravian College graduate with a dual degree in music education and music performance with a jazz piano concentration. Residing in Bethlehem he maintains a private teaching studio, is music director at Heidelberg Union Church in Slatington, and maintains a busy performance schedule with various groups at Musikfest, the Deer Head Inn, our 2019 Taste & Tunes, and even recorded a Czech Big Band album in Prague!
Patrick has composed and arranged over 35 original pieces with 20+ Big Band tunes and dozens of other arrangements. When he has some free time he enjoys tennis, disc golf (future Fun & Fellowship outing??), collecting jazz cd's, concerts and baseball. His father is a longtime Rotarian and Patrick was a member of his High School Interact Club.
Michelle Morton is Executive Director of Kirkland Village. Growing up in Norristown, she shared childhood stories and was the first in the family to attend college beginning a BS degree program in Therapeutic Recreation at Slippery Rock and completing that degree at Temple University. She has more than 40 years experience in the Health Care industry concentrating on Continuing Care Retirement Communities. A strong advocate of person-directed living, she shared a video to all members about the subject. Michelle has a motto: "Always looking to do the Right Thing" which certainly ties in with the Rotary 4-Way Test.
Currently residing in Hilltown with her husband Frank and her three cats and dog, she has two grown children with son Gregory a music major at Moravian College. Michelle talked about affordable living communities and various issues she deals with. She has been affiliated with various service organizations and invites us to learn more about VOICE (Voice of Inspired Change for Elders) at www.voicepa.org.
Welcome aboard Bethlehem Rotary to both Patrick & Michelle and I appreciate their willingness to jump right in and start helping the club immediately on several projects. Next time you see them at our Zoom meeting be sure to say hello!
Remember:
- Training Tuesday April 6 at Noon-Welcome to Rotary event to network with area Rotarians and learn about their activities and projects. Always interesting to learn about some innovative things other clubs do.
- Saturday April 17 9am-12:45pm-Virtual District Training Assembly to learn new ideas and best practices and explore ways you can become more involved at the club and/or district level. Rotary International Valerie K. Wafer will be speaking on Creating an Inclusive Environment-Rotary's Role in DEI.
Both programs are virtual and you can register online at rotarydistrict7430.org to receive the Zoom invitation.
This week's meeting will feature former Lehigh County Executive Jane Ervin-now in her current role as President of the Fund to Benefit Children and Youth presenting a program on what her organization does. Jane has had a lifetime commitment to community service, especially children. She will explain how they provide abused, neglected, and at-risk children in Lehigh and Northampton Counties with the items and services that traditional community and government sources cannot, and ensuring that 100% of donors' gifts go directly to meet children's needs. Please join us for a very informative presentation.
