Home Page | Rotary Club of Tunkhannock

Tunkhannock Rotary will once again have a booth on Tioga St. during Tunkhannock's Founder's Day on June 22, 2019. Please stop by and learn more about Rotary and the good we do in our community and worldwide. If you might be interested in joining Rotary, the Rotarians at the booth can provide you with additional info.

It will also be your first opportunity to get information on our Oct 12, 2019 Harvest & Wine Festival at Lazybrook Park. First tickets will be on sale on June 22, although online and local site sales will not commence until mid Aug. Tickets are advance sale only at $25 per non-refundable ticket. The Festival takes place rain or shine. This is a 21 plus age event. No pets, firearms, coolers or alcoholic or other beverages will be allowed through the entry gate this year upon advice from legal, security and insurance advisors.

On the first and third Thursday's of every month, the Tunkhannock Rotary will hold a flash club meeting at 5:30 PM at Bogey's at Shadowbrook Inn & Resort. This is a 15-30 minute meeting for those members or prospective members who cannot make our regular 12:15 PM meeting. If they so desire, members and guests can stay after the meeting for drinks and/or dinner.

If you are interested in joining Rotary, but cannot make our luncheon meetings, please join us at one of our Thursday flash meetings to learn more about Rotary and our international and community based activities.

Welcome to our Website!

Service Above Self

We meet Thursdays at 12:15 PM
Purkey's Pink Apple

651 SR 6 W
Tunkhannock, PA 18657
United States of America

District Site

Bulletins

Outbound Exchange Student Paul DeMarco Nearing End of His Exchange in Brazil

For the 2018-2019 academic year, Tunkhannock Rotary sponsored two outbound exchange students, who are both nearing the completion of their exchanges. Paul DeMarco went to Brazil and Kayla Gavek went to Germany.

Paul recently gave his end of exchange presentation to his host Rotary Club in Recife Brazil and participated in the traditional exchange of banner between the sponsor (Tunkhannock) and hosting Rotary Club.

Tunkhannock Exchange Student Paul DeMarco participating in a Rotary Club Banner exchange in Recife Brazil

Paul as guest speaker at Rotary Club of Recife

Paul with some of the other exchange students in Brazil

Exchange Student Andrzej Swietek Presents at Luncheon

Tunkhannock Rotary had the pleasure of hearing from our Polish Exchange Student Andrzej Swietek at the Jun 6 lunchtime meeting at the Tunkhannock Public Library.

Andrzej created his own Website, which he used to document some of his experiences in Tunkhannock and the US. His website incorporates both English and Polish languages. He discussed his time in the states and his most significant moments from his exchange. Photos on his website include, the trips he had to Philly, NYC, Delaware and Boston including his dream University, MIT.

He also discussed and shared photos from his time with the TASD Robotics Club, wrestling, the different seasons in NEPA, visiting the Festival of Lights at Stone Hedge, American Food, and celebrating Christmas.

Rotarians were happy to learn more about his culture and time in America and wish him the very best in the future! To view more photos and read more about Andrzej’s exchange, visit his website at - www.swietek.pl

Andrzej Swietek

Banner & Book Presentation to Exchange Students

At the Jun 6 Rotary Luncheon at the Tunkhannock Public Library, President Mike Markovitz presented Tunkhannock Rotary Club Banners and Pennsylvania Books, signed by our Rotarians, to our departing exchange students, Joao (John) Guilherme Tonet Oldoni from Brazil and Andrzej (Andrew) Swietek from Poland.

L to R: Joao, Andrzej and Pres. Mike

Donation to Triton Fire Company

Recently, Pres. Mike presented a $500 check to the Triton Fire Company to help support their extensive services to our community, including use of some of their facilities for the July 3rd Fireworks. The Company was very thankful for our donation.

Pres. Mike presenting $500 check to 2^nd Assistant Chief – Nathan Learn (left) from Triton Hose Company #1

Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association

Recently, Pres. Mike Markovitz presented a check for $500 to the Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association to help support their extensive services to the residents of Wyoming County and beyond as needed. The Association was very thankful for this donation and for the grant support last summer that allowed them to buy their new QCPR system to train both their members and others on life-saving CPR techniques.

