Events

Join us in our planning and presentation of our upcoming Emmaus Rotary Summer Festival

Join us as we welcome Debbie Jack, Executive Director of Lower Macungie Library, for an insightful presentation on the evolving role of libraries in today’s world.  

Libraries are no longer just quiet spaces filled with books—they have transformed into dynamic community hubs that provide technology access, educational programs, and resources for all ages. Debbie will discuss how libraries are adapting to meet the changing needs of their communities.  

She will also highlight the many services available at Lower Macungie Library, including resources designed to support personal and professional growth. We’ll discover new ways the library can enrich our lives and strengthen our community.  

Jerald Smith is a seasoned cybersecurity expert and the founder of Katana Networks, an IT services firm supporting small businesses in the financial services industry for nearly 20 years. With deep expertise in compliance, data protection, and employee cybersecurity training, Jerry helps businesses stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. Known for translating complex tech into simple, actionable advice, Jerry is passionate about empowering everyday professionals to recognize and prevent online scams. His work has helped countless companies across NY, NJ, and PA safeguard their sensitive data and maintain regulatory compliance.

About Katana Networks:

Katana Networks is a national provider of Cloud and Managed Services for the financial services industry. Founded in NYC in 2002, Katana Networks provides cloud solutions, managed services, advanced cybersecurity, compliance-as-a -service and virtual CIO services to a wide array of Asset Managers, including Hedge Funds, Insurance Agencies, Private Equity Firms, and Registered Investment Advisors.

Karen Buchanan comes to the Lehigh Valley by way of Kutztown University where she majored in Secondary Education and was a member of their Equestrian Team. She grew up in an Army household outside of Baltimore where she ate MREs for fun and prepared for Annual Training runs at o-dark-thirty with her dad, The General. She is a trained equine-therapy facilitator through the O.K. Corral Series of NV and the Executive Director of Horses Healing Heroes of the Lehigh Valley. Run out of Boots & Saddle Riding Club in Allentown, she serves Veterans, First Responders and their families with programs that use ground activities with the horses to learn re-circling skills and increase communication to overcome PTSD. She is the mother of two boys and teaches English in the BASD.  

Horses Healing Heroes of the Lehigh Valley is a charitable nonprofit organization committed to supporting the physical, mental, and emotional health of Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress, and their families, by providing equine-assisted therapy programs at Boots and Saddle Riding Club in Allentown, PA. 

Don't Miss This Star-Spangled Presentation!

We're proud to present JP Raynock for a fascinating and patriotic presentation all about the United States Flag. JP will share valuable insights into the proper care and respectful display of the American flag—a symbol that unites us all—and sprinkle in some little-known trivia and historical gems that are sure to surprise and inspire.

This talk will leave you with a deeper understanding of this national icon. 

💡 Bring a friend, coworker, or neighbor! This is a perfect opportunity to introduce someone new to the spirit of Rotary and enjoy a unique and educational morning together.

About Blue Zones Project®
Blue Zones Project® is a community-led well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to a city’s environment, policy and social networks. Blue Zones Project is based on research by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times bestselling author who identified five cultures of the world — or blue zones — with the highest concentration of people living to 100 years or older. Blue Zones Project incorporates Buettner’s findings and works with cities to implement policies and programs that will move a community toward optimal health and well-being. Blue Zones launched the first pilot community in 2009 in Albert Lea, Minn., with groundbreaking results, and the model has since been applied to more than 75 communities in the United States. Participating communities have experienced double-digit drops in obesity and tobacco use and have saved millions of dollars in health care costs. For more information, visit bluezones.com.

Murtaza Jaffer has been an owner of EBC Printing in Trexlertown since 2002, when he purchased a small pack-and-ship business after graduating from Penn State Lehigh Valley with a Marketing degree. Over the past 13 years, Murtaza has become one of the Lehigh Valley’s most well-respected, well-connected business owners. He has found success by fostering the success of other business owners. EBC Printing exists to serve business owners throughout the Lehigh Valley, and Murtaza’s sincere desire to help has earned him a reputation for legendary customer service and premier-quality products. Outside of EBC’s office, Murtaza is a high-value networker. He has helped hundreds of Lehigh Valley businesspeople connect with each other through his leadership roles in the business community. 

About EBC Printing & Signs - Commercial Print Shop
EBC was co-founded by brothers Murtaza and Mustafa in 2002. It is located in Allentown, PA, and is easily accessible to all of the Lehigh Valley. Murtaza, Mustafa and the EBC Team strive to provide excellent customer service and high quality materials at all times. They are active members of the community and love representing EBC at events all over the Lehigh Valley. They believe in keeping it local, and service all types of different businesses throughout the area.

Cynthia came to the Lehigh Valley in 1994 as Director of Admissions at Cedar Crest College. Always looking for the next challenge and with a mission to make a difference in people’s lives, Cynthia branched out into a variety of human services positions, finally retiring from Easter Seals of Eastern PA in 2023. Along the way, she opened a sign shop on Chestnut Street in Emmaus and treasured the friendships she made and the support she received .Cynthia now works part time with Danny’s Ride, leaving her plenty of time for Zumba, walking, reading and Rotary. Cynthia lives in Allentown with her husband Michael Williams and her 8 cats.

