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Officers & Directors
President
Sam Maruzzelli
President Elect
Michael Markovitz
Vice President
Ryan Visneski
Secretary
Carol Ziomek
Treasurer
Sandy Lane
Immediate Past President
Ann Way
Membership Chair
Harry Sharpe
Foundation Chair
Al Noble
Director
Al Noble
Director
John Proctor
Director
Pat Ehrenzeller
Director
Karen Fuller
Director
Jon Buxton
Director
Ronald Furman
Director
Norm Kelly
Director
Rod Azar
 
Site Pages
 
Tunkhannock Rotary Flash Meetings
On the first and third Thursday's of every month, the Tunkhannock Rotary will hold a flash club meeting at 5:15 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.
 
Club Information

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Tunkhannock

Service Above Self

We meet Thursdays at 12:15 PM
Purkey's Pink Apple
651 SR 6 W
Tunkhannock, PA  18657
United States
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2017-2018 Highlights
 
Club News
Celeste Kranick Was Guest Speaker at Mar 29 Luncheon
Celeste Kranick from Not One More in Wyoming County was guest speaker at the March 29 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple. Celeste provided club members with a variety of information pamphlets and resources for the addiction issues in our country and in particular in our County.  The purpose of Not One More is to break the stigma associated with addiction and overdose through education of the public and various outreach efforts.
 

Celeste Kranick
 
Interact Club Collects Food for ‘Sack Hunger’ Initiative
During the week of March 19th, Tunkhannock Area High School, through the Interact Club, collected food for CEO (Commission on Economic Opportunity) with their ‘Sack Hunger’ initiative. Every room received a ‘sack’ to be filled with food (canned/dried goods). The class that filled the most sacks was awarded a great breakfast snack on Thursday, March 29.
 
CEO covers three counties and they report that 76,160 people face hunger in our region; 1 in 5 children are at risk. Congratulations to Interact and the TAHS students for making a difference in our community.
 


L to R: Interactors: Paul DeMarco, Nico Chaulet, Angelique Antenucci and Jamie Murray 

Ron Furman's Rotary Moments
At the March 22 Club Assembly, Ron Furman talked about several key Rotary moments for him during his 6 years in Rotary. He is very involved with community activities and that attracted him to Rotary.
  • He loves the Rotary relays, particularly watching all the kids smiling and having fun.
  • Another highlight is the Harvest & Wine Festival, which is an incredible team effort to accomplish.
  • He loves the fellowship with his fellow Rotarians at meetings and events.
  • One of his most vivid memories is that he was recognized by District Governor Art Peoples while shopping. DG Art asked him where his Rotary pin was, since he was not wearing it? Since then, Ron proudly wears it everywhere.

Ron Furman
 
Mike Markovitz Received Multiple Paul Harris Recognition
At the March 20 Board of Director’s meeting, Assistant Governor Norm Kelly presented Mike Markovitz with his next multiple Paul Harris pin.  Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli pinned Mike with his new Paul Harris.
 

Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli, Mike Markovitz and AG Norm Kelly
 
Raleigh Bloch Provided Update on Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen
Raleigh Bloch, Chairman of the Board for the Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen, was the guest speaker at the Mar 15 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple.  Raleigh gave a brief history of the Soup Kitchen that serves meals to approximately 69 people each week night.  
 
They always need volunteers, food and money.  One does not have to cook to volunteer as they need people to set up, clean-up and volunteers to pick up food at the markets that provide food for the Kitchen. They will take no government funds at all to avoid any restrictions. They ask no questions and will give a meal to anyone who comes in. A basket is available if someone wants to make a donation for their meal.
 
After his presentation, Pres.-Elect Mike Markovitz presented Raleigh with a check for the Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen for $3,000.
 

Raleigh Bloch (left) accepts check from Pres.-Elect Mike Markovitz for the Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen
 
Non-Rotarian Bill Ruark Received Paul Harris Recognition
At the Mar 15 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple, Club Foundation Chair Al Noble gave a brief history of the Rotary Foundation.  Our club has donated over $228K to the Foundation over its history. The Foundation created the Paul Harris Fellow to recognize individuals who donated $1,000 to the Foundation or had such a donation made in their name. Tunkhannock has 39 Paul Harris Fellows in our club of 70 members.
 
