Phil Wenger was a local business owner and community leader who changed careers at the end of 2015 to join the Lancaster Conservancy as its President. As an entrepreneur, Phil built a restaurant chain and then sold it, planning to retire. But he wanted to leave a larger impact on the community and the Susquehanna River that he loves, so he left retirement to lead a team to protect this landscape. During his tenure, the Conservancy has added over 2,600 acres to its portfolio of natural lands in Lancaster County and along the river in York County, doubled the Conservancy’s staff, and sharpened the organization’s focus.
Fritz Schroeder is Senior Vice President of Community Impact; Lancaster Conservancy. Fritz joined the Lancaster Conservancy in 2007 as the Director of Urban Greening and was responsible for developing residential and institutional greening programs. He has an extensive background in landscaping and tree management, and has overseen the design and installation of various stormwater capture and infiltration techniques from rain gardens to green roofs. In 2017 with the help of many community partners Fritz helped launch Lancaster Water Week an effort to connect more people with the amazing natural resources, streams and rivers of Lancaster County. In 2018 he accepted a new role at the Conservancy leading a department and team called Community Impact that focuses on community engagement, education, communications and development.
Prior to joining the Lancaster Conservancy, Fritz was the Director of Economic Development for the East King Improvement District, a job that included bringing the Historic Eastern Market building back to life as a seasonal farmers market, serving diverse communities in Downtown Lancaster. Fritz has served in a leadership role with several initiatives including the Susquehanna Sustainable Business Network, Lancaster Buy Fresh Buy Local and the Lancaster County Conservation District Foundation. Fritz was born and raised in Lancaster County where he graduated from McCaskey High School, he now lives in Manor Township, with his wife Mary and son Ezra. He received his B.A. from The College of Wooster in Ohio.
Clockwise: Rob Gallagher, Table Talk; President Ben; John Saeger, music; David Drain, invocation; Althea Ramsay Carrigan, Joys & Concerns; Nick Downey, Foundation; Kaitlyn Blosser, Rendezvous; Tom Gemmill, introduction; Steve Knaub, speaker. Patriotic song was Star Spangled Banner.
–=]|[=–
Breaking news: There will be an option for free pickup at the Farm & Home Center.
–=]|[=–
Announcements
Strawberry Roundup Wrap Up
At the Rotary Club of Lancaster’s 54th annual 4-H Strawberry Roundup on June 2, Leah Brenneman of Manheim, left, was awarded Grand Champion for her strawberries, which sold for $750. Reserve Champion Gabrielle Anger, right, of Marietta, sold her strawberries for $375.
-- Rural/Urban Committee
–=]|[=–
Rotary Rendezvous on June 23
The next Rotary Rendezvous on June 23 will be at The Cats Meow, 215 S Charlotte St, in Manheim. It will start between 5:00 pm.
Tom Baum, Kaitlyn Blosser and the Rotary Rendezvous Committee
–=]|[=–
Returning to Physical Meetings at the Farm & Home Center June 30. Please RSVP!
Fellow Rotarians,
President Ben announced that the first meeting back at the Farm & Home Center will be June 30. Please RSVP to Kathy if you are coming. More details will follow as we get closer to that date.
–=]|[=–
Rotary Foundation
Rotary has taken a leadership role for several decades to eradicate polio worldwide. That long term commitment is proof that Rotarians stick to the job until we’re satisfied the job is done.
Each year, members of the Rotary Club of Lancaster send in contributions in May and June to try and meet our annual goal of $30,000. Right now, we’re about half way to meeting that goal. You can do your part by contributing to either Polio Plus, the International Rotary Foundation’s annual fund, or make a legacy gift to the Rotary Club of Lancaster’s Foundation (a 501.c.3).
