PROGRAM:  JACK WAGNER
Sworn in as Pennsylvania's 50th elected auditor general on Jan. 18, 2005, Jack Wagner brings 25 years of public service to his new role as the commonwealth's independent fiscal watchdog.

Wagner identified job retention and growth, health care, and public safety as his administration's top priorities. "Improving the performance of government so that it improves the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians is my mission,'' Wagner said.

Before he was elected auditor general, Jack Wagner had represented Allegheny County as a state senator since May 1994. He served in the leadership of the State Senate and as the Democratic chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. He also served on the Appropriations; Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness; Rules and Executive Nominations; and Policy committees.

Wagner was a member of the Pittsburgh City Council for 10 years, representing all city neighborhoods. He was born and reared in the Beechview neighborhood. He was Pittsburgh City Council's president from 1990-93.

A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Wagner received a Purple Heart and other military commendations while serving in the Vietnam War from 1966-68.

Following his military service, Wagner graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Safety Management in 1974. While a student at IUP, Wagner worked as a paramedic with Citizens Ambulance Service. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from IUP for service to the community and the University in 1994.

He serves on the boards of the Senator John Heinz History Center, the Obediah Cole Foundation for Prostate Cancer, the Veterans Leadership Program, the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, and Sharing and Caring Inc. He is a member of the German American National Congress, Italian Sons and Daughters of America, Knights of Equity, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Lions Club, Elks Club, and Moose Club.

Wagner also belongs to the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans Institute, and Veterans Political Action Committee. He received the Veteran of the Year award from the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program and the Outstanding Legislator Award from the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also received the Clarion Young Democrats John Shropshire Award.

Wagner is a member of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Beechview, where he lives with his wife, Nancy, and children, Luke and Sara.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS / MEETING LOCATIONS:  

• Oct 29           Jack Wagner, Auditor General
  Hilton            Coordinator
• Nov 5            Service Above Self Award
  Hilton
• Nov 12          Michael D. Grove, RN,  Assoc. Dir. Patient Care Services
  Hilton            Lebanon VA Medical Center
• Nov 19          Interclub Thanksgiving Luncheon
  Hilton
• Nov 26           NO MEETING

For complete programming go to our website: hbgrotary.org and click on calendar.
November is Rotary Foundation Month

NEWS AND NOTES:

•  11th ANNUAL APPLE HARVEST PANCAKE BREAKFAST
* Please buy your tickets (we hope that you come, but even if you don't, please buy the tickets) They are $5 a piece for a total of $50 (or one night out for dinner). Turn your money into Linda. Remember - by buying and filling out tickets - for each ticket - you receive one chance for the big screen TV. But you must buy the ticket and fill out the stub.
Proceeds are for a great cause - including the back pack program to feed indigent students on the weekends.
 
* For those attending, there is a new parking lot right outside of the new wing for the High School off of 25th Street and across from Kline Village. You may park there in Kline Village's parking lot or at Girl Scouts off Hale Street.
 
* For those working - if you are early enough, you may be able to grab a parking spot along Hale Street and then come in through kitchen (near where the trash dumpsters are off of Hale).

For those attending the breakfast with special needs - you should enter through the Hale Street gates and enter the cafeteria through the doors facing the football field.  If you enter through the Market St or 25th Street entrance, you will have to use the elevator.
 
Any questions, ask Linda, Karen Paris or Jacqueline Bedard.

•  The Rotary Club extends condolences to Mike Love and his family on the loss of his sister.

Rotary International United Nations Day will be held Saturday, Nov. 3 for $35.  A bus will leave from Queensgate (York) at 5:00AM for presentations and panel discussions addressing key humanitarian issues. An optional tour of the UN is available for $13. Contact Linda for forms.

• Rotary Foundation Dinner - DGE Ben Hoover is inviting all Rotarians & guests to attend the District Rotary Foundation Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at the Country Club of York from 6-9 PM. Reservation & Sponsorship forms are available from Linda or on the club website (www.hbgrotary.org) Show your support of the Foundation and DGE Ben Hoover by attending.

