President’s Message for April 23, 2015
On April 16, David Owen of the Kutztown Rotary Club gave us the rundown on the Potato Project. This multi-year commitment to donate potatoes and other produce to the food banks in Berks and surrounding counties started with one man’s inspiration to turn a lawn into a tiny farm. With some old farm equipment and a lot of effort, the donations in the first few years were small, but appreciated, i.e. several thousand pounds of potatoes. They accumulated more loaned land for crops, acquired more and better equipment, and now donate 150,000 -200,000 pounds of potatoes, carrots and other crops. They are now growing feed corn as a cash crop to help buy seed and cover operating costs as they push towards project sustainability. These harvests do not happen without a lot of labor, so Kutztown Rotary organizes their club, the Kutztown University Rotaract, other service clubs and the general community to plant, tend and harvest the crops. If you are interested in learning more about the project, donating or volunteering, contact the Kutztown Rotary Club via their website.
We were visited by John Oesman again. Look for Dee and Jess Elliott’s guests as part of the “Prospective Member Challenge". Please consider your acquaintances and pick one or two to introduce to Rotary. Guests are always welcome.
This week’s program (4/23) features Sharon Fontana giving her “This Is Your Life” classification talk. We are looking forward to hearing more about our Vice President's prior Rotary experiences, her banking career and her family.
Add these upcoming club events to your calendar. See the MSR website for additional information:
- MSR Spaghetti Dinner: Only two weeks away on Friday May 1 at East Hills Moravian Church. See Val Walk to sign up for table sponsorships, desserts or gift baskets for the raffle. We also need volunteers for a variety of jobs and the signup sheet is circulating at our weekly meeting.
- Golf Tournament: June 1, 2015 to benefit the Bridges Foundation. We need hole sponsors, foursomes of golfers, raffle donations and volunteers.
- 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 takes place this weekend April 24 – 26 in Gettysburg. Morning Star will be represented by President Elect Ron Searfoss, Immediate Past President Jean Searfoss, Conference Treasurer Tom Hartzell, District Exchange Student Committee Member John St. Clair, Conference Registrar Marianne Aronson and husband Steve, and our Exchange Student Annika. (President Tom cannot attend as he and Janet will be with former MSR members McGehee and Betty Isaacs at their eldest son’s wedding in NYC.)
- 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. Signups will be circulated after District Conference.
- 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.
With April winding down and only May and June left in this Rotary year, please do your part to meet our 2014-2015 initiatives – “Every Member Brings 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
