2019 Newark Rotary Report

“Little guy, your life is about to change"

Story on pages 16 and 17

A word from the President Newark Morning Rotary Club

Dear Friends and Community Members,

The 2019 edition of Newark Morning Rotary Club’s “Report to the Community” is here!

This is the 20th year that we have published this Report and what an amazing 20 years it has been.

When our Rotary club was formed in 1999, we decided not to hound our friends and co-workers with raffle tickets, pizza kits, fruit baskets, flower sales, and every other type of fundraiser you could dream of.

One of our co-founders, Jim Streit, former publisher of the Newark Post, had the idea of a single big fundraiser for the year. We would sell advertising space in an annual publication that would be distributed throughout Newark. This would give local businesses a chance to increase their sales and recognition and at the same time it would give us funds to use for service projects.

In 20 years, our Report to the Community has earned more than $700,000, with every penny of profit going right back into our community.

We could not have done this without you – our advertisers, supporters, and fellow Rotarians. We humbly thank every one of you who has placed an ad, made a donation, or even patronized our advertisers. Our community is better because of you.

I joined Rotary in 2000 but the bug for community service had hit me years earlier. When my college roommate was diagnosed with cancer, and several family members lost their battles with cancer, I committed my time to “Joining the Fight.” I started with Relay for Life in Newark in 1998 and have been involved in one way or another ever since.

Helping to find a cure for cancer is my passion. In Rotary, I find others who have a passion for giving back to their community and making life just a little better for others less fortunate.

So take a look. See what we do. And if it seems like something you want to be a part of, come and join us for breakfast! We’d be glad to have you.

Yours in service,

Don Newcomb Club President, 2018-2019

Dedicated to Service

Rotary club dedicated to serving the

community

Twenty years have gone by since this club started. But the members of the Newark Morning Rotary club have continued their determination to use their time, talents and resources to serve the community – both locally and internationally. From the first organizational meeting in December of 1998, the members have dedicated themselves to the motto of Rotary, Service Above Self. More than $700,000 has been raised over the past 20 years through Reports to the Community

We give money when vital and time when imperative. In April 2019, more than $45,000 was collected in sales advertising from the 2019 Report to the Community, with one hundred percent of the profits earmarked for community service projects.

Here is a list of the accomplishments for the past year since our last Report was published:

◆ First Sunday in May is Archaeology Festival at Iron Hill Museum. Club participated as a major sponsor of the event ($250), as well as support with members on hand to help that day.

◆ Lori’s Hands, a UD community health program received $1,000 to help individuals with chronic illness.

◆ Fresh Start Scholarship Fund received $1,000 to provide s/s to women seeking to improve themselves through education.

Be the Inspiration

Since Rotary was founded 113 years ago, its role in the world and in the lives of its members has been in a state of continuous evolution. In its earliest days, Rotary offered its members a way to find fellowship and friendship and to build connection within their communities. Soon after, service found a place in Rotary, and as our organization expanded, so did its influence. In time Rotary’s service supported by our Rotary Foundation, would change the lives of families and communities across the world.

We formed partnerships and focused our service to increase our impact. We launched the world’s largest public-private health initiative, partnering with governments, international organizations, and countless local and regional health agencies to eradicate polio. More and more, our members came to us seeking not just friendship but a way to take action for good…

…We are men and women who believe in the power of community action to make a global impact – and together, we have the capacity and the resources to achieve almost anything.

…We need to Be the Inspiration for positive change, inspiring our clubs, our communities, and our organization to face today’s challenges head on, with courage, optimism, and creativity….

Barry Rassin

President,

Rotary International, 2018-19

◆ Iron Hill Science Center received $500 to assist with summer camp scholarships.

◆ Newark Area Welfare Fund received $4,000 to support the needy with food, rent, utility bills.

◆ LYTE (Leading Youth Through Empowerment), a monitoring and teaching program for low-income middle

school students received $250.

◆ Newark Radio received $1,000 to help get the tower built and begin broadcasting.

◆ American Diabetes Association, Tour De Cure received $100 to combat diabetes. We support former Rotarian Jeff Morton on his bike rides for charity.

Directory of Advertisers

4Sight

The Newark Morning Rotary Club gratefully acknowledges and appreciates the support of the businesses and individuals who advertise in this report. Their generosity has funded the preparation, printing, and distribution of this “Report to the Community.” All proceeds, which exceed $45,500 at press time, will go directly back into the community through donations, awards, and Rotary service projects. Members of the club ask readers to patronize these supporters and tell them that they appreciate the financial support that they have provided.

2019 Report to The Community

Is published by the Newark Morning Rotary Club

Don Newcomb, President

Cindi Viviano, Project Director

Robin Broomall, Editor

Janice Rash, Designer, Pagination

Cover photo taken by Michael Luck ™2019 Newark Morning Rotary Club, Newark, DE

To Rotarian Robin Broomall for her unending number of articles and photos that she made available for the Rotary Report.

To Rotarian Cindi Viviano for her outstanding job of organizing and motivating the sale of a record number of ads.

To Janice Rash, graphic designer

Janice always puts her heart and soul and creative talents into making our Report as professional and interesting to read as possible. Even though the copy is written by Rotarians and pictures taken by them, it is Janice who makes it all come to life!

Website: www.nmrde.org

Follow us on Facebook! http://www. facebook.com/pages/Newark-MorningRotary-Club/79380101585

HIGHWAY CLEANUP

It’s a dirty job but someone has to do it! And Rotarians can make it seem like fun, in rain or shine. Club members clean a mile long stretch of Old Baltimore Pike from the Maryland line. The Newark Morning Rotarians have been working with DelDOT’s Highway Cleanup program twice a year for more than 18 years. They started in 2002 on Otts Chapel Road, then moved to Old Baltimore Pike. Barry Baker took over the chairman’s job and makes sure his “workers” have DelDOT safety vests, grabber sticks and tic spray before going out on the road. And a good sense of humor helps, too!

SERVICE CONTINUED

◆ Kamp for Kids with diabetes received $1,000 for scholarships.

◆ Hope Dining Room serves 16,000 hot meals every year Monday through Friday to for the hungry in Newark. They received $1,000.

◆ Relay For Life, helping to find a cure for cancer, received $3,500.

◆ The Delaware Kids Fund received $500 to help feed needy families.

◆ Members assembled the first of 120 “birthday boxes” for Meals on Wheels recipients. See related story.

◆ A Millennial Leadership Summit in Wilmington was supported with sponsorship of $500.

◆ Shoes That Fit of Newark received a donation of $2,000 to purchase and distribute new clothing to needy school children.

◆ Three scholarships, totaling $10,000, were awarded to graduates of James H. Groves Adult High School.

◆ Special Olympics of Delaware received $500.

◆ A donation of $395 was made to the DFRC by placing an ad in the 2018 Blue/Gold program book.

◆ In June 2018 Gail Chickersby received the Ray Civatte Community Service Award, with a check for $500 for her work with several organizations throughout the city.

◆ The Public Service Award was presented to Cpl. Aaron Olicker, a member of the Newark Police Dept. for his community service on and off the job.

◆ The club honored Rotarian Evelyn Hayes with Rotarian of the Year for her leadership and enthusiasm for all things Rotary.

◆ A donation of $50 was made to the PREP, a pre-kindergarten reading encouragement project in Wilmington.

◆ Teacher Andrew Snyder received $500 Vocational grant to continue his education, in honor of Rotarian Robin Broomall.

◆ $2,500 was used toward purchase and installation of a wheelchair lift at Camp Fairlee, the Easterseals camp in Chestertown, Md.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

A Helping Hand

On behalf of the Newark Morning Rotary Club, Robin Broomall presented a check for $3,000 to Polly Sierer, executive director of the Newark Area Welfare Committee (NAWC) to assist in their service to our less fortunate neighbors.

For the last four years the Newark Morning Rotarians have raised nearly $30,000 for NAWC.

NAWC works to serve the community through a variety of programs. Last year they assisted families in need by paying electricity bills, mortgage and rent payments, temporary shelter or bus passes, to the tune of nearly $80,000. Hundreds of holiday food boxes are distributed each year, thousands of pairs of shoes for adults and children are purchased, bagged lunches for homeless or those without means to pay for themselves are distributed, and a well-stocked food cupboard provides approximately 17,000 meals annually.

NAWC operates solely from donations from local individuals, businesses, and charitable and service clubs as well as a grant from the City of Newark.

◆ $1,000 went to hurricane relief for our Southern States in Fall 2018.

◆ A grant of $11,000 provided musical equipment and lessons for students in less fortunate areas. See related story on page 16.

◆ Our first display of Flags For Heroes raised about $3,000 for our service projects. See related story.

◆ Newark Day Care Nursery received $1,000 toward its education of youngsters.

◆ A $100 contribution was made to the Wilmington and Western Railroad.

◆ Rotarians contributed $1250 to fund a homework club for students at Downes Elementary School in the Fall.

◆ Boy Scout Troop 603, meeting at Kingswood Church, was presented $1000 to support scouts attending summer camp and continuing their scouting experience.

◆ Rotarians welcomed students and Newarkers back to town at the annual Community Day on The Green.

◆ More than 1,000 paperback student dictionaries were purchased and distributed to third graders in the Christina Schools, Newark Charter and Aspira Academy. See related story.

◆ Thanksgiving turkeys for the Food Bank of Delaware were purchased with a $1,000 donation from the club.

◆ The Downes Elementary School kindergarteners received $100 to purchase the turkeys for their annual Thanksgiving feast.

◆ Rotarians supported Annual Main Street Mile and contributed $250 to support the Newark Police K-9 Unit and Newark Downtown Partnership.

◆ An Interact Club continued at Newark Charter High School, sponsored by the Newark Morning Rotarians, with $1,000 to support projects. This is a high school level service club that is affiliated with a Rotary club. See related story.

◆ On three cold and damp evenings in December members rang the bell for the annual Kettle Drive for Salvation Army.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

◆ Shoes That Fit of Newark received $2,000 to purchase and distribute new clothes for needy children in the Christina Schools.

It’s not the holidays without Rotarians ringing the bell!

Rotarian Marie Holliday and her husband Hal took their turn ringing the bell last December for the annual Salvation Army Kettle Drive. During their hour long stint of wearing a red apron and having that bell ring in their ears, they meet some of the most unlikely contributors to the kettle. Some passersby who appear to have little to spare will often be the biggest supporters. And the kids just love having a try at ringing the bell themselves! Look for our bell ringers in front of Boscov’s.

Museum and Science Center to support educational programs for

s BizTown received

the PTA at Downes Elementary School for distribution to needy families in the school.

◆ A donation of $1,000 for Disaster Relief was made to ShelterBox for a complete tent and emergency kit for a family left homeless by the earthquake in Nepal.

