Locally owned Resource Bank traces its origins to Malta and over the years has gradually grown by adding brick and mortar locations in neighboring towns often because other banks closed their branches and left according to banker Jerry Foster who was this week’s Rotary speaker.  Foster said the bank has a formula for community involvement and revitalization and wanted to share their ideas with others even when they are beyond the bank’s customer base.  Foster said there are about 800 communities in Illinois with a population of 1,000 or less.  He said this is what led to creation of their Inspire/Renew/Enjoy tutorial website that shares ideas and best practices from small towns mainly from the Midwest.

 

Foster explained how the website was named.  He said “Inspire” was named for the examples of successful planning that stood out as they researched the concept of small town champions.  These ranged from music festivals to financial turnarounds allowing major public improvement projects, to unique visitor attraction events or landmarks.  “Renew” was named for specific resources available.  Foster listed public and private grants, along with volunteer support as examples.  Foster said “Enjoy” was to highlight how the local community becomes involved  in celebrating the revitalization process.

 

Foster showed a video featuring interviews and tours of successful small town champion successes.  Among its highlights was an interview with the Mayor of Three Oaks Michigan who explained how they went from the verge of bankruptcy to a flourishing community, video from a music festival in Galva, Illinois that now draws thousands of tourists each year, the “Big Things in a Small Town” attractions in Casey, Illinois featuring oversized items like a rocking chair in the town square, and an interview with an administrator at Sauk Valley College between Dixon and Sterling, Illinois on how students can earn tuition credits through community volunteerism.

 

Foster said that locally there is a rural community initiative being organized with the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation and DeKalb County Community Foundation to help small towns in DeKalb County.  He invited Rotarians to check out the website on small town champions at www.inspirerenewenjoy.com.

October 6, 1846 – Engineer and inventor George Westinghouse is born in Central Ridge, New York.  He developed air brakes for trains and later promoted the adoption of alternating current (AC) systems for electric power transmission. 

 

October 9, 1940 – British rock singer-songwriter John Lennon is born in Liverpool, England.  Among his famous songs are “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Help,” and “Imagine.”

 

October 10, 1900 – Helen Hayes, nicknamed the “First Lady of the American Theater,” is born in Washington, D.C.

 

October 11, 1884 – Eleanor Roosevelt is born in New York City.  She marries her fifth cousin, Franklin, and famously carries out the duties of First Lady when he becomes President in 1933.  Following Franklin’s death in office, Eleanor remains active in political and social causes, including serving as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations and being affectionately called “First Lady of the World.”

October 6, 1927 – “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson is released becoming the first full-length feature film using spoken dialogue.   

 

October 8, 1871 – The Great Chicago Fire erupted leaving 300 people dead, 90,000 homeless, and 17,450 buildings destroyed.

 

October 8, 1918 – During World War I in the Argonne Forest in France, Sergeant Alvin C. York single-handedly took out a German machine-gun battalion that led to the capture of 132 prisoners.

 

October 9, 1986 – The stage musical “The Phantom of the Opera” written by Andrew Lloyd Webber premiers in London and runs for a record-breaking 13,629 performances.