Selinsgrove Area Rotary Club
Light Up Rotary
Vol. 87, No. 26 President – Dave Lawer Editor – Dottie Anderson
Next Meeting: Jan. 22, 2015 – John Reed will provide an update on the Magistrate’s Office duties and responsibilities. 11:45 a.m., SVCC.
January 15, 2014: Twenty-seven Rotarians and guests (Heather Rowe, Don’s wife, and new President of the SACF Board) were present as Dave Lawer introduced former member Jeff Reber, Vice President of Apex Homes. In turn, Jeff introduced Lynn Kuhns, President of Apex Homes. Now owned by its management team, Apex has been through interesting times following the unexpected death of its originator and owner in 2007. Lynn, who had been in sales and sales management with the company for 23 years, together with the CFO, negotiation the “troubled waters” caused by massive debt (because of a focus on growth) and a downturn in the housing market. Eventually declaring bankruptcy in 2012, Lynn’s work with employees, contractors and suppliers, led to the decision to buy the business out of bankruptcy. Now the company is again making a profit, and has plans to increase the employee numbers as they successfully increase sales, put money back into the business to improve the physical plant, and keep commitments made to contractors and suppliers. Lynn answered questions about the modular home business and Apex Homes specifically. Thanks are extended to Tom Gates for making arrangements for this program. A brief Board Meeting followed in which the Rotary Board appointed Mary Peterhaensel to serve as Vice President for the remainder of the current Rotary year, replacing Gaston Carroll.
Announcements: Art Bowen is asking for nominees for this year’s distinguished service award so he has sufficient time to plan and implement this event.**Pat Pinkowski reported that the dining out night at Texas Roadhouse is scheduled for Wed. 2/11 and we will receive 10% of the meal cost for all who present a flyer that will distributed to Rotarians to use and distribute to others. Proceeds will be used to support Polio Plus. Notice and request from Melissa Laniewski – It is extremely helpful if 1)Rotarians join Facebook and “share” messages with their friends (such as notice about Polio Plus event) and 2) Rotarians who currently have a facebook account “like” the Rotary page and SHARE the updates on their pages. This is how we get the most exposure and will help guarantee a high turnout for this Rotary project.***A thank you note was circulated from the Tree Fest organizers, Joyce Anderson presented Bill Clark with a pin from RI President in recognition of recruiting a new member.
Good News of Rotary: Konrad Kempfe reported on a project from Dickson, TN supporting the wheelchair foundation and providing wheel chairs for a local agency as well as for Guademale. Rotary Minute: Hal Dunkelberger urged all to consider attending the RI Convention in Brazil as well as the District Conference in Harrisburg.
Sergeant at arms: Marv Rudnitsky collected happy fines as follows: himself (for Mike Flock, outgoing president of the SAYF and Heather Rowe, incoming president); Mike Flock (Heather and Jeff Reber); Chad Cohrs (good work of the SACF, and urging consideration of run for vacant school board slot); Joyce Anderson (guests and Heather should join Rotary); Brian Neitz (former bank colleague, Jeff); Dave Lawer (John Stokinger); Jerry Rhoads (Urban Rural Night plus); John Fischer (Heather, Mike, Jeff and Lynn and cleaning up property); Bill Clark (back and pin and no one hurt in prison fire); John Reed (excellent work responding to prison fire); and Earl Ferster (scholarship support of Rotary and SACF and +15).
Future Programs
Jan. 29 – Urban/Rural Night at Christ Community Church at 6:15 p.m. Jerry Rhoads is the host. Featuring a state secretary for rural PA. Signup sheet is circulating.
Feb. 5 – Speaker is Teri MacBride, Art Bowen is the host. SVCC, 11:45 a.m.
Feb. 12 – Vocational talks by new members – Ryan Felty and Davit Betz, Art Bowen is the host. SVCC, 11:45 a.m.
Feb. 19 – TBA, SVCC, 11:45 a.m.
Birthdays: Jan. 17 – Wes Knapp; 24 – Mike Flock. Feb. 3 – Toby Skinner.
Quotation: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” 2015 Cat Calendar, January