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Upcoming Events
Rotary Booth at Founder's Day
Tioga St.
Jun 26, 2021
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
 
End of Year Celebration & Officer Installation
Moose Club Pavilion
Jun 27, 2021 4:00 PM
 
July 3 Fireworks
Memorial Stadium
Jul 03, 2021
 
Board of Director's Meeting
Town & Country Grille & Zoom
Jul 20, 2021
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
 
Harvest & Wine Festival
Lazybrook Park
Oct 09, 2021
 
View entire list
Speakers
Jun 27, 2021 4:00 PM
Installation of Officers & Celebration of 2020-2021 Accomplishments
Jul 15, 2021
Tracy Brundage, Ph.D. - President & Frances Langan, Ed.D. - VIce President
View entire list
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
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News
Week of Jun 3-9
July 3rd Fireworks
 
Every year since 1983, except for 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Tunkhannock Rotary has presented an outstanding fireworks display at Tunkhannock High School Athletic Field on July 3rd for everyone in Tunkhannock and the surrounding areas.
 
Current fireworks Co-Chair Mike Markovitz reported that plans are proceeding well for this year’s concert and fireworks display on Sat. July 3rd, with a rain date of Mon. July 5th. The event will conform with any Wyoming County Public Health and CDC Guidelines.
 
Rotarians, family and friends are needed as volunteers for the evening to help with this event.  If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up at one of our lunchtime meetings or flash meetings or let Samantha Maruzzelli or Mike Markovitz know your availability.
 
Finally, sponsors are needed to help fund the fireworks, since our major fundraising event, the Harvest & Wine Festival, was not able to happen in Oct 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.  The names of all sponsors will be prominently displayed at the event.  Please contact Mary Tempest at maryptempest@gmail.com if you or a local business you know are interested in being a firework’s sponsor.
 
 
Did You Know From Our History Files?
 
1939 - The International Goodwill Trees-Planting Project  
 
In 1939, the Club decided to undertake a project to further international fellowship and good will. A committee was formed who wrote to Rotary Clubs all over the world requesting soil samples to be mixed with native soil to plant two Koster blue spruce trees, one on either side of the entrance to the Tunkhannock Junior-Senior High School.
 
On May 19, 1939, the “International Trees” planting program was held at the School. The program began with a welcome from Rev. Harry Somers, president of the Tunkhannock Rotary Club, the reading of the names of the participating countries, and the reading of excerpts from letters from the Rotary Clubs in these countries.
 
Grade school students were dressed up in the costumes of the participating countries and performed folk dances and folk songs from some of the countries.
 
The keynote address was given by Rev. Peter Emmons of Scranton, who had just returned from a 7 month tour that took him to many countries of the world.
 
The program ended with the planting of the trees in the soil carried to the site by the pupils dressed in the costumes of each country.
Soils were obtained from 29 different Rotary Clubs with every inhabited continent represented. Some of the countries no longer exist. The Clubs that sent dirt and letters included: Rotterdam, Holland; Asuneion, Paraguay; Bogota, Columbia; Warsaw, Poland; Tunis, Tunisia; LaPlata, Argentina; Athens, Greece; Tartu, Estonia; Melbourne, Australia; Havana, Cuba; Lofia, Bulgaria; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Paris, France; Hamilton, New Zealand; Cape Town, South Africa; Cairo, Egypt; Manila, Philippine Islands; Bombay, India; Medan, Netherland Indies; Colombo, Ceylon; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Bangkok, Siam; Praha (Prague), Czechoslovakia; Kobenhavn (Copenhagen), Denmark; Budapest, Hungary; Quebec, Canada; Montreal, Canada, and Glasgow, Scotland.
 
The letters from the participating Rotary Clubs were bound into a volume that was placed in the School library. A wooden plaque bearing the names of all the Rotary Clubs that sent soil samples was hung on the wall of the main hall of the School building.
 
In 2007, the Club received an inquiry from the Rotary Club of Tartu in Estonia for information on the status of the International Trees to which they had sent 1 lb of their soil. Unfortunately, it appears that both trees had been removed from the site over the years.
 
So you may be asking why Carol included this in a 2021 news Bulletin.  Well, we just received another e-mail from the Rotary Club of Tartu in Estonia.
 
Margus Ulst  margus36102@gmail.com
Tue, Jun 1, 2021 at 2:45 AM
To: tunkhannockrotary@gmail.com
 
Dear fellow Rotarians in Tunkhannock and Pennsylvania,
 
I'm writing on behalf of Rotary history team of Tartu Rotary Club (Estonia). Surprisingly we found, that we participated in your Rotary project by sending best wishes and a pound of soil for RI Fellowship Tree (look the attachment).
 
It would be interesting to know if the tree is alive and how big it is by now. Could you check the tree status and if possible, send a photo.
 
With best regards
Margus Ulst
Tartu Rotary Club, Estonia
 
Dear Margus,
 
In 2015, we celebrated our 90th Club Anniversary and I wrote up the 90 years of history of the Tunkhannock Rotary Club.  In searching through the newspaper archives, I found 3 articles on the International Tree, but no photos.  I am attaching the piece of our history document describing the International trees summarized in the newspaper articles.  Unfortunately, it appears that both trees were removed years ago.
 
