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The Downtowner

 Newsletter of the Kiwanis Club of Allentown

October 15, 2011

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September 6 Meeting

The speaker at our September 6 meeting was none other than our own Ira Faro. Ira began his presentation with a report on the Lehigh County Conference of Churches which he serves as Development Director. LCCC is a non-profit organization that was founded 57 years ago. It provides 8-10 social service programs from infancy through old age. Ira reported that 58.4% of LCCC clients are Hispanic, and 19.8% are homeless. One success story involved 9 men who had been living under the Linden Street bridge. When that bridge was being reconstructed, the men enrolled in a social services program at LCCC and began to turn their lives around. LCCC programs are cost-effective in that they help reduce crime, and the need for costly health care and mental health services. Ira then talked about another great passion of his - the south of France. He has visited that area many times. It has mild change of seasons, which he likes. It is the third largest wine producing region in the world. There are beautiful mountains nearby.  Ira presented a slide show of the villages in the region, which are very quaint. He remarked that the French love their food, and that meals there are "decadent." They also love their cemeteries, especially on All Saints Day. Most villages feature farmers markets in the town square several days a week where fresh, locally-grown produce, meats and other products are available. Most of the houses in the villages are what we call "row homes" with small patios rather than yards. The Mediterranean is not far away, and  the beaches there feature a lot of women bathers wearing one piece suits. Counties in France are named after rivers. In 2005 Ira bought a small town house and was able to recently sell it for a 20% profit. He plans to sell his house here and move into a larger town house in southern France in a couple of years. Ira wanted everyone to know that he will remain an American citizen after he moves. He loves our country but see this as an opportunity to spread good will and his love of community service to another country that he has grown to love. Bonne Chance, Ira!

A Night to Remember

On October 6 approximately 25 guests enjoyed a wonderful evening of dining and good fellowship at the Allentown Brew Works for our annual Installation and Awards Dinner. The event began with a welcome from outgoing club President Nick Lukow and an invocation by Father Don Knapp. Following dinner, Division 18 lt. Governor Bob Ashcraft installed incoming officers Belinda Gray, President; Young Chang, Vice-President; Enos Martin, Treasurer; and Peg Harp, Secretary. Belinda  then offered some comments about her upcoming Presidency and what she hopes to accomplish.

New President Belinda

Following the installation of officers we enjoyed a very memorable ceremony honoring Jim Fronheiser.  Pa. District Kiwanis Governor Suisan Grab joined Bob Ashcraft in presenting Jim with the 2010 "Kiwanis Hero" award from Division 18. They spoke eloquently about Jim's service not just to Kiwanis but to the Allentown community in general. Jim has been our club's "hero" for many years. He has been club President and Foundation President, has been  the long-term Treasurer of the Foundation, rarely misses a meeting or special event, and has donated countless hours of volunteer service reading to children under the "Personalized Books for Children" program. Jim accepted the award in a very humble manner, as is his character. He expressed his belief that all of us who are committed to community service through Kiwanis are heroes. Todd Collins, representing Mayor Ed Pawlowski and the City of Allentown presented Jim with a proclamation designating Friday, October 7 as "Jim Fronheiser Day" in the city! Jim was genuinely honored by this gesture, although everyone kidded him about having a parade the next day down Hamilton Street with him serving as "Grand Marshall." Jim's wife Rosemarie, his son David and wife were in attendance and, like all of us. are very proud of him. Our congratulations go out to a very deserving Allentown Kiwanian and our good friend, Jim Fronheiser!

Jim, "Big Bob" and Governor Grab

Proclamation from the Mayor's Office

At the end of our program Todd Siegfried's wife Sonya took an opportunity to promote next year's 250th Anniversary celebration in the City of Allentown. Sonya passed out a listing of special anniversary events to be held in the city in 2012, and a volunteer application form. Sonya went over next year's schedule of events and highlights and encouraged our members to participate. It is certain that our club will be a part of this important year-long celebration in the city.

LVCC Picnic Cancelled

By now, everyone should know that August was the wettest month on record, and last month was the wettest September on record! Well that wreaked havoc with our plans to host the kids from the LVCC Walnut Street Center on September 20. It was yet another wet, dreary day and postponing it to another day that was likely to be just as wet and dreary was not an option. So unfortunately a decision was made to cancel the picnic this year. We still would like to thank and recognize Keith and Jessica Reynolds for  sponsoring the picnic. Jessica was able to drop off food and some craft items at the center that day. So in the end the kids were able to enjoy our hospitality. We now look ahead to treat the children from the Walnut St. Center to a Children's Holiday Program on Thursday, December 6 at the Allentown Brew Works. Our own special Santa Todd has it booked on his calendar!

Rose Sale a Success!

Although final orders are coming it, it appears as though our club has sold 100 dozen roses this year for the Pa. Kiwanis Foundation Annual Rose Sale. The sale will net $765 for our club treasury. The roses will be delivered on Thursday, October 27 at the Comfort Suites, Dorneyville beginning at 7 AM. Details will follow. Thanks again to Belinda Gray for chairing this year's successful Rose Sale.

2011 Roster Finalized

Club Secretary Peg Harp submitted our 2011-12 roster to Kiwanis International earlier this week. We are down to 19 members. We lost Ed Baldrige due to his failing health, Bill Randall due to his daily commute time to Camden, Bernie Durant and Craig Walls. We are sorry to see them leave the club, and wish them well in the future. Our club, like many service organizations nationwide has seen a reduction of membership over the years. But our goal should be to rebuild the club despite hard economic times and people's busy schedules. It is times like this that our community needs volunteer organizations like Kiwanis the most. The needs are great and we can only do our part with a strong, vibrant club. So every member has been challenged to invite at least one new member prospect to a future meeting. We have provided members with new application materials. to share with prospects. October and November are the best months to enroll new members when fees are the best value. So let's get out there and spread the word! The oldest Kiwanis club in the Lehigh Valley needs new members!  Let's rebuild our club as we move towards our 95th anniversary in 2013! More members = more "hands of service" to our community. Only WE can make this happen!

Personalized Books for Children

Yes, it is about that time for us to help distribute personalized story books to  first-graders in the Allentown School District. Once again our Foundation has been able to help support the Personalized Books for Children program with a grant for the 2011-12 school year. Terry Kennedy is feverishly assembling the books and the schedule will begin next month with the following schools:

·         November 3 - Cleveland Elementary School - 75 students

·         November 10 - Lehigh Parkway E.S. - 51 students

·         November 16 & 17 - Central E.S. - 133 students

If you would like to help distribute the books and read to the children, report to the school office by 9:15 AM on the above dates. It is a wonderful experience.

Upcoming Programs

October 18  – Bob Grim, Archivist, Whitehall Historical Preservation Society .  Invocation: Young Chang 

November 1  – Program TBA.   Invocation: Don Knapp

October Birthdays  

                                               19 - Ira Faro

                   29 - Don Knapp

GOD BLESS AMERICA

- Tom Harp, Editor