Meeting Flash

Rotary FLASH of 07-24-2007
Our Rotary gathering had more of a natural feel today, as we gathered at the home of Dave Robinson. We had excellent weather, not too hot but the sun was shining. The food was excellent, and it was nice to be outdoors on that gorgeous day. Again many thanks to Dave and his family for their hospitality. (For those who were curious, Dave was indeed on time this week, which resulted in thunderous applause.)

Carl began the meeting as we repeated the Pledge of Allegiance, sang God Bless America, and heard our invocation read by Leia Shilobod. Mark Parker reported 46 attending Rotarians of our membership of 97. There were several guests, including Josh Cassel, the grandson of Jack Moldovan, Carl Rossman's wife Joyce, Ted Harrington's “oldest friend” his wife Mary, and Chuck Anderson's guest (also a prospective member) Bill Thorne. Ed Meadows tried unsuccessfully to announce Mary Clymer as his guest. To no one's surprise, Mark Barnhart still added a guest lunch to Ed's bill.

Mark Barnhart announced that two students from Greensburg, Kansas will be spending 8 days here in Greensburg, PA. They will be coming on August 5th, and the Rotary will be having a welcome picnic for anyone who would like to attend. They ask that everyone bring a covered dish and let Mark know if you'll be attending. It sounds like they have a full schedule for these students, so hopefully the picnic will start things off with a bang.

Mary Clymer had the Word of the Week for us. The word is ratiocination, meaning “the process of reasoning.” See if you can come up with a sentence for that one...some Rotarians lack the ratiocination to do so I'm afraid.

Mary also introduced a new weekly venture...the Riddle of the Week. See if you can figure it out.

Two thin ropes hang from the high ceiling of an empty room, just too far apart from each other to be grabbed with both hands at the same time. How can you tie a knot with both rope ends using only a pair of sharp scissors?

(And yes both ropes still need to be attached to the ceiling when you're done.) The answer to this riddle is at the bottom of this flash.

Today's speaker was Mike Langer from the Westmoreland Cultural Trust, one of our fellow Rotarians. Mike presented us with some interesting statistics, such as the fact that the Palace Theater left on its own would not survive. The Palace is not a business opportunity for the sake of simply making money. Rather, as a part of the Westmoreland Cultural Trust, its goal is to bring in fantastic entertainment to the area, thus bringing business to the area. It's easy to downplay the importance of quality entertainment in a region, but the Palace Theater and its 90-95 events a year help the city of Greensburg to bring in 13,000 people from outside of the county every year, which increases exposure, as well as the tourism money spent at hotels, restaurants, and other venues in the area.

Mike wanted to mention their biggest project in the future, which is to create a high school for the performing arts. He hopes to work with local high schools to allow students interested in the performing arts to learn more about the field, whether it's acting, choreography, stage managing, costume design, set design, or anything related to theater. They are in the midst of a feasibility study to hopefully bring this project into fruition. We thank Mike and all of these in the Cultural Trust for helping keep the Palace Theater open and for continuing to bring entertainment to Greensburg.

We closed our meeting in the usual way with the 4 way test.

Answer to the weekly riddle: Tie the scissors to one of the ropes and make it move like a pendulum. Then take the other end of the rope and grab the scissors as they come toward you. Then tie the knot

Rotary FLASH of 07-17-2007
Our meeting began in an unusual way, since Carl Rossman wasn't there. Chuck Anderson our president elect was in charge, and led us with the Pledge of Allegiance, God Bless America, and our invocation as well.

We had 41 of 97 Rotarians in attendance. We had several visiting Rotarians. Harry Albert, our speaker from the Latrobe club, as well as a guest of his, Quentin Richelle from Brussels, Belgium. Jim Harold brought 2 guests as well, Bill Heinlenam and Archie Sweeney. Archie is a Rotarian from Ligonier Valley, and Bill is from Ligonier Valley as well.

The Rotary meeting next Tuesday, 24 July will be held at the home of David Robinson. David is hosting a Greensburg High School 50th reunion (class of 1957) over the weekend at his house. As part of the celebration he has arranged to have a 40x40 tent erected complete with tables and chairs. He has graciously offered the tent to us for our meeting and has arranged for Elegant Tents to cater the lunch. Dave will supplement the catered lunch with fresh tomatoes and corn from his garden.

David has also offered to have a closest to the pin contest for any interested golfers. Warmups begin at 11 AM with the contest beginning at 11:30. The winner gets premium parking for the event.

Dave lives at 809 East Pittsburgh Street across from Blockbuster Video.) There is parking and a shuttle service from the parking lot to the tent. Our speaker next week will be Mike Langer, the president of the Westmoreland Trust. We hope for good weather for both next Tuesday and for this weekend for Dave's reunion.

Harry Albert spoke to the club about his trip to South America on the Rio Negro, which is a tributary of the Amazon. He traveled to Manaus, and up the Rio Negro for 200 miles. There was very little civilization out there...mostly jungle. They rode on the Riverboat Tucano, which means toucan. They saw toucans down there, as well as many other birds, snakes, lizards, insects, and of course piranhas. They had a wonderful time, and anything that I write here won't do the slide show any justice at all.