◆ Three Newark Charter High School students were presented with the Rotary Youth Leadership Award and spent a three-day weekend at a leadership program in Ocean City, Md., with 150 other students over President’s Day weekend in February. Cost to them was nothing! The Rotary club paid $1,100 for their registration, training, and meal costs for the weekend.

◆ A donation of $3,400 enables Easterseals to present four scholarships for handicapped individuals to attend a week at Camp Fairlee this summer.

◆ A tee for $100 was purchased for the Christiana Rotary golf outing, supporting their scholarship fund..

◆ A contribution of $2,000 was made to Iron Hill

◆ The Lancaster (Pa.) Sunrise Rotary club’s Bike Ride for Literacy was supported with a $100 donation.

◆ Stockings for Soldiers received $500 from the club to help defray mailing costs for the thousands of personalized Christmas stockings they send to our troops.

◆ The club participated with other Rotary clubs in a grant to help people with addiction in Zambia. Our investment was $1,000.

◆ Minutes for Soldiers received $500 to support our soldiers overseas.

◆ Newark Charter High School After-Prom Committee received $150 to provide a safe environment for the juniors and seniors.

◆ Rise Against Hunger, a meal packaging program, cost $3,400, with 50 volunteers packing 10,000 meals in 3 hours. See related story.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Rotary success depends on good leaders

While Rotary is an international organization, with many humanitarian projects being conducted worldwide, most of the action happens at the local level, with clubs committed to community service. Like all Rotary clubs, the Newark Morning club operates under the standard constitution adopted by Rotary International in 1905.

It provides for a Board of Directors as the governing body, a president and other officers. The officers of each club are elected by their membership to serve one-year terms, beginning July 1 each year.

The Newark Morning club uses the recommended committee plan to carry out its service projects and keep a balanced focus on its mission. The five main committees, or avenues of service, are club, community, international, vocational and Next Generation. Each member chairs at least one project or event per year focused on these areas, but they often assist on many other projects.

The club is a member of Rotary International. The individuals are members of the Newark Morning Rotary Club. Individuals are not members of Rotary International.

The

Leaders

July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019

President ............................................ Don Newcomb

President Elect ..................................... Evelyn Hayes

Vice President ............................ Dennis Greenhouse

Secretary Doug Gordon

Treasurer Shawn Klapinsky

Sergeant At Arms ................................. Eric Cannon

Director of Membership .............................Paul Keely

Director of Fund Raising ................. Mary Konwinski

Director of Project Management Tom Minto

Director of Rotary Foundation Fred Dawson

Director of Administration .............. Robin Broomall

Immediate Past President .................. Joshua Martin

Club Photographers .... ..................... Robin Broomall

William A. Sullivan

◆ An additional $250 supported a Rise Against Hunger program held in Middletown.

◆ A contribution of $1,000 was made to a scholarship fund at Washington College in the memory of Steve H. Amick.

In addition to distributing money raised through the 2018 Report to the community, Rotarians are quick to dig into their own pockets to support projects in the community.

◆ Newark Morning Rotarians personally contributed more than $11,000 this year to The Rotary Foundation’s annual fund to help with international humanitarian programs. It was third in the district out of 42 clubs with a per capita of $368.The club is also a major supporter of Rotary International’s program to eradicate polio from the world, with more than $2,800 contributed. These funds were made possible by the generosity of the club’s members, NOT through the proceeds of the Report to the Community. See related story.

◆ In addition an impromptu World’s Greatest Meal, hosted by the club in October of 2018, raised nearly $2,800 to be credited to The Rotary Foundation’s effort to eradicate polio. The members personally donated all money raised at one break-

Appropriate clothes will mean a lot more to a child than just being “hip”. It will also add selfesteem, assurance, and a better chance of doing well in school.

Just before the holidays, Rotarians shop for specific items requested by the families of children in need at McVey Elementary School. Nearly $1,000 of items, including of shirts, jeans, underwear, pj’s, coats, shoes, hats and mittens are placed in nondescript bags and delivered to School Nurse Marguerite Diehl. The nurse then notifies the families their wish list is available for pickup. Many then wrap the items for their child as a big surprise on Christmas morning.

Here, Rotarian Doug Gordon collects the first of many bags to be collected.

fast meeting to the polio program.

◆ On Valentine’s Day, 2019, more than 204 pounds of food items were collected by Rotarians to stock the shelves of the Food Bank.

◆ Tons of canned and frozen foods were sorted by Rotarians as they spent a Saturday afternoon volunteering their time and muscles at the Food Bank of Delaware.

◆ Several club members have mentored/tutored students at local schools throughout the school year

◆ Rotarians also mentored students in Newark Charter High School’s Global Leadership program.

◆ Members also helped the 40 counselors of Camp Fairlee, the Easterseals Camp in Chestertown, Md., by providing Welcome Bags for them upon arrival at camp this summer. Bags contained toiletries, tablets, and bug spray which were donated by the members.

◆ Adopt A Highway program was supported again this year on Old Baltimore Pike – with 15 members, friends, and family members donning glow-in-the-dark DelDOT vests and black trash bags. We clean a two-mile stretch east from the Maryland State line two times a year – in Spring and again in Fall.

Junior Achievement of Delaware

What’s behind the façade? Opportunity for today’s students to learn critical financial lessons that will impact lifelong decisions.

Invested in the future

Since 2004, more than 16,000 students every year get the BizTown experience through The Rotary Center at Junior Achievement in Wilmington, thanks in part to the leadership and financial support of Newark Morning Rotary.

Since the opening of JA’s financial learning center for school students, Newark Morning Rotary has invested nearly $40,000 in JA’s mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

Following several weeks of studying an economics curriculum in the classroom where the students are introduced to the importance of ethics and integrity in business, the students then visit JA to put their learning into practice. They play the roles of store managers, employees, disc jockeys, nurse, bill collectors, bank tellers, city utility employees, and others. Two coveted positions are that of the mayor and the Rotarian for the day.

The students learn to run their city with ethics, honesty, and integrity, ensuring that their customers, (i.e. fellow classmates) are happy and satisfied with their experience. They also see how important volunteerism in their community is and exposes them

to the work and philosophy of service organizations, like Rotary clubs.

The role of the Rotarian for the day, specifically sponsored by the Rotary Clubs, is to survey the “business managers,” asking them if they had any customer issues, how they were resolved, and was everyone satisfied. The Rotarian gives a report at the end of the day during the town hall meeting.

They follow the driving principles of Rotary’s Four Way Test, comprised of four simple questions that help Rotarians make the right decisions in their professional and personal lives, beginning with “Is it the truth?” The other three questions are about fairness, honesty, and relationship building.

“So many businesses that fail today or merely exist with shabby reputations cannot honestly answer the four questions with a ‘yes,’ ” said Robin Broomall, a member of the Newark Morning Rotary Club. “The focus with the kids is on honesty and doing what will be best for others, too, not just what’s in it for them,” Broomall explained. “It’s also an important lesson in preventing false rumors, bad feelings and bullying.”

For more information on Junior Achievement of Delaware, visit www.jadelaware.org.

Dedicated to their cause…

Attending weekly meetings is a commitment but one that we take seriously. Last year these members received recognition for Perfect Attendance from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. Back row, from left: Michael Luck, Evelyn Hayes, Bill Sullivan, Paul Keely, Shawn Klapinsky, Mary Konwinski, and Bob Cronin. The three in the front row, Robin Broomall, Donna Friswell, and Eric Cannon, all have perfect attendance for 20 years!

Little Masters

“A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence.” Leopold Stokowski

Thirty new “painters of music” picked up their instruments for the first time and began, what could be, a lifetime of musical appreciation thanks to the Newark Morning Rotary Club.

The Little Masters Program (LMP) at the University of Delaware is designed to inspire and empower the children whose lives are challenged by poverty, live in communities plagued with high crime rate and have few after-school opportunities for musical development. It was designed by Xiang Gao, UD’s Trustees Distinguished Professor of Music and founding artistic director of Masters Players. LMP was started in 2017-18 serving about 20 children in the Christina School District.

Along with Newark and Christiana Rotary Clubs, Newark Morning supported the expansion of LMP this year to offer another 30 children free instruments and free private music

Drums, violins, saxophones, guitars, cellos, flutes and classical guitars…. all led to smiles… and beautiful music. Select participants of the Little Masters Players were invited to perform with Masters Players at the University of Delaware and Xiang Gao, world-renowned violinist and Trustees Distinguished Professor of Music.

lessons during after-school hours, at a cost of approximately $11,000.

The students are enrolled in schools in four different districts, including elementary and middle schools, and three private/ charter schools. Students mostly range from 8-18 years old but one kindergartener is enrolled.

The children receive the instruments at no cost to them and are taught proper maintenance and use of the instrument. Families must agree to adhere to relatively light requirements for practice time and get them to UD campus for lessons, rehearsals, and performances, giving them an opportunity to see college as a concrete and real place at which they might continue their education.

UD student teachers get valuable experience teaching one on one with students and performing with them.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

“A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence.”

Leopold Stokowski

There are two LMP featured programs where students will be invited to perform with the Masters Players at UD in Gore Recital Hall.

“I feel this program is very valuable and, even if a child does not continue on with their instruction in an instrument, it will instill in them a lifelong passion and appreciation for music,” said Rotarian Michael Luck who chaired the LMP project.

Several students performed at a Newark Morning Rotary meeting. Parents said they were happy to have such an opportunity for their children.

“It is a blessing to have her in Little Masters Players,” said one performer’s father. “From not knowing how to play to seeing her today is incredible.” His daughter had always wanted to play classical guitar. But an instrument and lessons did not fit into the family’s budget at that time.

“It gives him direction and focus,” another parent added. The Rotarians were eager to participate in the LMP program with many of them being musicians in their own time.

Rotarian Mark Sisk, a lawyer by profession and a guitarist in Club Phred, a ‘70’s rock and roll band, was on hand to help distribute instruments to the first round of students.

“Little guy, your life is about to change,” Sisk told a pint-sized recipient of a guitar almost as big as he was.

. . . more “Little Masters” on page 21

Homeless not forgotten

Newark Morning Rotarians are proud to support the students enrolled in the Global Studies program at Newark Charter High School as an official Rotary Interact Club. For five years the Rotarians have mentored the students and offered resources for their projects.

One capstone project conducted by a team of students last Spring was about the plight of the Homeless in Newark. They organized an assembly line to pack about 300 backpacks with toiletries, socks, and snacks. The bags were then distributed to homeless individuals around the city and also taken to the Newark Empowerment Center.

Rotarians spend a Saturday afternoon making sure kids do not go hungry on weekends by spending a few hours to pack more than 700 backpacks of nutritious food. The backpacks are distributed through the schools to children who are on free lunch. There is enough food packed to last until free breakfast at school on Monday morning.

