Season's Greetings
Candy Cane Day Thank You
Thank you to everyone who donated to our collection buckets manned by Tunkhannock Rotarians, Interactors, and  families and friends at several locations in town on Black Friday, Nov. 29.  Money collected from this event will be given to Interfaith Friends & Wyoming County Children and Youth to provide Christmas gifts to children in need in Wyoming County.
 

Candy Cane Day 2024
Rotary Club of Tunkhannock  - 5408
Welcome to our Website!
Tunkhannock

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:15 PM
Sunny Pink Apple
5671 Rte 6
Tunkhannock, PA 18657
United States of America
Club News
At the Dec 5 Club Assembly at Sunny Pink Apple and via Zoom, Club Foundation Chair Samantha Maruzzelli announced that Rick Miller had achieved a Paul Harris +1 award for his cumulative $1,000 donation to the Rotary Foundation.  Rick was on Zoom from his office and his wife Julianne presented Rick with his new Paul Harris pin in their offices.  The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is a 501(c)3 charity that has a consistent 4-star rating with Charity Navigator. 
 

Julianne and Rick Miller
At the Nov 21 Rotary meeting at Sunny Pink Apple, Club Rotary Foundation Chair Samantha Maruzzelli presented Terri Detrick with a Paul Harris +2 pin for her cumulative $1,000 donation to the Rotary Foundation.  The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is a 501(c)3 charity that has a consistent 4-star rating with Charity Navigator.  
 
Paul Harris awards are made either by a fellow Rotarian donating 1,000 points or dollars to give a Paul Harris to someone else or by a Rotarian themselves donating a cumulative total of $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation.  Since the donation is cumulative, some Rotarians find it easiest to donate a set amount every month, quarter or year until they get to $1,000.
 

Terri Detrick (left) receiving her Paul Harris +2 pin from Samantha Maruzzelli
The Thursday November 14 Flash Meeting was held at Father Nallin Hall.  Chef Thomas Kotch demonstrated how to properly carve and serve a turkey and Pastry Chef Sisile Maruzzelli taught how to make scones.  Members and their guests learned new skills for this holiday season!
 
On Oct 30, the Tunkhannock Rotary participated in their annual Dictionary Distribution to 3rd graders in the Tunkhannock School District.
 
This project was started in 1997 by the late Rotarian Don Sick, who got the information on this program at a Rotary International Conference. Since that time, as of October 30th, 2024, the Club has handed out 4,896 books. In the year 2025, the Club will be over 5,000.
 
This is a small project that is making a difference and reaching a large number of children. It also satisfies one of Rotary's 7 areas of focus: basic education and literacy.
 
Rotarians joined forces with District Attorney Joe Peters, who is also a Rotarian, and local law enforcement for a semi-annual Drug Take Back Event and Free Narcan and Deterra Distribution that was held on October 26th, 2024, throughout Wyoming County. The participating pharmacies were CVS and Rite Aid in Tunkhannock and Lech's Pharmacies in Laceyville and Nicholson. 
 
Many thanks to the parents, grandparents and other citizens who took the time to empty their medicine cabinets of unused pills and opted to pick up Narcan, which can save the life of someone who overdosed on opioids and Deterra drug deactivation packs. These efforts help battle an epidemic and assist in saving lives.
 
Rotarians have continued to contribute to the community by holding a roadside clean up on Thursday October 18th. When you drive down Route 6, the Tunkhannock Bypass, you will notice their efforts.
Tunkhannock Rotary held their weekly meeting on Thursday October 17th, 2024, at the Sunny Pink Apple.  The Honorable Russell Shurtleff, President Judge of Wyoming & Sullivan Counties was the weekly speaker.  Judge Shurtleff spoke about the addition of the second judgeship that will be on the ballot in 2025 with the second Judge to be sworn in January 2026.  Judge Shurtleff noted that the second Judge will be assigned to Family Court, handling divorce, custody and support cases. The second Judge will allow the court to expand services with the hope of adding a Mental Health Court.  A judge elected to the Court of Common Pleas serves a 10-year term.  The mandatory retirement age is 75.
 

Judge Russell Shurtleff
Congratulations to Dave Wilson on being honored with a Paul Harris Award on October 17th, 2024.  The Paul Harris Award recognizes those Rotarians who contribute to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.  Thank you Dave for your contributions!
 