I was also unable to find the bound volume at the school library containing all the letters etc.  The letter you attached is the only letter I have seen regarding this project.  I will include it when I write the updated 100th Anniversary History of our Club in 2025.
Sorry, I cannot give you better news about the trees, but it was really a wonderful thing to do back in 1938-1939.  Thank you for reminding me about the truly international collaborations that are Rotary.
 
Yours in Rotary,
Carol Ziomek
Secretary and Historian
Tunkhannock Rotary, Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania  USA
 
I did include a copy of the information above, but wondered if anyone in the club knows if the bound book of letters still exists somewhere in a school library?  Also, can anyone confirm that the trees are definitely gone or whether there are any photos anywhere at the school regarding this project?  If the plaque exists somewhere at the school, a photo would be gratefully appreciated as I prepare to update our 2015 90th Anniversary History for 2025 when we celebrate our 100th Anniversary as a Rotary Club. 
 
This was an amazing project and of course with importation of dirt from various countries this would most likely not be possible today with current importation guidelines from the Dept of Agriculture.
 
Highlights of Jun 3 Rotary Meeting
Highlights of Rotary Meeting
 
Pledge and Invocation:
 
President Terri Detrick brought the meeting to order at 12:15 PM at Shadowbrook Inn & Resort and online via Zoom.  Jill Tague led the Pledge of Allegiance; Dave Wilson gave the invocation and Sandy Lane led the recitation of the 4-Way Test.
 
Guests:
 
Dave Overbeck - guest speaker
 
Club News:
 
Ad Bucks:  Dave Weingust - GEM 104 will be doing a broadcast at Founders Day.  They have a special promotion ongoing for anyone who wants to advertise on GEM 104.
Goodies for Our Troops Project
 
Mary Tempest – supplies for the Troops donations are going well including $100 for mailing costs.  Thursday, June 10 will be the last lunchtime meeting before June 12 District Conference to make you donations of supplies or money.
 
 
Committee Reports
 
Public Relations – Carol Ziomek
 
Two articles appeared in the June 2 Examiner, our donation to Camp Create and the preparation for the Fireworks.
 
Harvest & Wine Festival – Ron Furman/Mike Markovitz
 
There will be a planning meeting on Monday, June 7 at 6 PM at the Tunkhannock Public Library Community Room and via Zoom.
 
Sandy got a phone call, that one of our vendors for 9 years Kit Bauman, who sold necklaces for wine glasses, passed away on May 14.  Her husband said it was the most profitable event for her.  He will donate around 100 of these necklaces to Rotary to sell at the Festival and all profits could be used to put a tree up in her memory at Lazybrook Park.  Sandy will find out what price she was selling them for.
 
Sandy sent out vendor applications on Monday and she has already got 9 responses.
 
Ann is also getting ticket inquiries re the Festival.  A ticket sign-up sheet will be available for Founder’s Day.
 
July 3rd Fireworks – Mike Markovitz/Samantha Maruzzelli
 
A volunteer sign-up sheet is circulating for help for the Fireworks.
 
PR Chair Carol Ziomek reported that the flyer for the Fireworks is up on the Website, both Facebook pages and appeared in the recent District 7410 Newsletter.  As of 11:30 this morning, the Club Facebook page flyer has been shared by 240 people reaching over 13,700 people.  So, the word is definitely getting out there.
 
Also, the article on the Fireworks appeared in yesterday’s Examiner and Bob Baker actually inserted his own photo of our previous fireworks so the article attracts attention.  The article also mentions we are looking for sponsors and gives Mary Tempest’s contact info if anyone is interested in being a Fireworks sponsor this year.
 
Don Davis asked about security and it was recommended that security should be available from 5-11 PM.
 
Don Davis also commented that the senior class concession stand wants lines set up so that people are not crowded around it.  The Senior class is also looking for a grill for the concession stand.
 
Rotary Foundation – Samantha Maruzzelli
 
50% of members have given already and Sam can help if you need help making your donation.
 
RI and District News: 
 
District Conference Registration
 
If you have not registered for the District Conference yet, please find attached an invitation to register.  This event is being held at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts in Wellsboro on Saturday, June 12th. 
 
Like A Hurricane - Neil Young Tribute Concert
 
The Neil Young Tribute Concert - Like a Hurricane is being sponsored by Rotary, as a Foundation Fundraiser. All net profits will go exclusively to The Rotary Foundation.  Rotarians who are attending the District Conference and wish to attend this concert will also receive discounted tickets!  Please contact the Deane Center for the special rate and to purchase your tickets.  There will also be beer & wine tastings in the late lobby before and at intermission.
 
