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 37 March 15, 2005

MARCH 15 MEETING: The meeting was opened with the Pledge to the Flag, singing of “America the Beautiful”, known to President Tom as “America.” Lamont Satterly assures this correspondent that there is a difference between the two songs. Paula Kadel raised praise for this morning’s snow flurries and other noble thoughts. President Tom was again, grateful for those that helped in readying for today’s meeting: Joan Coleman, Dick Johnson, “Oh, Donna”, and Steve Pribis at 50-50.

President Tom was sporting his St. Patrick’s vest and laughed his way into Irish humor by telling a joke about the family with eight children and ended with the line, “A stitch in time saves nine.” He explained that it takes one million sperm to fertilize one egg (which was supposed to illustrate how men never ask for directions?) We were urged to exercise more to extend our lives so we could live in Bill Strasburg’s retirement community (in nursing care for an even longer period of time than would have), and finally President Tom laid an egg with a joke about a Missionary in Africa.

Today’s Rotary guests included our girl from Springfield, Ann Dunnington and Assistant District Governor and Blue Bell member, Patty Smith. Patty had the following announcements:

• Group Study Exchange will be going outbound in September to South Africa. They are looking for a Rotary Team Leader. See President Tom if you might be interested in spending a month in South Africa leading 4 young non-Rotary business people. The District is in the process of interviewing those 4 young non- Rotary personnel.
• The District Conference will be a one day meeting in Allentown on Saturday, June 3, 2006. Registration forms will be available soon.
• The District Golf Outing will be on Friday afternoon on June 2, 2006. Mike Smith will most likely be organizing foursomes.
• The District Assembly will be held at Montgomery Community College on Saturday, April 22, 2006.
• The Blue Bell Rotary Club is now meeting at the Normandy Farms Conference Center on Tuesday morning’s beginning at 7:15.

Our final guest was Tony Stranges, Marsha’s husband. Lamont was trying to figure out if Marsha paid for Tony or did Tony pay for Marsha…

Back to President Tom: He announced that Bill Strasburg sent him a note that there is some sort of “battle” going on down in south Florida. It seems there can been seen a large number of bumper stickers which read, “Run Hillary, Run.” Democrats are placing on the back bumper and Republicans are placing on the front bumper. What about the Independents?

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH: We were blessed to have two honorees today.

Cary Fleisher introduced Larry Kaminski from Wordsworth Academy

Larry Kaminski

Paula Kadel introduced Frank Lin from Upper Dublin Senior High School.

Frank Lin

COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATION:

• Geff Ries place a $10 check in to the pot, which was given to him, in humility, by Eric Faddis. Geff and Eric have an annual $10 bet on their Alma Maters during March Madness. The one whose team survives the longest wins. Geff won - this year as the Ques made it to the tourney and the Deacons didn’t!
• Marsha contributed with joy in returning from her recent colon cancer surgery;
• Dick Landis had something to say about a T-shirt and announced that today was Grace’s birthday. We all sang to her.
• George Carey donated $5 to announce that he worked on the sound system for the recent “Coaches Against Cancer” program and had an opportunity to meet most of our local coaches.
• Drew Graham was excited to contribute to recognize his new wife, Barbara.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Tonight – Thursday, March 16, 2006 there is a St. Patrick’s Day party and business card exchange at the Holiday Inn in Ft. Washington which is sponsored by the Ft. Washington Business Alliance. We are invited to attend. The party runs from 5:30 to 8:00 P.M. Call President Tom if you will be attending.

• The Wissahickon High School Music Department will present a Jazz Festival on Friday, March 24, starting at 6:00 pm in the Auditorium.  Several high school jazz bands will participate. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens.  Attendees are encouraged to drop off used musical instruments in the Auditorium for distribution to Gulf Coast Musicians.  There will also be a special appearance by the Hoppin John Orchestra, which is comprised of area music teachers. 

• 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.

• Bob the King reminded us that Walt West is running our annual Grand Club with Bob as his “strong arm” (Walt is his back-up). This event raises $7,000, so let’s each commit to selling or buying 10 tickets. There are 250 tickets remaining and ALL need to be sold. Those of you in Florida that haven’t received your tickets yet, call Walt at 215-855-9487 and confirm with Walt that you want your tickets.

PROGRAM. The program was the second of two Irish music programs. Last week Bill McAuliffe entertained us and today, Gerry Timlin, the Proprietor of Shanachie Irish Pub in Ambler provided a quick course in Irish history with a taste of real Irish ballads. Overheard was the following question, “Are all Irish singers’ tenors?” Has anyone ever heard an Irish base singer? One special note is that Gerry sang a song entitled, “Grace” in honor of Her Grace Landis’ birthday. It was also noted that our guest, Ann Dunnington seem to know every word of each song that was presented by Gerry.

Gerry Timlin

50-50: the winner with the white tee and $12 was Suzanne Pigninelli, a teacher at Wordsworth and our guest for the Wordsworth Student of the Month award.

Suzanne Pigninelli

**********

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

3-22 – Rob Croll, PA Fish Commission Update

3-29 – Steve Pribis and the Ambler Symphony

ASSIGNMENTS: (Chair, Elaine Hubing) We 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

3-22 - Jablokov Kadel Holteen Graham & McGonagle

3-29 - Warner Jacoby Kim Kline & Blasko

4-5 - D. Landis Larson Lawrence G. Landis & Lightkep

4-12 - Marinucci Miller Blasko McAuliffe & Irving

4-19 – R. Myers Pugsley McGonagle Pribis & Parkinson

4-26 – Reis Ries Reinoehl Roberts & Satterly

5-3 - Smith Swansen Urban Schneider & Strasburg

A rendering of proposed Wissahickon Creek Bridge Project

AFTERTHOUGHT: Contributing Editor, Robert N. King, a.k.a. Bob the King

Why build the bridge?

As most of you know the Rotary Club of Ambler’s centennial project is a bridge over the Wissahickon creek. I have been talking about "the bridge” since 2003. Phil Albright and I have been developing the concept of a walking trail along the Wissahickon since the summer of 2002.

OK then, why build a trail along the Wissahickon?

The Rotary Club of Ambler’s service area encompasses Ambler Borough as well as Lower Gwynedd, Upper Dublin and a portion of Whitpain Townships. The common thread with these municipalities is that they all developed because of and along the Wissahickon Creek. Rotary International suggested that every club undertake a local project to honor its centennial. Their directive stated that it should be a “large” project and should have a “hands on” component. Where better to start than with the natural resource that started it all.

A trail along the Wissahickon would be potentially beneficial to many, dare I say most, of the people who live in our area. It would provide space for exercise and recreation in land that now lies fallow. Its actual cost would be low and its potential seems limitless.

Our initial plan called for us to develop a walking trail along the sewer right of way between Mt. Pleasant Ave. and Butler pike. This trail would be relatively easy to construct as the area was fairly flat and there were no stream crossing. Because it is situated entirely within Whitpain Township we went to the Township with the idea. The Township manager, Phyllis Liberman, and her Parks & Recreation Department personnel were supportive. The Township supervisors were not. We move on…

Plan B involved land under the control of the Wissahickon Valley Watershed. This new plan offered a longer pathway and no surrounding homes. It also presented us with a very large obstacle, a 90 foot stream crossing. In order to make plan B happen we needed to cross the creek and for that we needed a bridge.

BUT there is more to it that just our desire to make plan B a reality. Our club has been an integral and active member of the community since 1925. Many of the things that we take for granted today are here because of Ambler Rotary’s involvement. The Library was started with the help of Rotary as was the Community Ambulance. The Y has a branch here because of Rotarians. The community cupboard has a new home with the help of Rotary. But very few people in the community know about any of this.

As one travels throughout America; in towns and cities, one can see the signs of Rotary.

I’m not just referring to the familiar roadside signs that say you’re welcome to attend our meeting. There are other more significant signs. I’m talking about BIG Signs. Signs that say this park was developed by Rotary or this playground was donated by Rotary. The bridge and trail is our sign. A large sign that says Rotary is alive and flourishing in Ambler.

The bridge is functional and symbolic. Its function is to allow the people in our community, our friends and neighbors, to use and enjoy a local treasure, the Wissahickon Creek. And more importantly, it symbolizes Ambler Rotary’s commitment to our community.