Rotary Club of Sycamore, Illinois
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Wednesdays at 11:45 a.m.
St. Mary's Parish Activity Center
312 Waterman Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
United States of America
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President
Jonelle Bailey
President Elect
Becky Springer
President Nominee
Matt Nelson
Treasurer
Michele Jurkovic
Secretary
Patrick Shafer
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Matt Nelson
Sergeant at Arms
Paulette Renault
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Sycamore Rotary News
Rooted for Good on a Mission to End Food Insecurity
Posted by Paul Callighan
Rooted for Good (formerly known as DeKalb County Community Gardens) is on a mission to help financially constrained individuals and families have easy access to fresh and healthy foods according to Executive Director Heather Edwards.  Edwards was this week’s Rotary guest speaker.  According to Edwards, 41% of DeKalb County residents face financial sustainability challenges that limit their food choices.  She noted that the organization’s mobile food pantry served more than 28,000 clients last year, which was a 9% increase over the previous year.
 
Edwards said one of their opportunities to help erase food insecurity is their proposed food hub in northwest DeKalb.  The six-million-dollar project would help consolidate various leased sites used by Rooted for Good to reduce costs and streamline operations plus increase growing operations currently done at their Kirkland farm site.  Unique features would include 24-hour access food lockers and a commercial kitchen open to entrepreneurs starting small businesses.  A state grant of almost $800,000 coordinated through the office of State Representative Amy “Murri” Briel has helped with the start of fundraising.  A Genoa food hub would remain in operation to compliment the DeKalb site.
 
Volunteers are always sought stated Edwards.  More information is available on their website at www.rootedforgood.org.
The Elwood House Museum – A Mansion and More
Posted by Paul Callighan on Dec 10, 2025
Ellwood House Museum Assistant Director Audrey King shared the many aspects of their operations during this week’s Rotary meeting.  The museum itself sits on 10 acres near downtown DeKalb with seven buildings including two mansions, a children’s playhouse, and a large garage converted to exhibit space.  Property is maintained by the DeKalb Park District with the non-profit Ellwood House Association managing programs and operations.  King says she came to the museum eight years ago and has seen steady expansion of their mission to preserve the structures, tell the story of Isaac Ellwood and the mass production of barbed wire, plus weave in special local historical connections to people and events which includes a lecture series in collaboration with the DeKalb County History Museum.
 
King spoke about several of the special features of the property.  For example, there are six architectural styles identified as part of the main mansion which went through three  major renovations during the time it was used by the Ellwoods.  For the holidays, King said they set up 40 Christmas trees.  King also said they are always searching for those hidden passages or hiding places that are part of old houses and can be lost from view for decades.  Likewise, while researching local links to history, King said they uncovered information about Sergeant Hattie Jackson of Sycamore who was part of the “Six-Triple-Eight” all-black, all female battalion in World War II featured in the recent popular movie.for their superior work in overcoming a backlog in mail delivery.
 
Details on tours and events at the Ellwood House are available from their website www.elwoodhouse.org.
District Governor Promotes Expansion and Impact During Video Message
Posted by Paul Callighan on Dec 03, 2025
This week’s Rotary speaker was District 6420 Governor Melissa McCormick who provided a video message encouraging increased membership and community impact.  McCormick, who is a communication coach by occupation, outlined specific steps clubs can take to achieve these goals.  McCormick said her message is prompted by the steadily declining membership trend in the District and the absence of clubs in some key towns within the District.  She said she chose the use of a video to reach out to all clubs in a more timely manner since the large territory of District 6420 means she may not be personally able to visit each club until near the end of her Rotary year.  Her goal is for each club in the District to add one net new member and for the District to add one net new club during her term as President.
 
McCormick called membership growth “Job One” for local clubs.  She noted there is low-hanging fruit to work from.  For starters, there are Rotary Youth Exchange participants who are already knowledgeable about Rotary and its worldwide footprint but may not currently be in a local club.  The Rotary school programs, already a key part of the Sycamore Club activities, were  singled out for developing long-standing relationships to build membership.  College Rotaract Clubs were also mentioned as a resource for traditional club membership.
 
Besides attraction, McCormick spoke about the importance of member retention.  She said the “networking” aspect of Rotary is as vital as formal meetings.  McCormick stressed involvement in area activities is a way to bring your Rotary family and your personal family together in a special kind of fellowship.  She noted the same thing is true for friends and business associates who can learn about a club through invitations to be part of community events where Rotary has a presence.  McCormick added that she has a two-sided business card to help with Rotary awareness where one-side has her business contact information and the other side is all about Rotary.
 
