Today was an in-person meeting at Madeline’s in Fogelsville. There were 25 folks present, and 6 on line -- including Nick Millward. S-a-A Mitch Huston handled registration, Happy Dollars, and the 50:50.
GUEST:
Nick Millward, Peace Scholar now studying in Australia; and Peter Wohlsen, guest of Gwenn Carr and Gary Englehardt and future member.
OPENING:
President Gail Micca at 7:30 rang the bell and started the meeting.
Pastor Jean Masiko gave a very nice invocation.
After some time to eat and talk, Ron Coleman -- via zoom -- led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the U.S. Then Gail led us in the recitation of the Four-way Test, and added “Is it Fun?”
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail displayed the list of July member celebration events. It is shown below. Today is Jill Kearney’s birthday.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
AWRC ANNUAL PICNIC:
Once again this will be hosted by Sue and Bill Weber on their farm in Vera Cruz. The date is Sunday July 31st. Start time is 4:30 P.M.
Bring side dishes to eat, please. Check with Sue.
There is a pond for fishing.
STEM YEA A GREAT SUCCESS
Gwenn Carr reports: “STEM YEA was very successful. I have over 500 other photos, but let’s start with this one. We had 200 parents, siblings, grandparents and a great grandmother at last night’s Celebration Dinner.”
“Astronaut Terry Hart greeted the students during a “Meet and Greet” session before last night’s Celebration Dinner. The students had individual photos taken with Lt. Col. Hart.”
“The students were very enthusiastic about the program. They told me that they loved being in the dorms, even though it was cold. They felt that this gave them a look at what college would be like. “
“We worked them from 8 AM breakfast through 11 PM lights out.”
“There were two segments on Channel 69 last evening; Rotary was not mentioned, just Albright.”
FRESH FLOWERS FOR SALE:
Lisa Walton is selling her gorgeous home-grown flowers.
Two sizes are available: a small bouquet for $15, and a medium for $25. This month will feature yellow sunflowers and daisies. Please email Lisa at lmwalton@aol.com or text 484-431-7298 with your name and the size you’d like.
Lisa Walton loves growing flowers and arranging them. Last year, Kathleen Ott and Lisa alternated months to raise funds for our scholarship program.
This year, Lisa will have bouquets once a month, July thru October, generally on the 2nd Wednesday, and proceeds will be donated to the AWRC general fund.
The flowers come from her backyard gardens and her cutting flower plot at Cedarbrook Community Gardens. Flowers are picked the day before the meeting.
If you’ve read this far, then you are eligible for a subscription! That’s right, for a $50 donation you can reserve your spot and have a beautiful bouquet once a month for the next 4 months. Lisa’s goal is to raise $500 for AWRC and brighten the lives of her fellow Rotarians with flowers.
If you’d like flowers, but won’t be at the meeting, contact Lisa and we’ll figure out a way to get you a bouquet.
PARKLAND GARDEN CLUB EVENT:
Sue Weber said that there is a tour of 9 home gardens planned for Saturday. Contact Sue for details.
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S.:
Their food pantry work day will change from Saturdays to Tuesday evenings. BUT yesterday was cancelled, so it is on for today.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
Amir Famili said that they now are constructing 8 town houses. More volunteers are needed for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and sometimes Saturdays. Please contact Amir.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD BANK:
The next distribution will be on Saturday July 16. Volunteers are needed. Ron Coleman does a great job, but needs help. About 250 to 400 cars are expected.
MEALS ON WHEELS:
Helen Papathanasiou still needs more volunteers. They would be substitutes with sporadic assignments.
GREEN THUMB GARDEN:
Gail Micca said that help always is needed. Produce went to Jordan Lutheran Church last Sunday.
DINING OUT:
Please contact Pres. Gail if you are willing to plan a dining out for us.
MEMBERSHIP EVENT:
Pres. Gail and Membership Chair Tori Morgan may have found a new location for a membership promotion event.
CASINO NIGHT:
This will be held on September 23rd at the Wheels Museum and is our critical fundraiser. It will run from 5 P.M. to 9 P.M.
Sponsors are needed. The brochure has been updated for the new times.
FOUR-WASY TEST SPEECH CONTEST:
We need a member to take charge of this once-a-year event. Please contact Pres. Gail.
AW VICE PRESIDENT WANTED:
An AW Rotarian needs to step up to be our President-elect for 2023-24, and then President for 2024-25.Try it; you’ll like it.
YOUTH EXCHANGE THIS FALL:
Sue Weber reports that we will be looking after a young man from Germany. Chris Blechschmidt and family will be his first host. Gailee will be his second host.
PAUL HARRIS AWARD:
PDG Herb Klotz presented Jean Masiko with a PHF +6 award.
DRAWINGS:
The $10 door prize was won by Halyna Stegura. The $30 50-50 was won by Gail Micca.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Mitch Huston noted that today is National French Fry Day.
Gail Micca is happy to have our guest speaker, Kurt here today.
