The Rotary Club of Ambler

www.rotary.org – rotary international web site

www.amblerrotary.org – our web site

www.rotarydistrict7430.org – district web site

Vol. 81. Edition 33 February 15, 2005

Our esteemed Senior Editor-in-Chief, George B. Ditter attended today’s weekly meeting but asked therookie-in-training to prepare this newsletter in his stead.

FEBRUARY 15 MEETING. President Tom opened today’s meeting with the Pledge to the Flag, Donna led us in singing “America” and Dick Booth invoked the Almighty into our service as Rotarians. Missing was Dr. Booth’s request for continued success in acquiring the winning 50/50 ticket.

President Tom thanked all who assisted in getting today’s meeting off so smoothly, especially Arvind Bhakta for setting up and Jim Caldwell for running our ever fun 50/50. Special thanks went out to Bill Weir for filling in for our assigned greeters, who were AWOL.

Chuck Dager put everyone on the spot by asking questions about the February issue of “The Rotarian.” It seems that most of us have not opened the magazine yet. Chuck recommended that we check out the article “A conversation with Barry E. Thompson”, Chair, Strategic Planning Committee found on page 46 and the article beginning on page 48, “Lifeline to Iraq.”

President Tom read a letter from Marisa White, a teacher at the Mattison Avenue School asking for assistance in acquiring a refrigerator for the faculty at the school. After a brief discussion, it seems as though the Landises might be able to assist.

COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATION. Steve Bass parted with a dollar with joy in his heart as President Tom had not told any jokes up to this point. This prompted the President to fall into joke mode. Pointing out that several of our members wore hearing aids; he told a story of a 95 year old couple, which fell on deaf ears. Thanks to Dave Lightkep, President Tom attempted to get even with Steve Bass by reading “true” one-liners from kids in a Bible class. Tom attended a wedding in a Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC and worked in a joke around the hymn of “Shall We Gather at the River?”

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS. Walt West, Dan Ritter, Eric Faddis, Bill McAuliffe, Dexter Schierenbeck, Jim Kline and Al Douglass were recognized. A picture of those in attendance is missing because the photographer was so excited, expecting his club present. Oh, that’s right; we don’t have any club presents in stock. Maybe by July 1, eh?

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

• The Rotary Club of Allentown West will be holding their Thirteenth Annual Charity Auction on Friday March 31, 2006 at the Fogelsville Auction Center. Further information may be found by clicking on the link at the top of the newsletter, “Rotary District 7430”, then “Club Events” on the left hand column.

• The Rotary Club of Willow Grove will presenting a “World-Class Performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem Mass at the Calvary Presbyterian Church, 405 Easton Road, Willow Grove on March 9 and 10, 2006 beginning at 7:00 P.M. Call 215-784-9990 or 215-675-4000 for tickets ($20)

• Her Grace Landis was reminded us that our winter social will be held on March 16^th. Tickets are still available, but money to the Act II Playhouse must be turned in very soon. Don’t be left out in the cold.

• President Tom announced that Walt West will be running our annual Grand Club ticket sales, which will be kicking off within the next couple weeks. This event raises $7,000, so let’s each commit to selling or buying 10 tickets. Joe Schneider will account for the remaining tickets.

PROGRAM. Our David Roberts, Executive Director of the Wissahickon Public Library and Lou Keen, President of the Fort Washington Historical Society spoke and used a Power Point presentation of their joint project to digitize past issues of the Ambler Gazette, presently in the care of the Society. Issues date back into the late 1800’s. This is a large project, with planning looking into taking one small step at a time. Nearly $250,000 will be needed to complete the entire project. Dave noted that he is in the process of applying to as many local foundations as possible and is in his best “begging” mode at present. Anyone have a quarter mil you don’t need?

Lou Keen and David Roberts

50-50. the winner of the white tee and a free lunch was…

Steve Pribis.

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UP-COMING PROGRAMS. (Program Chair, Pat McGee)

2-22 – Past President’s Recognition

3-1 – Craig Silverman – Real Estate Appraisals/Values

ASSIGNMENTS. (Chair, Elaine Hubing) The following Rotarians are reminded that if you can't fulfill your service obligation, please provide a suitable substitute:

Set-up/

Take-Down Prayer 50/50 Greeters

2-22 – Carey Costa W. West Craig & C. Dager

3-1 - Deragon Ditter S. Dager Howard & Pribis

3-8 - Ervin Douglass Pribis Warner & Lawrence

3-15 - Faddis Geraldino Fleisher Gerhard & Regan

3-22 - Jablokov Kadel Holteen Graham & McGonagle

3-29 - Warner Jacoby Kim Kline & Blasko

AFTERTHOUGHT. With our Sr. Editor-in-Chief’s dedication to his real profession the Afterthought section has been blank for several weeks. It was suggested that since we have so many talented individuals in our club who seem to have strong opinions on most matters, we should invite “Guest” Afterthoughts. If you have something that would enhance the quality of our newsletter, please share it with us and send it to Eric at: efaddis@verizon.net. Our editorial board will review and if deemed worth, we will publish. Even George Ditter is welcome to send in his Afterthoughts.