FOOD BANK

SUPPORTING THE HUNGRY

Even though Rotarians enjoy a hot meal at every meeting, either breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they are aware of the those neighbors who are unable to afford nutritious meals for their families. Newark Morning Rotarians support the Food Bank of Delaware in three ways:

BACKPACK PROGRAM

The Food Bank of Delaware’s Back Pack Program provides a variety of ready to eat or easy to prepare foods for children in K-12 grades identified as from low-income families. Back packs are filled by volunteers each week and delivered by the Food Bank to the schools where the school nurse discretely distributes them to the identified child before leaving school for the weekend.

More than 5,000 children in Delaware receive Back Pack food each week, including a variety of foods all kids love, including such items as shelf-stable milk, juices, granola bars, applesauce and cereal. Packaged meals such as macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, beef stew and more are easily heated in a microwave.

DONATING NON-PERISHABLES

Even though the Food Bank gets large donations from corporations and grocery stores, contributions of non-perishables from local organizations and individuals are always needed to help round out the variety of items available to families, and most often seniors.

This Valentine’s Day, Newark Morning Rotarians showed they have heart by donating more than 200 pounds of items towards the 7.7 million pounds of food the Food Bank distributes annually to hungry Delawareans.

TURKEY TIME

Thanksgiving would not be the same without a turkey on the table. These Rotarians annually donate $1,000 to the Food Bank for purchase of frozen turkeys and all the trimmings so families can celebrate the holidays.

To learn more about the Food Bank of Delaware programs and how your organization can volunteer, visit www.fbd.org.

Candy machine

Sweet deal…

President Don Newcomb is always thinking of ways to raise money for his passion, Relay For Life. He purchased candy machines and placed them in local businesses and offices, keeps them stocked with fresh candy, and gives the proceeds to help find a cure for cancer. If you are interested in a candy machine for your office, visit nmrde.org and leave a message in the Comment section.

Little Masters . . .

Christmas came early for some budding musicians when they received new instruments – and free lessons –courtesy of Newark area Rotary clubs. See story on pages 16-17.

The Ray Civatte Community Service Award

The Ray Civatte Community Service Award was presented to Gail Chickersky by Rotarian Paul Keely in recognition of Gail’s commitment to Newark through her years of volunteering with and leading many local organizations.

A lifetime of volunteering

Whether it has been secretary, treasurer, coordinator, organizer, host, director, chairwoman, or president, Gail Chickersky has done it all.

She can be seen dealing cards on poker nights, leading bake sales, hosting fund raiser dinners, making phone calls, organizing and scheduling events and doing just about any job that a local organization needs help with.

In June, 2018, the Newark Morning Rotary Club presented Gail with the Ray Civatte Community Service Award for her commitment to the Newark area.

She has been the heart and soul of the Newark High School Alumni Association, maintaining communications channels for many of the graduating classes for more than 15 years.

In addition, she has volunteered with and held leadership roles in the Newark Senior Center, Newark Historical Society, and Newark Area Welfare Committee. There is little she doesn’t know about the goings on of Newark!

Rotarian Paul Keely nominated Gail for the annual award.

He said no matter where he went in Newark, he always seemed to run into Gail.

“She is so willing to lend a hand to anyone in need or simply in need of help. She is such an important and active community member – without regard to recognition or reward,” said Keely. “Her spirit of involvement is only surpassed by her loyalty to her friends.”

Gail received a plaque and $500 in recognition of her Service Above Self.

The Ray Civatte Community Service Award is awarded annually by the Newark Morning Rotary club to a non-Rotarian in the community who has given their time and talents to live the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.

Ray Civatte, a Rotarian from 1994 until his passing in 2010, was the club’s first president and served it well, helping to establish a vision and mission with many traditions to guide our members in serving the local, national, and international communities. Ray was one of the strongest proponents of the motto Service Above Self.

Installation of the new president

Immediate past president Joshua Martin, left, handed over the gavel to Don Newcomb, center, who was installed as the club’s 21st president, taking office on July 1, 2018. Then District Governor Pete Booker was on hand to do installation of the club’s new officers.

Don Newcomb is a busy man, running several tech businesses, traveling a lot and training for MicroSoft, as well as participating in Rotary club activities, being counselor for a Boy Scout Merit Badge and being a family man with two sons. And he has a true passion in life – raising money to help find a cure for cancer through Relay For Life.

But all that didn’t stop him from climbing through the ranks within Rotary.

Being a Rotarian since 2000, Don has served in a variety of leadership and support roles, including being a Board member, vice president, president-elect, and most recently president of the Newark Morning Club. He took office July 1, 2018 and will serve as the club’s leader until June 30, 2019.

Under Don’s leadership, the club has celebrated a 20th anniversary milestone, saw record breaking giving to local and global projects, and welcomed new members into the fold as well as said goodbye to a few close friends.

His passion for Relay For Life has drawn a few members into

its fold and renewed our club’s commitment to service.

“I started with Relay For Life in 1998 and have been involved every year since then as a team member, team captain and recently as an Event Committee member. Relay For Life is an American Cancer Society event to raise funds for research and care giving. My team has raised more than $200,000 since our first team in 1998.

Don and his team hold fundraisers all year long, from dinners and silent auctions to selling food at the Italian festival.. He purchased candy machines and placed them in local offices and businesses, collecting the coins and refilling the candy on a regular basis.

“This May 2019 is my 21st year with Relay For Life and I enjoy every minute of the event and the time leading up to it. I look forward to the future of cancer prevention and research hoping that someday we will find the Cure.”

And that is what we like about Don.

Scouts from Troop 603 were just getting started setting up their tents for their annual Christmas tree sale in front of Iron Hill Museum on Old Baltimore Pike. Even though they were cold, muddy, and dressed for hard work, they perked up when Past President Robin Broomall presented them a check for $1,000. The Newark Morning Rotary Club has supported this troop for several years. “These scouts are fine young men and it is our honor to support them,” says Broomall. “Every youngster should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and become good citizens.” The troop meets at Kingswood Methodist Church in Brookside.

Thank you

Newark Morning Rotary Club

World-wide Leadership Grows in Newark

Twenty-five young professionals from 19 different countries in Africa were hosted by the Newark Morning Rotarians at a dinner last summer while they attended a leadership training program at UD. The Mandella Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders gives the local Rotarians a unique opportunity to build relationships for future joint projects.

Students came from 19 countries in Africa

Twenty-five young African leaders arrived in Newark last summer for a six-week academic and civic leadership institute at the University of Delaware. For the fifth year the University partnered with the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

To give the participants a taste of our culture, aside from living in a dorm and eating on Main Street in Newark, the Newark Morning Rotarians invited them to dinners in their homes, spent time answering their questions, and socialized with them at the Courtyard Marriott. The young leaders also attended a Rotary meeting.

The Fellows came from 19 different countries in Africa.

Each of them had a cause or non-profit they strongly supported, issues that were environmental, political, medical, cultural, or educational. They came prepared with business cards and flyers promoting their non-profits and groups’ work, looking for resources to help them. Many were young professionals being lawyers, medical technicians, and small business owners or worked for non-profits.

In conversations with the Fellows, the Rotarians developed some relationships that hopefully will lead to international partnerships and future projects.

Washington Manella Fellows come to UD to expand their leadership skills in many areas of interest. Each of them has a cause or non-profit they strongly support. These Fellows came to our Annual Dinner to support Rotarian Evelyn Hayes on the award she received that night. They had already developed a relationship with Evelyn through their interest in nursing or the medical field. She is a retired professor of nursing from UD. Relationships developed can often lead to future global projects.

The first computer their school has ever had

Rotarian Doug Gordon found a much needed home for his extra laptop. When he and wife P.D. hosted Washington Mandella Fellow Jok Abraham for dinner in their home in June 2019, Doug learned that the Promised Land Secondary School-Juba, South Sudan, founded by Abraham, did not have a computer. He donated his spare laptop to Abraham’s school, the first computer the school has ever had for the young men to use for their education.

“Jok told me the students were so excited to receive the computer,” said Doug. “It makes me feel good that someone else could use the laptop that was just taking up space in my house.”

Doug and Jok have kept up their relationship and correspond regularly. “I talked to him at great length about starting a Rotary Club in his area of Juba, South Sudan,” Doug said.

To Honor Steve CHECK

In memory of member Steven H. Amick, the club donated $1,000 to Washington College in Chestertown, Md, Steve’s alma mater, for a scholarship fund in his name for students enrolled in Public Service. Louise Amick accepted the check from President Don Newcomb.

Gift cards

Helping Our Neighbors

The holidays can be stressful enough without wondering how you will pay for everything, or even IF you can pay for anything extra.

Newark Morning Rotarians provided nine Walmart gift cards at $50 each to families in need through the Downes Elementary Mitten Tree program. Each year the school’s PTA accepts specific items, mostly new clothes, written on mitten-shaped tags hanging on a Christmas tree in the lobby, for needy children and their families in their school.

Newark Morning Rotarians were happy again to help our neighbors in need with $450 in gift cards.

Many things in our lives change over the course of 20 years. Rotary is no different. But what has remained constant with the Newark Morning Rotarians is our commitment to our community.

More than $700,000 has been raised through the sale of advertising in the 20 issues of our Report to the Community, with every penny of profit going directly to help our neighbors in need, support children in the schools, and contribute to humanitarian needs locally and globally.

2019

Our 20th Edition

From the beginning, our club decided it would not sell raffle tickets, pizza kits, gift wrap, and other items, nor bother our friends and co-workers with requests. We had just one major annual fund raiser that would support our local businesses and raise money for us at the same time.

Much credit has to go to Jim Streit, a former member of this club and former publisher of the Newark Post, for getting us started on this 20-year venture. His leadership and expertise propelled us in the right direction. When he moved to Florida, other club members stepped up and continued the mission without so much as a hiccup. We sell the ads, take the pictures and write the articles.

Our genius behind the scenes is our graphic artist Janice Rash. When Jim left Newark, Janice picked up where he left off and her incredible creative talent makes our booklet shine! We could not have done this without her. Thank you, Janice.

And thank you, our readers, for your support and encouragement. Look for the next 20 issues to come.

Robin Broomall Editor

A ShelterBox tent and supplies was on display at a recent Rotary convention. One tent and kit will support up to 10 people for as long as six months. All the supplies and tent are delivered in a sturdy container that also serves as storage to keep food and other items dry and away from animals.

easy. Shelterbox also provides kits containing a variety of activities for children.

Homes and Lives Washed Away

When the call to action is given, Rotarians are first to step up to help.

In March 2019, Cyclone Idai caused widespread flooding in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, affecting more than one million people. According to the UN, this devastating cyclone may be the worst disaster to ever hit the Southern Hemisphere. And the worst was still to come, with more rain and floodwaters to rise for at least another week.

Along with not having homes to go to or food to eat, outbreaks of cholera were quite possible from contaminated water.

