There was one visiting Rotarian--John Nelson from Denedin East Rotary in New Zealand. Six guests--Sarah Gutin (Ambassadorial Scholar)--Barb Schnepper; Asley Parsons--friend of Sarah Gutin; Terri Greenfield--Tony Greenfield; C.M. Nelson--wife of John Nelson; Celeste McMenamin--Fred Levin; Robin Levin--First Lady--Fred Levin.

Celeste McMenamin led us in singing the song by Norris C. Morgan, R-O-T-A-R-Y. The group sang a rousing two verses, mostly on key too. WOW! Go Garden State Rotary.

Rich Lees was given the "Sergeant Of Arms" yellow vest. He looked quite sharp in his new vestment (no pun intended).

Sandi Lichtman, mentioned Habitat for Humanity is demolishing houses during the month of July and is seeking volunteers. For more info contact her, she has the details.

Jeff Baron donated Phillies tickets while Jimmy Horowitz served as auctioneer. Amin Bitar placed the winning bid.

Our new president, Fred Levin presented Alan Stein with a President-Elect pin.

Adam Majoros (milanello2@freemail.hu) will be our new exchange student. He is fifteen, currently resides in Hungary and will begin his school year here in the States with the Pang family. Adam will reside with two other families before his 2006-2007 school year is completed. He is expected to arrive the third or fourth week of August. Ilean suggested that once he has arrived in the States it would be appropriate to welcome him with email messages from members in our group. Stay tuned, as soon as his arrival date is confirmed it will be posted in the Wheel.

Marv mentioned there are still tickets available for Strike out Hunger night. The date is August 16th-- Phils vs the Mets.

Fifty/fifty winner was Mike Wagner with an 85.00 cash prize.

Sarah Gutin, ambassadorial scholar spoke to the group regarding her work in the shantytowns of South Africa. She focuses on HIV education with the residents of these South African communities. She graduated from Cherry Hill West in 1999, University of Michigan, 2003, and is working on her Master's Degree in Public Health--Women's Reproductive Health and HIV Prevention and Education at the University of Capetown in S.A. She noted that forty percent of people die from the AIDS virus in South Africa, with the life expectancy a mere 40-45 years.

The Ambassadorial Scholarship Program is one of Rotary Foundation's oldest. Beginning in 1947 nearly 37,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today it is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program. Nearly 800 scholarships were awarded for study in 2005-06. Through grants totaling approximately US$500 million, recipients from some 70 countries studied in more than 70 nations.

The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to greater understanding of their host countries.

Our speaker last week-Raquel DiGati of SaveAGrace.com--Historical Graveyards of Camden and Gloucester Counties.

Raquel Digati was born and raised in Bristol, Rhode Island . Currently she holds a position as a full-time preservationist for a New Jersey historical cemetery and is the president of the historical preservation conservator firm The Necropolis Group. Growing up she enjoyed hearing the stories of her heritage and local area expanding her education and experience showed her how these imported cultures and older traditions shaped the mysterious world we live in today. She lectures and teaches cemetery preservation as well as innovates new methods to save historical cemeteries. Her spare time is spent with family, friends and her faithful beloved dog.

She said, "All of the History and Mystery that stems out from our Macabre World starts in the beds of our ancestors: the cemeteries. These hallowed libraries of cultural and historical knowledge sit quietly waiting for us to preserve their secrets, lessons and information for all time."

Raquel's current restoration project is in the Cedargrove Cemetary in Gloucester County. One hundred sixty Civil War veterans are interred here. Raquel spoke with passion about preserving the gravesites of the fallen heroes in this war. For more information-- www.saveagrave.com.

July Birthdays

Robert Hardin July 18
Ilean Stein July 18
Marv Axler July 23

Today's Speaker: Classification Talks

Save A Grave is the flagship program of the Necropolis Group.

The Necropolis group is a New Jersey based, nationwide organization dedicated to working with the administrative bodies of historical cemeteries with the exclusive goal of preserving history and building community awareness.

Our Motto is "Saving history one stone at a time.

July Birthdays

Robert Hardin July 18
Ilean Stein July 18
Marv Axler July 23