Rotary Club of Greensburg

A Flash from the Past

Rotary Flashes of 05-27-2003
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 74, No. 48……………………………………………..May 27, 2003

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

WISE AND OTHERWISE
"It is better to deserve honors and not have them, than to have them and not deserve them." (Mark Twain)

"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - - you miss the sense of where you are going and why."

TODAY’S INVOCATION was given by Bill Kern.

SERGEANT AT ARMS Report – (John Hanna) – We had one visiting Rotarian: Ron Eberhardt from the New Stanton/Youngwood Club. Our guests were: Mike Buechele and Greg Buechele (Mary Clymer), Janet McNeel and Dawn Law (Dick McNeel), Joyce Rossman (Carl Rossman), Bill Eger (Ed Nemanic) and Jordan Martinelli (Bill Taylor).

TODAY'S ATTENDANCE was 71. This included 61 members, 1 visiting Rotarian, 7 guests and 2 speakers.

MAKE-UPS: Elinore McMahan attended the Hempfield Township Club, Mark Barnhart at the Youngwood/New Stanton Club and Bill Kern at the Rotary Club of Sugarcreek, OH.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

PRESIDENT'S DAY WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 24TH, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT GREENSBURG. WEATHER PERMITTING, WE WILL DINE OUTDOORS. WEATHER NOT PERMITTING, WE WILL MOVE INSIDE. INVITATIONS ARE BEING MAILED. (This will be a great night to thank President Ed for his outstanding year of Service Above Self!)

THE LATROBE ROTARY CLUB will be looking to see those who signed up to join them for their weekly meeting, June 4th, noon, at the Latrobe Elks.

OUR CLUB'S ROSTER/DIRECTORY IS GOING TO BE PRINTED FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR. You will have the opportunity over the next two weeks to review and update any changes that you want made before press time. If you are unable to attend the next two weeks and need changes made, please contact Mark Barnhart or Bob Bloom with your changes.

ANNUAL ARC FISHING OUTING AND PICNIC will once again be held at the residence of Tom and Jannette Hower on June 26th. Volunteers are to be there at 4:30 PM to help set up for the 5:00 PM start. Members are needed to help the ARC clients fish. Others are needed to help prepare the food for the cookout. Please be sure to sign up to help with this great evening that provides a special night for this great group of children and adults of the ARC.

ARTS AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL – July 3rd – 6th. Tony Martino, the coordinator this year, is looking to make this year even more memorable from previous years. There will be more fun with beach music and Hawaiian shirts. Please sign up for either a several hours shift or even becoming a team leader for a day. Tony guarantees a good time while helping to raise funds for our Scholarship Program. If you wish, a Sponsorship listing can be for you or your business for $100.00. Your listing will be displayed on a banner at our booth for the duration of the entire festival. Please see Tony for details.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING

Our speaker today was U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy from the 18th District. Tim is a fellow Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair/Bethel Park. Tim started his presentation by giving us a quick overview of H.R. 2 – Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. He then spoke on the topic of Homeland Security. Currently the Nation is under an "elevated orange level" due to the increased chatter that is being experienced. Tim tells us that Washington DC seems to feel like a fortress since September 11, 2001. He told of the steel plates and spikes in the roadways to stop potentially harmful vehicles, vehicles that are checked with mirrors as members of Congress arrive for each session of Congress and even tour bus routes that have been altered. "It is a very different world that we live in." On the subject of Al Queda, they seem to work targets by watching, observing and waiting for the right moment to make an attempt to terrorize. There have been foiled attempts, some of which are public and others that we haven't heard about. Our security forces are listening in, infiltrating their ranks and are also stopping the organizations that financially support them. Extremists who hate freedom, liberty, women's rights and technology continue to want to harm or kill Americans. Tim said that for many years, these extremists felt that America would not take any significant action against them. There are probably a couple hundred Al Queda members in the United States and they are still recruiting new members. Congressman Murphy stated that the Fire Departments and the Police Departments are the 1st line of defense. Many questions are being raised about potential responses to threats of terrorism and the possible aftermath of an attack. Many drills are currently being held. Although we are more aware of our vulnerability in today's climate, early warnings through a revamped communication system is needed. We need to continue to shore up our borders, although, it must be stressed that we continue to welcome immigrants who wish to come to this great Country as our ancestors did. During the Q&A, Tim said that the First Responders have received some funds already. A member questioned why financial aid is given to countries that have not supported us in this war on terrorism. Tim agreed that this should be looked at more closely, however, some companies from these countries do have some Americans who are employed by them. Regarding an ANWAR question, Tim stated that we cannot be extorted by oil rich countries. We are 50% reliant on foreign oil. Natural gas prices are up. It is estimated that 2,000 acres out of 16 million acres would be used for the ANWAR drilling.
Contact Congressman Murphy at www.house.gov/murphy or at 724-850-7312.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM – June 3rd – Kevin Dudly – Dale Carnegie Leadership Course speaker.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
June 17th – Helen Auman – "Life's Little Inconveniences"
June 24th – President's Day – Evening dinner. No noon meeting.

THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS:

MAY'S BIRTHDAYS
Ray Charley……………….May 1
Larry Plundo ……….….….May 1
Barb Mistick………………May 1
Michele Bononi………...…May 2
Joe Codrick………………..May 4
Linda Thomas…………..…May 12
Rick Nedley…………...…..May 13
Gary Rutter………….……May 19
Elinore McMahan…….…..May 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…………………5:30……………….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 05-20-2003
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 74, No. 47……………………………………………..May 20, 2003

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

WISE AND OTHERWISE
"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one." (George Washington)

"A man should keep his friendships in constant repair."(Samuel Johnson)

(TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!)
The following is from the meeting held on May 13, 2003
TODAY’S INVOCATION was given by Kati Doran.
"Dear Lord, You best know the times when, as individuals, we look about us, stunned, disheartened, discouraged – worried about the state of the world, our nation, even our community or neighborhoods. Please help us to remember, on this wet, gloomy spring, day, that never a life was lived that had no rainbows. Help us to focus on that symbol of hope You've given us, and to strive – as individuals and as Rotarians – with ever greater efforts, to keep that hope alive and to build positive realities on it, for the good of both the small and greater world in which we live. In Your Blessed Name, Amen."

SERGEANT AT ARMS Report – (John Mizikar) – We had one visiting Rotarian: Larry Stormer from the Latrobe Club. Our guests were: Carol Milburn (Rick Nedley), Bobbi Clark (Ed Nemanic), Kris Thomas (Linda Thomas) and Dick McKelbey (Bill Taylor). Our students from The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg were: Katie Clymer and Kelly Lecog.

Today's attendance was 73. This included 63 members, 1 visiting Rotarian, 4 guests, 3 students and 2 speakers.

MAKE-UPS: Elinore McMahan attended the Hempfield Township Club.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER – Bobbi Clark. Bobbi was inducted today by her proposer, President Ed Nemanic. Bobbi is team player who looks forward to working hard to improve the community. (I understand that she has already volunteered to help with the Art Gala and Sale). We look forward to working with her in the Rotary spirit of Service Above Self. Please be sure to introduce yourself to Bobbi and the other newer members of our Club at an upcoming meeting.

AN IVITATION FROM THE LATROBE ROTARY CLUB – They have returned the favor and have invited any member of our Club to attend their meeting on Wednesday, June 4th. Please see Mary Clymer if you wish to reserve a spot. This is a great way to meet of members of Rotary and also have a make-up meeting if you need it.

THANKS! – Bill Taylor thanked those who help clean up our section of Route 130. Twenty bags of garbage no longer litter that stretch of roadway.
Kevin Metsger thanked those who helped a total of 1,130 local residents get processed for the Annual Health Screening. He said that our professionalism during this program is outstanding and is not unnoticed by the Westmoreland Regional Hospital.

YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR – Kati Doran announced that we will host a youth from Bosnia. She will be attending the Hempfield Area School District. HOST FAMIIES ARE URGENTLY NEEDED. Due to Kati's upcoming leave of absence, Carl Rossman has agreed to become the Youth Exchange Officer. Please be sure to see Carl if you can help out. More details to follow.

ANNUAL ARC FISHING OUTING AND PICNIC will once again be held at the residence of Tom and Jannette Hower on June 26th. Volunteers are to be there at 4:30 PM to help set up for the 5:00 PM start. Members are needed to help the ARC clients fish. Others are needed to help prepare the food for the cookout. Please be sure to sign up to help with this great evening that provides a special night for this great group of children and adults of the ARC.