That’s when a Rotary-supported charity, ShelterBox USA stepped in with emergency aid.

ShelterBox USA is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization registered in the State of Florida, that is ready in an instant to help in areas hit by hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters and conflict.. They provide humanitarian relief to tens

of thousands around the world, in the U.S., and more importantly in nations that have virtually no ability to respond to a catastrophe on this scale.

The organization provides people with temporary shelter until they are able to rebuild their homes, water purification kits, blankets, mosquito nets, simple cooking utensils, tools, solar lights, and activity sets for children.

Within just days after Cyclone Idai hit, a ShelterBox response team was on the ground in Malawi working with local partners, including Rotary International and Habitat For Humanity to begin to support families in need.

Newark Morning Rotarians have supported ShelterBox USA for nearly 20 years, contributing at least $1,000 a year to sponsor a tent and accompanying kit that will support up to 10 people for as long as six months.

Again, with Cyclone Idai, Newark Rotarians answered the call.

Lori’s Hands Hands that Help,

CTeach, and Learn

onnecting students with older residents can be a rewarding experience for both sides.

Lori’s Hands, a community health service learning program, brings undergraduate students into meaningful volunteer service for adults living with chronic illnesses in Newark.

The mission of Lori’s Hands is to transform a student’s understanding of community health by matching them with individuals living with chronic illnesses such as cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Parkinson’s, COPD, congestive heart failure, or chronic kidney disease.

The students learn the value of volunteering by going into client’s homes and assisting with a variety of work such as yard work, household cleaning, grocery shopping, companion visits, dog walking, phone calls, paperwork, and filling out forms. They do not provide professional medical care nor serve as babysitters.

The students work with the same participant once a week for a full semester.

Community members participating in the program receive inhome support and, in turn, educate the next generation of health leaders about the experience of living with chronic illness.

With a goal of 100 clients in 2018, Lori’s Hands director, Mag gie Ratnayake, sees the greatest value of the program as giving the students a practical outlook for their future career choices.

Newark Morning Rotary Club supported Lori’s Hands with a contribution of $1,000 in 2018. In the next year they will fund the production of a new training video for incoming students to further enhance their experiences in community health service learning.

Engaging undergraduate students in meaningful volunteer service for adults living with chronic illnesses

Senator Stephanie L. Hansen

10th Senatorial District

214 Horseshoe Drive

Middletown, DE 19709

Home: 302-437-5024

Senate Office: (302) 744-4138

E-mail: stephanie.hansen@delaware.gov

Representative Edward S. Osienski

24th Representative District 110 Michaels Lane

Newark, DE 19713

Home: 302-292-8903

House Office: 302-744-4351

E-mail: edward.osienski@delaware.gov

Rep. Paul S. Baumbach

23rd Representative District 38 Country Hills Drive

Newark, DE 19711

Cell: 302-562-4546

House Office: 302-744-4351

E-mail: paul.baumbach@delaware.gov

Senator David P. Sokola

8th Senatorial District 24 Beech Hill Drive

Newark, DE 19711

Home: 302-239-2193

Senate Office: 302-744-4039

E-mail: david.sokola@delaware.gov

Little

Jack Horner might have sat in a corner, according to the nursery rhyme.

But our little Jack Martin sits right up front in Rotary meetings like the big guys. He might not know what the speaker is talking about, but he knows Dad Joshua is close by!

Remembering Steve

The Honorable Steven H. Amick passed away peacefully on January 23, 2019. And with his passing, a little light went out in our Rotary club.

Steve was a charter member of Newark Morning, an inspiration and mentor to several members over the years. Whether it was private conversations over a cup of coffee or trying out a new idea in the meeting, Steve always seemed to have endless optimism that the project would work.

His love of classic cars and road trips got us started on semiannual “mystery road trips” to little known restaurants for an evening of fun and fellowship. Even from his wheelchair in later

years, he passed out directions to drivers to take circuitous routes through the neighborhoods and backroads of the region, with no clue where we were headed. He never disappointed us. Well, maybe once, but we forgave him!

We have cleaned a mile long strip of Otts Chapel Road and Old Baltimore Pike for nearly 20 years due to his insistence we “get involved.”

Even in declining health, he inspired members to work toward renaming of a local elementary school in honor of a former student, Ken Burns, the legendary videographer. The project did not go through, but Steve remained committed to the bitter end.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Amick, shown with his wife Louise, was recognized by Common Cause for two decades of service in the Delaware Legislature.

Steve graduated from Newark High in 1965, Washington College in Chestertown, Md. in 1969 with a degree in Political Science, and Dickinson School of Law in 1972. He was admitted to the Delaware Bar that same year. He actively practiced law in Delaware until he started his political career in 1986, serving in the Delaware Legislature and Senate. He retired in 2008.

Steve had received many awards in his lifetime, honoring his commitment to public service. His last award was a Lifetime Achievement Award from Common Cause Delaware, for his legislative and community accomplishments that spanned more than two decades.

“Throughout his service in the legislature, Steve, a Republican, showed his commitment to the Common Cause ideal, that how a government acts is just as important as what it does,” said Common Cause Program Director Jennifer Hill. “He used his positions as chair of House Rules and Sunset Committees to push for open and accountable government. In the State Senate, he served as minority whip and minority leader and as a member of the powerful Joint Finance Committee.”

Steve’s legacy and commitment to public service will live on. A scholarship has been established at Washington College in his name to assist students enrolled in Public Service. The Newark Morning Rotary Club gave $1,000 in Steve’s memory.

Today, the Newark Morning Rotary Club is proud to have Steve’s wife Louise as a member.

Visit R. T. Foard Funeral Home website at www.rtf.com for a complete obituary of Steven H. Amick.

From the Heart

It wasn’t a fancy Valentine, but it was sent from the heart. On Valentine’s Day, 2019, members brought 220 pounds of canned goods and other non-perishables to the meeting to donate to the Food Bank of Delaware. Paul Keely, on left brought the greatest number of items, Michael Luck, center, brought the greatest weight of items, and Jamie Zingaro, right, was the project coordinator.

The Public Service Award

The Public Service award was presented to Cpl. Aaron Oliker of the Newark Police Department. Accepting the award with Oliker, center, are from left, Sgt. Greg Micolucci, Justine Oliker and daughters Olivia and Samantha, and Rotarian Evelyn Hayes.

An officer and a gentleman

Cpl. Aaron Oliker has been a Newark Police Officer for more than six years.

He is been involved in DUI enforcement, annually topping the list of numbers of arrests in the Department. He is a DUI instructor and trains officers around the state. In addition, he is one of the few Drug Recognition Experts in Delaware, helping him recognize drug impaired drivers.

He is a member of the Crisis Negotiations Teams where he is on-call for situations that may require extensive negotiations with people In crisis.

Cpl. Oliker is a member of the Honor Guard, representing the department at various formal ceremonies and funerals, on his own time.

But it is his personal commitment that catches the eye of the public.

And this is what earned Cpl. Oliker the Public Service Award from the Newark Morning Rotary Club in June 2018.

You might have seen the You-tube video that went viral of

“Hug-A-Cop” featuring Cpl. Oliker. Or you might have been handed a rose while walking on Main Street on Mother’s Day. The roses are purchased on his own and distributed on his offduty hours.

He volunteers with Best Buddies, an organization that pairs mentors with disabilities. He participates annually in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. In addition, he works with the Gentleman’s Club at Downes Elementary School which works with select risk students, allowing them to have a positive interaction with a police office.

“Cpl. Oliker’s dedication to duty and service to others is deserving of recognition by the Newark Morning Rotary Club,” wrote Lt. Andrew Rubin, Newark Police Department, who nominated him.

For his heroic actions, Cpl. Oliker was awarded the Newark Morning Rotary Club’s Public Service Award in June 2018. Besides receiving a plaque, he also was awarded $250 to be presented to a charity of his choice. He donated his award to Best Buddies of Delaware.

Congratulations to Cpl. Oliker

Budding Rotarians

Students at Newark Charter High School in the Global Studies tract are supported by Newark Morning Rotary and are officially registered with Rotary International as an Interact club. The sophomore group was officially inducted in November, 2019. Rotarians have offered resources and some financial support for the students’ capstone projects. There are 12,300 Interact clubs in 133 countries, all sponsored by local Rotary clubs.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO . . .

TORONTO

Rotarians from Newark Morning, Donna Friswell, Les Becca and Robin and Jim Broomall, attended the four day Rotary International convention in June 2018, along with approximately 30,000 Rotarians and their guests from around the globe. The annual gathering enables us to see the enormous variety of humanitarian projects being conducted world-wide.

IHMBC

Still going strong

What started as just an idea in 2010 became a very successful program that continues to thrive today.

Nearly ten years ago, the idea of Iron Hill Merit Badge Center (IHMBC) was conceived by Robert Stark and Jim Neal, both former presidents of the Delaware Academy of Science which operates the Iron Hill Museum on Old Baltimore Pike.

With the extensive natural history and science resources of the Iron Hill Museum, its staff and volunteers, they thought it would be the perfect place for local scouts to earn merit badges. The merit badge program through Boy Scouts of America

These dusty and dirty scouts had just completed their Archaeology Merit Badge by digging with professional archaeologists at the 2015 Iron Hill Archaeology and Heritage Festival.

Few boys get to experience being in a bucket truck but Engineering Merit Badge Counselor Jen Laning gives them a taste of what a professional engineer does.

(BSA) is very well documented and specific activities must be accomplished in order for the scout to earn his badge. The work must be under the supervision of a registered counselor.

Through a grant by the Newark Morning Rotary Club, the program was developed. Counselors were registered with BSA, signage was purchased, programs were organized and advertising went out to local scout troops and councils.

The merit badges offered included Environment Science, Indian Lore, Engineering, Forestry, Geology, Mammal Study, Soil and Water Conservation, Sustainability, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Archaeology, Bird Study, and Insect Study. As the number of counselors grew, more topics were added, including Oceanography, Engineering, Public Speaking, Digital Technology, Family Life, Weather, and Nature. At one time UD staff and professors also offered Robotics as well as Composite Materials.

One hundred and fifty scouts, mostly from Delaware, registered the first year. Ten years later more than 1,500 scouts from seven different states have attended

our programs. They come from as far north as Maine to as far south as North Carolina.

In February 2019, for the first time, girls were permitted to join BSA and form their own troops. The first girls to register for IHMBC programs were twin sisters from nearby Pennsylvania for the Insect Study and the Bird Study Merit badges. They came with their older brother.

“Many scouts return home after one program and immediately register for the next one,” said Rotarian Robin Broomall, who also serves as the program’s registrar. “We must be doing something right.”

The Rotarians continue to support Iron Hill Museum and Science Center in its educational programs for our youngsters.

For more information on registration for IHMBC programs, visit www.ihmbc. org.