Pres. Mike presenting $500 check to Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association/Dive Team Members - Paul Henn (Center) and Jeff Plata (Far Right).

Rotary Supports D.A.R.E. Program

For the last several years, the Tunkhannock Rotary has provided financial support for the D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony for the 5th graders at the Middle School. This year's D.A.R.E. graduation took place on May 31 and was attended by family members of the graduating 5th graders and by several Rotarians.

Rotarian Rich Seaberg, TASD Resource Office, is the course instructor and Rotarian Cammie Anderson, who is the Wyo Cty Drug and Alcohol Prevention Officer, also participated in the graduation ceremony. Pres. Elect Sandy Lane and Director Mary Tempest attended the ceremony to cheer on the children who successfully completed this program.

Rotarians Rich Seaberg and Mary Tempest with one of the D.A.R.E. graduates.

Rotary Donates to Special Olympics

On Friday, May 31, Pres. Mike Markovitz attended the Special Olympics Track and Field Event at Memorial Stadium. As is Rotary's annual custom, Pres. Mike presented a check for $500 to the Special Olympics (top photo) and received a certificate of appreciation from Special Olympics (middle photo).

Some of the competitors and their support teams

Rotary Scholarships Presented on May 23

Every year, the Tunkhannock Rotary presents $1,000 Academic and Vocational Scholarships to 2 graduating seniors, who not only excel academically, but also show strong commitment to service to their community, church or school. On Senior Night May 23, Rotary Scholarship Committee Chair Terri Detrick had the pleasure of presenting the academic scholarship to Marina Welles and the vocational scholarship to Avery Billings. Congratulations to the recipients and best of luck in their future endeavors.

Marina Welles, Scholarship Chair Terri Detrick and Avery Billings

Brazilian Exchange Student Presents Highlights of His Exchange

At the May 23 Rotary Luncheon, the club had the pleasure of hearing from Brazilian exchange student, who is 17 years old. At Tunkhannock Area High School, he is taking classes in graphics, 3D printing, computer and electronic devices. He has enjoyed carving pumpkins for Halloween, going to the circus, the Bloomsburg Fair, a Taco Festival in NJ, seeing live hockey and professional baseball games and building his first snowman (and skiing). He loves playing soccer and bocce ball.

He enjoyed the various trips with the exchange students to Philadelphia, New York City, Washington DC, Harrisburg and the Dickens Festival in Wellsboro.

Joao lives in the south of Brazil in the city of Agua Doce (Sweetwater), which is the 5^th biggest city in his region and was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Herval D’Oeste in District 4740. He presented highlights of his country, his region and their food.

Joao “John” Guilherme Tonet Oldoni

George Gay Earns Paul Harris +2 Recognition

At the May 23 Rotary Luncheon, Club Rotary Foundation co-chair Samantha Maruzzelli presented George Gay with a Paul Harris (+2) pin to recognize his donations to the Rotary Foundation. George was pinned by Samantha and congratulated by President Mike Markovitz.

L to R: Samantha Maruzzelli, George Gay and Pres. Mike Markovitz

PDG Marcia Loughman Spoke at May 16 Luncheon

The guest speaker at our May 16 Rotary meeting was PDG Marcia Loughman, who will be the next Chair of the District 7410 Foundation Committee. Marcia spoke about the major programs of the Rotary Foundation, especially the Polio Eradication Program. She reminded everyone about the critical importance of the total worldwide elimination of this disease and the need for environmental surveillance to ensure it does not re-emerge as a worldwide threat.

Marica also spoke about her 3 year vision for the District Foundation Programs, as well as, the easy ways that Rotarians can make their contributions to the Rotary Foundation, which is very highly rated as a charity.

Marica ended by enumerating some of the ideas she has for enhancing Rotarians giving to and raising money from the public for the Rotary Foundation.

