President Dan Crane rang the bell at 7:30 a.m. Sue Weber gave a very nice invocation including special mention of Dawn Costello and Vernon Fenstermaker.
Today we sang the National Anthem as we watched a video. Dan said that we all did great at this. Then we said the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Dan says that the word from the country is from Ben Franklin who said: “A good conscience is a continuous Christmas.”
GUESTS:
Youth Exchange students Ellie from Peru and Marti from Argentina plus Ellie’s cousin from Brazil; Wilmer Schultz, Emmaus RC; and Pam, a guest of Bob Nagle.
SPECIAL FOUNDATION RECOGNITION:
Chris Blechschmidt and Amir Famili each were recognized by President Dan as first time donors to the RI Foundation Annual Fund. Each gave $100 in recognition of the Foundation’s 100th Anniversary, and each received 100 added Recognition Points toward a Paul Harris Fellow. And they now have a special anniversary lapel pin. Thank you.
CONGRATULATIONS TO HERB KLOTZ:
The 2016 D7430 Nominating Committee selected our own Herb Klotz to be our District Governor for RY 2019-2020. Congratulations, Herb! Herb received a standing ovation.
LUTHER CREST STAFF RECOGNITION:
President Dan asked Cassandra and Shelly who take care of AW Rotarians every Wednesday morning to come forward and presented them with a Christmas gift from the club. We applauded their support.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
President Dan showed slides of the Webers having breakfast with Arch Klumph last week. Then we saw Pam Bechtel from M.O.W. from our program last week,
Next was the great picture of Gwenn, Gary and Dr. Bob in St. Martin. Gary Englehardt presented Dan with a banner from the St. Martin RC, and offered that he and Gwenn are happy to go fetch other ones wherever it is warm and friendly.
Then there were photos of Snack Packing at NWL and Parkland, as well as Dictionary deliveries at NWL and Fogelsville. Sue Weber recommends each of us deliver dictionaries for the wonderful experience.
Gloria Zimmerman reports that 87 Christmas gifts were distributed to the children thanks to the NWL H.S. students’ program that we supported.
President Dan reminds us to refer to the Activities list that he e-mailed to us on December 18th for volunteering opportunities and contact information.
YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT REPORTS:
Marti, our current student, has had a great four months with us. She has been to New York City three times She continues making friends and thanks Rotary for the chance. AW Rotarians gave her a Christmas gift.
Ellie was our Y.E. student 5 years ago, is 23 now, and has been back here a few times. She is back with family in Peru and is studying to be a Psychologist. She noted that it’s Summer now in Peru. Her cousin loved seeing the snow here, since it’s about 100 degrees in Brazil right now. AW Rotarians gave Ellie a Christmas gift.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
The next Thursday Evening Happy Hour meeting is TOMORROW December22nd and it’s a party for ALL.
Dec 28th Regular morning meeting will be devoted to fellowship.
Wednesday, 1/4/2017 - Northwestern Snack Packing – 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Friday, Jan 6th we volunteer for Kingdom of Life.
Saturday, 1/7/2017 – Lowhill Food Pantry – 8:45 – 11:30 AM
Mar 8th, 2017 is a Women’s Day meeting.
Mar 11th, 2017 is the District Foundation Gala.
AND, of course, you can have your breakfast at our meetings sitting with Arch Klumph for a donation of $26.50 to the Rotary Foundation.
NEXT WEEK our Greeter will be Donna Beach and our program will be Dan Crane’s Holiday Breakfast Fellowship meeting. We expect some Interact students to be with us as well as some family members.
LUCK of the DRAW:
Today’s breakfast door prize donated by Gloria Zimmerman was a basket of special foods and it was won by none other than Don Davis himself. Then Jeanne Shipe’s ticket was drawn and she selected a white marble and did not win the $78 in the 50:50 pot.
FINES:
S-a-A Don Davis fined Dottie Bloom for arriving late this morning. Then he cleaned up on happy dollars.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Wendy Weaver is pleased that a philanthropist has made available a vehicle -- in Penn State colors --- that will transport wheelchair bound patients, so her niece will come home for a few days at Christmas.
Bob Gordon is happy to visit with Ellie again. And he is happy to have met up with Gwenn and Gary in St. Martin.
Jeanne Shipe is happy that the daylight hours begin to grow again.
Jeanne also is happy that she was with her stepdaughter for the first time in four years.
Dan Crane is celebrating his 70th birthday today and he gave $70 in happiness. We sang “Happy Birthday.”
Al Lewis is happy to be back at Luther Crest and with his AW friends again.
Herb Klotz donated $20 and thanked AW Rotarians for nominating and supporting him to be our future District Governor.
PROGRAM:
AWRC 2016 SERVICE AWARD:
Bob Nagle asked Joel Masiko -- who nominated Don --- to escort this year’s winner Don Christ to the front. Bob emphasized that this is a well-deserved recognition of Don for his selfless dedication to others and the community.
Donald M. Christ, Lynn Township Supervisor (Retired) Waste Water Treatment Plant Engineer is the 2016 recipient of the AWRC award as Service Person of the Year. Don was Township Supervisor for 14 years during which he took on the responsibility of saving Ontelaunee Park.
Don has spent his lifetime in service, and he is an active member of his Church. Since he was 16 years old he has been a volunteer at the local Fire Company.
Don spearheaded the Ontelaunee Park restoration by raising funds, getting grants and gifts totaling over a Million Dollars. They first purchased the 34 acres of uncared for property which now is 50 acres of a marvelous community park. Today it is a first class park with many amenities that are used by thousands yearly.
Early on LCTI donated the use of some earth moving equipment that helped clear and prepare the land. Gloria Zimmerman donated a flag pole and AWRC bought 2 others, and Joel installed them at the entrance.
A bridge was built over the Ontelaunee creek. And Pioneer Village was constructed. Then in 2005 with help from AW Rotarians a lovely Band Shell was constructed. Last year 5 different bands performed there. Stan Drabick has donated many hours painting things.
Don thanked us for this award and complimented AW Rotarians for their service. He said Bob Nagle was his long term right-hand man. Joel Masiko was his “hands on” person. Gloria Zimmerman was an always available advisor. And Dan Crane always offered AW Rotarian help.
Don said that today the park is the scene of Farm Feast and an Indian Pow Wow among other events. And Northwestern Lehigh use it for their 5K run event. Also it has been the site of 4 weddings and 7 wedding receptions.
Chuck Ehninger, AW Vocational Service Chair, explained to Don that the official award certificate will be available in a couple of weeks. AW Rotarians presented Don with a check for $250 for a charity of his choice. Don Called up Peter from the Fire Company and presented him with the gift.
Don’s efforts certainly exemplify the 4-wat test and our motto of “Service Above Self.”
Don and his family and friends with us today:
CLOSING:
We recited the saying “They profit most who serve the best.”
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