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Sycamore Rotary donates $25,000 to Sycamore Park District
(L-R:  Club President Russell Bishop, Sycamore Park District President Ted Strack, and President-Elect Sue Emberson)
 
At its meeting on May 11, the Rotary Club of Sycamore presented a $25,000 donation to the Sycamore Park District’s “Leaf a Legacy” fundraising campaign.
 
Leaf a Legacy supports the District’s long-range plan, ACTION 2020, to bring the community the recreational facilities it needs. In its commitment to serve the community, Rotary identified the opportunity to make a financial contribution as a return on investment that will prove to be invaluable to generations of residents for many years to come.
 
“The Rotary Club is proud to join this legacy that will serve this great community today and into the future,” said Rotary Club President Dr. Russell Bishop.
 
The Park District has received strong support from the Rotary Club in the past, as evidenced by Rotary Park at Sycamore Lake and the group’s annual participation in the community-wide Park Pride Day cleanup event.  The Rotary Club has made this annual cleanup a part of its yearly Rotarians at Work Day, in which members lend their assistance to various not-for-profit agencies throughout the community.
 
“We find that our community’s service clubs have been longtime supporters of the great programs and facilities the Park District provides to children and adults in Sycamore. We are truly grateful to the Rotary Club of Sycamore for this great gift and for all they do” says Michelle Schulz, Vice President of the Park Board.
 
The ACTION 2020 projects that Leaf a Legacy will help fund include a recreation campus with a new community center, dog park, splashpad and sled hill as well as trail expansion and connections, Sports Complex expansion and a new irrigation system for the Sycamore Park District Golf Club.
Read more...
Citizen of the Month: Dan Stovall
 

Retired Baptist minister Dan Stovall (with his wife Pat) didn't end his devotion to helping others when he hung up his collar; he continues to help develop a local charity, which helps international students at NIU to settle in when they arrive in America.

Stovall's efforts to find furniture for newly-arrived students -- many of whom bring nothing more than a suitcase or two full of clothes -- evolved into Perpetual Amity, an organization which takes donations of furniture and provides them to these new students.

Many of the donors are large companies which are renovating hotels and office buildings; from a modest effort which involved rental of a couple of storage units, Perpetual Amity eventually moved up to its old building, located in the old Cornerstone Christian Academy location at South Pointe.

Stovall says they also provide a different service to these students...the opportunity for travel in the U.S.A. Using a network of churches throughout the Midwest, they take groups of foreign students on field trips to see other towns and get to know real Americans -- thus helping to broaden their horizons even further.

In recognition of his efforts, the Sycamore Rotary Club has provided $100 for donation to the charity of his choice; he has selected Network of Nations, one of Perpetual Amity's partner organizations.

 

In Memoriam: John Lewis
Former Sycamore Rotarian John Lewis died suddenly over the weekend, due to respiratory problems; funeral arrangements are pending, and we will notify members as soon as that information is made available.
 
 
Former Rotarian Gina Delmont undergoing treatment
Please remember former Rotarian Gina Delmont in your thoughts and prayers; she has been struggling with malignant melanoma, and faces a long road ahead.
 
Paul Stromborg advises that she’s getting the initial workup done before a treatment plan can be prescribed.  She’s in good shape now in spite of a couple of operations.
 
If you want to send cards and good wishes, you can write to her at 2025 Pebble Creek Court, DeKalb, IL  60115
 
 
SMS Interact, South Prairie EarlyAct wrap up year
 
 
 

South Prairie EarlyAct is wrapping up another successful year, by honoring students who had perfect attendance at their meetings.

As with their parent Rotary Club, each perfect attendee received a certificate and a special treat -- in their case, a chocolate bunny!

Also, Sycamore Middle School Interact just finished its most recent service project; students walked from the Middle School campus to downtown, picking up over 30 bags of trash along the way.

In the coming year, Interact and EarlyAct will be given the opportunity to do make-ups by working at the Sycamore Food Pantry.

 

Four-Way Test banner recovered from Fargo
 

An old Rotary artifact was salvaged from the Fargo Hotel when renovations began earlier this month.

This Four-Way Test banner is the very first one ever purchased by our Rotary Club. Don Clayberg says it was originally blue, but that it's been around so long the color has faded to purple.

This banner will be put on display at the next few upcoming Rotary Club meetings.

 

Plans set for Sycamore Rotary Golf Outing on June 29th
 
The Sycamore Rotary Club will hold its annual Golf Outing on Wednesday, June 29th at the Sycamore Golf Course; the day will begin with lunch and a Make-up Session at 12:00 p.m. in the clubhouse, and tee times start at 1 o'clock. 
 
