HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK Barry Kain          MAR 31 Andy Rebuck      MAR 31 John Klobusicky   APR 1 Kent Patterson    APR 4 Bruce Grossman  APR 5	HAPPY March Anniversaries Harry Banzhoff    54 years       Joe Capita           12 years Bob Spicer          42 years       John Judson         10 years Al Schmidt          37 years       Shelly Myers         9 years Bob Hostetter      30 years       John Klobusicky    2 years Chuck Friedman   30 years       Laurie Saltzgiver   2 years Janice Black         19 years      Pauline Wallin        2 years Charlie McNutt     19 years Ron Guss             16 years John D. Morefield  15 years

PROGRAM: 
Mayur N. Patel serves as General Counsel to the Hersha Group of Companies. The Hersha Hospitality Trust, Hersha Hospitality Management and several other Hersha Companies comprise one of the nation’s top hotel companies and presently have 75 hotels in eleven states. Mayur oversees the legal functions of the Hersha Group and has done so since 2004. He also actively participates in other facets of the business, including hotel real estate development, acquisitions and management. Prior to joining Hersha, Mayur worked for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives as an Executive Director for a Regional Caucus. Mayur also serves on the Board of Trustees of Harrisburg University and on the Board of Directors for the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation Mayur earned his J.D. from the University of Villanova School of Law and received his undergraduate degrees in International Relations and Political Science from Randolph Macon College.  Mayur lives in Lower Paxton Township with his wife Tina and their 15-month old daughter, Annika.

David Butcher is currently Vice President of Project Management for WCI Partners, LP. He is engaged in all aspects of the planning, development, and management of WCI’s various projects, including Olde Uptown, which comprises the construction and renovation of over 100 homes in the City of Harrisburg , and the Aloft Hotel, a new boutique hotel to be constructed at Second and State Streets, also located in Harrisburg.
Prior to joining WCI Partners, Butcher worked at the City of Harrisburg as an Urban Planner, coordinating the review and approval of several development projects, including the Harrisburg University Tower, the Tracy Mansion Condominiums, the Aloft Hotel, and Olde Uptown.
Butcher is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA, Urban Studies) and Temple University (MS, Community and Regional Planning). He is actively involved with the American Planning Association and the Central Pennsylvania chapter of the Urban Land Institute.
He lives with his wife, Laura, in Midtown Harrisburg.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS / MEETING LOCATIONS:   
Mar 24                                   NO MEETING

Mar 31                                   Dave Butcher and Mayur Patel,
Hilton                                     WCI Partners and Hersha Hospitality Group
                                                “Why we are investing in Harrisburg’s future? - Two key players tell us why”

Apr 7                                      Peter Greer, Hope International
Hilton

Apr 14                                    Mayor Stephen Reed
Hilton

Apr 21                                    Debra Bowman, Executive Director Central PA Conservancy
Hilton

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

NEWS AND NOTES:  

• DISTRICT CONFERENCE: Thursday, May 8- golf, May 9-May 10.  Early Registration before 3/16.  Register: Forms are on the information table or Go to our website www.hbgrotary.org and then to the District.
Please make sure you have paid your $100 Harrisburg Rotary Foundation.

•   ANNUAL MEETING will be held on March 31 - Voting for 2008-09 officers and directors.
Barry Ramper II, President
Carolyn Dumaresq, President-elect
John Judson, Vice President
Carrie W. Thomas, Imm. Past President
Garry Brinton, Secretary
William Boles, Treasurer
Deborah Abel, Sergeant-at-Arms
Term expires in 2009  Al Baker  Patricia Hindermyer  Richard Stewart  Karen Snider
Term expires in 2010  Caryn Carr  Dolores Liptak   Andrew Rebuck  Robert Saline

•   HAPPY HOURS ARE BACK!
Do you like to have fun; meet new and interesting people; and do you need a Rotary make up?  If you answered yes, yes and yes, then you are definitely going to want to join us at the upcoming Rotary Club of Harrisburg Happy Hour events. These are fun, social mixers from 5 to 7 PM where fellow Rotarians and their guests meet at one of our area restaurants and nightclubs and receive an attendance make-up!
 
On March 27 we will be enjoying a “bit of the green” just after the “big” day at Molly Branningans 31 N 2nd Street.  You do not have to wear anything green to get lucky with this March Happy Hour.
 
Plan to enjoy a cold drink and some world-famous pizza on April 24 at Carmellas (right next to the Hilton on 2nd street ).
 
On May 22, our gang will head over to Briccos-which has to be one of the coolest spots in town to be seen.  Briccos is at the corner of 3rd and Chestnut Streets.
 
As summer heats up, we will take our Happy Hour outside!  Yes, the Hilton will host this event June 26 right in front of the hotel at their patio bar.
 
The fellowship committee invites all Rotarians and their guests to these four fabulous Happy Hour events.  YOU WILL RECEIVE ATENDANCE CREDIT!

