Today’s Meeting:
Future Speakers:
December 19th – Christmas Party – No noon meeting
December 26th – No noon meeting
January 2nd – TBA
Whacha’ May Have Missed Last Week:
…..Last week our speaker was Jonathan O’Harrow – Interim Director of Strategic Communication and Marketing at Penn State Altoona. While a number of our members may have known our speaker from his many roles with the Altoona Community Theatre plays,
especially his recent role as Shrek; Jonathon’s real occupation has been his 17 years at the Altoona Campus as their Web Master. Two months ago he was named as the interim Director of Strategic Communication and Marketing. Jonathon stated that Penn State Altoona has been blessed with having three facility dedications within the last seven months. The first facility dedication was in June at their LaunchBox at 1331 12th Ave. This facility’s initiative is to spur economic development, job creation, and student career success. Begun with a $50,000 seed grant, the project provides a no-cost startup to turn ideas into products and services. The building can handle up to 20 start-up businesses and is just one of thirteen innovation hubs across the Penn State campus communities. The second dedication was in October for the former Penn Furniture Building on 12th Avenue. This building will provide needed office space, classrooms, computer labs, and labs for the Rail Transportation Engineering program. Also in October was the third dedication, the newly renovated Adler Athletic Complex. This 24.5 million dollar expansion and renovation of the original building, which was built in 1972, features a second gymnasium that can seat 2,200, a Reliance Bank fitness center so named for the $500,000 gift from the bank, and a number of new offices and equipment rooms. Jonathon proudly noted that $7.3 million of the project was raised by the student leaders of former graduating classes. Future plans for the complex include a natatorium, tennis courts and additional multi-purpose rooms. Jonathon completed his talk by saying that the mission of the campus is “to engage, inspire, and prepare students for success”. During the Q & A session, Jonathon revealed that their future plans include the construction of an additional residence hall within the next 3 to 5 years.
Guests of the Day:
Alex Seltzer introduced his guest…..Michele Brenneman, Field Director of the Boy Scouts.
Paul Dick introduced his guest…..Terry Albright of M&T Bank. Terry has turned in an application for membership!
News of the Week:
…..With condolences, President Rachael informed the membership that longtime member Gary Pfahler passed away on Monday December 4th. He was previously a member of the Altoona AM Chapter. Gary was only days away from his retirement from Altoona First Savings Bank.
…..A sign-up sheet was circulated again last week for the annual AMBUCS 
Christmas party that will be held on Tuesday evening, December 19th at Park Hills. Cash bar will begin at 6:00 PM, dinner at 6:30 and a visit from Ol’ St. Nick himself around 7:00. There will be no noon lunch that day or December 26th.
…..President Rachael also reminded everyone about our annual Christmas 
candy sale. Order pickup will be Tuesday the 12th at club. If you can’t pick up your candy on the 12th, call Kathy to make other arrangements. Our Christmas Candy sale features an opportunity to participate in what’s referred to as the “500 Club”….named this due to recognition of those members who sell $500 worth of candy. Since our profit on $500 of candy is around 40% or $200, a member can become a “500 Club” member by selling $500 of candy, making a $200 donation or some combination of sales x 40% and a cash donation, the two totaling $200.
…..Last week the raffle ticket of Carl Gingrich was chosen. Since Carl left early, Alex picked for Carl and unwisely chose the Ace of Spades. Carl’s bad luck (of having Alex choose for him) means one more card is gone. This week you can have the chance to take home a pot of around $320 by picking a Joker out of the remaining 38 cards.
…..Do you shop on Amazon? If so, why not designate the Altoona AMBUCS as your charity of choice in their Amazon Smile giveback program? The Altoona AMBUCS are now registered with Amazon and consequently they will donate a portion of your purchases to us. Just in time for Christmas! Also, please pass this along to your friends and family so that they too can support us!
…..The board met last Thursday with the following highlights:
- Accepted a membership application of Terry Albright, branch manager of M & T Bank.
- Made a $50 donation to Special Olympics in memory of Gary Pfahler.
- Made a $250 pledge for Kristan Zolnoski to participate in a Family Services/United Way fundraiser in 2018.
…..Congrats to 33 Club winners Mike Seidel and John Lloyd (Bears) and their opponent Paul Dick (Bengals)! That will net Mike & John $90 each and Paul $30…..but there’s still football on Monday night….so they might have to share!
In Closing: What you probably didn’t know about Santa’s Reindeer
…..According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer. At the beginning of winter, the male reindeer drop their antlers, usually
in late November to mid-December. Female reindeer however retain their antlers until they give birth in the spring. Therefore…..according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa’s reindeer pulling his sleigh…..each and every reindeer, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to have been a female! I mean we should have figured that out…..ONLY women (pregnant ones at that) would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night, not have to ask for directions and not get lost!