This month’s Newsletter includes: the Members Seeking Employment section, a recap of the April tour of the Conectiv Power Plant in Bethlehem, PA, a report on PaddleFest, our first social event in May, and the Meeting Notice for our second social event in May – a Day at Dorney Park.

Over the summer ASME’s Continuity and Change initiative will continue. Be sure to keep yourself informed on this activity by checking the ASME web site at http://www.asme.org/change and reading the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting at http://www.asme.org/bog/ .

While it may appear that the ASME year is over and there is no activity over the summer, you should know that the Section’s Executive Committee will be busy planning events for next year. If you have ideas for activities, tours, or speakers you would like to see included in next year’s program, please let me or one of the other officers know. You should also be aware that we definitely could use your help on the Executive Committee. The jobs don’t take a great deal of time. We keep our meetings short and do most of our work via email. We also make sure that we have fun. So consider helping us out. Contact Doug Robertson, our Section Chair, at robertsond@asme.org if you would like to join the Executive Committee.

Let me conclude my comments for this ASME year by noting that our move to an electronic format for Newsletter has been very successful. Virtually everyone with an email on file with ASME opted to receive the Newsletter electronically. I can count on one hand those who requested a hardcopy. Having all the input for the Newsletter, including your comments, submitted electronically has made it much easier to put this together each month. My thanks to my fellow officers for providing input to the Newsletter and in particular to our webmaster, Joel Derk, for his outstanding effort in getting it posted each month. Finally let me thank you the members for reading the Newsletter, providing your comments for publication, and giving me your feedback on it.

I hope to see you at Dorney Park on May 22, 2004 in Allentown, PA for a day of fun.

Anyone not receiving a hardcopy that wants one needs to notify me at merzr@asme.org . Please keep ASME up-to-date with your preferred email at https://www.asmeny.org/memberaddr/html/security.htm .

Richard Merz, Newsletter Editor

Gary L. Dreibelbis: BS, Plastics Engineering Technology, The Pennsylvania State University at Erie, The Behrend College, BS, Mechanical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University at University Park. Multi-year experience in plastic and metal product design and manufacture. Proficient with multiple 3-D CAD packages. Contributed to the new Teleflex Inc. generic pedal system development effort. Designed the new seizureless connector product line for Amphenol Corp., Times Fiber Communications Division. Took the new MicroTouch Systems, Inc. (proxy for Intermec Technologies Corp., Norand Mobile Systems Division) touchpen from concept to preproduction in 5 weeks. Designed the new EDC cable connector family for Augat-LRC Electronics, Inc.

Contact: Gary L. Dreibelbis, (610) 562-4115, dreibelbisg@asme.org

Michael Schanewolf: seeking employment in M.E.P. firm or HVAC design related company. Almost 10 years of engineering experience in piping and HVAC related fields, including three years of design experience as a junior level engineer assisting senior engineers in design of HVAC systems for schools, churches and township facilities. Basic working knowledge of AutoCAD 2000 and Elite CHVAC load calculation software. BSME - Penn State University; EIT certification.

Contact: Michael Schanewolf, (610) 559-0829, jm2938@hotmail.com

Gordon Yerry: seeking an Engineering position that makes use of skills in Mechanical Engineering and Project Management. The ideal position would involve either field engineering or reengineering of manufacturing or business processes. In my position as a Project Manager I developed, implemented and managed numerous plant improvements and modifications. I consistently made significant contributions to corporate goals for business growth and profits. As a Mechanical Engineer I developed a computer based valve maintenance program and a remote radiation monitoring system. In addition, I analyzed data and developed set-up calculations in support of company outages.

Contact: Gordon Yerry, (610) 837-0917, gyerry15@rcn.com

On April 21st,the Anthracite-Lehigh Valley Section had a great evening running around gas turbines, looking into a combustion burner, and crawling through catwalks to find tiers of equipment. It was a mechanical engineer’s version of kids in a candy shop. Over 35 members and guests attended this event which took nearly 2½ hours.