Preston’s Playground

Inclusive playground changes everything

Newark Morning Rotary is proud to be a $5,200 sponsor of Preston’s Playground, an inclusive play structure that invites children of all abilities to come and have fun. The playground, located in Newark’s Reservoir Park, was officially opened in November 2018.

Scholarships with meaning

Scholarships totaling $10,000 were awarded to, from left, Lily Price, Jonathan Greer, and Karen Recarte at their graduation from James Groves Adult High School in June 2018.

Since 2000, the Newark Morning Rotary club has supported graduates of the Newark branch of James H. Groves Adult High School with $2,000 scholarships to grads who have made a special effort to complete their high school requirements and get their diploma.

But now it was time for the Rotarians to up their game.

On June 8, 2018 at the Groves graduation ceremony held at Gauger-Cobbs School in the Christina School District, three scholarships, totaling $10,000, were presented by Rotarian Robin Broomall to Jonathan Greer, Lily Price, and Karen Recarte.

Nearly $90,000 in scholarships has been awarded to graduates of Groves High School by the Newark Morning Rotary Club. The scholarships were named in honor of Dr. James

Kent, a former Christina School Board member and former Rotary club member. As a school board member, Kent said attending the Groves graduation ceremonies were always his favorite because these students really understood the importance of having a diploma and had to overcome many obstacles to graduate.

This year’s scholarship recipients also worked full time jobs, in addition to attending night school classes. They worked as a tech assistant at a local office supply store, owner of a cleaning service, and representative of a federal credit union. All three will be furthering their education at community colleges.

“These are students who have dropped out of regular high school for a variety of reasons,” said Past Club President Robin Broomall. “But these young people are much stronger and more determined now to do something with their education and better themselves.”

Newark Day Nursery and Children’s Center

Newark Day Nursery and Children’s Center opened in 1961 as the first racially diverse child care center in the area. Today, with the facility on Barksdale Road, they serve more than 300 children annually, in day care, after-school care, and summer camps. The center has a 5-Star rating and is fully accredited. In December, President Don Newcomb presented a check for $1,000 to the Center’s Executive Director Jane Bowen to help continue the positive impact on our young children.

Zambia - Battling Addiction from Afar

Rotarians team up to help people in Zambia battling addiction

Drug addiction is a dilemma globally shared. It is not just in the U.S.

Newark Morning Rotary Club partnered with 4 other clubs to support a unique program to provide resources in drug and alcohol counseling to more than 25 organizations in Zambia.

Led by Chestertown (Md.) Rotary club, the grant provided training in Literacy-Free 12 Step Expressive Arts Therapy. More than 90 individuals from 20 organizations across the country, located in Central Africa, were trained in a program that uses expressive arts culturally specific to Zambia. It integrates cognitive behavioral techniques and combines lessons using art, dance, game, horticulture, drama, handicrafts and music therapy.

The program is suitable for participants with substance abuse and mental health disorders, as well as illiterate participants and those with self-expression difficulties.

The literacy rate in Zambia is 64% among the youth population. The most vulnerable are the street children and youth. In

the city of Lusaka alone, here are an estimated 30,000 children living on the streets, with one in four admitting to using drugs and/or alcohol, with marijuana and sniffing glue the most popular.

Substance use counseling materials are not widely available in Zambia, let alone materials like the curriculum developed by Melissa Stuebing, a Rotarian from Chestertown and founder of CoLaborers International. Her program is already being used in Chestertown and has been the subject of four clinical studies in the U.S. and Zambia.

Prior to this program being introduced, the government of Zambia would not recognize they had a problem. According to Stuebing, after the program was completed, the Ministry of Health has changed its stance and now recognizes drug and substance abuse as a problem.

This program shows the use of Rotary money to produce grassroots sustainable change in Zambia and to recognize, treat and prevent the disease of addiction.

• Mowing

• Mulch/Stone Spreading

• Snow Removal

• Hedge/Tree Trimming & Removal

• Leaf Removal

• Sidewalk/ Driveway Edging

• Spring/Fall Yard Clean-ups

• Power Washing

• Vacation/Seasonal Service

Ian Chiappa

15 Farmhouse Road, Newark, DE 19711 ianchia18@comcast.net

BIRTHDAY BOXES

Birthday boxes will be decorated and filled with a variety of items to be distributed to recipients of Meals on Wheels from Newark Senior Center on their birthday.

Everyone has a birthday!

What started out as just brainstorming has turned into a full-fledged project.

In April 2019, the Newark Morning Rotarians will begin a year-long commitment to pack and distribute birthday boxes to Meals on Wheels recipient out of the Newark Senior Center.

“About 120 people receive daily hot meals through Meals on Wheels,” said Rotarian Steve Worden. “How about giving each recipient a Gift Box on their birthday?”

“What a great idea,” said Meals on Wheels coordinator Stephanie Hansen. “I don’t think anyone has ever done that.”

The boxes, approximately 12x12x12 inches, will be printed with the Rotary club logo on one side and Meals on Wheels on the other. They will be decorated by the Rotarians during their monthly meetings for in-service projects.

At about $10 per box, the contents might include items

such as large print puzzles, word search games, Sudoku sheets, mints, snacks, Moon pies, packs of cookies, playing cards, packs of stationary, postage stamps, socks, body wash, tea bags, small calendar, dental floss, pens and pencils, common office supplies , holiday ornament, tissues, air freshener, gum, kitchen timer with alarm, small lap robe, flag, The Day in History printout, magazines, and so forth.

“These are all the items that someone who cannot get out of the house to do their own shopping would not usually put on a list for someone else to pick up for them,” said Rotarian Robin Broomall. “But it’s little things like this that will brighten their day.”

Bayshore Transportation and Storage has offered to store the boxes in their Newark facility until needed.

Anyone who would like to contribute items for the boxes or sponsor a box can contact the club on their website at www. nmrde.org.

We are STILL this

close…

We’ve said it before. We are “this close” to eradicating—

POLIO

“What is polio?” many of today’s younger generation will ask.

They have no idea what the crippling disease can and has done to millions of people around the world. They don’t understand the devastating effect the diagnosis of polio had on so many families here in the United States in the ‘50s. They cannot understand why parents warned their kids not to go swimming in the creek or local pond.

Rotary has been at the forefront of polio eradication since 1985 when the international organization took on the challenge as a top priority. In the last 30+ years Rotary has contributed literally billions of dollars and volunteers have logged countless hours to immunize more than 2 billion children in 122 countries.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has partnered with Rotary International and issued its own challenge to us. Every dollar that Rotary commits in direct support of the WHO and UNICEF for polio immunizations is matched by the Gates Foundation two to one, up to US$35 million per year for five years.

Many adults who were “cured” of polio as a child are now seeing crippling symptoms showing up again. Wheelchairs, braces, physical therapy and many debilitating diseases are seeing a comeback in polio survivors. John Nanni, member of Middletown Odessa Rotary Club, had polio as a child and was considered “cured” until he developed other symptoms as an adult. A large sign on the back of his wheelchair says “This is what polio looks like.” He doesn’t let his crippling disease stop him from championing the fight against polio. Rotarian Robin Broomall found him at the Rotary International convention in Toronto in June 2019.

The Newark Morning Rotarians have donated more than $40,000 to the Rotary International’s PolioPlus fund since the club was chartered in 1999. These dollars have come from their own pockets, not from the profits of the annual Report to the Community.

Where are we today?

In March 2019, eight cases of wild polio virus were reported in a handful of Middle-eastern and African countries. The number keeps fluctuating because of better reporting. On the positive

side, cases due to wild poliovirus have decreased more than 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350,000.

Because of political unrest and civil wars, Immunization teams find it difficult to get into the deepest parts of African and some Middle-Eastern countries. And when the last reported case of polio is counted, it will be another five years before polio will be officially considered conquered. It will take another generation after that for every person to be free of polio’s crippling grip.

Key Facts:

• Polio mainly affects children under five years of age.

• 1 in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis.

• Cases due to wild poliovirus have decreased by more than 99% since 1988.

• As long as a single child remains infected, children in all countries are at risk.

• There is no cure from polio. It can only be prevented.

It’s getting worse for kids at risk

The following commentary was written by Joanne Glauser, founder of Shoes That Fit of Delaware, a chapter of a national nonprofit that provides new clothing and shoes for low-income kids, and appeared in The News Journal on March 22, 2019. It is re-printed with her permission and edited to fit this page.

All of the commentary we have seen recently about making at-risk schools a top priority has resonated deeply with me, particularly because of the deterioration I have directly seen that impacts the support for these children and schools over the last 20 years.

My husband and I have run a grassroots organization since 1998 that provides new shoes and clothing for atrisk children throughout Delaware. When we started this journey, things were very different:

• There was a larger well-paid Delaware workforce that was encouraged by committed Delaware companies to volunteer and donate to causes like children at risk…

• The local organizations that provided grants had abundant funds and could focus on funding small, local organizations who applied for grants.

• There were caring, committed administrators, teachers and staff who wanted to support at-risk students in any way they could…

• The number of schools and students in need was significantly less. The free and reduced percentage was well under 30 percent even in at-risk schools…

Today, the situation seems almost insurmountable in comparison. For example:

• Many of the committed companies are gone, leaving that well-paid workforce struggling to find jobs to support their own families, let alone help others. People have left the state in search of the good-paying jobs that are less prevalent, or have retired. The companies remaining seem less committed to helping Delaware than those 20 years ago, and are more interested in what Delaware can do to entice them to remain here.

• With less funding available for nonprofits, the competition for grants is much greater, with larger nonprofits competing for funding with local foundations they would not have focused on 20 years ago.

• The caring administrators, teachers, and staff have retired or left, seeking less stressful and better paying work, leaving a very few of the truly caring individuals

to handle the ever mounting issues in these schools. New staff cycle through jobs quickly or are more interested in getting recognition for helping — focusing on the glory for themselves and not the welfare of the children. It is difficult to even get someone to return your call or follow through in some schools even when you are offering free new shoes and clothing.

• The number of schools and students in need is astronomical. The free and reduced percentage is often at 70 percent across many schools.

I do remember that volunteers 20 years ago were in disbelief that there were homeless children in our state, even though they drove past schools with many homeless children every day.

My hope back then was that this knowledge would ignite compassion in those who were blessed with a great job and lifestyle to help these at-risk students rise by providing the support they needed.

Our organization was allowing them to have the new clothing, shoes, and coats they needed to show up with a sense of confidence and a readiness to learn. The support we were providing, along with that provided by the school, seemed like it could make a difference for the at-risk students 20 years ago.

I am heartbroken that my hope of 20 years ago — that my organization would open the eyes of others in our state to the needs of our at-risk children — never came to fruition.

Many innocent children must suffer the consequences.

But I don’t regret trying. I am hopeful that the thousands of items of new clothing, shoes, and coats our volunteers provided over the years may have positively impacted the lives of the children we supported.