Dave Wilson
At Wed. Flash Meeting at Lazybrook Park, our newest Rotarian, Amy Bohm was inducted into Rotary by Membership Chair Mary Tempest.  Amy was sponsored by President Ann Way.  Amy is the Outreach Coordinator at the Tunkhannock Public Library.  Please welcome Amy into Rotary when you next see her.
 

L to R:  Amy Bohm, Membership Chair Mary Tempest and PDG Samantha Maruzzelli
On Wed Sept 11, the weekly Rotary meeting was a flash social meeting at Lazybrook Park.  Members played cornhole, pickleball and socialized with members and families also in attendance. Pizza, drinks and desserts were served. The weather was gorgeous, and a great time was had by all.
 
 
As part of honoring the Club’s commitment to “Service Above Self”, Tunkhannock Rotarians recently volunteered at 2 county wide events.
 
Tunkhannock Club members volunteered to help before and during the Triton Fire Company Carnival in Tunkhannock on July 30 through Aug 3. This is the major fundraiser for the fire department each year.
 

Rotarians helping at Triton Carnival
 
Club members also helped out at the Wyoming County Fair held Aug 28 through Sept 2 at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds in Meshoppen, PA.
 

Rotarians helping at Wyo Cty Fair
At the Aug 22 Rotary Meeting at Sunny Pink Apple, the Tunkhannock Rotary Foundation was presented with a grant for $2,500 from the Wyoming County Community Health Foundation (WCCHF) to support the community outreach efforts for the Drug Take Back and Narcan Distribution Programs.
 
The WCCHF identifies, selects and invests in programs and organizations that improve the health and wellness of people in the Wyoming County, PA area partially through its Grant Application Program.
 

Seated L to R:  Rotary Past President Elaine Walker, Rotarian Carol Ziomek and WCCHF Executive Director Shealynn Shave.  Standing L to R: Rotarian Brian Vnuk, WCCHF Board Member Kate Krispin, Rotarians Gina Suydam and Laura Charles, WCCHF Chairman Gary Tewksbury, Rotarians D.A. Joseph Peters and DTB Outreach Chair Terri Detrick.
Rotary sponsored 2 teams for the Aug 18 Kevin Kitchnefsky Golf Tournament at Stone Hedge Golf Course in Tunkhannock.  This event is a fundraiser for the Kevin Kitchnefsky Foundation for Spinal Cord Research which is actively working to raise awareness and funding for research toward a cure for paralysis.  The teams were headed by Mary Tempest and Peter Sehne.
 

L to R: Mary Tempest, Sandy Flynn , Louise Adams and Shirley Fackler
L to R: Cris Barbacci, Peter Sehne, Robert Andrejko and Brian Hastings
Tunkhannock Rotary members visited Patriot’s Cove in Noxen on Tuesday, August 13th for several presentations.
 
Rotarian Stacy Huber (U. S. Air Force veteran) presented Jeff Swire (U. S. Army veteran), the founder of Patriot’s Cove, with Rotary’s annual donation to the Cove.
 
Rotarian George Gay (U. S. Marines veteran) presented Jeff with a Paul Harris award for his devotion to Patriot’s Cove. his dream that he began to turn into reality approximately 7 yrs ago.
 
Finally, fellow Rotarian Joe Peters (Wyoming County District Attorney) presented George Gay with a Paul Harris +8.
 

L to R:  George & Trixie Gay, Stacy Huber presenting donation to Jeff Squire and Joe Peters.
At the recent Year End Awards and Officer Installation Dinner at the Tunkhannock Public Library, District Governor Samantha Maruzzelli installed 2 Club Presidents.
 
Michele Naugle was installed as the Wyalusing Club President.
 
Ann Way was installed as the President of the Tunkhannock Rotary.  This is Ann's 2nd term as President, so she brings a great deal of experience to this position.
 
DG Samantha then installed all the new Officers and Directors from both clubs who were in attendance at the Dinner.
 
Congratulations to the new Wyalusing and Tunkhannock Presidents and Officers and Directors.
 