Al then presented a club-designated Paul Harris Fellow to Bill Ruark. Bill is a very generous donor to a variety of non-profit organizations in Wyoming County in addition to his work on the Boards of several of these organizations, including the Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen.  In recognition of his “Service above Self” activities, the Tunkhannock Rotary presented Bill with Paul Harris recognition.  AG Norm Kelly pinned Bill with his Paul Harris pin and gave him his certificate.
 
Bill thanked the club for this recognition. He remarked that he encourages his staff to follow his example of donating to worthwhile organizations rather than buying him presents on special occasions.
 

AG Norm Kelly (left), Bill Ruark and Fdn Chair Al Noble
 
Tina Carlin Addressd Mar 8 Rotary Meeting
Tina Carlin, Executive Director of Farm Women United (FWU), spoke at the Mar 8 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple.  FWU is only a 3 month old organization. Tina spoke about the goals and objectives of FWU, which is to give a voice to the farmers and restore cultural respect to the farmers. 
 
Today, there are forces working against small to moderate size dairy farms. Although there were over 1 million dairy farms in the 1960s, there are only 37,000 today.  Farmers are not getting enough financial compensation for their milk and are thus going out of business.
 

Tina Carlin
 
Janet MacKay Provided VRC Update at Mar 1 Luncheon
Janet MacKay, Executive Director of the Victims Resource Center (VRC) was the guest speaker at the March 1 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple. 
 

VRC has helped 295 victims and their families in Wyoming County from July through Dec 2017. They also presented various prevention programs to kids in our schools.

They have started a Medical Advocacy project to teach emergency/law enforcement personnel how to screen for domestic violence and to supply them with options as to what the individual can do.  VRC is also starting a support group for domestic violence victims.

The VRC Geranium sale is coming up with the flowers to be available the Tuesday before Mother’s Day. They will begin taking orders next month. 

After Janet’s brief presentation, Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli presented Janet with a check for $1,000 to support the Victims Resource Center.


Janet MacKay (left) receiving a check for VRC from Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli
 

Club Essay Contest Winners 
At the March 1 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple, Club Essay Contest Chair Terry Furman welcomed the top 3 essayists to the meeting.  The Rotary District 7410 essay contest was opened this year to both 11th and 12th grade students. The essay topic was “Making a difference”.  From the entered essays, the top 3 were selected by the Tunkhannock Essay Committee to receive awards at today’s meeting. The Club 1st place winner was entered into the District 7410 Essay Contest.
 
Terry then introduced each of the winners, asked them to read their essays to the club and presented them with their cash awards.
 

L to R: Sarah Seward (3rd Place), Terry Furman, Leah Rome (1st Place) and Jessica Ell (2nd Place)
 
Norm Kelly Relates His Rotary Moment
At the Feb 22 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple, Assistant Governor Norm Kelly talked about his Rotary Moment.  Norm’s moment starts back in 1952 in his stepdad’s Oldsmobile, which broke down on their way to buy groceries. He sold it for $28 to the local garage and borrowed a vehicle to get home with the groceries. On the way home, they passed a house that had burnt down and the people lost everything. Although Norm’s family did not have much, Norm’s stepdad gave them the $28 plus all the food that they had just bought. That has stuck with him to this day that “you have to give back and be part of the community” no matter how much or little that you have.
 
In his corporate life, he made sure that charitable donations were important in those companies and benefited the communities they served. He commented although it was very nice to receive recognition, “You don’t give to expect a pat on the back or recognition”.
 
In 2011, they decided to move and retire here. He wanted to join Rotary at the Library fundraiser in 2012; Marta was serving wine and he asked her about Rotary. Five minutes later, Fran Turner and George Gay came over to talk with him and Fran sponsored him for Rotary.  He loves this club especially since it helps both the community and internationally.
 

Norm Kelly talking about his Rotary Moment
 
Norm Kelly Received Paul Harris Pin
At the Feb 15 Rotary Luncheon, Norm Kelly was awarded his Paul Harris +3 pin by Club Rotary Foundation Chair Al Noble. For every $1,000 that a Rotarian donates to the Rotary Foundation, they receive a pin with different numbers and types of gemstones to indicate their level of support of the Foundation.
 
Norm Kelly (left) with Club Foundation Chair Al Noble
 
Kayla Gavek Was a Guest at the Feb 15 Rotary Luncheon
Our newest 2018-2019 outbound exchange student is Kayla Gavek, who is 16 yr old and in 11th grade.  She was a guest at our Feb 15 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple. She takes German, Latin and Spanish at Tunkhannock Area High School and wants to go to college for linguistics to be a military translator.
 