PDG Marcia Loughman (2019-2022 District 7410 Foundation Committee Chair)

TAHS Robotics Club Presented at May 9 Luncheon

At the May 9 Tunkhannock Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple, Scott Howell (faculty mentor), Ryan Zalewski (student) and Andrzej Swietek (Rotary exchange student from Poland) gave a presentation on the competition experiences of the 2019 TAHS Robotics Team.

At their first competition, they were the District Event Winner. At the World Championship in Detroit, they were an Archimedes Subdivision Finalist. This was the second highest ranking in the Club’s history. They finished 12th at the Detroit World Championship. They ranked 6 out of 128 teams in First MidAtlantic District.

Guest Fred Harding was then asked to talk briefly about how the TAHS Robotics Club got started. He recalled it started in 1997 from a small note in his mailbox from Kent Kresge. There were only 2 competition sites back then and now there are over 30 sites. Now there are international teams from Taipei, Sweden, Canada, etc. Rotary supported him in helping to get things going in the early years and he ran the Club for 10 years. His very first team included Dia Siraki, who was a Rotary exchange student from Serbia (Hungary) and this year’s team now has Andrzej Swietek, our current Rotary exchanges student from Poland.

After their presentation, Pres.-Elect Sandy Lane presented the Team with a check for $1,000 to help support the TAHS Robotics Club.

Pres. Elect Sandy Lane presenting a $1,000 check to the Robotics Club, which was accepted by Scott Howell, Ryan Zalewski and Andrzej Swietek

Members Attend District 7410 Training

On Saturday, May 4, Tunkhannock Rotarians attended the District 7410 Training Workshop at the Holiday Inn East Mountain Road in Wilkes-Barre. This was a training session for incoming officers, Foundation representatives and club members. Pres-Elect Sandy Lane, Secretary Carol Ziomek, Director-Elect Mary Tempest, and Foundation Chair Al Noble were in attendance. Anne Sehne, District and Club Exchange Student Coordinator, gave a workshop on the exchange program. Both Carol and Al are also on the District Foundation Committee.

Part of the training concerned the recent deliberations of the Rotary Council on Legislation that meets every 3 years to review the International and Club governance documents. The new Rotary Club Constitution and Bylaws will be published around Nov 2019 for Clubs to review and for approve by their Boards.

L to R: Anne Sehne, Al Noble, Sandy Lane, Carol Ziomek & Mary Tempest

Honesdale Interactors Speak at May 2 Meeting

Arjun Fulp and Hannah Holbert of the Honesdale Interact Club were the guest speakers at the May 2 Tunkhannock Rotary Luncheon. Both are high school juniors.

The Community Center in Kumbo, Cameroon in Africa was built by the Honesdale Rotary and has the largest library in Cameroon. Over 3,000 kids go through the library annually.

The Honesdale Interact Club has partnered with the Himalayan Institute (located in Honesdale), who go to impoverished areas and have a great network to help people in these areas. They have shipped over 30,000 plus books in English to Cameroon.

Their goal is to raise $15,000 to send over 30 new computers and money for educational scholarships. Also, they hope to be able to fund more technical staff and computer literacy courses.

Arjun Fulp and Hannah Holbert of the Honesdale Interact Club

Fran Turner's 100th Birthday Celebration

On Sunday, Apr 28, Tunkhannock Rotarians joined with the American Legion, family and friends in celebrating 68-year Rotarian Fran Turner's 100th Birthday.

Pres. Mike Markovitz presented Fran with a paid lifetime membership in Tunkhannock Rotary as well as a gigantic 100th Birthday card with greetings from many of his Rotarian friends.

Club Foundation Chair Al Noble presented Fran with his latest Paul Harris pin in recognition of his cumulative donations to the Rotary Foundation.

John Hovan then introduced the members of the Little League Girls Softball Team and their coaches. The girls congratulated Fran on his Birthday, presented him with a birthday gift and sang an enthusiastic Happy Birthday to him.

