November 14, 2019

Selinsgrove Area Rotary Club
Rotary Connects the World
Volume 92, No. 19 President – Carol Handlan Editor – Dottie Anderson

Next Meeting – Nov. 21, 2019 – John Fischer is both host and speaker as he and Kara Seesholtz, Director of Donor Relations and Communications, CSCF, describe “A New Direction for Rotary’s Golf Classic Fundraiser.” SVCC, 11:45 a.m.

Nov. 14, 2019 – Twenty-three Rotarians, two speakers and guest Bob Bertram were present as Bob and Linda Derr spoke about Pennsylvania Cystic Fibrosis, Inc., Burke Bear’s continuing travels and new medical developments in CF treatment. Dan Mahoney presided. Founded by Bob and his then wife, Donna, in 1978, and three other couples, PACFI originally held fund raisers for National CF, but realized none of the money raised was returned to Pennsylvania and families in need of assistance because of a child with CF. From then until now, PACFI has provided over $400,000 in aid to families, and $680,000 in providing seed money for medical research that helps the scientist arrive at the point of applying for NIH funding. Burke Derr, Bob’s youngest son, was diagnosed when he was 5 1/2 months old and lived to the age of 19. He loved stuffed bears, and because of close friend’s Boyd’s Bears developed and named after Burke – Burke Bear has visited every state in the USA and multiple countries, much of which is described in the book written by Bob. As an “orphan” illness, with only about 30,000 known in North America and 70,000 world-wide, support for research is important, and there have been some recent positive developments in medications. The average life span of a person with CF has increased from 16 to 39. Bob and Linda responded to numerous questions and distributed a booklet and information.

Announcements: John Stokinger announced that our Pints for Polio event is scheduled for Dec. 7 at Isle of Que Brewing Co. They will donate $1 for every 16 ounces of beer sold that day. Do plan to stop by and participate. *Remember that we have our second Little Green Box for recycling household batteries. John Stokinger advises that cell phones and tool batteries, as well as circle batteries are accepted.**Pat Pinkowski is collecting funds for this year’s needy family, identified through the REC, a single mother with three young children.***HELP needed turning up a Jan. host family for our exchange student. ****Marty Blessing announced Rural/Urban night is scheduled for 1/23 – save the date, guests and partners welcome.

Nominated as Directors for 20-21 are Art Bowen, Club Service; Marty Blessing, Vocational Service; Toby Skinner, Vocational; Pat Pinkowski, Community Service. Officer nominees are Dan Mahoney, President; Carol Handlan, Past President; Vice President (nominee sought); President Elect (nominee sought); Treasurer, Sarah Maneval; Secretary, Hal Dunkelberger. A Club our size needs members to step up and express willingness to serve in the leadership positions of President Elect and Vice President. The Annual Meeting is postponed till Dec. 5 to allow more time for the development of a full slate.

Sergeant at arms: John Stokinger collected happy fines as follows (to the best of the Editor’s ability to record them): himself (Isle of Que Brew stepping up and speakers); Art Bowen (Viking Cruise, cataract surgery); John Fischer (John’s service as sergeant, speakers); Mike Flock (successful buck hunt); Chad Cohrs (school successes); Toby Skinner, Marty Blessing, Wes Knapp, Konrad Kempfe (speakers); Mary Peterhaensel (new windows and doors); Ken Miller (bull elk on property); Mike Damiano (in-laws and daughter in new homes, fall season); John Reed (on call, Barb’s weekend); and Earl Ferster (+15, speakers). SIRI tells jokes!

Future Programs:
Nov. 28 – Happy Thanksgiving. No Meeting today.
Dec. 5 – Annual Meeting and Election of Officers and Directors for the 20-21 Rotary Year. Board Meeting precedes at 11. Program – TBA. SVCC, 11:45 a.m.
Dec. 12 – TBA, Donna Schuck is the host. SVCC, 11:45 a.m.
Dec. 19 – Holiday Luncheon, Art Bowen host. SVCC, 1145 a.m.
Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 – No Meeting either week in recognition of the Holidays.

Birthdays: Dec. 4 – Kristine Horton, 8 – Cheryl Stumpf, Charlie McCuen, 10 – Marv Rudnitsky, 23 – Dan Mahoney, 30 – Dottie Anderson

Quotation: “Human rights is the soul of our foreign policy, because human rights is the very soul of our sense of nationhood.” Jimmy Carter