Although Kayla had been accepted into the exchange student program, she had not yet been assigned to her host country.  Her first choice of countries was Germany and she was informed by Exchange Student Coordinator Anne Sehne that she will be going to Germany.
 
Exchange Student Coordinator Anne Sehne (left) presenting Kayla Gavek with her exchange assignment to Germany.
 
Erica Rogler Provided Dietrich Theater Update at Feb 8 Luncheon
Erica Rogler, Executive Director of the Dietrich Theater, was a guest speaker at the Feb 8 Rotary luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple.  Erica updated the club on the various programs at the Dietrich that had been funded by Rotary's 2017 donation to the Theater.  They included programs for children, senior citizens, music and literary programs. 
 
After her presentation, President Samantha Maruzzelli presented a check for $6,000 to the Theater.  Rotary's Senior Activities Committee had also recently provided the Theater with $2,000 for continuation of the 2018 Chair Yoga classes that are open to senior citizens and $200 for snacks for the winter 2017 Matter of Balance Class to help senior citizens prevent falls. Rotary's total donation to the Dietrich Theater from the proceeds of the 2017 Harvest & Wine Festival totals $8,200.
 

Dietrich Theater Director Erica Rogler (left) accepting a check for the Theater from Rotary President Samantha Maruzzelli
 
Kristin Smith-Gary Provided Library Update at Feb 8 Luncheon
Executive Director of the Tunkhannock Public Library, Kristin Smith-Gary was a guest speaker at the Feb 8 Rotary meeting. Kristin provided an update on how the money that Rotary donated to the library in 2017 had been used, including support for multiple children's programs, some library renovations, and a subscription to the Wall St. Journal. She pointed out that the Library and Rotary share a common goal to provide a variety of literacy opportunities for our community.
 
After Kristin's presentation, President Samantha Maruzzelli presented a check for $10,000, which Kristin and Library Board Chairperson, Ann Way, accepted on behalf of the library.
 

L to R: Library Board Chair Ann Way, Library Executive Director Kristin Smith-Gary and Rotary President Samantha Maruzzelli
 
TAHS Interactors Presented at Feb 1 Luncheon
TAHS Interact President Alexandria Arndt and Vice President Cheyanne Davy were guest speakers at the Feb 1 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple.  They spoke about the fund-raising activities that have been undertaken by the Interact Club over the last several months. They have raised money for backpacks for hurricane victims, sold Pulsera bracelets for scholarships for students in Nicaragua & Guatemala, raised money for pediatric cancer, collected toys for Interfaith Friends for Xmas plus numerous other activities. 
 
After their presentation, they presented a check for $100 for the Polio Plus Program of the Rotary Foundation.  Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli accepted the check, which will be matched by the Tunkhannock Rotary and then the $200 donation will be made to the Polio Plus program in the name of the TAHS Interact Club.
 

L to R: Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli, Cheyanne Davy (Interact VP), Alexandria Arndt (Interact Pres.) and Tommasina Fiorillo (Interact Advisor)
 
Heather McPherson Spoke at Jan 25 Luncheon
Tunkhannock Area School District Superintendent Heather McPherson was the guest speaker at the Jan 25 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple.  She discussed the upcoming consolidation of the schools in the TASD and her goals for educational enhancements in the newly consolidated schools for 2018-2019.
 

Superintendent Heather McPherson
 
Tunkhannock Bids Farewell to Fran Turner

2018 got off to a subdued start as the club bid farewell to long-time member Francis Turner, who moved at the end of Dec from Tunkhannock to Saegertown, PA to be closer to his daughter and her family. Fran has been a Rotarian for over 67 years and a member of the Tunkhannock Rotary for most of that time. He holds the record for length of term for any Tunkhannock club officer, since he served 25 years as Secretary after his term as President came to an end.

Fran, who is 98, was also very active in the Tunkhannock American Legion and served as former Commander of that organization. He was part of the flag honor guard for many veteran’s funerals and for our July 3rd Fireworks display.

He is also an avid golfer, won several of our District Golf Tournaments and still plays golf weekly when the links are open.

Fran will be missed, but we wished him well in his new home by teleconference on Jan 11 and know that he will join the local Rotary Club in his area once he is settled. 

