banner
Stories
Sycamore Rotary Bids Farewell to Brian Adams
With heavy hearts, the Rotary Club of Sycamore bid farewell today to Rotarian Brian Adams. Brian has been a member of the club for nearly 18 years, having served not only as one of the club’s past president, but also as a long time chair of the public image committee, publisher of the weekly bulletin (The Spoke), and Sergeant at Arms. Known for his recognizable radio voice as the news anchor for the B95 radio station, Brian was left speechless during the farewell ceremony as fellow Rotarians Robert Hammon, Jim Buck, and Mayor Curt Lang took turns roasting Brian, lavishing him with praise, and presenting him with a letter of appreciation from the City of Sycamore. 
 
With the elimination of his position at the radio station due to an ownership change, Brian took a new radio news/sports host job in Knoxville, Iowa, a town even smaller than Sycamore with an estimated population of 7000 people, situated about 30 minutes southeast of Des Moines, IA. Brian’s legacy at the Sycamore Rotary Club will not soon be forgotten. His nearly unwavering attendance record, dedication as Sergeant at Arms, creator and maintainer of the club’s Facebook page, and role as the Club’s spokesperson to local media will not be easily replaced, nor will his countless achievements soon be overlooked. Brian was the inspiration behind, organizer of, and executor for many of the club's successful service projects including the Operation Warm coat drive, Toy for Tots collections, annual Rotarians at Work Days, and Shelter Box. In a remarkable show of the club's admiration for his contributions, Brian was the first and only member to receive the Dr. John Ovitz Rotarian of the Year award twice.
Guest Speaker: Jennifer Newman
Jennifer Newman is one of the co-founders of Cashew Cow Dessert Parlor, makers of a dairy-free dessert treat made from raw cashews and other natural ingredients. Located in Tuscon, AZ, Cashew Cow might not exist except for generous help from Sycamore Rotarian, Ahmed Kamel, who consulted with Jennifer on the financial aspects of the business during fund the initial development of the company. Jennifer shared with us the company's interesting history, including an early confrontation with the other co-founder that nearly led to the company's demise. Fast forward three years, and Cashew Cow is thriving, readying itself for franchise opportunities. With a masters degree in Nutrition, Jennifer sees Cashew Cow as a healthier alternative to ice cream, one that appeals not only to the lactose intolerant, but to those seeking a truly vegan alternative for a delicious iced treat. Jennifer was flown out to Sycamore, IL, as a special send-off gift for departing Rotarian, Brian Adams, along with a collection of Cashew Cow’s various flavored desserts. 
 
 
 
 
 
Read more...
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Riley Oncken
September 1
 
Steven Kuhn
September 3
 
Larry Sill
September 10
 
Ray Dembinski
September 13
 
Spouse Birthdays
Judy Sill
September 14
 
Susan Johnson
September 15
 
Anniversaries
Eric Jones
Michelle Jones
September 3
 
Troy Oates
Ann Oates
September 28
 
Join Date
Richard Hagen
September 1, 1966
52 years
 
Sejal Patel
September 2, 2015
3 years
 
Eric Stice
September 5, 2007
11 years
 
Michael DeVito
September 6, 2017
1 year
 
Patrick Solar
September 9, 1998
20 years
 
Ahmed Kamel
September 11, 2005
13 years
 
Club Information
Rotary Club of Sycamore, Illinois
Sycamore
We meet Wednesdays at 11:45 AM
Blumen Gardens
403 Edward Street
Sycamore, IL  60178
United States
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2018-2019
President – Ray Dembinski
President-Elect – Pat Shafer
Past President – Eric Jones
Secretary – Sally Bruch
Treasurer – Michele Jurkovic
Assistant Treasurer – Lavarre Uhlken
Director – Michael DeVito
Director – Paulette Renault
Sergeant-at-Arms – Brian Adams
 
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Foundation & Grants – Paul Stromborg
New Generations – Julie Sgarlata
Service Projects – Michael DeVito
Fundraising – Don Clayberg
Public Image – Brian Adams
Membership – Sally Bruch
Club Fellowship – Chad Jewett
75th Anniversary – Pat Shafer
 
MONTHLY COMMITTEES
July – Board of Directors
August – Lloyd Larson, Jim Buck, Dave McCann, Ben Swedberg, Bob Wildenradt, Don Clayberg
September –Paul Michel, Bert Gray, Jeff Jacobson, Mario Fontana, Brandon Diviak
October – Dave Andrews, Jim Schwarzbach, Beata Palasiewicz, Curt Lang, Marcy Buick
November – Kathy Countryman, Julie Sgarlata, Fred Peltz, Chip Houdek, Troy Oates
December – Dan Gibble, Dan Escatel, Kathleen Merner, Steve Balster, Julie Sommese
January –Paul Barnaby, Chad Jewett, Jim Bowers, Gary Evans, Tatum Glas, Heidi Wright
February – Riley Oncken, Ahmed Kamel, Larry Berke, Brian Gregory, Nicole Stuckert
March – Dave Hamilton, Jeff Petersen, Doug Johnson, Mark Hilde, Tim Carlson
April – Bob Hammon, Suzanne Anderson, Sejal Patel, Paul Borek, Chase Goodeill, Paul Callighan
May – Mark Spiegelhoff, Zac Sheedy, Jeff Frank, Cliff Bottigliero, Renae Wilkinson
June – Marijo Schwartz, Paul Stromborg, Jeff Keicher, Steve Kuhn, Tom Mangan, Jim Stoddard
 
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner