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Message from President Gail Micca
   
     As September comes to a close, we look forward to two great Rotary events – our first “Conversations Over Cornhole” event on Thursday and our last AWRC hosted Purple Pinkie. We are growing and moving in new and exciting directions. As our new members share ideas and bring new energy, we try new things. Let’s make our first Cornhole so great that we want to repeat this annually. Invite that friend that you’ve been meaning to call. And bring some baseball bats, mitts and balls!

     On Saturday, our Yvette Palmer Purple Pinkie/Race to Zero and Oktoberfest will be sunny and 72 degrees! Don’t miss this fun event as we raise our glasse and wipe out polio and other devastating diseases. Run, walk, or join me for a ride! See you all soon!
 
Gail
Rotary Club of
ALLENTOWN WEST
Pres. Gail Micca
Area 1 Asst. Gov. Rick Zayaitz
District 7430 Governor
Bob Hobaugh
 
MEETING OPTIONS:
 
Second and fourth Wednesday in Oct and Nov will be at the Starlight Diner
7:30 a.m. meeting begins promptly
Contact President@AllentownWestRotary.org for location information
 
 
Via Zoom
7:15 a.m. chat room opens
7:30 a.m. meeting begins promptly
First and third Wednesday in Oct and Nov.
 
Contact President@AllentownWestRotary.org for Zoom link
 
Zoom also available during in-person meetings
 
WEBSITE

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GREETERS

Greeters will be working at all in-person meetings.
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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
     
  
        Oct 2  –  D7430 Yvette M. Palmer Purple Pinkie 5K Race to Zero
 
        Nov 6  --  D7430 Annual Foundation Seminar
 
        June 4-8, 2022  RI Annual Convention, Houston, Texas
 
        
 
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Opportunities for Service
 
Here is an update for service opportunities in the coming weeks:
 
Community Service:
 Habitat for Humanity – Any Tuesday or Thursday morning
 
contact Amir, familiamir@gmail.com
 
 
**Garden any time: Weeding and watering is always needed – bring friends and family
 
Garden opportunities, contact Gail, gailmicca@gmail.com or Amanda, lawlerfamilyof4@gmail.com
 
Collect baseball equipment, send emails to friends and neighbors to help collect, contact Nick Millward, nick@ycaps.org
 
Meals on Wheels - we still need a few more volunteers, low level of commitment, fun to do with family or friends, contact Kathleen Ott, avalon104@verizon.net
 
Highway clean up - please consider leading the effort in October.  Training provided,contact Gail at gailmicca@gmail.com
 
Club Service:
 
Thursday, Sept 30th: Help to make the first social at Eight Oaks a huge success - form a team for the Cornhole tournament - ask your friends, coworkers, family & potential Rotarians to join us for a fun night, contact Tori Morgan, torimorgan1@verizon.net
 
Purple Pinkie, Contact John Scott, JohnScottL@msn.com
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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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CONTACT INFORMATION
AWRC  ACTIVITIES
 
Kingdom Life Food Pantry: Jean Masiko – masiko@aol.com
 
Parkland Snack Packing: Kathy Ott – avalon104@verizon.net
 
Lowhill Food Pantry and Northwestern Snack Packing – Amir Famili – familiamir@gmail.com
 
Membership:  Herb Klotz, Temporary
 
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: Kathy Ott – avalon104@verizon.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
Nov 24, 2021 7:30 AM
STEM YEA: What's it All About & What does it mean to Allentown West
Dec 01, 2021 7:30 AM
The Bubushka Adoption Serving Central Asian Elders
Dec 08, 2021 7:30 AM
Heart Ball - Mental Well Being: Keeping Your Heart in Mind
Dec 22, 2021 7:30 AM
Classification Talk
Jan 12, 2022 7:30 AM
A Cup of Coffee Solves Everything: Roasting the World's Finest (100% Colombian Supremo certified)
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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AWRC
Board and Committee
 Members for 2021-22
 
 
Current Executive Board:
President Gail Micca
President Elect – John Scott
Immediate Past President – Ralph Witcher
Vice President – TBD
 
Treasurer – Chris Blechschmidt 
Secretary – Michelle Steiner
Sergeant at Arms – Mitch Huston
 
Directors:
Membership Chair – TBD
Service Chair – Dr. Kathleen Ott
Public Relations Chair – Marlene Heller
Fundraising Chair – Len Salines
Youth Services Chair – Sue and Bill Weber
 
AWRC Foundation Chair – Amir Famili
RI Foundation Chair – Herb Klotz
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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
SEPTEMBER 29, 2021
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TOMORROW SEPT 30
 
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SATURDAY  OCT 2
 
THIS IS A DISTRICT-WIDE EVENT
THAT AW ROTARIANS MAKE HAPPEN EACH YEAR
 
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           QUOTE of the WEEK
 
     “I'm starting to think this world is just a place for us to learn that we need each other more than we want to admit.”
              ― Richelle E. Goodrich
       
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DID YOU KNOW  ?
 
