Early records indicate that our club was energetic, got along well, and had lots of fun. There have certainly been some unusual experiences during the club’s long history.
A memorable one was when the club was served its meal and water in hospital bed pans and beakers.
On January 28, 1927, the meal at the Broad Street Hotel was served backwards, first the desert (cherry pie), then the ham and potatoes, ending with fruit cup.
On May 21, 1931, members were served alcohol as prohibition enforcement officials were persuaded to look the other way.
The club has had a number of annual activities that served to give it a special if not unique character. Among these activities were
clambakes (each member brought his own silverware), fashion shows, Monte Carlo nights and fun nights at which time members were called upon to crack jokes.
Some of us have experienced the understandable confusion associated with traffic accidents and have had to try to summarize for the police or medical
personnel what had actually happened. The following are actual quotes taken from these report forms:
“Coming home, I drove into
the wrong house and collided with a tree I don’t have.”
“A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.”
“The guy was all over the road. I had
to swerve a number of times before I hit him.” “My car was legally parked as I backed into the other vehicle.”
“The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go, so I ran over him.”
“The telephone pole was approaching fast. I was attempting to swerve out of its path
when it struck my front end.”
“I collided with a stationary truck coming the other way.”
Roger Whitcomb
DON'T FORGET ABOUT OUR ZOOM MEETING OPTION!
Here is the Zoom info for our weekly Rotary meetings:
Olayinka Hakeem Babalola selected to be 2026-27 Rotary International President
Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, a member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Nigeria, has been selected by the Board of Directors to become Rotary International’s president for 2026-27.
Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, a member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Nigeria, has been selected by the Board of Directors to become Rotary International’s president for 2026-27. His term will begin on 1 July 2026.
Babalola began his Rotary journey in 1984 as a Rotaractor. He joined the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi 10 years later. His leadership roles include serving as district governor (2011-12), RI vice president (2019-20), and member of the RI Board (2018-20). He was also an active leader and participant in RI committees such as the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee (2017-23) and the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee (2013-present, adviser 2016-present).
The president of Rotary International serves a one-year term, presiding over the Board of Directors and providing inspirational leadership for the organization. As the spokesperson for the global network, the president visits clubs around the world to promote Rotary's values and represent the organization at major events. Rotary chooses its president from members who have demonstrated extensive leadership experience within Rotary, including service as a club president, district governor, and member of the Board.
Ralph Lewis Food Donation Reminder for September:
As you as shopping, please consider the Grocery-PLUS Pantry
needs for our collection on Thursday, September 4th.
Current needs for September 2025
• Canned Mandarin oranges
• Crackers, such as saltines, Triscuits, wheat thins,
Cheese-its, etc.; 10-16 oz boxes)
• Ketchup, BBQ sauce (plastic bottles)
• Deodorant
• Napkins (small or medium packages)
Ongoing needs
Gift cards from Aldi, Giant, Wegmans or Weis
(which we use to buy food)
Any non-perishable food within its “use by/best by” date
NOTE FROM
Bethel Church and Groceries-PLUS Choice Food Pantry
(PLUS = Prayer, Love, Understanding, Support)
Thank you to Rotarians and Friends who contribute
126 households served last month
246 different households received food in 2024
Ups and downs in the food supply:
• Second Harvest, the regional food
warehouse, is doing everything they can to offer a wide variety of non-perishable and perishable foods. However, the supply is much more variable than it was in the past. Some weeks, they have a lovely selection of frozen meats, but no fresh produce. Another
week, there’s nothing for our refrigerator but lots of beverages. Your financial donations allow us to purchase food to fill some of the gaps.
• On the “rejoicing” side, the farmer who was providing fresh milk under a grant program has agreed to give us milk for the next two months, at just the cost of the cartons.
THANK YOU, JOANNE
Maggie Walters and Aaron Dobbs, from United Way of the Lehigh Valley, presented at our last ERC Breakfast Meeting.
Dear Fellow Rotarian,
You know that I am deeply committed to Rotary Youth Services. The STEM Academy (STEM YEA), introduced for the first time in July 2022, serves a younger set of students who are still exploring what educational path they wish to pursue. The 2025 STEM YEA will be held July 10-13, 2025 on the Kutztown University campus. The Fourth STEM YEA Big Ticket Reverse Raffle fundraiser is only 3 months away. This is an important function to bring visibility to the Rotary STEM Youth Explorer Academy and also raise funds to help offset costs in order to make tuition affordable for all clubs wishing to sponsor students.
The guest speaker is Dhruv Seshadri, a member of Allentown West Rotary Club and an assistant professor in the Department of Bioengineering at Lehigh University. He received his B.S. in polymers science and engineering in 2014, M.S. and PhD degrees in biomedical engineering in 2018 and 2022 respectively from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. His research involves the development, validation, and translation of wearable technology, bioelectronic devices and therapeutics targeting human health and performance. In addition to his academic achievements, Dhruv has been a member of an International Rotaplast team.
The 2025 “STEM YEA Big Ticket Reverse Raffle Night” is scheduled for September 27, 2025 at the Franconia Heritage Banquet & Conference Center, 508 Harleysville Pike, Unit A, Telford, PA. Tickets can be purchased in advance through August 1, 2025 to take advantage of a 10% discount. Total ticket sales are limited to 150. Your ticket helps to fund the operational costs of the STEM YEA program for middle schoolers, especially under-resourced students, to make it affordable for all our clubs to sponsor students, The ticket entitles you to a fun evening including hors d’oeuvres, drinks, dinner, a Caricatures by Emily Byrne, and a lottery ticket with a chance to win one of numerous prizes totaling $5,000 when 150 tickets are sold. Organize your group and act now to purchase your tickets. We are also looking for sponsorships from businesses and individuals along with contributions of silent auction items. Please reach out to Darlene Scott with any questions.
I'm planning to arrange an Emmaus Rotary Club table of 8 for us at the "STEM YEA Reverse Raffle Big Ticket Night" at a discounted ticket rate. If interested in joining us at our table, please let me know by September 11, 2025! Tony
610-295-7691
anmoyer1229@gmail.com
Also, I'm planning to create a wine basket on behalf of our Emmaus Rotary Club that will be raffled at the "STEM YEA Reverse Raffle Big Ticket Night" on 9/27/25. If you're willing and able, please bring a bottle of wine to an ERC Breakfast Meeting through September 18, 2025 for the basket raffle donation.
Speaker Recommendations
Now booking for October and November 2025 BACKUP SPEAKERS for last-minute cancellations.
Do you know someone who would be a great speaker for one of our upcoming Thursday morning meetings? If so, please contact Valerie Deneen.
Meeting Roles
September 4, 2025
Greeter
Irwin, Michael
Sign In
Keister, Irvin
Invocation
Kenny, James
September 11, 2025
Greeter
Kraus, Bob
Sign In
Lahanas, Mike
Invocation
Linde, III, Eric
September 18, 2025
Greeter
McElhaney, Jr., Jeffrey
Sign In
McNealis, Patrick
Invocation
Modrick, Sarah
September 25, 2025
Greeter
Newhart, Barry
Sign In
Omondi, Tom
Invocation
Phillips, Cynthia
If you will not be at the meeting when you have an assignment, please arrange for another member to swap or cover for you.
