It’s been a busy week, but honestly…that’s just the way I like it.
A big thank you to those of you who attended our first-ever Happy Hour at Branch Creek Taphouse. The temperature was HOT, so I could understand if you needed to stay home in the AC. (CLICK HERE for photos). Karla Myers wins the “most outgoing” award! While we were enjoying our social time, she went to each table and invited non-Rotary members to our upcoming “Party in the Park” – and handed out a sharp looking flyer for the event. Also in attendance was District Governor Mary Cook – thanks for coming Mary! (I know she reads our bulletin!). We also joined by Susan Sloan – she spoke to our club in March and is considering membership.
Thursday was just the warm-up for the 2nd Annual Beer Fest on Saturday. (CLICK HERE for photos and other highlights). But URGH the weather! Oh, how it tried to “rain on our parade”! We did our best to keep spirits high! There were many volunteers doing a multitude of tasks so the comradery between our club and the Indian Valley Public Library was strong. Thank you Co-Chairs Ginny Vandenburg and Suzi Berry for leading a great event – and thank you club members for participating – as a volunteer, sponsor, attendee...or perhaps all three!
While I was at the event, I was stopped by someone who was pouring beer. She asked me if I was with the club. After reassuring her I was, she said, “I want to share with you about my son,” and she started tearing up. She became very emotional, and it took her several attempts to finally share with me. Her son attended the recent STEM YEA camp. She shared that things have been challenging for him at school and at home. The camp really motivated him to continue pursuing interests he has in STEM. She wanted to make sure I passed on her gratitude to our club.
On Sunday, I attended the Concert Sundaes featuring the Ferko String Band. The concert was in tribute to Marc Rosenberger, Concert Sundaes Founder and ST Rotary Member. One thing Marc and I had in common was our love of the string bands.
Marc and I, August 2021
A great evening, listening to great music, doing the “mummer’s strut” with my family, John Young and Marcia Thomas in a beautiful location.
Our club has been hearing about the park renovation for over four years. But for many community members, the renovation is relatively a “new” thing. I have been thanked at least five times, in the last two weeks, for our club’s commitment to the park renovation. Leon Moyer shared with me, that a member of the community stopped in the Borough office this past week, expressing gratitude for the Sculpture Garden and Peace Pole. The community member had researched the peace pole and learned it was a world-wide project. She knew a lot of thought was put into the sculptures and wanted to express her appreciation.
A word that has kept coming back to me over the last two weeks is “Legacy”. The definition of legacy is encompassing the lasting impact one has on others, the values and traditions passed down, and the positive influence on future generations. Over the past few weeks, we have had several “legacy” events that will have a long-lasting impact such as scholarships to higher ed, and STEM YEA, supporting Interact and 4H, concerts and fundraisers in the soon-to-be-renamed, Rotary Park. And guess what? You have played a part in creating that legacy. By choosing to be a member of our club and being involved you are contributing to the long-lasting legacy our club is making in our community. Thank You!
How will you help support our legacy going forward?