President Diana Taylor opened the meeting.  In honor of fallen veterans Dennis Kratohwil then had us sing “God Bless America” and in an unusual achievement for our members, we seemed to have remembered the words, well past the first line.

 

BRAGS:

 

David Potts bragged that his son is retiring from the United States Airforce.

 

John McDonald decided to get a multitude of brags out of the way in one session.  We heard about his fifty-one years of successful marriage, one grandson graduating from Butler, another grandson winning a college scholarship and a daughter having a birthday.

 

Larry Neal had a great vacation in Florida.  His adventure was almost marred though by the loss of his driver’s license forcing him to remain in Florida, golfing, swimming, and sail boating (which actually does not sound that bad.)  However, a kind hearted TSA officer led him through the procedure allowing him to return to the great State of Illinois, where his heart was really at.

 

Dennis Kratohwil had a fine five day trip to New Orleans.

 

Steve Riley went to a funeral where he met the ninety-six year old decedent’s girlfriend and decided that he had found his new role model in life.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

Ken Chapin former president of the Sunrise Rotary and a long time active member of the club, passed away on Tuesday May 21.  Ken also played a significant role in establishing the Special Olympics Program in our community. Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Libertyville on June 15 at 2:00 p.m.

 

Doctor Potts is holding his annual Smiles from the Heart event to provide free dental services to those in need on May 31.  He is looking for volunteers on that day and cash donations to cover the costs.

 

Doctor Potts also reported that Dan Lutter is going through therapy at the Manor House.

 

On Friday May 31 our club will be taking an outing to the Arlington Racetrack.  Contact Rick Mittelman for details.  There will be no morning meeting next week

 

Larry Neal reminded us that the Mothers Trust will be holding their golf outing on June 14 at Pine Meadows.

 

Time Dempsey held a putting contest this week, with one representative participating from every table.

 

This week our program provided us insights on a selection of admirable student activities at High School District 128.

 

Andy Compton who directs the Special Olympics program for the district informed us that they now have 45 students participating.  The players are very enthusiastic, and they have won state championships this year in soccer and basketball.  They have adopted the Unified Sport approach, which means that the special athletes play alongside on the same teams as regular athletes.   He mentioned that they have sporting events for wheeled chaired students, but that most of these are individual competitions rather than team sports.

 

James McDonald a student at the school spoke about his service as a mentor for athletes participating in Special Olympics.  A number of his classmates volunteer for this activity, and he finds it an incredible experience.

 

We also had representatives of the local Interact Club who updated us on their activities. Their biggest program is their Wish dinner, where they give out gifts to needy families.  Bicycles are a big item.  The students organize the gift giving and put on the dinner.  They obtain names of families that can be helped by this program from Catholic Charities. Interact has also volunteered for Feed My Starving Children and helping to rehabilitate homes for the needy. 

 

Finally we heard from Evan Hertzler a Rotary sponsored foreign exchange student who is about to depart for a six week trip to Germany.  He will spend four weeks attending a German school and two weeks traveling around the country.  Upon his return home he will be hosting a foreign exchange student from Germany visiting the United States.

 

 

Tony Collins won the $23.00 weekly raffle.  David Potts failed to win the progressive pot of $299.00 with 43 cards left, when he pulled the four of spades.

 

 

There is no morning meeting next week.  Instead we will have a fellowship event at Arlington Park Race Track on Friday.

 

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney