Rotary District Governor Tina Curtis was outfitted from head to toe with Rotary gear when she showed up for her visit to Sycamore this week. Curtis picked up her special Rotary shoes at the 2026 International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan. She almost did not get the bright blue sneakers because there were none in her size when she searched the inventory at the convention hall market only to have the proprietor find her later saying the size she needed was the show pair on display.
Rotary District Governor Tina Curtis says she recognizes each club has its own personality as members carry out service to their communities. Rather than force an agenda of specific work projects, Curtis said she wants clubs like Sycamore to look at their events and areas of support and ask how these activities create conditions for peace.
The Sycamore Club’s focus on youth and literacy was singled out as a highlight during District Governor Tina Curtis’ visit. On behalf of the club, Past Club President Paulette Renault (right) accepted a pin and a survey link from Curtis who is promoting efforts like these to bring Rotary awareness to young people who will become future club members.
District Governor Tina Curtis made her official visit to Sycamore Rotary this week and encouraged club actions that are community focused and that help inspire others to join. She said she recognizes each club has its own personality, strengths, and opportunities for service. She said she wants to listen, learn, and celebrate with the club those things which make it unique. While not dictating specific club projects, Curtis said she does want to make sure there are activities that create conditions for peace and help raise awareness of the good done by Rotary so that membership can grow.
A listing of key impact areas by Sycamore Rotary was identified by District Governor Curtis during her visit. These were:
Food security by supporting three local food pantries
$8,000 raised for college scholarships
The third-grade reader program
Delivering “Meals on Wheels”
And helping with meal packing for “Feed My Starving Children.”
After reciting her list, Curtis asked Rotarians to close their eyes and think of their personal favorites and then use those thoughts to encourage their circle of non-Rotarian friends to consider club membership.
All meeting attendees were given lapel pins by Curtis with the theme of this year’s Rotary International President Olayinka H. Babalola which says, “CREATE LASTING IMPACT.”
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 14, 1890 – Dwight D. Eisenhower, who becomes 34th President of the United States and serves as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during World War II, is born in Denison, Texas.
October 15, 1924 – Corporate folk hero and automobile executive Lee Iacocca is born in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
October 16, 1758 – American teacher and compiler of the first American dictionary of the English language, Noah Webster, is born in West Hartford, Connecticut.
October 12, 1492 – Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to successfully navigate across the Atlantic by ship, landing in the Bahamas.
October 12, 1960 – During a debate over colonialism in the United Nations, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev takes off his shoe and pounds his desk repeatedly.
October 13, 1884 – Greenwich was established as the universal time from which standard times throughout the world are calculated.
October 14, 1947 – U. S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager became the first person to break the sound barrier flying in a rocket-powered research aircraft.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2026-2027
President – Becky Springer
President Elect – Matt Nelson
Director (President Designee) - To Be Determined
Past President – Jonelle Bailey
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, Scott Schramer
November: Sue Emberson, Dr. Jeff Frank, Phil Meyers
December: Kristen Campbell, Ray Dembinski, Riley Oncken
January: Joyce Klein, Tim Neubert
February: Jonelle Bailey, Tasha Sims
March: Jim Buck, Becky Springer, Brendan Wilson
April: Bob Hammon, Jeff Petersen
May: Bob Brown, Steve Kuhn, Julie Sgarlata
June: Paul Barnaby, Paulette Renault
Standing Committees
Fellowship: Paulette Renault, Sue Emberson, Dave Hamilton, Pat Shafer
Foundations:Matt Nelson, Jim Stoddard, Sue Emberson, Jim Buck
Membership: Jonelle Bailey, Ray Dembinski, Brandon Diviak, Bob Hammon, Jeff Jacobson, Steve Kuhn, Phil Meyers, Matt Nelson, Riley Oncken, Jeff Petersen, Bob Wildendradt
New Generations: Becky Springer, Julie Sgarlata, Brandon Diviak
Public Image: Bob Brown, Paul Callighan, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims
Scholarships:Tim Neubert, Ray Dembinski, Phil Meyers, Dr. Michele Jurkovic, Steve Kuhn
Service: Brandon Diviak, Dr. Jeff Frank, Dr. Michele Jurkovic, Tim Neubert, Brendan Wilson
