Rotary Club of Greensburg

A Flash from the Past

Rotary Flashes of 01-25-2005
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 76, No. 30……………………………………………..January 25, 2005

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

WISE AND OTHERWISE
”It is a great error to take oneself for more than one is, or for less than one is worth.” (Goethe)

”We always have time for the things we put first.”

TODAY’S INVOCATION was given by Chris Rizk.

SARGEANT AT ARMS REPORT – (John Mizikar) - We had one visiting Rotarian: Max House (Connellsville).

TODAY’S ATTENDANCE was 61: This included 57 members, 1 visiting Rotarian and 3 guests: Rebecca Moxley (Deb Hepler), Janet McNeel (Dick McNeel) and Joanna Chui (Michele Bononi).

MAKE-UPS: Bob Wilson visited the Rotary Club of Englewood, Florida (twice), Dick Chelsted attended the Rotary Club of Manning, SC and Chuck Strobel visited with the Rotary Club of Latrobe.

IMMEDIATE INPUT NEEDED
A District-wide “insert” is going to be placed in newspapers around the District to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Rotary. We are being asked to send a short description of one event in the history of our Club of which we are particularly proud. We must have our choice to the District by January 31st. Please call or see Pete Dochinez with your suggestion.

MEETING LOCATION CHANGE ON FEBRUARY 1
We will meet at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg in Smith Hall.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS.

SKI WEEKEND AT SEVEN SPRINGS – January 28, 29 and 30.

AN INVITATION TO JOIN WITH THE ROTARY CLUB OF LATROBE has been extended to us for an evening meeting on Wednesday, February 23rd. It will be held at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. The evening is a celebration of the 100th Year of Rotary. More details to follow.

HEALTH SCREENING DATES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED – Kevin Metsger advises that our two Saturdays will be April 9th and April 23rd. More details to follow.

”ROTARY STUDENT DETAILS TSUNAMI DISASTER” was an article that appeared in the Latrobe Bulletin on January 21st. Veronica, a Rotary Exchange Student from Germany, wrote a moving email that is being viewed around the world. A German Exchange student who is being hosted in Latrobe by the Rotary Club of Latrobe translated the email, written in German, to English. Veronica was on an exchange in Anghtong, Thailand when the disaster occurred. She explains that she was at first horrified by what she saw. She was then called to action by Rotary to help with the camps providing aid to the survivors. Even though the emotional stress is overwhelming, she is doing all she can to help, while wishing she could do even more. She closes her email by asking for prayers for those in need, and saying “ I have to go back now, bye, Veronica”.

UPCOMING FAMILY EVENTS
James Boggs is arranging two upcoming events to get our families together for fun events.
A Hockey Night in Johnstown – A bus trip to watch the Johnstown Chiefs play on March 12th. Other local Rotary clubs are being asked if they wish to attend with our group.
The Second Annual Bowling Afternoon at Main Bowl.
Date and time to be announced.

NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM – Major Frank Monaco of the Pennsylvania State Police will speak to us about New Policing Programs.

Pete Dochinez is looking for volunteers to help with the Senior PGA Open on May 23-29. This is a District-wide effort to secure 40 volunteers. Please contact Pete for details.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING’S PROGRAM

The program was Mini-autobiographies and the Birthday Table.

Pete Cecconi told us that he was born and raised in Blairsville. He graduated from a high school that had a graduating class of 98 students. He attended the architectural department at Penn State. He received his draft notice just six months after securing a job in Ohio. He spent several years in Germany where he took over a radio station during his service. He managed to see most of Europe during this time. He met his wife Jo Lane while she was attending college. He joined the group BRMW. He later moved on to Celli Flynn, which was a bigger firm. In 1970 he started his own practice. He enjoys working at something he loves and gives him great rewards. He and Jo Lane have been married nearly 43 years. They have seven children and nine grandchildren. He enjoys reading, oil painting, jogging and playing tennis. He and Jo Lane hope to travel more now that the “nest is empty”. Pete joined Rotary 29 years ago when Joe Jamison sponsored him.

Michele Bononi was asked by her husband Eric to give his mini-autobiography. Eric had a legal proceeding that he had to attend for a client and was not able to be with us today.
Eric was the oldest of three children. He was born and raised in Greensburg. His family moved to Hempfield Township and he attended the Hempfield Area High School where he was involved in hockey and football. He went off to attend Notre Dame with ideas in geology. His father steered him to accounting. Eric graduated in 1982 with an accounting major. He even attended a semester in England. He then attended law school. He worked for a time with his father and uncle. In 1987 he and Michele opened their own law firm. Eric is a CPA, Bankruptcy Trustee and an attorney. He is active with the Boy Scouts and United Way. He enjoys fly-fishing and is working to obtain his black belt in karate.