Rotarians Cleanup Part of Route 6

On Sat. Apr 27, a team of Rotarians, family & friends cleaned up an approximately 2 mile stretch of Route 6 starting at the Fireplace Restaurant.

Rotarians at work!

Thank You for Participating in Drug Take Back Event

A big Thank You to everyone who cleaned out their medicine cabinets and dropped off their expired and unneeded drugs at the Wyo. Cty. DA's Office Drug Take Back Event at several local pharmacies. Since most addicts got their first drugs from family or friends medicine cabinets, it is very important to control your prescription meds and dispose of those that are expired or that you no longer use.

NTIEC Presentation at Apr 25 Luncheon

Shealynn Shave, who is the Executive Director and Debra Tierney, who is an Educational Coordinator at NTIEC spoke at the Apr 25 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple.

The Northern Tier Industry and Education Consortium (NTIEC) is a 501c3 non-profit formed in 1993, dedicated to promoting school to work activities in NEPA. They serve 14 school districts in 4 counties. Annually they work with 1,500-2,000 students and 350 employers.

Their goal is to introduce students to the work opportunities available in NEPA, including work that does not need a 4 year college education. They hope to encourage local students to come back to this area to work.

Their programs include Youth Apprenticeships (YAPs) and career preparedness.

L to R: Debra Tierney and Shealynn Shave

John Hovan Earns New Paul Harris Pin

At the Apr 25 Rotary Luncheon, Club Foundation Chair Al Noble presented John Hovan with his new Paul Harris (+2) pin. Pres. Mike Markovitz pinned John.

Once donations to the Rotary Foundation reach a $1,000 cumulative donation, it earns the donor a Paul Harris. $1,000 can help educate a person or set up a new business.

L to R: Pres Mike Markovitz, John Hovan and Al Noble

Paul Harris Presentations

At the Apr 18 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple, Club Foundation Chair Al Noble presented new Paul Harris pins to Norm Kelly (Paul Harris +4) and Carol Ziomek (Paul Harris +7) for their cumulative donations to the Rotary Foundation. Norm and Carol are both members of the Paul Harris Society and have committed to donate a minimum of $1,000 per year to the Rotary Foundation.

L to R: Norm Kelly, Pres. Mike Markovitz and Foundation Chair Al Noble

L to R: Carol Ziomek, Pres. Mike Markovitz and Foundation Chair Al Noble

Judge Russell Shurtleff Spoke at Apr 11 Rotary Meeting and Accepted Check for Drug Treatment Court

At the Thursday, April 11^th Tunkhannock Rotary meeting, Judge Russell Shurtleff, President Judge on the Wyoming-& Sullivan County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania was the guest speaker.

The Judge spoke about the changes in sentencing for a variety of criminal offenses being put forward to overcome perceptions of judge’s bias.

Judge Shurtleff also spoke about the success of the Drug Treatment Court Program that recently graduated another 8 participants. The program lasts 2.5 years and has had a total of 88 graduates so far. 156 people have been accepted into the program and 82% of participants do not re-offend. So, Treatment Court is working well.

The Treatment Court is also partnering with HANDS of Wyoming County on family life skills parenting classes.

After the presentation, Club President, Mike Markovitz presented a check for 1,500 dollars to the Drug Treatment Court Program. Judge Russell Shurtleff accepted the check and thanked the Club for its continued financial support of this program.

Mike Markovitz (right) presenting check to Drug Treatment Court Program, Judge Russell Shurtleff

Rotary Supports Patriot's Cove

At the Apr 11 meeting, Pres. Mike Markovitz presented a check for $1,000 to Patriots Cove. Jeff Swire accepted the check.

Jeff Swire (left) accepting the Patriots Cove check from Pres. Mike Markovitz

Jeff thanked the club on behalf of their staff and people served. They now have 3 miles of trout stream accessible for injured persons serving their country and communities, such as first responders.

They are now getting ready to open their caregivers support center to provide training and support strategies for family members of those injured in service.

