banner
Message from President Gail Micca
   Momentum is building to make this year a stellar one for growth in our club. I hope you have made a commitment to be a part of it. Growing our club takes effort, but it’s time well spent and the friendships that are built from involvement in this process will last a long time.
   If we look around, we see that our members who have been with our club for a long time have strong bonds. They value the gifts that Rotary friendships bring.
   Let’s work together this month to create great events for our club, and nearby clubs, on September 30. We have two great events to rally around and bring friends to: the Eight Oaks Corn Hole Tournament and the Oktoberfest/Purple Pinkie Race to Zero. Let’s have fun together and get the word out about how great Rotary is!  

Gail
Rotary Club of
ALLENTOWN WEST
Pres. Gail Micca
Area 1 Asst. Gov. Rick Zayaitz
District 7430 Governor
Bob Hobaugh
 
MEETING OPTIONS:
 
In Person
7:15 a.m. registration and breakfast room open
7:30 a.m. meeting begins promptly
Brookside Country Club
2nd & 4th Wednesdays
 
Via Zoom
7:15 a.m. chat room opens
7:30 a.m. meeting begins promptly
1st, 3rd, & 5th  Wednesdays
 
Zoom also available during in-person meetings
 
WEBSITE

  ________________

GREETERS

Greeters will be working at all in-person meetings.
_______________
 
EVENING MEETINGS
 
Evenings will resume as social evenings in the
near future. Watch for details!
________________
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
 
______________
 
CALENDAR of EVENTS
     
   
       Sep 20  District 7430 Golf Tournament at Brookside CC in Pottstown, 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM
   
        Oct 2  –  D7430 Purple Pinkie 5K Race to Zero
 
        Nov 6  --  D7430 Annual Foundation Seminar
        
 
___________ 
 
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
 
August 14th (Sat.) 7:15am – 10:30 am Kingdom Life Food Pantry Drive Thru, contact Jean Masiko, masiko@aol.com
 
August 15th (Sunday) Harvest at garden for Jordan Lutheran Church Pantry
 
August  17 or 18th (Tuesday or Wednesday) - Harvest for Lowhill Pantry
 
August 19-29 - Harvest for Family Promise, The Caring Place or  and Allentown Rescue Mission
 
**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:
Sunday Aug. 22nd 7pm, Fundraising planning session at Gail's house, contact Len Salines - LenMary3657@ptd.net
 
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
__________________ 
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. 
 
 
 
 
___________
 
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
__________
 
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
Oct 20, 2021 7:30 AM
What to Pack on a 750-mile Walk Across India
Oct 27, 2021 7:30 AM
Speaking Up: Changing the Dialogue to End the Stigma Epidemic
Nov 10, 2021 7:30 AM
Rotary Foundation Talk
View entire list
____________ 
 
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!
 
_______________
 
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
__________ 
 
SPEAKERS  WANTED
      Please suggest or request speakers and topics for future meetings and send your ideas to Ralph Witcher. 
_______________
 
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
____________
 
Check out the AWRC
See Home Page link
__________ 
 
Bulletin Editor
Bill Palmer
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
AUGUST 18, 2021
_______________________
 
 
____________________________
           QUOTE of the WEEK
 
     “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
              ― John Bunyan
       
___________________________________ 
 
 
DID YOU KNOW ?
 
 

The first women joined Rotary in 1987. Today, more than 196,000 women are members of Rotary International Clubs.

 

The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships are the world's largest privately-funded scholarships.

 

Rotarians in the United States make up 28 percent of all Rotarians worldwide.

 

 
______________ 
 
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 for more information and to sign up:  610-395-0549
 
_____________________ 
 
_______________
 
Zoom Meeting  Notes – August 18, 2021
 
Today was a Zoom meeting with 26   people on line.
Pres. Gail Micca  opened the meeting at 7:30 A.M.  by ringing a real bell. And she welcomed us all.
 
GUEST ON LINE:
Citizen Nick Millward, friend of the club; Carrington Smith, Pres. Lehigh Valley Passport RC;  and Carolyne Jordan, Pres. West  Reading-Wyomissing RC.
 