Delaware’s citizens need a way to see the problem — difficult in a world where we are focused on our phones and rarely need to leave the comfort of our neighborhoods — to understand the urgency for action to turn around the situation in these schools and give at-risk students a chance to succeed.

Shoes that fit

Our support continues…

In the last 19 years, the Newark Morning Rotary club has contrib uted $32,200 to Shoes That Fit of Delaware.

Starting in 2001, when we first learned of the Glauser’s efforts to supply our homeless and neediest children with proper fitting clothes and shoes, we were committed to supporting them with annual contributions.

It started with just $700 in 2001, but as our funding grew, we increased the annual contribution to $2,000 beginning in 2005. Now it is just a standard line item in our annual budget.

The Glauser’s raise funds to purchase new clothes, for specific children as well as outfit

TJ is happy with his new shoes.

ting a school nurse’s closet with emergency items, such as school uniforms, underwear, socks, shirts, pants, coats, and shoes.

They turned their little used living room into a mini-warehouse, storing items until the right need arose. They made sure the items they purchased were quality, not just the cheapest they could find.

New and proper fitting clothes mean more than just a well clothed child. It brings a sense of pride and washes away the shame of not looking like the rest of their peers. It brings increased self-esteem, which helps them in the classroom.

We Rotarians are proud to be able to continue our support of Shoes That Fit of Delaware.

For more information on Shoes That Fit, visit www.shoesthatfit.org.

•

•

•

•

•

If we can’t supply the basics — food, clothing, caring educators — the outcome for these children is inevitable.

I urge citizens in our state to request our politicians to devote the needed effort and resources for these children to

We have an amazing population of tenacious retirees throughout our state that can rally the political support and resources to transform the current situation for this at-risk generation (I have seen them in action supporting many

I urge our politicians to stop avoiding the plight of at risk children in our state before it is too late.

President’s citation

It’s a “well-rounded” club

The Newark Morning Rotary Club was proud to receive the Rotary International Presidential Citation in June 2018 for reaching specific goals and milestones for that Rotary year, in the areas of membership growth, service to the community, public relations, support of the Rotary Foundation, and administrative activities. Not every club can achieve this.

But those that do are goal-oriented, futuristic, and wellrounded clubs. Congratulations to all the members of Newark Moring Rotary.

When Rotary International started in 1905, it was comprised of business owners and leaders in the community. They were the ones who had time and standing within their companies to take off for an hour or so in the middle of the day to attend a meeting, ask their staff to help with service activities, and use their resources to fund projects.

It was known as the “old boys club.”

So much has changed in the last hundred plus years that founder Paul Harris might not recognize his clubs. The “good

ol’ days” of your grandfather’s Rotary club is gone. Since 1987 women have been permitted – and welcomed – to join as fullfledged Rotarians, holding many leadership positions.

“When I told my father I was joining Rotary, he laughed and said it was just a bunch of old men sitting around smoking cigars and drinking whiskey,” recalls Robin Broomall, a Rotarian since 1993. “The funny thing is you might find a few international clubs are still like that but most now understand the commitment they make to serve their communities.”

Another change is the age of newer members. Yes, the typical club will still have plenty of gray hair. But the new members coming into the fold are young professionals, inclined to be community-service minded, and needing flexibility to fit their time and lifestyle.

Newark Morning Rotary Club still encourages members to attend weekly meetings but is realistic in knowing not everyone can do that. We encourage those who seek an outlet for their service activities and giving back to the community to check us out and see where we can fit into your desire to help others.

CAMP FAIRLEE WHEELCHAIR LIFT

A fully accessible pavilion was built at Camp Fairlee in 2013 by Rotary District 7630. It enables campers to meet there for daily medications, arts and crafts, and evening gatherings. Roll down vinyl sides and a huge fire place keep it usable in all kinds of weather.

Support for Disabled

Summer camp is an awesome experience, providing you can get into the cabin and then into the bunk. For many disabled individuals in wheelchairs, that isn’t so easy.

Four Rotary clubs, including Newark Morning, partnered to provide a wheelchair lift for one of the cabins at Camp Fairlee in Chestertown, Md. The camp is run by Easterseals of Delaware.

Even though the cabins are built with wheelchair ramps, wheelchair-bound individuals often need assistance getting into the bunks. Only two of the seven cabins were equipped with lifts.

With the cabins each accommodating 15 beds, the additional lift will enable more campers to share in the joys and challenges of camp in a fully accessible setting. It will also reduce workplace injuries to staff and volunteers.

The lift and transport sling, including all necessary hardware, installation, and training of staff, costs approximately $11,800. The four clubs, including Brandywine Hundred, Newark, Newark Morning, and Christiana, shared in the cost along with a $5,000 grant from Rotary District 7630.

Newark Morning Rotarians have supported Camp Fairlee for 20 years, contributing nearly $85,000 in scholarships for campers. In addition, they purchased the camp’s former Trading Post, contributed to the newly constructed pavilion, and worked many hours at Spring Cleanup weekends. For the past four years they filled 40 Welcome Bags for summer counselors.

Alaine Grunow’s class was mostly Native Americans, with a few Pilgrims tagging along. . .

Recreating the first feast

I. . . while Patti Slade’s class was mostly Pilgrims, with a few Native Americans included.

t didn’t matter if they were Pilgrims or Native Americans in Patti Slade’s and Alaine Grunow’s classes. The kindergarteners at Downes Elementary were just waiting for lunch.

Newark Morning Rotarians have supported the classes each year with a $100 donation to purchase turkeys for their Thanksgiving feast. Parents then cook other traditional dishes and bring to lunch on a school day just before the Thanksgiving holiday begins. Besides the turkey, there are side dishes of corn, cranberry sauce, dressing, apple sauce, and other casseroles.

Family members are invited to attend the feast together with

the little ones, sharing in song and talking about what they learned about Thanksgiving.

This is the culmination of a week-long study of that first feast in The New World. The students learn what it was like to struggle to grow food and how the Pilgrims and Indians cooperated to celebrate the harvest.

Some focus on the food the two groups shared, while others talk about how the two adversaries became friends.

But no matter which side they were on, the kindergarteners agree this is a great way to celebrate the first Thanksgiving.

WHAT’S AROUND THE CORNER

The Newark Morning Rotarians often go “on the road.” Last Fall they visited Auburn Heights in Yorklyn, home to a magnificent collection of pre-WWII autos. The Steam Museum contains the largest collection of running Stanley Steamer automobiles in the world. Each car looks like it just rolled out of the factory even though some are more than 100 years old. There is also a 1918 electric car as well as two stunning ‘30’s vintage Packards. Here Rotarian Laura DelPercio checks out a car she would love to take touring around the hills of northern New Castle County!

Rotarian Kevin Henker helps a youngster at Downes Elementary find the word “truth” in his new dictionary. Students are asked to find the word, read its definition, and tell why it is important to always tell the truth. We tie this into a mini lesson on anti-bullying.

Students become totally engrossed in their new dictionaries and find each section to be fascinating. We often hear from high school students who still have the dictionary they received in third grade.

Dictionaries

Today’s students will grow up with a phone in their hands, easy access to Google and immediate spellcheck. But nothing beats a good dictionary to support learning.

Each September Newark Morning Rotarians make sure our local third graders have their own personal student dictionaries to help with their classwork as well as homework.

For nearly 20 years, this club has distributed more than 1,000 student dictionaries annually, at a cost of nearly $2,000 each year, to Downes, McVey, Maclary, West Park, Brader, and Jennie Smith Elementary Schools as well as Aspira Academy, Newark Charter, and The Delaware School for the Deaf. They are free to the students.

The dictionaries are ordered through The Dictionary Project. The 500+ page books are designed specifically for students and are easy for them to handle and read. Besides definitions, the books contain sections about the U.S. presidents, astronomy, geographical facts, scientific facts, charts and graphs, states and foreign countries. The students especially like the pages devoted to Braille and sign language.

The dictionaries are not just delivered to the schools to be distributed. Rotarians take time from their busy work days to hand deliver the dictionaries to the third graders, spend about 15 minutes with each class, and go through the different aspects of their book. The Rotarians are always met with excitement and gratitude from the children.

The dictionaries are part of The Dictionary Project, a Rotary sponsored organization. For many students this dictionary is the first new book they personally own. Many do not have a dictionary in their home. Students are instructed that this is their property and they can keep at school or take home to use for homework if they desire. It is not property of the school.

The Newark Morning Rotary club alone has distributed more than 10,000 copies so far. Nationally The Dictionary Project has reached more than 26 million students.

For many students this dictionary is the first book they personally own.

Welcoming camp counselors

Morning Rotarians filled Welcome Bags with toiletries, bug spray, pens and notepads, for 40 counselors coming to Camp Fairlee, the Easterseals Camp, for the summer. They come from countries all around the globe, with limited amount of luggage so the Welcome Bags provide what they need to get through most of the summer. The items, placed in a small cloth bag with some extra snacks, are provided by the Rotarians themselves.

shapes, and occupations in life. The heroes represented by the flags in Newark were veterans representing all wars our country has fought, friends and family members, firefighters, police officers and other public servants.

Individuals and a few businesses paid $50 to sponsor each flag they wanted displayed in honor of one special person. A commemorative tag was attached to each pole recognizing the hero and the sponsor.

This was the first time the Newark Morning Rotary Club participated in the Flags For Heroes program. Proceeds for the project will benefit the club’s service projects in the Newark community. Nearly $3,000 was raised this year.

“Next year will see a greater profit,” said Rotarian Paul Keely,” because the flags are stored throughout the rest of the year and used again. And we are looking forward to a bigger display.”

American flags flew high in front of Newark City Hall over Veteran’s Day weekend, with each flag honoring someone’s hero. Donations from the event will support projects in our community.

Flags for heroes Colors Fly High

A short ceremony recognizing the heroes was held on the city hall lawn with nearly 50 community members, Rotarians, and some of the heroes in attendance. Mayor Polly Sierer welcomed everyone, UD’s ROTC Color guard presented the Colors, and the National Anthem was played on the saxophone by Gaetano “Vinnie” Vinciguerra.

Each hero’s name was read by Rotarians Clinton Tymes and Laura DelPercio. DelPercio’s hero was her father, Jerry, who had served in the U.S. Army. Tymes’s hero was Naajee Tymes, his granddaughter currently with the Navy.

Flags For Heroes has become a Rotary club project for more than 15 clubs across Delaware and Eastern Shore of Maryland. You will see large displays on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Veterans Day weekends. In just four years, more than $60,000 has been raised to support scholarships, youth programs, humanitarian needs, and school programs.

To sponsor a Flag for your hero on Veterans Day 2019, visit nmrde.org and place a request in the Comment section.

SERVICE ROCKS 2019

Service Rocks! That was the theme of the 2019 Rotary Rose Parade Committee’s 40th float, seen by 70 million on TV on New Year’s Day.

