Our speaker at our May 10^th meeting was Dr. Amy Korman, from the Penn State Extension based in Northampton County. The topic was the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF).

What is it? How did it get here? What is the impact? What homeowners can do? Statewide efforts for control?

 

The SLF is really a Fulgorid Planthopper, actually another illegal alien which has come to  PA via international commerce and taken a liking to trees in Berks County in 2014. The SLF has proven to be a serious threat to agriculture.

 

Dr. Korman sited some PA statistics which were shocking eyeopeners:

National rankings of some threatened PA commodities –

         Hardwoods: #1 exporter in USA

 

The life cycle finds the Fly laying egg masses in trees through the fall and depending on the weather this may continue through December. In spring, they hatch, pierce the bark and feed on the sap. Compounding the problem, they exude “honeydew” as they feed. The honeydew gets on everything and in addition to hurting trees, it has very negative impacts on outdoor household items, vehicles, campers, trailers, hard goods such as stone, tile and decorative materials, firewood, nursery stock and natural decorative materials.

Current efforts at control focus on public awareness and quarantines in key areas of infestation. This challenge is so new there has not been time for appropriate research to identify solutions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rotary District 7430 Training Assembly was conducted this past Saturday at DeSales University In addition to a session for AGs/PEs, there were sessions on Strategic Planning, Secretary/Treasurer Review, mix it up with membership, Branding, Marketing and Social Media. New Membership Initiatives were introduced along with the RI Theme – Be The Inspiration, District 7430 Goals for next year and requirements of the Governor Citation. Logan Ruyak, winner of the 4 Way Test Competition, gave an encore performance of her outstanding talk. Following lunch, Jeffry Cadorette, RI International Director Elect, Zones 24 & 32 gave an enthusiastic talk on “why Rotary”. The afternoon had an optional grant training session for clubs looking to expand their engagement with both District and Global grants.

 

There were nearly 80 Rotarians at the Assembly from all around the District. . Morning Star Rotary was very well represented with 8 of our MSR Rotarians participating in all areas. In attendance were Marianne Aronson, Tom Hartzell, Shawn Deiter, Janet, Tom & Carl Kolepp and Jean & Ron Searfoss.

 

We always look to encourage our members to get engaged in areas outside the regular club activities to experience how great and involved an organization you are a part of. Please feel free to ask any of the attendees for their perspectives on the District Assembly or the District Conference or Foundation Gala and other events outside ‘your Rotary box’!