Our Greeter today was Gwenn Carr and she did a marvelous job.
President Dan Crane rang the bell at 7:30 a.m. Then Rev. Jeff Kistler
gave a very nice invocation.
Today we sang the National Anthem as we watched a new video. Then we said the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Dan says that the word from the country is from Charles Swindoll who said “Life is 10% what happened to you, and 90% of how you react to it.”
GUESTS:
Dave Dries, Spring Township RC Marti, our Y.E. Student from Argentina; Emma Howe, Mother of our speaker, Wenda Boyer; Karen Legg, wife of Geoff; and Mike Stegura, husband of Halyna.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Jean Machamer reminds us that Feb 29th is Dining Out at the Stoned Crab in Macungie. We must pre-order from the limited menu Jean has. We need this by Feb 19th if possible, the 22nd at the latest.
Jean also is assuming the responsibilities as Advisor to the NWL SD Interact Club. She reminds us that these interactors are planning a floor hockey tournament fundraiser for Wed. March 8th from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
AND we expect to have some Interact Students attend Tempting Tastes 3 and would like our members to sponsor them.
David Caccese still needs volunteers to help with our visitors from the Ukraine. This is for local transportation and maybe some touring.
David also said that on Feb 18th at the Zoellner Center the National Symphony of the Ukraine will perform.
Dorothy Bloom reminds us that Feb 20th we drive for Meals on Wheels. Please sign up ASAP so the proper paperwork gets done. We start at the Trinity Church.
Ginny Sandoval is asking for donations to prepare a “Basket” for auction at the March 11th D7430 Foundation Gala.
President Dan showed a video of Punxatawny Phil from Ground Hog Day. Then he showed pictures of last week’s meeting including Dave Dries and PDG Gary Fedorcha. Then there were Wendy, Vern and the NWL Snack packing people followed by the Friday TT3 meeting attendees.
The next Thursday Evening Happy Hour meeting is TOMORROW February 9th at the Holiday Inn. The program will be planning for growth.
Mar 8th, is a Women’s Day meeting at Cedar Crest College.
Mar 11th, is the District Foundation Gala. See separate article. Herb Klotz encourages members to attend the District Foundation Gala. This is a celebration of 100 years of the Rotary Foundation. Registration is open and it’s $55 per person.
May 6th -- Farm Fest at Ontelaunee Park
AND, of course, you always can have your breakfast at our meetings sitting with Arch Klumph for a donation of $26.50 --- or more --- to the Rotary Foundation.
We still need auction items for TT3 AND please buy and sell tickets.
NEXT WEEK our Greeter will be David Caccese and our program will be Stanislav Agafonov PT and Kostyantin Kalinkin PT , Ukrainian Catholic U- School of Rehab Med Vocational Exchange.
LUCK of the DRAW:
Today ‘s door prize of chocolates donated by Gwenn Carr was won by --- who else?? --- Dan Crane. .
Then Dave Dries’ ticket was drawn and he selected a white marble and did not win the $25 in the 50:50 pot.
FINES:
S-a-A substitute Geoff Legg fined Marlene Ritter for coming late. Later he fined each table a dollar just to raise funds so Don Davis would be happy.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Halyna Stegura had $2 for the two wonderful weeks she and Mike spent in Aruba. She presented President Dan with a RC Banner from Aruba.
Gary Englehardt told of visiting last week in St. Augustine, FL. and speaking with a guide about the Fountain of Youth. The guide claims that it does work and offered to introduce them to his two 90 year old grandsons.
Karen Legg is happy to have Father Tim here today.
Mitch “Henny” Huston told a funny story about Grandma cutting the lawn. You had to be here.
Dan Crane is happy that Donna Beach continues to do such a great I.T. job for his presentations.
Ernie Boll explained that he is planning to join a new club for “Senagers,-- Seniors who are aged. Ernie said he already had a job, a home, and a car, etc.
PROGRAM:
Today’s program was Fr. Tim Hasenecz, Chaplain of Pastoral Care LVHN regarding No One Dies Alone (NODA) program. Father Tim was born in Bethlehem, grew up there and attended Freedom H.S.
In 2005, Father Tim accepted a part-time Pastoral position with Holy Trinity Orthodox Catholic Church, Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, where he served until 2009. In 2011, he returned to Holy Trinity Orthodox Catholic Church to again serve the Parish in a part-time capacity and he remains there today.
Fr Tim explained that No One Dies Alone is a volunteer program that provides the reassuring presence of a volunteer companion to dying patients who would otherwise be alone. With the support of the nursing staff, companions are thus able to help provide patients with that most valuable of human gifts: a dignified death.
Fr Tim said that nurses identify patients and families who might benefit from the NODA program and they notify Wenda Boyer, one of 3 contacts. Wenda then sends out a phone “burst” to the appropriate volunteers on their list asking for folks to sign up for usually one or more 3 hour shifts. With the list made then Wenda puts together a schedule to make it happen.
Fr Tim operates three training sessions a year to inform new volunteers about how they function and things that they can do to help. Currently there are 84 volunteers and many more can be used. Mike Stegura who is here today is a volunteer. Fr Tim invites us all to consider this great work.
Fr Tim says the NODA work is one of the greatest gifts a person can give, It provides a presence when there is none, and it provides needed relief to families and caregivers.
Wenda Boyer told the story of a horrific auto crash she witnessed and how she experienced the death of the 52 year old woman driver as she held her. After seeing the woman’s obituary Wenda sent a note to the Husband.
This began a string of events that led to Wenda’s “Aha” moment when she knew she had to be with NODA. It’s now been eleven years.
CLOSING:
We recited the saying “They profit most who serve the best.”
