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Rotary Club of
Allentown West
Pres. Amir Famili
Area 1 Asst. Gov. Barb Bottitta
District 7430 Governor
Herb Klotz
 
MEETINGS:
ZOOM  MEETINGS BEGAN ON APRIL 1st
Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m.
 
WEBSITE
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Here are the AWRC
Board and Committee
 Members for 2019-20
 
 
President - Amir Famili
President- Elect - Ralph Witcher
Vice President  -  Gail Micca
Immediate Past President - Jeanne Shipe
 
Secretary -John Scott
Treasurer - Chris Blechschmidt
 
Sergeant at Arms Committee -
     Mitch Huston, Ron Coleman & Len Salines
 
Service Committee and Domestic Grants Chair - Gail Micca
 
RI Foundation and International Grants Chair - DG Herb Klotz
Fundraising Chair - Len Salines
 
Evening Meeting Chair  - Barbara Kistler
 
Public Image Chair - Marlene Heller
 
Membership Chair - Mustafa Jaffer
 
Youth Services Co-Chairs - Bill Weber and Sue Weber

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GREETERS

Pres. Amir Famili is the Greeter while we are using ZOOM.
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THURSDAY  EVE EETINGS
 
The next Thursday e evening meeting will be via ZOOM on June 11th at  5:30 P.M.
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CALENDAR of EVENTS
 
 
      July 29  --  NEW DATE --  District Changeover at the Steel Club in Hellertown
     
      Oct 24  --  Yvette Palmer 5K race to end Polio at LCCC in Schnecksville
Speakers
Jul 22, 2020
Impact of COVID 19 on Pennsylvania economy
Jul 29, 2020 7:30 AM
The Rotaplast Mission Trip to Guatemala
Aug 05, 2020 7:30 AM
Thought Leadership vs. Thoughtful Leadership
Aug 12, 2020
The Red Cross and you
Aug 19, 2020 7:30 AM
Health Insurance During the Time of Covid-19
Aug 26, 2020 7:30 AM
Valley Youth House: Serving Vulnerable Youth & Families in our Region
Sep 02, 2020
Challenges and opportunites in running the Allentown police dept
Sep 09, 2020 7:30 AM
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Emotional Wellbeing of "School-Aged" Children in the Lehigh Valley
Oct 07, 2020 7:30 AM
Creating the American Dream
View entire list
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PHOTO  REQUEST
 
AW Rotarians do a lot of good things and take a lot of pictures. In order to maintain the best quality photos on file, it is requested that the original be sent first to Gary Heller, our RC Photographer.
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MEMBERSHIP  IS  EVERY  MEMBER'S  BUSINESS
 
Each of us should seek out good candidates for our Rotary Club. Ask them to breakfast or to our Thursday evening meeting.
 
 
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Excuse me, do you have her email?
 
Yes! And so do you!      If you are a member of Allentown West Rotary, you have a ClubRunner (CR) account, and your phone number and e-mail address are in CR.
 
Need to contact a member for any reason? Download the ClubRunner app – it’s free, of course – and sign in! If you don’t know your password and login information, call Bill Palmer, and he will walk you through the process.  Why Bill? Because everyone knows how to get in touch with him! (Hint: just reply to this newsletter!)
 
Why would I want to use ClubRunner?
 
ClubRunner helps to organize us as a club. It is the platform for all our communications, and offers members an opportunity to stay in touch on various levels.
 
Here are just some reasons people use CR:
  • To call a member on club business, such as to get a ride to a meeting, find out the logistics of an event, or ask for help in getting club business done.
  • To make plans for a social gathering.
  • To check on their birthday so you could send a card. Or their address, same reason.
  • To check on their address before you head over to their house for an event, meeting, or to drop something off.
  • To find their email or phone number. Or work address.
  • Because you’ve forgotten the name of their spouse and you were up all night trying to remember it.
  • Find out the proper spelling of a member’s name.
     
What’s your best use of Club Runner?
 
