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Service Above Self
Rotary Club members have many opportunities for humanitarian service, both locally and internationally. Service programs address such concerns as health care, hunger, poverty, illiteracy, and the environment. Rotarians experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back to the community.
What in the World is Rotary
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Monday, October 9, 2023
Date Change
2023 Phillipsburg Rotary
Golf Outing at
Harkers Hollow Golf Club
Featuring Honorary Chairman "Eric Murdock"
NOTE
Our Golf Outing has been moved to Monday, October 9, 2023, due to unfavorable weather conditions. The schedule and other details of the event will remain the same with Registration
starting at 8:00 a.m. on 10/9.
Thank You!
Vendors - Honorees - Participants
Rotary Volunteers
Since our start in 1938, our members have enjoyed over 80 years of Rotary fellowship. We can serve a no better purpose than to cause us to look into the future with expanded activity in all fields of Rotary service. Our goal is to support the community with ethical standards and participation that have made Rotary an international messenger of goodwill to all humanity. Phillipsburg Rotary is an enthusiastic engaged network of ordinary people providing "Service Above Self", in our local and global communities. We have 32 members and are inviting individuals to join our successful and vibrant club.
Phillipsburg Rotary Christmas Party at Harkers Hollow Golf Club on December 21, 2022
Meet Your 2022 – 2024 Phillipsburg Rotary President
Dr. Marian (Easterly) Fiamma Trapani
Dr. Marian Trapani grew up on Railroad Avenue in Phillipsburg for the first 20 years of her life. Marian has a daughter, a son and three granddaughters.
After 37 years in education, Marian retired from the Phillipsburg School District as the Assistant Superintendent from 2012 to 2015. She started her career in the district as a High School Business Teacher from 1978 to 1996, at which time she moved to Central Office. She has an Undergraduate and Master’s Degree from Trenton State College and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Widener University. Before entering her educational career, Marian worked for the Town of Phillipsburg in the Tax Office (3 years) and Jersey Central Power and Light Company (5 years).
Dr. Trapani has always been community minded. Over the years, she was a member of the Phillipsburg Chamber of Commerce for 12 years, serving as President in 2001, a member of the Phillipsburg Library Board for 19 years and a member of the Ole’ Towne Festival Committee for several years. In 2004, Marian was awarded the United Way of Warren County Chairman’s Award. She is a Paul Harris award recipient, and in 2021, she was recognized by the BEST Scholarship Group as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Education Award.
President Trapani invites you as a guest to learn more about Rotary by attending one of our weekly meetings held every Wednesday for lunch at 12:00 PM (or dinner at 6:00 PM on the last Wednesday of the month) at the Flynn’s on the Hill.
"Come to a Rotary Meeting"
RSVP: Marian Trapani at rotaryphillipsburg@gmail.com
Join us at Noon on Wednesdays for Lunch or Dinner at 6:00 pm the last Wednesday of each month at:
Maineline Events & Catering
341 Pursel Street
Phillipsburg, NJ
Current Events
A check in the amount of $2,000 was presented to the Phillipsburg School District's School Based Youth Services at our August 23, 2023 meeting. The money will be used to support their prevention of drug abuse programs. Pictured are April Poretta, Director of SBYS, and Debbie Shelly, Rotary President-Elect.
Clara Fauviaux, our exchange student, gave her presentation on Belgium at our August 30, 2023, evening meeting. Pictured is President Marian Trapani and Clara exchanging the Rotary flags. Excellent job, Clara!
Kathleen Troxell, Phillipsburg High School Assistant Principal in charge of Guidance Services, was guest speaker at our Rotary Luncheon Meeting on, September 13, 2023, arranged by Brian Grace.
Matt Noel, Director of Recreation for the Town of Phillipsburg, is seen providing an update on recreation projects in the town at the September 6, 2023, meeting. Mayor Todd Tersigni, who arranged for Matt to speak, is awarding him the Rotary Coin with the Four-Way-Test at the conclusion of his presentation.
April Poretta, Director of School Based Youth Services at Phillipsburg High School, was guest speaker at our August, 23, 2023, Rotary meeting. In addition to receiving a $2,000 check from Vice President Debbie Shelly, she informed us of the SBYSP, the mission available counseling, where their funding comes from, and other initiatives they offer.
A check in the amount of $2,000 was presented to the Joseph H. Firth Youth Center for the LEAD Initiative at the August 16, 2023, meeting. This initiative aims to teach youth the negative effects of substance abuse. Pictured are Kelly Post-Sheedy, Youth Center Executive Director, Keely Rehman, LEAD Coordinator and Marian Trapani, Rotary President.
