Sycamore High School Head Football Coach Joe Ryan gives his season outlook to the Rotary Club of Sycamore. Ryan noted that there are nine three-year starters on the varsity squad and they are physically the strongest he’s coached.
Four members of the Sycamore High School football team came to Wednesday’s meeting with Varsity Head Coach Joe Ryan. Pictured left to right are Zack Crawford, Joey Puleo, Dawson Alexander, and Eli Meier.
Sycamore Varsity Head Football Coach Joe Ryan acknowledged there are high expectations for the team this season, but the team will approach each game individually as they come up on the schedule. There are nine three-year starters this season as a result of the Covid-affected spring football season two years ago. Last year’s team made it to the semi-finals. He also said this year’s team is physically the strongest he’s coached. Saying this year’s team is a “great bunch of kids,” Ryan said he wants to make sure that the hours of practice are not a grind but a way for team members to grow physically and mentally and “have some fun.”
Ryan said he’s changed his coaching approach over the years and hopes it keeps students interested in the sport of football. He said there are 350 youth involved in Sycamore school district football programs with 175 of those in grades K-6 flag football. He values this pipeline of future talent coming to the varsity level.
Sycamore’s first game of the season is August 26 against neighboring DeKalb. Ryan said his team’s total focus at this point in time is on that one game. He expects to use technology like streaming video of the game in progress to help make any necessary adjustments to achieve a positive outcome.
During her remarks at our July 20 meeting, District Governor Laura Kann encouraged us to use the "Club Health Check" survey document developed by Rotary International to improve our club. The board members of the Rotary Club of Sycamore strongly support this idea, and we now ask that each club member complete and return this anonymous survey by Wednesday, August 10.
Printed survey documents were distributed to each club member in attendance at this week's meeting. If you were not in attendance, you can obtain a survey form at the next meeting (August 3) or use the following URL to download the 12-page document.
Members of the Rotary Club of Sycamore volunteer each August to deliver Meals on Wheels through the Voluntary Action Center, and we will do so again next month! Thank you to the following volunteers for covering the Sycamore West route on the following dates:
Tuesday, August 2 - Michael DeVito & Sally Bruch
Wednesday, August 3 - Paulette Renault & Mark Spiegelhoff
Thursday, August 5 - Nicole Linke & Sue Emberson
Tuesday, August 9 - Paul Callighan & Julie Sgarlata
Thursday, August 11 - Bob Hammon & Bob Wildenradt
Friday, August 12 - Brandon Diviak & Matt Nelson
Tuesday, August 16 - Ray Dembinski & Pat Shafer
Thursday, August 18 - Paul Callighan & Dr. Michele Jurkovic
Friday, August 19 - Jeff Keicher & Eric Jones
Tuesday, August 23 - Dolores Davis & Tim Neubert
Thursday, August 25 - Jim Stoddard & Paul Stromborg
Friday, August 26 - Tim Neubert & Heidi Wright
Tuesday, August 30 - Dave Hamilton & Brandon Diviak
NOTE: The actual route can change daily if clients cancel or return from time off. Here are just a few things to note about delivering Meals on Wheels. VAC asks that volunteers arrive between 10:35 and 10:50 at the Meals on Wheels office (Voluntary Action Center, 1606 Bethany Road, Sycamore) to pick up the meals and route sheets. The route takes about an hour or so to deliver. Someone must be home to receive the meal. Meals cannot be left without some form of contact. VAC requests volunteers to call the client if no one answers the door and then the office (815-758-3932 ext. 232). Thank you!
We will be building every Saturday through 2022, so if this week doesn't work for you, there will be many more opportunities to get involved.
In addition, I am also looking for someone who would like a non-construction volunteer task. There are some Saturdays when we need someone on the build site to greet volunteers, get necessary forms completed, connect with our lunch providers, make sure people are staying hydrated, etc. It really isn't a difficult task, but an important one. If this sounds interesting to you, please let me know. I will work with you on that.
If you have never volunteered with us before, see the notes below for more information.
Thank you for your interest and support of Habitat for Humanity!
Construction Volunteer Information
Habitat for Humanity DeKalb County Illinois welcomes volunteers to our construction sites. Regardless of your skill level (first time you’ve held a hammer or skilled builder), we will provide opportunities to work alongside our partner family and other Habitat volunteers. Examples of volunteer jobs include: framing, siding, painting, insulating, flooring, trim work, landscaping, and cleaning. We will provide instruction throughout the day.
Build Day Schedule:
7:45a.m.- 8 a.m. Arrival and sign-in. (Please complete the required waiver formif this is your first day with Habitat). Volunteers between the ages of 16-18 years are required to have adult supervision and waiver completed before volunteering. The minimum age to volunteer with Habitat is 16 years old.
8:00 a.m. We begin with a Safety Talk and construction goals for the day.
12:00 p.m. Lunch is provided. Habitat provides lunch and water for volunteers.
2:30 p.m. Site clean-up begins
3:00 p.m. Workday complete. Thank you!
What to bring: Please wear clothing that you do not mind getting dirty or possibly damaged. Sturdy, hard-soled, closed-toed shoes are required. Sunscreen is advised when working outdoors.
Habitat provides tools for volunteers. However, if you have your own tools/toolbelt and wish to bring those, that is fine. You can check with the volunteer coordinator for a list of recommended tools. Please label all of your tools ahead of time.
Port-A-Potty: Yes, that’s right. Just want you to be aware that we do not have indoor plumbing or running water on site.
It's always a good idea to bring a "bag" chair if you have one.
Covid-19 Safety Precautions:
Habitat for Humanity prioritizes the health and safety of our staff and volunteers. Currently, we have the following guidelines in place (subject to change based on case levels, as well as CDC, state, and local guidelines):
We ask that if you aren't feeling well, to please stay home out of precaution.
Use hand sanitizer throughout the day, especially before/after using tools.
Masks are no longer required; however, we welcome and support anyone that chooses to wear a mask.
We encourage volunteers and staff to practice social distancing when possible.
August 1, 1770 – Explorer William Clark of Lewis and Clark expedition fame is born in Ladysmith, Virginia.
August 4, 1901 – Jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong is born in New Orleans, Louisiana.
August 4, 1961 – 44th U. S. President Barack Obama is born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He wins the Presidential election of November 4, 2008 to become the first President of African American origin.
August 6, 1809 – British poet Alfred Lord Tennyson (who authored “The Charge of the Light Brigade” among other works) is born in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England.
August 2, 1923 – President Warren G. Harding dies suddenly in San Francisco while on a Western speaking tour. The following day Calvin Coolidge is sworn into office. Harding’s legacy is tainted by the Teapot Dome oil lease scandal that comes to light following his death.
August 4, 1964 – “Freedom Summer” Civil Rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner are found murdered and buried in an earthen dam outside Philadelphia, Mississippi. They were participating in efforts to increase Black voter registration. Seven avowed members of the Ku Klux Klan are convicted on federal conspiracy charges in connection with the deaths.
August 6, 1945 – The first atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, Japan killing over 105,000 people. Another 100,000 die later from radiation affects.
August 6, 1965 – President Lyndon Johnson signs the federal Voting Rights Act ending voter limitation practices such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and character tests.
During the August 3rd club meeting, Jeff Keicher mentioned (and highly recommended) visiting Shabbona Lake State Park's sunflower field this summer. Jeff's comments inspired Bob Brown to take his wife, Diane, and their granddaughters, Josie and Annie, the very next day. After enjoying the sunflowers, they enjoyed lunch at Pokanoka's Dockside Cafe on Shabbona Lake. Bob and his family now highly recommend a visit to the park to others as well! (Photo credit: Bob Brown)
To provide feedback or contribute content for this newsletter, please contact Tim Neubert at timneubert90@gmail.com.
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