The Rotary Club of Ambler

www.rotary.org – rotary international web site

www.amblerrotary.org – our web site

www.rotarydistrict7430.org  – district web site

President, Patrick A. McGee

Correspondent – Steve Pribis  

Photos by John Snyder

SEPTEMBER 26 MEETING:

President Pat, looking for Miss Lillian, was unable to attend, so our capable Phil-in, First Vice President, John Gerhard opened today’s meeting promptly at 12:15 by asking us to recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and singing “America” (that’s “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” for the title challenged Rotarians).

George Carey (File photo)

George Carey offered the invocation by thanking God for what we Rotarians have been able to accomplish, the pride of being a Rotarian, but not to rest on that pride and continue to do the work that needs to be done. John also acknowledged our helpers today – Steve Bass (setup) and that multi-tasking George Carey and Elsie Casimir as greeters.

 VISITORS: 

·         Mohit “Mo” Anand, our newest inbound student from India, who is attending Wissahickon High School this year, thanks to JR Warner today.

·          Heather Miller, a guest of Sam Swansen.

COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATION:

·         Eric Faddis’ absence was celebrated by Steve Pribis, who also dropped in another buck to announce that his daughter will be in the movie (yes, movie) “Sex in the City.”

·         Steve Bass, paid tribute to Dave Roberts and Phil Albright’s Rotary minute honoring and remembering Dave last week

·         .George Carey celebrated his 50 years – not as a Rotarian, but as a Mason – way to go George!

·         Jim Caldwell, on announcing his 4^th grandchild (you’ve got some catching up to do to gain on some of the others, Jim).

·         DMK, on announcing “Ambler Alley of the Arts.” A new mural will soon be unveiled on Cavalier Street. Rumor has it that Lynne Pribis may have something to do with this.

·         Gerry Timlin, on the successful surgery for his sister in Ireland.

·         Jay Jablokov, bemoaning the Penn State loss on account of some freshmen.

A ROTARY MINUTE:

Bruce Braunewell, taking a page out of Al Douglass’ book and celebrating his 29^th? birthday (Donna quickly offered a good ole’ version of Happy Birthday), did his own version of the Top 10. See his list below – nice touch, Bruce!

Bruce Braunewell

PROGRAM:

With Donna’s ever-capable talents, she introduced them with a “Take Me out to the Ball Game,” Ted Taylor and Jeff Stevens, baseball nuts and aficionados, presented their stories and highlights of authenticating sports collectibles. Their brief bios and summaries of what they do are shown below. While they spoke they passed around 3 baseballs, all of which looked to be autographed by either Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner or Ty Cobb – only one of them appeared to be the real deal. The others were deemed to be “unable to be authenticated.” They also spoke of the incident when they were asked to validate a baseball singed by “Chef Bender” – boy could he cook! They also told of a good Willie Mays story and about a woman (she’s not stupid) who hired these two to appraise her (soon to be ex?) husband’s collection, then proceeded to leave them do their work alone in the house for a couple of hours. Suffice it to say they sped up there process and tried to hide any fingerprints.

The Ted and Jeff Show

GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE:

You may have already received an e-mail from our District Governor, Gerry Long about some help we need for the 2008 Group Study Exchange Program.  I have sent you all a couple of e-mails now and know that discussion about the Exchange has taken place in some Clubs.

We do need your help-

As of today, for Team Leader-- we have only 1 applicant.

For Team Members-- we have 0 applicants--- we need 4!

Host Clubs- we have had two clubs express interest--- we need two more.

Please see the information below and please try to help us with this very worthwhile program-- If anyone has any questions, please e-mail me or call me at (610) 360-4875-cell phone-- or at home at (610) 965-4151.

Thanks so much!

Cindy Hornaman

Group Study Exchange Chair

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Remember, Dues are now payable.  Make your check payable to the Rotary Club of Ambler for $135 and give it to Jim Caldwell as soon as possible.
• Bloomingdale’s season is now upon us. By now you should have received your tickets – shop soon and help raise $$ for Rotary

• November 16th is the date.  Mark it in your calendar.  The Barbary Coast Dixieland Band will return for their 3^rd Annual performance.  Something is really going to be different.  We will be hosting the show at the NEW Ambler Theatre arena.  This will be the first on stage performance for the new 285 seat theatre.  Tickets will be $35 per person.  We will be coordinating with local dining establishments to have special menus, etc. so it will be a “Night to Remember.”  A least 3 tickets have been sold to date – 282 more to go.  Tickets will be available for distribution at September 25 meeting.
• Next year’s Group Study Exchange, which will take place in Brazil in May 2008. Perhaps someone will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to go (reference letter earlier in newsletter).