Chuck Anderson concluded the meeting with the four way test. Have a good week everyone.

Rotary FLASH of 07-10-2007
Our Rotary meeting began as Carl Rossman rang the bell and led us with the Pledge of Allegiance and God Bless America. Our invocation was by Bill McGrath.

Mark Parker reported that we had 49 members attend of our 97 membership. Bill Thorne, a guest of Chuck Anderson's joined us for lunch.

Carl announced our annual picnic on August 14th at the Greensburg Country Club at 6 PM. There will be food, fellowship, and some other activities, such as a sketch artist and a tattoo airbrush artist. Please sign up if you plan on attending.

Chuck Anderson announced that the MOAA is looking for sponsors to help send some local WWII vets to Washington DC to see the memorial down there. If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact Chuck.

Chuck also asked for more monthly chairs for our weekly luncheon speakers. If you are interested, contact him.

Dr. Hower announced the final preparations for the fishing outing had been made, and they were looking forward to a great event. If interested in helping out, there's still time to signup.

An informal induction ceremony took place. Mark Barnhart inducted a past-president and previous member of our club, Patty Lonsbury, our first female president. Patty will be travelling in South America soon, but still wishes to call our Rotary Club home.

Chris Didiana then announced our speaker for the lunch. Diane Krivoniak works with the Westmoreland Bar Association, and wanted to tell us about some more of their activities. They have 504 members, including 22 judges. They provide legal education programs, including education for lawyers as well as community outreach programs, such as Law Day (when lawyers go back to area schools to speak), Operation Safe Serve (a safe internet searching program), and a living trust scam prevention program.

They also offer a free service to settle disputes, as well as a pro bono program and a $30 an hour consultation program. For more information, please contact the WBA, or visit their website at www.westbar.org.

Carl closed the meeting in the usual way with the 4 way test.

Rotary FLASH of 07-03-2007
THE FLASH for the Rotary Club of Greensburg PA July 3, 2007
Our meeting opened for the first time at the Sheraton with our new president Carl Rossman leading us with the Pledge of Allegiance, and God Bless America, which sounded particularly pleasant. Perhaps it was the fact that the 4th of July was on everyone's minds, or it could have been that Carl was leading us in song. Chris DeDiana gave our invocation for the meeting.
Our new Sergeant of Arms Mark Parker totaled 51 of our 95 members attending lunch. We had Ivar Berge from the Johnstown Rotary Club joining us, as well as a guest of Dawn Roberts, Ms. Mandisa Brown.
There were several thank yous being given to the club for its various scholarship activities, including one from Hempfield Area High School for attending its awards ceremony, as well as 2 from students receiving scholarships. These students will be attending University of Boston and Northwestern Ohio, and we all hope for their success in their endeavors. In other news, Dr. Rutter who recently had surgery is apparently home and doing well. We passed a card along to sign and send our well wishes to him.
In honor of keeping our spelling bee and dictionary projects alive, Carl added a new word of the week for us. Fractious, which contrary to the beliefs of Tony Martino, means tending to cause trouble, or unruly.

MEMBERSHIP PROPOSAL
Patricia Lonsbury, President of Global Tourism Solutions, residing in Greensburg. Patty was a Past President of the Greensburg PA Club. Mark Barnhart proposes her for membership. Any objections must be submitted in writing to the Secretary.


Message Back from Maria Valenca (Brazil à Greensburg Rotary, 2004-2005)

It has been 3 years since I got to the States and it seems like a couple of
months ago! I’m doing really good in college! I'm out for the winter break
right now - we get back in August! I’m going to 4th period of low school,
still have seven more to go... I might start working next semester! My
friend's husband is a lawyer and he has a big office here, in Salvador and
I'll probably work with him.

My family is also great! My mom went through a surgery last January. She had
a throat cancer but now she's fine. We went to Argentina last April and it was
an amazing trip...

I'm planning on spending a couple months in Spain to practice my Spanish!
One of my girlfriends from college has part of her family living in Spain so
we are planning to stay at their house, probably at the end of this
year but we are not sure yet.

I think that's everything that is going on with me. As I said, i cant wait
to go back to the States! Every American movie I watch, every picture I
see, every song... it reminds me of my exchange year and how good it was to
meet all of you guys! I miss the Conners extremely much and I can’t wait to
see my friends again, especially the Stage Right kids and the other exchange
students!

Keep in touch,
Maria!

