Jul 21 President's Message

President's Message July 21

Our July 17 meeting was filled with fun and fellowship - celebrations of all sorts in mid-July.

Celebrating the newest in our midst - Jeff Kicska and wife Mary Postma formally introduced us to the youngest member of our Morning Star Rotary (MSR) family - Master Andrew Kicska!  The Kicskas are just one month into Project Andrew, but already both Mother Mary and Daddy Jeff are in the parenting groove. We look forward to watching Andrew grow up with MSR - like so many of our sons and daughters have done before.

Celebrating a "Rotary retirement", Assistant Governor (AG) Janet Kolepp presented Outgoing AG Marianne Aronson with a gift in commemoration of Marianne's several years of AG service to the District. Marianne's service was unique because she served as AG in two different Areas within District 7430. We look forward to having all of Marianne's experience right here in Morning Star. It was also fitting that Marianne received her recognition while her sister, Terry Pucciarelli was visiting for the second week in a row from Arizona.

Celebrating Morning Star birthdays, the loquacious Mr. Tom Mohr led the recognition of June and July birthdays, awarding a "Fossil of the Month" to John St. Clair and a "Young Pup of the Month" to Jan Chicka.

Celebrating a long awaited "Red Badge, Blue Badge, Avoid Dead Badge” classification talk, Steve Bajan gave a very informative presentation - a perfect combination of family history and his personal story. And what a story from the Nazareth-centric guy with a super work ethic who has traveled to five continents. Football star. His great migration to Muhlenberg College. Bank CFO. Telecom servicer. Happily married to Janis for 30 years (and celebrating on island of St. John's). Father of two grown college grads. We are glad that he wanders south every day to work at Saucon Mutual and that he is a member here at MSR.

Three Morning Star footnotes to Steve's presentation:

• Steve is possibly the longest tenured red badge holder in MSR history - almost two years from induction on August 23, 2012 to classification talk. This is a record that should never be broken!
• Steve was introduced by one of Thursday's birthday laureates - Dee Elliott. Dee assisted Steve in assembling his multi-media presentation and served as his official "Vana White-style slide advancer." This is an MSR first and may have established a new standard in classification presentation protocol.
• Steve "built goodwill and better friendships" by including a newspaper clipping with an image of both him and Barbara Seifert-Sigmon before Barb had a hyphen in her last name.

Looking forward to another celebration, please note on your calendar the August 12 "Libations at the Library" Wine Tasting Social and Prospective Member event at the BAPL. This is being hosted by the Fellowship Committee and is the perfect opportunity for "every member to bring a prospective member". (See details below.)

If 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.

Enjoy your week as you live out the Four Way Test and "Light up Rotary". Cheers and blessings. President Tom