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 44 May 3, 2006

Change-Over will be held on June 21 at 6 P.M

MAY 3 MEETING:

On this first Wednesday in May, we opened with the Pledge to the Flag, singing of “America” (since neither Lamont Satterly nor David Roberts were in attendance, the writer can not guarantee that it was not “America the Beautiful” or any other song), and Sam Swansen was thankful for the camaraderie that one find’s in Rotary meetings. We were bless to have over-cooked chicken, or as Chuck Dager called it, “crisp” chicken.

President Tom gave thanks to Joan Coleman, Jim Caldwell, Jim Kline (50/50 and set-up), Bob Myers (set-up), Bill Strasburg and Joe Schneider (greeters). These “thank you” words were followed by some humor from our dear President at the expense of Dick Booth. It seems that Tom’s mother-in-law visits Dick twice a year, once for each tooth. It also seems that a patient with yellow teeth asked Dick what she could do about her yellow teeth and Dick told her to be sure to wear brown. Bada bang. Then there was, I think, Jim Kline in a barber shop getting a shave and manicure while hitting on the girl who was giving him a manicure, she said that she was married, but evidently Jim wasn’t fazed and hinted about a date. She said that he would have to ask her husband and by the way he was the one with razor in his hand giving him a shave.

New member, Rich Bromberg, who when ask by President Tom to say a few words, said, “A few words.”

Wordsworth and Wissahickon Interact Clubs conducted a tree planting session on Tuesday, May 2^nd on Wissahickon Valley Water Shed property on Swedesford Road. About 40 students participated and learned the dos and don’ts of planting from Bob Adams (WVWS). Thanks to Rotarians, Chuck Dager, and Granddaughter Abigail, Bill Weir, Maria Kim and Eric Faddis for assisting.

GUESTS:

Peter Gutekunst from Huntington Valley Rotary Club
Bob Bryant from Rotary Club #1, a.k.a. Chicago Rotary Club
S. Gayley Atkinson, PDG – retired
Ann Dunnington from the Springfield Rotary Club
Marion Freeman, guest of Dave Lightkep
Gene Martenson, guest of Tom Murphy
Mary Lee Johnson, guest of Jim Kline

COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATION:

Today, dollars came fast and furiously so, it is hoped that no one was over-looked or misrepresented as in last week’s news letter. Here goes:

Ron Larson has accepted a new position as General Manager at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, GA and will be moving on May 22. By the way, his house is on the market…
Eric recognized Donna and the wonderful music that she plays, week after week.
Bill Weir said a special thanks to Walt and Joanne West for the outstanding job they did in volunteering, along with their church group, to rebuild a home of an elderly couple in Southern MS that was destroyed by Hurricane Karina.
Elaine Hubing was happy to report that her grandson had an extremely good cardiology report.
Jim Caldwell reported that he will be managing a new Harleysville National Bank branch in Lansdale, but still plans to remain an Ambler Rotarian, at least for the time being.
Chuck Dager felt a special word was in order to recognize his guest, PDG, Gayley Atkinson.
Rich Bromberg was sad that the Flyers lost to Buffalo.
Joan Coleman wanted to make a correction to last week’s newsletter – there were 136 students from Methacton High School that she and her husband chaperoned, not 36 as reported. Sorry, ‘bout that Joan. She also reported that the Methacton Indoor Girls Color Guard took first place in the “States” competition.
George Cary announced that the Barber Shop concert that everyone missed was outstanding. Thanks, George.
Geff Ries did some bragging about his son who is now working as an executive for Wright Express Corp (WXS). It’s neat to that our young one’s are achieving great things.
Paul Kadel announced that Ken Crest’s annual golf tournament will be held on Tuesday, September 26^th at River Crest Country Club. Mark your calendar.
John Snyder announced that President Tom actually found the sixth cog in the Rotary Wheel.
Bruce Braunewell was glad to see Peter Gutekunst with us today.
Maria Kim was celebrating her Daughter’s 21^st birthday and her son’s 18^th birthday. How can that be when she’s only 30?

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The Artman Home Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, May 8^th at North Hills Country Club. The cost is $175.00 per person and includes lunch, golf, dinner and door prizes. This is a scramble format, so get your foursome together and let Ron Larson know. Ron may be reached at 215-643-0314 or by e-mail at: rlarson@LibertyLutheran.org
District 7430 will be conducting a Golf Clinic on May 24^th at 3:00 P.M. at the Midland Golf Course. See President Tom for further information.
The District Conference to be held on Saturday June 3^rd at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Allentown, PA. Full packages which include the full program, breakfast buffet, lunch buffet, memorial service, governor’s reception and banquet, evening entertainment and gift bag is priced at $178 per couple. The district golf tournament will be held on Friday June 2^nd at the Olde Homestead CC in New Tripoli, PA. Total cost is only $75 and includes green fees, card, lunch, pot of gold. See President Tom for further details
Liberty Lutheran Services invites you to the opening weekend of “The Lion King’ on Sunday June 11, 2006 – 1:00 P.M at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Tickets are only $35 and are on sale today. Call 215-283-2404.
Ann Blasko will be chair of the annual golf outing on Change-over morning at the Sunnybrook country Club. See Ann for details. Rumors that Jim Kline will be required to turn in a valid handicap card.
Ken Crest’s annual golf tournament will be held on Tuesday, September 26^th at River Crest Country Club. See Paula Kadel for more details.
Remember: If you want to visit another club for fun or for a make-up and don’t know where and when clubs meet, follow these directions to locate a club:

At the top of this newsletter you will see: “www.rotarydistrict7430.org – district web site.”
Point your mouse to that and left click the mouse.
The District web site will open.
In the left hand column, find “Club Information” and under that “Club Meetings”. Point your mouse and left click.
A list of all clubs in our district, meeting locations and meeting times will appear.
Take your pick and good luck…

GRAND CLUB UPDATE:

Since Bob King and Walt West were MIA, the first three drawings will be held at next week’s meeting. Remember, YOU are responsible for turning in money and ticket stubs. If you have not done so, get your money in to Walt. Simply make your check out to the Rotary Club of Ambler. DO NOT come to next weeks meeting and try to turn in unsold tickets. Do your part.