A 21-foot tall crocodile plays a rock and roll beat as his number one fan, a swamp snake slithers and dances to his number one hit song. The curved jungle keyboard featured giant bamboo keys propped on a stylish rock garden, set in pools of floral water.  Sir Elton John served as the crocodile’s inspiration with his over-sized heart shaped glasses and classic keyboard. “Service Rocks!” encompassed Rotary’s love for community service and celebrated the 2019 Rose Parade theme, “The Melody of Life”.

A total of 24,400 flowers covered the float ranging from birdsof paradise and dark blue iris, to red and white roses.

More than 400 individual Rotary clubs, including Newark Morning, contributed to the float.

Hunger never takes a day off

Two hours later, the volunteers rested next to the stack of cartons of 10,000 meals. A loud gong announced every thousand meals completed, keeping the volunteers on track.

More than 870 million people around the globe go to bed hungry every night. They do not have three hot nutritious meals every day. Every year more than 7 million children die before their fifth birthday from hunger-related causes.

Newark Morning Rotarians have found a solution to part of this problem. They participated in their fourth food packaging event in March, along with help from students from the University and Newark Charter High School in the Global Leadership Pathway. The $3,500 cost of the event was paid for by the Rotary club and the Courtyard Newark.

The program, Rise Against Hunger, comes with all the equipment and food for volunteers to package 10,152 meals in less than two hours. All we need to provide are the volunteers, a large room and tables.

The meals consist of rice, soy meal, dried vegetables and vitamin and seasoning packets. The 50 volunteers are given assignments at different stations and the music begins!

Following a very specific order, the volunteers fill the specially marked bags, weigh them within 5 ounces, and seal the bags. The meal packets were then packed in cartons and returned to the Philadelphia headquarters to wait shipment to primarily schools and orphanages around the world, mostly in Africa and middle-eastern countries. When there is a catastrophic event in the U.S., such as hurricanes in Florida and

Texas, meals can be diverted for our use.

When the families or schools receive their meal packets, they rehydrate the contents with hot water or broth. It tastes like Spanish rice. For many this is their only hot meal of the day.

The last shipment that Newark Morning Rotarians packaged went to an orphanage in Haiti.

In 2018, Rise Against Hunger reached 794,700 beneficiaries

Each participant wears a flattering red hair net and vinyl gloves while packing meals for the hungry.

You knowneverwhat you will find

YPostcard fromPastthe

ou never know what you will find when cleaning out your parent’s house. Shortly after Rotarian Steve Worden’s mother passed away, he found this old postcard, dated Nov. 18, 1933, addressed to his grandfather’s brother-in-law, Mr. R. A. Moore, a Rotarian in Cherokee, Oklahoma.

of homemade cookies or other dishes for fundraisers!

The card was a reminder of an upcoming speaker at the Cherokee Rotary meeting, Warren Worden, Steve’s grandfather. The card described the elder Worden as “really knows his stuff. He speaks many languages and he is intensely interesting and well worth hearing.” The subject he would address at the Rotary meeting was “Conditions in Far East.” Mr. Worden had spent years with Texas Oil Company in the Far East.

The postcard also reminded the Rotarians, in capital letters and underlined twice to “BRING YOUR ROTARYANN!” That was the name given to the wives of Rotarians. Women could not join Rotary, but they were

In June 1977, the Rotary Club of Duarte (CA) admitted three women as members. The Board of Rotary International terminated the club’s charter. Duarte renamed itself the “Ex Rotary Club of Duarte” and filed suit in the California Superior Court against the RI Board decision. After years of legal battles, the RI Board appealed to the United States Supreme Court in 1986. On May 4, 1987, the US Supreme Court voted a 7-0 unanimous ruling that Duarte could not discriminate against members because of gender.

Since then more than 200,000 women worldwide have officially become Rotarians, out of a total of 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide.

MEET THE 2019 ROTARIANS

Actively Serving in the Newark Morning Rotary Club

Louise Amick Mathematics Education

Louise’s career as a college math professor included fourteen years at Lincoln University and twenty-three at her alma mater Washington College. She received teaching awards at both institutions. It was at Washington College where she met her husband, the late Sen. Steve Amick.

Barry Baker

Electrical Engineering

Barry retired from a career that included working on the “Minute Man Missile” with Boeing, 31 years with DuPont, and 11 years with his own business manufacturing textile parts. He holds seven patents in industrial hygiene instruments. He and wife Judy are active in their church and enjoy traveling, delivering Meals on Wheels, and volunteering at Christiana Care Hospital.

Tim

Boulden

Heating Contractor

Tim is president of Boulden Brothers Propane, Heating and Air, Plumbing, and Electrical Service in Newark, which was founded in 1946. Tim says, “Rotary allows me to serve the community in different ways than I have in the past. I am grateful to be in a group that does so much good for Newark.”

Robin Broomall

Personal Development Charter Member

Robin is a consultant in leadership and communications programs. A Rotarian since 1993, she is a co-founder and past-president of this club and is active at the district level. She is president of the Board of Directors of Delaware Academy of Science at Iron Hill Museum and Science Center.

Charles J. Brown III

Business Litigation

Charlie is a partner with Gellert Scali Busenkill & Brown LLC, focusing on business law, including contract disputes, commercial debt collection, bankruptcy, and real estate. His hobbies include practicing tae kwan do. Charlie and wife Tracy are UD grads and have three children.

Eric Cannon

Funeral Assistance

Charter Member

A native Delawarean, Eric was educated at Friends School and UD. The Wilmington Medical Center School of Paramedics Training prepared him for 31 years of service in emergency medicine. After that he was in automotive sales for seven years. Currently he works with R. T. Foard Funeral Homes on an as-need basis.

Bob Cronin

Real Estate

Bob is a Broker Associate with the Newark office of Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate. He also serves on the City of Newark Planning Commission. Native of Newark, Bob and wife Becky enjoy time in Canaan Valley, WV, with three children and seven grandchildren.

Gene Danneman

Volunteer Resources

Charter Member

Gene retired as the AmeriCorp program officer for the State of Delaware. Formerly she was Volunteer Resource Coordinator at Emily Bissel Hospital and property manager for Dannemann and Danneman LLC. Being in Rotary was an extension of Gene’s long time commitment to volunteering, having been a member of and served on many non-profit boards of directors and committees.

Stephen Fangman

Automotive Repair

Steve served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a Firefighter. He previously was Director of Business Development for Premier Auto and Tire as well as two other auto repair businesses in Elkton. He lives in the Fair Hill, MD area with his son and is active in community projects in both Newark and Elkton areas.

Robert T.

Foard

Funeral Directing

A Licensed Funeral Director since 1975, Bob is presi dent of R. T. Foard Funeral Home and Crematory, with five locations in Cecil County and Newark. A past president of this club, Bob has been a member of several service and professional organizations in Cecil and New Castle counties, including serving as president of the Maryland State Licensing Board of Morticians during the late 1980’s.

Frederick J. Dawson, ChFC, CLU

Wealth Manager

Charter Member

Fred is Executive Vice President of Bassett, Dawson, & Foy, Inc., an independent firm (Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC) located in Wilmington. He is a chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter. Fred is a member of Club Phred, a 70’s rock and roll band, helping to earn more than $5M for local charities.

Donna Friswell

Travel Agency Mgt. Charter Member

Donna was the owner of Charlie B. Travels, a Newark Main Street business for more than 30 years. A past presi dent of this club, Donna is now retired and spends winters aboard a 30’ sailboat in the warm waters of Coco, FL. She maintains perfect attendance by attending several Florida Rotary clubs.

Laura DelPercio

Country Club Management

A native Delawarean, Laura is a graduate of St. Mark’s HS, Widener University, and Colorado Technical Institute. Previously she was General Manager of Newark Country Club and held positions at The Greenville Country Club, Vicmead Hunt Club, UD’s Blue and Gold Club, and Coatesville Country Club. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including Great Dames.

Douglas Gordon

Construction

After 37 years in the road construction business in Florida, Doug and wife Patricia retired to Newark from Boca Raton, FL. They have four children and five grandchildren. Doug enjoys serving in Rotary. He says, “Life is like a game of tennis. You can’t win if you are not willing to serve.”

Dennis Greenhouse

Government Consulting

Dennis works with companies to develop their relationships with the public sector. He held elected office as State Auditor and as New Castle County Executive before joining the Federal government, first with the White House and then the Justice Department. He is now retired from Federal service and full-time back in Delaware.

Evelyn Hayes

Nursing Education

Evelyn is a retired UD Trustee Distinguished Professor Emerita for nursing. A retired Colonel (US Army Reserve, Nurse Corps), she proudly served 23 years in a variety of roles and settings, with her last assignment as Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Chief of Nursing Administration at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She now volunteers at the UD Nurse Managed Care Center and is involved with several local nursing-related organizations.

Joyce Henderson

Higher Education

Joyce is a Fulbright Scholar and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from UD. She is president of the Board of Directors of Gateway Lab School and serves as cochair of the Rotary club’s International Committee. Joyce is interested in enhancing the lives of others with her time, talents, and resources.

Kevin retired from 30 years as an insurance broker in Sunnyvale, CA, and served 28 years in the Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Kevin and wife Linda are often seen volunteering in the community. Daughter Karen is a National Park Service Ranger and daughter Diane has returned as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Marie Holliday

Tax Accountant

Marie is the Managing Director at Cover Rossiter, certified public accountants and advisors with offices in Wilmington and Middletown. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at UD. She and husband Hal raised three children and now enjoy spare time at the beach.

Jerry Holt

Quality Management

Jerry retired from a 47+ year career with DuPont, Honeywell, and General Electric. He and wife Hannslore live in Newark. He is active in the church and enjoys reading and traveling. Jerry says, “I joined Rotary to contribute to the community that has given so much to us,”

John

Hornor

Ceramic Engineering

John retired from a 30 year career with DuPont, Lanxide, and General Electric. He leads Hope Dining Room in Newark and serves on the Conservation Advisory Commission for City of Newark. John says, “I joined Rotary to meet more members of the community and to expand my volunteering efforts.”

Paul

Keely

Marketing & Communications

Paul owns King Print & Promo, providing tangible marketing and communications tools to businesses. He is married to his high school sweetheart Eileen, has four children and three grandchildren. As a past president of this club, Paul is constantly inspired by the great work and big hearts of his fellow Rotarians.

Shawn Klapinsky

Certified Public Accounting Charter Member

Shawn is a Certified Public Accountant who owns his own firm, Shawn. W. Klapinsky, CPA, specializing in tax and consulting services for small to medium sized business, individuals, trusts, and estates. He is a past president and has been treasurer of the club for 13 years.