DG Samantha Maruzzelli installed Michele Naugle (left) and Ann Way as Club Presidents
At a recent Dinner and year-end club meeting, President Elaine Walker presented awards to several Rotarians.
  • The Distinguished Service Award went to Glenn Holcombe.
  • Service Above Self Awards went to Carol Ziomek and Joe Peters. 
  • The 2023-2024 Rotarian of the Year was District 7410 Governor Samantha Maruzzelli.
Congratulations to all these very worthy Tunkhannock Rotarians for their outstanding contributions to Rotary.
 

Glenn Holcombe (left), Pres. Elaine Walker with Carol Ziomek & Joe Peters (center) and Samantha Maruzzelli.
At the recent Tunkhannock Rotary Officer Awards and Installation Dinner held at the Tunkhannock Public Library, several attendees were presented with Paul Harris Awards.
 
Dr. Chris Andres from the Guthrie Clinic in Tunkhannock was awarded a Paul Harris in recognition of his service to the community during the pandemic. 
 
Rotarian Jodi Crimmel was awarded a Paul Harris for her volunteerism in Haiti and in supporting Days for Girls an organization that advances menstrual equity, health, dignity and opportunity for all." 
 
Rotarian Michael Markovitz was presented with his Paul Harris +8 pin for his financial contributions to the Rotary Foundation.
The speaker at the Jun 27 Rotary Meeting at Tri-County Insurance was Michael Markovitz, Chief/President of Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association, Inc. (TCAA). He spoke about the ambulance service and the current hurdles it and other 911 EMS Response Ambulances in the area are facing.
 
Declining volunteerism necessitating the partial conversion to paid staff, increasing costs and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements of only 1/3 of billed costs are a significant challenge. The funds going out to cover paid staff, equipment and building maintenance as well as Rescue and Water Rescue Services etc., are coming to a point of exceeding the funding coming in from all current sources.  
 
The ambulance currently receives no tax support from the County, Townships or Boroughs. Its only sources of income are from medical billing for 911 EMS transportation, grants, donations and memberships.  
 
Markovitz ended his presentation noting that the Ambulance Association Directors have been talking to County, Township, Borough, State and Federal Officials as well as others to determine the best approach to maintain these critical emergency services in Wyoming County.  This may in turn require an EMS Tax of some sort to help offset and defray costs for these needed services, if other means are not found. 
 
After his presentation, Rotary President Elaine Walker presented Chief Markovitz with a check for $1,000 to help support the services of the Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association. Markovitz thanked the Rotary Club for their generosity. 
 

President Elaine Walker presenting $1,000 check for TCAA to Chief Michael Markovitz.
At the June 13 Rotary Luncheon at Shadowbrook, Rotarian Jodi Crimmel spoke about her experiences attending the Rotary International Convention in Singapore.  Jodi helped man the "Days for Girls" booth in the House of Friendship but was able to view many of the Convention speakers as they were projected on viewing screens in the area. " Days for Girls advances menstrual equity, health, dignity and opportunity for all."
 

Jodi Crimmel
At the Jun 13 Rotary Luncheon at Shadowbrook, Membership Chair Mary Tempest inducted our newest member Rick Huffsmith into Rotary. Rick was sponsored and pinned by Sandy Lane.
 

L to R: Mary Tempest, Rick Huffsmith and Sandy Lane 
At a recent Rotary Meeting at Shadowbrook, Club Treasurer Laura Charles (right) presented a check for $1,000 to the Triton Hose Co. that was accepted by Fire Chief Eric Kukuchka, who was accompanied by his daughter Mary.
 
Ten picnic tables were purchased through a Rotary District 7410 grant with additional club funds and were assembled and finished by Rotarians, family and friends.
 
On May 2, Rotarians helped Tunkhannock Borough employees move the picnic tables and place them at Riverside Park in Tunkhannock where they replaced old tables.
 
On May 31, Rotarians assembled to securely chain & lock the 10 new picnic tables in place at the Park to complete this project.
 
 
On Sunday May 19, the Wyoming County District Attorney Joseph Peters hosted a Narcan Drive-thru event with the assistance of the Community Awareness Group.  This Group was formed by the DA, and includes: Tunkhannock Rotary, Wyoming County Human Services, Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce, Dietrich Theater, Wyoming County Community Health Foundation, Tunkhannock Area School District, Tunkhannock Business & Professional Women, and the Wyoming County Commissioners. 
 
DA Peters is a Tunkhannock Rotarian and Rotary has been orchestrating the community outreach and advertising for this Narcan give away to treat opioid emergencies.  In addition, Rotarian Brian Vnuk of Brand Graphic Solutions provided yard signage for this event.
 
