Bethlehem Rotary Taste & Tunes Dessert Auction is at the half-way mark. Many bids have been placed, some items have seen spirited competition. If you forgot to register, visit ClubRunner and click the link, follow the instructions and get bidding.. The Northeast Community Center is counting on us to restock its pantry as is our Bethlehem Rotary Foundation to fund our grants and various projects over the next year. You will find out soon if we hit our goal for sponsorships and a free beverage at a future happy hour meeting. A great job to the dedicated Taste & Tunes committee team for making this a reality when it seemed like the event would be canceled this year.
Carol Ferguson reminds us that this Tuesday, October 13, at 7pm is the program Passion, Patience, and Perseverance: A discussion comparing the Polio Health Crisis to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The three person panel includes Mike McGovern, Chair of Rotary International PolioPlus Committee , and will discuss how the pandemic we face today is not unprecedented. See the item on our ClubRunner home page for the link to register.
Also on our ClubRunner home page is the Race to Zero-Purple Pinky Race/ Walk on October 24. That event is virtual. Click the link to join Team Bethlehem and help eradicate polio. We certainly need each of you to join the team and help our club be the leader in fundraising for the District event. You may also participate from the comfort of your home. If you DO want to walk in support of eradicating polio around the world, please plan to join us Saturday, October 24 at 10 am around our Centennial Park on Sand Island - across from the Ice House - as we take a socially distanced walk on the Island. The leaves should be reaching peak colors and will give us an opportunity to meet in person. Also several Interact students plan to join us in their first official Rotary event and we would appreciate members to cover their registration fee. Please email me, or Maria Dietrich, if you want to help sponsor, and/or be willing to participate in the walk.
Maria Amenta of Factory, LLC spoke to us last week about this innovative facility on the south side. The Factory is a private equity company investing in food and beverage companies that need help to move to the next level in expanding their brand. Seven brands are currently conducting their operations from Factory's open environment within a former Bethlehem Steel Co. building. Stuffed Puffs is one of their success stories that they have helped expand into major retailers like Walmart and which curiously has enjoyed great growth during the pandemic. People like marshmallow! They are moving from a small factory in Wisconsin to a new plant on Highland Ave., in the industrial park, bringing 300 new jobs. More information can be found at Factory-LLC.com.
Continuing our October theme of Community Economic Development, Chad Paul will update us on the latest developments at the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania's "TechVentures" facility. Please join us for a fascinating look at some of the partnerships and technology success stories that emerge from this facility.
See you Wednesday and remember to please keep bidding!