                            By Marlene Heller
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SPEAKERS  WANTED
      Please suggest or request speakers and topics for future meetings and send  your ideas to our President, Amir Famili.
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LOWHILL FOOD PANTRY:
 
Please remember that the Collection jar is at the registration desk for cash and check contributions.
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TELL  JEAN
 
     As you become aware of any member of our Rotary family that would benefit from our support with cards, flowers or visits, please notify Jean Machamer at jeanmachamer@ptd.net
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CONTACT INFORMATION
AWRC  ACTIVITIES
 
Kingdom Life Food Pantry:-  Jean Masiko – masiko@aol.com
 
Parkland Snack Packing:--  Gail Micca gailmicca@gmail.com
 
Lowhill Food Pantry and Northwestern Snack Packing: Amir Famili 
 
Membership:     Mustafa Jaffer mustafa@ebclv.com
Public Image  --  Marlene Heller  --  marleneheller@mac.com
TT6:  Len Salines – lenmary3657@ptd.net
 
 Dining Out:  Jean Machamer – jeanmachamer@ptd.net
 
Evening Meeting :  Barbara Kistler  barbara.kistler@rcn.com
 
Purple Pinkie Services: Barb Kistlerbarbara.kistler@rcn.com
                          
Purple Pinkie 5K at LCCC --  John Scott --     johnscottl@msn.com
 
Park Cleanup:  Dennis Houser – houserdah@gmail.com
 
Miracle League:  Dale Heffner – dheffner@electrochemical.net
                             Barb Kistler – Barbara.kistler@rcn.com
 
  Meals on Wheels:  Dorothy Bloom – bloomnbunny@ptd.net
 
Kids of Character:  Gwen Pongracz – gwen.pongracz@gmail.com
 
Speaker suggestions:   Amir Famili
Website Editor: Marlene Heller  marleneheller@mac.com
 
RLI:   website www.rlinea.org        
 
Threads of Change - Foster care support --  Dale Heffner  dheffner@electrochemical.net
                         
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Check out the AWRC
Facebook Page
See Home Page link
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Bulletin Editor
Bill Palmer
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
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MORE FACE-TO-FACE
MEETING MEMORIES
 
 
 
 
 
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ROTARY. AND UNESCO
 
In 1942, Rotary clubs from 21 nations organized a conference in London attended by ministers of education to develop ideas for advancing education, science, and culture across nations. This meeting was the impetus for what is known today as UNESCO -- the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
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         QUOTE of the WEEK --
 
“Help those less fortunate than you, for it is real human existence.”
               ― Abhijit Naskar
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PLEASE SUPPORT OUR
RESTAURANT FRIENDS
 

Restaurants and providers who have supported our Tempting Tastes events are now hungry for our support. Please consider ordering from them when you are looking for a break from your own cooking! You can also support them with the purchase of gift cards, for yourself or others.

 

Our TT Food Partner this week is New York Gyro at 513 North 7th Street in Allentown.
 
 
They offer a tempting selection of Mediterranean foods including gyros, platters, sandwiches, salads and desserts.  You can order on-line at www.newyorkgyroallentown.com or you can call to order at 610-351-4976. Hours are 11AM-10PM every day.
 
Don’t forget to tell them that you are a member of the Allentown West Rotary.
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THURSDAY EVENING  JUNE 4th
ZOOM HAPPY HOUT PLUS
 
We had a 29% increase in adults on line for our Thursday evening June 4 Zoom Happy Hour meeting. There were 9 compared to 7 the week before. And then there were Dale and Becky Heffner’s grandchildren Aaron and then Jayden. And daughter Jessica is expecting a girl in a few months.
 
Most of us were seen with an appropriate beverage in hand. John Scott hosted the meeting that began at 5:30 PM. This was John’s 11th Zoom meeting TODAY. Len Salines said that this was his first “Happy Hour” meeting.
 
Jean Machamer contacted Cindy Rosevelt. Cindy and Guy are “essential” workers at their hospitals and are extremely busy. President Amir Famili came after a few minutes.
 
Gwenn Carr and Gary Englehardt told us about the scary 93 mph straight line wind and rain storm that they survived at their Barnegat Bay home on Wednesday.
 
 
Our AW Fundraising Chair, Len led a discussion saying that TT6 last scheduled for Sept 13-2020 is now scheduled for April 18, 2021. Gwenn said that the contract with the Holiday Inn is underway.
 
Len said there remains a great need for food still in the Lehigh Valley. That will be the focus of the upcoming fundraiser. Len said with some difficulties we have acquired a license to gamble for our fundraiser.
 
The event will be a “lottery Raffle” with a grand prize  of $1,000. The plan is to sell ON LINE up to 1,000 numbered tickets for $20 each. The minimum operating costs to hold the event are estimated at $1,500.
 
Tickets are planned to go on sale starting July 1, 2020. The grand Prize winning number will be based on the PA Lottery winner from the September 13th evening drawing.
 
