Home Page | Rotary Club of Tunkhannock

In addition to this month having Feb 14 Valentine's Day to show your love for one another, it is also the month where Rotary will celebrate its 114th birthday on Feb 23. Appropriately for this month of love, the Rotary area of focus for Feb is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution, another way for each of us to show our love for each other and Rotary.

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 of America

District Site

Bulletins

Kevin Kitchnefsky Spoke at Feb 14 Meeting

The guest speaker at the Feb 14 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple was Kevin Kitchnefsky, who spoke about the realities and challenges to daily living experienced by those with spinal cord injuries. He became paralyzed from the chest down in a work accident in 1996 that broke several vertebrae and damaged his spinal cord. Four years later, he set up the Kevin Kitchnefsky Foundation for Spinal Cord Research to raise money for research into cures and development of neuro-electronic/mechanical devices to help those with spinal cord injuries meet the incredible challenges to daily living.

Kevin showed a heart wrenching video of the amazing work being done at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, to which they donate 70-80% of the money they raise. 20-30% of the Foundation's money is used in NEPA to provide financial support to individuals who have a spinal cord injury or to organizations that help these individuals.

His Foundation holds 2 major annual Fundraisers: a summer golf tournament and a HarvestFest in Oct. They are currently looking for business/corporate sponsors for this year's golf tournament (http://kitchnefskyfoundation.org/).

Kevin does physical therapy every day. He has family and a professional aide to help him meet many of the challenges of daily living, but he does have his bad days. He gets through the bad days by realizing there are people worse off than him. He is determined to get out of his wheelchair one day.

Kevin Kitchnefsky

Mary Martin Introduction

At the Feb 14 Rotary Luncheon, new Rotarian Mary Martin gave her ice breaker introduction to the Club. Mary is trained in Biology, Nursing and Pharmacy and currently works teaching people how to administer injectable drugs in their homes and as a manager for hospice.

Mary loves animals and has quite a few at their home on the lake. She remarked that her husband, Rotarian Bill Barber, is quite good at feeding the animals every morning.

Mary is very interested in Peace through Service, since she visited Cost Rica with her daughter and saw how this can work in the poor areas there.

Mary Martin

Rotary Welcomes Newest Exchange Student from Peru

At the Feb 14 Rotary Luncheon, the Club had the first opportunity to meet our newest inbound exchange student Enrique (Kike) from Peru. Kike left Lima Peru on Monday but due to delays and transits through Atlanta and Philly on his way to Scranton, he arrived on Wed. Feb 13. He along with exchange student Andrew from Poland are staying with the Kozloski host family.

Please join us in welcoming Kike to the US, District 7410 and Tunkhannock Rotary.

Enrique (Kike) inbound from Peru

Tim Genetti Talked About District Conference

At the Feb 7 Rotary Luncheon, the club heard from Timothy Genetti. Tim is from the Hazleton Rotary and is chairperson for the 2019 Rotary District 7410 Conference, which will take place April 5-6 at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in Scranton. He pointed out that District Conference is a good place to learn about Rotary. They will highlight 3-4 projects in the District, including the Honduras project. There will be fabulous speakers, an Italian dinner on Friday and an Irish buffet dinner on Saturday, with folks dressed up in their family heritage clothes. The Conference should be: Fun! Fun! Fun!

Since Apr 5 & 6 is too early for golf, they will have a community project on Friday at 1 PM to make 2,500 bags to give to those in need and homeless. They want travel sizes samples of various sundries. Please bring them to your local club.

Timothy Genetti

Tunkhannock Rotary Welcomes David Kuffa

At the Feb 7 Rotary Luncheon, Club Membership Chair Ron Furman inducted David Kuffa into Rotary. Marta Kovacs-Ruiz was David's sponsor.

David and his wife Jill have been married for 25 yrs. His daughter Dana is at Temple Univ. studying Sociology. Dana participated in RYLA and was an exchange student to Chile in 2016-2017. The Kuffa family also hosted Stefano Sica during 2016-2017. They have hunting dogs and Stefano was afraid of dogs, but now he has his own dog in Italy.

