Pompton Lakes Rotary Club
2002-2003
DG PETER LEFKOWITZ, ESQ. Pompton Lakes Rotary Club
Governor Peter's year is the last year to be listed in our History Book, which will be published this year, 2004. "Sow the Seeds of Love" was the theme for this year of Rotary by International President, Bhichai Rattakul from Bangkok, Thailand.
The Rotary International Convention for this year was held in Brisbane, Australia. This was a long trip for Americans living on the east coast of the United States, however the distance to Australia and the size of the world in general all appeared to grow smaller this year with the start of the war in Iraq. This event emphasized the realization that the problems of anyone area of the world are becoming each year more the problems of the entire world.
Governor Peter had as his key staff members, Dennis Miskewicz as his Chief of Staff, Judy Montgomery as his Secretary, and Ray Hough as his Treasurer. PDG Honey Morgenstern served as his District Trainer, and Honey and her dad, PDG Jack Rosen served as the District travel coordinators for the District.
The District Conference was held in the very lively and active location of New Orleans, Louisiana, and was a Conference that was greatly enjoyed by the Rotarians and guests that attended the event.
Other activities for the year included the New Jersey Vocational Assembly held at Atlantic City, President's Night held at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, the Gift of Life Celebration held at the Venetian in Garfield, and a Regional PETS Conference held at the Pocmont Resort in Bushkill, Pennsylvania.
Support continued for the Walter Head Foundation, and also for the Rotary Foundation. Governor Peter and First Lady Donna added the motivation for supporting the Rotary Foundation, by being the largest major gift donors of our District. The Gift of Life program continued with the largest number of children served by the program in anyone year since the start of the program in our District in 1987.
Youth activities were also greatly supported in the District with a very active RYLA Conference, a youth exchange, and continued very active Interact and Rotaract programs. Also started this year was the beginning of a program for middle grade students.
A "Preserve Planet Earth" project for planting 5000 trees in the District was successfully held and chaired by Lois Marshall, who had a busy year serving also as the membership chairperson for the District and as an Assistant Governor.
Our District lost three of our most dedicated past District Governors this year, as PDG Bill Gates, PDG John Hartman, and PDG and PRill Carmine Torsiello on the last day of the Rotary year, passed away. As we mourn their loss, we move on with the consolation and the realization that Rotary is not just a movement of individuals in one generation, but rather it is a continuing movement worthy of moving from one generation to the next, as it "Sows the Seeds of Love".
Questions or looking for more information please contact district7490rotary@gmail.com
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