• There will be a District Leadership conference at the Valley Forge Conference Center on November 17^th.  See Pat McGee for further information.
• Plan now to attend the District Conference in the Pocono’s, the last weekend in April, with the Bethlehem Club as the host club.  Start saving now as this looks to be an extremely exciting conference.  This will be a combined District Conference with Districts 7430 and 7450.  It is anticipated that the cost to Rotarians will be somewhere between $650-700 per couple.  The District will be subsidizing a portion of the actual cost.

50/50:

Larry (Mr. Lucky, or is he Dick Booth in disguise?) House was the winner of $435 because he pulled out the red golf tee.  Larry was feeling pretty good about his winnings so he decided to jump start next week’s pot by leaving $100 in the Treasurer’s care. Thank Larry!

UP-COMING PROGRAMS:  (Chair, Joan Coleman)  

10-3 – Doug Yingling, Director, Montgomery County Association for the Blind

10-10 – Fire Prevention Program with Skip Urban and friends

10-17 – Julia Soper, Student Exchange Program reports on her experience in Russia.  Julia was sponsored by the Blue Bell Rotary Club

10-24 – Sam Swansen presents “Friends Life Care at Home”

10-31 – A “Chat” with Herb Clark

ASSIGNMENTS: (Chair, Elaine Hubing)

Remember that if you can't fulfill your service obligation, please provide a suitable substitute and call Elaine Hubing at 215-643-2294 to let her know or deal with…

ROTARY MINUTE ASSIGNMENTS: (Chair, Elaine Hubing)

PROGRAM:

GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE:

You may have already received an e-mail from our District Governor, Gerry Long about some help we need for the 2008 Group Study Exchange Program.  I have sent you all a couple of e-mails now and know that discussion about the Exchange has taken place in some Clubs.

We do need your help-

As of today, for Team Leader-- we have only 1 applicant.

For Team Members-- we have 0 applicants--- we need 4!

Host Clubs- we have had two clubs express interest--- we need two more.

Please see the information below and please try to help us with this very worthwhile program-- If anyone has any questions, please e-mail me or call me at (610) 360-4875-cell phone-- or at home at (610) 965-4151.

Thanks so much!

Cindy Hornaman

Group Study Exchange Chair

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• November 16th is the date.  Mark it in your calendar.  The Barbary Coast Dixieland Band will return for their 3^rd Annual performance.  Something is really going to be different.  We will be hosting the show at the NEW Ambler Theatre arena.  This will be the first on stage performance for the new 285 seat theatre.  Tickets will be $35 per person.  We will be coordinating with local dining establishments to have special menus, etc. so it will be a “Night to Remember.”  A least 3 tickets have been sold to date – 282 more to go.  Tickets will be available for distribution at September 25 meeting.
• Pat McGee informed us of next year’s Group Study Exchange, which will take place in Brazil in May 2008. Perhaps someone will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to go.

• There will be a District Leadership conference at the Valley Forge Conference Center on November 17^th.  See Pat McGee for further information.
• Plan now to attend the District Conference in the Pocono’s, the last weekend in April, with the Bethlehem Club as the host club.  Start saving now as this looks to be an extremely exciting conference.  This will be a combined District Conference with Districts 7430 and 7450.  It is anticipated that the cost to Rotarians will be somewhere between $650-700 per couple.  The District will be subsidizing a portion of the actual cost.

50/50:

Mike Smith, once again, was the winner of $12 and a white golf tee.  Today’s jackpot stood around $400. 

UP-COMING PROGRAMS:  (Chair, Joan Coleman)  

10-3 – Doug Yingling, Director, Montgomery County Association for the Blind

10-10 – Fire Prevention Program with Skip Urban and friends

10-17 – Julia Soper, Student Exchange Program reports on her experience in Russia.  Julia was sponsored by the Blue Bell Rotary Club

10-24 – Sam Swansen presents “Friends Life Care at Home”

10-31 – A “Chat” with Herb Clark

ASSIGNMENTS: (Chair, Elaine Hubing)

Remember that if you can't fulfill your service obligation, please provide a suitable substitute and call Elaine Hubing at 215-643-2294 to let her know or deal with…

ROTARY MINUTE ASSIGNMENTS: (Chair, Elaine Hubing)

AFTERTHOUGHT: