Essay contest Winners [2007]

Congratulations!
The winners of 2007 Essay contest...
Juliet Pawelski (1st place: $500)
John Kocsis (2nd place: $300)
Elaine Hong (3rd place: $200)
Sonika Chandra & Vickie Chou (Honorable Mentions: $100 to each)

From left to right, are Dr। Fran Carothers, Rotarian Dan Whiteside, Vickie Chou, Juliet Pawelski, Elaine Hong, John Kocsis, Sonika Chandra, and Mr। Brian Martin। Dr. Carothers is supervisor of the English Department at CV and Mr. Martin is a 9th grade English teacher.

Lending a hand to Chance Orphanage

Clarence Asbury and Steve Grubb have been exploring if there are other needs at the Chance Orphanage. They have learned that the orphanage needs a new bathroom for the children. The orphanage estimates that the materials will cost around $3,000. A team from St. James Presbyterian Church (Clarence and Steve are both members there) plans to go to South Africa in March 2008 to install the bathroom. Clarence hopes to be part of that team. This morning, the Board approved a donation of $2,000.00, again from the “new international project” line item. That line item has $3,000.00, so we overcommitted by $100.00, but there are funds elsewhere in the budget. Steve will approach District to see if we can get a simplified grant for the other $1,000.00 (it’s likely too small a project for a RI matching grant, and those take a long time). If there are not funds available at the District level, we will reexamine our budget and contact other local clubs and the club in South Africa that is partnering with us in the computer/playground project about participating in this project.

Harrisburg-Keystone Club - First International Project

The Harrisburg-Keystone Club (aka the Happy Hour Club) is embarking on its first international project.
You may recall that Keystone Club members have assisted us with Monte Carlo for the last couple of years. One of their members met Ed Barben and asked if he’d assist them with their first Matching Grant application. They will be assisting the Good Shepherd Health Care Center in Guayaquil-Ecuador by providing dental and medical equipment to a clinic. The Rotary Club of Guayaquil South in District 4400 is also participating. One of the Keystone Club members is a native of Ecuador. Thus, there are eyes and ears on the ground, which we’ve learned is very helpful!

In September, after a month of study, our Club’s Board voted to support this project. At this morning’s Board meeting, we approved a donation of $1,100.00 (the same amount as the Guayaquil South Club and the Keystone Club are each contributing). The funds will come from a line item in our budget for “new international project.” Our Board thinks it is an honor to be asked to support the Keystone Club in its first project and shows how Rotarians can work together.

MN Rotary Club Salutes our Veterans

Asbury, Clarence: Army—2 years—1967 to 1969—Specialist 5th Class—Finance/Computer Operations
Blum, Ed: Navy—22 years—1969 to 1992—Commander (O-5) - Naval Aviator- Cold War Naval Aviator Wings, Command Pin, MSN, NCM (2), Sea Service Deployment (5), National Defense Service Medal (2), Navy Unit Com, and several campaign and minor awards—Highlights—too many to list—greatest was rescue at sea of downed aviator.
Bourque, Rich: Army—6 years (3.5 active & 2.5 reserves) - 1976 to 1982—Captain (O-3) - Air Defense Officer—Served on the General Staff of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS with Dan Whiteside
Coleman, Rick: Navy—4 years—1963 to 1967—Second Class Petty Officer—Airborne Combat
Information Center Operator and Anti-Submarine Warfare Technician—Deployed to the Gulf of Tonkin (combat zone) off the coast of Vietnam—Vietnam Service Medal w/Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Award—First job as aircrew on the EC121K aircraft was interesting because this Squadron served as the western extension of the Distant Early Warning (DEW line) line that stretched across Canada.
Doran, George: Air Force—30 years—1977 to 2007— Colonel—Pilot—Northern Watch/Provide Comfort
Fisher, Carla: Army—25 years—1971 to 1996—Colonel—Signal and Personnel Management Officer (2 specialties required) - During, but not deployed to, Korea and the first Gulf War—
Civilian Service in Vietnam, Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Staff Badge, Meritorious Service Medal (5), and Legion of Merit—Women's Army Corps
Center, two years with the British Army as an exchange officer, Tactical and Staff Officer, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Department of the Army Office of the Inspector General,
Battalion Command of unit ready to deploy anywhere in the world within 72 hours. Instructor, U.S. Army War College
Getz, Dave: Army—6 years—1982 to 1988—Captain—Attorney, Judge Advocate General Corps— Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Multinational Force and Observers Medal—Spent 6 months as the defense counsel for the American troops in the Multinational Force and Observers stationed in the Sinai, Egypt in 1983-84 enforcing the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel
Hervey, Bob: Army—30 years—1961 to 1991—Colonel—Branch Designated Signal Corps—
Vietnam—Three tours in Turkey, two tours in Vietnam, one tour at the Pentagon, U.S. Army Way College Faculty
Klein, Ray: Navy—7 years (2 active & 5 reserve) - 1950 to 1957—Seaman—Supply Division—
Korean National Defense—Assisting Greek people after an earthquake in 1953
Read, Bob: Army—28 years—1965 to 1993—Lieutenant Colonel—Infantry, Vietnam—Bronze Star Medal w/ V device and three oak leaf clusters, Senior Parachute Wings, Combat Infantry Badge—Platoon Leader, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vietnam, '66-'67; 5th Special Forces Group, Vietnam, '67-'68; Advisor, Vietnamese Rangers, '70; National Emergency Airborne Command Post, '80-'82; European Airborne Command Post, England, '85-'89
Sieck, John P: Air Force & Navy—8 years—1945 to 1953—1st Lieutenant USAF—Pilot—Korean
Whiteside, Dan: Army (Field Artillery) - 28+ years—1961 to 1989—Colonel—Cannon Field Artillery commander (battery, battalion, brigade, corps artillery), staff officer, college level instructor and course director, Inspector General—Vietnam (two combat tours), Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Unit Citation (with Oak leaf Cluster), master parachutists badge, Laotian parachute badge—Commanded field artillery units at every level, taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point and the Army War College, G4 and Chief of Staff of the 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One), Inspector General for the Department of the Army, was the Army System Manager for Deep Attack.

THANK YOU for what you did and what you do!

Students of the Month for October 2007

Cumberland Valley School District

Matthew Getz, son of Dave and Vonny Getz

Matthew is involved in band, choir, marching band, jazz band, spring musical, SADD, Debate Team, OM and National Honor Society. He plans to major in government/economics and is applying to the Coast Guard Academy, Lebanon Valley College, the University of Rochester and Susquehanna University.

Meghan O’Grady, daughter of James and Florence O’Grady

Meghan is involved in cross country, indoor track, soccer, Key Club, national Honor Society, and National Foreign Language Honor Society. She plans to study journalism and is applying to Virginia Wesleyan College, James Madison University, The College of New Jersey, and Swarthmore College.

Cumberland Perry AVTS

Shannon Urich, daughter of Karen Urich

Shannon is a Child Care student from East Pennsboro School District. She is involved in National Technical Honor Society, Treasurer of FCCLA and Captain of the East Pennsboro Color Guard. She has been Student of the Quarter for Child Care and Trigonometry/Algebra III and is an honor roll student. She plans to attend college for Special and Elementary Education

Tyler Hill, son of Rodney and Deborah Hill

Tyler is an Automotive Collision Technology student from Big Spring School District. He is involved in SKillsUSA, Odyssey of the Mind Balsa Wood Team, Golf, Living Faith Chapel Youth Group, National Honor Society. He has named to the Advanced Honor Roll and as Student of the Quarter. He was awarded the Omer’s Award. He plans to attend RIT, Bucknell or Messiah College for Mechanical Engineering and to pursue employment with an automotive company.

Essay Contest Winners [2006]

Congratulations! The winners of 2006 Essay contest...

Kaitlyn Spinella, Michael Luo and Julie Speck!

