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President's Message

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

     Have you done this?

     Last week, I washed one of my Rotary pins that I had forgotten to remove from my jacket. I was thankful that I did not need a service call for either my washer or dryer. And, once more, I thought how much I appreciate the upgrade to magnetic pins and badges. No more holes in blouses, dresses, or jackets.

     All of that led me to think about the symbolism, meaning, and traditions around our Rotary wheel. Most of the earliest Rotary clubs had a wheel as an image on their publications and letterheads.  It illustrated “Civilization, Movement and Service work in action.”  In 1919, the Rotary Club of Philadelphia added cogs to create a working wheel, symbolizing members working together, literally interlocked with one another to achieve the organization’s objectives. The six spokes represented an inward movement to show the path of Vocational Service and an outward one to the community and world.      

      In 1922, it was decided that all clubs would adopt a single design as the exclusive emblem of Rotarians. 

     A group of engineers advised that the geared wheel was mechanically unsound and would not work without a “keyway” in the center of the gear to attach it to a power shaft. So rather than have any idle clubs or club members, the change was made in 1923. The blue and gold colors were added at the 1929 Rotary International Convention. It is the official Rotary International emblem. The Rotary wheel is also referred to as “The Mark of Excellence”. 

     Our two newest Emmaus Rotary members- Keith Heffner and Eileen Teyim - will receive their pins when they are ceremonially inducted into Emmaus Rotary this June. Soon Mike Waddell, our President-elect, will receive his official President pin. One of his first fun actions will be to hand out the Rotary year 2021-2022 theme pins. So we all have a variety and choice of pins to wear to our regular meetings. Remember that Don Blose, our Sargent at Arms, may fine members found not to be wearing their pins to meetings.

     More importantly, please consider wearing your Rotary pin during the week as you move around the community. Let it spark a conversation so others know Rotary is active in East Penn. Let it be a mark of excellence.  Let it mark you as an active, trusted leader who is interconnected  with other Rotarians, And that --

 

          Together, we see a world where people unite and take action

           to make a lasting change across the globe,

           in our communities, and in ourselves. 

                          Rotary International’s Mission Statement

 
Yours in Service
Lexa Shallcross
Emmaus Rotary President, 2020-2021
BAGS & BEER & CORNHOLE HIGHLIGHTS!
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED OUR ANNUAL CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT / BAGS & BEER EVENT!
 
A giant thank you to the Committee:  Rick Zayaitz, Don Blose, Steve Gould (Our Event Sponsor), Courtney Kennedy, Doug Brinker, Meghan Reed, Lexa Shallcross and Mike Waddell.  Also thanks to Mark Erle for setting up the registration web site.
 
We would also like to acknowledge our sponsors:
 
Better Homes and Garden Real Estate- Event Sponsor
Play Sponsor - Keystone Precision Solutions
 
Board Sponsors:
Ai Orthodontics
Edward Jones Financial Advisors
Embassy Bank
Spillman Farmer Architects
 
Eric Loch Diamond Jewelers
Turf Pro
Vinyl Press
 
 
A fun time was had by all!
The Cornhole Winning Team with Tony & Gioavanna
The Bartender Rick Zayiatz
 
Jim Palmquist with Janet Kolepp, our District Governor, and our Governor-Elect for 2021-2022 Bob Hobaugh
 
 
 
 
"Fun Way" Speech Picnic Winners
WHAT A GREAT ROTARY FELLOWSHIP EVENT! 

Thanks to everyone who attended and to all those who helped organize the first Fun Way Speech Picnic last Friday.
 
Congratulations to our winners:
 
 
Lexa Shallcross:  "True Blue Rotary"
Mike Waddell:  "No Overtime Penalty"
Meghan Reed:  "We'd Listen Again"
Sal Verrastro - "Crown Pleaser " (See what happens when you bring chocolate to an event!)
 
See you all next year so start planning your speech now!
 
She Nailed It! 
 
A great big THANK YOU to all of my Rotary friends who donated to the Habitat Lehigh Valley, She Nailed It Hammer Relay Competition! My team “What’s a Hammer 🤷🏼‍♀️“  surpassed our goal of $1500 and raised $2000!  The event is projected to raise well over $45,000. 
Our team even made it to the second round! Hahah....guess we do know what a hammer is after all, with our best time clocking in at 28 seconds. 

What an inspiring afternoon! We were surrounded by supportive women rooting for each others teams, and we learned about the incredible work that Habitat for Humanity does here in the Lehigh Valley. We met a single Mom who now has a home to call her own and a stable environment for her daughter to feel safe in. She has worked side by side with Habitat volunteers to build her home from the foundation up. That is what community is all about! 
You can count me in to be there again next year! Who’s with me? 

Learn more about Habitat and Women Build at these links. 
 

 
With Gratitude, Meghan, Katie, Samantha, and Rita 🔨🤷🏼‍♀️🔨

 
Rotary Change Over Party - TONIGHT!
 
