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Rotary Club of
ALLENTOWN WEST
Pres. Ralph Witcher
Area 1 Asst. Gov. Barb Bottitta
District 7430 Governor
Janet Kolepp
 
MEETINGS:
ZOOM  MEETINGS BEGAN ON APRIL 1st, 2020.
Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m.
Hybrid meetings are planned starting in July 2021.
 
WEBSITE

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GREETERS

Pres. Ralph Witcher is  the Greeter while we are using Zoom. Our June 23 hybrid meeting needs volunteers.
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THURSDAY EVE MEETINGS
 
There may be Thursday evening meetings
starting in July 2021 either zoom or hybrid
 
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HAVE YOU MISSED A MEETING?
 
Missed a club meeting? Lucky for you, we record our Zoom meetings! Click the link and then choose which meeting you’d like to view. Use the slide at the bottom if you want to skip over the socialization part of the meeting. We open the formalities at 7:30 am, and presenters begin at 8 am. So even if you missed the meeting, it’s just like being there!
 
The AWRC Youtube.com channel link is:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClHOvGQzfK4z7CUgSQQGqHA
 
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CALENDAR of EVENTS
  
   
     
              June 9 -- Hybrid meeting at     at 7:30 a.m.
 
             June 23  --  AWRC annual Changeover ceremony.
 
              June 29 -- Tuesday is the D7430 annual Changeover IN PERSON at Brookside CC, Macungie
 
              Oct 2  --  D7430 Purple Pinkie 5K race
 
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NEW TRIBUTE CARDS
   
Send Cards to Support the Allentown West Rotary Club Foundation
 
Send a Thank You, Condolence, Congratulations, Thinking of You, In Honor of, In Memory of, or Just Because card and make a donation to the Allentown West Rotary Club Foundation at the same time. 
 
Our new Tribute Cards are here and ready to send out! You fill in the reason for the card on the top lines and your name on the bottom lines, and mail it out. On the front is a beautiful photograph of a familiar farmhouse in the Lehigh Valley. Inside, recipients will see that the purchase of the card goes to fund the Foundation of our Rotary Club, and they are invited to learn more at our website. On the back is some information about Rotary and our areas of focus.
 
Cards are sold in packs of 5 for $25, plus shipping. To order, go to the Allentown West website at www.allentownwestrotary.org and scroll down to the Tribute Cards. Payment is by PayPal. 
 
 
 
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Please “Like” Us!
 
If you are on Facebook, and you have any sense of Allentown West Rotary Club loyalty, please show it by going to our Facebook page and clicking “Like” in the top bar, right under the cover photo.
 
You can also click “Follow” for extra "brownie points."
 
We are in a pseudo-competition with other clubs in our district, and right now we are in the lower half of the pack, with just over 260 likes. The top of the pack is over 500! You can also invite your friends and family to like us, by sharing any of our posts to your own FB page, and asking your own followers to like us! HELP US FLOAT TO THE TOP! We know how good we are; let’s show everyone else that Allentown West Rocks!
 
Marlene Heller
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Opportunities for Service
 
Your help is needed to:
 
 
Painting project at Lehigh Valley Zoo, June 21st 10 to 4
 
Garden care. Contact: Gail Micca gailmicca@gmail.com
 
Purchase, pack and distribute produce on the SECOND SATURDAY of the month
Location: Parkland C.A.R.E.S. Food Pantry
Contact: Gail Micca gailmicca@gmail.com
 
Distribute produce at Lowhill Food Pantry
Location: 4695 Lowhill Church Rd, New Tripoli, PA 18066
Contact: Amir Famili familiamir@gmail.com
 
Distribute food at Kingdom Life Food Pantry
Location: 4333 Lime Kiln Rd, Orefield, PA 18069
Date: Saturday morning June 12th
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Contact: Jean Masiko masiko@aol.com
 
 
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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 familiamir@gmail.com
 
Membership:  Tom Friday – fridaytl@gmail.com
 
Public Image: Marlene Heller  – marleneheller@mac.com
 
TT6:  Len Salines – lenmary3657@ptd.net
 
Dining Out:  Jean Machamer – jeanmachamer@ptd.net
 
Purple Pinkie Services: Barb Kistler barbara.kistler@rcn.com
                          
Purple Pinkie 5K at LCCC: John Scott – johnscottl@msn.com
 
Park Cleanup:  Dennis Houser – houserdah@gmail.com
 
Miracle League:  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:  Ralph Witcher – rwitcher@msn.com
 
