Today was a zoom meeting with 28 of us on line.
GUESTS:
Student of the month, Angelina Klein and her parents, Amy & Chris; Nick Millward, our Peace Scholar; David Combs, Guidance Counselor at NWL; Jennifer Holman, Supt. NWL S.D.; and Bill Keva, candidate for membership.
PRE-MEETING CONVERSATIONS:
Tori Morgan had two new stories. She went and learned how to do glass blowing and she showed us a gorgeous vase that she made.
Also she went to Boston and a new hat followed her home, which she wore for us. She also went to a Guinea Pig rescue station in Boston and held some of them.
Ron “The Hat” Coleman approves of Tori’s new hat.
Jean Machamer has been suffering with sinus problems, but she sounded OK this morning.
Ralph Witcher’s daughter is due to deliver a baby any day now.
Bill Keva is a member of Toastmasters.
Nick Millward is in Mongolia today where it is (-) 29 degrees cold.
OPENING:
Pres. Gail Micca started the meeting at 7:30 A.M.
Marlene Heller gave a very nice invocation.
Ron Coleman led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the U.S.
Herb Klotz led us in saying the Four Way Test, adding “Is it Fun?”
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail displayed the list of December member celebration events. The list is shown below.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH:
Nicole McGalla introduced Angelina Klein, a senior at Northwestern Lehigh High School as the AAWRC Student of the month of December. She called in on her cell phone since she does job shadowing at LVHN on Wednesday mornings. See separate wrote-up.
Angelina thanked us for this award.
Her parents are proud of her as are Jennifer Holman, and David Combs. NWL Interact Advisor, Jean Machamer, congratulated Angelina too.
DRIVE THRU HOLIDAY EVENT:
This was held on Dec 4th with Sharon Goldner in costume for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Gail showed some photos. Sharon handed out items at her “Reindeer Station” to about 100 kids.
SNACKPACKING:
We will do snacks for Parkland this afternoon from2 to 4 PM.
HYGIENE KITS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS:
Jean Machamer explained that there was a need and Gail got the items, Herb delivered them to Jean, and the interactors assembled 20 kits for students who need them.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD DISTRIBUTION:
Jean Masiko said that the next distribution will be on December 10th. Ron Coleman could use some more AW volunteers.
PROJECTS FOR GRANTS FOR 2022-23:
Please tell Pres. Gail your recommendations for special projects for which we can make Grant applications. Herb said we will have one for Sierra Leone too.
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S. PRODUCE DELIVERY:
Next Pantry Day is December 17. Karen Rodgers is our contact.
GIFT CARDS FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
More cards still are needed.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS:
- EPCC & WLCC holiday Luncheon- December 14 11am- 1pm Brookside Country Club
- EPCC & WLCC Movie Tavern Mixer- January 18 5pm- 8pm
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- Chamber Night at Board and Brush Allentown- February 1 5:30pm- 8:30pm
MEALS ON WHEELS:
The schedule for the next 4 months is set. Helen always needs substitutes.
AWRC ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY”
Pres. Gail said it was a lot of fun, and she showed some photos. See the December 4th A-W bulletin for photos.
WINTER LIGHT SPECTACULAR:
Pres. Gail said volunteers are welcome again this year. She will e-mail details.
HAPPY DOLLARRS:
Nick Millward said that there are massive protests in Mongolia, but happily they are peaceful.
Nick said that the students are wearing the Iron Pigs baseball items. He sent a video.
He also is happy that he met the scholarship students.
Marlene Heller is happy that their niece delivered a healthy baby yesterday and all is well.
Jean Machamer is happy for Angelina, our S.O.M.
Jean also is happy that their daughter from Atlanta came to visit.
Bill Keva is glad to be with us today.
Gail Micca is happy that here parents are here visiting from N.D.
MEETING SCHEDULE:
Dec. 14th is an In-Person and FINAL meeting at Madeline’s in Fogelsville. We are looking for a new meeting venue starting in January.
Dec. 21st is a tour of one of the eight houses completed by Habitat construction volunteers. These houses will be occupied by their new owners by year end. During this tour, you will learn about Habitat mission, the upcoming new constructions, opportunities to volunteer at Habitat and also tour one of the completed houses. We plan to have the tour from 8:00-8:30 am and then if there is an interest, we can go out for breakfast.
Please, let Amir Famili know if you plan to attend by Dec. 16th.
The address for construction is: 644 Tacoma Street , Allentown, PA
Dec. 28th there is NO MEETING. Enjoy the holidays.
Starting in January, the first Wednesday will be a Dining out meeting, or equal. It may not be on a Wednesday. Herb Klotz is working on the January event which may be in Dorneyville with Indian food.
The January 11th meeting will be In-Person somewhere.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday December 14th In-Person at Madeline’s starting at 7:30 A.M. Come early and talk around.
Our program will be Past President Amir Famili presenting a Conversation on Current Affairs in Iran.
PROGRAM:
Program Chair, Ralph Witcher introduced Doug Harbach, Director of Comm. PA Gaming Control Board to discuss Gaming in Pennsylvania: Regulation & Revenue.
Doug started by making sure we knew that he was talking about games of chance, and not game such as deer. The animal group is a different gaming.
Vision Statement - The goal of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is to be the premier gaming regulator in the United States, maintaining and enhancing public trust with honesty, integrity and credibility.
Mission Statement ----
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, guided by the Gaming Act and supported by a dedicated professional staff, will protect the interest of the public by ensuring the integrity of legalized gaming through the strict enforcement of the law and regulations, the licensing of qualified individuals and entities, and fulfilling the objectives of legalized gaming in the Commonwealth to deliver a significant source of revenue, assist the horse racing industry, provide broad economic opportunities and enhance tourism.
During this presentation Doug discussed ---:
How the State of Pennsylvania ensures that gaming is fair.
What types of Gaming are available.
How much tax revenue is generated and where does it go.
How much of the tax revenue is going toward property taxes.
Doug said that the law that allows casinos, etc. in PA had to include tax revenue to support horse racing. But Doug’s group does not oversee horse racing. They also do not oversee the PA Lottery program.
In 2006 the first legal gambling was with slot machines. In 2017 they added mini-casinos, sports betting, etc.
Doug made it clear that his dept. does not operate at tax-payer expense. He has a staff of 320 members.
There are 18 casinos in PA. They are located near high population areas. Because the Sands already was in Northampton County, no other casino was added.
Now we can gamble via the internet, which brings its problems. There are 22 sites and you must be 21 years old to participate.
Sports books are at all casinos. And on-line. There are 66 truck stops that have legal gambling with slot machines.
Doug said that PA is #1 in the U.S. in the tax revenue generated. It is over $2 billion. This is partly due to the higher tax rate. For example slots are taxed at 50%.
Doug also said that slots pay back at 90% over time.
In PA some of the tax revenue is used to reduce school taxes on property owners. The amount can be as high as $800 in one are, but averages about $130 a house. Check your tax bill.
Doug played a short video encouraging parents not to turn their kids loose in a casino. This is a new effort for them.
They have a website with much more information.
CLOSING:
Pres. Gail led us in reciting our motto “One profits most who serves best,” and adjourned the meeting.
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