Aug 18 President's Message

President's Message August 18:

What a busy week: Libations at the Library, regular monthly Board Meeting, Annual Meeting of the Morning Star Charitable Organization, Club Assembly with a Twist during regular meeting time and Saturday's first production use of Morning Star Rotary's (MSR) new chip timing system.

Our "Libations at the Library Fellowship Event" held Tuesday August 12 was a wine tasting led by Tom Bailey followed by a program about the multiplicity of library programs available to all with a library card. Mr. Bailey's vintages included: Peccorino (Italy), Petite Sirah (Lodi), Albarino (Rias Baixas, Spain) and a very nice Pinot Noir. The library's on-line demonstration showed the breadth of the resources available remotely  including: downloadable music, foreign language learning, investor research, and easy e-books for beginning readers. Development Director Lisa Holzinger, Outreach Librarian Regina Kochmaruk and Library Director Josh Berk led us through a Bethlehem Area Public Library (BAPL) knowledge game with winners taking home prizes, including Rick and Molly Santee and Annika, our exchange student.

On Wednesday August 13, we held the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of our Board of Directors. Official business included filing the MSR Semi-Annual Report with RI for 60 members and the approval of our secretary and treasurer reports. Once a year, we hold a meeting of the club's charitable organization 501c3 to conduct official business. We use the 501c3 for all of our charitable fund raising and disbursement. Administratively, our club is on track to give our report to Governor Gary Fedorcha during his September 11 Official Visit.

At our Thursday August 14 meeting, Cheryl Baker led the invocation and celebrated the fellowship of Rotary while weaving in her news that Radio Disney is closing their stations and she is losing her job. (Let's rally around Cheryl through her job search.) The "Club Assembly with a Twist" was a fun way to jump start committees for the program year. There was a lot of energy in the room and everyone was charged up for Rotary service.

On Saturday August 15, the MSR 5K / 10K "Chip Timing Crew" volunteered to time the Palmer Community Days 5K with all proceeds benefiting the Miracle League of Northampton County. Under the leadership of our Race Director Jeff Kicska, Morning Star Rotarians Dee Elliott, Alex Schnadruk, Iryna Levytska, Robin Metzler and Tom Kolepp were joined by a young techie named Chris (who works with Robin) to successfully time the race. The new chip timing system performed like a charm. Thanks to Jeff and Robin for all their work ordering, assembling and tuning up the chip timing system. We are looking forward to the first MSR Celtic Classic 5K / 10K with chip timing run by our own club members!! (I think Jeff deserves a service champion award. He has a new baby and is race director of two races within six weeks of each other - wow! His wife Mary was also in charge of the food for the race. Let’s hear it for the Kicskas.)

If you have not already done so, please sign-up for the MOM-n-PA Mission on September 11, 12 or 13 and reserve the morning of Saturday September 27 to volunteer at the 5K / 10 K Race. These events need the active support of all members - there is a role for everyone to play. Bring your family and friends to the Race to help - it's a great way to introduce prospective new members to Morning Star.

Please attend our next meeting on August 21 when Ms. Cathy Heimsoth - the Executive Director of Traditions of Hanover - tells us about "Living A Vibrant Life." The program will be preceded by Tom Mohr acknowledging birthdays through August with the customary frivolity and chocolate.

If you are visiting or 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 "Light Up Rotary". Regards. President Tom