•  YOUTH EXCHANGE INFO
The Rotary Club of Harrisburg is sponsoring Ange Sauvage from Lyon , France. Ange is attending Susquehanna Township High School. The Youth Exchange Committee will be interviewing host families (they do not need to be Rotarians) in Susquehanna Township. Ange will stay with 3 host families during the school year. He will stay with each family about 3 months. Host families are to treat him as you would your own child. Ange will receive an allowance from the Club. If you are interested in hosting Ange or you know of someone else in Susquehanna Township who would want to host him, please contact Linda Freedenberg or Ron Guss ASAP. 

•  SUPPORT OUR TROOPS PROJECT
Donate $10 cash or check payable to the Harrisburg Rotary Foundation, in support of our 2007-08 goal to raise another $2,000 to assist the non-profit “Wounded Warrior Project” minister to the personal needs of our severely wounded troops who face long-term rehab in military hospitals. Your contribution is 100% tax deductible.

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: 10/22/07        59%
Rotarians  85   Active Specials  17     Guests  9     Visiting Rotarians 0  =  111

Minutes by Karen Paris:
Something was missing… what was it? Lots of people milling around, a long line, but, hmmm… oh yes, it was the empty background reverberating through the room. Al Baker said it’s a piece we haven’t heard for awhile – “The Sounds of Silence.” Those ivories were not being tickled and it was very much missed. Hope to see you back next week, Al.

PRESIDENT Carrie called the meeting to order noting that there was a full agenda for the day. Ann Alsedek asked the group for their choice and when confronted with only one rock song by Bridget Whitely who suggested “Born in the USA”, Ann wisely picked “God Bless America”. The invocation by Joan Prescott reminded us to remember the gifts that we’ve been given. And, you would have thought this was the first Rotary meeting in 6 weeks there were so many hellos around the room.

Guy Patterson introduced our Visiting Rotarians and guests.

We were already full when the Pancake Committee hit us with another “short stack” of three – three announcements, that is. 1) Connie pointed out that you got a great bargain as your placemat ad (what do you mean you didn’t take one?) is in color. 2) We need 125 more Rotarians to sell their tickets AND to attend this Saturday. (and bring your in-laws!!) 3) Gib introduced Irene Berman-Levine who did a spectacular job at auctioning off 10 items which raised a total of $930 towards the breakfast proceeds. Great auctioning, Irene. But, we all know there’s a big shortage of RD’s (dieticians) so don’t give up your day job!!!

Hal Hurwitz announced a “save the date” – December 18 and December 19 are Salvation Army Bell ringing. Put it in your calendar now!

President Carrie announced that more trips for Katrina relief are in the works between January and March. She’s asked the program committee to contact Brad Stadnick of the Colonial Park Club to do a presentation that Carrie noted was very moving on the need for help.

For a minute it felt like we were in Florida at the last election. President Carrie noted that the Club will have to either 1) raise dues $1 per week or 2) have the cold cut/salad platter that was served today. After taking a straw poll of the group, Carrie said it appeared to be a tie, but an unknown “cadre in the corner” said that the cold cuts win. Let’s see if we get any bologna next week…

Our speakers were Kim Patten from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Erin Pittman, a biology teacher at Sci-Tech High. They presented an overview of the 10th grade’s canoe trip in September along the Susquehanna. The trip was made possible by the happy hour that Al Baker sponsored in August at his domicile. We were treated to a PowerPoint presentation that had a great audio in the background. We got to listen to “Sunshine on the Water” (John Denver) and “Yellow Submarine” (Beatles). NO ONE would believe this, but the whole Club was singing to “Yellow Submarine”. See, all we need are the right songs and we can do it too!!!! What a boost for the Music Committee. I’m sure there is more here than meets the eye. Two students spoke about the trip, their fears beforehand, and how much they learned along with having a great day. Meg Burton called it “project-based” learning that is very meaningful as well as practical. The group was able to measure phosphate and nitrate samples; they found that the water is “healthier” than they thought.

At the end of the meeting Carrie sent us on our way with her cheery goodbye. Another good meeting, Carrie.

Please support our Officers and Board by serving our club and our community as we begin our new Rotary year!