Rotary Provides Donation to HANDS

At the Apr 11 Tunkhannock Rotary Luncheon, President Mike Markovitz presented Cathy Franko, Executive Director of H.A.N.D.S. of Wyoming County with a check for $5,000 to help support the 2019 F.A.N.S. Camp. This donation was made from the proceeds from the October 2018 Rotary Harvest & Wine Festival at Lazybrook Park.

The Focused Activity Nutrition Success (F.A.N.S.) Camp will take place July 1 through Aug 2 this year. The camp provides children between 5 and 12 years of age with the opportunity to enjoy non-competitive sport activities, yoga and strength building. In addition, there is a nutrition program to promote a heart health lifestyle.

After Cathy thanked the Club for its past and current support for the F.A.N.S. Camp, she remarked “The donation was so meaningful today because April is “The Month of the Young Child”. What a better way to celebrate children! The Rotary donation will be used to help support a summer camp for children that live in a high risk area of Wyoming County where 6 out of every 10 children live at or below poverty. The timing of this donation is incredibly special.”

Cathy Franko receiving check from Pres. Mike Markovitz

Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen Visits Rotary

At the Thursday, April 4^th Tunkhannock Rotary meeting, Club President, Mike Markovitz presented a check for $3,000 to the Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen. Raleigh Bloch accepted the check and discussed the gratitude they have for community donations that assist with meals every month. 155 individuals volunteer at the soup kitchen to help provide food to those in need.

The Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen was founded on September 7, 2007 and their mission since then has been to provide a hot, nutritious meal for all in need. The soup kitchen is located at 51 Warren Street, Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania and serves dinner Monday-Friday from 5pm to 6:30pm.

Mike Markovitz (right) presenting check to Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen, Raleigh Bloch

Dietrich Theater Receives Support From Rotary

At the April 4^th Tunkhannock Rotary meeting, Club President, Mike Markovitz presented a check for $4,000 to the Dietrich Theater. Margie Young accepted the check and discussed how the donations help the theater fund free programs available to 2 1/2 year olds to 94 year olds. Community events held at the theater include music for littles for kids, golden age of radio plays, dance recitals, art, music and exercise.

Mike Markovitz (right) presenting the Dietrich Theater Margie Young with check.

Katherine Pohidal Describes Misericordia Women with Children Program

Katherine Pohidal was the guest speaker at the Mar 28 Rotary meeting at Purkey's Pink Apple. Katherine is the Director of The Ruth Matthews Bourger Women with Children Program at Misericordia University. Katherine thanked the Club for helping them with money to buy children’s gifts at Xmas, which we have done for the last 2 years. Katherine also introduced Rene, a student in the program and Sandy Johnson, who is the Program Coordinator.

The Program started in 2000 to help moms at the poverty level, who could not access education. It provides the opportunity for the moms to earn their college degree in addition to providing housing to these moms with their children. They get free housing for up to 4 years, attend college full time and have time with their children. They also help them sustain their degrees and help with placement post-graduation. Within 2 years, they no longer need any govt subsidies.

Katherine then shared the exciting news that Gov. Wolf has recently recommended that this model be duplicated throughout PA. The Parent Pathways program was begun with 5 pilot initiatives, which will replicate the Misericordia Program. The goal is to help people out of poverty and sustain this new level of support.

L to R: Rene, Sandy Johnson and Katherine Pohidal

Victim's Resource Center Received Donation from Rotary

At the Mar 28 Rotary Luncheon, President Mike Markovitz presented a check for $1,000 to the Victims Resource Center (VRC). Janet MacKay, Executive Director of VRC accepted the check.

Janet MacKay and Pres. Mike Markovitz

AG Dave Palmer Visits Mar 28 Luncheon

Assistant Governor Dave Palmer was a guest at our March 28 Rotary Luncheon. Dave reminded everyone about District 7410 Conference on Apr 5-6 in Scranton.

He also promoted the 12th annual Northeast Golf Tournament on June 3 at Stonehedge Country Club hosted by the Trail and Forest City Rotary Clubs.