Fran Turner (left) with Assistant Governor Norm Kelly

Ann Way's Rotary Moments
At our Jan 18 Club Assembly, Ann Way presented her top 10 Rotary Moments. They included highlights such as her first year as chair of the Rotary Relays, where she inherited all the materials but no information on what needed to be done for the Relays. Luckily, her fellow club members jumped in and did what needed to be done without being asked.
 
She also reminisced on the early discussions regarding the Harvest & Wine Festival and the first year where ticket sales were by phone, which was crazy.
 
Dictionary distribution to 3rd graders made her list since when she was an elementary school principal, the students continually asked when they would get their dictionaries each year.
 
Her experiences with the exchange students was also one of her highlights, but her no. 1 moment was "right now" looking around the room at all the members and thinking about the AMAZING things the club has done locally and internationally. 
 

Ann Way
 
Tom Kukuchka's Rotary Moments
At the Jan 18 Club Assembly, Tom Kukuchka recalled his top Rotary Moments of his 39 years in Rotary.  Tom recalled the early fund-raising events like the auction, country and western event etc that were a lot of work and not always successful.
 
He talked about many of the projects that the Club spearheaded in Tunkhannock like the stadium lights and changing rooms.
 
District Conferences memories were also related along with those from the Rotary Relays, one of his favorite events. 
 
Tom ended by making a few suggestions for future club projects.
 

Tom Kukuchka
 
Thank You for Rotary Donations
At the Jan 18 Club Assembly, President Samantha Maruzzelli shared thank you notes received by the club for donations that have been made from the proceeds of the 2017 Harvest & Wine Festival. Thank you notes were received from: the Wyoming County Chorale for our donation of $200, the Northern Tier Symphony Orchestra for the donation of $250 and the Tunkhannock Tree Association for our donation of 10 shade trees in honor of our Rotarian veterans. 
 
 
DA Jeff Mitchell Honored as Paul Harris Fellow
The Tunkhannock Rotary held its post-holiday social at the Shadowbrook Inn and Resort on Saturday Jan 13.  After an excellent dinner, everyone enjoyed the delicious desserts made by Sisile Maruzzelli, a former recipient of a vocational scholarship from the club that she used to attend the Culinary Institute of America, where she graduated as a pastry chef.
 
After dinner, Rotary District Governor Karin-Susan Breitlauch presented a club designated Paul Harris Fellow to Wyoming County District Attorney Jeff Mitchell in recognition of his work helping people in need as DA, providing leadership in the attempt to reduce the opioid crisis in our area and promoting the natural beauty found here in Wyoming County.  A Paul Harris Fellow is the highest honor that Rotary can bestow on a non-Rotarian for their "Service above self".
 

Rotary District Governor Karin Breitlauch congratulates new Paul Harris Fellow Jeff Mitchell
 
Haley Toczko Was Guest Speaker at Jan 11 Rotary Luncheon
2016-2017 Tunkhannock Rotary Exchange Student, Haley Toczko, was the guest speaker at the Jan 11 luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple. Haley did her exchange year in Slovakia, where she experienced many new and old traditions, especially Easter traditions where the men pour water on the single women to give them good health and beauty. She was able to enjoy kickboxing, skiing and other sports, as well as, get to see sights in Poland and Slovakia.
 
At the end of her exchange, she participated in the Exchange Student Eurotour that took them to 3 countries in Europe (France, Spain and Italy).  She made great friends with whom she has remained in contact and even traveled to London to visit with one of her host families who were visiting there.
 

Haley Toczko
 
2014-2015 Exchange Student Jason Linden Visited the Club
The Tunkhannock Rotary was pleased to have a visit on Jan 4 from 2014-2015 outbound exchange student Jason Linden, who went to Mexico for his exchange year.  Upon his return to the US, Jason went to college for 1 year and then decided to return to Mexico to study law. He is currently working as a paralegal in Mexico while going to law school.
 

Dana Kuffa (left), Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli and Jason Linden
 
Rebound Exchange Student Dana Kuffa Spoke at Jan 4 Luncheon
Dana Kuffa, our outbound 2016-2017 Exchange Student to Chile, was the guest speaker at our Jan 4 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple.  During her exchange, Dana was based in Santiago Chile and went to an all girls' Catholic school. 
 
With the other exchange students, she went to the beach and got to touch the Pacific Ocean.  She also got to see a lots of landmarks that were close to where she was living.
 
