FEB 11 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Posted by Tom Kolepp 
on Feb 11, 2015
 

President’s Message for February 12, 2015

At last week’s meeting (February 5), Ron Demkee of the Allentown Band and long-time MSR friend presented the Band’s Education Outreach program that MSR supported with a 2014-2015 Community Development Grant. There are two components of this outreach:

  • Annual Youth Concerts, designed especially for elementary and middle school students, which are offered to schools throughout the Lehigh Valley at no cost.
  • Side-by-Side Concerts where advanced high school students from seven counties participate in a public concert playing alongside members of the Allentown Band, performing a program of professional level music presented at Allentown's premier concert venue - Miller Symphony Hall. (Your President was glad to hear Ron speak with such enthusiasm about the Side-By-Sides, because our daughter Katie and other BASD students have participated in these concerts over the years. Below is a photo from Katie’s senior year in 2010. She’s the blonde LHS player by the tympani – as if a non-parent who was not at the concert could figure that out!)

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We are so thankful for Maestro Demkee’s support which has enabled us to build our Salute the Troops Concert into a successful annual fund raiser. We look forward to continuing this mutually beneficial relationship. We also thank Susan Hartney for leading the support for Salute the Troops from within the ranks of the band members.

Foundation Reminder: To meet our Rotary Foundation EREY goal, i.e. “Every Member Every Year” we need to ramp up our participation rate to 100%. This literally means any amount qualifies you as a donor – it does not need to be $100 or more. Besides giving “Two Dollars Per Week” at the sign in table, you can contribute cash or securities. Talk to Tom Hartzell (our Foundation Chairperson) with any questions.

Membership - Just a reminder: We need everyone’s help to recruit new members. Invite someone who you feel would be a great Rotarian to a February meeting. At the February 12 meeting we will hear from Dale Kochard, CEO of the Bridges Foundation. Come and hear about the work they do to support vocational service.

Make sure you put these club events on your calendar and see the MSR website for additional information:

  • MSR Bowling Night: schedule TBD in February or March by the Fellowship Committee
  • Four Way Speech Contest: Wednesday March 18 6PM at Bethlehem Town Hall. Speech contestants needed. If you have leads, contact Ben Tenaglia. This is only five weeks away.
  • MSR 25th Anniversary Celebration: Saturday March 28 in the evening. $45 per person at the Goosey Gander on 4th Street in South Bethlehem. Food. Dancing. Memories.
  • MSR Spaghetti Dinner: Friday May 1 at East Hills Moravian Church
  • Golf Tournament: June 1 at Silver Creek Country club

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

  • District Foundation Recognition Dinner: March 23 at the William Penn Inn
  • 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
  • Camp Neidig (RYLA) 2015: June 19 – 22 with closing ceremony & dinner on June 22

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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