Finally, Dave asked for members to consider volunteering for a time slot to man the Rotary Booth at the upcoming Hartford Fair. Volunteers will work 4 hr shifts so they therefore need 18 volunteers. Volunteers will get a free pass to the Fair and parking is free if you volunteer. It is an opportunity to attract new members and raise awareness around Rotary’s polio eradication efforts.

AG Dave Palmer

Charlesie Rowles Wins Local Rotary Essay Contest

At the Mar 21 Rotary Luncheon, Essay Committee Chair Terry Furman introduced the Club Essay Contest Winner, Charlesie Rowles, a Senior at TAHS. She is President of the Interact Club and has been in the club for 3 years. After graduation, she plans to go into nursing and minor in Spanish.

Charlesie’s essay was submitted to the District 7410 Essay Contest for Juniors & Seniors. The essay topic was “Be the Inspiration”. Charlesie read her essay at the luncheon. Terry then presented Charlesie with a $100 check as the winner of the Club level of the Essay Contest.

Terry Furman (left) congratulating Charlesie Rowles

Dr. Christopher Andres Spoke on Medical Mission to Haiti

The guest speaker at the Mar 14 Rotary Luncheon was Dr. Christopher Andres, who spoke about the Medical Mission to Haiti. The Haiti MAC Medical Mission Program has been ongoing for 18 years from the University of Scranton. 45 students have gone on these missions and treated thousands of patients.

They are going to Haiti to serve (not help) individuals. The 4 doctors cover all aspects of medicine. They also take 4 students with them on each trip (2-3 are 4^th year and 1-2 are 3^rd year and go next year also).

They just got back from their most recent trip and are now planning for next Jan. trip. They are looking for sources of supplies for the next trip. Right now, they are focusing on medications, since they are hard to get in the country.

There is very rich cultural diversity in Haiti along with strong faith. However, there are people who are very impoverished, and they go to some of the worst areas to provide medical and dental services to these individuals. Care is brought to many where limited or no medical/dental care is available, such as in the mountains, where there is no running water.

Dr. Christopher Andres

Check Presentation to Tunkhannock Public Library

Pres. Mike presented a check to the Tunkhannock Public Library (TPL) for $10,000 at the Mar 14 Rotary Luncheon. The check was accepted by Rotarian Kristin Smith-Gary, Executive Director of the TPL.

Kristin provided a brief update on the Library. Our donation helped fund the 1000 Books before Kindergarten (a preschool program where parents read 1000 books to their kids and they get prizes), the Wall Street Journal subscription, picture books, junior fiction and young adult books for the kids and summer and year round programs for all ages of kids. A core of young adults has developed due to Rotary’s donation.

Donations from the community provide 52% of the operating budget for 2019. 50K people visited the library, 151K books checked out, 4,500 uses of computers and 5,500 people attended library programs.

Kristin Smith-Gary Accepting TPL Check from Pres. Mike Markovitz

Donna LaBar Spoke on Wellness at Mar 7 Rotary Luncheon

Donna LaBar was our guest speaker at the Mar 7 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple. Donna is a realtor and appraiser, but she has a second passion and deep interest in cellular regeneration and the ability of the body to heal itself. She has an inquisitive science-oriented mind, is a health and wellness coach and has published a book on the subject (Simple. Natural. Healing.).

Donna then spoke about how our body heals itself and what we an do to help our body do so. She especially emphasized the need for water, mineral and salts and their role in the 3 fluid systems in our bodies.

Donna LaBar

Northeast Sight Review Services to Wyoming County

Sara Peperno and Amy Feldman from Northeast Sight gave a presentation at the Feb 28 Rotary Luncheon on their services for the blind and visually impaired in Wyoming County. Northeast Sight serves people with a myriad of different vision issues. Vision issues are one of the top ten disabilities throughout the world. Vision issues will double in the next decades as our population ages.

Sara and Amy then set up an activity re vision issues with 5 participants, who were each given glasses/blindfold that would simulate a different visual impairment. They were asked to text a friend that they were at our meeting, pay $1.12 for a glass of water, pour a glass of water and then return to their seats with glass/blindfold on asking for assistance if necessary.

