Rotary Club of Greensburg

Meeting Flash

Rotary FLASH of 09-26-2006
THE FLASH for the Rotary Club of Greensburg PA for September 26, 2006

OUR MEETING TODAY was filled today with alacrity as Paul Harris Recognition Awards were given to two very special educators and coaches of Greensburg Salem and Hempfield High Schools. Bill Kern gave the background of the Paul Harris Recognition and Jim Steeley gave the background of the recipients.
ROBERT WILLIAMS (Bob – or “The CHIEF”) from Greensburg Salem, graduated from Penn State University, where he was a Running Back and played in the Cotton Bowl. He went into the Marine Corps. As coach of Greensburg he had 125 wins, the most of any Golden Lions Coach. In 2003 he was initiated into the Pennsylvania Coaches’ Hall of Fame. He retired in 1986. (Jim Steeley let him know that while he was a good teacher, he didn’t give Jim a good grade in class. BUT he did it with alacrity and it didn’t bother the coach a bit!)
Bob Williams shared with us some of the meaningful moments of his tenure, ending with the fact that he felt his students learned many things on the playing field: discipline, team work, and if you got whipped, you started all over again on Monday. He felt it carried over into the classroom as many of his students went on to be teachers, coaches, professors, doctors, dentists, etc. The Chief also told us that he ran into Bill Abraham at Pitt Stadium in a football game, and it sent him to the hospital for stitches. He even said this, with alacrity!
WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Bill – or “COACH ABE”) grew up in Jeannette, attended University of Pittsburgh where he scored the winning Touchdown against Penn State in two different games. He coached and taught at Ford City, Steubenville, and in 1946 became the first coach at the newly formed Hempfield High School, and was there for 30 years. He had 140 wins. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Coaches’ Hall of Fame in 1995. After retiring, he became a fundraiser for WCCC and its expansion. In 2005 Spartan Stadium was renamed after him.
With great alacrity, Coach Abe praised his fellow recipient, Bob Williams for his leadership with youth. He told us that having been a member of the Hempfield Rotary he understood the meaning of the Paul Harris Award. He was grateful for being a recipient.
As president MARY said in tribute, we were more honored for their presence and contributions to our community and life, than the honor we bestowed upon them. How true it is – when good persons give of themselves honorably to others. Thank you, Bob and Bill!

Our meeting today began with alacrity as Mary Clymer led us in our usual opening; Dr. Richard McNeel gave a very meaningful invocation. Our ATTENDANCE was up with 61 Rotarians present out of our 106 membership. Jim Steeley had two guests, his wife Karen and Marty Grbach.
WOW (Word of the Week) was, if you have not already guessed it, Alacrity – meaning cheerfulness. It was with alacrity that she used it in a sentence which was something like: “John took his mother-in-laws’ luggage to the car with alacrity.” (President Mary needs to give me the sentence in writing because my hearing is really creative, but with alacrity you understand.)
ANNOUNCEMENTS: KATY DORAN has posters for an event on Oct. 11 which will encourage youth to look at our student exchange programs. Please contact Katy for them.
We need to get the word out and you can help.
CATHY BAUMANN told us that NOW is the time to think about our upcoming club elections. You are asked to think if you would like to have your name on the ballot for the Board of Directors of the Club for the coming term. If you are willing and able to serve, then contact President Mary, Carl, or Chuck Anderson.

CHUCK ANDERSON noted 2 important dates for Westmoreland Historical Society: Oct. 4, the St. Clair Dinner with Daniel Barr at the Greensburg Country Club; and Oct. 11 – the St. Clair Lecture at UPG, Ferguson Hall with Frank Coulter speaking about Architecture in W. Pa.

MARY CLYMER indicated that Chuck was so gracious to let the other two speakers go first, but he reassured her that he only wanted to get the last word in…a rare occurrence, he said with alacrity. (No, it never ends..)
She also told us that the sister of Dennis Cremonese passed away, and asked us to sign the sympathy card from the club.
Chuck Anderson is looking into getting matching funds for the 3 shelter boxes that the club is giving. Also, she announced that the R.I. Convention will be in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2007. Our District Governor will speak to the club on Oct. 31 with our meeting at the Greensburg Country Club..