David is an IT consultant at the Refill Station in Clarks Summit. He studied at the Art institute of Philly. He is a musician, song writer and videographer.

Please join us in welcoming David to Rotary.

L to R: Marta Kovacs-Ruiz, David Kuffa and Ron Furman

Betsy Vannatta Spoke About United Methodist Homes

Our guest speaker at the Jan 31 Rotary Luncheon was Betsy Vannatta, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for United Methodist Homes (UMH). They currently have 2 campuses in NY state and 2 in PA providing for approximately 1100 residents. Their Mission is to provide a wide range of senior living services with exceptional care and compassion with a “Live-Better Lifestyle.”

The 2 PA locations are the Wesley Village Campus in Pittston and the Tunkhannock Campus. Betsy described the various options and services provided by the 2 local campuses and their plans for the future.

Betsy Vannatta

Peter Sehne Joins Rotary

At the Jan 31, 2019 Tunkhannock Rotary Luncheon, Peter Sehne was inducted into Rotary by Membership Chair Ron Furman, Peter's sponsor was Anne Sehne, his wife, who had the pleasure of pinning him during his induction.

Peter and Anne have 3 children, all of whom have been Rotary outbound exchange students. The Sehne's have hosted several inbound exchange students and entertained many of our District Exchange students. Peter commented that he really enjoyed interacting with the exchange students and now wanted to give back.

For the last 17 yrs, Peter has been a prison guard at the Waymart Facility.

He will be joining the Harvest & Wine Festival Committee.

Anne and Peter Sehne with Membership Chair Ron Furman

Sophie Burke Spoke at Jan 24 Rotary Luncheon

At the Jan 24th Rotary Luncheon, our guest speaker was Sophie Burke, who was a short-term exchange student to Italy in July 2018.

Beatrice Bursi, short-term inbound exchange student from Italy came to Tunkhannock in early July 2018. Then Bea and Sophie flew to Italy, where Sophie stayed with Bea’s family outside of Milan. She got to visit several areas in Italy including Venice and even traveled to France and Spain.

Since the Burke's were a host family for inbound 2017-2018 exchange student Vittorio Sica, Sophie then visited with the Sica family before her return to the US.

Sophie and her family will be traveling this summer to Italy and will visit with the Bursi and Sica families and Sophie will finally get a gondola ride in Venice.

Sophie Burke

2019 Rotary Post-Holiday Party

On Saturday Jan 12, Tunkhannock Rotary held its Post-Holiday Social at the Shadowbrook Inn and Resort. This year, the club invited both the Tunkhannock Kiwanis Club and the volunteers that helped with the Oct Harvest & Wine Festival to attend.

This was the 3^rd event during 2018-2019 at which the Tunkhannock Kiwanis and Tunkhannock Rotary came together, even though they have been ‘friendly’ rivals since the 1930s. The first event was at the end of Aug when Rotarians helped out during a 4-hr time slot at the Kiwanis food stand at the Wyoming County Community Fair. The second was when members of the Kiwanis helped with car parking at the Oct Rotary Harvest & Wine Festival. So, this was the 3^rd opportunity for members of both clubs to socialize and enjoy each other’s fellowship.

Also, in attendance were: District Governor Roger Mattes and his wife Jackie (Winola Rotary) and Cluster 2 Assistant Governor Dave Palmer (New Milford Rotary) and his wife.

After a social period, a buffet dinner was held with music provided by the Jimmy Welch Band. Additional photos from the party can be found in the photo album on this home page.

Tunkhannock Rotarians Helped Raise Money for Exchange Student Scholarships

Tunkhannock Rotarians recently donated items for the auction that was held the weekend of Jan 12 at the Essex Exchange Student Conference. According to District Exchange Student Coordinator Anne Sehne, who is also a Tunkhannock Rotarian, the auction raised almost $300 for the Program.

At our Jan 17 Rotary Meeting, Anne thanked everyone in the club who donated items for the auction. She shared the photos below of some of the items that were part of the auction.