Our brave volunteers were Terri Detrick (cataracts), Chelsea English (glaucoma), Gina Suydam (macular degeneration), exchange student John (diabetic retinopathy) and Jon Buxton (total blindness). Jon needed assistance to get back to his seat with a blindfold on.

Each volunteered described what it was like with their glasses on and Sara explained how vision impaired individuals can perform the tasks that they were asked to do.

Sara Peperno and Amy Feldman

L to R: Volunteers Jon Buxton, exchange student John, Gina Suydam, Chelsea English and Terri Detrick

Thank You from Tunkhannock Girl's Youth Basketball Team

At the Feb 28 Rotary Luncheon, Colleen Newswanger, coach of the Girls Basketball Team thanked the club for sponsoring the Tunkhannock Girl’s Youth Basketball Team for 2018-2019. They wore their blue shirts to all their games. Their last game was last week. The girls improved their basketball skills and they learned a lot of lessons that will serve them later. Colleen then presented Pres. Mike with a Thank You plaque on behalf of the team.

Colleen Newswanger present plaque to Pres. Mike Markovitz

Kevin Kitchnefsky Spoke at Feb 14 Meeting

The guest speaker at the Feb 14 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple was Kevin Kitchnefsky, who spoke about the realities and challenges to daily living experienced by those with spinal cord injuries. He became paralyzed from the chest down in a work accident in 1996 that broke several vertebrae and damaged his spinal cord. Four years later, he set up the Kevin Kitchnefsky Foundation for Spinal Cord Research to raise money for research into cures and development of neuro-electronic/mechanical devices to help those with spinal cord injuries meet the incredible challenges to daily living.

Kevin showed a heart wrenching video of the amazing work being done at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, to which they donate 70-80% of the money they raise. 20-30% of the Foundation's money is used in NEPA to provide financial support to individuals who have a spinal cord injury or to organizations that help these individuals.

His Foundation holds 2 major annual Fundraisers: a summer golf tournament and a HarvestFest in Oct. They are currently looking for business/corporate sponsors for this year's golf tournament (http://kitchnefskyfoundation.org/).

Kevin does physical therapy every day. He has family and a professional aide to help him meet many of the challenges of daily living, but he does have his bad days. He gets through the bad days by realizing there are people worse off than him. He is determined to get out of his wheelchair one day.

Kevin Kitchnefsky

Mary Martin Introduction

At the Feb 14 Rotary Luncheon, new Rotarian Mary Martin gave her ice breaker introduction to the Club. Mary is trained in Biology, Nursing and Pharmacy and currently works teaching people how to administer injectable drugs in their homes and as a manager for hospice.

Mary loves animals and has quite a few at their home on the lake. She remarked that her husband, Rotarian Bill Barber, is quite good at feeding the animals every morning.

Mary is very interested in Peace through Service, since she visited Cost Rica with her daughter and saw how this can work in the poor areas there.

Mary Martin

Rotary Welcomes Newest Exchange Student from Peru

At the Feb 14 Rotary Luncheon, the Club had the first opportunity to meet our newest inbound exchange student Enrique (Kike) from Peru. Kike left Lima Peru on Monday but due to delays and transits through Atlanta and Philly on his way to Scranton, he arrived on Wed. Feb 13. He along with exchange student Andrew from Poland are staying with the Kozloski host family.

Please join us in welcoming Kike to the US, District 7410 and Tunkhannock Rotary.

Enrique (Kike) inbound from Peru

Tunkhannock Rotary Welcomes David Kuffa

At the Feb 7 Rotary Luncheon, Club Membership Chair Ron Furman inducted David Kuffa into Rotary. Marta Kovacs-Ruiz was David's sponsor.

David and his wife Jill have been married for 25 yrs. His daughter Dana is at Temple Univ. studying Sociology. Dana participated in RYLA and was an exchange student to Chile in 2016-2017. The Kuffa family also hosted Stefano Sica during 2016-2017. They have hunting dogs and Stefano was afraid of dogs, but now he has his own dog in Italy.