Website Editor: Marlene Heller – marleneheller@mac.com
 
RLI:   website www.rlinea.org        
 
Speakers
Aug 11, 2021 7:30 AM
Membership Talk
Aug 25, 2021 7:30 AM
Teacher Mentoring in Rwanda
Sep 01, 2021 7:30 AM
2020-2021 Lehigh Valley 911 Hero's Run
Sep 08, 2021 7:30 AM
Pediatric Cancer Foundation Presentation & Overview
Sep 15, 2021 7:30 AM
Historic Bethlehem World Heritage Initiative
Sep 22, 2021 7:30 AM
Serve to Change Lives
Oct 27, 2021 7:30 AM
Speaking Up: Changing the Dialogue to End the Stigma Epidemic
View entire list
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THE WORLD NEEDS MORE ROTARIANS
 
 
Make it your business to share your Rotary story! When you meet someone who isn't aware of all Rotary has to offer personally, professionally, and to the world, it's an opportunity. Let them know you are one of the 1.2 million people in the world who make the world better by serving the community.
 
Offer them the chance to join us for an activity or a meeting to learn more. If you don't ask, they won't know! Be a Rotary Ambassador!
 
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PLEASE SUPPORT OUR
TEMPTING TASTES
RESTAURANT FRIENDS
 
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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 Archivist at marmel735@me.com.
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AWRC
Board and Committee
 Members for 2020-21
 
 
President - Ralph Witcher
President-Elect - Gail Micca
Vice President - John Scott
Immediate Past President - Amir Famili
 
Secretary - John Scott
Treasurer - Chris Blechschmidt
Sergeant at Arms - Mitch Huston
Service Committee Chair - Kathy Ott
 
RI Foundation & International Grants Chair - PDG Herb Klotz
Fundraising Chair - Len Salines
Public Image Chair - Marlene Heller
 
Membership Chair - Thomas Friday
Youth Services Co-Chairs - Bill and Sue Weber
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SPEAKERS  WANTED
      Please suggest or request speakers and topics for future meetings and send your ideas to Ralph Witcher. 
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TELL  JEAN
 
     As you become aware of any member of our Rotary family who would benefit from our support with cards, flowers, or visits, please notify Jean Machamer at jeanmachamer@ptd.net
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Check out the AWRC
See Home Page link
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Bulletin Editor
Bill Palmer
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
JUNE 9, 2021
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           QUOTE of the WEEK --
 
   “Serve one another with brotherly love.”
               ― Lailah Gifty Akita
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DID YOU KNOW ?
 

Many Americans celebrate Flag Day by displaying the Red, White and Blue in front of homes and businesses. The day commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.

 

 
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ANOTHER GREAT WAY
TO HELP FEED PEOPLE
 
-- MEALS ON WHEELS --
 
 
With over two decades of AW Rotarians helping to pack and deliver Meals on two annual holidays, we now are able to launch an all-new and more extensive project.
 
AWRC is looking to form two teams (two people on each team). The teams will go out for one morning every OTHER week One team member will drive, and the other will be the “runner” that delivers food to the door.
 
ALSO we will need to have several committed substitutes ready to fill in as needed.  All regulars and substitutes will be well trained for this work.
 
We need at least SIX  volunteers,   but a lot more is better  and will spread the workload so each works fewer days.  When enough volunteers  are signed up, Service Chair, Kathy Ott, will conduct a meeting to review the requirements and scheduling.
 
Please call Kathy Ott to discuss and to sign up:  610-395-0549
 
 
 
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EMMAUS RC AND FLAG DAY
 
 
 
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PLEASE BUY OUR RAFFLE TICKETS
 
 
 
 
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  ROTARY INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL CONVENTION
 
June 12 through 16, 2021
 
This year’s virtual convention will be better than ever, opening more innovative opportunities to learn and to engage with the family of Rotary!
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Meeting  Notes – June 9, 2021
 
 
          FACE TO FACE ONCE AGAIN
 
Today was the first face-to-face meeting since March of 2020! And it was great.
Also we had a Zoom meeting. There were 26 people at Brookside CC in Macungie shaking hands and hugging  --  and it was good. We had 11 people on line that participated in the meeting remotely.
 