Mary Konwinski

Public Relations and Marketing

Mary is a consultant and freelance writer specializing in public relations and marketing communications. As past president of this club, Mary retired from the Blood Bank of Delmarva after 29 years where she was Manager of Community Relations. Her consulting business, MGK Writing Solutions, provides assistance with written communications, copy editing, and public relations. Mary relocated to NC in April.

Michael

Laur

Financial Advisor

Mike is a financial advisor with Edward Jones on Main Street in Newark. A past president of this club, Mike enjoys spin cast and fly fishing in fresh and saltwater and playing soccer year-round. He lives in Wilmington with wife Karissa and three children.

Stewart Lee Banking

Stewart is a commercial banker with Howard Bank in its Newark office. He is a member of the Board of Directors of St. Mark’s High School, past Board member of Open Door of Delaware, and current member of the Finance Committee at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church.

Financial Planning

C. Michael Luck

Mike is a Senior Vice President, financial Advisor, and CFP™ professional with RBC Wealth Management offering investment advisory, retirement income and financial planning. He serves as Advisory Chair of the UD Masters Players and is on the Finance Council and in ministry for Holy Angels parish. Mike and wife Karen live in Newark.

Joshua Martin

Josh received his Bachelor in Chemical Engineering from UD in 2008 and is employed by GE Aviation in Newark. He is past president of this Rotary club as well as the Delaware Academy of Science, Inc. a non-profit science education and advocacy organization.

William

McNabola

After retiring from Hercules, Bill began a career as a sculptor. He is currently completing his studio and producing a range of pieces, mostly figurative, of clay, steel, stone, and sculpey polymer. Later in 2019 he will be seeking commissioned work. Rotary is Bill’s principle service activity.

Tom Minto

Tom is a Retail Office Manager at WSFS Bank in Newark. He works with both individuals and small business on their banking and lending needs.

Both Tom and his wife are Penn State grads. They moved to Newark in 1994 and have three children who attend UD.

John Nelson Clergy

John is the Associate Pastor at St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Wilmington, having come here in May, 2018. Originally from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of Minnesota, he has been on the East Coast for six years. John became a Rotarian in March 2019.

Paul Sayther Flight

Safety

Paul, having flown for more than 40 years in the military (USCG), airline, and corporate world, is a flight simulator instructor for Flight Safety Int’l at Wilmington Airport in the Gulfstream G-IV aircraft. Besides aviation, Paul has had several businesses over the years, ranging from building and operating paddlewheel boats on the Mississippi to selling Oriental rugs made in Afghanistan in Delaware.

Don Newcomb

Information Technology

Don is the Director of Information Technology specializing in computer networking with Simms Associates, Inc., providing business consulting, disaster and recovery planning, Internet access and email, as well as security assessments. He is also owner of SDS, Inc., an IT consulting business. With more than 30 years of computer networking experience, Don is an MCSE and attended more than 500 hours of Microsoft Certified Training seminars and classes.

Polly Sierer

Non-profit Management

As the former Mayor of the City of Newark, Polly is President of the Newark Area Welfare Committee, a non-profit organization to help Newark area residents in need. She is an active volunteer with Newark Empowerment Center, Code Purple, and Hope Dining Room, as well as a Board member for the US Tennis Association-Delaware District.

Douglas Rainey Media

Doug is Chief Content Officer for Delaware Business Now, a five-day-a-week business newsletter and website that covers the First State and adjacent areas. He also served as editor of the Delaware Business Ledger, Delaware Business Review, and the Newark Post. Doug and wife Sharon reside in Bear.

Mike is a partner at Weiner Benefits Group, specializing in employee benefits, strategic planning, HR systems and compliance, as well as healthcare funding options and reform. Mike is a UD graduate and resides in Newark with his family, two children in college and one at Newark Charter.

Mark

Sisk

Trial Law

Mark is with the law firm of James P. Curran, Jr. He also sings and plays guitar with fellow Rotarian Fred Dawson in Club Phred, a 70’s rock and roll band, which has raised more than $5M for various charities.

Michael

F. Smith

Business Development

Michael is the Director of Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships for UD’s College of Health Sciences, managing the communications/marketing team, government affairs, strategic planning, and external affairs. He was recently elected to the Delaware House of Representatives. Michael received his Bachelor’s in Political Sciences and Legal studies and Master’s in Public Administration from UD.

Greg Stephens

Biological Sciences

Greg is a retired biology professor from UD. In addition to teaching several physiology courses, he conducted research on the evolution of lipoproteins and cardiovascular control mechanisms. Today he is involved with the London Britain (PA) Township Deer Feeder Program to help control Lyme disease.

Cindi Viviano

Advertising Sales

Cindi is an Account Manager and Digital Sales Manager with Delaware Today Magazine. Since relocating from the Mid-West to Delaware in 1996, she has become a national and international biking and hiking enthusiast. She is chair of the club’s annual Report to the Community.

William A. Sullivan

Hotel Management

Bill is the Managing Director of the Courtyard Newark at the University of Delaware and adjunct professor in the University’s Hospitality program. He is current chair of Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and on the Board of the Delaware Hotel and Lodging Association. He is a graduate of UD Lerner College of Business.

Clinton Tymes

Small Business

Clinton is retired from UD where he held the position of State Director for Small Business Development Center Network. He continues to be connected through his work with First State Community Loan Fund. He and wife Barbara have two children and four grandchildren.

The Four Way Test is the most widely printed and quoted statement of business ethics in the world of Rotary

It was created by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932 when he was asked to take charge of the Chicago-based Club Aluminum Company, which was facing bankruptcy. Taylor looked for a way to save the struggling company mired in depression-caused financial difficulties. He drew up a 24-word code of ethics for all employees to follow in their business and professional lives. The Four-Way Test became the guide for sales, production, advertising and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company was credited to this

Steve Worden Transportation Services

Steve is a life-long technologist and presently serves as the Chief Technology Officer for Bayshore Transportation in Newark. He is also founder of Newark Community Radio, Inc. a non-commercial, educational broadcast charity that operates Radio Newark, 99.9 MWZ, WIZU FM.

Jamie Zingaro Communications

Jamie works at W. L. Gore and Associates in Newark. This is his first year as a Rotarian and he looks forward to volunteering with service projects in the club. He lives in Newark and enjoys spending time with his family gardening and doing other outdoor activities.

simple philosophy.

Taylor became president of Rotary International in 1954-55. The Four-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1934 and has been translated into more than 100 languages. Today it still represents the philosophy of more than 1.8 million Rotarians worldwide.

The Four Way Test of the things we think, say and do.

1. Is it the truth?

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Classified info that is no secret!

MEMBERSHIP in a Rotary club is by invitation and was based on the founder's paradigm of choosing one representative of each business, profession, or institution in the community.

What is called a "classification" is used to ensure the members of a club comprise a cross section of their community's business and professional life.

A Rotarian's classification describes either the principal business or professional service of the organization that he or she works for or the Rotarian's own activity within the organization. The classification is determined by the activities or services to society rather than by the position held by the particular individual.

The classification principle fosters a fellowship for service based on diversity of interest and prevents a club from being dominated by any one group.

Here is a list of the classifications and members of the Newark Morning Rotary Club.

Member Classification

Louise Amick Higher Education

Barry Baker Electrical Engineering

Tim Boulden Heating Contracting

Robin Broomall Consulting

Charlie Brown Business Litigation

Eric Cannon Funeral Assisting

Robert Cronin Real Estate

Gene Danneman Volunteer Resource

Fred Dawson Wealth Management

Laura DelPercio Country Club Management

Stephen Fangman Automotive Service

Robert T. Foard Funeral Directing

Donna Friswell Travel Agency

Doug Gordon Construction

Dennis Greenhouse Government Consulting

Evelyn Hayes Nursing Education

Joyce Henderson Higher Education

Kevin Henker Auto Insurance

Marie Holiday Tax Accounting

Jerry Holt Quality Management

John Hornor Ceramic Engineering

Paul Keely Healthcare Marketing

Shawn Klapinsky Certified Public Accounting

Mary Konwinski Communications

Mike Laur Financial Advising

Stewart Lee Banking

Michael Luck Financial Planning

Joshua Martin Chemical Engineering

Bill McNabola Financial Advising

Tom Minto Banking

John Nelson Clergy

Don Newcomb Information Technology

Doug Rainey Media

Michael Reckner Employee Benefits

Paul Sayther Flight Safety

Polly Sierer NonProfit Management

Mark Sisk Trial Law

Michael Smith Business Development

Gregory Stephens Biological Science

Bill Sullivan Hotel Management

Clinton Tymes Small Business Development

Cindi Viviano Media Advertising

Steve Worden Transportation Services

James Zingaro Communications

Who are these Rotarians?

They’re just like YOU and ME!

There are lots of service organizations for anyone to join. But what makes Rotary clubs different from all the others?

It’s the people who join a Rotary club! Rotarians are busy people just like you. They are your neighbors, your co-workers, your kid’s friends’ parents. They are your tax preparer, accountant, lawyer, car salesman, insurance man or woman, professor, doctor or dentist, hotel manager, restaurant owner, public relations manager, or graphics printer. They are engineers, advisors, consultants, educators and sales people. They sell you your home, prepare your taxes, fix your heater, and teach your kids.

But what sets them apart from other busy people is that Rotarians have an obsession about solving problems and wanting to help others. They are constantly on the lookout for areas of concern in the community that need to be addressed. It might be a local park in disrepair, a student who needs financial help, or a nonprofit organization that needs more cash. Then they look for additional resources or partners to make the changes that are necessary.

Their focus is not only on the communities where they live but humanitarian issues around the globe.

Members of the Newark Morning Rotary Club are typical of the more than 1,220,000 Rotarians around the world. Look at their bios in this Report and you will see they all have busy lives outside of Rotary, too. Some are retired but most still work full-time. They are men and women of all ages, some with young kids still of school age and others with grandchildren.

Even though Rotarians keep up on current events

and may be conscious about political issues, you would never know it because politics plays no part in Rotary.

Newark Morning Rotarians are “morning people” in that their meeting days start early – 7 a.m. with the ring of the bell to convene their usual Thursday gathering. They are then ready for 75 minutes of fun, camaraderie, light-hearted joking and poking fun at one another. Guests often comment on the level of energy they have so early in the morning!

But all joking aside, they get down to business with a weekly program featuring a speaker from the community or a representative of a non-profit from the area. This is how they keep abreast of the pulse of Newark and really understand the needs of our neighbors.

A Board of Directors in each Rotary club guides that particular group in the decision making as to what projects, events, or direction the club wants to go, as long as it falls under the guidelines of Rotary International. Each club is independent of another.

Newark Morning Rotary club meets

When the bell rings at 8:15, the Newark Morning Rotarians are off to their individual work or family obligations. Busy people never let grass grow under their feet!

For more information about Rotary go to www.rotary.org

Never let it be said Rotarians don't like to have fun!