Rotary Club of Greensburg

A Flash from the Past

Rotary Flashes of 03-16-2004
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 75, No. 38……………………………………………..March 16, 2004

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

WISE AND OTHERWISE
”Good advice is something a man gives when he is too old to set a bad example.”

”Sending a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.”

TODAY’S INVOCATION was given by Bill Kern.

SERGEANT AT ARMS REPORT– (John Mizikar) – We had no visiting Rotarians. Our guests were: Peg Wilson and Joanne Highberger (Bob Wilson) and Rich Redmerski (Jim Steeley). Brittani Vigne, Chris Uhrinek and Amanda Mroz were our student guests from Greensburg Central Catholic High School. Thanks to Chris DeDiana for transporting the students.

TODAY'S ATTENDANCE was 59. This included 52 members, 3 guests, 3 students and our speaker.

MAKE-UPS: Elinore McMahan (twice) attended the Rotary Club of Hempfield Township. Bob Wilson made up at the New Stanton/Youngwood Club, Ken Ruoff attended a meeting on the Royal Princess Cruise Line and Chuck Strobel attended the Mt. View Rotary Club.

MEETING LOCATION CHANGE – Next week we will be meeting at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center. Please mark you calendars.

MEMBERSHIP PROPOSALS
The Board of Directors and the Membership Committee have approved the following publication of potential memberships. Any objections should be submitted to the Secretary by the start of next week’s meeting.
Michael R. DeNezza, (Banking – Retail), Manager with Citizens Bank in Greensburg. Chris Rizk has proposed him for membership.
Douglas Ramm, (Psychology), with a private practice in Greensburg. Charles Anderson has proposed him for membership.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR GEORGE IS INVITING US TO ATTEND HIS “BIG FAT DISTRICT CONFERNECE” on May 7th and 8th, 2004 at the Lakeview Resort in Morgantown, WV. Sounds like it will be a great time to join with many other Rotarians from our District’s clubs. Be sure to see President Bob if you wish to attend.

”DREAMERS’ TALES” a book authored by Jim Harrold is being offered for sale for $20.00. All proceeds from the sale will go to the Hempfield Area High School Marching Band to help send them to the Tournament of Rose Parade in California to showcase their talents nationally and also bring some attention to the Greensburg area. Anyone wishing to purchase a copy should sign the order form that is being passed out at the weekly meetings.

ANNUAL HEALTH SCREENING PROGRAM – Our Club will again hold the Health Screening on April 24th and May 8th. Volunteers are needed for these two Saturdays, 5:45 am to around 9:30 am. Proceeds from this program are used to provide scholarships for local high school seniors who are on their way to college. Please be sure to sign up.

COMMITTED ROTARIAN AWARD
Past District Governor Bill Kern is asking all members to complete the Committed Rotarian Award form that is being distributed during meetings. The listing of our participation in Club sponsored projects, attendance at District and/or Rotary International events, recruitment of new members, ongoing Sustaining Membership donations to the Rotary Foundation and being a Benefactor, will go a long way to possibly having the Rotary Club of Greensburg selected as the Rotary Club of The Year in District 7330. LETS GO FOR IT.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
March 23 – Greg Fajt, Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue
March 30 – Mini-autobiography and the Birthday Table

OUR WEEKLY MEETING’S PROGRAM

Our speaker today, and our newest Paul Harris Fellow, was Ed Highberger, Professor of Music, Seton Hill University. President Bob told of Ed’s commitment to students at the University, his love of music, his mentoring, his humbleness, inspiration and leadership in the community. Bob read two letters of appreciation from students.

After the presentation, Ed spoke to us about himself and the University. He brought us greetings from the Seton Hill University’s Program of Music, which is a division of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. He joked that some of us would know of him as one of the “musical fossils” of Greensburg. He is now in his 40th year as Minister of Music and organist at Greensburg’s First Presbyterian Church. He had taught music in the public schools before beginning his 24-year span at Seton Hill where he currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music and the University organist. He was the accompanist with Marvin Huls when they were with the Westmoreland Choral Society for almost 27 years. Born in Greensburg, he was a boy that didn’t have much use for sports. He preferred music. He studied piano and organ. At age 13 he was playing regularly in church. He and his Grandmother loved to sit in rocking chairs and talk about music. To this day, he has one of those rocking chairs in his office at the church to remind him of yester years. Music is his life and passion.
The Sisters of Charity founded Seton Hill in 1883. Current enrollment is now 1,521, of which, 23% are male and 77% are female. There are students from 34 states and 14 foreign countries. Seton Hill is a strong liberal arts institution offering seven graduate programs. The student/faculty ratio is 13:1. The Music Program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The degree offerings in music are in: music education, music performance, sacred music, music theatre and a new one – Music Therapy.