Bob Gould brought two surprise guests to the August 16 Rotary meeting - the two young ladies from Japan who were part of the Short Term Youth Exchange Program four years ago. Afterwards, Kelly Post-Sheedy gave them a tour of the Firth Youth Center and invited them to join in on the Duck Tank activity.
At our August 9, 2023, Rotary lunchron meeting, the speakers arranged by Danielle DeGerolamo, were Anthony Doran and Pamela Clark, representatives of the LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) program. LEAD enhances safety, health, and equity by building a community-based alternative to jail for people whose unlawful behavior stems from unmet needs related to substance abuse, mental health challenges, or extreme poverty. Phillipsburg was awarded a grant to bring this program to at risk adults in town. There are 80 across the United States.
At the August 2, 2023, lunch meeting, we were honored to host our 15 Japanese students, 3 leaders, and Jim and Susan Allison. We exchanged flags, had a treasure hunt and sang tenite! On Monday, our club sponsored their day at Dorney Park. The students will return to Japan on August 16 after 3 weeks of daily trips including New York City, Philadelphia and the beach.
At this week’s Rotary meeting on July 26, author Tristan LaFerriere shared his experience on how to get started writing a book and how to self publish it. Tristan is shown with his mother Betsy LaFerriere, who is a Rotary member. Jim Trincheria from the Huntington Firehouse received a $1,000 check from Vice President Debbie Shelly on behalf of the Rotary and personal checks from our members to help with the damage from the recent flooding at the firehouse.
Congratulations to Bob Valcich for reaching the next level of Paul Harris! He also lead the work session at our 2023 July 19th meeting to kick off our Golf Outing which is on September 25th. Great job Bob!
At our July 12th meeting, Carol Johnson (center) is seen with Dr. Kimberly O'Neil-Wurst and three additional staff members from the "True Health Chiropractic & Wellness Center", 402 Coventry Drive, Phillipsburg. Carol made arrangements for Rotarians to learn about the services they provide.
Members and guests enjoyed the Phillipsburg Rotary June 28, 2023, Installation Dinner at Flynn's. Frank Geraghty was our MC, and Debbie Shelly gave the Invocation. After dinner, Frank discussed the accomplishments of this past year, and proceeded to give Paul Harris Recognition awards for donations to Angelo Faillace, Bernie Rooney and Bob Gould.
President, Dr. Marian Trapani thanked the Rotarians for their support this year and look forward to working with them again in 2023-2024. She also mentioned some initiatives we would be looking forward to next year.
Current Board Members were installed: Debbie Shelly is now the President-Elect, and Hailey Fritzsch was added to the Board..
President Trapani presented two Paul Harris Recognition Pins to Debbie Shelly and Nancy Reilly for their stellar service project performance over the last two years.
Lots of celebrating at the June 21st Rotary meeting. Kelly Bray from McWane Ductile gave her classification, Dianna Marinaro, Interact advisor at PHS and Principal Kyle Rovi attended, and Nicole Hummer, Interact advisor at SMS and a few of her students attended! Thank you for all your outstanding work this school year!
Phillipsburg Rotary members participated in the Ole Town Festival at Walters Park on June 17, 2023.
At our Rotary June 14, 2023 meeting, Billy Staples and William Grammes of the BEST Foundation were introduced by our President, Dr. Marian Trapani. Scholarship recipients were recognized by Brian Grace who presented certificates to Elizabeth Donofry, who was there with her parents and Deanna Brown, who was there with her twin. Each scholarship award winner had an opportunity to talk about their high school achievements and community volunteerism.
Heather Thompson, Chief Development Officer of NORWESCAP, explained to Rotarians all the services provided to low-income individuals and families to help build a community that transforms poverty into opportunity. She is pictured (center) with her colleague, Lori Herpen and Dr. Trapani at our May 24, 2023, meeting.
Saturday, May 20, 2023, was Service Projects Day and the Phillipsburg Rotary (and friends) did not disappoint! Our project was to clean up the flower beds at St. Anne’s Center at Grandma’s House. Thank you to Delaney Landscaping for donating the mulch and to Cierech’s for donating the flowers. Service Above Self!
At our Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Rotary meeting, Sue Rodriguez from First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union gave her classification. Welcome Sue! Cynthia Wildermuth, Chief Executive Officer from Abilities of Northwest Jersey received a check to purchase 14 chairs for the Phillipsburg facility and shared information about this important organization. Visit their website at https://abilitiesnw.com/ to see their wish list or to make a donation.