Their second trip with Rotary was to Easter Island. The Rapa Nui’s did a traditional dance for them.
 
Her 3rd Rotary trip was to the north of Chile in Atacama Desert. There is lots of salt in the desert and they export it from there. There were lots of alpaca everywhere.
 
She received Club banners from her host club and from the Easter Island Rotary, which she presented to President Samantha Maruzzelli following her presentation.
 

Dana Kuffa (left) presenting club banners to Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli
 
Rotary Donates $2,000 for Max's Continuing Training
Past President Ann Way presented Rich Seaberg with a check for $2,000 to continue Max, a community service dog’s training with Designing Dogs. Rich commented that Max was invited by the Roslund 4th graders to escort 70 4th graders to the Dietrich last week.  Max and Rich, who are not affiliated with local law enforcement, are trained for drug, explosive and firearms detection and for search and rescue.
 

Ann Way (left), Rich Seaberg and Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli
 
Rotary Donates $1,500 to TASD D.A.R.E. Program
At the Jan 4 Rotary Luncheon, Past President Ann Way presented a check for $1,500 to Rich Seaberg, Resource Officer for TASD, to pay for t-shirts and an essay prize for the 5th graders in the TASD, who are participating in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
 

Ann Way (left), Rich Seaberg and Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli
 
Mary Tempest Welcomed as Our Newest Rotarian
At the Jan 4 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple, District Rotary Membership Chair Ron Furman inducted our newest member, Mary Tempest into Rotary. Mary’s sponsor was Norm Kelly.  Please join us in welcoming Mary into Rotary.
 

Norm Kelly (left), Mary Tempest, Ron Furman and Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli
 
Rotary Donates $5,000 for 2018 Fans Camp

Recently Cathy Franko, Director of H.A.N.D.S. of Wyoming County, spoke to the Tunkhannock Rotary about their summer FANS camp. The 6-week camp is for children 5-12 years of age from low income families or who have disabilities.

As a result of the very successful 2017 Rotary Harvest & Wine Festival, Rotary presented HANDS with a total of $5,000 toward the 2018 FANS camp.


Cathy Franko (left) received a donation for the 2018 FANS Camp from Tunkhannock Rotary Past President Ann Way.

 
2017-2018 President Samantha Maruzzelli's Welcome

Tunkhannock Rotary has been a very special organization to me   even before I became a Rotarian in 2007. It  is  a  great privilege to be the President for the 2017- 2018 Rotary year. I started my relationship with Rotary as a host parent to a Rotary Exchange Student, my first of many. I joined the year my father, Albert Noble, was president and  through the years I have served as the Youth Exchange Officer, a Director, RYLA chair and Youth Exchange Counselor along with participating in many of the awesome programs we host. Our group is comprised of many of the most  wonderful people I  know and I  am very proud to call myself a member  of      Tunkhannock  Rotary.

In  my year, I  have set some goals that focus on making the Rotary experience something that all our members can participate in whether they have to work on Thursdays during our regular meeting time or have difficulty making it to certain projects we are doing. I   believe that this added flexibility will attract even more people to join our organization.

"One Profits Most Who Serves Best" is a motto of Rotary that I would also like to focus on. We are a TRUE Service Organization and we not only grow from the projects we create and implement, but we grow as community members, workers and business owners in the connections we make through our group. We have generated a family atmosphere between our members that will and has lasted a lifetime. Our service work has made us crave more. This year we will create new projects and dream bigger and grow larger.

I  have big shoes to fill from all the great Presidents before me and a huge responsibility to fabricate a well-organized, flexible group to leave for our Rotary successors.  I  promise to reach out to every member and listen to your ideas and your dreams and together we will construct a profitable, respectable 2017-2018 Rotary year!

 
Stories
Apr 12 Rotary Luncheon
Pledge and Invocation:
 
President Samantha Maruzzelli brought the meeting to order at 12:15 PM at Purkey’s Pink Apple with Al Noble reciting the 4-Way Test and leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Dave Wilson giving the Invocation.
 
Club News:
 
Nat. Poetry week was last week, so John Hovan composed and recited a poem for us.
 
Ad Ron Furman - Mehoopany Creek Watershed Assoc. having a cook-out event on
 
Ron will also be bringing homemade maple syrup next week for our Rotary lunch.
 
