At the Thursday lunch meeting this month the speaker for our meeting was Chelsea Williams, Director of the Hamburg Public Library. Ms. Williams started her presentation by telling the Hamburg Rotarians about the history of the library. The Hamburg Library is the second oldest library in Berks county and was founded in 1903 with a $10,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie only agreed to the donation after the community agreed to fund the future of the library. Both Carnegie and the local community believed that a library was a vital part of the community. Today the library provides a wide range of services to the local community. In addition to offering a wide selection of books, audiobooks, music CDs, and DVDs, other services are public computers, WiFi access, faxing, photocopying, reference services, and adult and children programming.  

Ms. Williams also told our group about the library's expansion plans. he Library is planning to expand the facility to allow it to comply with the ADA by providing additional access for those not able to use the stairs at the main entrance. The expansion will also add more space for meeting rooms and more books.

As Rotarians we believe in supporting the community and the by supporting the library and its mission to provide services to Northern Berks County. Every year the Hamburg Rotary has made a donation to the Hamburg library. This year the Hamburg Rotary increased the donation to $1,000. In the picture President Tom Roth is presenting Director Chelsea Williams with a check for $1,000.

Another delightful Sojourn experience serving lunch to approximately 120 kayakers participating in the Schuylkill Sojourn 2017 on Sunday, June 4. What a pleasant day with the music of Haley Sheeler, appreciative hungry kayakers, and two "future Rotarian" volunteers--- Greg Rautzhan's oldest son and Tom and Christine Roth's granddaughter. Also participating were Titus Miller, Kim Bagenstose, Sandy Christman, and Fred Sheeler.

Pictured from left to right are HAHS sophomores Jenny Chen, Julia Doklan, and Haley Savastano; juniors Eliza Moseman and Grace Kutz, and home-schooled senior Jose Galarza, Jr.  All contestants received a certificate for participating. Haley Savastano won $25 for Fourth Place in speaking about GMOs. Eliza Moseman won $50 for Third Place in speaking on Portfolio-based assessment. Grace Kutz , second place speaker, won $100 for discussing Affordable Health Care, and Jose Galarza, first place speaker, also won $100. He spoke on meeting the needs of senior citizens.  Jose will go on to compete in the regional contest to be held April 22 at Kutztown University. If Jose is not able to compete that day, Grace Kutz will then represent the Hamburg Rotary.

The second annual 4-Way Test speech Contest was held at Hamburg Area High School on Thursday, February 18, 2016.  Four HAHS students competed, giving 5-7 minute persuasive speeches on a topic that met the criteria of the 4-Way Test. Yelitza Pagan a junior, won first place for her speech on "Benefits of Teenage Employment." Sophomore Eliza Moseman won second place for her speech on Immigration. Jose Galarza, also a sophomore, won third place for his speech on Homeless Veterans. Honorable Mention was won by Dominic Lombardo, a freshman, for his speech on Leadership. These students each received certificates and checks for $100, $50, $25, and $25 respectively.

Christine Roth was Contest Chair; Judges were two Rotarians, Titus A. Miller III and Beth A.Heckart, and Lori Donofrio-Galley of the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce. Also assisting at the contest were Rotarians Eric George, timekeeper,and Martha Bertolet and Donna Palko, tellers.

 

 

Donna Palko is the newest member of the Hamburg Rotary Club inducted at the club meeting of September 17. Pictured from left to right are President Kim, Donna, and Beth Heckart who sponsored Donna.

District 7430 Governor Doug Cook and Assistant Governor Bob Hobaugh are pictured with President Kim Bagenstose at the Hamburg Club Meeting on Sept. 3. DG Doug held the club's attention describing what Rotary means to him and encouraged members to attend the District Conference at the Inn at Pocono Manor April 8-10, 2016.

Frederick C. Sheeler was named Hamburg's Rotarian of the Year at the President's Night Dinner held June 26, 2015. Christine L. Roth presented Fred with a plaque recognizing his dedication to the principles of Rotary.