June 29 - Golf Outing & Induction Dinner, but no meeting
July 6 - No Meeting (Happy 4th of July Week!)
Pre-Covid Rotary Exchange Student Sebastian Colmenares from Venezuela made a return visit to the Rotary Club of Sycamore Wednesday. Sebastian (standing on left) was joined by his parents (seated at the right). He recounted multiple experiences where his display of the Rotary symbol was immediately recognized during his world travels and led to special introductions to Rotary officials. He expressed genuine gratitude to the Sycamore Club for the hospitality shown him and hopes to maintain contact in the future. Rotarian Bob Brown (seated center) served as greeter and interpreter for Sebastian’s parents.
Club President Paulette Renault gave an overview of her term in office to wrap up the Rotary year. This included a final promotion for the drive-thru dinner Thursday. The club’s top ticket seller is Joyce Klein (selling 35 tickets). Visiting (and adopted) Rotarian Chris Boyes turned in money for 50 ticket sales. Profits will cover purchase of a ShelterBox kit to be sent to Ukraine for refugee relief.
A special “Outstanding Volunteer” recognition gift was given to Julie Sgarlata (left) by club president Renault. Among Julie’s special tasks this year were overseeing raffle ticket sales to help fund scholarships, EarlyAct Club sponsor for elementary school students, and being a general club booster for various volunteer projects.
Our Drive Thru Dinner was held on Thursday, June 23, and raised funds to purchase a ShelterBox kit to be sent to Ukraine for refugee relief.
Recently recognized as "Outstanding Volunteer", Julie Sgarlata stands ready to collect tickets and donations at the event. Huge thanks to St. Mary's PAC for hosting us!
Club President Paulette Renault, Bob Hammon, Paul Stromborg, and Paulette's daughter Monica (left to right) work hard (but happily) to portion out coleslaw and snickerdoodle salad for the Drive Thru Dinner.
Over 500 pork chop dinners were prepared for Thursday's event! Rotarians contributing their time, talent, and muscle to the effort included Dr. Michele Jurkovic, Pat Shafer, Matt Nelson, Chris Boyes, Don Clayberg, and Jeff Petersen (left to right).
Tim Neubert, Brendan Wilson, Heidi Wright, Jim Buck, Fred Peltz, Eric Jones, Joyce Klein, and Riley Oncken (left to right) continued the work of preparing meal bags for pickup.
Our Wednesday meetings are now being held at St. Mary's Parish Activity Center (312 Waterman Street in Sycamore). We are no longer meeting at Blumen Gardens.
Outgoing president Paulette Renault gave a slide presentation on her term in office to wrap up the Rotary year. Renault spoke about the return of in-person special events including Hula-for-Loota, movie night, and social gatherings. She applauded various service projects such as reading in schools, bell ringing for the Salvation Army, being able to fund a ShelterBox donation, sending six youth to this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and raising money for scholarships for graduating high school seniors. She noted the successful meeting relocation to the St. Mary’s Parish Center and the addition of five new members (although 15 members departed mainly due to leaving the area). Renault labeled it a year of impact and fun.
Paulette shared her experience in getting involved with Rotary as a guide for bringing new members into the club. She said it began with an invitation to a meeting. This led to an invitation to membership, and then an invitation to join the board leading to her commitment to eventually become president. She called it an “interesting” journey and said she fully enjoyed it.
Renault concluded her remarks with a quote from Nelson Mandela, “We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.” A standing ovation of thank you was given outgoing Rotary President Paulette Renault.
Donations are currently being requested for the Sycamore Food Pantry. Bring a bottle of laundry detergent...or $10 for Julie Sgarlata to purchase one. Money is easier to handle.
Personal hygiene items (bar soap, shampoo, etc.) are also being sought.
June 20, 1924 – American military hero Audie Murphy is born in Kingston, Texas. He was the most decorated American soldier of World War II, awarded 37 medals including the Medal of honor. After the war he became an actor making 45 films.
June 21, 1982 – Britain’s Prince William is born in London to Princess Diana and Prince Charles becoming second in line for the British throne.
June 24, 1895 – Boxing champ Jack Dempsey is born in Manassa, Colorado, leading to his nickname “The Manassa Mauler.” He reigns as heavyweight champion from 1919 until 1926.
June 25, 1903 – British satirist George Orwell (known for “Animal Farm” and “1984”) is born in Monthari, Bengal.
June 19, 1865 (Juneteenth Day) – In Galveston, Texas, General Gordan Granger enters the city officially placing Texas under Union control to close out the Civil War. He publicly reads General Order #3 transmitting the news of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freeing 256,000 enslaved Texans (two years after the proclamation was originally issued).
June 24, 1948 – Soviet Russia began a blockade of Berlin. Two days later the U.S. and Great Britain began the famous Berlin Airlift. They ultimately deliver 2.3 million pounds of food, fuel, and medical supplies to 2 million isolated West Berliners.
June 25, 1876 – General George Armstrong Custer leading 250 men attacked an encampment of Sioux Indians near Little Big Horn River in Montana. Custer and his men were then counter-attacked by up to 4,000 Sioux Indians. Only one army scout and one horse survived “Custer’s Last Stand.”
June 25, 1950 – The Korean War began as North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel and launched a full-scale invasion of South Korea.
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