Home Page | Rotary Club of Tunkhannock

I joined the Tunkhannock Rotary 4 years ago this past May. I showed up at my first meeting, and knew very few people in the room, and was very apprehensive. I was quickly mentored and learned about what Rotary actually was and did for our local, national, and international community, and knew rapidly that this was a very good choice in my life to continue to give back. Rotary truly is the Best Service Organization in the World! It is irreplaceable!

Rotary International President – Barry Rassin - selected the theme as “Be the Inspiration” for the 2018 – 2019 Rotary year, calling on us to work toward a sustainable future and to inspire Rotarians and the community at large. To achieve his vision, It’s our job to motivate our members. He also stated, “I want you to inspire in your clubs, your Rotarians, that desire for something greater. The drive to do more, to be more, to create something that will live beyond each of us.” I am in hopes that I can help District Governor (DG) Roger Mattes to be an inspiration and fill our Rotary Meeting each week with inspired members who are motivated to continue to do good for our local, national and international community.

I plan to work with our new Membership Chair, Ron Furman to find ways to help get some of our current members, who have not been able to participate, involved, active, and participating in our events. I would also like to continue with some of our immediate past president’s great ideas of the Mixers and the Evening Flash meetings on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursday nights, for folks who aren’t always able to make the lunch meeting. I will be asking our board of directors and members of the club for any ideas and thoughts they have to get folks involved / increase our new memberships to the club, especially the younger generation.

During my recent PETS Training, DG Roger, made a comment that he is Most Inspired by seeing Rotarians in Action, completing service projects. I would like to work with this club on developing service projects that allow for all of our members to get involved and get their hands “dirty”. I would also like to further explore ideas about developing activities for our Tunkhannock youth to draw them away from the increasing drug problem in our area.

DG Roger also stated that “Each individual Rotary Club has its own unique characteristics and has done many wonderful things for the communities they serve”. He would now like the clubs to act in unison on various projects, allowing them to reach higher goals. I will be talking to our board of directors and members about how we can help accomplish this with ideas for future service projects where we can work with our neighboring Clubs and District, accomplishing greater achievements. I also would like to bring some fun, enjoyable times of fellowship into our club. I want to hear from you, what your ideas are and what your opinions are.

I humbly accept the post of President of the Rotary Club of Tunkhannock. Thank you for your confidence in me and Thank you for this great honor! I can only hope that I can provide the leadership to this club that I have seen first-hand from the great Presidents before me. I do feel this is the Best Rotary Club Around and I am Very Proud to call myself a Tunkhannock Rotarian, and most importantly, I Am Very Proud of You as Tunkhannock Rotarians, for all that you have accomplished! Thank you and I look forward to working with you all over the next year!

On the first and third Thursday's of every month, the Tunkhannock Rotary will hold a flash club meeting at 5:30 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.

Welcome to our Website!

Service Above Self

We meet Thursdays at 12:15 PM
Purkey's Pink Apple

651 SR 6 W
Tunkhannock, PA 18657
United States

District Site

Bulletins

Norm Kelly Named District 7410 Rotarian of the Year

CONGRATULATIONS, to Tunkhannock Rotarian Norm Kelly on being named District 7410 Rotarian of the Year for 2017-2018. Norm received his award from outgoing District Governor Karin Susan Breitlauch at the Banner Exchange on Sunday, July 1 at the Ramada Inn in Clark Summit.

Norm has been very active in Rotary at both the club and District level, serving in many capacities including as a past Club President, ongoing member of the Board of Directors, chair of the International Project Committee and member of the Harvest & Wine Festival planning committee.

At the District level, he has served as Assistant Governor of Cluster 2 for over 4 years until he turned that job over to his successor on July 1 and serves on the District Foundation Committee. DG Karin remarked that she could always depend on Norm to help out in any way whenever she asked. The clubs in Cluster 2 also could depend on Norm to attend their meetings, help them in many situations and keep them updated on District happenings.

DG Karin Breitlauch presenting Rotarian of the Year Award to Norm Kelly

Installation of Officers and Directors

At the June 28 Officer Installation and Awards Banquet at Shadowbrook Inn and Resort, DG Karin Breitlauch installed Michael Markovitz as the new President of the Club by reminding him of the responsibilities and duties of the office and administering the Oath of the President. Karin then pinned Mike as the new President of the Tunkhannock Rotary.

Pres. Mike being pinned by DG Karin Breitlauch

Past President Pinning & Presentation of Gifts to Samantha Maruzzelli

Newly installed President Mike then thanked outgoing President Samantha for her service to the Club and pinned her with her Past President’s pin. Mike then presented Samantha with thank you gifts from the Club, including a gavel holder plaque, but Sam was still missing her gavel. After the gift presentation, Sam’s gavel made its return from Monte Carlo by racecar, since the over $300 raised for a plane ticket was insufficient for even a coach class ticket. The money collected was donated to the Rotary Foundation.

Installation of Officers & Directors

DG Karin then installed the Officers and Directors for 2018-2019 and administered their oath of office. New pins were given to the installed officers and directors.

Sandy Lane (absent) - President Elect
Ryan Visneski – Vice President
Samantha Maruzzelli – Immediate Past President
Carol Ziomek – Secretary
Elaine Walker - Treasurer

Jon Buxton (absent) – Director
Pat Ehrenzeller-Director
Karen Fuller (absent) – Director
Ron Furman – Director
Norm Kelly – Director
Albert Noble – Director
John Proctor – Director
Ann Way - Director

DG Karin Breitlauch, Secretary Carol Ziomek, VP Ryan Visneski, Treasurer Elaine Walker, Directors Patty Ehrenzeller, Norm Kelly, Ann Way, Ron Furman, Al Noble, Past Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli, Director John Proctor and Pres. Mike Markovitz

Presentation of Awards for 2017-2018

At the June 28 Officer Installation and Awards Banquet at Shadowbrook Inn and Resort, President Samantha Maruzzelli presented awards to some of our outstanding members for her year as President.

Perfect Attendance Certificates to Jim Welch, Carol Ziomek and Samantha Maruzzelli

Thank You Certificates and Awards to Patty Ehrenzeller and Norm Kelly.

President’s Awards to Michael Markovitz, Dave Wilson and Carol Ziomek.

Executive Award to Secretary Carol Ziomek

Distinguished Service Awards to Marta Kovacs-Ruiz and Wayne Krause

Service Above Self Award to Norm Werkheiser

Rotarian of the Year Award to Ann Way

Distinguish Service Awards to Marta Kovacs-Ruiz (left) and Wayne Krause

Service Above Self Award Recipient Norm Werkheiser (left)

Rotarian of the Year Ann Way (left)

Ron Andrews Honored as Paul Harris Fellow

At the June 28 Officer Installation and Awards Banquet at Shadowbrook Inn and Resort, local business owner Ron Andrews was honored as a club-designated Paul Harris Fellow by Foundation Chair Al Noble and AG Norm Kelly. Ron has been a very generous supporter of a variety of community events including our July 3^rd Fireworks display and Harvest & Wine Festival. In addition, District Governor Karin Susan Breitlauch presented Ron with a “Making a Difference” Rotary theme pin for 2017-2018.

L to R: DG Karin Breitlauch, AG Norm Kelly, Al Noble, Ron Andrews and Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli

Mehoopany Wind Farm Donates for July 3rd Fireworks

Neal Allred from the Mehoopany Wind Farm presented Fireworks Chair Harry Sharpe and Presidents Mike Markovitz and Samantha Maruzzelli with a check for $5,000 towards the July 3^rd Fireworks.

L to R: Mike Markovitz, Neal Allread, Harry Sharpe and Samantha Maruzzelli

Mini Libraries Installed in Tunkhannock Area

To promote literacy in our community, the Tunkhannock Rotary has installed 5 free mini-libraries in the Tunkhannock area. The libraries were built by Norm Werkheiser and the project was led by Marta Kovacs-Ruiz. The first library was installed outside the Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater (photo below). Participants are encouraged to take a book and, if possible, leave a book in the library for others. There is no charge for the books.

Additional mini-libraries have been installed at: Creekside Gardens, Lazybrook Park, Eaton Hills and Susquehanna Apartments.

The Club is grateful to the Tunkhannock Public Library and its Executive Director and Rotarian Kristin Smith-Gary for the donation of some books for the mini-libraries from their surplus books collected, but not sold, at their periodic book sale fund-raisers.

The mini-libraries project was funded by the proceeds from the 2017 Harvest & Wine Festival and is part of Rotary’s commitment to “making a difference” in our community.

Builder Norm Werkheiser and project leader Marta Kovacs-Ruiz

Installer Ryan Visneski

Rebound Exchange Student Anika Sehne Spoke at June 21 Luncheon

At the June 21 Luncheon, our guest speaker was rebound exchange student Anika Sehne who spoke about her full time exchange to France during 2016-2017. Anika had the opportunity to see a lot of Europe during her time abroad and made a lot of friends among the other exchange students and within her host community/school.

Anika Sehne

Welcome to Terri Detrick

At the June 21 Rotary luncheon, District Membership Chair Ron Furman inducted Terri Detrick into Rotary. Carol Ziomek was Terri’s sponsor. Please welcome Terri into the Rotary Family.

L to R: Carol Ziomek, Terri Detrick, Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli and Membership Chair Ron Furman

Bill Milligan Earns Paul Harris +2 Pin

Club Foundation Chair Al Noble presented Bill Milligan with his Paul Harris +2 pin. Bill, who has severed several years on the Club Foundation Committee, gave a brief, but to the point response to the membership “If you haven’t donated yet, cough up now”.

Bill Milligan (left) with Al Noble

Mike Markovitz & Don Davis Present Rotary Moments

Mike Markovitz was an eagle scout and he collected clothes and toys for kids of migrant workers. It was seeing the look of happiness on the face of one of the kids with her toy that made him realize how good it felt to give to others.

Harry Sharpe got him to join Rotary 4 yr ago. Mike’s favorite project is Candy Cane Day, a program he has now chaired for several years. In 2017, a record amount of money was collected to buy toys for deserving, but economically disadvantaged children and foster kids in Wyoming County.

His most memorable moment was receiving his club-designated Paul Harris Fellow recognition.

Mike Markovitz

Don Davis was at George Brick’s funeral when Harry Sharpe urged him to join Rotary, although he really wanted a year off since he had finished teaching and coaching.

His Rotary moment was working outside at Lazybrook unloading hay bales for the Festival. Norm commented “I thought we were in trouble when I saw your name on the list of workers”, since he thought Don would not do any work. Then after they unloaded the hay bales, Norm told him he now realized that Don was a very hard worker and was glad he helped out.

Don Davis

Ryan Visneski Honored as Paul Harris Fellow

Rotarians can use their Foundation points to confer a Paul Harris Fellow on another person, including a fellow Rotarian. Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli gave new Paul Harris Fellow recognition to Vice President Ryan Visneski, who has been a big help and sounding board to her during her presidency.

Ryan Visneski with Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli

Ann Way Earns Paul Harris +1 Pin

At the June 14 Rotary Luncheon, Club Foundation Chair Al Noble presented Ann Way with her new Paul Harris Fellow +1 pin. Pres Samantha pinned Ann.

L to R: Ann Way, Al Noble and Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli

Former Inbound Exchange Student Frank Yu Visited

Frank is a 2015-2016 inbound exchange student from Taiwan, who is visiting Tunkhannock on a short 1 week visit to friends he made during his exchange. He is studying in a Community College in Seattle and will transfer to 4 year University. Frank wants to study International Business or Marketing. His parents have a business and they want him and his brother to help them out after he graduates.

