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Our meeting began in the usual way with Bill McGrath leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and God Bless America. Our invocation was given by Sue McDonald. Sergeant at Arms Report John Hanna reported 52 of our 106 members in attendance today. We had a number of guests. Chris DeDiana brought Cristina DeDiana, Chuck Strobel brought Kevin Strobel, Chuck Anderson brought Brian Kline, Ben Policastro brought Sally Cowell and Virginia Cochran, and John Hanna brought Christina Lorenzo. Students Regina Beatty brought students from Greensburg Central Catholic High School. Andrea Marko and Stephanie Oryar joined us for lunch today. Announcements A board meeting will be held on April 8 at 5:30 PM at Bill McGrath's home. The blood screening will be going on on April 24 at Greensburg Salem High School - please sign up if you're able to help. The club photo will be happening on May 4 at the Courtyard Marriott during our regular meeting. We ask that the gentlemen wear a coat and tie. Our goals for the golf tournament are 100 golfers and 60 hole sponsors. Raffle tickets have been mailed to all members for the digital TV. Each member will be billed $50. Turn in ticket stubs to the committee. Chuck Strobel announced that he is looking for helpers during the Arts and Heritage Festival at our Booth. He passed around a clipboard for interested individuals - the festival goes from July 1 - July 4. Paul Harris Fellow A Paul Harris Fellow was presented to Sally Cowell by Ben Policastro, Sally is the site coordinator for the Food Bank at Our Lady of Grace Church. Porky presented her with this honor because of her caring attitude and willingness to assist our neighbors in need. Congratulations Sally and thank you for all that you do for our community. Word of the Week Bill's word of the week is boun. It means "to prepare" or "to dress" (or "to read up" in Western PA.) Meadows Minute Gene James was pictured in the Trib to highlight the Summer Sounds program; Chuck Anderson mentioned for his appearance on the USS Harry Truman off NC Coast; Jim Steeley published article on the skating at Roadman's Lake. Ben P. and Chuck Anderson were interviewed in the article. Ed also mentioned that Ray charley is seeking permission to sell beer in his grocery stores. Ed thought we should recreate the Cheers bar at one of the stores, and feature Dr. McNeel as our Norm. What do you think,Dick? Member Autobiography Sue McDonald gave her autobiography. She described her growing up years with her father as the town doctor - he used to make house calls with her entire family to visit patients in Kentucky. She got married very young and had two children - her older son works in construction in Florida and younger son is an environmental attorney. She lives her life with a complete dedication to her faith and God. Her husband is an electrical engineer at Allegheny Energy and lived in area about one and a half years. She loves Greensburg and being a part of Rotary.
Birthdays Chuck Strobel gave our birthdays in a clever way. Here is his rendition of Casey at the Bat. Our Rotarian team is an all volunteer team, and I’ve bent a rhyme or two include their names and professions. My apologies to Dato whose last name would require word smithing well beyond my skills and to Eric for my inability to find a rhyme for Bononi. The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Greensburg Rotary that fine day; Now retired, Don Bloom (75) and John Weasner (79) were too tired to stay, The sore at the game stood four to two, with but one inning more to play, And when Luttner Financial’s James Boggs (47) grounded out at first, And then John Kline (50) star of First Commonwealth did the same, A chill and silence fell upon the patrons of the game. Sue McDonald (47) lead the cheers with all the students from her school, Chief Dato (49)and his crew handed out his treats and still he keep his cool, It did seem fair to all concerned, and only a discouraged few got up in despair, Thoughts of that goodwill and better friendship still were in the air; And they thought, “If only McGrath could get a whack at that --- We’d put up money even now, if only McGraft was at the bat.” But Mike Langer (50) from the Cultural Trust preceded McGrath, As did our Lawyer teammate Erik B., and both were less then skilled in this baseball craft; But Mike let drive a single, to the wonderment of all. And Erik, the much admired attorney, tore the cover off the ball; And when the dust had lifted, all could see what had occurred, There was Eric safe at second and Mike a-hugging third. Then from five thousand throats or more there rose a very lusty roar; It rumbled through Westmorland County and at the Marriott, it shook the door, It echoed off Laurel Ridge and recoiled in the western flat. For McGrath, mighty McGrath, was advancing to the bat Mike Pacek (38) of D.A. fame considered arrest warrants for those whose cheer he could discern, And Ed Nemanic (47) “planned giving” the prayer he knew would be beneficial to all concerned; There was ease in McGrath’s, manner as he stepped into his place; There was pride in McGrath’s bearing and a smile lit upon his face. And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat, No stranger in the crowd could doubt ‘twas McGrath was at the bat. Number(38) from Mat Ralston’s Pawn and Jeweler exchange covered new bets from the crowd. And Roy Thompson (86) from Culligan provided the water to those too parched to shout, Ten thousand eyes were on McGrath as he rubbed his hands in the dirt. Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt. And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air, And McGrath stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there. Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped – “That ain’t my style,” said McGrath. “Strike one!” the umpire said. From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffed roar, As the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore; “Kill him! Kill the umpire!” shouted someone in the stand; And it’s likely they might have done so had not McGrath raised his hand. Of the things we say or do the great McGrath knew it was the truth, So he stilled the rising tumult with a gentle smile and shook his shoulders lose; He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew; But McGrath ignored it still, and the umpire said “Strike two!” “Fraud!” cried thousands from district 7330, and the echo answer “Fraud!” But one scornful look from McGrath and the audience was in awed. They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain, And they knew that McGrath would not let that ball go buy again. His teeth were clenched and his cheeks were puffed as with our birthday cake, And Like his tool of trade he smacked that bat upon the plate. And now the pitcher holds the ball, -- and now he lets it go, And now the air is shattered by the force of blow. Oh, somewhere in this land of Rotary the sun is shining bright, The band is playing somewhere, and some where hearts are light, And somewhere Rotarians are laughing, and little children shout; But there is no joy in Greensburg --- Mighty McGrath has struck out.
Our meeting ended in the usual way with the Four Way Test.
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