We discussed having other prizes as we did with our reverse raffles some years ago. These are drawn early in the cycle and increase in value. Gwenn Carr said that she has three donated prizes from last year that can be used for this lottery.
 
Len will be reviewing details with the committee and establish the final plan which will go out to all members, et al. We hope to have the food pantry people we work with selling some tickets. And there may be a quantity discount for ticket purchases.
 
We closed our meeting saying “One profits most who serves the best.”
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Allentown West Rotary  Club
ZOOM Meeting Notes  June 10, 2020
 
       
Today was a ZOOM meeting and  there were 34 of us on line. After 15 minutes of talking amongst ourselves our Greeter and President Amir Famili, opened the meeting at 7:45 A.M.  Pastor Jean Masiko gave a very nice invocation.
 
GUESTS ON LINE:
DGN Bob Hobaugh, Kutztown RC.
 
 Secretary John Scott  began the meeting by having the members recite The Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Then he led us in reciting the Four Way Test.
 
Pres. Amir thanks all “first responders” and other Essential Workers for what they do and asks all to pray for them.
 
OUR NEWEST RC HELPS AT KINGDOM LIFE:
Jean Masiko reports on the Kingdom Life Food Bank June 7 Giveaway---
 
Thanks so much to Herb Klotz who invited and encouraged the new Lehigh Valley Passport Rotary Club Members to come and help us distribute food.  There were eight of these new Rotarians who came.  Their help was really appreciated. Over 350 Families were served on that very warm Saturday.
 
s
 
The Allentown West members who participated were:  Rick Bloom, Ralph Witcher and myself.  Thank you to all for supporting this worthwhile cause.      The next distribution will be on Saturday June 20th. MORE AWRC members are needed to help.
 
GREEN THUMB GARDEN PROJECT:
Gail Micca reports “The Green Thumbs Garden Project is coming along nicely.  This past Monday, two young gardeners, Claire Svetz and Kelly Micca helped to weed and water.  They also planted a thick row of radishes and beets, and seeded some basil near the tomatoes. 
 
 
Beautiful hand crafted garden signs were painted by Lori Peter’s daughter and they will be placed this week.
 
 
Water barrels were filled by friends of the garden. This makes watering so much easier because we don’t have to haul water from the trough. I have also purchased a hoe, a hand shovel and watering can so you can stop by any time to sprinkle the plants or pull a few weeds.
 
So far, we have planted onions, garlic, zucchini, tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, lettuce, kale, radish and beets.
 
Please let me know if you have any interest in helping.”
 
Gail Micca also needs Rotarians to help distribute snackpacks and cereal on Tuesday, June 23rd as Parkland C.A.R.E.S. Food Pantry holds their drive through event along with Rotary and other community supporters at Kernsville Elementary School. Please reach out to Gail  if you’d like to help - gailmicca@gmail.com
 
LOWHILL FOOD PANTRY:
This is one of our many hunger projects that needs our support regularly.
 
HELP OUR TEMPTING TASTES FRIENDS:;
Our leaders have agreed to publically ask members and friends to support the Restaurants and food suppliers that have supported us in the past. Using Facebook, our weekly A-W Bulletin, and by buying gift cards and food from them.
 
Restaurants and providers are now hungry for our support. Please consider ordering from them when you are looking for a break from your own cooking! You can also support them with the purchase of gift cards, for yourself or others. Our TT Food Partner this week is New York Gyro at 513 North 7th Street in Allentown. See separate article.
 
MORNING MEETINGS;
President Amir Famili has suspended all AWRC face-to-face  meetings until further notice. ZOOM meetings are now scheduled for each Wednesday at 7:30 A.M.
 
THURSDAY EVENING SCHEDULE:
TOMORROW, June 11th at  5:30 P.M. we will hold a ZOOM Happy Hour meeting. Just show up and smile with a drink in your hand optional..
 
VIRTUSL RI 2020 CONVENTION:
DG Herb Klotz reminds us that RI will be conducting the planned Honolulu Convention virtually starting June 20th. The speakers will be amazing, and there is no cost to participate.
 
NEW D7430 CLUBS BEING CHARTERED:
DG Herb Klotz has announced that we will be virtually chartering two new district Rotary clubs:
         Montgo-New Britain on June 15 at 5:30 P.M.
         Lehigh Valley Passport club on June 16 at 6:30 P.M.
These are Zoom Webinars and you must register to get the website login.
 