  IT'S A PARTY!-- COME ONE, COME ALL-- FAMILY TOO!
             COME AND CELEBRATE OUR 2020-2021 ROTARY YEAR AND PRESIDENT LEXA WITH AN OLD FASHIONED OUT DOOR PICNIC AND PARTY!
 
                     WEDNESDAY, JULY 21 2021 (THAT'S TONIGHT FOLKS)
 
                      COCKTAILS/DRINKS STARTING AT 5
                       DINNER APPROXIMATELY 6 TIL..
                       HORNAMAN HOUSE
                       2225 RIVERBEND ROAD
                       ALLENTOWN, PA 18103
 
DINNER/DRINKS/ENTERTAINMENT-- ALL INCLUDED
REGISTER NOW-- GO TO LINK BELOW
    
 
Hope to see you all there!
 
 
Virtual Meeting Details
For those members wishing to do Rotary virtually here are the Zoom meeting details.  The virtual meeting should be started by 7:15a.m.  Feel free to chat with your virtual friends and the members in attendance.  Please mute yourself when the President starts the meeting. Use the Chat feature to chat with the Zoom Master and others on the virtual meeting.  We'll do our best to give you the same feel of the meeting as if you were able to attend in person.
 
Please Note that if you are attending virtually please use the following ZOOM link! 
Interact Club T-Shirt Collection
The Interact Club is holding a T-Shirt drive to help collect and retrofit T-shirts with a zippers so that life becomes a little easier for those pediatric cancer patients who have vascular access device (mediports). They need our help!
Emmaus Rotary Flag Program - It is not too Late!
HOLIDAY FLAG PROGRAM - It is not too late to sign up for this program OR renew your current subscription for 2022!  The program is designed to provide each recipient with an American Flag to be installed in your yard at each of the following US holidays.  For an annual subscription of $49, a 3' x 5' American Flag will be placed in a designated area in your yard and removed immediately after each date:
 
Memorial Day
Flag Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Patriots Day
Veterans Day
 
To sign up or renew your current subscription, please use this link:  Flags.EmmausRotary.org
 
For more details, please contact Eric Loch!
 
 
This program also makes a great gift for a love one or friend!  The holidays are just around the corner.
Hillside Clean-Up Time
The Community Service Committee is looking for help to mulch the new outside beds and around the trees at Hillside School on Saturday, May 22nd, starting at 8 am.  Gary Rohrbach will use his truck and get free mulch - we just need to have some helpers - (even teenagers can help!) with raking the mulch out of the truck to the beds. Please see Karen at the Rotary meetings for further information and to sign up, or contact her via email. 
Remembrance Garden Brick Installation  - Highlights
The ceremony at the Remembrance Garden brick installation on June 3rd was for three of our past Rotary Members.  Our Vice president Michael Waddell facilitated the brick installation of Bob Halsey, Bob Pfander and Paul Sarver.  Below are the highlights.
 
The Paul Sarver Family, 
 
Edie Halsey and son Andrew
 
 
Mike Waddell sweeps the sand into the joints to complete the installation.

WEEKLY MEETING ASSIGNMENTS

As members we are all responsible for making each week's meeting a success.  Working the sign-in and EREY tables are a great way to get to know members.
PLEASE NOTE:  If you prefer NOT to be on this list or if you prefer NOT to be given a specific assignment, please let me Diamond Man Eric know via email.  DiamondMan@LochsJewelers.com
 
The assignments below are selected from our membership list and are in alphabetical order (or close to it).  Should you be unavailable to make it to the meeting to fulfill your assignment, please do one of the following:
 
- Switch with someone else from another week.
- Contact another member to fill your slot.  Club Runner has our Member Directory.
- If either one of the above attempts is unsuccessful, please notify me ASAP.  DiamondMan@LochsJewelers.com
 
January 6th, 2002
Sign-In-Table:  Courtney Kennedy & James Kenny
Greeter:  Rory King
Invocation / Moment of Reflection: Robert Kraus
 
January 13th, 2002
Sign-In-Table:  Mike Lahanas & Jeff McElhaney
Greeter:  Ashley Lorah
Invocation / Moment of Reflection: Anthony Moyer
 
 
 
 
 
 

December Is....

DECEMBER is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month
 

At Rotary, we believe good health care is everyone’s right. Yet 400 million people in the world can’t afford or don’t have access to basic health care.

Disease results in misery, pain, and poverty for millions of people worldwide. That’s why treating and preventing disease is so important to us. We lead efforts both large and small. We set up temporary clinics, blood donation centers, and training facilities in underserved communities struggling with outbreaks and health care access. We design and build infrastructure that allows doctors, patients, and governments to work together.

Our members combat diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and polio. Prevention is important, which is why we also focus on health education and bringing people routine hearing, vision, and dental care.

 

 
 
 
 

Read more...
COVID-19 Vaccines - UPDATE!

