Valley Engineer Newsletter DECEMBER, 2011

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

• January 26, 2012 - Niagara Bottling Plant tour.

• February 4, 2012, Snow Date February 5 –

Math Counts.

• February 24, 2012 Engineers Week Banquet

• March 19, 20, 21, 2012 PSPE 12 PDH Sessions,

DeSales University

• April, 2012 - Possible ASCE Joint Program?

• May, 2012 – Annual Meeting and installation of

officers

LVPSPE President’s Message

December 2011

Dear Fellow PEs,

Happy New Year! Many people make New Year’s

resolutions to “better themselves”, to give back to

society, and to help someone else. This year the Lehigh

Valley PSPE can help you achieve your resolutions!

Better Yourself! Continuing education helps you to

maintain your expertise and expand your knowledge.

The Lehigh Valley PSPE chapter is working closely with

the State PSPE to provide continuing education for

professional engineers. We will be providing six PDHs

per day on March 19th, 20th, and 21st at DeSales

University. There will be approximately ten courses per

day on two simultaneous “tracks”; one track will be of

general interest, and the other track will be discipline

specific (Monday will be for land surveyors and

geologists, and Tuesday and Wednesday will be for civil

engineers). The PDH credits earned can be applied to

the 2011 renewal (for those who still need it) or the

next renewal in 2013. All PDHs will be approved for PA,

NY, and NJ. Details on the sessions will be posted on

the www.LVPSPE.org website.

Give Back! You can give back to society by giving some

of your time to LVPSPE. We are always looking for

volunteers to help with MathCounts and/or to help

select scholarship recipients for our annual awards

banquet.

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Help Someone Else! Help one of your fellow PEs get

involved by bringing them to one of LVPSPE’s monthly

events or tours. Not only will your colleague enjoy the

event, but they will benefit from the networking

contacts as well. This strengthens LVPSPE and benefits

everyone.

I hope that you all have a safe, happy, and prosperous

2012!

Regards,

Peter Staffeld, PhD, PE

President, Lehigh Valley PSPE Chapter

president@lvpspe.org

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TOUR, CENTRAL MORAVIAN CHURCH,

BETHLEHEM, PA.

Members and guests of the Lehigh Valley Chapter,

Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, toured

the Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem on

December 5th, before the Chapter’s Annual Christmas

Banquet at the Hotel Bethlehem.

Tom Tenges, Facilities Administrator, hosted the

members on a warm, clear, Autumn evening. He related

the history of Moravians in Bethlehem, from John Hus,

the fifteenth century Bohemian reformer, to Count

Nicholas Zinzendorf in the eighteenth century, to the

present.

Moravians in the Bethlehem area date from 1741, when

they moved to the area from Germany. Their religion

and its corollary, spreading the word of God to their

non-Moravian neighbors, guided the early settlers.

Native Americans received special emphasis for

conversions. It was a closed community. For one

hundred years, only members of the Moravian Church

were allowed to be residents of Bethlehem.

The early settlers built a chapel next to the

Gemeinhaus, or Community House, in 1751. Many

historical figures including George Washington,

Benjamin Franklin, the Marquee de Lafayette, and

others were visitors. However, after a few years, the

community grew and soon exceeded the 200 person

capacity of the chapel. So, in 1803, construction started

on the present structure. It was completed in 1806, and

has been used for religious services ever since. At that

time it was probably the largest church in Pennsylvania.

The interior of the Church is awe inspiring. It is 60’ wide,

and 90’ long. The unsupported ceiling is 35’ high. The

church originally had movable benches, with a capacity

of 1,200. When fixed benches were installed, the

capacity was reduced to 1,000. One end has an altar

adorned with a Christmas star. At the other end, on a

balcony, is a magnificent pipe organ composed of 3,365

pipes. Tom explained this organ is actually the third

one, installed in 1954.

The “attic”, the area immediately above the church was

part of the tour. The original wooden structure is

visible, along with graffiti by workmen over the years.

Access to the belfry is restricted due to the hazardous

passageway. The clock was originally installed in the Bell

House (nearby) in 1747, and was moved to the belfry

when the church was completed. It is the oldest running

town clock in America.

Central Church also was the host of the world famous

Bach Choir from 1898 until a few years ago.

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The cocktail hour after the tour was an opportunity for

members and guests to socialize and exchange

pleasantries, followed by a sumptuous meal that was

pleasing both to the eye and to the palate. A pleasant

ending to a very good year for the Chapter.

-Alfred Gruenke P.E.

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LVPSPE Scholarship Report Update

LVSPE conducts a local scholarship program to

encourage and support area high school students

looking towards a career in the field of engineering.

Monies raised by our programs plus member and

corporate donations help make this program a reality.

This is a positive way we work to insure our future as a

world leader in field of engineering.

Please consider making a financial contribution to

support our local scholarship program. All contributions

will be acknowledged as a record of your giving. Any

amount is greatly appreciated. Last year though

corporate, individual and income from CEU programs,

we were able to offer five $1,000.00 scholarships to

area students. Contributions can be made to LVPSPE

and sent to:

Borton-Lawson

3893 Adler Place

Bethlehem, PA 18017

Attn: Roger Miller, P.E.

Anyone interested in assisting with the scholarship

program is encouraged to get in touch with me at the

address listed above or via telephone: (484) 821-0470

or by e-mail: rmiller@borton-lawson.com

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The problem with people who have no vices is that

they’re pretty sure to have some annoying virtues.

-Elizabeth Taylor

Closing Thoughts

Many of us have been to exotic overseas locations in

our travels, both professional and personal However,

the United States has some interesting places also.

During my travels around the USA, I’ve made an

interesting observation. The country is like a small pond

in the woods. All the scum is on the outside, while the

center is clean. Think about it, and disagree if you can.

