Our Greeter today was Gwenn Carr and she did a marvelous job.
President Amir Famili rang the bell at 7:30 A.M. opening the meeting and welcomed all. Then Ralph Witcher gave a very nice invocation.
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. John then introduces our guests.
GUESTS:
Ron Wasson, Allentown RC: Bud Schaffer, Allentown RC; Pat Witcher, wife of Ralph; Jim Berger, guest of John Scott; Amos Burkholder and family, guests of the Club; and Tina Cerafesi from East Penn Neighbors helping Neighbors, guest of Murtaza Jaffer;
SPECIAL RECOGNITION:
The Burkhoders were our guests today. They have the farm that grows the produce that they furnish at very favorable prices that we donate and deliver to the clients of the Lowhill Food Pantry. Gwenn introduced them and presented them with flowers as a thank you from us.
OUR APRIL 24-26 DISRICT CONFERENCE:
Pres. Amir said that so far we have 13 AW members registered. He needs even more so we can staff our table at the “Summit” and explain the projects that we do. Please contact Amir if you can help.
LEARN ABOUT ROTARY:
The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) offers many levels of Rotary education. AWRC will reimburse the registration fee to members that attend the Saturday, March 28 session at DeSales University.
These courses are most worthwhile, especially to our newer members.
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.
DONATIONS ARE NEEDED:
Dottie Bloom is charged with setting up and stocking a Hospitality Room for both Friday and Saturday evenings at OUR April 24 and 25 District Conference. Donations of Beer, Wine and snacks for at least 40 guests are needed. Please contact Dottie at bloomnbunny@ptd.net.
LOWHILL FOOD PANTRY:
This great group still depends on cash donations from AW Rotarians. And volunteering for the produce pick-up and distribution on Saturday mornings is a very satisfying thing.
A NEW PROJECT OPPORTUNITY:
Tina Cerafesi explained what the East Penn Neighbors helping Neighbors is all about in 5 minutes. This is a 501-C-3 group in the Emmaus area that works with families to improve their circumstances with a focus on their children. They have been operational since 2015. They are trying to get the word out, and are seeking volunteers to work in an advisory group that meets regularly to help these families with many different concerns.
THURSDAY EVENING SCHEDULE:
February 13th will be held at the Starlite Diner starting at 5:30 P.M. in the private back room.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
February 12th at Luther Crest with Brian Peterka as our Greeter. The program will be Phil Armstrong, Executive Director, Lehigh County, discussing the Priority of Lehigh County.
Pres. Amir introduced Sgt.-at-Arms Mitch Huston who conducted the drawings and collected Happy Dollars.
The door prize breakfast donated by Gwenn Carr was won by Pat Witcher.
The $46 pot of the 50:50 was not won by Len Salines’ ticket being drawn followed by a white marble. Lots of marbles will be back next time.
HAPPY DOLLARS
Bill Palmer is happy that Punxatawny Phil predicted an early Spring last Sunday, Ground Hog Day.
Al Lewis is happy for Andy Reed and the KC Chiefs.
Laurie Grube is happy that their bank branch has been running for 3 months. And this Friday is a “Casual for a Cause” day in support of heart health. Please stop in.
Jeanne Shipe said that Ralph Witcher and she are working on the ballot for next year’s officers. Stand by for arm twisting. We will vote on March 4th.
PROGRAM:
Gwenn Carr introduced our speaker for today, our own Tom Friday giving his classification talk.
Tom was raised in Jackson, Mississippi. In 1978 he earned . a BS in Chemical Engineering from Howard University in Washington, D.C. That’s when he joined Allied Chemical
Tom’s work Experience includes:
Linde Engineering North America
Sr. Project Manager
Air Liquide USA, Inc.
Risk Manager
Manager Standard Investments
Sr. Project Manager
Air Products and Chemicals
Sr. Project Manager
AlliedSignal – now Honeywell
Manager Project Engineering
Project Manger
Process Design Engineer
Tom’s Project Experience includes:
Air separation
Hydrogen SMR
Helium
Biodiesel
DNT
Vinyl Acetate Emulsion
Phenol and Acetone from Cumene
Caprolactam
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
These companies and assignments took Tom all over the world. He spent 3 years in China, for example. He showed pictures of some installations.
Tom showed pictures of his Fogelsville home and his Wescosville home. He has a son and a daughter and grandchildren. Right now he is taking time to be with them.
CLOSING:
Pres. Amir closed our meeting by our reciting the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
Photos by Marlene Heller AND dALE hEFFNER
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