Welcome to Tunkhannock Signage – Wayne Krause
 
The first 2 welcome signs are now up on Rt 92 south and near Creekside Gardens, still have 2 more to go although they were taken down to prep. Wayne, Ron Furman, Norm Kelly, & Mike Markovitz worked on the first 2 over the weekend.
 

Old Sign
 

New Signage
 
President’s Messages
 
Remember that we have the Apr 19 Mixer at the flash meeting. We will have hors d’oevres, desserts by Sisile and cash bar.
 
Last week’s Flash meeting had 9 members attending.
 
You can now sign up for individual days at the District Conference.
 
Rotary Relays
 
May 10 is the Rotary Relays, make up day is May 11. Preliminary sign-up sheet was sent around to get volunteers.
 
Board of Director’s Meeting
 
There will be a Board of Director’s meeting on Tuesday, Apr 17.
 
Rotary Foundation – Al Noble
 
Please give to the Rotary Foundation before the end of our Rotary year (Jul 1, 2017 to Jun 30, 2018). We get a foundation banner if we are one of the top 3 clubs in the District. He would like everyone to contribute at least something to Fdn.  31 of our 70 members have donated so far this year.  Needs to be in by June 30. We are at a $190.97 per capita so far.  $204 per member overall. 
 
We have several multiple Paul Harris Fellows in our club and several Paul Harris Society Members ($1,000 per year donations). 
 
Plant a Tree Project
 
Ron Furman will get the trees from the Game Commission in late Apr – early May and then we will plan the planting event at his Farm to meet our commitment to plant a tree for each of our members.  We have 11 trees planted so far (10 for Veterans plus Norm Kelly planted 1 in his garden).  If you planted a tree this Rotary year, let us know so it can be added to our completed total.  We need a total 70 trees.
 
Rotary Scholarships – Ron Furman
 
29 applications this year vs 5-7 last year.
 
CIA  Trip– President Samantha for Tom Kukuchka
 
$49 per person final payment is due NOW. Please pay Sandy as soon as possible.
 
Interact – Dave Wilson
 
Interactors will be joining with others at the School for Earth day projects on Apr 21.  We gave them a donation of $200 for pizza and refreshments after their work.
 
Multiple Paul Harris Fellow - Al Noble
 
Club Foundation Chair Al Noble presented a new Paul Harris Fellow +6 pin to Carol Ziomek, who is also a member of the Paul Harris Society. Acting Treasurer for the day, Ron Furman pinned Carol with her new pin in lieu of Treasurer Sandy Lane, who was Carol's sponsor.
 

Ron Furman (left), Carol Ziomek and Al Noble
 
 
Our next Meeting will be Thursday, Apr 19. This meeting will be a Club Assembly plus Rotary Moment.
 
President Samantha Maruzzelli adjourned the meeting at 1:30 PM.
Guest Speaker: 
 
Rotarian Lou Divis showed a slide presentation of some of the highlights of the 2017 Peace Camp.
 
Peace Camp will be Aug 13-17 2018.  Rotarians are welcome to come, have lunch and see what the kids are doing. The children are 6-12 years of age.  An article will appear in the paper advertising the Camp and flyers go home to all kids in the School District.
 
The Peace and Justice Commission from Wilkes-Barre helps lead the Camp and the Leader is from Guatemala. It has been ongoing for 5 years at St. Peter’s.
 
The kids are learning to be peace makers in our community and thus supporting the peace work of Rotarians worldwide.  It is also helping the kids gain self-esteem and avoid bullying.  We are waging peace by funding Peace Camp.
 
They have a lot of presentations including:
  • Rotarian Cammie Anderson talks about alcohol and drugs.
  • The Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen has a speaker.
  • There is sexual abuse training.
  • Training on protection against offenders in the community.
  • They learn yoga.
  • They also learn how to talk to each other in a non-confrontational way. 
They also enjoy healthy lunches prepared by Rotarian Samantha Maruzzelli’s team.
 
After her presentation, President Samantha Maruzzelli presented a check for $2,000 for the 2018 a Peace Camp to Lou.
 

Lou Divis (left) receiving check from Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli
 
 
Apr 5 Rotary Luncheon
Pledge and Invocation:
 
President Samantha Maruzzelli brought the meeting to order at 12:15 PM at Purkey’s Pink Apple with George Gay reciting the 4-Way Test and leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Dave Wilson giving the Invocation.
 