LVHN Offering Additional Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccinations

Lehigh Valley Health Network also announcing mass vaccination drive-through event on May 12 at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
On Wednesday, May 5, LVHN will begin accepting walk-ins without an appointment for the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine for everyone 16 and older at all COVID-19 vaccine locations. (Note: Anyone under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to get vaccinated.) Those who already received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine will receive the second Moderna dose at these sites. COVID-19 vaccinations provided by LVHN are free. Pfizer vaccine has emergency use authorization (EUA) for people ages 16 and older, while Moderna has EUA for people ages 18 and older.
 
Many thanks to our own Bob Goehler for this information.
 
 
East Penn Food Coalition Update!
COMMUNITY JOINT EFFORT NEEDED FOR FAMILIES FACING HUNGER
 
Here is a link to the cool video by Eric Loch of the weekly food packing
 
As you all know the Emmaus Rotary leads the establishment of the East Penn Food Coalition along with other community service groups to meet hunger needs in the East Penn School District Community.
 
We have reached a critical point to fund the East Penn Food Coalition, Feed East Penn Students Program. We currently serve over 200 children a week and need your help to raise money to continue to feed hungry kids in our community. 
 
WE NEED YOUR HELP!   We are seeking business, grants, and individual donations to support over $20,000 in need.
You can provide help for our neighbors in need in the following ways:
 
 
Check donation:  Send to the following:
                Emmaus Rotary Foundation
                c/o 2225 Riverbend Road
                Allentown, PA 18103
 
Contact:   Cindy Hornaman: hornamca@ptd.net, (610) 360-4875 or Rick Zayaitz: richardzayaitz@gmail.com   (484) 357 5780
If you are interested in being part of this group, please let us know.  Thanks to all of those who have contributed thus far.
We can all work together to help the families in our own East Penn Community.
 
Lastly, we also need your help in sharing our mission with your friends, family and colleagues.  
Here are quick and easy ways to participate in crowd funding. 
  • Share the link on your social media pages. (Share on your own page and in groups you belong to) 
  • Email your contact list. 
  • If you own a business share with your clients via email or social media.
  • Simply talk about the program with people.
 
With Gratitude,
The Entire Emmaus Rotary Club
 

 

 
 
Rotary District 7430 COVID-19 Guidelines

COVID-19 is impacting us all in our personal, professional and Rotary lives.  We must base our decisions about Rotary activities on the health and safety of our members and compliance with government and health regulations.  Even though we may not be able to conduct the usual weekly in person meetings, many of our clubs are leading or participating in food and other relief programs in their communities.  These efforts will likely be continuing through the balance of this Rotary year and into the future.

With this in mind, the following are guidelines for all Rotary District 7430 activities:

  • All guidelines set forth by the Governor, counties and other authorized persons in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the CDC should be followed.
  • Should any Rotarian be diagnosed with or have symptoms that they suspect to be consistent with COVID-19, that Rotarian shall:
    • Not participate in any Rotary event that involves a personal appearance at the event.
    • Report their diagnoses or symptoms to the Rotarian supervising any program in which they have participated in-person within fourteen (14) days before the diagnoses or occurrence of symptoms.
We also suggest that you adopt guidelines for your clubs that reflect the current health crisis.
 
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Welcome to the Emmaus Rotary Club!
 
We meet at 7:30 AM on Thursday mornings
at Brookside Country Club, 901 Willow Lane, Macungie, PA 18062
District 7430  Club 5427
 
2021-2022 President 
Michael Waddell                       
 
District 7430 Governor
Bob Hobaugh
 
Assistant Governor Area 1
Rick Zayaitz
 
Follow us on Facebook!
Speakers
Jan 06, 2022
ERC Club Assembly
Jan 13, 2022
"Emmaus Main Street Partners 2021 Review & 2022 Look Ahead”
Jan 27, 2022
Kalmbach Park
View entire list
CALENDARS
 
Emmaus Rotary:
 
Sunday, May 23rd - "Bags & Beef" at Gio Italian Grill
June 3 - Remembrance Garden Brick Installation
Friday, June 25, 2021 - a "fun" 4-Way Test Competition for anyone (Watch for Details)
Iron Pigs Game with the ERC - July 23, 2021
September, 2021 - The Annual Poker Run!
 
 
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Co Chair Rotary Foundation/Intl Service
 
Membership co-chair
 
First Vice President
 
2nd Vice President
 
Immediate Past President
 
Community Service
 
co Chair Foundation/International Service
 
Fund Raising- Flag program
 
Departing Secretary
 
Fund Raising Poker Run
 
Director
 
Sargeant at Arms-Emeritus
 
International Women's Day
 
Director
 
C0-chair Community Service
 
Fellowship
 
Director
 
Membership co-chair
 
Director
 
Interact
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Youth Services
 
Bulletin Editor
Sal Verrastro
Rotary Links
Rotary International
RI President Home
Rotary Global Rewards
Joining Rotary
Rotary History
Rotary Foundation
For New Members
 
 
 
Service above Self.
The Emmaus Rotary Club embraces, practices and promotes the Rotary International Core Values of Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity and Leadership.