President Larry donated the $21 he had just won in 50/50 to the “can” on the Reception Table for an upcoming drawing, soon to happen. (Editor's note: As you may know, once the spare change and other donations to the can reach $100, that amount will be donated to the Rotary Foundation in the name of a member, determined by a lottery)
Eric Gladhill announced that he is now a grandfather and his long-awaited grandson has arrived! His name is Austin Reed and he was 7 lbs. 12 oz at birth, 21 inches long.
Ken Farabaugh gave a happy buck that Lina Ma is now a member of the club and thanked the club for welcoming her in.
Peter Lagerberg introduced the speaker, Sarah Kipp (both pictured above), who is vice president of the Healthy Adams Bicycle/Pedestrian, Inc. (HABPI) organization. We have heard her speak on the Adams County Land Conversancy but today, she was wearing a different hat.
HABPI is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization based in Gettysburg. It is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. It was founded in 2005. The mission of the group is to promote health and public recreation opportunities and alternate transportation through safe bicycling and pedestrian activities. The accomplishments of the organization are many and they have every reason to be proud of improvements made for walkers and bicyclists within Gettysburg. The accomplishments include:
Completion of a feasibility study for a network of trails in Gettysburg known as the Gettysburg Inner Loop;
In 2014, the organization helped the Borough of Gettysburg obtain $1,766,434 to engineer and build two segments of the Gettysburg Inner Loop.
In 2015, bicycle lanes were added to four blocks of Steinwehr Avenue.
In 2016, the organization worked with multiple groups to obtain a grant to study an off-road biking and walking trail from Gettysburg south to the Maryland border. This trail would become a section of a larger trail network known as the Grand History Trail.
In 2018, the borough celebrated the opening of the latest segments of the Gettysburg Inner Loop which was funded in 2014.
In 2019 the organization began exploring the possibility of extending the North Gettysburg Trail from Gettysburg High School along Boyds School Road to route 34.
In 2020, the organization completed the trail feasibility study for the Adams County portion of the Grand History Trail from Gettysburg to the Maryland border.
HABPI has also held Kids’ Bike Rodeos and installed new bike racks in Gettysburg. They will be holding a “Ride for Trails” fundraiser on September 25, 2021. Anyone who is interested in taking up bike riding should know that you don’t need a fancy bicycle, or special shoes. Start simple. Sarah says you can find a used bicycle, a bicycle helmet, and some sturdy shoes and join other bicyclists for fun and exercise. There are plenty of bike paths and walking trails to enjoy. Plus, walking and bicycling improves your health, reduces pollution, increases mobility for those who cannot drive, and has a positive economic impact on the community.
And remember, if you’re passing a bicyclist in your car, the law requires you to give the bicyclist 4 feet of space as you pass, even if it requires that you cross the yellow line.
Rotarian John Kramb poses with other members of the International Fellowship of Motorcycling Rotarians. They met in Maggie Valley, North Carolina for their first group ride in over a year. COVID, you know. The riders came from Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, California and other states. They had a memorial service for two members who passed last year, and rode a couple of hundred miles in the twisty, windy roads of the Blue Ridge.