BBQ Dinner Entertainment
 
Don't forget about dinner after the conference!  Upon registration, a BBQ Dinner option is provided to register for as well.  There is some great entertainment lined up for that!  Get the party started with, Wellsboro Rotary.  Their own percussionist (Big Jim) and the Spring Break band.  To top it off, this District Conference BBQ night gets even better. Rotarian Pat Davis, The Ivory Lady, is on the bill.  She has spent her lifetime as a professional musician (pop, classics, country, jazz, and big band). If you can hum it, Pat can rock it on the keyboard – she is amazing. Pat will be joined by David Driskell, professional entertainer and half of the zany group, the Sadie Green Sales Jugband. Dave can play most any tune on just about any instrument you like, from the conventional to the musical saw, washboard, washtub bass and whistles. David played skis slopes around the USA and high school assemblies and gigs across England, plus France, Germany. Switzerland, Austria and more. Crazy music, stories, belly laughs, and groans are teed up for Saturday night, “Wet your whistle,” warm up your vocal cords, and get ready for some Rotary Tomfoolery!
 
If you have any questions about the conference, registration, or events, please contact:
 
Craig Devenport
crd2864@ptd.net
 
RI Virtual Convention
 
RI Virtual Convention will take place from Jun 12, 2021 – Jun 16, 2021.  Registration is required for this virtual convention.
 
Pittston 100 Plus Anniversary
 
The Pittston Rotary Club turned 100 last year but due to the pandemic could not go through with their planned celebration.  It has now been rescheduled for Sept 25. 2021 at the Susquehanna Brewing Company in Pittston.  Since Pittston was the sponsor for the formation of the Rotary Club of Tunkhannock, it would be great if Tunkhannock Rotarians attended Pittston’s celebrations.
 
Treasurer Report: Elaine Walker
 
More than 50% of people have already paid their dues for 2021-2022.
 
Please pay for the July 1 2021-June 30 2022 Rotary year by June 15 at the reduced annual dues of $150. If you pay after June 15, the annual dues are $160.  Please make out check to Tunkhannock Rotary and give to Elaine Walker or mail to her at: 102 Shadowbrook Drive, Tunkhannock, PA 18657.
 
Note! If you pay online by credit card, it will go through for $160.
 
New members who joined after Mar 1, 2021 will not be charged any annual dues until June 2022, since Rotary District 7410 will pay both RI and District dues for you.
Our next Meeting will be Thursday, Jun 10.  Our guest speaker will be Jodi Crimmel, who will speak about her most recent trip to Haiti.
 
President Terri Detrick adjourned the meeting at 1:25 PM.
Program:
David Overbeck
Therapy Dog
 
Since Louis Marcho and Grace had a conflict today, Louis asked David Overbeck to take his place to discuss therapy dogs.
David Overbeck was our guest speaker with his therapy dog Dart. There are more requests for therapy dogs than dogs to fill those requests.  It is a 100% volunteer work.
 
Dave lives near Meshoppen and has been doing therapy work since 2005.  His grandson was having surgery at Danville. They were asked if they wanted a therapy dog’s visit and they did.  It was so good for his grandson that Dave went home and decided to do it.
 
Therapy Dogs International is the organization of which he is a member.  He has had 3 therapy dogs, 2 passed (Jake did 200 visits and Gus, who passed before Xmas did over 300 visits).  His golden retriever Dart is his current dog from his son.  His dog loves kids and other animals, he is 11-12 years old. Dart has done 50 visits so far.  Dog is trained with positive reinforcement. 
 
Jake visited Tunkhannock Methodist Manner when he started and visited Golden Living, Gracious Living in Montrose, Tyler Hospital, Tunkhannock HS Tiger House kids.
 
Gus loved Tiger house kids and also went to Blue Ridge Elementary and High School special needs kids in addition to working with autistic kids.  Dave has done Tunkhannock Public Library talks with his dog.  They have done visits at Scranton Univ, Broom County Community College, Keystone and Misericordia visits also.
 
His dogs have AKC obedience and therapy titles and they also do agility training.  Dart has given 2 perfect agility weekends recently.
 
Why do this?  There is no monetary remuneration. He is energized by successes especially with an unresponsive wheelchair patient.  The dogs particularly love working with the kids.
 
Not all dogs can be a therapy dog. His dogs are not service dog (those take 5 yr. for training), therapy dogs must have the right temperament. They must be socialized dogs, good with adults and kids. The dog must be obedient, know basic commands and no distress if handler is out of sight for 10 min. The dog also needs to walk in a crowd calmly. 
 
Dave has to take a test to be a therapy dog handler.  He needs to make sure that the people they visit, and his dog are both protected.  He needs to be able to detect stress/discomfort in his dog. 
 
They limit visits to 1 hr., so as not to stress the dog and have any incidents occur.  Each dog is covered by $100,000 in insurance in case something goes awry.
 
Funeral homes are now requesting therapy dogs to help grieving people.
 
Dog training begins at 8-15 weeks of age for daily obedience training (best socialization time).  Therapy dogs must be 1 year old.
 

David Overbeck with his therapy dog
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Sandy Lane
June 17
 
Tom Schicktanz
June 17
 
Al Noble
June 20
 
Karen Fuller
June 30
 
Join Date
Tommasina Fiorillo
June 1, 2015
6 years
 
Wayne Krause
June 1, 1987
34 years
 
David Weingust
June 26, 2019
2 years
 
Mary Linden
June 26, 2019
2 years
 
Tim Kerestes
June 26, 2019
2 years