Habitat for Humanity – May 17th – details to follow

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: 3/17/08      57 %
Rotarians  57   Active Specials  6    Guests  11  Visiting Rotarians  1 =  75

Minutes by Dave Freet: 
President Carrie opened our meeting at 12:11 PM. Jean Beatty led us in singing America the Beautiful followed by one verse of “Irish Eyes!” Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag was given, followed by Al Schmidt providing the invocation for today’s meal, followed by an exchange of greetings among all Rotarians present. All resumed eating.
A short time thereafter, Carrie re-opened our meeting having today’s Greeter, Tom Bream, acknowledged guests and one visiting Rotarian. Peggy Grove provided an overview of our recent Exchange Student Weekend during the “Rotary Minute.”
Mitch Tillet, filling in for Andy Rebuck (as if “anyone” could ever fill in for Andy), provided dates for upcoming “Happy Hour” events, where everyone gets to know each other better and can receive a Rotary make-up for attending. The dates are: March 27th, April 24th, May 2nd and June 6th. Come get a make-up, getto know your fellow Rotarians better, and have fun!
Note was made that our Rotary’s support of Habitat for Humanity work effort has a scheduled ‘work day’ right here in Harrisburg. The date is May 17th. Mark the date down and come provide support for projects here in our own city!
Our Program for the Day was introduced by Doug Wisehaupt. The program presenters (yes, there were three distinct speakers) were:  Michael Reinsdorf-leads the ownership team and traveled here to Harrisburg from Chicago for this presentation about the Harrisburg Senators Minor League Baseball Team. In addition, Randy Whittaker, the new General Manager of the Senators and a native of Harrisburg. Finally Bill Davidson, VP of Operations for the Senators. Michael spoke first discussing why his group made the investment to purchase a Minor League Baseball Team, specifically here in Harrisburg. He shared that the ‘average’ minor league ballplayer makes only $7500. It’s about their love of baseball and following their dream to one day, hopefully, make it into the major leagues. Michael talked about his owner’s team’s purchase of the Harrisburg Senators for $13.2 million (Harrisburg had previously been owned by the National Baseball League and when they were going to be sold in 1996, were saved from being pulled out of Harrisburg by the
City of Harrisburg’s decision to buy the team to ensure it remained here. The team is now affiliated with the Washington Nationals (formerly the Montreal Expos prior to the move to D.C.), which was moved to Washington, D.C. There are only 166 affiliated minor league teams in the country. Of the best minor league baseball areas, our Harrisburg market is ranked #2 in the country. The Senators are their own ‘media market.’ That’s unique to minor league baseball, as the center of their own market. A unique setting on City Island, and come 2009, there will be a brand new Commerce Park Stadium. Michael’s team bought the Senators with the understanding of the strong local support of the team, advertising opportunities, and the ongoing interest of having baseball here in Harrisburg. Another facet is baseball supporting charitable activities, which go hand-in- hand. REMEMBER, it’s ONLY three (3) weeks until the April 3rd
Senators ‘opener’ for 2008!
Randy Whitaker, General Manager for the Harrisburg Senators, Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals of the National League of Professional Baseball is responsible for total business operations of the team on the local level, as well as maintaining the relationship with the parent club in Washington, D. C. He is an "extreme” baseball fan of over 35 years with particular affection for minor league baseball and the business of the game. He noted that the Senator’s target market is “entertainment,” not just baseball. It is intended to draw families for entertainment and to keep the cost affordable. They are targeting Mom’s for weekend events with the Senators, as well. It is a refreshing approach they are taking and they’ll have fireworks at each game, a young fan to officially say, “Play Ball!” immediately following the Star Spangled Banner, and for people to come and have fun. According to Randy, the team is developing some real talent. Great prospects are in the chain and being brought in to play at Harrisburg in 2008 for the future of the Washington Nationals. The Senators are an exciting team on the field, have great support, and will give back to the
community off the field, as well.
Finally, Bill Davidson, VP of the Harrisburg Senators, spoke putting emphasis on family and minor league baseball being a family-friendly game with family-friendly facilities at an affordable cost. The Senators for 2009 expect to attract many locals to support their team. Owners are planning to ‘raise’ baseball infrastructure on City Island to minimize any
impact from future floods. They are re-designing the ball field to make attending a game more fun! There will be significant upgrades in seating and for visibility of the game in the “NEW” Commerce Bank Park. Projected
cost will be in the vicinity of $40 million plus to make the improvements noted, with financing still in progress.
Interesting, excellent sharing of information relative to minor league baseball, and the overall emphasis on local flavor and support for and by the local people, and the “business-side of baseball for the Senator’s team. Their plans should
bring the needed ‘fun’ and excitement back to minor league baseball on City Island. Come out and support our local team. Harrisburg is one of the “few” small cities on the east coast to have supported minor league baseball and we
certainly want them to remain an integral part of our future!