 
Ron Coleman was our Greeter and he did an excellent job. And P-E Gail Micca was everywhere else looking after us.
 
 
Mitch Huston handled registration and 50:50 tickets.
 
Secretary John Scott made sure that the P.A. system and the Zoom signals worked for us.
 
 
For the first time in over a year AW Rotarians had a breakfast together, and the food was good.
 
After some conversations President Ralph Witcher opened the meeting by ringing our bell. This was his first time doing that. 
 
 
TODAY’S GUEST:
ON LINE: Capt. Nick Millward calling in from Japan.
 
Pres. Ralph gave a very nice invocation with special mention for Marlene Heller, George Ikeda and Al Lewis.
 
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Mitch Huston roamed the room with the microphone collecting real money for expressed happiness.
 
 
Jeanne Shipe is very happy to be with us all once again. She is considering moving to Ohio to be near family.
 
This was Kathy Ott’s first in-person AW meeting and she was pleased to pay  happy dollars.
 
Herb Klotz said that he is thrilled to be back together.
 
Tori Morgan was happy to be at a “live” meeting.
 
Chuck Ehninger  was happy this morning too.
 
Bill Palmer was happy to share the latest Polio stats. See below.
 
Murtaza Jaffer was happy to thank Tori Morgan for bringing her dog to visit.
 
Ron Coleman said it was good to be here.
 
Sue and Bill Weber are back from Hilton Head and happy to meet in person.
 
Ralph Witcher is happy to thank the AW leaders that make this all happen.
 
Dawn Costello’s granddaughter, Maddie, has qualified for the world triathlon competition this Fall.
 
Then Pres. Ralph  led us in the Pledge of Allegiance  to the U.S as we stood with hands on hearts looking at a real flag.
 
CELEBRATION DATES:
Pres. Ralph displayed the list of June members and their celebration dates.  We applauded.
 
Pres. Ralph again said “The world needs more Rotarians.”
 
FOUR WAY TEST:
Pres. Ralph played  the upbeat musical video featuring the Four Way Test and we all sang along and it sounded great.
 
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 article.
We need your help to insure our programs can continue into 2022. Go to https://allentownwestrotary.virtualraffle.org to purchase a raffle ticket  --  or three.
 
THANK YOU NOTES:
Pres. Ralph reported on a note from Roslyn and from the LV Zoo. On June 21st more painting volunteers are again needed at the Zoo.
 
EMMAUS RC & FLAG DAY:
The EMMAUS FLAG DAY PROGRAM will be held on MONDAY, JUNE 14 at 6:00 pm at the Emmaus Community Park in the Arts Pavilion.  Local students will read poems and essays about “What the American Flag Means to Me”.  The program includes Emmaus Veterans, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and musical presentations by students.  Dr. Raymond Fritz, retired member of elite SEAL TEAM ONE will be the featured speaker.  Rev. Waldemar Vinovskis will give the invocation and benediction, Nathan Brown will preside and Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert will present proclamations to the winning students.
 
In 2020, the Emmaus Rotary took over the arrangements for coordinating the event.  This is the 52 year for the celebration and the FIRST year for Rotary Sponsorship. We need support!
 
ZOO PAINTING PROJECT:
P-E Gail Micca says “We know how to make painting fun!” Herb Klotz, Ron Coleman , Lisa Walton and Gail helped to paint the picnic tables at the Lehigh Valley Zoo on Monday, June 7. Despite the high temps, we had a good time and we didn’t melt!
 
 
AWRC’S GARDEN DONATIONS:
P-E Gail Micca reports that we have made our first garden donations for the 2021 season. We donated 30 heads of beautiful red lettuce to Lowhill Food Pantry and 16 bags of lettuce and kale to Jordan Lutheran Food Pantry this week.
 
 
 
WILD POLIO CASES REPORTED:
Afghanistan
YTD  New cases                  01
Reported Cases
2020: 56             2019: 29             2018: 21             2017: 14
 
Pakistan
YTD  New cases                  01
Reported Cases
2020: 84             2019: 147           2018: 12             2017: 08
 
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD CENTER:
The next distribution will be on June 12th. Please volunteer to Jean Masiko.
 