Elizabeth DeMarco Spoke About Her Short-term Exchange

At the Jan 10 Tunkhannock Rotary Luncheon, our guest speaker was Elizabeth DeMarco, who spoke about her 3 week short-term exchange to Ecuador. Elizabeth had the opportunity to visit the equator, Quito, the Galapagos Islands, a volcano, as well as, try some interesting new foods. By the end of her stay, she said she learned to appreciate the differences between life in the US and Ecuador. This was Elizabeth's first trip outside the US.

Short-term Exchange Student to Ecuador Elizabeth DeMarco

Mary Martin Inducted into Tunkhannock Rotary

At the Jan 10 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple, Pres Michael Markovitz inducted Mary Martin as our newest Tunkhannock Rotarian. George Gay was Mary’s sponsor, but in George’s absence Mary was pinned by her husband Past President Bill Barber.

Please join us in welcoming Mary into Rotary.

(L to R) Past Pres. Bill Barber, Mary Martin and Pres. Mike Markovitz

Wyo Cty Active Adult Center Presented with Check

At the Jan 3 Rotary Luncheon, the Club heard from Rachael Kiwak, Director of the Wyoming County Active Adult Center, who spoke about the variety of programs and activities available at the Center under the auspices of the Area Agency on Aging.

After the presentation, Center representatives were presented with a check for $1,000 to help with their support for seniors in our community. This money is part of Tunkhannock Rotary's Senior Issues Committee's Mission to identify and help support needed services and activities for seniors in our community that are currently underfunded or not funded. This committee is chaired by Patty Ehrenzeller (center in photo below with large black and white check jacket).

Check presentation to Wyo County Active Adult Center by Patty Ehrenzeller (center) and Pres. Mike Markovitz

Chelsea English Welcomed as Newest Tunkhannock Rotarian

At the Jan 3, 2019 Tunkhannock Rotary Luncheon, club membership Chair Ron Furman inducted Chelsea English into Rotary. Chelsea was sponsored by Ron Furman. Chelsea is the marketing manager at SERVPRO of Kingston, Pittston City and Wyoming County. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Corporate Communications from The Pennsylvania State University Wilkes-Barre Campus.

Please join us in welcoming Chelsea into Rotary!

Membership chair and sponsor Ron Furman with Chelsea English

Katie Rincavage Spoke at Dec 27 Luncheon

At the Dec 27 Tunkhannock Rotary Luncheon, our guest speaker was Katie Rincavage. Katie is studying to be a Physician's Assistant and will graduate in May 2019.

Katie was part of a recent trip to Ghana to learn about their health care and other needs. She went with a group of public health professionals and they stayed in the northern city of Wa. Tunkhannock Rotary had provided Katie with a $200 donation to support the goals of her trip.

Katie Rincavage

Dory Browning Inducted into Rotary

At the Dec 27 Rotary Luncheon, Dory Browning was inducted into Tunkhannock Rotary by Club Membership Chair Ron Furman. Dory was sponsored by Ruth Gorski.

Dory is the Executive Director of the True Friends Animal Welfare Center, which is a 501(c)3 non-profit, no kill shelter serving as a safe refuge for animals in need. She was recently a guest speaker at one of our Rotary meetings. In lieu of a traditional speaker's "thank you" gift, club members presented Dory with animal food and items for the shelter.

Please join us in welcoming Dory to the Tunkhannock Rotary.

L to R: Ruth Gorski, Dory Browning and Membership Chair Ron Furman

And the Ugly Sweater Contest Winner Is?

At the Dec 20 Rotary Luncheon, the Club held its annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest. There was a wide selection of ugly outfits and an esteemed panel of judges selected the 3 finalists. Although President Mike Markovitz definitely wore a very ugly sweater, he took himself out the running for the prizes. The club then voted by applause for the winner and 2 runner-ups, who each won a prize. The unequivocal winner by a huge applause margin was Terri Detrick, who took the ugly sweater concept to the extreme with her head to toe ensemble.

