Photos-2008

16th Annual Rotary Golf Classic – The Selinsgrove Rotary Club hosted their 16th annual golf classic on Monday, September 15, 2008, at the Susquehanna Valley Country Club. Twenty foursomes came out to support this event which has been a major fund raiser for the Rotary Club over the years. Many local organizatiions have benefitted from this tournament. The Selinsgrove Area Youth Foundation which was founded by Rotarians also receives an annual contribution. Pictured above (L to R) are Bill Bowen, low callaway, Mike Sears, low callaway, Gary Svastano, low gross and John Fischer, Diredtor of the Rotary Golf Committee.

Sept. 11, 2008 – Pictured above (L to R), Michael Hayes, President of the Selinsgrove Rotary Club and Gary Grossman, Publisher of The Daily Item. Gary spoke about his newspaper experience and the role of the newspaper in our community. Gary was born and raised in Aruba. He received his undergraduate degree from Colgate and his Masters from Columbia University. He has worked as a reporter for numerous papers throughout his career. Prior to his arrival at The Daily Item, he served four different papers as the editor and two others as a publisher. The Daily Item currently has a circulation of 25,000 and is owned by Community Newspaper Holdings, Birmingham, AL. Gary discussed his experiences working for a paper in New Jersey at the time of the attacks on the World Trade Center. He indicated that this experience validated his belief that the world is really quite small and we are all tied to each other. Gary talked about The Daily Item’s role in covering the national presidential election. He believes the paper needs to provide a forum for the community to speak out and persuade others. He also believes that taking local issues, such as the Susquehanna Valley Thruway Project and the I-80 Toll Road issue, and asking our local and national representatives what they can do to affect these local issues helps the local community. Gary believes that too often the “media” is lumped together when portrayed to the public. This is not the truth. Community newspapers are just that – they belong to the community. He ended with at quote from songwriter John Stewart that captures his views. “God speaks to us all in different ways and hopes we speak to each other.”

Professor Henrietta Loub (center) from Unisia University, South Africia, was the featured speaker at the Selinsgrove Rotary Club on August 28, 2008. Prof. Loub was hosted by her friend and Rotarian Leo Mendoca (left) and Michael Hayes (right), President of the Selinsgrove Rotary Club. Prof. Loub shared pictures and insights about the changes that have occurred in South Africa since 1994 and as her country celebrates the 90th birthday of Nelson Mandela. Pictures of Pretoria were shown where the University is located, including Freedom Park and an area near the University where Henrietta has lived for the past 25 years. The widening gap between the poor and wealthy in South Africia has led to an increase in poverty among both whites and blacks. Some estimates say the rate of unemployment is as high as 40% – with increasing poverty levels leading to increased crime and the development of “security villages.” Much work is going on within the government to increase the rate of literacy and education. While there are still 11 official languages, English is increasingly spoken and is the official language of the University of South Africa.

The Selinsgrove Rotary Club hosted students from Senshu University, Japan, on August 14, 2008. Since 1986, Senshu University students have come to Susquehanna University to study English and to learn about American culture. Currently, there are two programs per year, a seven week spring program and an eighteen day summer program. Students live with host families and attend English classes during their stay. During the spring program, students audit classes at Susquehanna. In the short summer program, service learning projects offer an opportunity to interact with Americans. The program includes a trip to Philadelphia and visits to many local sites to learn about American history. In both spring and summer, students share Japanese culture in a variety of venues during their stay, both on campus and in local schools and this summer, with the senior citizens at Grayson View. Since 1986, almost six hundred students from Senshu University have participated in this program. Many of them come back to visit their host families. Susquehanna University is grateful to the many local families and individuals who have been so kind, generous and hospitable to the students for more than twenty years! The students were recognized for their willingness to serve others while visiting, which is basic component of Rotary’s Service Above Self motto.

July 31, 2008 – District Governor A. James Gruber’s official visit to the Selinsgrove Club. Pictured (L to R) A. James Gruber, Darcie Gruber and Michael Hayes, President of the Selinsgrove Rotary Club. DG Gruber shared the 08-09 areas of concern and goals for both International Rotary and District 7370. The four areas of concern are hunger, health, water, and literacy. The District goals include raising membership to 1100 by Dec. 31; meeting the challenge of every member every year giving $100 to the Foundation (the DG gave us our own world bank for collecting change); every Club being represented at every District event; and helping with this year’s GSE Team, both identifying persons to go to and hosting members from Korea. A gift exchange followed the presentation (with a special thank you to Leo Mendonca for his assistance in preparing the art work).

Looking over the new scoreboard recently installed (07/08) at the Selinsgrove Rotary Field are, from left, Shane Hendricks, of the Selinsgrove Little League; Ken Miller, of the Selinsgrove Rotary; John Fischer, of the Selinsgrove Area Youth Foundation; Jeffrey Edmunds, Vice President of NRG Controls, North Inc.; and Michael Hayes, President of the Selinsgrove Rotary Club. Money for the new scoreboard was provided by the Selinsgrove Area Youth Foundation and NRG Controls, North Inc.

Mike Flock (R) presents Harvey Edwards with the 2008 Distinguished Service Award.

Each month the Selinsgrove Rotary Club recognizes a Student of the Month from the Selinsgrove Area High School. Pictured above are Dr. Fred Johnson, SASD Superintendent, student Morgan Fleetwood, and teacher Kevin Horton.