Rotary President, Dr. Marian Trapani, inducted Mallorie Blake, an accountant from fellow Rotarian Bob Gould's accounting firm at our May 17th luncheon meeting. After her induction, every member present introduced themselves, explained how long they were Rotary members and what they did in their work/volunteer life.
Dr. Eugene M. Decker, D.O. spoke at the May 10th meeting to promote some of his upcoming fund-raisers to support the "Team Decker Leukemia and Lymphoma Society", his family's 501(c)3. Dr. Decker formed this organization to raise money for blood cancer patients in the Lehigh Valley. He has worked at St. Luke's Warren Campus for the last 20 years. On June 17th, he will be hosting a 5K Walk/Run and Tricky Tray starting at Notre Dame High School in Easton. He also highlighted other fund raisers he will be coordinating throughout the year. Our Rotary Club is proud to have made a donation of $250.00 to sponsor the upcoming 5K.
Phillipsburg Rotary President, Dr. Marian Trapani, Vice-President Debbie Shelly and Club Foundation Chair Frank Geraghty attended the District Conference at Skytop Lodge in the Poconos May 5 thru 7, 2023. They are pictured with past Rotary International President Barry Rassin of the Bahamas. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about recent inspiring happenings in the Rotary.
Three individuals were honored at the May 1st Corks & Forks of the Valley Wine, Beer and Food Tasting event where 13 restaurants and 2 beverage establishments provided food and drink for over 200 attendees. This is the 14th time the event was held. Honored were Jerry Pandolfi, Founder of Corks & Forks; and two Excellence in Service Awards were conferred: Kelly Post-Sheedy, Executive Director of the Joseph H. Firth Youth Center, was recognized for her commitment to the children of Phillipsburg; and Nicole Hummer, Stewartsville Middle School Teacher and Advisor of the Interact Club, was honored for her dedication to the students in the club. Pictured with these individuals are Carol Johnson, Jack Budd, Marian Trapani and Debbie Shelly, Rotarians who made the presentations. A wonderful night was had by all. See additional pictures above.
The Stewartsville Middle School Interact Club on April 28, 2023, provided residents of Clymer Village with an evening of food and entertainment. Service Above Self!
At our Wednesday night, April 26, 2023, Rotary meeting, Bill Spencer accepted our $500 check for the Phillipsburg Area Senior Center from Rotary President, Dr. Marian Trapani. This contribution will help defray part of the cost needed for repainting the indoor walls.
Rotarian Hailey Fritzsch of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Warren County gave a presentation on Sexual Assault, acknowledging April as "Sexual Assault Awareness Month".
At our April 19, 2023 luncheon, Jeff Finean was introduced by Carolyn Rebner as our guest speaker. He is pictured with Carolyn and Marian Trapani, President of our Phillipsburg Rotary Club, Jeff shared factual information about George Washington through his published "I Knew George Washington Series". For further information, please select the following website:
About The Author – I Knew George Washington Series (colonelwassite.hingtonandme.com)
Jeff also provided an update regarding the tansformation of the baseball field at Walter's Park into a multi-use baseball, football, and soccer special turf field through the nationally known Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundarion which will benefit the youth in our community.
On Saturday, April 15, 2023, our Phillipsburg Rotary Club joined the young members of the Stewartsville Interact Club at Raritan Valley College to fill and pack macaroni and cheese bags for the "End Hunger" cause. A total of 40,000 bags were filled to help the people in the Ukraine. About 450 pounds were donated to Norwescap to be distributed in our community.
Kelly Bray of McWane Ductile and Susan Rodriguez of First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union were inducted as new members at our April 12, 2023, Rotary Meeting.
On April 12, 2023, after lunch, Bill Hann provided a very interesting and entertaining presentation of his Viking Grand European Tour that he scheduled with Sande Neske.
At our Rotary March 22, 2023 luncheon meeting, Denise DeMarco & Kate Tintorri of St. Luke’s University Hospital of St. Luke's University Hospital Network gave their classification presentation. This is a new member's opportunity to tell their club about their personal and professional life.
Sande and Nick Neske arranged a presentation with a representative from Collett Travel to speak about our fundraiser train excursion through Switzerland and Italy in May of 2024.
Dr. Adam Sadler, Orthopedic Surgeon in adult joint replacement from St. Luke's University Hospital Netwok was the guest speaker at our March 15, 2023 luncheon. He gave an impressive presentation on various treatments to relieve joint pain in addition to surgery.