Judges (l to r) Norm Kelly, Tom Kukuchka, exchange students John and Andrew, John Hovan and Harry Sharpe

(l to r) Runners-up Mary Tempest and Jim Welch, winner Terri Detrick and Pres. MIke Markovitz

Linda Falcone Spoke at Dec 20 Luncheon

Linda Falcone from Penn State Extension was the guest speaker at the Dec 20 Rotary Luncheon at Purkey's Pink Apple. Linda is an Extension Educator dealing with Business and Community Vitality.

She can help with economic development in the region and educate persons with political aspirations of those running for office.

She can also help with “Placemaking”, which can reinvent spaces to promote economic, development, health, happiness and well being. Steps in placemaking include: examine the function of the space, design a pleasing & interactive environment and then create destinations to return to time and time again to encourage people to move here. Linda then gave examples of Rotary Clubs that have helped create places in their communities that attract people to come visit and stay to live here.

Linda Falcone

TAHS Chorus Entertains with Holiday Music

At the Dec 13 Rotary Luncheon, the club members were entertained by members of the TAHS Chorus under the direction of Tara Kasperowski. The chorus sang many traditional carols along with some more unique and very beautiful selections. The membership really enjoyed this annual concert from the chorus.

Members of the TAHS Chorus

Jeannie Brady Receives Paul Harris +5 Pin

At the Dec 13 Rotary Luncheon, 29 year Rotarian Jeannie Brady received a Paul Harris +5 pin from Pres. Mike Markovitz for her generous donations to the Rotary Foundation.

Jeannie Brady with Pres. Mike Markovitz

Ed Gallagher Spoke about Operation Warm

At the Nov 29 Rotary Luncheon, guest speaker Ed Gallagher from the West End Rotary spoke about Operation Warm. This is a program to provide winter coats to children in need for approximately $20 per coat. Ed brought one of the coats for members to see the high quality of the coats and their design.

Ed Gallagher

Presidential Citation Presented to Tunkhannock Rotary

Past District Governor Karen Susan Breitlauch presented Past President Samantha Maruzzelli with a Presidential Citation for 2017-2018. During Samantha's tenure as President, the club met all the required elements to win this award. PDG Karen congratulated the club on this recognition from Rotary International.

Past Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli (left) with PDG Karin Breitlauch

Candy Cane Checks Presented

At the Nov 29 Rotary Luncheon, Pres. Mike Markovitz, who was also the Chair for Candy Cane Day, presented checks for $1,500 each to Howard Heise from Wyoming County Children and Youth and Mary Foley from Interfaith Friends. The money was collected from generous Tunkhannock shoppers on Black Friday and will be use to buy toys for children in need and foster children for Xmas.

Howard Heise (left), Mary Foley and Pres. Mike Markovitz

Inbound Exchange Students Report on Classes

At the Sept 13 Rotary Meeting at Purkey's Pink Apple, the club heard from our 2 inbound exchange students about the classes they are taking at Tunkhannock Area High School.

Andrew is from Poland. He likes his classes here including: AP physics, calculus, robotics, graphics and electronics. He will also be playing soccer.

John is from Brazil and 17 years old. He is taking classes in: graphics, 3D printing, computer and electronic devices.

Andrew (left) and John

Rotary Grant to Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association

At a recent Rotary meeting, President Mike Markovitz presented a grant for $6,000 to Amy Markovitz and Ben Hall from the Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association (TCAA). The money is a Tunkhannock Rotary grant to the TCAA for the purchase of a QCPR system, including a Rescue Annie and Baby, which are electronic mannequins for use in training first responders and community members on proper techniques for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The new mannequins will feed back to a computer and it will tell them how good they are with their chest compressions including: compression depth, compression rate, hand placement and other salient facts. This system will give the best life-saving CPR training available.

Tunkhannock Rotary applied for a Rotary District Grant of $4,000 and added $2,000 from the Club to make this grant possible. This is one of many projects funded from the proceeds of the Annual Harvest and Wine Festival, which will take place this year on Oct 13, 2018 at Lazybrook Park.

TCAA members Amy Markovitz and Ben Hall receiving the $6,000 grant from Pres. Mike Markovitz

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!

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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