Guests:
 
 
Club News:
 
Ad: Jeannie Brady is having a Free Home Buyers Seminar on Apr 29 from 1-3 PM at ERA Brady Associates location.
 
President’s Messages – President Samantha Maruzzelli
 
Pres. Samantha reminded everyone to bring a guest to our Apr 19 mixer at the flash meeting at Bogeys at Shadowbrook Inn & Resort.  It will be from 5-7 PM with hors d’oevres served and a cash bar.
 
Please remember to make your annual donation to the Rotary Foundation.
 
Thursday, May 10 will be our 34th annual Rotary Invitational Relays for Junior High Track & Field at 4:30 PM at Memorial Stadium.  The rain date is Friday May 11. Chairman Rod Azar will need lots of Rotary volunteers to help with the Relays, so please sign up to help with this special event.
 
You can now sign up for individual days at the Rotary District Conference at the Kalahari Resort on Apr 22-24.  Sign up if you only want to go for 1 day. Sunday will be Youth day where our outbound exchange students will receive their jackets, flags etc. The winners of the District Essay Contest will also be officially announced. 
 
The agenda for the full 3 days of the Conference are on the District 7410 website.
 
Roadside Clean up was Sat Apr 7.
 
Last summer we committed to plant a tree for every Rotarian in our club by Earth Day 2018.  We have planted 10 trees in Tunkhannock to honor our Rotarian veterans. If you have planted a tree at your home, please tell Pres. Sam as that will count toward our goal.  Norm Kelly responded that he had done so, therefore our tree total is currently 11.  We currently have 70 active and 5 honorary members, so we still have a lot of trees to plant. Hopefully, we will soon have a planting party at Ron Furman’s to make up the difference.
 
CIA – Pres. Samantha for Tom Kukuchka
 
Please make your final payments of $49 per person for the trip.
 
Drug Take Back Outreach Committee – Frank Oliver
 
Please take rack cards.  Dave Wilson reported that he gave rack cards to Wyoming-Luzerne Cty Mental Health Commission.
 
Interact – Dave Wilson
 
They will participate in the End Hunger program and are looking at other fundraisers. Election of officers will be in May.
 
Harvest & Wine Festival – Pres. Samantha for Ron Furman
 
Pres. Sam reported there was a planning meeting Monday night. Wayne Krause reported that the original idea of fencing at the entrance was found to be too expensive, so they will use rope and sticks to delineate the entrance lines.
 
RI Conference
 
Pres. Samantha again encouraged people to consider registering to attend the RI Conference in Toronto on June 23-27.  Mary Tempest may go at Jeannie’s urging. So far Pres. Samantha, AG Norm, Al Noble, Harry Sharpe and Jeannie Brady are registered from our club.
 
Club Designated Paul Harris Fellow Presentation – AG Norm Kelly
 
AG Norm Kelly presented a club-designated Paul Harris Fellow to Bob Baker in recognition of his “Service above Self” activities.  Pres. Samantha pinned Bob with his Paul Harris Fellow pin and AG Norm Kelly gave him his certificate.  Bob thanked the club for this recognition.
 

New Paul Harris Fellow Bob Baker with AG Norm Kelly (right)
 
 
Our next Meeting will be Thursday, Apr 12. Our guest speaker will be Lou Divis who will update us on the Peace Camp.
 
President Samantha Maruzzelli adjourned the meeting at 1:30 PM.
Guest Speaker: 
 
Bob is the Editor of the Wyoming County Press Examiner and Advance newspapers.
 
Bob was born in Wyoming County at the old Tyler Hospital.  He was an Army brat. His grandparents set his example on how to live your life.  George Gay Sr. once remarked “if you are half the man your grandfather is, you’ll be outstanding”.  He attended the University of South Carolina and he was editor of the campus newspaper. He also taught for 8 yrs at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1980s.
 
Bob spends a lot of time in the office, ensuring the community gets reliable weekly news.
 
During his tenure at the paper, they only published one piece of fake news that unfortunately was picked up and showcased on the David Letterman show. It concerned the publication of the obituary of young man. The truth was that the man was jilted and to get back at his boyfriend, he submitted his own obituary to the paper saying he had died. Even his family did not know the truth until it was revealed to be a hoax.  Henceforth, they require confirmation from the funeral home or coroner before they publish someone’s obituary.
 