The Mechanicsburg-North Rotary Club is pleased to announce the winners of its first annual essay contest for ninth grade English students at Cumberland Valley High School. The contest focused on Rotary’s “Four Way Test.” The Four Way Test is a set of four questions that Rotarians use to assist in the conduct of their personal and professional lives. The questions are: “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” The theme of this year’s contest was “The Four Way Test in My Life.”
The Club recognized three students from Cumberland Valley High School. The top three essayists were recognized and presented with monetary awards of $500, $300, and $200, respectively.
For more information please click here

From left to right, Dr. Frances Carothers, Supervisor of the English Department at Cumberland Valley High School, first place prize winner Kaitlyn Spinella, teacher Kathleen Buchanan, second place prize winner Michael Luo, teacher Brian Martin, and club project chair Dan Whiteside. Not present was third place prize winner Julie Speck.

Students of the Month

Students of the Month project is one of the many way Mechanicsburg Rotary Club challenges and motivates students in local community.

As a part of Vocational Lane, The Club invites four students every month thought the school year. These students are selected and sponsored school based on their academic, extra curricular activities and community involvement.

On a monthly basis four students, one male and one female students are selected from each Cumberland Valley High School and Cumberland Perry Area Vocational Technical School. They are invited in that month, to one of the weekly breakfast meeting of The Club.

At the year end, The club votes to select one student from all the students of the month in the school year for a cash award.

This project in its 3rd year has been a very successful project. Every student of the month is encouraged to return to The club to share and provide updates.

Please click on the links below to find out more about our Students of the Month for school year 2006-2007.

• Students of the Month for February 2007


• Students of the Month for January 2007


• Students of the Month for November 2006


• Students of the Month for October 2006

Welcome George Doran!

George Doran recently became the newest member of the Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club. He is pictured here (left) with his Rotary sponsor, Bob Hervey (right). George Doran is a financial services professional with Wienken and Associates of Camp Hill.

Welcome John Anthony!

John Anthony recently became the newest member of the Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club. He is pictured here with his Rotary sponsor, Sue Erdman. Mr. Anthony is an owner and mortgage officer at ACA Mortgage Company in Mechanicsburg.

Welcome John Needs!

John Needs recently became the newest member of the Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club. He is pictured here (left to right) with his Rotary mentor Ed Barben, John Needs, Club President Carol Fastrich, and Membership Chair Doug Tilley.
Mr. Needs is Vice President of Mortgage and Business Lending at AmeriChoice Federa Credit Union.

Sen. Pat Vance named Paul Harris Fellow

Senator Pat Vance was named Paul Harris Fellow.

MNRC Sponsors Fishing Derby

Youth up to age 15 are invited to the Mechanicsburg-North Rotary Club’s annual youth Fishing Derby. The event will be held on Saturday, June 23 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am at the Conodoguinet Youth Park. Registration will begin at 7:30 am. The derby will be held rain or shine. The Conodoguinet Youth Park is located on Orr’s Bridge Road in Hampden Township, approximately 1¼ miles north of the Carlisle Pike.

Admission to the event is free. Prizes will be awarded by age group, including fishing rods and reels, tackle boxes, and other sporting equipment. There will also be free food and refreshments. Youth should be accompanied by a parent and must bring their own equipment. Bait will be available, as will a limited number of rods and reels. For more information, readers may call project chair Keith Sealover at 574-1186 or send an email to keithsealover@comcast.net.

Welcome Rosemary McAvoy!

Rosemary McAvoy recently became the newest member of the Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club. She is pictured here (left) with club President Carol Fastrich (right). Ms. McAvoy is employed as a consultant in the alternative energy industry.

Welcome Margaret Kortez!

Margaret Kortze recently became the newest member of the Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club. She is pictured here (center) with her Rotary sponsor, Sue Erdman (left), and Membership Chair Doug Tilley (right). Ms. Kortze is the Spirit of Women Coordinator at the Holy Spirit Health System.

Latest Paul Harris Fellows at MNRC - Congratulation!

Today some of the members of MNRC received their Paul Harris Fellow certificate.
For some this was Six and Seventh Paul Harris Fellow award.