We were treated to a walk around the grounds to view the water towers and water system, the generator blocks and into the control system trailers. We made our way past the gas turbine and looked into an off-line heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). After several turns, we found ourselves on the steam cycle side at the condenser and condensate pumps. We climbed up to the boiler feed pumps and then to the steam turbine floor. We ended in the main control room to view how the combined cycle system is monitored.

We would like to give Joel Derk a special thanks for getting the tour approved and setup for the walk through. Joel doubles as a Conectiv employee and our website guru. It helps to have people in the right places.

Tom Reilly – Bethlehem Area Manager

For our first social event, we had a terrific spring outing on Sunday, May 2, at Mauch Chunk Lake Park in Jim Thorpe, PA. This was a unique first time opportunity for our members and families to experience kayaking on a flat lake in a controlled environment with plenty of instructors and safety teams. For advanced paddlers this was an opportunity to learn new strokes, try out the newest models of kayaks, and mingle with the experts. We also had lessons, seminars, demonstrations, food, music, crafters, & a Chinese auction, all in a festival atmosphere while "The Hawk 99.9 FM" broadcast from the site.

Five local outfitters brought well over 100 of the latest model kayaks ranging from the long touring type to the hot whitewater play-boats. The mid-sized, recreational type, were present in the greatest number. It did rain lightly for a good part of the day, but with numerous large tents and warm temperatures, no one was cold. Most people wore shorts, and at times put on the top of a light rain suite, while the serious kayakers, who were in the water all day doing acrobatics, wore both wet and dry suites.

This event was piggybacked with a fundraiser for "Dream Come True". This group raises funds for unfortunate kids with serious medical conditions. The funds go directly to local kids so that they may experience their dream, such as a trip Disney World. The PaddleFest 2004 Event Coordinator was Gail Maholick, while I served as the Water Event Coordinator. We raised in excess of $4,000 for Dream Come True, and had a total attendance of just under 1,000 people for the 6 hour event. It was gratifying to know that every sponsor and volunteer has already asked to be part of next year's program if Gail and I decide to go ahead with it. We also had one company contact us saying that they would sponsor next year's entire event. We didn't commit yet, but it is likely that we will.

One of our Section members stood out as far as the number of kayaks he paddled. According to official accounting results, Joel Derk paddled 12 different kayaks. I'm curious to hear which one was best.

Finally, my thanks to everyone who attended this worth while event. More information is available at: www.dreamcometrue-paddlefest.com .

Mike Hopstock, Allentown Area Manager & PaddleFest2004 Water Event Coordinator

It’s time for coasters, thrills, and screams as the ASME Anthracite-Lehigh Valley Section is having a day at Dorney Park. Members and their families are welcome to join in the fun! Dorney Park is 200 acres of more than 100 rides, games, restaurants and attractions for the entire family. And the new PEANUTS™ Characters Show near Camp Snoopy entertains families. Meteor screams across the skies at the Park as it suspends riders face-to-face, looping them forward and backward with nothing between their feet and the sky. Talon is the longest & tallest inverted coaster in the Northeast.

Date/Time: Saturday, May 22^nd 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Members- FREE

Regular Guest- 48" or taller $21.00pp
Junior Guest- age 3 or older and under 48" $16.00pp
Children- age 2 and under FREE

Total number of free member admissions is limited to 30 , so sign up soon!

The section will be providing lunch (12:00pm) at the Pavilion area. Sandwiches, chips, snacks and beverages will be provided for all. Reservations accepted until Friday, May 21^st, but the sooner the better. Meet at the Pavilion area for ticket pickup.

Contact: Tom Reilly

E: tcreilly@enter.net

P: 908-479-0162

Member Name:

Email and/or phone:

Attending: Member FREE

Regular Guest (48" & taller) ____ x $21.00

Junior Guest (under 48") ____ x $16.00

Children- 2 & under FREE

60 minutes or less from most points near PHILADELPHIA
Take I-476 North (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) to the Lehigh Valley Exit (Exit 56/Formerly Exit 33)
Then Route 22 East, to Route 309 South, to I-78 East to Exit 54

90 minutes or less from most points in NORTHERN and CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
Take I-78 West to Exit 54-B

30 minutes from most points in READING
Take PA Route 222 North

90 minutes or less from most points in CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
Take I-78 East to Exit 54