After the event, DA Peters summarized its success as follows:  “Who came to pick up Narcan? There was a mom who lost her daughter and didn’t want to lose her other one, a grandmother raising her grandchild, a retired law enforcement officer, teachers, business people, students, parents and senior citizens...on and on, and each with a story. They heard about our event on the radio, the ad, the op-ed and yard signs. Over 80 boxes and info were distributed...that's 160 individual doses, out there and ready. We hope not one ever has to be used.”
 
 

Despite the rain on May 18, which was Rotary’s Day of Service as well as Armed Forces Day, Rotarians, along with representatives from the American Legion and other local organizations, placed approximately 800 flags on veteran’s graves at Sunnyside Cemetery in Tunkhannock.
 
At Tunkhannock Area School District’s Senior night on May 15, Rotarian Don Davis presented a $1,000 academic scholarship to Norah Rickaby who will be attending the University of South Carolina focusing on political science/pre-law.
 
Don also presented a $1,000 vocational scholarship to Austin Kimelewski, who will attend the Pa. College of Technology.
 

L to R: Norah Rickaby, Rotarian Don Davis and Austin Kimelewski
Tunkhannock Rotary, in collaboration with the Wyoming County District Attorney’s (DA) Office, has been actively involved in community outreach and advertising for the semi-annual Drug Take Back Program since 2014.
 
The Spring event was Apr 27.  Residents who cleaned out their medicine cabinets of expired or unused drugs dropped off 157 pounds of pills that were then collected by law enforcement from 4 local pharmacies and destroyed.
 
Wyoming County District Attorney Joseph Peters, who is also a Rotarian, stated in an article in the May 15 Wyoming County Press Examiner that “Every pill is a temptation.  As such, more than 170,000 tempting opportunities for a young person to experiment with drugs and place themselves on the road to addiction were removed from their grasp”.
At the Apr 25 Rotary meeting, Rotarian Cammie Anderson, who is the drug and alcohol counselor at the Tunkhannock Area Schools spoke about the opioid issues in our area and the need for households to have Narcan available to treat opioid emergencies that they may encounter. This may include minors who ingest pills purchased online that are contaminated with fentanyl or senior citizens who accidentally forget they already took their pills and take more leading to an overdose.
 
On Sunday May 19, Tunkhannock Rotarians will take part in the Wyoming County District Attorney’s free Narcan Drive-Thru Event at Lazybrook Park in Tunkhannock from 10 AM to 2 PM.  District Attorney Joseph Peters is a Tunkhannock Rotarian and Rotary has been orchestrating some of the community outreach and advertising for this event.  Several local government and community organizations are also involved in this important initiative, which it is hoped will help save lives.
On Sat Apr 20, Rotarians, friends and families met at Keystone Truck Caps workshop to assemble the 10 picnic tables purchased by the Club with the 2023-2024 District Grant Funds.
 


Picnic table assembly and branding
On Friday Apr 19, a candle making class fundraiser/membership drive for Tunkhannock Rotary was hosted by Lackawanna College in Tunkhannock with Werkheiser’s Country Candles.  Rotarian Ryan Werkheiser led the classes and refreshments were provided by Lackawanna College.
 

Three sessions were held with each participant making a 4 oz candle while enjoying wine and snacks.
On Thursday, Apr. 18 after the Thursday noontime Rotary Meeting and in anticipation of Earth Day on Apr 22, Rotarians gathered for their Spring Roadside Cleanup. Since 1997, the Tunkhannock Club has participated in the Adopt a Highway Program.  In the Fall of 2023, the Club adopted a new 2-mile section of roadway from Dunkin Donuts to the NAPA field.
 
At the April 18 Rotary Meeting, Membership Chair Mary Tempest inducted newest member Nina Sordoni who was sponsored by District Attorney Joe Peters.  Nina is a lawyer who has expertise in high-conflict cases and complex family matters.
 

L to R: Nina Sordoni, Mary Tempest and Joe Peters (via Zoom)
The guest speaker at the Mar 21 Tunkhannock Rotary Meeting was Zoe Powers, who is a Junior at Tunkhannock Area High School.  Zoe is the winner of the Tunkhannock Rotary Essay Contest for 2024 at the club level.
 
