Today’s Meeting: Sam Hayes, Jr. – Retired Secretary of Agriculture, Commonwealth of Pa. and the presentation of two Amtrykes to Hoyt Bowser and Max Haney.
Future Speakers:
August 21st – Donna Fisher – District Manager Bl. Co. Conservation Dist. – Natureworks Park
August 28th – Jerry Zolten – PSU professor – “How They Got Over: Black Gospel Quartets & the Road to Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Whacha’ May Have Missed Last Week: Our guest speakers were Jane Sheffield & Jim Yeager of the St. Vincent de Paul Society – Monastery Gardens. Jim, the garden’s manager, began the talk by explaining that the gardens at the Monastery were started in 2008 after spending many years at the Hollidaysburg Veteran’s Home. That year the Monastery’s Franciscans donated 
two one acre plots of ground for the establishment of the community garden. In 2015, the gardens became associated with the St Vincent de Paul Society to provide the food that is grown for the community’s needy. The all-volunteer effort produced 7,000 pounds of produce last year! The volunteer’s plant, water, weed, harvest and distribute the organic food each year. This past spring the group erected their second growing tunnel which has made it possible to start planting earlier and to continue harvesting later in the fall. Jim 
stated that the group is always looking for volunteers, not only for the fields but for their board. Jane Sheffield, the flower garden manager, spoke next about the pollinator garden that is at the garden site. Flowers are planted in a 30’ x 60’ plot to help with pollination of the gardens and are available to be picked for arrangements. Jane also noted that in 2016, the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Hollidaysburg assumed the responsibility of finding volunteers for the work necessary to produce and donate the produce to charitable agencies in the community. At the conclusion of their presentation, Jane noted that one of the chairs in the room had a sticky note under it and that person would win a flower display. Mark Ford was that lucky recipient. The gardens are located at 793 Monastery Road, Hollidaysburg and for more information on the gardens, visit them at https://monasterygardens.weebly.com/.
Guests of the Day:
…..Guest of Chris Shirock was former member Dan Bradley.
…..Guest of Bob Reffner was former member Trav Young.
News of the Week:
…..President Kristan noted that Amtryke Chairman, Michele Lloyd, received three of the back ordered Amtrykes last week. The Amtryke assembly team was busy last week constructing the trykes, two of which will be presented at this week’s meeting. Ten year old Hoyt of Clearville and six year old Max of Lilly will be at club this week to receive their Amtrykes.
…..Last Friday evening the Altoona AMBUCS premire softball team, led by coach Tony Miller, took to the diamond in the WeCare Softball Marathon kickoff game. The team, made up of many of our Ambuc members and their family and friends took on a “ringer” team of president Kristan’s brother and friends. The teams battled back and forth for close to three hours until the winning run crossed the plate for the opposition in a very close game with the final score being thirty something to twenty something. Following the game, Ed and Paulette Farabaugh graciously hosted the annual after-game party. A great evening and a nice support of WeCare.
…..The last several years we have not had our annual “500 Club” lunch for those members who either purchased $500 of candy from our Christmas sale and/or made a cash contibution equaling our profit from $500 of sales. The lunch this year will be held on Tuesday October 2nd (note: this is a date change) and will include those members who were “500 Club” members in either 2016 or 2017, or both. Linda Horomanski is organizing this special lunch and will have more details soon.
…..As we did last year, there will not be a meeting on Tuesday September 18th due to the annual Operation Our Town golf outing held at Park Hills. This event draws a very large crowd and both parking and dining room space is at a premium. You’ll have to find your own lunch that day!
…..It’s almost football season and that can only mean it’s time for the AMBUCS Annual 33 Club. The cost this year remains at $40 which gets you an assigned team with a chance to win $30 everytime they score 33 points at the end of a game or $10 if the team they play scores 33. It also gets you free admission to our annual Super Bowl party. There’s a sign-up sheet being circulated starting this week.
…..Winner…..Winner….We have a raffle winner! Last week the raffle ticket of Lynn Lee-Alexander was chosen by our speaker. Lynn strode to the head table and without hesitation chose a card…and it was one of those coveted Jokers. Lynn’s win netted her $194 which she very generously donated to our Amtryke fund. Very nice Lynn!!
…..Did you know that Chris Shirock is about to be married? On August 25th, Chris will marry former Ambuc, Kathryn Mock. Congrats Chris and Kathryn!
In Closing: Who knew that parking lots could bring about a chuckle…..or in this case two?