BIRTHDAYS CELEBRATED by Tony Martino included the following list: Birthdays: 1-Ben Policastro; 2- Bob Cary; 4- Jeff Malloy; 16- Mark Barnhart; 17- Ed Meadows; 20- Katy Doran, Darrin Shaffer; 22- Stacy Clemmer; 30 – Jim Harrold.

OCT. 3 MEETING will feature the State of the City Report by Mayor Karl Eisaman!

THOUGHTS TO PONDER
“Not in time, place, or circumstance, but in the person lies success.” Charles Rouce “Talking comes by nature, silence by wisdom.” American Proverb
“There is one element that is worth its weight in gold and that is loyalty. It will cover a multitude of weaknesses.” Philip Armour

SEPTEMBER NOTABLES
Membership Anniversaries: Tom Jachimowicz, 20 years; Cathy Baumann, 14 yrs.; Gene James, 10 yrs.; Bobbi Stemmler-Guest, 7 yrs.; Anne Peagler, 6 yrs.; Wayne Doyle, 6 yrs.; Chris DeDiana, 5 yrs.; Jerry Supko, 5 yrs.; Joe Petrillo- 3 yrs.

OCTOBER CELEBRATIONS
Birthdays: 4- Kevin Metsger; 5- Joe Biss; 6- Ken Rutter; 9- Erik Hallquist; 11- Joyce Lock; 15- Jeff Long; 17- Mike Monsour; 19 – Dan Carr, Debbie Hepler; 31- George Ross -- Happy Birthday, y’all!
Membership Anniversaries: 41 years – Bill Courtney; 30 years – Pete Cecconi, Jr.; 12 years – Cesare Muccari; 8 years – Eric and Michele Bononi; 4 years – Kris Agarwal
Congratulations to our loyal members!

OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
July 19, 2006: John Barth, , owner of Ben Franklin Plumbing, sponsored by Tyler Courtney.
Aug. 15, 2006: Joyce Lock, Mgr. 1st Commonwealth Bank, sponsored by Alex Lima.
Aug. 22, 2006: Leia Shilobod, Owner of InTech Solutions, Inc., sponsored by David Robinson.

Rotary FLASH of 09-17-2006
THE FLASH for the Rotary Club of Greensburg PA for September 19, 2006

WE MET IN THE ECHO CHAMBER OF THE SHERATON, and Mary Clymer, President announced that Dr. Richard McNeel would give the invocation. Somewhere in the deep recess of the room, the invocation was given by another voice, I think that of Bob Ottaviani , but I am not absolutely sure. Please tell me next week!

KIRK UTZINGER presented our program for today on Philanthropy via the Westmoreland Community Foundation. He made us realize that we were all philanthropists – either voluntary or involuntary (via IRS) – and how much better it is to be in control of what your money is doing. The WCF is helping our local community fund its needed programs. He illustrated it with examples of the Rutter Scholarship Fund and the YMCA. He told us that the foundation had granted over six million dollars in aid since 1995. That is quite a record! He challenged us to think about participating in the foundation in some manner. (Incidentally, the Rotary Club is still trying to increase the amount in our Rutter Scholarship Fund currently at about $35000. You can give a donation in honor/memorial of anyone you wish. You see, you can participate!) Thanks to Rick Nedley for bringing us this program.

GUESTS FOR THE DAY included: Patricia Jachimowicz, wife of Tom; John Wohlin had Jeremy Shearer as his guest; Dato hosted his wife and new baby daughter! Everyone wanted to hold her, but Dato danced around the floor as the proud Papa!
Dennis Cremonese, our Sgt. at Arms told us we had 55 Rotarians in attendance. We welcomed our three student guests from Greensburg Salem High School and heard their hopes and plans for the future. Katy Doran was our driver for the day, and President Mary presented them with our golden rulers with the 3 way test inscribed.

WOW – our word of the week was really a wow! Mary outdid herself this week, the word was verbigeration - the acoustics were so bad in the echo chamber we were in that I thought it was refrigeration -- but do you know what it means, let alone how to spell it?
Most of us picked the right definition. It was “continual repetition of stereotyped phrases.” (according to my dictionary) – or, I think Mary’s rendition from my notes which my ears heard bouncing off the walls, was something like, “involuntary repetition.” I said, “involuntary repetition!”