Frank commented that Seattle is not as much fun as Tunkhannock, since he has to study and doesn’t have much free time. He will be doing a summer course for July & Aug, then he goes back to Taiwan at the end of Aug. It has been almost a year since he was back in Taiwan.

He sent his regards to all the friends and acquaintances he made during his time in our Rotary District.

Frank Yu

Emily Stanski & Elizabeth DeMarco Talk about HOBY

Every year, Tunkhannock Rotary sponsors a student to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program. The program was developed by the late actor, Hugh O’Brian. This year the gathering was at Shippensburg University on May 17 – May 22.

At the June 7 Tunkhannock Rotary meeting, the Club heard from HOBY participants Emily Stanski and Elizabeth DeMarco, who will be one of our outbound short-term exchange students this summer. The top 10% of their class was invited to apply. They wrote an essay on their leadership qualities and two winners were selected.

Emily and Elizabeth talked about their experiences at HOBY, where they assessed and then enhanced their leadership skills with seminars, games, cheers and participation in community-based programs.

On Friday, they went to the Harrisburg Capital building and heard from a former HOBY Ambassador, Rep. Kate Klunk, who is in the legislature. They were divided into groups and into minority and majority parties and considered different laws. They had a mock legislative session in the house and voted on the proposed laws.

Sunday was a wrap up and life after HOBY. They were challenged to do 100 hr of service in the year following their HOBY to win awards for different levels of service.

They both felt that the best part of the program was the service projects and meeting kids from other parts of the state.

Emily Stanski (left) and Elizabeth DeMarco

Dr. Michael Coyer Addressed Rotary Meeting

At the May 31 meeting of Tunkhannock Rotary, Dr. Michael Coye was guest speaker. Dr. Coyer is a graduate of the University of Scranton and Rutgers Univ. He has been a forensic chemist for 27 years for Lackawanna County.

Dr. Coyer began by praising Tunkhannock Rotary’s Drug Take Back Outreach Program for taking lots of drugs off the street (over 1 ton).

He remarked that many overdoses (OD) are due to prescription drugs, although cocaine is coming back since new regulations are impacting doctors giving chronic pain medications. So, some people are self-medicating for depression and pain with street drugs.

Dr. Coyer urged everyone to get and understand the information on the drugs that you are taking. He also urged everyone to learn what is being done to combat the opioid crises in our area and the nation.

Dr. Michael Coyer

Tunkhannock Ambulance Assoc. Demonstrated QCPR System

Tunkhannock Rotary is applying for a 2018-2019 Rotary District Grant to buy a QCPR Rescue Annie and Baby System for the Tunkhannock Ambulance Association (TAA). This system includes new mannequins that will be used to train people on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Amy Markovitz and Ben Hall are EMTs with the TAA and spoke at the May 24 Rotary luncheon. Amy is also their training officer.

Ben demonstrated CPR using their current old mannequin, where they can only see visually if one is doing it right. They use the song “Staying Alive” to get the right tempo for the compressions.

Then Ben did the same demo with the new QCPR baby mannequin that they had borrowed. They showed what feedback they get on the computer monitor including: how good they are, compression depth, compression rate, hand placement and other salient facts. The system can also gauge respirations to get steady constant peaks of air. The QCPR system will give the best training available.

Amy Markovitz (left) and Ben Hall demonstrating the QCPR System

2018-2019 Rotary Theme: Be the Inspiration

RI President-elect Barry Rassin’s theme for 2018-19, Be the Inspiration, asks Rotarians to inspire change in the world and in each other. “I ask all of you to Be the Inspiration to help Rotary move from reaction to action — to take a hard look at the environmental issues that affect health and welfare around the world and do what we can to help.”

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