Today was a Zoom meeting with 20 people on line. The other members stayed up to late watching the election returns.
After some conversations President Ralph Witcher opened the meeting at 7:30 A.M. Then Ralph gave a very nice invocation.
GUESTS ON LINE:
Becky Bradley, LVPC and our speaker today.
Pres. Ralph began the meeting by leading us in the Pledge of allegiance to the Flag of the U.S.
THE FOUR-WAY TEST EXAMPLE:
Pres. Ralph played a really good musical video of the singing of the 4-Way Test. Then he asked for a volunteer to tell a story indicative of their application of ethical standards recently.
Gail Micca told the amusing story of the special muffins that she baked to take to the Webers. She put them on the stoop to cool, but the door was not fully closed. So her dog got to the fresh muffins and ate the tops off 3 of them. She then had to decide whether to tell the truth to the Webers. She did.
WHAT ROTARY MEANS TO ME:
Pres. Ralph reminded us of the wonderful message on this subject given to us by Jean Machamer a few weeks ago.
CELEBRATION DATES:
Pres. Ralph displayed the list of November members and their celebration dates.
HIGHWAY CLEANUP:
Pres. Ralph said that we received a nice Thank You Note from the D.O.T. for the work a few weeks ago.
HOLIDAY PARTY:
Sue Weber discussed possible arrangements with Brookside C.C. with 4 people at a table, distancing, and mask wearing unless seated. If there are 20 or more of us interested in attending, B.C.C. will do it. Pres. Ralph sent an e-mail to members seeking a prompt response about attending so we can get a quick headcount.
RI PRESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD TO AWRC:
Immediate Past President Amir Famili displayed this special RC recognition award that was presented to AWRC at the “Gold level” for our excellent performance during the 2019-20 Rotary year.
WHERE HAS JEAN MASIKO BEEN?
It seems that Jean missed Rotary meetings for two weeks for a very good reason. She had a rather serious fall on Monday, October 19.
She spent the night in the ER where the doctors closed three cuts on her head with 19 staples. And she broke a small chip off of her wrist so she is in a removable cast on her right arm.
Jean was at her grandson's JV football game at Parkland Stadium. Following the game she came down the bleachers to the landing with no problem --- but missed the last step on the landing and was propelled down nine metal steps to the ground.
Jean says “I'm thankful to God that I'm walking, talking and thinking clearly--I never lost consciousness. The not so good thing is that I am black, blue and purple all over my right side including my face and eye.”
Jean says that she is doing much better and is healing nicely. She is really grateful to God for surrounding her with angels.
SNACK PACKING:
Gail Micca reports that Nancy Snyder, Sheri Stephens and Gail packed up 72 snackpacks for LCCC and Lowhill Food pantry on Wednesday Oct. 28. These packs will be delivered this week.
Here are the results:
PAINTED ROCKS FOR OUR GARDEN:
Pres. Ralph showed a photo of 3 rocks that are brightly painted by Jean Machamer to be placed in out garden. All are invited to have Jean show you how to do this. Gail Micca would love to have lots of painted rocks.
Gail also needs volunteers for another garden harvest.
YOUR SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
Please take a look at this new section on the left side of this bulletin.
STATUS OF MORNING MEETINGS;
The AWRC B.O.D. has suspended all AWRC face-to-face meetings until further notice. Zoom meetings are now scheduled for each Wednesday at 7:30 A.M.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday November 11th starting at 7:30 a.m. We will use Zoom to meet. Our program will be PDG Herb Klotz discussing the Rotary Foundation.
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
STATUS OF THURSDAY EVENING MEETING:
No Thursday evening meetings are planned for November and December.
HAPPY DOLLARS and MEMBER NEWS:
Ernie Boll was on line from their home in Green Valley, Arizona, and was happy.
Ralph Witcher loves Wednesday mornings. The Zoom meetings let him sleep in and not travel.
Ron Coleman confirmed that he runs away from being our RC President. Ralph Witcher said that he will be President again-- right after Ron finishes.
There was much conversation about Gail Micca’s homemade muffins that everybody loves.
Jeanne Shipe is happy that her house is under contract of sale. Ralph Witcher has volunteered to help her pack.
Halyna Stegura is happy that we will no longer be inundated with political TV ads.
Ron Coleman is happy that he has started his retirement plan. He will be selling one of his properties each year.
Sue Weber is happy to have all of us as friends. And she thanks Gail Micca for the muffins Gail brought to her.
Gail Micca is happy that their daughter now is home from her long trip.
PROGRAM:
Pres. Ralph Witcher introduced Becky Bradley , AICP, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC). Her subject was -- A Development plan for the Western Lehigh Valley area. Becky holds a B.S. degree from S.E. Missouri State University, and an MS degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
In the nearly seven years Becky has been the Executive Director of the LVPC and Secretary of the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study (LVTS) she has lead the creation of several regional firsts including: a housing plan, 1LV sustainable communities plan, return on environment study, climate change and energy goals and policies, and a freight plan.
Becky leads the Lehigh Valley's Metropolitan Planning Organization (LVTS) and Lehigh and Northampton Counties' Planning Commission (LVPC). LVPC sets the development direction for the region through review of land development and subdivision activity, municipal zoning, comprehensive plan and subdivision/land development ordinances serving a critical role in managing the built and natural environments.
Becky led us through a series of slides and photos of the Lehigh Valley area. She explained with many examples where we have been and are heading.
The LV is still a fast growing area in population, more from newcomers than newborns. Our property values are attractive to home buyers, but there is a lack of inventory. Besides the covid19 virus driving folks out of the NY and NJ areas, PA has no income tax of retirement money.
Becky also explained that the LV is attractive to shipping companies that can feed into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic cities. Thus we have many Warehouses with many more coming.
Becky explained that the LVPC cannot dictate what happens in any areas like housing, transportation, commercial growth zoning approvals. They can only report the facts and make recommendations.
Becky noted that recently the LVPC and the LVTS entities have merged their 37 and 6 board members and efforts. This is one of only a few in the U.S. to do so.
It is worth noting that the many malls and retail establishments in the LV have been closing due to the move to on-line buying, further amplified by the covid 19 problem. She said that the LV Mall has just filed for bankruptcy. Going forward we will be looking to use those retail properties for housing and businesses. They are better than using our farmland.
Becky described the current 5 goals they have set:
1. Have an effective development plan
2. Have connected and mixed transportation
3. Have a protected and vibrant environment
4. Maintain the LV as a competitive and creative region
5. Keep a safe and livable community
LVPC have a multitude of statistics and information available on their website. Becky said that with the covid19 problem, feeding the hungry is even more important. She was pleased to learn about all that AW Rotarians are doing.
CLOSING:
Pres Ralph led us in the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
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