The annual Installation Dinner will begin immediately after the final foursome completes its round; events include the installation of Sue Emberson as our new Club President, and the presentation of the John W. Ovitz, Jr. Rotarian of the Year Award.  Prizes for the winning team, the various contests and other golfing "accomplishments" will also be awarded.
 
The fee for the round of golf is $16 for all Sycamore Park District pass holders, and $36 for all others. 
 
To sign up, you can contact Dan Gibble at danielg@sycamoreparkdistrict.com or sign in at any Rotary Club meeting (be sure to do one or the other -- not both).  Give him your name(s), and you'll be assigned a tee time; please also indicate if you'll be attending the dinner afterwards.
 
Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, June 15th.
 
May 25th Rotary Club meeting at DTMA
 
The Sycamore Rotary Club will be going on the road -- or more properly, the tarmac -- when it holds its regular weekly meeting on Wednesday, May 25th at DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport.
 
Rotarians will get a chance to see the airport hangars, equipment and aircraft up close...and learn more about the airport and its operations.
 
Monthly Committee assignments for 2016-2017
Here are the assignments for Monthly Committees, for the 2016-2017 Rotary Year:
 
 
July  Curt Lang, Gary Evans, Jim Moris, Chip Houdek, Sally Bruch, Fred Peltz
 
August  Barry Schrader, Ben Swedberg, Lloyd Larson, Jim Buck, Julenne Davey, Dave McCann
 
September  Mario Fontana, Paul Michel, Rose Treml, Bert Gray, Jeff Jacobson, Tim Carlson, Brandon Diviak
 
October  Jeff Frank, Marcy Buick, Dave Andrews, Jim Schwartzbach, Dave Miller, Don Clayberg
 
November  Pete Johnson, Dave Galica, Julie Sgarlata, Kathy Countryman, Tami Armstrong, Troy Oates
 
December  Steve Balster, Bob Wildendradt, Brad Waller, Eric Jones, Dan Gibble, Kathleen Merner
 
January  Pat Shafer, Michele Jurkovic, Keven Dahl, Kreg Wesley, Paul Barnaby, Heidi Wright
 
February  Brian Gregory, Nicole Stuckert, Riley Oncken, Ahmed Kamel, Jude Wilbers, Larry Berke
 
March  Jeff Petersen, Paulette Renault, Russell Bishop, Ray Dembinski, Dave Hamilton, Steve Kuhn
 
April  Paul Borek, Shelley Hendricks, Jim Bowers, Bob Hammon, Paul Callighan, Sajel Patel
 
May  Darryl Wolff, Mark Spiegelhoff, Cliff Bottigliero, Rose Henton, Mark Hilde, Darion Page
 
June  Paul Stromborg, Brian Adams, Lavarre Uhlken, Jeff Keicher, Jim Stoddard, Marijo Schwartz
 
First Rotarian listed is the Committee Chair
 
Sycamore exchange student Gracia Watson's Japan blog
 
This year's Outbound exchange student Gracia Watson is spending a year in Japan; to find out what she's up to, go to her blog at this link
 

Attendance: May 18, 2016

     Attendance:  57.33%

     Guests of Members:  Leena Galica (Dave Galica)

 

Speakers
Jun 01, 2016
 
Jun 08, 2016
 
Jun 15, 2016
 
Jun 22, 2016
 
Jul 06, 2016
 
Jul 13, 2016
 
Jul 20, 2016
 
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Golf Outing Make-Up Session
Sycamore Golf Course Clubhouse
Jun 29, 2016
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Sycamore Rotary Club Golf Outing
Sycamore Golf Course
Jun 29, 2016
1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
 
Sycamore Rotary Club Installation Dinner
Sycamore Golf Course Clubhouse
Jun 29, 2016
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Sycamore
Service Above Self
We meet Wednesdays at 11:45 AM
Blumen Gardens Banquet Facility
403 Edward Street
Sycamore, IL  60178
United States
DistrictSiteIcon
District Site
 
VenueMap
Venue Map
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-16
President -- Russell Bishop    
President-Elect -- Sue Emberson  
Past President -- Riley Oncken
Secretary -- Sally Bruch    
Treasurer -- Michele Jurkovic    
Assistant Treasurer -- Lavarre Uhlken
Director -- Eric Jones    
Director -- Ray Dembinski    
Sergeant at Arms -- Brian Adams
 
Monthly Program Committees
July
Sally Bruch, Gary Evans, Curt Lang, Jim Moris, Chip Houdek
 
August
Dave McCann, Barry Schrader, Ben Swedberg, Lloyd Larson, Jim Buck, Julenne Davey, Nicole Stuckert
 
September
Tim Carlson, Mario Fontana, Suzanne Anderson, Paul Michel, Rose Treml, Bert Gray, Jeff Jacobson
 
