We raised a net total of $2,160 and even thought the Eagles didn't pull off the win we were expecting, the community won! Our Y.E. student, Samuel enjoyed his first Super Bowl party in the US and Gail's neighbors enjoyed hosting him along with the Blechschmidt's.
RLI (ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE) -- FEB 28th:
See separate article.
CELEBRATIONS:
The list of February member celebration events is shown below.
NEW ZOOM POLICY:
Last week Gwenn and Gail explained that we are asking all members using Zoom when there is an In-Person meeting, and when that member still is in the United States, to voluntarily pay $10 each time. We need to cover the $400 minimums at Cedar Crest College each meeting.
Gail reminded us that not too many years ago we charged members a $5 minimum to attend a meeting and to have a cup of coffee.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Marlene Heller alerts us that on April 27th, the Upper Milford Historical Society will conduct a presentation about the Weber’s farm. Photos are by Gary Heller. It starts at 7:00 P.M. at the Upper Milford Township Municipal Building.
Pat Witcher is happy to be celebrating one son’s 22nd birthday, another son at 24, and their grandson of two months.
Ernie Boll still is happy.
Ron Coleman is happy to be going to see his grandchildren in S.C. in a week.
Nick Millward was happy to meet with 10 Peace Fellows recently. They were very accomplished.
Gail Micca is happy that their daughter has safely left Death Valley, and slept on a beach last evening.
NEW MONGOLIAN SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT:
A paper vote last week was taken. Gwenn Carr reports that the count was in favor, and the b.o.d. has approved this.
On June 10th we will hold a Mongolian Night Dinner. RI’s theme for RY 2023-24 is “Hope.” This ties in nicely with the scholarship project.
Nick Millward expressed his thanks to us for this effort. He is signing up 21 RCs to fund the 21 students.
FOUR WAY TEST SPEECH CONTEST UPDATE:
The three contestants will speak at our In-Person meeting on March 8th.
Bill Keba needs two more volunteers.
DINING OUT – MARCH:
Ralph Witcher is making a plan to go on March 2nd to Sumo Sushi and Japanese Fusion, 3174 Tilghman St. in Village West. He will e-mail details.
Quentin Sowers will give his classification talk then.
SNACKPACKING:
There was Snack Packing event at Parkland H.S. last Wednesday.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD DISTRIBUTION:
The dates for the next two KLFC Food Bank Giveaways are:
February 18 and March 11
Each time we start at 7:00 A.M. and usually are finished by 9:30 A.M.
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S. PRODUCE DELIVERY:
The Pantry will hold its food distributions on the first Saturday of each month for the entirety of 2023.
Three volunteers are needed each time.
Food collections for Parkland C.A.R.E.S. will be held the third Wednesday of each month at the Pantry on Kernsville Road.
MEALS ON WHEELS:
Gail and Sharon made a bunch of Valentines that were delivered with the meals. The feedback to Helen was that the clients loved them.
INTERACT BREAKFASTS ARE BACK:
We will hold these meetings on March 29th at NWL Middle School, and May 31st at the Parkland H.S. Library. These days are the 5th Wednesday of the month.
The NWL start time will be at 8 A.M.
ADULT BINGO:
STEM YEA FUNDRAISER:
Please remember that the 2nd Annual Big Ticket Reverse Raffle (BTRR) will be held on April 15 at Brookside Country Club, in Pottstown from 5:30-10:00 P.M.
AWRC GREEN THUMB GARDEN:
Gail is gathering seeds. Planting time is here. Gail welcomes help.
MEETING SCHEDULE:
The first Wednesday of each month will be a Dining Out meeting, or equal. It may not be on a Wednesday.
The third Wednesday of each month will be a ZOOM ONLY meeting with a program.
FUTURE TOURS, ETC.:
All members are asked to make suggestions to Gail Micca about other tours, Dining Out events, etc. for future meetings.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
February 22 IN-PERSON at Cedar Crest College starting at 7:30 A.M. Come early and mingle. There will be a Zoom option.
The program will be DG-Elect, Diane Donaher, Exec. Dir. at Cay Galgon Life House, discussing “Navigating Motherhood.”
PROGRAM:
Program Chair, Ralph Witcher, introduced Camilla Greene, Elder of the African American Community, to discuss The Who, What, Where, When, and Why of Black History Month, nationally and locally in West Allentown.
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
About Camilla Greene------------
CAMILLA GREENE, who is an unapologetic elder of the African American Community, was a high school teacher of English for over twenty-five years in New York City, Hempstead, New York, New Haven and Stamford, Connecticut and a career counselor at Hunter College. During her teaching career she took three sabbaticals from classroom teaching. She was a Senior Fellow at the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University; a director of Critical Friends Group Training at the Center for Effective School Practice at Rutgers University; and the director of a small charter school in Fairfield, Connecticut. As a national anti-racist leader and facilitator/coach for Educational Equity, Camilla serves as a Consultant with San Francisco Coalition of Essential Small Schools. She also serves on the Advisory Boards of The Black Teacher Project and The Black Teacher Collaborative. In addition to being a proud native of the Bedford-Stuyvesant community in Brooklyn, Mrs. Greene is a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend within and across racial affinity. Currently Camilla lives with her husband of 57 years, Thomas Greene, in Allentown, PA. Mrs. Greene is the recipient of the 2006 Black Alliance For Educational Options (BAEO) MVP Award; the 2008 Coalition of Essential Schools Transformational Leadership Award, the 2016 Resurrected Community Development Corp Urban Angel Award, the 2018 Union Baptist Church, Christ Children and Youth Ministry.
Camilla thanked us for this opportunity. She explained that she does not like to lecture. She prefers to respond to questions.
PROCLAMATION------
WHEREAS, each year, Black History Month is observed in February; and
WHEREAS, the origins of Black History Month date back to 1915 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the organization known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History; and
WHEREAS, observing Black History Month provides opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of African American history and acknowledge the centuries of struggles for equality and freedom; and
WHEREAS, Black History Month also celebrates the achievements and contributions that African Americans have made in shaping our country, society, and communities; and
WHEREAS, every year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History sets a theme for Black History Month, and the theme for 2023 is “Black Resistance”;
WHEREAS, this year’s Black History Month theme is a call to everyone to study the history of Black Americans’ responses to establish safe spaces, where Black life can be sustained, fortified, and respected.
WHEREAS, to participate in observing Black History Month, those interested can visit www.asalh.org to learn more about the origins of the month, this year’s theme, and African American history.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Lake Forest Park do hereby proclaim February 2023 as
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Camilla invited members to ask questions and tell their views. Many of us did so. It was an interesting discussion.
CLOSING:
Pres. Gail led us in reciting our motto, “One profits most who serves best,” and closed the meeting.
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