Rotary Club of Greensburg

A Flash from the Past

Rotary Flashes of 12-18-2001
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 72, No. 25……………………………………………………..December 18, 2001

Inside This Issue
Wise and Otherwise
Next Meeting’s Program Listing
Our Weekly Meeting and Birthday listings
The Rotary Minute

WISE AND OTHERWISE
"If your outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall."

Dick McNeel gave the invocation this afternoon. "Dear Lord, at a time such as this, it is the prayer of our Nation that You would protect us from those who would do us harm. Show all people who call upon You as Lord, that world peace is the only lasting solution. Provide Rotary a way to be a forum for the nations to solve their problems through cooperation and toleration. Amen."

Ken Rutter gave the eulogy for Joe Mitinger……….
He was a very interesting man, a man who seemed to know everyone who he passed on Main Street…..and everyone seemed to know him too. What a guy! Captain of the football team for Yale University, a former President of this Rotary Club, a faithful member who did his part to spread the ideals of Rotary. He had been in the military, volunteered to help with the United Way and was an officer of the YMCA. He was artistic…he played the piano beautifully. He loved Greensburg. He stayed here even though he could have gone and succeeded elsewhere…this was his home. We are all glad that Joe passed our way.

Sergeant At Arms, Jerry Supko, reported that we had no visiting Rotarians, guests included Lisa Vari who was a guest of John Hanna and Donna Pacelli was a guest of Cesare Muccari. Our student guests were: Kacey Bryne-Houser from Greensburg Central Catholic, Ariana Shah from Hempfield, and Liz Sachorer and Haley Saba from Greensburg Salem. Thanks to our drivers, Jim Steeley, Jim Harrold and Jack Waite.

MAKE-UPS - Pradeep Kumar attended the Murrysville Export Club, Debara Hepler attended the Rotary Club of Norwin, Elinore McMahan attended the Hempfield Township Club (twice), Bobbi Stemmler Guest attended the Rotary Club of Ocala, Florida and John Sproull attended (twice) a Service Club Meeting while sailing aboard the Holland America.

TODAY'S ATTENDANCE 59. This included 52 members, 2 guests of members, our speaker and 4 high school students.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

THE ROTARY AFTER SCHOOL PROJECT (RAP) could use some of the following items to help with their activities: Craft supplies, craft kits, glue, construction paper, games (new and used), books for students grades 1-5 (new or used), copy paper, lined notebook paper, pencils and erasers.
If you can donate any of the above items please contact Jack Waite at 724-837-1630 or email at jack@wfbsa.org

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY POPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS - The bus will leave from the Greengate Mall parking lot at 6:00 p.m. sharp on Friday, December 21st.

THE ROTARY MINUTE
RECREATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS
From stamp collecting to ballroom dancing, the hobbies of Rotarians are as diverse as the membership itself. Yet, among the more than one million Rotarians worldwide, an amateur-radio enthusiast or a chess player is bound to find others who share the same passions. But Recreational Fellowship members share more than just their common interest in sport diving or Esperanto; they share an interest in fellowship and service and in promoting world understanding. As such, it's no wonder that the International Skiing Fellowship of Rotarians donates the profits from ski events to The Rotary Foundation or that the Flying Rotarians help ferry medical personnel and supplies.
One only has to look at the types of Vocational Fellowships to recognize how they differ from their recreational counterparts. With Rotarians united by their shared professional interest in such fields as Arts and Communication and Finance/Banking, it's obvious that Vocational Service is as important a concern as international fellowship to the members of these groups. Members exchange technical information and seek opportunities to employ their expertise in service not just to their own communities and countries, but to their professions as well. For example, the Ophthalmology International Vocational Fellowship organized a professional seminar on the subject of eye surgery in developing countries. More information can be found online at http://www.rotary.org/programs/rrvf/index.html

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: There will be no meeting on December 25th or January 1st. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Our next meeting will be on January 8, 2002 at the WESTMORELAND COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE. Our speaker will be Reverend J. Fromm, Westmoreland County Shelter Project.

Rich Rosky hosted the Birthday Table today, wishing all the December born members a Happy Birthday, citing historical events that happened on the day of their birth. We sang and enjoyed a great cake.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING

Our speaker today was Bruce Hotchkiss, Executive Director of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Laurel Region. His group deals with kids of single family households where lives are changed when loneliness is removed and additional care and love is introduced to a kid. Relationships and grades are improved. There is a Community Based program. There is the Club of Unmatched Littles, where the "littles" are matched with the "bigs". They normally meet about twice a month. Activities normally include shopping, fishing, sports, etc. Over 70 kids were involved in the group this year. There are also site-based programs. The After School Program is where high school students volunteer to come and tutor younger kids. The Lunch Buddies group involves children of the 2nd and 3rd grade levels. Volunteers come to visit at lunchtime and then talk or play games. There is an Emergency Youth Shelter. Delinquents and wards of the county, ages 7 to 8 and up to high school age, are served by volunteers who take time to attempt to help these troubled children and youths. They need someone in their lives to be caring, to provide additional love and provide a higher degree of normalcy than before. A recent study has shown that very favorable results, such as being less likely to use drugs and alcohol and also be less likely to be violent, occur when the "littles" and the "bigs" build that needed bond. Bruce said that while money is always needed in a non-profit organization, "We need more adults that care." Want to help? It was mentioned that currently there are 37 boys in Westmoreland County waiting for a match at the present time. Contact Big Brothers and Big Sisters at 724-837-6198.

THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS:
Bill Rudolph……………December 4th
Cathy Daversa………….December 12th
John Sproull, Jr………..December 12th
Pradeep Kumar………..December 12th
Will Brown…………….December 15th
Morrie Brand…………December 21st
Jack Moldovan……….December 25th
Bill Ovitsky……………December 25th
Nelson Mayer……...….December 27th
Bob Bloom……………December 29th

MONDAY
New Stanton/Youngwood…12:00……......Community College
Norwin……………………...12:00……..Chesterfield Restaurant
Jeannette……………………..6:00PM…DeNunzio’s Restaurant
Mountain View………….…..6:15PM…….……...Mt. View Inn

TUESDAY
West Newton ………………12:00………...Presbyterian Church
Mt. Pleasant………………....12:05……………...……Leo's Pub
Blairsville………………….….6:00PM…......Chestnut Ridge Inn
Ligonier…………………..…..6:15PM…....….Conference Center

WEDNESDAY
Latrobe……………………...12:10………….………Elks Club
Pittsburgh…………………...12:00…..…...Hotel William Penn
Murrysville-Export…………...6:45PM………..…..Lamplighter

THURSDAY
Delmont-Salem………………7:00AM……..Touch of Country
Hempfield …………...7:30AM.. University of Pittsburgh/Gbg)
Connellsville………………....12:00………..Highlands Hospital
Scottdale……………………..12:00………...…Broadway Bistro
Penn-Trafford……………..…6:30PM…..…..….....Norwin Elks
Belle Vernon…………….…...6:30PM…..Cedarbrook Golf Club

FRIDAY
Monongahela…………….…12:05…….……Step II Restaurant
Somerset…………………....12:15……..Somerset Country Club
………………….SERVICE ABOVE SELF…………………..

Rotary Flashes of 12-11-2001
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 72, No. 24……………………………………………………..December 11, 2001

Inside This Issue
Wise and Otherwise
Next Meeting’s Program Listing
Our Weekly Meeting and Birthday listings

WISE AND OTHERWISE
"Every man's life is a fairytale written by God's fingers" (Hans Andersen)

"No Santa Claus! Thank God, he lives and he lives forever……a thousand years from now, Virginia." (Frances Church)

"Let's dance and sing and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year." (MacFarren)

Dr. Rutter gave the invocation this evening. "How glorious the unfolding days." We celebrate the birth of a child, full of love and goodness, a Son born in a stable, who would change the world. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

MAKE-UPS - None reported.

TODAY'S ATTENDANCE was large.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

AWARD WINNING - The American Heart Association's "Heart of Westmoreland Award". Michele Bononi announced that our Club and other clubs in the surrounding area were jointly given this award for our annual Health Screening Projects, which have helped people to be tested and informed if they should seek medical assistance or advice from results of their tests. This is another example of Rotary serving the needs of the community. Thanks to Mary Clymer for nominating us. The award will be presented to the local Rotary Clubs at the American Heart Association Gala at the Greensburg Country Club on February 16, 2002.

James "Jeff" Malloy was nominated and approved by the Board of Directors to assume the position of Vice President at the start of the next Rotary year, July 1, 2002. His term as president would be 2004-2005.

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY POPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS - The bus will leave from the Greengate Mall parking lot at 6:00 p.m. sharp on Friday, December 21st.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: Our speaker will be Bruce Hotchkiss, Executive Director of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Laurel Region.
Also, we will have our Birthday Table presentation. This due to the fact that this will be our last meeting in December.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING

It was a night of great fellowship, food, and holiday spirit as we joined together for our Annual Holiday Party. There were 133 in attendance at the Mt. View Inn. It was noted that this is the largest number of attendees in probably the last 20 years. We were happy to have members of the Mountainview Club share in the festivities. President Jim Annas and his wife Peg led their group. We had the pleasure of having 3 foreign exchange students join us. The Greensburg Central Catholic Madrigal Choir provided entertainment. President Chuck presented a Paul Harris Fellow recognition to his wife Lyn Strobel. Chuck told us that Lyn "has worn many hats" during their years together…mother, teacher's aid, Girl Scout leader, assistant to the business and host of 5 exchange students over the years. The next PHF recognition was presented to Ken Bacha by his friend Bill Rudolph. Ken is a Life Member of the Greensburg VFD, a member of RIT (Rapid Intervention Team), former volunteer at Mutual Aid Ambulance, helps run the family funeral home business and has been elected to be Westmoreland County's Coroner.
Last year's recipient, Cathy Daversa, presented the Rotarian of the Year Award to Tom Hower.
Tom has been a member of the Club since 1968. He is a 2nd generation Rotarian. His father was a Past President of our Club. Tom has been a faithful attendee of weekly meetings and a volunteer when help is needed on our Club's projects. He is a 5-time recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow. Tom has opened up his residence and fishing pond for the past 15 years to provide clients of the ARC with a great day of fishing and a wonderful picnic. He donates his time to the Greensburg Golden Lions Football Team. He is truly a fine Rotarian. Congratulations, well deserved!

Many thanks to President-Elect Ed Nemanic and Camille for their time and efforts in arranging a very special night for all.

Rotary Flashes of 12-04-2001
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 72, No. 23……………………………………………………..December 4, 2001

Inside This Issue
Wise and Otherwise
Next Meeting’s Program Listing
Our Weekly Meeting and Birthday listings
The Rotary Minute

WISE AND OTHERWISE
Nothing is impossible for the person who doesn't have to do it.

Real friends are those who, when you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel that you've done a permanent job.

The invocation was given today by Jack Waite.

Sergeant At Arms, Jerry Supko, reported that we had 1 Visiting Rotarian, Doug Komandt from the Delmont-Salem Club. We had 4 guests of members - Chris Rizk was a guest of Cesare Muccari, Dr. Stu Thompson was a guest of Jeff Malloy and Jannette Hower and Michael Hutchinson were guests of Tom Hower. We had 3 students visit with us today. Students were: Anna Kucenic and Brian Sticca from Greensburg Salem and Ross Magnuson from Hempfield. Thanks to our drivers, Bob Wilson and Rick Nedley.