David is an IT consultant at the Refill Station in Clarks Summit. He studied at the Art institute of Philly. He is a musician, song writer and videographer.

Please join us in welcoming David to Rotary.

L to R: Marta Kovacs-Ruiz, David Kuffa and Ron Furman

Peter Sehne Joins Rotary

At the Jan 31, 2019 Tunkhannock Rotary Luncheon, Peter Sehne was inducted into Rotary by Membership Chair Ron Furman, Peter's sponsor was Anne Sehne, his wife, who had the pleasure of pinning him during his induction.

Peter and Anne have 3 children, all of whom have been Rotary outbound exchange students. The Sehne's have hosted several inbound exchange students and entertained many of our District Exchange students. Peter commented that he really enjoyed interacting with the exchange students and now wanted to give back.

For the last 17 yrs, Peter has been a prison guard at the Waymart Facility.

He will be joining the Harvest & Wine Festival Committee.

Anne and Peter Sehne with Membership Chair Ron Furman

I joined the Tunkhannock Rotary 4 years ago this past May. I showed up at my first meeting, and knew very few people in the room, and was very apprehensive. I was quickly mentored and learned about what Rotary actually was and did for our local, national, and international community, and knew rapidly that this was a very good choice in my life to continue to give back. Rotary truly is the Best Service Organization in the World! It is irreplaceable!

Rotary International President – Barry Rassin - selected the theme as “Be the Inspiration” for the 2018 – 2019 Rotary year, calling on us to work toward a sustainable future and to inspire Rotarians and the community at large. To achieve his vision, It’s our job to motivate our members. He also stated, “I want you to inspire in your clubs, your Rotarians, that desire for something greater. The drive to do more, to be more, to create something that will live beyond each of us.” I am in hopes that I can help District Governor (DG) Roger Mattes to be an inspiration and fill our Rotary Meeting each week with inspired members who are motivated to continue to do good for our local, national and international community.

I plan to work with our new Membership Chair, Ron Furman to find ways to help get some of our current members, who have not been able to participate, involved, active, and participating in our events. I would also like to continue with some of our immediate past president’s great ideas of the Mixers and the Evening Flash meetings on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursday nights, for folks who aren’t always able to make the lunch meeting. I will be asking our board of directors and members of the club for any ideas and thoughts they have to get folks involved / increase our new memberships to the club, especially the younger generation.

During my recent PETS Training, DG Roger, made a comment that he is Most Inspired by seeing Rotarians in Action, completing service projects. I would like to work with this club on developing service projects that allow for all of our members to get involved and get their hands “dirty”. I would also like to further explore ideas about developing activities for our Tunkhannock youth to draw them away from the increasing drug problem in our area.

DG Roger also stated that “Each individual Rotary Club has its own unique characteristics and has done many wonderful things for the communities they serve”. He would now like the clubs to act in unison on various projects, allowing them to reach higher goals. I will be talking to our board of directors and members about how we can help accomplish this with ideas for future service projects where we can work with our neighboring Clubs and District, accomplishing greater achievements. I also would like to bring some fun, enjoyable times of fellowship into our club. I want to hear from you, what your ideas are and what your opinions are.

I humbly accept the post of President of the Rotary Club of Tunkhannock. Thank you for your confidence in me and Thank you for this great honor! I can only hope that I can provide the leadership to this club that I have seen first-hand from the great Presidents before me. I do feel this is the Best Rotary Club Around and I am Very Proud to call myself a Tunkhannock Rotarian, and most importantly, I Am Very Proud of You as Tunkhannock Rotarians, for all that you have accomplished! Thank you and I look forward to working with you all over the next year!

2018-2019 Rotary Theme: Be the Inspiration

RI President-elect Barry Rassin’s theme for 2018-19, Be the Inspiration, asks Rotarians to inspire change in the world and in each other. “I ask all of you to Be the Inspiration to help Rotary move from reaction to action — to take a hard look at the environmental issues that affect health and welfare around the world and do what we can to help.”

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