BOARD NOTES – FROM BOB BLOOM brought us up to date on some of the actions of our Rotary Board. First, the board voted $100. support for the International Rotary Float for the Rose Bowl Parade. Our club has done this since the inception of the Rotary Float.
2nd – We purchased 3 Shelter Boxes to be sent to countries in need at a time of disaster.
3rd – We partnered with 1st Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greensburg by adopting a food bank that serves 108 families.
4th - We are moving forward with the first Spelling Bee (hoping it becomes an annual affair). We are connecting with the local School Districts in this event.

PRESIDENT MARY indicated that work was beginning with the Arts & Heritage Booth, we need to begin work early so that it would not be a burden to any one person. She will keep us aware of the progress, and maybe ask for some help.

CHRIS RIZK reminded us that there is a great production of “Cinderella” this week end in town – and if we want an enjoyable event to see – this would be one!

NEXT WEEK PROGRAM - Tony Martino with his usual debonair style will lead us in our birthday and club anniversary celebration! GEORGE ROSS will bring us up to date in an autobiography, and a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW will be honored. PLUS – cake, too! (Maybe)

Mary closed our meeting by leading us in the Four Way Test. - Let’s make sure we keep it until we meet again!
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THOUGHTS TO PONDER
“The happiest people are less forgetting and more forgiving.” Anon.
“No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.” William Blake
“Anger is a stone thrown at a wasp’s nest.” Anon.

SEPTEMBER NOTABLES
Birthdays: 1-Ben Policastro; 2- Bob Cary; 4- Jeff Malloy; 16- Mark Barnhart; 17- Ed Meadows; 20- Katy Doran, Darrin Shaffer; 22- Stacy Clemmer; 30 – Jim Harrold
Membership Anniversaries: Tom Jachimowicz, 20 years; Cathy Baumann, 14 yrs.; Gene James, 10 yrs.; Bobbi Stemmler-Guest, 7 yrs.; Anne Peagler, 6 yrs.; Wayne Doyle, 6 yrs.; Chris DeDiana, 5 yrs.; Jerry Supko, 5 yrs.; Joe Petrillo- 3 yrs.

Rotary FLASH for 09-12-2006
THE FLASH for the Rotary Club of Greensburg PA for September 12, 2006

Our September 12 meeting started in a different manner than usual. The sound system was silent when it should have been heard, and try as she could, President Mary could not coax it to turn on. Finally through Jeff Malloy’s efforts (I think) the blessed thing came on, and all seemed to be well. That is, until Mary, who had been well programmed for time, thought she would by pass the traditional practice and begin with the invocation. (
Her heart was in the right place.) When she realized her mistake, she retreated, and announced that we would begin with the pledge of allegiance, and a verse of that “song thing” and then the invocation. Ah, well, -- all’s well that ends well, -- and it did!
Our invocation was shared with us by John Sproull. Once we got rolling, things came in their natural order. Sgt. at Arms Dennis Cremonese announced that we had 54 members in attendance, and two guests. Ed Nemanic welcomed his wife, Camille. We were pleased that she could be with us. Our other guest was the speaker, John Simpson.