The essay theme for this Rotary year was “Create Hope in the World: How can Communities, Schools, Families, and/or Friends support mental health with caring, giving, and compassion?”  Zoe read her outstanding essay for the club, where she talked about the importance of discourse, sharing and understanding for students in school as well as in the outside world. 
 
Zoe was a Rotary exchange student to Spain last year and her experiences during her exchange have opened her up to new things.  In the future, she plans to study Communications and Public Relations.
 
Her essay has been entered into the Rotary District 7410 Essay Contest, where the winning entry will be announced in May and the winner will receive a $1,000 prize.  In addition to the top award, there will be a second prize of $500 and a third prize of $250.
 

Zoe Powers received her essay prize from Rotary Past President Mike Markovitz
On Black Friday, Nov 24, members of Rotary, the High School Interact Club, family and friends collected money from shoppers at 4 shopping areas in Tunkhannock.  In exchange for a donation to help provide Christmas gifts to children in need in Wyoming County, shoppers were offered a candy cane, hence the name Candy Cane Day. 
 
Due to the generosity of the shoppers and Rotarians, a total of $4,000 was collected, which was designated to be split equally between Interfaith and Wyoming County Children and Youth.  The check presentations took place at the Rotary meeting on Dec 7. 
 
Meagan Janiszewski thanked Rotary and accepted the donation on behalf of their clients at Children & Youth.  They support children who are in foster care or who are in abusive situations in Wyoming County.
 
Carissa Harvey, Executive Director of Interfaith Friends, accepted the $2,000 check on behalf of the 581 children they are helping with gifts this Christmas. She mentioned that over 180 families have signed up and qualified for the gift giveaway this Christmas.
 

Candy Cane Chair Mike Markovitz (left) and Rotary Vice President Mary Tempest (right) presented $2,000 checks each to (bottom photo) Meagan Janiszewski (Children & Youth) and (top photo) Carissa Harvey (Interfaith).
Tunkhannock Rotary President Ann Way
2024 – 2025 President’s Message
 
The Magic of Rotary
 
We have just concluded another busy year of Tunkhannock Rotary community service and fellowship. As we look to a new year, we will continue our devotion to our many long-established activities and projects. More importantly, we will constantly assess and address the ever-changing needs of our community.
 
One of our main goals this year is to find ways to engage and involve our current members while seeking to gain new faces. To that end, this will be a year of some experimentation. Members Sam and Mike will be co-chairs for Flash Meetings. With the exception of December, these meetings will be in the late afternoon/early evening in a variety of locations on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. An assortment of activities are being considered for these meetings with the primary goal of involving the extended family and/or friends of Rotary members. The regular Thursday 12:15pm meeting will not be held on the weeks that Flash Meetings convene. Additionally, some of our Thursday meeting will be exclusively devoted to community service projects.
 
As we look to the future, we will also consider the past and present. We will have some new faces on our Board of Directors. We will review our bylaws and work to fill committee leadership positions. Lastly, a committee has already begun to plan to celebrate the 100th year of the Rotary Club of Tunkhannock in August 2025.
 
I am certain that our club with have another successful year and that with each activity the Magic of Rotary will be a reality.
Stories
RI President-elect Stephanie Urchick celebrates the magic of Rotary. She says members create that magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member of Rotary.
 

Help Eradicate Polio Around the World with Rotary!

Upcoming Events
Speakers
No Thursday Luncheon Meeting
Dec 19, 2024
Please attend 12/18 Holiday Flash Meeting
No Meeting - Holiday
Dec 26, 2024
No Thursday Luncheon Meeting
Jan 09, 2025
Please attend 1/8 Flash Meeting
Matteo B - Tunkhannock Rotary Exchange Student
Jan 30, 2025
Information about his home country - Switzerland
No Thursday Luncheon Meeting
Feb 13, 2025
Please attend 2/12 Flash Meeting
No Thursday Luncheon Meeting
Mar 13, 2025
Please attend 3/12 Flash Meeting
Club Assembly
Mar 27, 2025
No Thursday Luncheon Meeting
Apr 10, 2025
Please attend 4/9 Flash Meeting
Round Table
Apr 17, 2025
No Thursday Luncheon Meeting
May 15, 2025
Please attend 5/14 Flash Meeting
Club Assembly
May 29, 2025