ARTS AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL – July 3rd – 6th. Tony Martino is the coordinator this year. Tony is looking to make this year even more memorable from previous years. There will be more fun with beach music and Hawaiian shirts. (Similar to the daily attire of Tom Jachomowicz). Please sign up for either a several hours shift or even becoming a team leader for a day. Tony guarantees a good time while helping to raise funds for or Scholarship Program.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING
Our speaker today was Brenda Waltenbaugh, YMCA Emergency Youth Shelter Program Director. The EYS is a temporary, residential care facility that opened in 1979. The current budget is 2 million dollars and there are currently 70 employees. Adolescents place in the shelter's care are under 18 years of age. They are referred by the Westmoreland County Children's Bureau, the Juvenile Probation Department of Westmoreland County or Children and Youth Services. Adolescents are declared dependent by the legal system and are placed by court order. The shelter's capacity if currently 44. This includes 22 boys and 22 girls. A daily routine of school and physical education is followed. This is provided by the YMCA and the Westmoreland County Intermediate Unity # 7. Education materials such as books and assignments are provided along with access to a computer lab. The structured routine provides stability for the youth during his or her difficult times. This is very important as the youth prepares to enter the adult world. There are three meals and a snack provided daily. There are health services provided by a doctor and a nurse who look after the youth. Sherry Singer, Assistant Director for the EYS told of trips to the park, ballpark and movies for the youth. There is also a Summer Enrichment Program. The program is funded by the County. The mission statement: The goal of the program is to increase the individuals' self-esteem, give them a life of positive experiences and instill within them a positive attitude about themselves and their future.
(Donations of books for the library, tapes and software would be greatly appreciated due to the projected budget cuts that are on the horizon).

FROM THE WEEKLY MEETING HELD ON MAY 20TH.

SERGEANT AT ARMS REPORT – (John Mizikar) – We had 2 visiting Rotarians: Larry Stormer (Latrobe Club) and DG Donna Vesely (Charleroi Club). We had 5 guests of members: Ralph Linsz (Judy Ross), Jeff Branthoover (Al Lazar), Jan Sapotichne (Rick Nedley), Mike Langer (Jim Steeley) and Elizabeth Bradley (Tom Hower). Our students from Greensburg Salem High School were: Sarah Ziegenfus, Brittany Sterrett and Dan Trumbetta. Thanks to our drivers: Cesare Muccari.

TODAY'S ATTENDANCE WAS 76. This included 62 members, 2 visiting Rotarians, 5 guests, 4 students and 3 speakers.

MAKE-UPS – Carl Rossman attended the Rotary Club of Tokyo Fussa Chuo and the Rotary Club of Nara-East, both in Japan. Carl presented a banner from each Club to President Ed.

AWARDS PRESENTED BY DISTRICT GOVERNOR VESELY
President Ed was presented a Citation for Outstanding Leadership from Rotary International.
District 7330 also presented our Club with a Citation for Outstanding International Service.
Our Club also was recognized as having the highest retention of membership (95%)!
Adib Barsoum received a citation for "Dedication, Compassion and Commitment".

TODAY'S PROGRAM
A. J. Gayles, PA Speaker of the House, "YMCA Youth and Government Program".
The first speaker, Larry Stormer, told of the statewide program, with 550 students in grades 8 thru 12, with a local club from Greensburg that is based in the YMCA. A. J. Gayles, a senior, advised us that this is a mock government program that teaches leadership skills, strict parliamentary procedures, ways to lobby for bills and how to get elected. This year the 550 students met in the State Capitol in the Senate chambers. He said that this was a great experience for all that attended, including the 22 students from the Greensburg Club. The club meets once a week in the YMCA building. President A.J. has been in the club for 3 years. He said that over the past several years he has seen a change in perspective in youth from lack of interest to great enthusiasm for politics. A. J. has obtained the position of Speaker of the House. He tells us that the Greensburg Club has made a very good name for itself in Harrisburg.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM – May 27th – Congressman Tim Murphy will speak to us on "Homeland Security". We will have an Autobiography and the Birthday Table. THE MEETING WILL START PROMPTLY AT 12:15.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
June 3rd – Kevin Dudly – Dale Carnegie Leadership Course speaker.
June 17th – Helen Auman – "Life's Little Inconveniences"
June 24th – President's Day – Evening dinner. No noon meeting.

THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS:

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

Rotary Flashes of 05-06-2003
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 74, No. 45……………………………………………..May 6, 2003

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

WISE AND OTHERWISE
"If you can't see the bottom, don’t wade." (Scotch Proverb)

"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."

TODAY’S INVOCATION was given by Eric Bononi.
"People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is all between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway." – (Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

SERGEANT AT ARMS Report – (John Hanna) – We had two visiting Rotarians: Ron Eberhardt from the New Stanton/Youngwood Club and Kathy Tosh also from the New Stanton/Youngwood Club. Our guests were: Amy Hancock and Colleen Balsano (Jeff Long), Bobbi Clark (Ed Nemanic) and Nicole Bononi (Eric and Michele Bononi). Our students from Hempfield Sr. High School were: Melissa Altman, Alex Miller and Alicia Pampei.

Today's attendance was 77. This included 65 members, 2 visiting Rotarians, 4 guests, 3 students and 3 speakers.