OPENING:
Tom Friday gave a very nice invocation with special mention of the Haiti earthquake and the Afghanistan crisis. Then Pres. Gail led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the U.S.
 
AWRC HISTORY STORY:
Past President, Ernie Boll delivered today’s story about  Rotary attendance requirement history.
 
Pres. Gail then led us in the recitation of the Four Way Test to which we added “Is it fun?”
 
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail displayed the list of August member events.
 
YOUR SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
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
 
August 14th (Sat.) 7:15am – 10:30 am Kingdom Life Food Pantry Drive Thru, contact Jean Masiko, masiko@aol.com
 
August 15th (Sunday) Harvest at garden for Jordan Lutheran Church Pantry
 
August  17 or 18th (Tuesday or Wednesday) - Harvest for Lowhill Pantry
 
August 19-29 - Harvest for Family Promise, The Caring Place or  and Allentown Rescue Mission
 
**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 cleanup - please consider leading the effort in October.  Training provided. contact Gail at gailmicca@gmail.com
 
Club Service:
Sunday Aug. 22nd 7pm, Fundraising planning session at Gail's house, contact Len Salines - LenMary3657@ptd.net
 
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
 
FUNDRAISING:
Chair, Len Salines said that there is a committee meeting this Sunday.
 
Kathy Ott said that there will be a fundraiser at next week’s in-person meeting at Brookside CC. Her special chocolate covered cake balls will be for sale.
 
The Wings of Hope fundraiser  is on Sunday, Sept. 12th. Butterflies will be set loose.
 
ROTARY MEANS BUSINESS:
 
Tori Morgan said that this is our first social event with 3 other RCs. Please bring your friends. A cornhole contest will be attempted.
 
PURPLE PINKIE D7430 ANNUAL 5K:
Race Director, John Scott, said that the race and walk will take place on the Schnecksville Fair Grounds near LCCC in the morning. OktoberFest will follow.
 
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
Amir Famili reports that they will finish four town houses by Sept. 30, and then will start on four more. He showed a picture of Nick Millward laying flooring.
 
GARDEN REPORT:
Pres. Gail said that the crops have been great and harvesting is fun. All are welcome to visit.
 
Amir Famili delivered 300 lbs of fresh produce to the Lowhill Food Pantry. He thanks Burkholder farms for their continued support.
 
MEALS ON WHEELS:
Kathy Ott said we will deliver on their Route #19 on two Tuesdays each month starting in October. On Aug 26 at 8:00 A.M. there will be a zoom meeting to provide operational details.
 
SNACK PACKING STARTS:
Kathy Ott said we are starting with Parkland H.S. and Volunteers are needed.. Also Family Promise needs our help.
 
MONGOLIAN YOUTH PROGRAM:
Nick Millward said  that Katrina Sundstrom has created a flyer. And Tori Morgan is meeting with someone from the Iron Pigs. Nick asks us to bring donations to our 8-25 meeting. Nick also has a contact that may ship the donations to Mongolia for us.
 
GAIL’S BIKING CHALLENGE:
As a fundraiser Gail is still seeking sponsors for her 60 miles a week  biking as part of our 60 year celebration next May. She is approaching her $5,000 goal. Gail biked 60 miles all on last Sunday.
 
HAPPY DOLLARS & NEWS:
Since Gail Micca and Tori Morgan were the first on line, they had a nice planning session together.
 
Jeanne Shipe is back at her Allentown home.
 
Gail Micca is heading to North Dakota next Friday.
 
Amir Famili’s two chickens still are laying more fresh eggs than he can use.
 
Tom Friday’s new granddaughter had a health scare that has since gone away.
 
Tori Morgan is a proud Mom. Their daughter is beginning her senior year in Nursing at Villanova, and their son is starting in Law School.
 
Amir Famili is proud that he can now get his pontoon boat into the Lake Nockamixon waters in about 5 minutes.
 
Ernie Boll still just is happy.
 
Marlene Heller is most happy to report that her second surgery was successful, and no chemo is needed.
 
Ralph Witcher is happy that son, Seth, had 5 successful events at MusikFest.
 