October
Don Clayberg, Jeff Frank, Marcy Buick, Dave Andrews, Jim Schwarzbach, Lavarre Uhlken, Dave Miller
 
November
Tami Armstrong, David Galica, Pete Johnson, Julie Sgarlata, Kreg Wesley, Kathy Countryman
 
December
Dan Gibble, Steve Balster, Zac Sheedy, Bob Wildenradt, Heidi Wright, Brad Waller, Eric Jones
 
January
Paul Barnaby, Michele Jurkovic, Pat Shafer, Tom Sparacino, Jesse Boelter, Keven Dahl
 
February
Larry Berke, Brian Gregory, Ahmed Kamel, Fred Peltz, Richard Willey, Jude Wilbers, Rose Henton
 
March
Dave Hamilton, Jeff Petersen, Paulette Renault, Russell Bishop, Ray Dembinski, Phil Ruff
 
April
Bob Hammon, Paul Borek, Shelley Hendricks, Jim Bowers, Troy Oates, Marijo Schwartz
 
May
Cliff Bottigliero, Sue Emberson, Mark Spiegelhoff, Darryl Wolff, Eric Johnson, Mark Hilde
 
June
Jim Stoddard, Paul Stromborg, Michael Flora, Craig Mathey, Brian Adams, Jeff Keicher
 
New Generations
Chair—Julie Sgarlata
At-Large Committee Members – Kathy Countryman, Eric Jones, Don Clayberg, Julenne Davey, Nicole Stuckert, Darion Page
Sycamore H.S. Interact – Ben Swedberg  
Sycamore M.S. Interact – Nicole Stuckert 
South Prairie EarlyAct – Julie Sgarlata  
North Grove EarlyAct – Mark Hilde       
Long Term Youth Exchange – Chip Houdek
Short Term Youth Exchange – Tim Carlson
Group Study Exchange – Fred Peltz, Troy Oates
RYLA -- Ben Swedberg     
Student of the Month – Steve Balster
 
Foundation & Grants
Chair – Paul Stromborg
At-Large Committee Members Don Clayberg, Bob Hammon
Polio Plus Paul Stromborg, Rose Henton, Curtis Lang, Bert Gray
Annual Giving – Jim Stoddard, Jim Buck, Riley Oncken, Jim Bowers
Foundation Jim Stoddard, Jim Buck, Riley Oncken
Scholarships Peter Johnson, Ray Dembinski, Michele Jurkovic, Don Clayberg, Darion Page, Julenne Davey
 
Service Above Self and Service Projects
Chair – Ray Dembinski
Multiple Club Project Coordination – Fred Peltz, Bob Hammon, Paul Stromborg
Water Project – Heidi Wright, Ahmed Kamel, Keven Dahl, Bob Wildenradt, Tami Armstrong, Julenne Davey, Lavarre Uhlken, Marijo Schwartz
Meals on Wheels (August) – Curt Lang, Bob Smith, Cliff Bottigliero
Dictionary Distribution (September) – Lavarre Uhlken, Brian Adams, Suzanne Anderson, Shelley Hendricks
Pancake Breakfast (October) – Marcy Buick, Michele Jurkovic, Jeff Petersen, Paulette Renault, Dave McCann, Jesse Boelter
Feed My Starving Children (November) – Heidi Wright, Jeff Frank, Eric Jones, Paul Stromborg, Paul Borek, Ed Eggers, Marijo Schwartz
Salvation Army Bell-Ringing (December) – Dave Andrews, Jim Moris, Kathy Countryman, Rose Treml
Adopt a Family (December) – Heidi Wright, Dave Miller, Brad Waller, Julenne Davey, Paul Callighan, Marijo Schwartz
Rotarians at Work Day (April) – Brian Adams, Pat Shafer, Bert Gray, Brandon Diviak, Sejal Patel, Mark Spiegelhoff, Rose Henton, Darion Page, Troy Oates, Marijo Schwartz
 
Public Image and Awareness
Chair – Brian Adams
Website – Eric Jones, Fred Peltz, Paul Barnaby
The Spoke – Barry Schrader, Paul Barnaby, Brian Adams, Shelley Hendricks
Public Image Campaign and Social Media – Brian Adams, Marijo Schwartz, Mark Hilde, David Galica, Jude Wilbers
Sergeant at Arms – Brian Adams, Lavarre Uhlken, Barry Schrader, Curt Lang
 
Club Fellowship
Chair – Jeff Keicher
Fines – Jeff Keicher, Marijo Schwartz, Darryl Wolff, Jeff Jacobson
Golf Outing – Dan Gibble, Brian Gregory, Steve Balster, Brad Waller, Jude Wilbers
100% Attendance Lunch (August) – Sally Bruch, Jim Buck, Robert Smith
Holiday Party (December) – Jeff Petersen, Zac Sheedy, Gary Evans, Dave Hamilton, Tami Armstrong, Paulette Renault, Craig Mathey
Rural-Urban Day (February) – Bob Wildenradt, Troy Oates, Eric Johnson, Lavarre Uhlken
Hula-for-Loota (April) – Paul Michel, Rose Henton, Tami Armstrong, Darryl Wolff, Jim Bowers
 