MAKE-UPS: None reported.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

ROTARIANS THAT ATTENDED THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE IN GETTYSBURG – Ed Nemanic, Bob and Peg Wilson, Jeff Malloy, Paul Hochendoner, Dick McNeel and Carl and Joyce Rossman.
Our Club received the "Crystal Citation" for obtaining and exceeding the goals that were assigned the Club.
The "Polio Eradication Award" was also presented to the Club for a contribution of nearly $18,000.00.
Pete Dochinez was recognized for his work in organizing foursomes to play at Totteridge in an event to raise additional funds for the eradication of polio.
Mark Barnhart received the "Committed Rotarian Award" for his selfless work as Treasurer of our Club, bringing in a new member and serving on Rotary projects.

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER – Hitesh Mehta. Hitesh said that he looks forward to becoming very involved in community projects. He was inducted today by Cesare Muccari who had proposed Hitesh for membership.

MEMBERSHIP PROPOSAL – The Classification and Membership Committees, as well as the Board of Directors, have approved the publication of the following membership proposal. Any objections are to be submitted in writing to the Secretary within 7 days. Receiving none, she will be inducted into the Club.
Bobbi Clark, residing and working in Greensburg, President and owner of Foundations for Success, Inc. She has been proposed for membership by Ed Nemanic.

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE BEEN AWARDED
Quindelyn S. Cook (Greensburg Salem High School) - $3,000
Rudy J. Bohince (Greensburg Salem High School) - $1,500
Michael D. Bonanno (Greensburg Salem High School) - $1,500
Jennifer L. Fuchs (Hempfield Area High School) - $1,500
Nathan R. Shively (Hempfield Area High School) - $1,500

ANNUAL ARC FISHING OUTING AND PICNIC will once again be held at the residence of Tom and Jannette Hower on June 26th. Please mark you calendars. More details to follow.

ART GALA AND SALE – Jeff Malloy asked all members to purchase two tickets to the event. If you are unable to attend, please give the tickets you purchased to family, friends or business associates. There will be wine tasting, hors d'oeuvres and some jazz music (this on Friday evening, May 16th, 7PM – 10 PM). The sale that is open to the public will be held on Saturday, May 17th. There are 125 scheduled attendees to date.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM – May 13 – Brenda Waltenbaugh, YMCA Emergency Youth Shelter Program Director, "Emergency Youth Shelter Program and Independent Living Program"

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

May 20th – A. J. Gayles, PA Speaker of the House, "YMCA Youth and Government Program"
May 27th – Autobiography and the Birthday Table
June 3rd – Kevin Dudly – Dale Carnegie Leadership Course speaker.
June 17th – Helen Auman – "Life's Little Inconveniences"
June 24th – President's Day – Evening dinner. No noon meeting.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING

Our speaker today was Laurie Anderson, Ex. Director, Executive Service Corps of Western PA, "Volunteer Professionals Servicing Nonprofits". She has been with the organization since 1997. They provide management consulting and legal referral services to non-profits through the services of professionals who volunteer their time and expertise. Executive Service Corps has matched men and women of talent with non-profit agencies seeking to enhance their operations. Each year they collaborate with over 100 nonprofit agencies to address a wide range of issues. They work in locations ranging from Downtown Pittsburgh to Greensburg to Butler and beyond. They even have several projects with Westmoreland County government as well. Laurie introduced Bob Schuller, a retiree from Blue Cross Blue Shield who volunteered to work with a crisis center for individuals and families that suffer from abuse. Arlene Hrisko then told us about the work that has been done with the department of programmers who are responsible for all application software in Westmoreland County. A major project helped the Sheriff's Department use an accounting program which has helped collect over $900,000 and processed over 2,500 transactions. If anyone is interested in volunteering their services, ESC is looking for the following skills: Accounting and finance experience, technical experience and problem solvers. There is currently a staff of 5 with about 150 volunteers. Their website is www.escwpa.org

THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS:

THURSDAY
Delmont-Salem………………..7:00AM…….Touch of Country
Hempfield…..7:30AM….University of Pittsburgh @ Greensburg
Connellsville………………….12:00……….Highlands Hospital
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
www.greensburgrotary.com
“Service Above Self”

Rotary Flashes of 04-29-2003
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 74, No. 44……………………………………………..April 29, 2003

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

WISE AND OTHERWISE
"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." (William Faulkner)

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do." (Mark Twain)

TODAY’S INVOCATION was given by Will Brown.

