*Doug Newell gave $4.00 in Happy Bucks; he is thankful for excellent health care providers; Wellspan Clinic staff in Fairfield who referred him to an outstanding ophthalmologist who also gave great care for Anna-Mae’s cataract surgery and recommended a retina specialist who enrolled Doug in a clinical trial for macular degeneration.

 

*Eric Gladhill gave $1.00 to thank Anna-Mae Kobbe for doing the Battlefielder this week.  If any member would like to be recognized with a Happy Buck, just do the Battlefielder, and Eric will donate $1.00 in your honor.   

 

*Scott Wehler gave $5 Happy Bucks in appreciation of Gettysburg hospital staff who provided excellent care to him recently.

 

            *Bob Gough (who won the 50/50 pot) gave $5.00 in honor of sore loser, Mike Hanson.

 

*Laura Goss gave a $1.00 because she was happy the Friends of the Library book sale was very successful; earning $25,000 and she gave a second $1.00 because she was happy the sale was over.

 

Mike Hanson introduced our speaker Karl Pietrzak, President and CEO of Destination Gettysburg (pictured above with President Larry.  Destination Gettysburg is the official destination marketing organization for Gettysburg and Adams County.

 

Established in 1955, Destination Gettysburg advocates for the tourism industry which is the #1 industry in the county.  Tourism supports 5,300 jobs in Adams County with visitors contributing $750 million in direct spending in Adams County.  Tourism generates $41.7 million in state and local taxes and $38.3 million in federal taxes.  Although COVID-19 brought most tourism to a halt, Gettysburg and Adams County are rebounding.  Demand is up 70% from 2020-2021.  Karl notes that 12,000 to 15,000 motor coaches traditionally bring tourists to Adams County annually.  As travel resumes post-COVID, motorcoach travel is returning.  

 

98% of visitors travel to our area from within the U.S. with most from the eastern and middle United States.  The average age of visitors is 51 years and 51% are female.  Of those who visit, 55% earn $100,000 or more in annual income.  Visitors average 2 nights per overnight stay.  Most stay in local hotels/motels (77%), 11% use our campgrounds, 6% stay in a bed and breakfast, and 6% use Airbnb, stay with family, etc.

 

To draw new visitors to the area, Destination Gettysburg is marketing to younger audiences and more families.

 

Two new options for tourists encourage them to see more of Adams County than just the traditional sites of Gettysburg.  In 2019, The Adams County Pour Tour was launched.  The pour tour appeals to those who enjoy craft beverages, wine, beer, cider, and now mead.  With 20 stops on this tour, this option has been popular with tourists.  Launched in May of this year, the Adams County Crop Hop has 19 locations for visitors to enjoy.  So far, 563 passports have been downloaded by residents of 22 states with 70% living within an hour's drive of the county.

 

Prior to joining Destination Gettysburg, Karl was Vice-President of Convention Sales for VisitPittsburgh.  With 25 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry, he brings expertise that is benefiting Gettysburg and Adams County.  Karl is a Gettysburg native and a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management.

 

Karl can be reached at 717-338-1050 or karl@destinationgettysburg.com.  You will soon have an opportunity to visit more with Karl; he is a prospective member of our club.  Welcome home Karl: we look forward to you joining the Rotary Club of Gettysburg.   For more information about Destination Gettysburg visit www.destinationgettysburg.com.

 

 

   

Past District Governor John Kramb told Rotarians present at last Wednesday's meeting that Past President Ken Farabaugh told him to find a Rotarian worthy of receiving a Paul Harris Fellow.

John and Ken tried to play a game that slowly disqualified members with questions such as "Everyone who has been a Rotarian for more than five years, stand up." "If you have ever been a board member, remain standing."

Kramb tried to whittle it down with "Remain standing if you sold tickets to A Gettysburg Fourth! Independence Day raffle."

In the end, Secretary Alex Hayes and Board Member Mike DeShong were left standing.

 

Kramb finally gave up and said, "If you are not the managing editor of a local newspaper, please sit down."

John and Ken finally admitted the whole spectacle was a ruse and awarded Club Secretary and Past President Alex J. Hayes with a Paul Harris +2 during the club’s Wednesday meeting. Farabaugh recognized Hayes’s work in keeping the club moving forward over the past year in the midst of COVID restrictions and, most recently, leading the club’s participation in A Gettysburg Fourth!

In a couple of weeks, John Kramb will begin his annual cross-country motorcycle ride to raise funds for PolioPlus.  Last year he raised just over $5000.  Let's support this year's ride.

 

Please click on the link below to give.