Today was a Zoom meeting with 23 people on line. After some conversations President Ralph Witcher opened the meeting at 7:30 A.M.
GUEST ON LINE:
Brittany Friday, friend of our speaker.
HAPPY DOLLARS AND COMMENTS:
Ernie Boll will transport David Haight and Wilmer Schultz (Emmaus RC) from Luther Crest to Madeline’s to attend our June 9th in-person meeting.
After 12 years as a South Whitehall Commissioner Tori Morgan is starting a new chapter of her life.
Ron Coleman came on and Marlene Heller immediately donned her hat and also a Zorro type mask.
Gail Micca came on as she was driving her car.
Our speaker for today was on early. And Brittany Friday came on as his friend. Brittany is the Witchers’ daughter married to Tom Friday’s son.
Katrina Sundstrom was on from their backyard enjoying the lovely weather.
Ralph Witcher is happy for Tori Morgan’s career change, and for her induction today as our newest AWRC member.
Katrina Sundstrom is very happy to report that Parkland C.A.R.E.S. has received a $25,000 grant.
Jean Masiko is ecstatic to report that her first granddaughter was born about an hour before this meeting today. Her name is Isabella. Her photo appeared a bit later.
Murtaza Jaffer is happy to be participating in a corn hole tournament.
CELEBRATION DATES:
Pres. Ralph displayed the list of May members and their celebration dates. We applauded.
OPENING:
Pres. Ralph gave a very nice invocation with a special prayer for Al Lewis. Then he led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Ralph really likes saying the pledge.
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION:
Membership Chair, Tom Friday, conducted the formal, but virtual, ceremony that made Tori Morgan our newest member. And P-E Gail Micca arrived at Tori’s house at that time, gave Tori a big hug, and pinned the Rotary pin on Tori.
Congratulations and welcome, Tori.
Pres. Ralph said “What you celebrate, you elevate.”
WELCOME GUESTS:
Chair Tom Friday welcomed Brittany Friday, and encouraged us all to invite others to our meetings.
Pres. Ralph again said “The world needs more Rotarians.”
FOUR WAY TEST:
Pres. Ralph showed a video “Why Rotary?” that ended with the Four Way Test words. Then he read Marlene Heller’s parallel Four Way TOAST which covered brad, butter, and color, etc.
OUR NEW FUNDRAISING RAFFLE:
AW Rotary has begun a fundraising raffle with the proceeds going to Enhance Education through our many scholarships and other youth programs. The winner s will be drawn on June 29, 2021. See separate Ad. GO TO https://allentownwestrotary.virtualraffle.org to buy tickets.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD CENTER:
Many AW Rotarians and friends volunteered to distribute food items last Saturday. Ralph showed many great photos -- no masks on.
The next distribution will be on June 12th.
VETERANS MEMORIAL FUNDRAISER:
“Cake for a Cause” was held at Ontelaunee Park last Sunday to raise funds for our contribution to the new memorial planned. Many thanks to Kathy Ott for her baking contributions.
MULCHING VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED:
As we have done many times in the past, our club has been asked to spread mulch on Saturday, May 22 from 8am until the latest 11am at:
Bob Rodale Cycling & Fitness Park, 1148 Mosser Rd, Breinigsville, PA
- We meet in the parking lot at 8, Donuts and/or Bagels will be there, bottled water will be there
- Bring a rake!
- There will be piles of mulch placed at the beds by the Park Superintendent IN Advance
- After eating treats and conversing, we will spread the already deposited mulch into the beds.
- It typically takes less than 2 hours.
Please respond to Dennis Houser ASAP if you can commit to attending. Please call Dennis if you have any questions.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
Habitat for Humanity still needs volunteer painters on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Contact Amir.
FACE-TO-FACE MEETING DATE:
Wednesday June 9th at 7:30 a.m. AWRC members and guests will meet in person -- at last -- at Madeline’s in Fogelsville. It will also have a zoom connection for all who want to call in. The cost is $15 pp and it includes breakfast in a private room on the second floor.
AWRC CHANGEOVER:
The plan is to also hold a hybrid meeting at Madeline’s, but details are not yet confirmed.
YOUR SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
Service Chair, Gail Micca, asks that you take a look at this section on the left side of this bulletin. New ones:
STATUS OF MORNING MEETINGS:
Starting on June 9 there will be hybrid meetings probably twice a month, plus all-zoom meetings for two more Wednesdays each month.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday May 26, 2021 starting at 7:30 a.m. We will use Zoom to meet. Our program will be Jean Gaddy Wilson, Futures Strategist to discuss History of Woman & Journalism.
STATUS OF THURSDAY EVENING MEETING:
Thursday evening meetings may be scheduled starting in July as one of the four monthly meetings.
PROGRAM:
Pres. Ralph Witcher introduced Bass Samaan, Owner - Trees of Joy Online Nursery to discuss Growing Uncommon Fruit Trees in the Lehigh Valley.
During the day, Bass works with Apple, Inc. as an AppleCare Senior Advisor. In addition to raising fruit trees, Bass and his lovely wife are raising twin children!
Bass said he is excited to be with us today. This is his first time telling his story using zoom. He said that his site and greenhouse are located about a mile north of the ABE airport. And all are invited to visit.
In the backyard of an unassuming suburban home in Bethlehem, Pa., is a global cornucopia of botanical heritage. Almost 300 varieties of fig grow here, most of them with roots in Europe, Asia or Africa, and each one collected and propagated by Bass, who is a Lebanese native with an unusually green thumb and an obsession with figs.
Trees of Joy is an Online based Nursery located in a suburb of Bethlehem, PA cold hardiness zone 6. They’ve been experimenting with growing many types of edible landscaping in their garden. For the past 15 years they have evaluated different care free fruit trees that are uncommon for the Lehigh Valley area with the purpose of finding the best suitable varieties for the Lehigh Valley climate. Currently, they have a large collection of Fig tree varieties along with many other different fruit trees, such as Jujube, Pawpaw, Persimmon, kiwis. They also carry the rare Cedar of Lebanon trees. They ship with USPS priority and UPS.
Bass used many photos as he described the characteristics of these trees. The fruits mostly were described as sweet or very sweet. The persimmons are common and do well here. The fig trees like dry heat and need protection in colder weather.
During the Q & A period it came out that Bass also is a beekeeper and offers great types of honey. He invites us to visit their website.
CLOSING:
Pres Ralph led us in the saying “One profits most who serves best.”