MARCH’S BIRTHDAYS
Bob Wilson…….…....March 5
Bill Barger…….…..…March 9
James Boggs……...….March 11
Roy Thompson....….. March 16
Tom Sphon….……....March 16
Don Bloom…..…........March 18
Eric Bononi…………. March 18
John Kline………...…March 18
John Wesner……..…..March 19
Ed Nemanic…….……March 22
Jeff Ruffner………….March 26
Dato Kadagishvilli.…..March 28

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…………………5:30……………….Bobby Dales
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 03-09-2004
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 75, No. 37……………………………………………..March 9, 2004

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

WISE AND OTHERWISE
”You know that children are growing up when they start asking questions that have answers.”

”May your walls know joy, may every room have laughter and every window be open to great possibilities.”

TODAY’S INVOCATION was given by Rev. G. H. Trumbo.

SERGEANT AT ARMS REPORT– (Jeff Malloy) – We had one visiting Rotarian: Dan Obara (Norwin). Our guest were: Carole Blair (Jennings Womack), Christine Gallagher (Anne Peagler) and the speaker’s assistant. Alyssa Bureau and Bojana were our student guests. At our prior weekly meeting of March 2nd: Our guests were: Anthony Sunseri (Ed Nemanic), Mike Denezza (Chris Rizk) and Christine Hoke (Dave Delisi). Our students from Hempfield Area Sr. High were: Gabe Guitierrez, Stacie Plevelich and Matt Dalicandro.

TODAY'S ATTENDANCE was 73. This included 66 members, 1 visiting Rotarian, 3 guests, 2 students and our speaker.

MAKE-UPS: Elinor McMahan (twice) and Nelson Mayer attended the Rotary Club of Hempfield Township. Chuck Strobel made up at the Rotary Club of Norwin (twice). Dan Krezenski attended the New Stanton/Youngwood Club, Bob Wilson (Naples North, Florida) and Pete Cecconi attended the Rotary club of Grand Cayman.

MEETING LOCATION CHANGE – Next week we will be meeting back at the Four Points/Sheraton. On March 23rd we will return to the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center for another road trip. Please mark you calendars.

”DREAMERS’ TALES” a book authored by Jim Harrold is being offered for sale for $20.00. All proceeds from the sale will go to Rotary. Anyone wishing to purchase a copy should sign the order form that is being passed out at the weekly meetings. A review from Ken Rutter: “I too have read Jim Harrold’s well written book “Dreamers’ Tales”. I am impressed by its historical information about our area, its description of our natural wonders, its biographical records, its amazing animal and bird stories and its graphic presentation of the area we call home. You ought to read it.”
President Bob has also given it a great review.

A TOURAMENT OF ROSES PARADE TRIP IS IN THE FUTURE FOR THE HEMPFIELD AREA HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND. Dave Delisi informed us of a fundraising Ball that will be held on April 3rd, at 6:00 pm at the Greensburg Country Club. He asks your support for this worthwhile fundraiser that will help to send the band to California to showcase these student nationally and also bring some attention to the Greensburg area.

COMMITTED ROTARIAN AWARD
Past District Governor Bill Kern is asking all members to complete the Committed Rotarian Award form that is being distributed during meetings. The listing of our participation in Club sponsored projects, attendance at District and/or Rotary International events, recruitment of new members, ongoing Sustaining Membership donations to the Rotary Foundation and being a Benefactor, will go a long way to possibly having the Rotary Club of Greensburg selected as the Rotary Club of The Year in District 7330. LETS GO FOR IT.

Rotary International Director Mike McCullough has appointed Bill Kern as Program Chair for the Zone 27 & 28 Institute to be held this August in Mackinac Island, Michigan.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
March 16 – Ed Highberger, Professor of Music at Seton Hill University
March 23 – Greg Fajt, Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue
March 30 – Mini-autobiography and the Birthday Table

OUR WEEKLY MEETING’S PROGRAM
Our speaker today, Nancy Kukovich, Executive Director of the United Way, spoke to us about “The Changing Direction of the United Way of Westmoreland County”. Nancy said that the number one customers are the people who donate. Focus groups told the United Way to tell them what are the priorities and big issues. They wanted to know of the impact of their giving. They want to get involved personally. Current areas of focus are on School Readiness. She advised that there has been no money from the State for preschoolers for school readiness. Therefore, a plan for early learning is needed for these kids to receive the proper start to be able to succeed in elementary school. In regard to kids aged 11 through 17, there is a need to help them transition into adulthood. She cited the Jeannette Middle School where math and English scores are lacking. The YMCA has partnered to help in this area. Volunteers and mentors are needed. The needs of senior citizens are a critical issue. She noted that Westmoreland County’s population ranks as the third oldest county in the nation. Regarding the leadership of our public officials, they must be better able to see the needs of transportation, health care and education issues.
Nancy said that the WC United Way is working with the agencies that have the greatest impact. Times change and issues change. A Day of Caring, where volunteers take a day off work and work for an agency for a day, is again planned. A need is there to encourage people to volunteer.
Some information that she provided:
The average gift given has increased from $50 in 2000 to $109.00 in 2003.
$3.2 million for 2003 is up 20 percent from 2000.
Much more has been done in attracting grants ($350,000 last year)
She noted an operating expense of 12.1 percent.
70 agencies are currently being served.

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