Membership
Chair Sue Emberson
Recruitment All members are expected to bring at least one prospective member as a guest
New Member Orientation Bob Hammon, Ray Dembinski
Member Retention Jim Stoddard, Bob Wildenradt, Larry Berke, Nicole Stuckert, Kathleen Merner
 
- See more at: http://portal.clubrunner.ca/5772/Stories/committee-assignments-2015-2016#sthash.x7dtgs3j.dpuf
 
Monthly Program Committees
January -- Paul Barnaby, Michele Jurkovic, Pat Shafer, Tom Sparacino, Jesse Boelter, Keven Dahl
February -- Larry Berke, Brian Gregory, Ahmed Kamel, Fred Peltz, Richard Willey, Jude Wilbers, Rose Henton
March --Dave Hamilton, Jeff Petersen, Paulette Renault, Russell Bishop, Ray Dembinski, Phil Ruff
April --Bob Hammon, Paul Borek, Shelley Hendricks, Jim Bowers, Troy Oates, Marijo Schwartz
May --Cliff Bottigliero, Sue Emberson, Mark Spiegelhoff, Darryl Wolff, Eric Johnson, Mark Hilde
June --Jim Stoddard, Paul Stromborg, Michael Flora, Craig Mathey, Brian Adams, Jeff Keicher
 
New Generations
Chair—Julie Sgarlata
At-Large Committee Members – Kathy Countryman, Eric Jones, Don Clayberg, Julenne Davey, Nicole Stuckert, Darion Page
Sycamore H.S. Interact – Ben Swedberg  
Sycamore M.S. Interact – Nicole Stuckert 
South Prairie EarlyAct – Julie Sgarlata  
North Grove EarlyAct – Mark Hilde       
Long Term Youth Exchange – Chip Houdek
Short Term Youth Exchange – Tim Carlson
Group Study Exchange – Fred Peltz, Troy Oates
RYLA -- Ben Swedberg     
Student of the Month – Steve Balster
 
Foundation & Grants
Chair – Paul Stromborg
At-Large Committee Members – Don Clayberg, Bob Hammon
Polio Plus – Paul Stromborg, Rose Henton, Curtis Lang, Bert Gray
Annual Giving – Jim Stoddard, Jim Buck, Riley Oncken, Jim Bowers
Foundation Jim Stoddard, Jim Buck, Riley Oncken
Scholarships Peter Johnson, Ray Dembinski, Michele Jurkovic, Don Clayberg, Darion Page, Julenne Davey
 
Service Above Self and Service Projects
Chair – Ray Dembinski
Multiple Club Project Coordination – Fred Peltz, Bob Hammon, Paul Stromborg
Water Project – Heidi Wright, Ahmed Kamel, Keven Dahl, Bob Wildenradt, Tami Armstrong, Julenne Davey, Lavarre Uhlken, Marijo Schwartz
Rotarians at Work Day (May) – Brian Adams, Pat Shafer, Bert Gray, Brandon Diviak, Sejal Patel, Mark Spiegelhoff, Rose Henton, Darion Page, Troy Oates, Marijo Schwartz
 
Public Image and Awareness
Chair – Brian Adams
Website – Eric Jones, Fred Peltz, Paul Barnaby
The Spoke – Barry Schrader, Paul Barnaby, Brian Adams, Shelley Hendricks
Public Image Campaign and Social Media – Brian Adams, Marijo Schwartz, Mark Hilde, David Galica, Jude Wilbers
Sergeant at Arms – Brian Adams, Lavarre Uhlken, Barry Schrader, Curt Lang
 
Club Fellowship
Chair – Jeff Keicher
Fines – Jeff Keicher, Marijo Schwartz, Darryl Wolff, Jeff Jacobson
Golf Outing – Dan Gibble, Brian Gregory, Steve Balster, Brad Waller, Jude Wilbers
Rural-Urban Day (February) – Bob Wildenradt, Troy Oates, Eric Johnson, Lavarre Uhlken
Hula-for-Loota (April) – Paul Michel, Rose Henton, Tami Armstrong, Darryl Wolff, Jim Bowers
 
Membership
Chair Sue Emberson
Recruitment All members are expected to bring at least one prospective member as a guest
New Member Orientation Bob Hammon, Ray Dembinski
Member Retention Jim Stoddard, Bob Wildenradt, Larry Berke, Nicole Stuckert, Kathleen Merner
Russell Hampton
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