Shirley Lang is the Director of Education and Agent Development at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Valley Partners and leads The Shirley Lang Team. With over 30 years of service-oriented experience, she brings empathy, leadership, and integrity to her work. A passionate community volunteer, Shirley has served with Habitat for Humanity, ArtsQuest, Lehigh Valley Arts Council, SOTA, and local arts organizations. She’s also a Toastmaster, home cook, and proud mom of four. Shirley believes in the power of connection — whether through real estate, Rotary, or sharing a meal around the table.

Join us for "Smart Sustainability: What You Can Do at Home to Help the Planet"! This engaging panel discussion will feature practical tips and insights on how to incorporate sustainable practices into your daily life. Learn actionable steps to make a positive impact on the environment, right from your home. Discover how small changes can lead to a healthier planet.

Simon Ernst is a senior at Kutztown University, majoring in their Marine Science Biology program. His experiences outdoors range from field work associated with his major, his current internship at Wildlands Conservancy, and having worked at a garden center. Simon is also a two-time cancer survivor and would like to thank PCFLV and Dream Come True for providing scholarships and endless support! 

Courtney Kennedy is a civil/water resource engineer with 27 years of experience helping cities manage their sewer and storm water systems.

Len Reed is a member of the Rotary District Environmental Sustainability Committee, and science teacher at Fleetwood School District.

Khervin Smith was raised in Boyertown, PA and graduated from Kutztown University with a BS and MS in Biology education. He retired from the PA Dept of Environmental Protection, and earned a law degree from Widener University School of Law Harrisburg campus.

Outbound Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Maggie, will share her insights and experiences from her trip to Brazil.

Camp Neidig is a leadership camp experience sponsored by the Rotary Clubs in District 7430 (Southeastern Pennsylvania). Its purpose is to provide exceptional young men and women with the opportunity to live, work, and socialize together in a dynamic leadership environment. James and Colton will share their lessons and more about their recent camp experience.

Nick Millward grew up in New Tripoli and served as the Northwestern Lehigh Interact President in 2010. After graduating and commissioning from the Virginia Military Institute in 2014, Nick served as the Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company Pacific Executive Officer in Yokosuka, Japan, and a Light Armored Reconnaissance Company Commander in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He left the Marine Corps in July 2021 and moved to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan for his first Masters in Central Asian Studies at the American University of Central Asia. Nick was a Class 20 Rotary Peace Fellow at The University of Queensland and earned a Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies while specializing on Mongolia’s mediator position in Northeast Asia. He’s had the wonderful opportunity to live in Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Australia for the last 7 years.

He was recently selected as Fulbright scholar for Mongolia, focusing on peacebuilding initiatives in narratives in the Northeast Asian country. He will also serve as an assistant lecturer at the National University of Mongolia’s School of International Relations and Public Administration, assisting with courses on conflict resolution, multilateralism, and International Non-Governmental Agencies. He will be in Mongolia for the next 10 months.

Nick will present on the Mongolia 21|21 Initiative, a Rotary-led project aimed at strengthening grassroots relationships between Americans and Mongolians to foster deeper understanding and appreciation of each other's communities. The initiative encompasses various programs, including partnerships between American Rotary Clubs, the newly chartered Rotary Club of Khangai in Mongolia, and other international Rotary clubs. Key activities include providing scholarships to Mongolian students, supporting and expanding the Wheelchairs for Kids program for children with cerebral palsy, and developing a network of opportunities to promote peacebuilding and community development.

About Maggie Walters

Maggie Walters is dedicated to building strong connections with volunteers, government and community as Director of
Community Relations at United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. In her role, she is committed to enhancing the quality of life for
every person in the Greater Lehigh Valley by driving engagement with United Way’s Board of Directors, managing government
relations and deepening relationships in community.

Walters holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business with a concentration in Marketing from
Temple University’s Fox School of Business. Prior to her current role, Walters oversaw and drove initiatives for the Allentown
Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Allentown Business Alliance in support of local businesses and community growth as
Vice President of the Allentown Chamber of Commerce.

Walters proudly serves on the board for the Nonprofit and Business Partners Council, as well as several committees
including Pennsylvania’s Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) Public Policy Committee, The Chamber of Commerce’s
Public Policy Committee, United Way of Pennsylvania’s Public Policy Committee and Bloom for Women Event Planning
Committee. Walters is dedicated to creating positive change by collaborating and supporting organizations to support mission-aligned work and utilizing public policy as a mechanism for systems change to support United Way’s goals. Walters is also a proud member of United Way’s Women United.

About Aaron Dobbs

Aaron Dobbs is a 2021 graduate of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in
Marketing and Management. During his time at King’s, he cultivated a strong sense of community through active
involvement in organizations such as the Education Club, which focused on providing resources to students in the Wyoming
Valley.

Now residing in Allentown with his partner, Aaron is deeply embedded in the Greater Lehigh Valley community. In his role at
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, he is committed to building meaningful relationships with key stakeholders and
corporate partners to foster lasting community impact.