A few years ago I was involved in the installation of a

hydraulic roll crusher at a cement plant in southern

Indiana. We started serious operations on a Saturday,

with mixed results. The torque limiter coupling between

the motors and the reducers sometimes tripped. We

needed a depth micrometer to set the torque, which we

did not have.

Two members of our party said that they would go

looking for one. I must admit that I thought their

chances of finding such a tool on a Saturday night in

rural Southern Indiana was between slim and none.

They went to a local diner and loudly announced that

they were working at the local cement company, and

needed a depth micrometer in order to set some

equipment. One of the waitresses came over and said

that her brother had a machine shop, and she would

call him. She returned a few minutes later and stated

that yes, he had one, and proceeded to give them

directions to his shop.

They drove past miles of dark fields and woods until

they came upon a small building with lights on in the

middle of a corn field. They went up to the front door

and knocked. A man opened the door and gave them

the valuable tool. He trusted that they would treat the

tool with care, and return it when finished. He did not

ask for a security deposit, identification, or their

mothers’ maiden name. His only interest was helping a

fellow human being, because he could.

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Another interesting incident. I went to a diner in town

and ordered breakfast; two eggs, ham, toast, and

coffee. I received three eggs, ham, toast, and coffee. I

said nothing. Next day, I ordered the same thing. Again,

I received three eggs. I asked the waitress why. She

explained. “Weel, the eggs are kinda small this time of

the year, so we gave you an extra egg”.

Where else but in America’s Heartland can a total

stranger, on a dark Saturday night, have someone go

out of their way to help out? Or give you an extra egg.

Alfred Gruenke P.E.

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Every man should be born again on the first day of

January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more

in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to

circumstances; but on the first of January let every man

gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and

take no interest in the things that were and are past.

-Henry Ward Beecher

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Pants is short for Pontaloons. Years ago, pants came in

two pieces, one for each leg. Hence, two became a pair

of pants. They were tied together at the top, similar to

cowboy’s chaps.

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Don’t believe anything you hear, and only half of what

you see.

-Ray Gross, ex-Chief Engineer, Fuller Company

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HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age,

weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them.

That is why you pay him/her.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you

down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer,

crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle.

An idle mind is the devil's workshop. And the devil's

name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for

breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The

only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.

Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's

family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies,

whatever! Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is

unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can

improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the

next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the

guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at

every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away.

-From George Carlin's Views on Aging

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Living on Earth is expensive,

but it does include a free trip

around the sun every year.

ADVERTISEMENTS Please Contact the Valley Engineer Editor to Advertise for the

remainder of the calendar year 2011.

THE GIFT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME – SCHOLARSHIP

A great way to be involved in the LV Chapter is to contribute to the SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND. The Scholarship

Committee is continually seeking contributions to the Scholarship

Endowment Fund. If you would like to contribute in any amount –

please see the form on the PSPE website at Lehigh Valley Chapter

link – http://www.pspe.org/scholarships

Your tax-deductable contribution can be mailed to our Local

Scholarship chair:

Roger A. Miller, P.E.

Borton Lawson Engineering/Arch

3893 Adler Place, Suite 100

Bethlehem, PA 18017

Checks should be made out to: “LV Chapter – PSPE”

Please note “Scholarship Endowment Fund” on the comment line.

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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Pennsylvania Engineering Foundation currently

administers the following scholarships for engineering

students:

Undergraduate

• $2,000 PEF Grant

• $1,000 Harrisburg Chapter PSPE Grant

• $1,000 Professional Engineers in Private Practice Grant

Upperclassman

• $2,000 Pennsylvania Engineering Foundation Grant

Applications and guidelines are on-line now at

http://www.pspe.org/scholarships

Any questions regarding the Scholarship Endowment Fund

and Opportunities can be directed to

Roger A. Miller, P. E.

(484) 821-0470 x 142

rmiller@borton-lawson.com

Internet Addresses

National Society of Professional Engineers

http://www.nspe.org

Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers

http://www.pspe.org

Lehigh Valley Chapter – PSPE

http://www.pspe.org

Click on the link for the Lehigh Valley Chapter

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2010/2011 State Officers State Director Mike Basta, P.E., CSP, MS

statedirector@lvpspe.org

(o) 610-909-9002

Alt. State Director Johann Szautner, P.E., P.L.S.

forensicengineerszautner@verizon.net

(o) 610 216 3918

VP Northeast: Eric Tappert, P.E.

statevp@lvpspe.org

(o) 610-282-4606

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Board of Direction Meetings The monthly Board of Direction meetings are 6:00 PM on the second (2nd) Monday of each month.

Open to all members they are held at DeSales University Hurd Science Center 2nd Floor.

2010/2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAPTER DIRECTORS

Nicole Gasda, P.E. 2012 (o) 215-536-7075 directors@lvpspe.org

Al Dezubay, P.E. 2012 (o) 609-577-0714

directors@lvpspe.org

Don Kohn, P.E. 2013 (o) 610-967-4766 directors@lvpspe.org

Cheryl Rishcoff, P.E. 2013 (o) 888-524-4972

directors@lvpspe.org

CHAPTER OFFICERS

President: Peter Staffeld, PhD, P.E. president@lvpspe.org (o) 484-264-7885

President Elect: Kevin Campbell, P.E.

presidentelect@lvpspe.org (o) 610-398-0904

Vice President: Alfred Gruenke, P.E.

vicepresident@lvpspe.org (o) 610-398-0904 Secretary: Chris Williams, EIT

secretary@lvpspe.org (o) 610-398-0904 Treasurer: Ray Szczucki, P.E. (o) 610-614-1245

treasurer@lvpspe.org Immediate Past President: Alan Fornwalt, PE