Paul Hochendoner hosted the Birthday Table to wish all 19 January Birthday Rotarians a Happy Birthday.

JANUARY’S BIRTHDAYS
Carl Rossman……….…….....January 3
Bill Courtney………..........…January 4
King Hartman………….…....January 5
Chris Rizk………………......January 9
Bill McGrath..………...….... January 12
Judy Ross……....…………...January 14
Gene James……….…………January 14
Scott Connor…..………...….January 14
Tyler Courtney………..…….January 16
Mike Brewer………………..January 17
Adib Barsoum……….……..January 18
Bill Mills……………….…..January 18
Chris DeDiana…………..…January 21
John Gustafson………...…January 22
Tom Jack-o-moe-wits (oh, close enough)………..January 24
Lois McFarlane………..….January 26
Jennings Womack………...January 28
Chuck Strobel………….....January 31
Paul Hochendoner…….…January 31

MONDAY
New Stanton/Youngwood…12:00………....Community College
Norwin……………………..12:00………...Banquets Unlimited
Jeannette…………………… 6:00PM…..DeNunzio’s Restaurant
Mountain View……………..6:15PM……………...Mt. View Inn
Rockwood………………….6:15PM……....Milford Grange Hall

TUESDAY
Ligonier……………………….7:00AM……………Casa Chapla
West Newton ………………..12:00….…..Presbyterian Church
Scottdale……………………..12:00……....Pleasant Valley C.C.
Mt. Pleasant………………….12:05………………..Elks Lodge
Blairsville…………………… 6:00PM….....Chestnut Ridge Inn

WEDNESDAY
Donegal/Laurel Highlands……7:30AM……Brady's Restaurant
Latrobe………………………12:10…………………Elks Club
Pittsburgh……………………12:00…..…...Hotel William Penn
Westmoreland…………………5:00……………….Baggey Knee
Murrysville-Export………...….6:45PM……..……..Lamplighter

THURSDAY
Delmont-Salem………………..7:00AM…….Touch of Country
Hempfield…..7:30AM….University of Pittsburgh @ Greensburg
Connellsville………………….12:00……….Highlands Hospital
Belle Vernon………………......6:30PM….Cedarbrook Golf Club

FRIDAY
Monongahela…………………12:05……..…Step II Restaurant
Somerset……………………...12:15…..Somerset Country Club
www.greensburgrotary.com
“Service Above Self”

Rotary Flashes of 01-11-2005
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 76, No. 29……………………………………………..January 18, 2005

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

WISE AND OTHERWISE
”He who finds no fault in himself needs a second opinion.”

”We all live under the same sky, but we all don’t have the same horizon.”

TODAY’S INVOCATION was given by Ed Nemanic.

SARGEANT AT ARMS REPORT – (John Mizikar) - We had one visiting Rotarian: Jim Bassett (Murrysville/Export). Maria also attended.

TODAY’S ATTENDANCE was 62: This included 58 members, 1 visiting Rotarian, our speaker and his assistant and our exchange student.

MAKE-UPS: Bill Taylor visited the Rotary Club of Murrysville/Export.

SKI WEEKEND AT SEVEN SPRINGS – Jeff Branthoover announced that the slopes were not in good enough condition to have the ski-weekend on January 7, 8 and 9. The dates have been moved to January 28, 29 and 30. Please see Jeff if you need more details or wish to be included on the reservation list.

NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM – Mini-autobiography and the Birthday Table.

Pete Dochinez is looking for volunteers to help with the Senior PGA Open on May 23-29. This is a District-wide effort to secure 40 volunteers. Please contact Pete for details.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
January 25 – Mini-autobiographies and the Birthday Table.
February 1 – We will meet at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Smith Hall.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING’S PROGRAM