ROTARY MINUTE #1:

John Snyder went to the Rotary International web site for today’s presentation, where he found the “Responsibilities of Membership.” It states:

Rotary club membership carries with it certain responsibilities.

Members are expected to attend weekly programs of the club. Opportunities to make up attendance include attending the regular meeting of another Rotary club, attending various other Rotary meetings, or attending a club service project authorized by the club board of directors.
Members are required to pay annual dues to their clubs, their districts, and to Rotary International.
Members are expected to participate in local or international activities or projects of the Rotary club.
Clubs encourage members to aspire to leadership or committee roles within their clubs.

PROGRAM:

Michelle C. Berk, P.C., who specializes in Elder Law, was today’s guest speaker. She started by asking what we thought were important documents that we should have. Topping Michelle’s list was a Durable Power of Attorney and she explained why they are so important. If you do not have one, go immediately to your family lawyer or where large estates are in play, a lawyer who specializes in Estate Planning or Elder Law. Next on Michelle’s list was a Living Will or Health Care Directive. This is the way you let your loved one know what measures you want to be taken in case you are in an “irreversible state.” Do you want measures taken to prolong your life? What do you want done and what do you not want done? Then the discussion turned to the importance of having a will, whether you have assets or not. Do your homework and let your lawyer know who you want to be Executor/Executrix, successors of same, beneficiaries, trustees and guardians for minor children. As a side note, did you know that about 60% of all lawyers do not have a will?

50-50: the winner with the white tee and $12 was Hunt the Weber.

**********

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

5-10 – Part I – A Marine’s Birdseye view of Iraq, Part II – The Middle East Dilemma - Ed Turzanski, TV and Radio Political analyst

5-17 – Yvette Palmer PDG, “The Rotary Foundation”

5-24 - TBA

ASSIGNMENTS: (Chair, Elaine Hubing) Remember 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

5-10 – W. West Albright Williams Weir & Woodland

5-17 – Waltz Weber Warner Stranges & Irving

5-24 – Bhakta Booth Bass Zaffarano & Pribis

5-31 – Cox Carey Howard Blasko & Blumenthal

6-7 – Costa C. Dager Deragon Craig & S. Dager

6-14 – Faddis Douglass Geraldino Fleisher & Howard

6-21 **************************Change-over******************************

6-28 – Gerhard Gessner Graham Holteen & Hummel

AFTERTHOUGHT: Contributed by Senior Editor-in-Chief, George B. Ditter - after a little hiatus, your correspondent returns to the fray.

Senator John Kerry recently gave a speech in which, among other felicities, he observed that Thomas Jefferson had once stated that “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.” Alas, unfortunately, the Senatorial speechwriting budget precludes use of that obscure research tool called the “Internet,” or else the Jr. Senator from Mass. could have visited the Website of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (which operates Monticello) where, at www.monticello.org/library/reference/quotes.html, he would have found that that quote leads the list of “spurious Jefferson quotes.”

Now far from it from me to castigate the good Senator for what doubtless is merely the slovenly habits of his speechwriter (after all Teddy Kennedy used the quote last year and the Kerry guy could assume that the Sr. Senator’s staff had some actual source for the quote), except that, aside from being spurious, the statement is idiotic. Dissent is value free; it all depends on from what one is dissenting. After all, treason or lawbreaking are the most extreme forms of dissent from the path that a nation chooses.

Allow your correspondent a couple of examples:

The Constitution states that the person receiving the highest number of votes in the Electoral College shall become President. In the Election of 1860, it appeared that Republican A. Lincoln would receive the highest number of votes in the Electoral College, even though he had not received the votes of a majority of Americans, and accordingly, would be elected President. A sufficient number of persons dissented from this state of affairs under the Constitution that 10 states passed Articles of Secession and kicked off a Civil War - expressing their patriotism apparently. Following the end of that conflict, in accordance with the terms of the Constitution, among others, the 15^th Amendment to the Constitution was duly adopted, providing for the right to vote without regard to race or former condition of servitude. Among those dissenting from the adoption of this Amendment was Nathan Bedford Forrest, former Confederate General, who gathered his fellow dissenters together to form an organization in which they could express this “highest form of patriotism” - the Ku Klux Klan.

For the record, Thomas Jefferson was not the source of “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.” Rather it appears to have been coined by Howard Zinn, the Marxist “historian.” * So my suggestion to Senator Kerry clean up that bit of the speech, the merits of your position are just as good if you say: “This is not the first time in American history when patriotism has been distorted to defend criticism and mislead the nation. No wonder Howard Zinn himself said `Dissent is the greatest form of patriotism.’”

* We put the scare quotes around “historian” since Marxists generally have the same tender regard for accuracy in history as they do for other bourgeois values that do not advance the struggle of the Working Class out of capitalist oppression - but don’t quote me on that.