The happy winner of 50/50 was Harry Hartman. It seems that he and Tom Dombrowsky traded tickets before the drawing so that Tom kept his losing streak alive.
President Brad reminded everyone of the October 12 Oktoberfest at Battlefield Brew Works from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.; Tickets are $10 each; Volunteer with Sandy Leathery.
President Brad announced a potential New Members’ Reception next week, September 25 at the Wednesday Rotary meeting at Battlefield Brew Works (4:30 -6:00 p.m. ) Come and bring a potential member to the meeting.
President Brad announced the Rotary Board Meeting on Wednesday morning, 7:30 a.m. at HACC, Room 150.
The President also reported, during the "Rotary Minute", that he had met with the Assistant District Governor, the District Governor Elect, the President of the Hanover Club, and the President of the Littlestown Rotary Club to discuss possibility of a potential mixer with clubs in the area for the purpose of getting acquainted with fellow Rotarians.
Pictured above are: Kara Ferraro and Lizzy Ryan (holding Bob the Box Turtle).
Larry Redding introduced Kara Ferraro from the Strawberry Hill Foundation. You may recall that the Gettysburg Rotary Club provided a $1500 grant to the Strawberry Hill Foundation back in July for partial funding of a nature trail. Kara announced Strawberry Hill’s Trailgating event this coming Saturday at 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. The event will have live music, barbecued food, ice cream, drinks and several activities for children, including face painting, story telling, crafts and petting zoo.
Kara introduced the Education Outreach Coordinator, Lizzy Ryan, who had brought animal ambassadors: Strix a barred owl; Cornelius, a corn snake; and Bob, a box turtle. Strix mainly stared at the audience and turned its head from one side to the other, taking us all in. Libby indicated that it had been found along the road several years back and suffered a wing injury that does not allow it to be returned to the wild. It can turn its head 270 degrees because its eyes are fixed in his skull and cannot rotate in their sockets. It eats about 3 mice per day, fresh or frozen, and can live to be about 22 years old. The sex of the owl is not known.
The second animal ambassador was Cornelius the corn snake. Maryland is about as far north as it typically goes but this one didn’t know where the border was. Much to our satisfaction, it stayed wrapped around Libby’s arm and seemed to be contented with just her arm. She indicated that it eats about every 2 to 3 weeks. The venomous snakes in this area of Pennsylvania are Copperheads and Timber Rattlesnakes but they are NOT normally aggressive and will tend to leave you alone if you leave them alone—note: tend!
The third animal ambassador was Bob, the box turtle who had only 3 legs. Bob had been caught by a family and kept as a family pet, until they learned he could live to be 100 years old and they would need to include him in their will. So, they asked Strawberry Hill to take him, and they did that about 7 years ago. Bob is approximately 50 years old and they know it is a male because it has reddish or orange eyes. Females have brown eyes. Bob is picky about what he eats because he became accustomed to gourmet cat food and it’s been hard to get him to move to cherry tomatoes and crickets. He does like sweet potato chunks that have been peeled and roasted but green lettuce is disgusting! These turtles are becoming endangered because of developments and roadways. If you see one on the road, have a heart and move it to the grass. They typically live their lives within a 100 yard area.
All in all, Strawberry Hill has 3 turtles, 3 snakes, and 1 owl.
On September 25th, our club will hold a membership inquiry night at the Battlefield Brew Works. starting at 4:32p.m. All club members (Monday, New Oxford, and alternate meeting) are invited to attend.
I want for you to think of one acquaintance who would make a good Rotarian, and invite that person (or persons) to attend with you. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, send me your guest's name and email address, and I will invited them.
This is an excellent opportunity to increase the opportunities for service in our community.