The program was presented by Ray Brannon of Brannon Consultants who spoke on Internet Predators. He was a media specialist until 1975. He became a school council member and became alarmed as a parent and former educator with the crimes against children over the Internet. He reported that 62% of teens report that their parents know little or nothing about their web activities. Most parents stop monitoring the activity after the child turns 14 years old. Most Internet related missing children are 15 years of age or older. Chat Rooms, which are extremely popular with the youth, are where 1 in 5 children are sexually solicited. The Internet predators are extremely skillful in using IM (Instant Messenger) profiles (which are actually entered into the system by the youth themselves) to gain names, addresses, telephone numbers and other personal information. He showed us an example of how easy it is to track down the location of a potential victim within 45 minutes. He said that we as parents and grandparents must DEMAND TO SEE THE PROFILES THAT OUR CHILDREN HAVE CREATED IN THEIR IM ACCOUNTS and review “Buddy Lists”. They must be advised to report if a stranger attempts to contact them. Consider a filter and an ISP (Internet Service Provider) that monitors websites. The age that children are first exposed to pornography on the Internet is AGE 11. He advises us to talk with our kids, even though many parents want to deny that their children could be exposed to it, feel discomfort in talking to them about the subject, or feel that they lack sufficient computer knowledge to be able to have the discussion. A game “MISSING” is being used in Canadian schools to help with this problem of predators. The cost is $15.00. He says that it’s well worth it.
Another sad note, 500,000 kids had their identities stolen last year. They may not realize it for years.

FRIDAY
Monongahela…………………12:05……..…Step II Restaurant
Somerset……………………...12:15…..Somerset Country Club
www.greensburgrotary.com
“Service Above Self”

Rotary Flashes of 01-04-2005
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 76, No. 27……………………………………………..January 4, 2005

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

WISE AND OTHERWISE
”Remember to forget the troubles that are past – but never forget to remember the blessings that come each day.”

”When you are laboring for others let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself.” (Confucius)

TODAY’S INVOCATION was given by Chuck Strobel. Chuck asked that we remember those in Asia who are currently suffering. Let us live up to our Rotary mission of helping those in need.

SARGEANT AT ARMS REPORT – (John Mizikar) - We had two visiting Rotarians: Dave McNichol (Latrobe) and Paul Puleo (Hermitage). A guest of a member: Rick Dolneck (Chuck Strobel). Visiting students were: Brad Kauffman, Alison Benedetti and Kalissa Andre from Hempfield Area High School.

TODAY’S ATTENDANCE was 71: 65 members, 2 visiting Rotarians, 1 guest and 3 students.

MAKE-UPS: Erik Hallquist visited the Rotary Club of Sante Fe, New Mexico, Chuck Strobel at the New Stanton/Youngwood Club, Debra Hepler visited the Murrysville/Export Club and Dave Robinson also reported a make-up meeting.

SKI WEEKEND AT SEVEN SPRINGS – Jeff Branthoover announced that the slopes are not in good enough condition to have the ski-weekend on January 7, 8 and 9. The dates have been moved to January 28, 29 and 30. Please see Jeff if you need more details or wish to be included on the reservation list.

NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM – A Club Fellowship. We will tape a video that will be sent to Guy Davis letting him know that he is in our hearts and minds as he serves his Country abroad. Please make an attempt to be present at this meeting.

TSUNAMI RELIEF – While the Board of Directors will be discussing what we can do as a Club regarding this disaster, Gene James has advised us that we can individually donate to the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW, visiting their website at www.redcross.org, or by contacting the local chapter.

Pete Dochinez is looking for volunteers to help with the Senior PGA Open on May 23-29. This is a District-wide effort to secure 40 volunteers. Please contact Pete for details.

THE ROTARY CLUB OF GREENSBURG’S ROTARY CENTENNIAL PROJECT is a LED sign that will be installed on the bridge spanning East Pittsburgh Street. It will announce important information of non-profit events occurring in the area. The message center is being ordered so that it can be installed and operational by February. February 2005 marks the 100th anniversary of Rotary.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
January 18 – Ray Brannon of Brannon Consultants will speak on Internet Predators.
January 25 – Mini-autobiographies and the Birthday Table.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING’S PROGRAM

The program was presented by Tony Marino. Tony told us of outreach programs that are here in our community to positively change kids lives. A show entitled “Bang, Bang, You’re Dead” is geared to high school students showing how small events in a youth’s life could lead to violence in schools. It is part of a “Bullies Program” series stressing the need to make better choices and not to fall victim to acts of violence against others.
Another program, which strives to make youths into future leaders while exposing them to the arts, is the “Young Playwrights Festival”. There are two categories, one for youth 8-12 and another for youth 13-18 years old. The youth are given the opportunity to write plays that are judged with the final two from each group being produced in one-act plays by Stage Right. This gives kids an outlet to express themselves and build self-confidence in a very positive way.

FRIDAY
Monongahela…………………12:05……..…Step II Restaurant
Somerset……………………...12:15…..Somerset Country Club
www.greensburgrotary.com
“Service Above Self”