SERGEANT AT ARMS Report – (John Mizikar) – We had no visiting Rotarians. Our guests were: Nancy Estrada (Carl Rossman), Bobbi Clark (Ed Nemanic and Bill Eger), Jan Hower (Tom Hower), Matt Kurosi (Cathy Daversa), Janet McNeel (Dick McNeel) and Patty Sismondo (Eric Bononi).

Today's attendance was 72. This included 64 members, 7 guests and Ivana.

MAKE-UPS: Michele Bononi (Jeannette Club), Joe Cameron (Latrobe Club) and Bobbi Stemmler-Guest (Hurricane Valley, Utah Club)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER
Rebecka Hutchinson, a third generation Rotarian. (Grandfather Thomas Hower and father Thomas Hower).
Her mom and dad were there to help welcome her to Rotary.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING – will be held at the residence of Chuck and Lyn Strobel on Thurday, May 1, 2003, at 6:00 PM.

ROTARIANS ATTENDING THE UPCOMING DISTRICT CONFERENCE – Ed Nemanic, Bob Wilson, Jeff Malloy, Paul Hochendoner, Dick McNeel and Carl Rossman.

ANNUAL ARC FISHING OUTING AND PICINIC will once again be held at the residence of Tom and Jannette Hower on June 26th. Please mark you calendars. More details to follow.

HIGHWAY CLEANUP – May 3rd, Saturday, 8:30AM, tennis court parking lot area of the Greensburg Country Club.

ART GALA AND SALE – Jeff Malloy asked all members to purchase two tickets to the event. If you are unable to attend, please give the tickets you purchased to family, friends or business associates. There will be wine tasting, good hors d'oeuvres and some jazz music (this on Friday evening, May 16th, 7PM – 10 PM). The sale that is open to the public will be held on Saturday, May 17th. There are 80 scheduled attendees to date.

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM – May 6 – Laurie Anderson, Ex. Director, Executive Service Corps of Western PA, "Volunteer Professionals Servicing Nonprofits"

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
May 13 – Brenda Waltenbaugh, YMCA Emergency Youth Shelter Program Director, "Emergency Youth Shelter Program and Independent Living Program"
May 20th – A. J. Gayles, PA Speaker of the House, "YMCA Youth and Government Program"
May 27 – Autobiography and the Birthday Table

OUR WEEKLY MEETING

Eric Bononi hosted the Birthday Table. He called each Rotarians' family that had a birthday this month and was able to tell us some interesting personal facts about them. We laughed, sang and ate plenty of cake. Happy Birthday to all.

MINI AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Michele Bononi was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey and raised in Colonia, New Jersey. Her parents are Michael and Julie Paplow. Her father worked as a pipe fitter for the gas company and her mother worked in printing. Michele was an only child until her parents adopted her three sisters when she was four years old. Michele said that her father never graduated high school and he made sure that all his children went on to college. Michele said that she decided that she wanted to be an attorney when she was five years old and saw an attorney on a television program. She kept her word an attended Seton Hall University and worked full time as a waitress for Woolworth's coffee shop while going to college. Michele graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Psychology. She went on to attend Ohio Northern University and was on the Moot Court Team throughout law school. During her second year, she met a guy by the name of Eric Bononi. After law school, she began clerking with a firm who did municipal law, real estate and some personal injury law. She passed the bar exam in New Jersey and realized that she wanted to go into litigation. She went with a big civil litigation firm where she practiced in the area of personal injury, property damage, bankruptcy and worker's compensation. While she continued to live in New Jersey, Eric was in Pennsylvania. She eventually left NJ and moved to PA to marry Eric. She went on to work in Pittsburgh with Livingston and Clark which mainly concentrated in criminal defense work. In 1987 Eric and Michele formed their own law firm. She eventually tried a family law case and before she knew it she had a full caseload. In 1991, Judge Marker asked her to take a job as a Child Support Advocate with Westmoreland County. She stayed in that position until 1996 when the Judges of Westmoreland County appointed her as the first Hearing Officer for Westmoreland County. Besides working with her husband in their firm, she has heard over 3,500 support cases. Michele currently sits on six non-profit boards. She and Eric have been married for seventeen years and they have one daughter.

THIS MONTH’S BIRTHDAYS:

APRIL'S BIRTHDAYS
Ivana…………………….April 4
Joe Burkley, Jr……….….April 6
Guy Davis……………….April 16
Dave Delisi………………April 30
Bobbi Stemmler-Guest…..April 30

THURSDAY
Delmont-Salem………………..7:00AM…….Touch of Country
Hempfield…..7:30AM….University of Pittsburgh @ Greensburg
Connellsville………………….12:00……….Highlands Hospital
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
www.greensburgrotary.com
“Service Above Self”