To support the International Rotary Foundation, please send your check payable to “Rotary Club of Lancaster”. Note you want it to go to the International Rotary Foundation in the check memo. Send check to:
Rotary Club of Lancaster
PO Box 1387
Lancaster, PA 17604
Attention Kathy Hainley
To support the Rotary Club of Lancaster Endowment, a 501.c3, send your check payable to “Lancaster County Community Foundation.” Indicate it’s for the Rotary Club of Lancaster in the check memo. Send check to:
Lancaster County Community Foundation
24 West King Street
Suite 201
Lancaster, PA 17603
You can also check your Rotary International Foundation account by going to www.myrotary.org sign in, then go to “The Rotary Foundation” and “Foundation Reports”. On the left side, you will find information about the Lancaster Club and below that you can enter “Go To Profile” to get your information. This access to your account is also a convenient way to make a contribution using a credit card or Pay Pal. Simply follow the instructions in the “Give Online” section of your report.
Thank You for contributing to the work of the Rotary Foundation!
Nick Downey,
Rotary Foundation Committee
–=]|[=–
New Program Ideas Wanted
Tom Gemmill can use recommendations for new programs. If you have any ideas, please contact Tom at tomgemmill.tg@gmail.com. The programs we have are truly phenomenal. Kudos to Tom for such great programs and for all of the effort he puts into tracking down and scheduling these speakers and getting their programs summaries and bios. Great job Tom!
–=]|[=–
Wheels and Wings Coming July 24!
Our 2021 Wheels and Wings Festival & 5K will be held Saturday, July 24, at Lancaster Airport. It starts with a 5K run through Brethren Village at 7:30 am. The car show and fly-in will run from 9 am to 2 pm. We’ve confirmed that we’ll have a Southern Airways Express plane on display along with the Liberty Warbirds’ Huey helicopter, and we’ll be giving away (as door or raffle prizes) two round-trip tickets to all of Southern’s destinations from Lancaster: Washington-Dulles, Pittsburgh, and Nantucket!
Wheels and Wings is now our Club’s only major fundraiser. It provides the funding for the Summer Youth Experience and all of our local and global service projects. So far we have $6,000 in sponsorship commitments. All Club members are asked to help in two ways: 1) Become a sponsor or ask your business contacts and friends to do so. Donations to the event can be made online at www.lancasterrotary.org/donate/. Contact Jamie Alton at jalton141@comcast.net with any sponsorship questions. 2) Plan to volunteer the day of the event. We’ll need all hands on deck! More details on volunteer opportunities will be forthcoming closer to the big day.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me or Stephen Dietrich. We hope to see everyone at Lancaster Airport on July 24.
Thank you,
Jamie Alton
Wheels and Wings Committee
–=]|[=–
Thanks to all who have paid their dues!
Kathy sent out our dues invoices on December 31, 2020. As usual, make your check payable to Rotary Club of Lancaster and mail to
Rotary Club of Lancaster
P O Box 1387
Lancaster, PA 17608
–=]|[=–
Amazon Smile Contributes to Rotary Club of Lancaster
Remember when shopping on line that Amazon donates to Rotary Club of Lancaster Foundation. Shop for great deals at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-3053966. There is no additional cost to you. You Shop! Amazon Gives!
–=]|[=–
Joys & Concerns
Joy: Sam Mecum is honored to present Rotary Past President Bob Minney (2001-2) for induction into the J. P. McCaskey Athletic Hall of Fame at the Friday, October 22nd football game between McCaskey and Manheim Township.
Joy: Stephen Gunzenhauser shot a hole-in-one at Meadia Heights GC on Tuesday.
All Rotarians – especially committee chairs – are encouraged to help keep our new Club Calendar full and updated with the great things that our Club is doing in the community. Please submit any items you would like added to Kathy by e-mailing her atRotaryClubofLancaster@gmail.com. Examples include the schedule of McCaskey Mentoring Sessions, Committee Meetings, Power Packs or Salvation Army Bell Ringing. If it’s happening, let’s get it on the Calendar for all to see! Your help will keep us all updated with what’s going on within the Club AND will showcase our very active Club to the Lancaster Community and to prospective members. The Club Calendar is available atwww.LancasterRotary.org
Fellow Rotarians,
.jpg)
