PROGRAM:
Civil War author & playwright, Karl Purnell, began his career as a reporter for the Harrisburg Patriot and went on to become a prize-winning newspaper editor and publisher. A graduate of Harvard University with a degree in English Literature, Karl has been a Pennsylvania state legislator from Union County, a Vietnam war correspondent and author of several books about his adventures in the Himalayas.  He is the resident playwright of The National Historic Theater in his hometown of Mifflinburg, Pa. where he specializes in writing plays and books about the Civil War era and where his new play Miss Chase, Mr. Lincoln will open in May.  He is the author of the historical novel, The Doctress, about three women doctors who graduate from the Female Medical College of Philadelphia in 1861 in time to practice medicine in the Civil War In his lecture, The Enigma of Abe Lincoln, Karl discusses the less known qualities of the 16th President which made him a memorable literary figure  as well as one of the country’s most unusual and important leaders.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS / MEETING LOCATIONS:                                       
February 9       Karl H. Purnell, Director The National Historic Theater
Hilton                          On February 9th Club #23 will celebrate the Lincoln Bicentennial in conjunction with the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln.  Our celebration is scheduled in conjunction with Lincoln's 200th birthday on February 11.

Our speaker comes to us in conjunction with The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, a group comprised of 15 members who were appointed by the President, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

A year long, nationwide celebration has commenced un the direction of the Commission who's purpose is to emphasize the contribution of his thought, ideals to America and the world, and serving as a catalyst for strengthening freedom, democracy and equal opportunity for all.

Our noted speaker will address: "The Enigma of Abe Lincoln: Patriot or Despot?  Poet or Politician?"

February 16              NO MEETING

February 23              Deb Pierson, President PCII, Inc
Hilton

March 2                                  Dr. Kathleen Howley, Assistant Vice Chancellor PA State System of Higher Education
PA State Ed. Building         One in five Pennsylvanian’s has a disability. Yet most employment cultures do not foster an environment of inclusiveness.
333 Market St.                       Join our speaker Dr. Kathleen M. Howley, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs for PASSHE, as she
RSVP Required                   shares her humorous yet thoughtful perspective as a “visual spy.” Her talk “Confessions of a Spy”  will remind us that we each have the ability and responsibility to foster workforce cultures of compromise and inclusion.

For complete programming go to our website: hbgrotary.org and click on calendar.

NEWS AND NOTES:  
• Meal charge in 2009 will be $14 for Guests, Visiting Rotarians and Active Specials.

• RSVP is required for the meeting on March 2 at the PA State Education Building – 333 Market St.

• DISTRICT INFO: 

100th Rotary International Convention Birmingham, England June 21-24, 2009
Register early take advantage of special pricing! Register Online! It’s convenient and secure. Your confirmation materials will be e-mailed to you.  Birmingham Convention Bureau will handle all individual and group housing requests. Reservations are filled as requested. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

You will receive a hotel confirmation from the Birmingham Convention Bureau indicating the hotel name, address, room rate per night, room type requested, and dates reserved. All housing changes/inquiries must be made directly to the Birmingham Convention Bureau until 8 May 2009. Please return your completed reservation form by 17:00 GMT on 8 May 2009.

 For more information contact District Initiatives chair Diane McNaughton or Linda.
For meeting cancellations due to inclement weather.... Tune to ABC27-TV
or check your e-mail or call the Rotary office at 234-1208.

ATTENDANCE:
LAST ROTARY MEETING:  2/2/09       52%                        
Rotarians 80      Active Specials 10      Guests 8     Visiting Rotarians   1 = 99

Minutes by Andy Rebuck: 
“Are you ready for some football?”

With shouts of “Go Steelers” and “we are the champions” echoing in the room, the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, # 23 in theworld, met Monday February 2, 2009!

This scribe was looking for another plate of BBQ chicken wings when our quarterback Barry called the team into the huddle at exactly 12:14.

Yes, much like last night’s rendition of God Bless America, our club members belted out the keys on perfect pitch led by Tom “Touchdown” Arnoldi.  Joan “Pressure Defense” Prescott offered the invocation and our game was underway.

Without a turnover, John “Jet” Judson ran for some big yards as he outlined Rotary International’s goal by 2015 to decrease by 50% the people in the world unable to access clean water.  What a great goal and all were encouraged to simply donate to the RI Foundation.

Wil “Big Heart” Everhart introduced our five Rotarians-Hostetter, Alexander, Archer-Simons, Cooper and Kyzer-who in turn introduced their respective guest players.

The terrible towels were waving as we saluted the touchdown effort of Patti “High Five” Hindermeyer and her leadership with First Year Rotarians and their awesome effort in hosting last week’s game-uh, meeting that is.

Looking like a potential superstar in the making, Chris “College” Cavanaugh ran the three minute drill in outlining her classification as an educator and coordinator with George Washington University.  (Perhaps she can secure a friends and family discount for Rotarians to offset the $40K tuition!) 

The game was getting physical.  Players were getting trashed like yesterday’s newspaper so we brought in the big guns!  Yes, in rapid fire fashion Carrie “I have the stats” Thomas offered all the Rotarian in the news; Hal “Go Penn State” Hurwitz reported that our club rang the bell for $988 in donations to Salvation Army and Ron “We have a host family for Paul” Guss shouted out the good news.

Oh, yes, terrible towels were flying, the crowd was on their feet, the game was at a critical juncture when our team pulled out the secret weapon, Bob “Super Bowl” Hostetter in his own unique and highly entertaining way got our team into the end zone while introducing today’s speaker-Ms. Nancy Dering Martin.

Game on!  With all the pressure of a Super Bowl victory or loss squarely on those big, broad shoulders, Nancy took the ball and ran! 

Our star player spoke with eloquence, wit and substance as she captured her twenty years of efforts to be a part of a myriad of organizations and teams here in Harrisburg.  This scribe is very hopeful that you did not miss this record setting effort.

If you were not glued to your seat you missed Nancy’s powerful talk about why some organizations thrive and stay healthy and the eight keys to a healthy organization.  What goes wrong she asked as she effortlessly avoided all would be tacklers.  Then she let us know Nancy’s list of eight reasons teams fail. 

We won the game today my friends-we are indeed Super Bowl Champions and better for the effort of all especially our guest speaker who was insightful, organized and had impeccable timing as these uncertain times mean you have to be at your peak to compete.