SHELTERBOX, USA NEED:
Please consider donating to purchase a ShelterBox at this time of need. Some AW club funds also will be donated.
 
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
Habitat for Humanity still needs volunteer painters on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Contact Amir.
 
AWRC CHANGEOVER:
The plan is to also hold a hybrid meeting at  Brookside CC on Wednesday June 23rd starting at 7:30 A.M. Come early and circulate.
 
YOUR SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
P-E Gail Micca  asks that you take a look at this section on the left side of this bulletin.
 
STATUS OF MORNING MEETINGS:
Starting June 9 there will be hybrid meetings  twice a month, plus all-zoom meetings for two more Wednesdays each month.
 
NEXT  MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday June 16, 2021  starting at 7:30 a.m.  We will  totally ZOOM. Our program will  be  Amanda Lawler & Lisa Walton, New AWRC Members giving their Classification Talks.
 
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 Denise Brown, Representative at Department of Labor & Industry - Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing.  All about "Understanding Hearing Loss."  Denise called in using Zoom and was able to show her slides. Ralph said that Emmaus RC heard Denise last week and said she is amazing.
 
 
Denise as a Representative wears numerous hats. One day she may be providing a training on hearing loss or interpreters to state agencies such as Area of Aging, the next day she is advocating for services for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing and the next day she is providing assistance to an organization that is creating policy and procedures for contracting with interpreters or CART services. Brown has over 24 years of diverse experiences while working to promote the inclusion of Pennsylvanians who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing.
 
In addition to her current job, she has been an adjunct teacher at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) and Bloomsburg University (BU) teaching American Sign Language (ASL) courses. 
 
A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Denise graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Social Work from Gallaudet University in 1987, and a Master of Arts in Deafness Rehabilitation from New York University in 1989.
 
She is also an avid reader and enjoys traveling and walking with her beloved rescued dogs, Elmo (15) and Coco (7).
 
Denise noted that her agency with only 4 people serving 3 offices in PA, is the smallest state agency there is.
 
Denise said that there are 35 to 40 million people in the U.S. that are suffering from some degree of hearing loss. And unfortunately  only 6 million of those are able to afford proper hearing aids due to limitations in medical insurance coverage.
 
Denise emphasized that there are many degrees and variations of hearing losses. A simple, low cost hearing aid is unlikely to do much good. She recommends a full analysis by a licensed professional audiologist.
 
Hearing loss is not a visible ailment. One can be losing hearing over time and others would not know it. Hearing loss actually is a communication loss.
 
Hearing aids are quite expensive, costing from $2,500 to $6,000 PER EAR. Denise said that Lip Reading can be helpful, but only 30% of the English language is discernable from the lips. And every  one of us has different lips.
 
Besides some great hearing aids, there are some great technologies available. For example one can have voices converted to written words as they are spoken. It also is important that you face a person with hearing loss so they can see your lip motion and also have your voice enter a hearing aid properly.
 
CHANCE DRAWINGS:
For the first time since March 2020 we had tickets drawn for door prizes, and also for the 50:50 black marble that eluded Jean Masiko today.
 
CLOSING:
 Pres Ralph led us in the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
 
 
 
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BIRTHDAYS
 
Rick Bloom                 Jun 04
Jeff Steiner                 Jun 06
Lisa Walton                Jun 10
Chris Blechschmidt   Jun 13
Marta Fedoriw            Jun 21
Donna Beach              Jun 22
Jean Machamer           Jun 26
Barbara Kistler           Jun 30
 

Anniversaries

 

Laurie & Terry  Grube        Jun 03 2018       3 years
Karen & Geoff Legg            Jun 17 1966       55 years
Pat & Ralph Witcher           Jun 18 1988       33 years
Karen & Billy Rodgers        Jun 19 1993       28 years
Mercedes & John Scott      Jun 25 2005       16 years
Gwen and John Pongracz  Jun 30 2001       20 years
 

JOIN  DATES

 

Barbara Kistler         17 years    Jun 01 2004
Jude Sandt                 1 year       Jun 04 2020
Jerry Frank                 26 years    Jun 15 1995
Jennifer Stinson         4 years     Jun 22 2017
Bob Gordon                14 years    Jun 27 2007
Ron Coleman              5 years     Jun 29 2016
Wendy Weaver            6 years     Jun 30 2015
 
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