Without your pinky, your hand would lose 50% of its strength.
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Zoom Meeting  Notes – September 29, 2021
 
Today was a Zoom meeting with  26   people on line.
Pres. Gail Micca  opened the meeting at 7:30 A.M.  And she welcomed us all.
 
GUESTS ON LINE:
Nick Millward, friend of the club; and Alicia Ruiz Orbin, Emmaus RC.
 
OPENING:
Kathy Ott  gave a very nice invocation. Then Pres. Gail led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the U.S.
 
Pres. Gail then led us in the recitation of the Four Way Test to which we added “Is it fun?”
 
AWRC HISTORY STORY:
Ernie Boll delivered today’s story about  our past meeting sites.
 
 
NEW MEETING SITE PLAN:
Pres. Gail announced that arrangements have been made for AW Rotarians and friends to meet IN-PERSON at the Starlight Diner on Route 100 for the two October, and two November meetings. Two food options will be available to select from upon arrival.
 
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail displayed the list of September member events.
 
CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT IS TOMORROW AT 8 OAKS:     
AND BRING YOUR GENTLY USED BASEBALL/SOFTBALL EQUIPMENT DONATIONS TOO.
ROTARY MEANS BUSINESS:
 
This is our first social event with 3 other RCs. And members from the Chamber of Commerce. Please bring your friends. A cornhole contest will be attempted. And the food will be very special and fantastic.
Walk-ins are most welcome to add to the 60 registrations now made.
 
THE YVETTE M. PALMER PURPLE PINKIE D7430 ANNUAL 5K ON OCTOBER 2nd:
Race Director, John Scott, has said that the race and walk will take place on the Schnecksville Fair Grounds near LCCC in the morning.  The route includes going across a covered bridge. OktoberFest will follow.
 
Please register for the race. AND note that there is a virtual option this year for a lesser fee and no Tee-Shirt.
 
And we need volunteers to help, and donations for prizes, and sponsors for the Tee-Shirts.
 
John said that over $30,000 is pledged and over 60 runners and walkers are signed up.
 
JOB OPENINGS:
Herb Klotz and John Scott will not continue to lead this ANNUAL d7430 Purple Pinkie 5K Race. These two positions are open for members to fill.
 
YOUR SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
There is an updated list of service opportunities in the coming weeks: on the left side of this bulletin.
 
Pres. Gail needs 2 people to pick up the produce and deliver it to Parkland C.A.R.E.S. on October 9. She will be biking for funds. Karen Rodgers has signed up; who else ??
 
Our next Highway cleanup and Kingdom Life Food delivery are on the same Saturday, October 16. Nick Millward is chairing the clean-up effort. Jean Masiko needs volunteers that morning.
 
Our Garden clean-up work will be on October 17th. Please help.
 
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
Amir Famili emphasized that this work is for a really good cause. They need volunteers each week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
 
FUNDRAISING:
Chair, Len Salines, has  said that we need many, many prizes for the events coming up. Please donate.
 
Casino Night at the Wheels Museum in January  planning of table arrangements and food items is done.
 
MEALS ON WHEELS:
Kathy Ott  said that on  Oct 12 and 19 our new program starts.
On Oct 5th at 11:00 a.m. there will be an Orientation meeting by the M.O.W. people. Volunteers still are needed. In the future possibly we can do weekly service.
 
SNACK PACKING:
Snack packing at Parkland will be on Wednesday, Oct 13th. Workers must wear masks. She now has 5 volunteers, but needs more AW Rotarians--   from 2 to 4 PM.
 
BASEBALL IN MONGOLIA:
Nick Millward still seeks donations. So far some good items are now here, including some youth jerseys and hats donated by the Iron Pigs, thanks to Tori Morgan.
 
The stuff will be boxed up in October and shipped out in November.
You can bring them to 8 Oaks on Sept. 30.
 
GAIL’S BIKING CHALLENGES:
Gail said the work for the coming year fundraising is just getting started.  She has committed to a 350 mile bike trail ride from Niagara Falls to Albany NY from Oct 3-9. That's 60 miles a day.
 
Gail has $2,000 in pledges so far, and needs more. The first $3,000 will be matched.
 
If you haven't sponsored Gail yet or you'd like to throw some more $$ in support of this effort, please let Gail know.  The next fundraiser will be targeted for Youth programs in our community.  As you know, this is a big part of what we do at Allentown West Rotary and we need to get the ball rolling for next year!
 
 
HAPPY DOLLARS & NEWS:
Halyna Stegura had her medical procedure 7 days ago, and every day since has been different.
 