The biggest news during his time at the paper involved the gas revolution, which also brought 2 new hotels to the area.  Unfortunately, gas prices went down and the flood of 2011 then took center stage. However, some of the gas moneys helped pay for the flood clean-up.
 
The worse story he covered was the Weis Market shooting. He got a call at 2 AM from a policeman outside Tunkhannock, sped to the scene and stayed with the story until 11 PM that night. He broke the story before the cops had their first press release. The Grand Reopening of the store was a major help to the recovery of the community.
 
Some of the more recent stories included issues re consolidation of the elementary schools, the teacher’s strike and taxes for the school system. He remarked that the 4 elementary schools were built in the 1970s but P&G has declined in employment by 1,000 since then, so the schools are overbuilt for the current enrollment.
 
All the fabulous volunteer organizations in Wyo Cty make this a great community.
 
The Examiner is owned by the Times Tribune.  It has been 14 years and 1 month that Bob has been with the Examiner.  Over that time frame, they have won a lot of awards for their reporting, including awards for Happy news. There are on average 40,000 words per week in the newspaper. His superiors have trusted that what he publishes is in the public’s best interests and they have not interfered in how he edits the paper.
 
Being an Editor is not an easy job.  He must use discretion in what information he shares in the paper and does not just spill everything, just what the community needs to know.  They also need to protect the victims, but that can lead to criticism that he is protecting the perpetrator by not telling ALL.
 

Bob Baker
 
Interact Club Collects Food for ‘Sack Hunger’ Initiative
During the week of March 19th, Tunkhannock Area High School, through the Interact Club, collected food for CEO (Commission on Economic Opportunity) with their ‘Sack Hunger’ initiative. Every room received a ‘sack’ to be filled with food (canned/dried goods). The class that filled the most sacks was awarded a great breakfast snack on Thursday, March 29.
 
CEO covers three counties and they report that 76,160 people face hunger in our region; 1 in 5 children are at risk. Congratulations to Interact and the TAHS students for making a difference in our community.
 


L to R: Interactors: Paul DeMarco, Nico Chaulet, Angelique Antenucci and Jamie Murray 

2017-2018 Theme: Rotary: Making a Difference
In 2017-18, we’ll answer the question “What is Rotary?” with RI President-elect Ian H.S. Riseley’s theme, Rotary: Making a Difference. “Whether we’re building a new playground or a new school, improving medical care or sanitation, training conflict mediators or midwives, we know that the work we do will change people’s lives — in ways large and small — for the better.”
 
 
 

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Upcoming Events
 
Speakers
Tunkhannock Ambulance Assn.
May 24, 2018
QCPR Demo
Tunkhannock Tree Association
May 24, 2018
Report on the Rotary Trees
Dr. Michael Coyer - Forensic Toxicologist
May 31, 2018
Opioid Crises
TAHS HOBY AWARDEES
Jun 07, 2018
Sponsored by Tunkhannock Rotary
Anika Sehne - Outbound Exchange Student
Jun 14, 2018
Club Assembly
Jun 21, 2018
Evening Meeting - Installation of Officers
Jun 28, 2018
Jon and Barbara Buxton
Jul 12, 2018
Missionary Trip to Mexico
View entire list...
 
Photo Albums
2018 Rotary Invitational Relays
2018 Sam's Gavel
2018 Welcome Signs, Benches & Mini-libraries
2018 Apr Roadside Clean Up
2018 Jan Post-Holiday Social
2017-2018 Donations
2017-2018 Paul Harris & Rotary Foundation Awards
2017-2018 New Member Inductions
2017-2018 Exchange Students
2017 Candy Cane Day
2017 Gala for Peace
2017 Harvest & Wine Festival Thank You Event
2017 Dictionary Distribution
2017 Harvest & Wine Festival - Part 1
2017 Harvest & Wine Festival - Part 2
2017 Fall Roadside Clean-up
Sept 6 Exchange Student Ice Cream Social
2017 Fireworks
2016-2017 Year in Review
2017 Awards & Officer Installation
2017 Founder's Day
2017 Longwood Gardens Trip
2017 Rotary Relays
2017 Poster Contest
2017 D.A.R.E Graduation - Apr 21
Feb 4, 2017 Social
2016-June 2017 Donations
Dec 15 2016 Quilts of Valor Presentations
90th Anniversary Celebration
 
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Tunkhannock Rotary Club
P.O. Box 325
Tunkhannock, PA 18657
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