Left to Right -Rotary President Rev. Imre Bertalan thanks Rev. Mark McMahon and Pastor Amy Biddle for presenting the story of the "End Hunger Cafe" in Latrobe, Pa.

It all started with groceries being placed on Main Street one day a week for hungry folks to help themselves to what they needed.  All through the efforts of “The Way” church in Latrobe.  It has now grown into a soup kitchen the feeds 100 people a full meal, 4 nights a week for one hundred dollars.  Rev Mark McMahon came to Latrobe from Tennessee and in 2010 founded  a small evangelical church “The Way”. It’s beginning was in an elementary school classroom rented for $180.00. Enough peoples showed up to provide the money for the rent. And so it began.  They recognized that some folks were going hungry and committed  to doing something about the problem.  Thus the mission which has grown into the “End Hunger Cafe”. With the considerable help of the churches ministerium , food suppliers, grocery stores, community volunteers and donations the enterprise continues to grow. Pastor Amy Biddle supervises the operation.  For  more information and to volunteer or donate, see the Cafe webside at www.endhungerinlatrobe.com

ROTARY PALM SUNDAY BRUNCH - SUNDAY APRIL 1, 2012

For many years on Palm Sunday our Rotary Club has held a Pancake Brunch to raise funds
for our community programs. The menu consists of all the pancakes and sausage you can eat,
scrambled eggs, orange juice and coffee. This year Palm Sunday comes on April 1, 2012
and Rotary is beginning the preparations for another great success. The event is held in the
Ligonier Town Hall and begins at 8:00 am and closes about 2:00 p.m. Don’t eat breakfast
before going to church on Palm Sunday. Save room for a great breakfast feast at town hall
and help the Rotary Club support their community programs.

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Cynthia Knaus Inducted Into Membership

Cynthia was inducted into membership of our club with a ceremony conducted by President Imre Bertalan assisted by sponsor Tom Sylvester. We are happy to welcome her as a new member. Cynthia is not new to Rotary. She was formerly a member of the Mount Pleasant club. She is the new manager of the Standard Bank in Ligonier. We also welcome her to renewing the challenges of being a Rotarian.

Eric Bucklen Student of the Month October 2011

Issac Colson Student of the Month September 2011

The above students were honored as students of the month by the Ligonier Valley High School for September and October 2011 . They were hosted by the club at a Tuesday noon meeting and presented gift certificates and a plaque to recgnize the honor. Both spoke to the club and told of their many activities in high school and their plans and aspirations for the future. Congratulations, Issac and Eric !

This year we held our Christmas Party at the Antiochian Village facilities. We all assembled for a formal picture smiling prettily. The party was planned and arrange by Tom Sylvester in a fine manner. We were treated to a fine meal prepared by the Village. The evening was blessed with good fellowship, great beverages, and exciting gift exchanges. Paul Finley, CEO of Antiachian Village served as a superb host. Be of good cheer!!!

HIGH TECH EMERGENCY VEHICLE

Ligonier Hose Company No. 4 President Bill Stablein and Fire Chief Paul Church spoke to the club on November 15, 2011 about the history and vital mission of this organization in our community. They have currently 51 ” runners” or active volunteers who are on call around the clock to respond to fires, accidents, and emergencies of all kinds. In addition to being an all volunteer group of responders, they also depend upon the the community for volunteer financial support and conduct fundraising activities. To impress upon the group the high technology of providing emergency assistance, they brought along one of the three vehicles they use. They demonstrated and had Rotarians try out the “jaws of life” tools cutting apart steel automobile parts. The two men explained various systems on the emergency vehicle and it became apparent that our community has the latest technology at their beck and call. It was also apparent that we are fortunate that funds can be raised for this expensive service and that we are part of the raising!

Bill Stabein and Paul Church Thanked by Henry Croft, President Elect. For Excellent Program

Tom Sylvester Uses Hydraulic Cutter Assisted by Paul Church

Students Built School Entrance Sign

The Rotary Club  traveled to Eastern Westmoreland Career &Technical Center for their regular Tuesday noon meeting on October 25th.  Rotarians were  treated to a delicious  luncheon by the students of the Culinary Arts Department. The program was presented  by the students of the school.  It included a video made by the students of the electronics media department. A number of students spoke of what they were learning in their chosen career  and  how they enjoyed  the opportunity to attend the career center.  The students also spoke of their choices of careers and employment  that were developed from their studies.  Many plans involved more training and studies at institutions of higher education. (Rotary Club of Ligonier awards a scholarship ever school year.) The speakers all had definite goals for their future.  After the luncheon,  a tour of shops and labs was conducted were we observed students involved in their learning activities.

Computer Engineering Technology

Mechatronics Lab

Automotive Technology

Automotive Collision Technolgy

Machine Tool Technology

Graphic Communications

Katie DeMayo was crowned Miss Ligonier 2011. She is a junior at Ligonier Valley High School and the daughter of Dr. William and Laurie DeMayo of Ligonier. She receives a $ 2,500 Scholarship and will participate in many community events during her reign. When asked about her feelings about being named Miss Ligonier, Katie said; “I’m a bit overwhelmed. I feel like I am dreaming. I’m very glad to be Miss Ligonier and look forward to fulfilling all of my future duties” The 1st Runner Up is Caitlin Brown, a Ligonier Valley senior, who receives a $ $750 scholarship. Caitlin will assume the Miss Ligonier duties if for any reason Katie can not. Jeannie Markosky was awarded the 3rd Runner Up spot and received a $ 500 savings bond.. An award for community service was received by Ellen Jameson from the Thoburn Educational Foundation. Catherine Clements was voted “Miss Congeniality” by all the contestants and received $ 500.

Miss Ligonier 2011 Katie DeMayo

The number of contestants (26) established a record in this 51st year. Paul McCracken, event chairman, was quoted by the Ligonier Echo saying “I think it is outstanding to see such an increase in just one year. It really shows the quality of young ladies in the area when so many have the accolades and the confidence to enter into the competition.”

Judges at Work

A well qualified panel of judges were assembled for the task of selecting winners: they were Jeannie Morrison, the Rotary 7330 District Governor, Rose Charney, director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Cosmetology , and Kathy Smartnick, regional director of the Miss America Organization.
The evaluation of each of the contestants included the answer to a random question. DeMayo was asked:”What is your favorite school subject?” She replied that her favorite subjects were advanced algebra and trigonometry.
“ I really enjoy manipulating the values of the numbers to come to my answers. I also like the way it challenges me.” Caitlin Brown was asked what she thought her mission in life was. She said she hoped to help and influence someone in the positive ways that both her grandmothers have inspired her. Jeannie Markosky was asked what her favorite holiday was and why. She replied that Christmas was her favorite holiday, because of the joy she sees in people. “I think it really brings our community together as well as bringing families together, she said.

Catherine Clements Miss Congeniality

Miss Ligonier Court at Fort Ligonier Parade

The Rotary Club of Ligonier gratefully acknowledges the tremendous support of the pageant by the business community in the valley, the sponsors, the school, the Rolling Rock Club for the staging. Rachael’s of Ligonier for the flowers, Clark’s Jewelers for jewelery and engraving, Karat Shoppe of Ligonier for the tiaras.