Jason Mangum says working in the field of parks and recreation isn't just about fields, facilities and programs...it's about helping people who need something to connect them with the community.

 

Mangum is the Executive Director of the DeKalb Park District; he started his career in Arizona after graduating from college, taking charge of a local park district's recreation program.  From there, he worked his way into upper management; he's been a director at several park districts in Arizona, as well as one in Michigan, before coming to DeKalb.

 

He recounted stories about youths who had not direction or activity in their lives, who needed something to not only occupy their time...but to get them to come out of their personal shells, and begin to interact and develop real relationships with others.  He says this is the most important function of a park district; by providing activities to youths and adults, a park district program gives them a way to get over their shyness, their resistance to getting involved with others, and provides a chance to become more involved with their community and their own futures.

 

Jason is currently a member of the Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club, and works closely with our own Dan Gibble on projects which directly affect both their respective park districts.

 

 

Rose Henton has been formally welcomed into the Sycamore Rotary Club; she has been a Rotarian for 16 years, belonging to the Danville, IL Rotary and serving as Secretary, Vice President and President.  She is also a Paul Harris Fellow.

 

She and her husband, Bishop Ronald Henton, were transferred to Sycamore in August so he could serve as pastor of the Israel of God's Church on North Avenue.  That church serves as the national headquarters for their denomination, so they are familiar with the area; they have four grown children -- one of whom attended Northern Illinois University -- and 10 grandchildren, with an 11th on the way.

 

Rose served as Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Danville, and previously worked for CRIS Healthy Aging as its Administrator of the Protective Services Department.  She says she wanted to make a connection with Rotary as soon as possible, and is glad to have been welcomed into our Club.

 

Sycamore Rotarians can start making their holiday travel plans, as the schedule is set for our meetings in December:

 

Wednesday, December 23rd -- No Meeting.  Goodfellows will be setting up at Blumen Gardens for their gift distribution the next day

Due to the upcoming holiday season, publication dates for the electronic version of The Spoke will be changed.

 

There will be no editions during the week of Christmas and New Year's; this is the last scheduled edition of 2015, and publication will resume on Tuesday, January 5th.