Gail Micca’s brother makes cornhole sets. He has done 5 so far.
 
Halyna had a plate of Kathy Ott’s cake balls  --  and ate way too much  --  with a smile.
 
Gail Micca said that 8 members of the Slatington RC are coming to our 8 Oaks event.
 
Halyna also is happy to be with us today to hear our guest speaker.
 
Alicia Ruiz Orbin is happy to be here and hear the speaker.
 
Katrina Sundstrom is happy about their daughter’s accomplishments playing golf.
 
Gail Mica is happy that their daughter took first place in the Art in the Park event.
 
Bill Palmer is happy to report that the YTD wild polio virus cases are still at ONE id Pakistan and ONE in Afghanistan. He confirmed with RI that these figures are valid. Good stuff.
 
STATUS OF MORNING MEETINGS:
The first and third Wednesday meetings in October and November will be via Zoom. The second and fourth will be in-person at the Starlight Diner.
 
We may add some Dining Out meetings to provide in-person conversations.
 
NEXT  MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday October 6, 2021  via Zoom starting at 7:30 a.m.   but you can come on at 7:15.  Our program  will  be Keiichi Sato, Founder & President - NGO Monti-Sand Education for Better Life for Mongolian Children
 
PROGRAM:
Program Chair, Ralph Witcher introduced:
 
 
Jennifer Sinclair, Program Director,  Cancer Support Community  of the Greater Lehigh Valley discussed Psychological Stress and Cancer
 
 
Jen Sinclair  received a Bachelor's of the Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor's of the Arts in Criminal Justice from Bloomsburg University in 1997. In 1999, she completed a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Temple University in Philadelphia. She worked in a variety of counseling settings.
 
She has participated in home-based mental health counseling, family intervention/preservation programming, and school-based counseling. She became a National Board Certified Counselor in 2003, and a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2004.
 
Jen started at The Wellness Community - Greater Lehigh Valley in 2004 as a Support Group Facilitator. This organization is a part of larger network of affiliates providing free programs of support and education to people living with cancer and their friends/family.
 
Since they were a new affiliate at the time, Jen enjoyed starting new groups such as the Caregiver Group, Kids Circle monthly group, and a Writing Workshop. In 2008, she became the Assistant Program Director, and then subsequently became the Program Director in 2009. In that time, the organization changed their name to Cancer Support Community.
 
In the past 2 years, Jen has  collaborated with a number of other non-profit organizations serving adults and children who have been affected by cancer. Through these collaborations, she was involved in the initiative to start a Spanish speaking monthly group along with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in the Allentown area, engaged in offsite programming, and enhanced our children/teen/family programs.
 
Through special funding through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure grant, their organization has offered several overnight retreats for breast cancer survivors and their co-survivors. These retreats have allowed Jen to focus even more on her interest in the emotional needs of cancer survivors. She has been able to use creative expression techniques and psychodrama to help couples explore their feelings about changes that have occurred after a cancer diagnosis. She is also interested in long-term cancer survivorship issues.
 
Their  organization has offered several series that focus on long-term effects of treatment, and addresses coping skills to help renew a sense of wellbeing after treatment ends. During this series and in several educational workshops given within the organization, she has  presented on the topics of self-care for caregivers, intimacy and sexuality during and after treatment, and emotional wellbeing throughout survivorship. She has also presented on cancer-related topics to civic organization, local hospitals, teachers, and guidance counselors. 
 
In addition to the Cancer Support Community, Jen worked in an outpatient group practice, focusing on anxiety disorders, bereavement, and trauma. As part of a team with other licensed social workers and counselors, Jen work with many couples and families facing a variety of challenges. 
 
 
During this presentation Jen explained  how psychological stress affects people who have cancer. Then she covered what are the common signs of distress in people affected by cancer.
Jen also explained how the Cancer Support Community of the Greater Lehigh Valley helps families overcome cancer related stress with effective relaxation exercises.
 
Jen answered some questions and received applause too.
 
CLOSING:
 Pres. Gail led us in reciting our motto “One profits most who  serves best.” Then she rang the imaginary bell to closed the meeting.
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BIRTHDAYS
 
Herb Klotz                   Oct 01
Len Salines                  Oct 01
Alexis Phillips              Oct 08
Bill Palmer                   Oct 25
Maureen Haight          Oct 28
 

Anniversaries

 

Halyna & Mike Stegura       Oct 12 1974       47 years
Sharon & Mike Goldner                      Oct 22      
Michelle & Jeff Steiner       Oct 26 2003       18 years
 
 

JOIN  DATES

Tom Friday                 2 years               Oct 02 2019
Chris Blechschmidt   6 years               Oct 07 2015
Herb Klotz                 10 years             Oct 19 2011
Laurie Grube            15 years             Oct 30 2006
 
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