This week was the birthdays and club anniversaries, which were delivered by Jeff Branthoover. Jeff congratulated Doug Arndt (6/03), Rod Booker (6/22), Pete Cecconi (6/21), Dennis Cremonese (6/02), Wayne Doyle (6/14), Karl Eisaman (6/23), Bill Kern (6/26), Tony Martino (6/29), Ted McDonnell (6/11), and Joe Peluso (6/16) on their birthdays this month. There were also several club anniversaries this month. Adib Barsoum (32 years), Dan Carr (1 year), Dennis Cremonese (6 years), John Dickson (5 years), Joe Peluso (26 years), Dave Robinson (16 years), and Jim Steeley (8 years). Everyone was congratulated, and Jeff fascinated us with information about famous people born on these dates, as well as the top songs of the time when people were born.
Carl called a mini board meeting after the lunch. There were several announcements. Chuck Anderson announced that it was everyone's last chance to buy a Rotary T-shirt. Rick Nedley wanted to announce that the 6th Annual Freedom 5K Run/Walk was going on the 4th of July at 8:30 AM at Lynch Field, and for anyone interested to sign up Tuesday for a lesser charge.
Dr. Hower announced that they are still looking for volunteers to help out at his fishing outing on July 14th.
Denny Cremonese announced that the Latrobe Rotary's golf outing will be on Monday, August 13th at the Ligonier Country Club. He also mentioned that Jim Steeley is recovering from surgery, and to keep him in our prayers.
Carl closed the meeting in the usual way at 12:46 with the 4 way test.
Don't forget this is my first week...I'll get better.

Rotary FLASH of 06-26-2007
THE FLASH for the Rotary Club of Greensburg PA June 26, 2007

IT WAS MARY’S NIGHT! ! !

THOUGHTS TO PONDER FOR TODAY
From the writings of Forrest H. Kirkpatrick, 1990
SPEAKING OF WORDS:
Swallowing angry words is much easier than having to eat them.
Profanity makes ignorance and bad manners audible.
Kind words and kind deeds enlarge the hearts of those who give them.
Nobody has ever measured how much love a heart can hold--- or give---

It really was Mary’s night, from the beginning to the end – first, Mary was on everyone’s mind, because we waited and waited. Guess who was late for their special night? (It might only be fair, because she made most of the Tuesdays special for the rest of us,)

So, at 6:38 p.m. in response to the many questions of where she was, Mary appeared, saying that she was out looking for David Robinson who followed her in. Her smile still appeared.
Carl Rossman called the group to order in the traditional manner, and Jeff Malloy had the invocation for the evening. Carl noted that Jim Boggs had his picture in the paper for entertaining downtown. He also welcomed Erin Jedlowski and her family as guests to our dinner; District Governor Lee Brown and his wife Janet ; and of course, the Lady of the Hour, Mary Clymer and her significant other, Kevin Hanna.

Mike Lucotch presented the Kenneth P. Rutter Scholarship for 2007 to Erin Jedlowski. She was chosen from 15 other applicants. She is a graduate of Burrell High School, and has been involved in urban and rural mission work. She plans to attend Waynesburg College.

Chuck Anderson spoke about the significance of the Paul Harris Fellow Award, and presented the first one of the evening to Ed Meadows. Ed noted that it was the second one that he had achieved.
The second presentation was made by Dr. John Wesner to his wife Paula with sincere and loving thoughts shared about her special ways of caring. Paula was really surprised!
The third presentation was made in the inimitable fashion of Tom Jachimowicz - who seems to suffer just a little from ADD – he has such a hard time staying on the subject, but one must admit it is fun to go with him wherever he goes. Anyhow, as I was saying, he called Tom Headley to receive the Paul Harris Award. Congratulations to all three of our newest Paul Harris Fellows!!

District Governor Brown then presented a District Governor Citation to Mary Clymer for attaining the goal of Every Rotarian – every year contributing to the Foundation, and for the Disaster Aid Relief to the Rotary Club of Greensburg Kansas. In her winning way Mary demurred the honor about the Greensburg Kansas club by stating that it really was Mark Barnhart’s idea and he was the one who made it happen. She just happened to be President.
Carl Rossman gave an overview of the year which included among other things: the Golf Outing, the Community Days Booth, The Arts and Heritage Booth, the Spelling Bee with gifts of lap top computers to the 2 winners, the Word of the Week, The Multi Phasic Blood Screening, President Elect Seminar, Rosebowl Parade Float, Dr. Rutter’s Scholarship, Rotary Scholarships, Exchange students, Grants to the community, Hockey Night in Johnstown, Red on Valentine’s Day, Ski Weekend, Dictionaries, Christmas Dinner with CLO entertainment, Rotarian of the Year, Operation Santa Claus, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Picnic at the Country Club, Food Bank, Highway Cleanup, Shelter Box Program.
Carl then presented a special plaque to Mary from the Board, and the traditional Past President’s Pin – to a standing ovation from her club members. (There were 78 people present, 46 members.)
Mary thanked the club for the support that she had from everyone, the board, and especially from Kevin who was her rock and source of many ideas.

It has been an outstanding year, and we bring it to a close in the appropriate manner by reminding ourselves what we stand for…by the Four Way Test.
IT WAS MARY’S NIGHT – MARY’S YEAR!!!
P.S. This will be the last Flash by the present writer, and we welcome DAN CARR to the position of the Flash Editor… Have fun, Dan!