APR 2 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Posted by Tom Kolepp 
on Mar 31, 2015
 

President’s Message for April 2, 2015

Mary Ann Prezekurat, Executive Director of the Literacy Center, began her speech by reminding us that her first introduction to Rotary was as a resident of Ghana when she helped administer polio vaccine. She told us this same story during her 2014 visit and the reminder created an instant connection between Mary Ann and her audience. She gave an inspiring talk concerning the challenges of illiteracy and how The Literacy Center is equipping dedicated individuals to acquire English language skills. Her presentation included many pictures: successful graduates of Literacy Center classes; graduates working as class teachers; Storybook Theatre; and, various programs designed to promote literacy. Even immediate past Literacy Center Board President, Jim Santanasto scored a mug shot. Reminder: Morning Star supported their StoryBook Theater 2015 program with our Community Development Grant. If you would like to learn more about the Literacy Center, please visit their website at http://www.theliteracycenter-lv.org/.

Last week we not only welcomed our speaker, but also Carrie Oesmann and John Oesmann (guests of Janet Kolepp) and our Exchange Student Annika.

Please join us to support Kristian Schafer when he’ll be “classification talking” at our April 2 meeting. We’re billing his presentation as “The Life and Times of Kristian Schafer: A Morning Star Rotary Classification Extravaganza” because Kristian didn’t give us a better title. See you there!

The Morning Star Rotary 25th Anniversary Celebration was a blast last Saturday night!  About seventy Rotarians and guests enjoyed a great party. Many thanks to all who helped plan and host the event, especially our Celebration Chair Jan Chicka. Many others played key roles especially Charlotte Hartmann-Hansen for lending her photo albums and Ron and Jean Searfoss for turning Charlotte’s pictures into a wonderful slide show and Jeff Kicska for the wonderful signs. The food was good. The DJ was rockin’. The dance floor was shakin’ and special guests got a total immersion in our Morning Star culture, including:

  • District Governor Gary Fedorcha  and his wife Lynne
  • District Governor Elect Doug Cook and his wife Mary
  • District Governor Nominee Linda Young
  • Louise Tusak – Friend of Rotary representing Bethlehem Special Olympics
  • Past Presidents and Bethlehem Rotarians Diane Donaher and Gordon Sommers

Cheryl Baker delivered an inspiring invocation. DG Gary presented a letter from Rotary International President Gary C. K. Huang congratulating Morning Star on our quarter century as a Rotary Club. And, we almost had a speech free night until the incorrigible Tom Mohr crossed the line by talking more than two minutes.  All in, it was just the kind of evening we wanted. Jan, her committee and volunteers truly delivered.

Four Way Speech Contest Update: We will have two local contestants at the Regional Speech competition on Saturday April 11 at Lehigh Carbon Community College.

  • Abby Burnett (Freedom HS), daughter of our own Susan and husband Ron, will represent Morning Star.
  • Due to the virtual tie between the competitors, our second place winner, Blake McGill (Bethlehem Catholic HS), will be competing as representative of Bethlehem Rotary. Blake is the daughter of Jean and Kerry McGill.

It would be outstanding if MSR had a huge turnout to support them. If you are interested in attending, details are on the District 7430 website or see Ben Tenaglia or me.

Here are upcoming club events for your calendar. See the MSR website for additional information:

  • MSR Spaghetti Dinner: Friday May 1 at East Hills Moravian Church. Tickets distributed. See Val Walk for more!
  • Golf Tournament: June 1, 2015 at Silver Creek Country Club to benefit the Bridges Foundation. Brochures available for distribution to sponsors and golfers!
  • Celtic Classic 5K / 10K Race: Saturday September 26, 2015.

Here are District events of interest. More details are found on the District website.

  • District 7430 Conference: April 24 – 26 in Gettysburg
  • District Training Assembly: Saturday May 16 starting 7:30 AM at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell. MSR reimburses attendees and all MSR’ians are encouraged to attend.
  • Camp Neidig (RYLA) 2015: June 19 – 22 with closing ceremony & dinner on June 22
  • District Turnover Meeting and Dinner: June 29 at William Penn Inn in Gwynedd (Ambler), PA.
  • Rotary Leadership Institute: Saturday November 7, 2015 at the Radisson Hotel in King of Prussia. (Other dates are available at different locations.) MSR reimburses attendees and all MSR’ians are encouraged to attend.

Only April, May and June are left in this Rotary year, so please remember to do your part to meet our 2014-2015 initiatives – “Every Member Bring a Prospective Member” and our “Every Member Every Year” Rotary Foundation contribution.

If you are visiting Bethlehem or our website or you want to learn more about Bethlehem Morning Star or Rotary International, please contact Tom Kolepp via email at tkolepp@gmail.com or via mobile phone at 484-241-1251.

Let's continue to "Light Up Rotary". Regards. President Tom

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