Sue Weber is happy for the fabulous STEM YEA event.
THANKS FROM US ALL GO TO GWENN, GARY AND AMIR FOR ALL OF THEIR EFFORTS.
AND THANKS GO TO ALL AWRC MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING THIS DISTRICT EFFORT WHEN IT NEEDED A FINANCIAL SYSTEM.
Sue Weber is happy that we will be hosting a Y.E. student again.
Nick Millward is happy that the baseball equipment, after 7 months, has arrived in Mongolia. The students were extremely happy.
Halyna Stegura is happy to be here today. She and Mike have sold their house in Macungie and now have an apartment in Trexlertown. Folks who are traveling nearby might offer her a ride, since she does not drive.
Herb Klotz is happy that his Membership Presentation to our zone 32 went well last evening. He is happy that our membership count has been good over recent years.
Tori Morgan is glad that Kurt Landes is here today.
Ernie Boll is just happy -- as usual.
Jill Kearney is happy that Kurt Landes is our speaker today.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday July 20th VIA ZOOM starting at 7:30 A.M. Come on line early and chat.
Our program will be Rick Daugherty, Executive Director at LV Active Life to discuss The Secrets of Healthy Aging.
PROGRAM:
Program Chair, Ralph Witcher introduced Kurt Landes, President & General Manager, Lehigh Valley IronPigs to discuss an Update On The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, and How The Lehigh Valley IronPigs Charity is Impacting lives.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Since debuting in 2008, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs have led Minor League Baseball in per game attendance at Coca-Cola Park with 10,100 capacity and has become the Lehigh Valley's place for affordable family entertainment.
Team: Philadelphia Phillies (2008–present)
Mascots: Ferrous and FeFe
Arena/Stadium: Coca-Cola Park
Manager: Anthony Contreras
League: International League
Division titles (1): 2018
Owner(s)/ Operator(s): Joseph Finley and Craig Stein
ABOUT THE IRONPIGS CHARITIES (IPC)
IronPigs Charities is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the cornerstone of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs' commitment to the Lehigh Valley community and is presented by the Air Products Foundation.
Mission: IronPigs Charities supports educational and recreational opportunities for Lehigh Valley youth, focusing on diversity and inclusion.
Established in October 2007, before the IronPigs ever played a game, IronPigs Charities (IPC) is the philanthropic arm of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. IPC also assists local youth sports leagues with team-management tools, education programs and facility improvements. The organization has donated more than $1.2 million to youth-serving non-profit organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley region.
IronPigs Charities is supported through the strong fan base of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs via in-game fundraising activities such as the popular 50/50 raffle, used team equipment sales, and the team jersey auctions. Funds are also raised through contributions from companies, organizations and individuals, as well as from special event sponsorships and ticket sales for annual events including the Phillies Winter Caravan, Hackers & Homers golf tournament and the Meet the Team Dinner.
Kurt Landes, the first and only General Manager in franchise history, has helped steer the IronPigs to extraordinary success under his leadership since the club's inception.
The IronPigs have led all of Minor League Baseball in average attendance per game since their debut season in 2008 and have received numerous industry honors under Kurt Landes' guidance. Those include the prestigious Bob Freitas award (honoring sustained excellence in Minor League Baseball), the Larry MacPhail Award (recognizing baseball's best promotional success) and in winning 5 'Golden Bobblehead' awards - the most of any team in Minor League Baseball - recognizing the industry's best promotions.
Landes was named the International League Executive of the Year in 2009 and 2010, becoming just the fifth person ever to be named to the honor in consecutive years dating back to the award's founding in 1964. In 2011, Landes was named the Morning Call's co-sports personality of the year (along with Ryne Sandberg) after helping guide the IronPigs to Minor League Baseball's top attendance total and in 2010 he received the honor of being named one of four "Rising Stars" in Minor League Baseball by the SportsBusiness Journal.
Originally from Ohio, Landes graduated as the sole recipient of the distinguished Outstanding Senior Award from Bowling Green State University. He is also a member of the Northwestern (Ohio) High School Alumni Hall of Fame. The 2020 season is his 27th in Minor League Baseball.
Kurt said that from the beginning they did not just have a ballgame. They added many fun features like fireworks and contests that make the event special. And the good attendance also allows them to keep the cost down to where there are only 3 parks out of 30 with lower costs overall.
Kurt said that they have to make improvements to the Coca Cola Park facility to bring it up to new needs, such as larger locker rooms, and one for women now -- coaches, etc.
Besides the IPC, they also make about 1500 “in Kind” donations. One example was their generous donation of used baseball equipment that we sent to Mongolia.
They also do a “Sweets & Treats” event around Halloween time. This is for children with disabilities who cannot easily do Trick or Treating. They also have over 35 Trick or Treat locations in the Coca Cola Park for these kids.
They employ over 615 folks over the year. Some 45 are full time.
CLOSING:
Pres. Gail led us in reciting our motto “One profits most who serves best,” rang the bell and adjourned the meeting.
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