STATUS OF MORNING MEETINGS:
There  will be hybrid meetings  twice a month, plus all-zoom meetings for two more Wednesdays each month.
 
NEXT  MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday August 25, 2021  and it is a hybrid meeting with the in-person part at Brookside CC in Macungie  starting at 7:30 a.m.   Our program  will  be  Janet Brown, M.Ed., TEACH Rwanda Founder & President to discuss Teacher Mentoring in Rwanda.
 
PROGRAM:
Pres. Gail Micca introduced Edward Pullin, Cyber Security/Date Protection --  Fundamentals of Cryptography - Part 2.
 
 
Cryptography is defined as the art of writing or solving codes.
 
Protecting our data has never been more important.  Edward will discuss the techniques criminals use to pierce our information shields and teach us how to protect our valuable data.
 
Edward is a product line marketing manager for security acceleration.  Edward reviewed the history of Cryptography, covered  the basics of its common use, and discussed some techniques that malicious actors use to attempt to pierce our information shields and uncover our data.
 
Ed says that “The world has come to realize that our data is an extension of ourselves. Its language like “anti-virus” ware to name software elements meant to protect the health of our systems , our data, our communication and our storage.”
 
Ed  described both the Public key and Private key that form a communication between computer users.
 
If someone gets the private key, they get access to all your stuff.
 
DDOS attacks: change your passwords on baby monitors often, also on children toys.  
 
Certificate attacks: If you get a message saying the certificate alert, saying the site is not safe due to certificates not matching, leave the site immediately. These rarely happen due to upgraded security, but they do still happen.
 
Phishing attacks: Never click on links that are suspect. They will download viruses to your computer and steal your information. Always report them. There are reporting tools in every email protocol. If in doubt, check with the company before clicking. Go to the actual site, i.e., FedEx.com, and check your information from there.
 
SQL Alerts: If your information in a database starts to fill in with strange characters, it has been hacked. Get off the site immediately and let the company know, by phone, that they have been hacked.
 
Ransomware: Always in the news. Always have MULTIPLE backups of your data. Backup your data regularly with your own extended hard drive. Store your files encrypted.
 
Pegasus: Israeli software, invented by the Mossad. It has the ability to hack your cellphone. If someone out of nowhere sends you a video, don’t click on it.
 
•      Always keep your OS (operating system) up to date.
•      Set up VPNS.
•      Always have the latest anti-virus security.
•      Encrypt data when possible.
•      Don’t click on links from someone you don’t know.
•      Go to https:haveibeenpwned.com to see if you have ever shown up in a hack.
•      Always use random passwords, the strongest possible, and never reuse passwords on other sites.
•      Keep cameras covered when not in use.
•      Use 2-factor authentication whenever possible.
•      Never give out your passwords!
 
A lively Q & A followed the presentation, started by Marlene reminding us that even emails and texts from people you think you know might be “clones”; don’t click on the links until you have checked the name and email to be sure it’s the right person. Ed said this is a major issue that is very easy to fall prey to, and the simple answer is, don’t click on links, period.
 
Thanks go to Marlene Heller for writing most of the foregoing notes.
 
CLOSING:
 Pres Gail led us in the saying “One profits most who serves best.” And she rang a real bell.
 
____________
 
BIRTHDAYS
 
Scott Hock                  Aug 12
Bill Weber                   Aug 12
AJ Henry                     Aug 17
Ralph Witcher            Aug 17
Ron Coleman              Aug 30
Marlene Heller            Aug 31
 

Anniversaries

 

Sue & Bill Weber                 Aug 07 1965      56 years
Barbara & Jeffrey Kistler     Aug 16 1969      52 years
 

JOIN  DATES

 

Mitch Huston              9 years              Aug 03 2012
Gwenn Carr                17 years             Aug 11 2004
Gary Englehardt         17 years             Aug 11 2004
Mustafa Jaffer            11 years             Aug 18 2010
Pat Witcher                 1 year                Aug 18 2020
Murtaza Jaffer            2 years              Aug 20 2019
 
ENDPOLIONOW_4p Image