Pres. Clymer announced that our School Guests would begin next week with Katy Doran acting as driver. Then she gave us the WOW for the day. (Word of the Week) It was duplicitous, meaning deceptive. Most of us did better picking the meaning this week than last – I am not sure what that says about us..but we will let it rest there. She reminded the ROTARY BOARD what it would be meeting THURSDAY, SEPT. 14 at Chambers Hall, UPG.
A letter from Mary Berg, Johnstown Club announcing that anyone interested in being a Team Leader for the GSE Program, leading American business leaders to Turkey, May 16-June 13, please contact Mary Berg at 814 535 4398. GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN LEARNING AND BUILDING COMMUNITY!
Ed Meadows announced that he had 2 tickets to the 84 Lumber Classic that he is willing to give to anyone interested. Give Ed a call.
John Sproull sent a clip board around again, asking for volunteers to drive students to our meetings.
Katy Doran brought us up to date on the Rotary Exchange student who was refused admittance to Hempfield High School. She is now attending Derry High School whose principal said they would never turn down a Rotary Exchange Student. Let’s hear it for Derry!
Thanks to those involved in resolving this particular problem.
SPEAKER FOR THE DAY WAS JOHN SIMPSON, Director of Marketing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His topic was “Life after the Super Bowl.” He was introduced by his friend, Rick Nedley. Both graduated from Penn Trafford H. S. in 1975. (Do you realize that was in the last century? - Didn’t know Rick was that old.)
John reminded us that “Dreams and miracles do come true.” He felt this way about working for the Rooney family and the Steeler organization. He said that it has been a whirlwind since the Super Bowl win. The phones haven’t stopped ringing, and they have been signing up sponsors. They have many college interns working with them in the marketing section. Everyone employed full time is from Western Pennsylvania which is a novelty for NFL franchises. The events since the “Big” game included among others: a trip to the White House, Fantasy Camp, Women’s Camp of 350 ladies from 22 states; Training Camp which set attendance records. The team appreciated the support of its fans and businesses in the preseason. . He related that the NFL took charge of the Opening Game festivities. It has become the 2nd biggest event for them besides the Super Bowl. There were 150 Super Bowl Rings made for the team and the staff of the Steelers. Questions and Comments brought out that Ray Charley was at a Sports Bar in New York on Thursday – Opening Day- where the crowd was chanting “Here We Go Steelers..” Chuck Strobel indicated that even in Alaska there are die hard fans! John liked to hear this! He also shared that the waiting list for season tickets is 37000. He pointed out that 5000 tickets for each game are set aside for non season subscribers. (Drawn by chance.) He ended as he began with “Don’t let your dreams ever go away. Do the right thing – you can accomplish your goals.” GOOD PROGRAM - THANKS!

NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM Rick Nedley, Chairman: Kirk Utzinger from the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County - “A President’s View”

THOUGHTS TO PONDER
“The mind of the bigot is like the pupil of the eye; the more light you pour upon it, the more it will contract.” Oliver Wendell Holmes
“He who has great strength should use it lightly.” Latin
“The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.” Edmund Burke

Rotary FLASH of 09-05-2006
THE FLASH for the Rotary Club of Greensburg PA for September 5, 2006

For the first meeting after Labor Day, we were treated to a program on the effectiveness of the Strong Kids Program at the YMCA. Introduced by Rick Nedley, Jan Sapotichne led us through the Greensburg Y’s summer and winter programs for children in our area.
They involve approximately 500 children in the summer and a like number for the winter months in various types of programs. She and Rick pointed out the need for financial help for families who cannot afford the full expense. Jan has been at our Y for 13 years, and has national recognition for the program here. The Y is the 3rd largest child care provider in the area. A brochure was available on the tables outlining the needs and the programs. Over $158, 623.00 has been subsidized for families and children in various programs. This is a needy cause and well worth our support. Rick pointed out that many of our Rotarians individually gave support this past year. Thanks for the special effort to help our local kids!

To hear this program, Dennis Cremonese, Sgt. at Arms, reported that we had 54 Rotarians in attendance, no visitors except our speaker. Pete Dochinez led us in the invocation, and President Mary Clymer led us through the meeting. After sharing a thank you from Matt Kohler for a college scholarship, she challenged us with a word for the Spelling Bee Project: Vociferous – and asked us the meaning. Most of us needed a dictionary to define accurately the meaning! (The accepted one was: loud outcry!)
Bill Rudolph brought a message from the hospital bedside of Jim Harrold at Shadyside where he has had an elbow replaced, the 8th by the doctor who operated! Jim is doing well – and so is the doctor. Jim has become a celebrity when he let it be known that he was an author, and now he is exercising his elbow by lifting his tomes and autographing them for the awestruck crowd! We know how that feels! Hurry back, Jim.
John Sproull sent a clipboard around for us to sign for a date to pick up students at the high schools. The first will be on Sept. 19.
NEXT WEEK: John Simpson from the PITTSBURGH STEELER ORGANIZATION
Also a reminder of the Rotary Board meeting on Sept. 14 at UPG Hempfield Room.

Incidentally, the editor and his wife were recipients of a donation to the Rutter Scholarship Fund; it came in an attractive announcement folder noting the occasion. Don’t you have someone you wish to honor – or remember? This is a good way to do it.

Thoughts to Ponder
“One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.” Anne Morrow Lindberg
“The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.” William James
“There is no more expensive thing than a free gift.” Michel de Montaigne