Ambler Rotary Wheel

 

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 34                                                                               February 22, 2005

 

Today’s Newsletter is being written by the rookie-in-training; any comments should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief of the Washington Times…

 

FEBRUARY 22 MEETING.  President Tom opened today’s meeting with the Pledge to the Flag, singing of God Bless American and Ron Larson, subbing for John Costa, invoked world peace upon us.

Visiting Rotarians joining us today included Nick Gears from Norristown, Rich Bromberg from North Penn.  Jim Kline brought Phyllis to lunch (this is known as a “cheap date”) and Steve Serca.  Bruce Braunewell brought one of his partners, the gracious and lovely Joyce Miller.  President Tom always seems to pull our members or his mother-in-law into his jokes and today was no exception.  Noting that (while directing his comments to one Harden Ervin) is seems the Pentagon is having a special NASCAR race this year, known as the “US Redneck Special Forces” race featuring drivers from most of the southern states, especially Mississippi. 

President Tom, you’ve got to visit the Atlantic Book Warehouse!

 

COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATION.  This mini fund raiser was omitted today to allow sufficient time for our program

 

 

 

 

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 16tth with a la carte dinner at The Shanachie followed by an evening of fun at Act II Playhouse to see “Syncopation” .  Tickets are still available (see Grace).
  • His Royal Highness, the Bob King announced that Walt West will be running our annual Grand Club with Bob as his heavy arm.  This event raises $7,000, so let’s each commit to selling or buying 10 tickets.  Joe Schneider has been the ticket “King” for years and aims to keep his crown.  A note to all of you who are spending the winter in Florida: we are counting on you to do your share - $$$.

 

PROGRAM. Kudos to our program Chair, Pat Magee for planning today’s program.  We recognized our past presidents, one decade at a time. A good number of past presidents were present and were allowed to briefly mention something about their year as “King.” 

 

                                                                    Photo by Tom Morrison

 

[All those who were present at today’s meeting are in regular type; those not in attendances are in BOLD type]

 

1960- 61 - Our most senior past president, Bill Strasburg, was basking in the sun in southern Florida, but it was pointed out that under Bill’s leadership, Ambler Rotary helped establish the Ambler Public Library on Race St.

1963-1964 – Ed Gessner

1967-68 - Bill Weir

1975-76 – Dan Ritter was President during our 50th anniversary and under Dan’s leadership Ambler Rotary helped organize and equip the Community Ambulance Association.

1979-80 – George Carey helped organize some singing, somewhere. (Sorry, George)

1983-84 – Bill McAuliffe, our club banner was designed and has been seen around the world ever since.

1983-84 – Jim Kline

1986-87 – Dick Booth, the Ambler Rotary Trophy for the winner of the Wissahickon vs. Upper Dublin Thanksgiving Day football game was established.

1987-1988 – Mark Waltz

1988-89 – Walt West told us how our Rotary Singers went to Williamsburg, VA for the District Conference and swept first place in the talent show, thus winning a $1,000 for a Paul Harris Fellowship.

1991-1992 – Phil Albright

1992-1993 – Mike Smith

1993-1994 – Eric Faddis

1994-1995 – Geff Ries read a letter from one of our outbound exchange students thanking us for allowing her to represent our club and our community.

1995-1996 – Jack Gomberg, our club was recognized by RI as having the second best “unique” program in the world that year.

1996-1997 – Dave Roberts

1997-1998 – Hunt Weber

1998-1999 – Al Douglass

1999-2000 – Sharon Dager was our first female president.

2000-2001 – George B. Ditter hosted our 75th anniversary dinner dance.

2001-2002 – Lamont Satterly guided us to a successful golf tournament, raising $65,000 to benefit the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard. See footnote re: Jim Caldwell.   

2002-2003 – Jim Caldwell thanked Lamont Satterly for having such a successful year   raising money and then spending it all and leaving Jim’s administration scratching for cash.

2003-2004 – Skip Urban

2004-2005 – Liz Ketterlinus

 

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

 

 

Arvind Bhakta.

 

**********

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

 

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 and call Elaine to let her know:

                       

                 Set-up/

                  Take-Down                     Prayer                         50/50               Greeters  

 

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.