Aaron plays an active role in the TeenWorks affinity group at United Way, serving as an adult member and donor. He is
instrumental in securing contributions from local labor unions to support youth-led service projects across the region.
Prior to joining United Way, Aaron managed Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships at ArtsQuest, where he helped
connect businesses with cultural and artistic initiatives that enrich the Lehigh Valley.

Visiting District Governor

Jevata Crawford is the founder of Project MOVE and creator of the MOVING Method™, a framework for navigating moves and life transitions with clarity and peace. She is the author of the forthcoming book Moving in Place: More Than Boxes (October 2025). At Brookside, she will be speaking on Clearing Space, Creating Clarity: Using Project Management to Tackle Life Transitions at Home and Work.

The primary mission of PaWSAR is the safe return of a missing loved one to their family, to minimize loss of life, injury and property damage and to provide recovery services as needed – always with concern for the safety of all parties. To achieve this goal we train to provide professional level search and rescue services, preventative educational awareness programs and respond to requests from local and state entities.

Our core values of Integrity; Compassion; Respect; Accountability – to the subject, to the team and to ourselves; Professionalism in our level of conduct; Dedication and Teamwork remain the guiding forces behind PaWSAR. We strive to educate ourselves and our members to the highest standards of SAR and maintain every necessary proficiency that we might always stand at the ready, “That Others May Live.”

Tanya Goldberg is from Bucks County originally, now a resident of the Lehigh Valley. Growing up, she spent her days raising puppies for The Seeing Eye or at the farm riding
and taking care of horses. As a child, Tanya learned America Sign Language and English Sign Language to be able to communicate with her friend, and they are still
friends of 27 years. After high school, she had the opportunity to travel to South Korea and live there for 8 months, learning the culture and language. Once returning home
Tanya has focused on her career within the gas industry providing medical and industrial gases to the east region. She is pursing her EMT certificate as well as being
certified in SARTECH III, WFA, SARIA, BLS, NIMS, 100,200,700,800. Tanya is a ground team member and the Medical Lieutenant, always ready to support the team and
additionally when our RIT team is deployed.

John Norris is a West Virginia native, who from a very young age, spent many hours with his father hunting, hiking, gathering, and tracking in the wilderness. John joined the
Army right after high school. During his time in the Army, John attended the Tracking/Counter-Tracking Course taught at the JFK Special Warfare Center at Ft.
Bragg. It was during this course that John was able to bridge the gap between his hunting knowledge and Mantracking. Johns combat tours include Hati, Bosnia/Kosovo,
Afghanistan, Iraq, and South East Asia. Before leaving active duty, John became an Army Master Instructor and Training Developer. As a Army Civilian (DA Civil
Service/GS), he continued his career as an instructor and training developer. John currently works in a Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) branch of
the Army at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, and volunteers his time to Search and Rescue, serving on the Board of Directors, and as Chief of PaWSAR’s Eastern Division. John is
a SARTECH I, NASAR Tracker I, Certified Government Tracker (Forensic Spoorology) and Search Manager with certications of MLPI and SARIA.

Marnie Powell has been involved in search and rescue since 2001. She is a K9 handler, Search Manager, Search Technician, allowing her to be involved in all matters of any
search incident. She is currently the Deputy Chief of PaWSAR, which she helped found in 2010 to provide assistance in the community to help find lost people. She is
passionate about learning and advancing her knowledge to help others continue to provide search services. She is currently training Indy, a 4 y/o Labrador retriever
certified in scent specific trailing through IPWDA and NAPWDA; and Gaia, a 6 y/o German Shepherd certified in human remains detection through IPWDA.

Almut Hupbach received her PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the Universität Trier in Germany in 2000. She worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Arizona (funded by the German Research Foundation) and McGill University before she joined the Psychology Department at Lehigh in 2009. Her research area is human memory. She is fascinated by the dynamic nature of memory and studies the conditions that promote vs. prevent change of long-term memories in children and adults. Several of her projects have been funded by the National Science Foundation. Almut is enthusiastic about sparking students’ interest in research, and frequently publishes with undergraduate and graduate students. Outside of work, Almut is an avid runner (with her dog Luke), and she has taken sculpture classes at the Baum School of Art in Allentown for over a decade. 

STEM YEA is a four‐day, three‐night residential STEM-focused Academy providing equitable opportunities for rising eighth-grade students. The Academy delves into intriguing STEM areas while inspiring and engaging the students. These young people and their parents may not otherwise have this opportunity. The program, sponsored by Rotary Clubs in District 7430, was held at Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA, from July 11 through 13, 2025. The theme was "Astrobiology: the Search for Life on Mars".

Fifty-six students registered for the fourth Academy, and fifty-four completed the four-day event. The 29 female and 27 male students attended 32 public and parochial middle schools. There were no accidents or injuries. Twenty-five District 7430 Rotary Clubs sponsored students for STEM YEA 2025. Students received STEM YEA tee shirts, backpacks, water bottles, lab manuals, drawing pencils, antimicrobial pens, and copies of the session manual. Dr. Michael Seidner led a special ceremony to present white lab coats to the students. Rotary pins were presented at the ceremony to be worn on the lab coats, accompanied by color-coded name badges.