SIERRA LEONE PROJECT ZOOM MEETING:
Gary Englehardt announced that Engineers Without Borders on June 16 at 7:00 A.M. will conduct a status report on the Matru Hospital project that AW Rotarians support. Contact gary for login information.
 
Bob Hobaugh said that the annual antique car show in Macungie  --  Das Awkscht Fescht has been cancelled.
 
Pres. Amir said that right now Luther Crest still is not allowing any guests to enter their buildings.
 
Ralph Witcher said that Music Fest this Summer has lost its key performers. There will be some music covered by Service Electric TV.
 
NEXT  MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday June 17 starting at 7:30 a.m.  We will use ZOOM to meet together with appropriate distancing. Our program will be
 
HAPPY DOLLARS  and  MEMBER NEWS:
Pres. Amir conducted this part and kept score on who owes how much money. BTW it is $2 for ZOOM happiness.
 
Amir Famili explained about trees and late frost and a poor yield.
 
Amir is happy to announce that Dr. Bob Gordon will be with us on July 15th.
 
Halyna Stegura has been working in their garden and frequently finds herself saying “Didn’t I just pull out that weed?”
 
Bill Palmer complimented Gary Englehardt on finding a barber to give him such a great haircut. It turns out that Gwenn is that barber.
 
Marlene Heller noted that men can get nice haircuts from their wives, but it seems that wives won’t let their husbands cut their hair.
 
Gwenn Carr is happy that Gary likes his haircut.
 
John Scott is very happy that school is over tomorrow.
 
Jeanne Shipe is happy that she attended the Whitehall Area RC Zoom meeting on Tuesday.
 
Gail Micca is happy that Penn DOT has approved our Highway Cleanup Project again. She will e-mail the details.
 
Sue Weber congratulates Gail Micca for the Green Thumb Garden project progress.
 
PROGRAM:
Pres. Amir introduced Liesel Gross, the Chief Executive Officer of Lehigh County Authority. They are a regional water and sewer utility in eastern Pennsylvania. They serve a population of 200,000. In an industry led predominantly by engineers.
 
Liesel brings a unique non-technical perspective to utility management, focusing on collaboration, community involvement and employee engagement as her key tools for success. Her service to the utility has included developing communications, customer care and billing programs. Also she has been implementing new technology and knowledge management programs, negotiating contracts, and driving a teamwork culture.
 
 
Liesel is an active member of a variety of national and state professional organizations within the water industry. She holds degrees in journalism, public relations and public administration.
 
Liesel thanks us for inviting her to be here today. Using a series of slides, she began with some history. The Lehigh County Authority (LCA) was created in 1966. Before then both the drinking water and the sewer systems in the county were small stand-alone companies.
 
The Lehigh County executives created the LCA and a board of directors to lead it. About 34 water distribution entities and 20 sewer systems are included over the 1970s and 80s.
 
LCA acts independently and uses no tax revenues, but does get an occasional grant. It has no shareholders. Today they serve 20 municipalities and about 200,000 customers. The[r latest operating budget is about $38 million.
 
Liesel said their current challenge is that the infrastructure has reached its limit on volume. There is a 5 year plan underway to address the needs of the next 30 years. They operate the Allentown Water system and their original Suburban Division, The new infrastructure is quite expensive with an estimated $129 million expense over 5 years.
 
CLOSING:
Pres. Amir led us in the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
               

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 Here is a link to our District Governor Herb's latest Newsletter:

CONNECTIONS

https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000050086/en-ca/files/homepage/connections---june-2020/DGNL-June-2020.pdf

   Give it a try. It is informative and entertaining.
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BIRTHDAYS
 
Rick Bloom                 Jun 04
Chris Blechschmidt   Jun 13
Donna Beach              Jun 22
Jean Machamer                  Jun 26
Barbara Kistler           Jun 30
 
 

Anniversaries

 

Karen & Geoff Legg        Jun 17 1966       54 years
Gwen & John Pongracz    Jun 30 2001       19 years
 

JOIN  DATES

 

Barbara Kistler           , 16 years Jun 01 2004
Jerry Frank                 25 years    Jun 15 1995
Jennifer Stinson         3 years      Jun 22 2017
Bob Gordon                13 years    Jun 27 2007
Ron Coleman             4 years      Jun 29 2016
Brian Peterka             5 years      Jun 30 2015
Wendy Weaver           5 years      Jun 30 2015
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