Allen Kukovich is the Regional Chair of the Power of 32, which is the largest regional visioning initiative ever undertaken in the U.S. It involves tens of thousands of people across 32 counties in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia creating a shared vision for our region’s future. The process involves three phases, beginning with Community Conversations. These fun and interactive meetings are open to the public and participants can come to  share their thoughts, ideas and concerns about the region.

Colleen Wood is the District 7330 chair of the sand filter project.  She and her husband George will tell us about this important effort and provide an on-the-ground account of helping with distribution in the Dominican Republic.  Here's some information she provided in advance:

Most of the sand filters that have been set up in the Puerto Plata area of the Domincan go to Haitian refugees who live in the slum of Aquas Negras. These people live in a sort of “no man” land there. The children do not have birth certificates or legal docs of any kind, so they cannot go to school and the adults work for pennies a day. The people we work with there (Bob Hildreth has been featured in the Rotarian magazine) have set up church supported schools for these kids and Boys and Girls clubs to keep the older ones off the street.

When we were there in February, George and I bought basketballs, baseballs and gloves for the boys clubs (after all this is the land of Roberto Clemente). We did not take things with us for two reasons: 1. luggage costs and 2. by spending money locally we supported jobs and the local economy.

There is so much need for just basics in both the Dominican and Haiti that it breaks your heart when you see these kids. While we all know these children must be fed, clothed and given clean water, we sometimes forget they are still children and need to play too.

Jim Audas is sponsoring a program on Urban Impact.

Silver Sneakers is a senior citizen fitness program available through Medicare type health care for free. The Peters Township Community Recreation Center participates in this program.  When senior citizens participate they can use the CRC without a fee.

David Wylie will report on our Dr. Howard Jack Dictionary/Spelling Bee project, and school faculty members will tell us their experiences with the distribution of the dictionaries and the annual Spelling Bees at both of the Peters Township elementary schools.

Bill Holt is sponsoring a program on mining issues.

Set aside this date for our annual Charity Gala - a highlight of the Peters Township social calendar! 

We are moving to the Valley Brook Country Club in order to have a sit down dinner, but will continue the fun filled evenings of the past with George Williams creating paintings to music, the golf ball toss, wine tastings, and Bid, Silent and Chinese Auctions.

A recap of the Charity Gala - the results of the evening; what lessons were learned; and what our preliminary goals are for next year.

Terry Wiltrout will present information on the new Outpatient Care Center that Canonsburg Hospital just opened at the site of the former Raddichio's super market and Rite-Aid drug stores.

Our annual Christmas Luncheon in conjunction with Rolling Hills Country Club