MAKE-UPS - Joe Cameron and Dan Krezenski attended the Youngwood/New Stanton Club and Bobbi Stemmler-Guest attended the Rotary Club of New Braunfels, Texas.

TODAY'S ATTENDANCE was 70. This included 61 members, 1 visiting Rotarian, 4 guests of members, our speaker and 3 students.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

THERE WILL BE NO NOON MEETING ON DECEMBER 11TH. The Annual Holiday Party will be held at the Mt. View Inn beginning at 6:00 p.m.

A HOLIDAY LUNCHEON FOR THE BENEFIT OF CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL will be held next Tuesday at noon at the Howard Hanna Company offices on East Pittsburgh Street in Greensburg. The donation is $5 and Dick McNeel assures you that you will not leave hungry.

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY POPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS - All the seats are gone. The bus will leave from the Greengate Mall parking lot at 6:00 p.m. sharp on Friday, December 21st.

Cesare Muccari told us of the recent article in the Chicago Tribune entitled "The Rotary Factor". The article was sent to all members with email addresses and Cesare had copies at the meeting for those who did not have Internet access.

THE ROTARY MINUTE - (presented by Katy Doran)
The first Rotary International Youth Exchange was initiated by the Rotary Club of Copenhagen program in 1929 and, with exception of the WW II years, has provided thousands of youth between the ages of 15 1/2 and 18 1/2 opportunities to meet people of other lands, experience their cultures and plant seeds for a lifetime of international understanding. More than 7,000 Youth Exchanges take place each year involving every continent and approximately 80 countries. The first exchanges in the US began in 1939 between clubs in California and Latin America, spreading to the East Coast in 1958.
Based on the concept that the most powerful force in the promotion of international understanding and peace is exposure to different cultures, Youth Exchange has successfully met the following goals:
To further international goodwill and understanding.
To enable students to advance their education by way of the challenges of a secondary educational environment different from their own.
To broaden the outlook of students by living with people of different cultures, creeds and colors in totally new and different cultural environments.
To act as ambassadors, sharing knowledge about their home countries with Rotary Clubs, community organizations and schools.
To study and observe all facets of life and culture in their host country, returning home to pass on that knowledge to family, friends, Rotary Clubs and their communities.

NEXT WEEK'S MEETING: Our annual Holiday Party at the Mt. View Inn beginning at 6:00 p.m.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING

Our Program Chairwoman Bobbi Watt-Geer, presented today's speaker, Kathleen A. Helling, Director and Staff Attorney for Charitable Gift Planning of the United Way of Allegheny County. It is a fact that 65% of us do not have wills or have not done Estate Planning. Why is estate planning important? A good estate plan will direct and instruct how people are to be cared for after your death. Estate planning is not just for the very wealthy but it can help to avoid taxes to a certain degree and also family conflicts. To start estate planning, one must review all the important documents (Wills, Trusts, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Pre and Post-Nuptial Agreements and any business documents, such as partnerships). Secondly, one must list all of their property (bank accounts, mutual funds, investments, real estate, home, vacation home, retirement funds, etc) and their estimated value. When making a Will, it is helpful to supply the current addresses and phone numbers of those included in the Will. It is also safest to mention anyone by name who has been disinherited or not included in the Will so that someone can't contest the Will saving that they were "forgotten". If someone dies "intestate" (without a Will), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not take all of the Estate, rather the Commonwealth dictates how the Estate is to be distributed. The Commonwealth can recognize your heirs as far down as the children of your first cousin.
One is to never change a Will that has been witnessed and signed (do not scratch any item out or change anything, even if you initial the document). The best procedure is to have a new Will drawn up reflecting the changes that you want to make. A Durable Power of Attorney gives someone the power to act as your agent. In fact, under a Durable Power of Attorney, anything that you can do, they can do. A Durable Power of Attorney can be revoked at any time by the grantor. Trusts can be an important part of the Estate Plan and can also help to control the taxes on your estate.

(Many thanks to Mark Barnhart for recording the information to appear in this week's FLASHES)