This week: January 23, 2026 - Bob Webster - Lviv Construction and Recovery Fund in Ukraine
Our speaker was Bernd Wrede, a Rotarian from Germany, a Pastor at the German Lutheran Church where he is responsible for the pastoral duties in the congregation, and a visitor at our club for the past several weeks. His subject was “Germany—20 years since unification.”
To start, Bernd described unification as “still a miracle as it occurred without a single shot, and East Germany went out of existence after October 3, 1990.” East Germany is now under the rule of law surrounded only by friends with less than 4% unemployment, a steady infrastructure, and a tribute to unification.
A new Germany speaks of NATO and the European Union, although there are doubts about its capacity and leadership in Europe
Postponed
After many hours of planning and preparation, it has become sadly necessary to postpone the June 16 Rock Creek Bike Ride fund raiser because of the lack of Boy Scout and club membership participation. Hopefully, this event can be rescheduled for next Spring at a time that does not conflict with other activities.
Elaine Rose was born into one of three Jewish families in the small town of Doylestown (15 miles north of Philadelphia). From 2nd grade through graduation from Penn State University, her unwavering focus was on becoming a writer. When this did not prove financially viable, she turned to more rewarding PR positions with corporations. That is what she does today.
After a brief marriage that ended with no progeny, Elaine married Bob Rose. They became the proud parents of a boy (now 29) and girl (27).
Five years ago, at age 57, Bob developed a frontal temporal dementia which has proceeded to rob him of his entire personage. Elaine is faced daily with the ongoing challenge of maintaining compassion and respect for the person she wants to remember, while dealing with the person Bob has become. He is now in an assisted living facility (24/7 care). Elaine attributes her managing to gain acceptance of these challenges to : 1) her participation in two support groups; 2) the loving attention of the 24/7 caregivers; 3) her prescience in having taken out a long term health care policy years before it was apparent it might be needed.