The final part of McCormick’s message was about succession planning.  New rules put a two-year term limit in place for Club Presidents.  She noted how rotating leadership roles means new ideas are bound to come out.  To help make transitions easier, a video modular training program is in place allowing a more gradual tutorial on club operations and responsibilities than previously possible.
"Change Over Time" Through the DeKalb County History Center
Posted by Paul Callighan on Nov 19, 2025
As the Director of the Joiner History Room at the DeKalb County History Center Bob Glover has access to multiple artifacts telling the history of DeKalb County.  Saying history is “change over time,” Glover gave multiple examples of how major events impacted local people thanks to items like photographs, maps, interviews, letters, newspaper articles, historical objects.  He explained how the History Center has a large storage area for their impressive collection of items including a moveable storage shelving system that gives extra room for items.
 
In addition to the physical storage of items, Glover explained that the History Center works closely with historical societies, libraries, educators, and community groups to capture the county’s history.  He noted their specific effort to transcribe old Township Record Books for long-term preservation.  Ironically, they are missing the Sycamore Township Book and he put out a call for any help that will lead to its discovery.  He said they are also seeking letters and diaries from the 1920’s to fill a gap in information in their collection.
 
Glover pointed with pride to the History Center’s collaboration with the Smithsonian Museum for special travelling exhibits.  They currently feature a Food themed exhibit and are looking forward to an exhibit next year centered around the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Meanwhile, he noted they are adding items to their collection as modern as the year 2000 since that represents a time already 25 years ago.  More details on the Joiner History Room and DeKalb County History Center may be found on their website at www.dekalbcountyhistory.org.
Sycamore Chamber Helps Connect Businesses and the Community
Posted by Paul Callighan on Nov 12, 2025
The Sycamore Chamber of Commerce is all about serving its more than 500 members with a variety programs and events as explained this week at Rotary by Marketing and Events Director Shelby Crackel.  Crackel was joined by Member Services Administrator Ashlee Weaver and went through specific ways that the Chamber helps businesses grow and how the Chamber collaborates to promote community events that enhance local quality of life.
 
Crackel noted the many ways the Chamber provides support for businesses.  They have a Business Advocacy Committee engaged in promoting business-friendly government policies.  They also offer legislative leader information sessions, a Leadership Academy, business to business networking, a special women’s networking group, educational programs, plus email, website and business directory exposure.
 
Building on making Sycamore as not only a good place to do business but a good place to live, the chamber has its “Discover Sycamore” branding for community events.  Crackel said that November 21 will be their holiday Moonlight Magic event where downtown stores are open until 8 PM and store windows feature special arts and entertainment displays.  This is followed by the December 5 “Walk With Santa” as the Fire Department brings Santa and Mrs. Claus to the State Theater for a walk through downtown to the courthouse where Santa will have his “house” set up for visits during the holiday season.  Crackel said other events the Chamber collaborates with during the year include the Turning Back Time car show, the Steam Show, and Pumpkinfest.
 
Details about joining the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce and learning about their events may be found on their website at www.sycamorechamber.com.   
It’s Time to “Feed My Starving Children”
Posted by Paul Callighan on Nov 05, 2025
The local “Make a Difference DKC” event will be held November 13-16 at the Suter Company and volunteer Emelia Waugh gave Rotarians an overview of how filling food packets for “Feed My Starving Children” will help those in need worldwide.  Waugh’s day job is as an accountant at Suter and she told how every 15 seconds a child dies from starvation somewhere around the world.  But rather than be overwhelmed by the staggering statistic, Waugh says the local “Make a Difference” event seeks to bring hope by recognizing the way to end hunger is feeding “one child at a time.”  Waugh noted that more than 5,000 volunteers will be filling meal packets with a goal of more than one million produced.
 
To put the impact of the event in perspective, Waugh related a story about a person on vacation who was walking on a tropical beach.  The person observed a local man running down the beach grabbing starfish washed ashore when the tide came in and throwing them back in the water.  Curious, the person asked what was going on.  The man explained that if left abandoned on the beach, the starfish would die because they need to be in water and can’t return on their own.  The person observing pointed out the overwhelming number of starfish being washed ashore along the entire beachfront and that this seemed like an impossible task to make any difference.  The man responded by grabbing a starfish, holding it up, and saying “…it makes a difference to this one.”   Waugh said the seemingly hopeless situation can change when one finds ways to make a difference one step at a time.
 
“Make a Difference DKC” has been the local organizer of the “Feed My Starving Children” mobile packing event for the past 15 years.  It originally started with support from the Sauber Manufacturing Company and got a major boost when the Suter Company became involved in 2012.  Volunteering and donation information is available on their website at www.makeadifferencedkc.org.