Student of the Month Layla Janisch never thought she would follow in the footsteps of her educator parents or seriously compete in the sports of track and cross- country but that’s the path she finds herself on as she gets ready to go to college. Janisch said that while in Middle School she changed her mind on her career interest after hearing people at her grandfather’s funeral speak about his impact on their lives during his time as an educator. Something similar happened that led her to excel in the sport of running. She said it was not something she intended to pursue when she was first signed up by her parents for a cross-country event but somehow a competitive spark ignited in her leading to dominance in the sport. Janisch qualified for State 2025 Indoor Track competition and is the school record holder for the 800 and 1600 races. She was cross-country team captain in eighth grade and her junior and senior years in high school, the 2024 Daily Chronicle Runner of the Year, all conference runner 2022-2024, and state qualifier in 2024. Janisch plans to attend Southern Illinois University majoring in elementary education and while running in cross country and track. She said she will be donating her $100 Rotary check to the non-profit Sycamore Food Pantry.
Rooted for Good Executive Director Heather Edwards was this week’s featured speaker for Rotary. Edwards explained the challenges faced by people finding access to nutritious food including food deserts and facing high costs on limited incomes. Edwards also spoke about the non-profit’s plans to consolidate food growing operations and open a food center on North Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb.
The proposed $6 million food hub for Rooted for Good would be built on North Annie Glidden Road south of Twombly Road in DeKalb. Executive Director Heather Edwards says $1.9 million has been donated so far which includes a state grant of $794,000 coordinated through the office of State Representative Amy “Murri” Briel. The hub will consolidate several operations currently in leased buildings and expand growing operations currently done near Kirkland.
A good time was had by all at this year's Rotary Club Holiday Party! Be sure to check out more photos from the party later in this newsletter.
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.
January 4, 1809 – Louis Braille is born in France. Blinded as a boy, he invents a reading system for the blind using punch marks in paper.
January 6, 1412 – Joan of Arc is born in France. After a series of mystic visions, she inspires French troops to break the British siege at Orleans and win several important battles during the Hundred Years War.
January 8, 1935 – The American King of Rock and Roll (with such hits as “Hound Dog”, “Love Me Tender”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, and “Suspicious Minds”), movie actor, and Las Vegas performer Elvis Presley is born in Tupelo, Mississippi.
January 9, 1913 – 37th President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, is born in Yorba Linda, California. Nixon served in the U.S. Senate, was Vice President under Dwight Eisenhower, and staged a political comeback after losing to John F. Kennedy in the 1960 Presidential election, winning the Presidency in 1968. His early successes ending U.S. military involvement in the Viet Nam war and a landmark visit to China in 1972 were diminished by his direct involvement in the Watergate scandal.
January 5, 1925 – Nellie Taylor Ross of Wyoming becomes the first woman governor inaugurated in the U.S.
January 7, 1927 – The Harlem Globetrotters basketball team played their first game in Hinckley, Illinois. The team was created by Abe Saperstein of Chicago at a time when Black men and women were not allowed to play professional basketball. They won 101 out of 117 games that first year.
January 9, 1972 – The longest winning streak for a major professional sports team is snapped at 33 games when the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 120 – 104. A 39-point performance by the Buck’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (later traded to the Lakers in 1975) hands the Lakers their first loss since October 31.
January 10, 1776 – Thomas Paine published his 50-page pamphlet on American independence, “Common Sense”, influencing among others the authors of the Declaration of Independence.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2025-2026
President – Jonelle Bailey
President Elect – Becky Springer
Director (President Nominee) – Matt Nelson
Director (President Designee) -
Past President – Brandon Diviak
Treasurer – Dr. Michele Jurkovic
Secretary – Pat Shafer
Sergeant at Arms – Paulette Renault
Monthly Committees
July: Board of Directors
August: Brandon Diviak, Jeff Keicher, Pat Shafer
September: Dave Hamilton, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Stoddard
October: Paul Callighan, Matt Nelson, Paul Stromborg
November: Sue Emberson, Jeff Frank, Phil Meyer
December: Larry Berke, Ray Dembinski, Riley Oncken
Fellowship: Paulette Renault, Larry Berke, Sue Emberson, Dave Hamilton, Pat Shafer
Foundations:Paul Stromborg, Jim Buck, Sue Emberson, Matt Nelson, Jim Stoddard
Membership: Jonelle Bailey, Ray Dembinski, Brandon Diviak, Bob Hammon, Jeff Jacobson, Steve Kuhn, Phil Meyer, Matt Nelson, Riley Oncken, Jeff Petersen, Bob Wildendradt
New Generations: Chip Houdek, Julie Sgarlata, Becky Springer
Public Image: Bob Brown, Paul Callighan, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims
Scholarships:Tim Neubert, Don Clayberg, Ray Dembinski, Michele Jurkovic, Steve Kuhn, Julie Sgarlata
Service: Brandon Diviak, Alicia Cosky, Jeff Frank, Michele Jurkovic, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert, Brendan Wilson
