President’s Message for May 7, 2015
Annika, our beloved 2014 – 2015 exchange student from Finland, took the podium on April 30 to provide her “Year in America” update. Annika was engaging and informative as she contrasted life in Helsinki, with a population similar to the Lehigh Valley, with her US experience. In Finland, Annika lives in a small suburban town and takes the train to her city-center high school with 600 students; whereas in Bethlehem she takes the school bus (or currently walks from the Baker’s) to Liberty HS with 3,000 others. She especially enjoyed her US travels – NYC, DFW, South Carolina, New England, Philly and Washington, DC. She made lots of friends (as confirmed by Cheryl Baker’s Happy Dollar) and emphasized that friends and host families are the keys to surviving the trials of an exchange year, including culture shock and home sickness. Her command of English is exemplary which she demonstrated by her quick come backs to hecklers, including her Exchange Counselor John St. Clair. She thanked the club for hosting her, especially her host families the Kolepps, Mohrs and Bakers.
In so many ways, Annika has been an ideal Rotary exchange student and reaffirms why Morning Star has been a long time participant in both the inbound and outbound exchange programs. More than one MSR’ian has jested with me about keeping Annika here for another year or two. Cheryl Baker would like her around as Moriah transitions to high school, plus the Levetska-Shanadruk’s and the Kicska’s are looking for trustworthy babysitters!
It seems that everyone wanted to hear Annika. We had a great Rotarian turnout and a bevy of guests.
- Annika’s exchange student brother (and former MSR exchange student) Carl Kolepp attended to support her.
- Dee Elliott completed her “Prospective Member Challenge” by bringing Matt Berry.
- Karen Haddigan, guest of Eileen Dunn, announced at Happy Dollar time that she is a prospective member. Yeah!
- Bernie Gardener, guest of Ellen Roberts, attended for the second time this month; Ellen announced that Bernie is a prospective member. Yeah squared!
Friday night May 1 was our Annual MSR Spaghetti Dinner. It was a smashing success and everyone raved about the excellent food and outstanding service. Successful events result from great leadership, so our deep thanks to Val Walk who pulls this dinner together every year. Special thanks to the “Chief Gravy Makers” Butch Macri, Tom Bailey, Jim Santanasto and all the food workers – you can’t run a one night restaurant without a great kitchen staff. Thanks to Jean Searfoss for organizing the servers and to all the Victory House volunteers who helped with setup, dish washing and clean up. We also appreciate our MSR family volunteers like Wyatt Achey, Abby Burnett and Alexander Schafer, as well as former members like Jim Vitale. Finally, these events don’t work unless all members play their parts as workers, sponsors, dessert bringers, raffle basket makers and ticket sellers – so thanks to all MSR’ians for your support (and please get your ticket money to Val or Sue Reeps asap). REMINDER: We need “all hands on deck” again throughout May to make our June 1 BRC-BMSRC Golf Tournament a success. See the calendar section below for how you can participate.
“Attention. Attention. Clean up in Aisle 3!” From the true Presidential confessions department: I will pay up at the May 7 meeting for the service faux pas perpetrated upon Sue Reeps at the Spaghetti Dinner. While serving Sue coffee, I spilled a second cup intended for another guest all over Sue’s back. What a mess I made! Luckily, Sue was not hurt. She was a good sport about my incompetence and even complimented me for the fervor of both my apologies and cleanup attempts. My server’s license has been revoked and there is a distinct possibility that I will be banned from any future MSR activity involving drinks – which could be grounds for impeachment.
In May, the Foundation Committee will be soliciting everyone’s Rotary Foundation contributions to qualify Morning Star as an EREY Club for the first time. If you have not already given, please get your Foundation contribution into Tom Hartzell by May 21 so that he can assure proper credit to both you and the club for our “Every Member Every Year” achievement. If you are not a “$2 a Week” participant or have not already contributed otherwise for 2014-15, then the Foundation Committee will be contacting you.
Janet Sipple and Mike Long volunteered for May’s “Prospective Member Challenge”. Join them and make the commitment to introduce one or two acquaintances to Rotary and share our “Service Above Self” ideals. Guests are always welcome.
This week’s program (5/7/15) features Paula Ream, the Executive Director of the Cancer Support Community. She will tell us about their current work and inform us how they have put their MSR Community Development Grant to work. The next week, on May 14, Todd Heft will be Classification Talking about his life and career in marketing.
Be sure these club events are on your calendar. See the MSR website for additional information:
- Golf Tournament: This is only one month away on June 1, 2015 to benefit the Bridges Foundation. We need gift certificates, hole sponsors, foursomes of golfers, raffle board donations and volunteers.
- Celtic Classic 5K / 10K Race: Saturday September 26, 2015.
Here are District events of interest with full details and registration information on the District 7430 website.
- District 7430 Training Assembly: REGISTER NOW Mail Registration by May 7. Saturday May 16 starting 7:30 AM at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell. This is only two weeks away. All MSR’ians are encouraged to attend. Registration fees will be reimbursed by MSR after attending. Contact President Tom or PE Ron for ride signups.
- 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.
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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