Malwina Bardoni says the Midwest Museum of Natural History is constantly changing its collection and evolving its layout, as it continues to target its main audience -- children interested in learning about nature and science.
As the new Executive Director for the MMNH, she notes recent changes to their layout; new kid-friendly signage on the main display floor, a redesigned children's Discovery Room and additional live animal displays are designed to hold the interest of children...whether they are on a field trip, or visiting during the summertime.
The Sycamore Rotary Club sponsors one of its display galleries, and the exhibits there are rotated on a regular basis. Currently on display is one dealing with water -- the creatures who live in it, the people who depend on it and the steps needed to maintain a clean water supply.
Their annual Rockin' for the Reptiles fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 24th in the city lot on Somonauk Street, across from Shawn's; other events are scheduled for the summertime, in an effort to give kids a chance to enjoy the museum experience even while out of school.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Past District Governor Jim Prather, of Rock Island, who served as DG in 2008-2009. PDG Jim passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017. Our condolences go out to Sherry and family, and to the Quad Cities Rotary Club of which he was a proud member.
DG Scott Shore says Jim was 100% Rotary, 100% friend, a Major Donor to Rotary Foundation, a Veteran, and an inspiration to many of us. He will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be on Thursday June 1, from 3-7 p.m. at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home at 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island. PDGs and District friends will gather at 6:00 pm. to proceed through the visitation line together.
The funeral will be on Friday June 2, at 10:00 at the Two Rivers United Methodist Church, 1820 5th Ave., Rock Island.
Electronic ballots have been sent out, for selection of this year's recipient of the John W. Ovitz, Jr. Rotarian of the Year Award.
Rotarians received ballots by e-mail, and paper ballots will be made available at the June 14th Rotary Club meeting; voting formally closes at 1:00 p.m. on the 14th. This year's winner will be announced at the Installation Brunch for DG Steve Kuhn (at Faranda's on Sunday, June 25th).
Due to a recent rule change, previous recipients are eligible again after five years.
Ballots will be tabulated by current President Sue Emberson, President-Elect Eric Jones and 2016 Ovitz Award winner Julie Sgarlata. Contact Sue if you have any questions about the selection procedure.
Please join us for brunch on Sunday, June 25, 2017 for the installation of our new District Governor, Steve Kuhn. The event will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Faranda's, 302 Grove Street in DeKalb.
The event will also feature the installation of Eric Jones as President of the Sycamore Rotary Club, and the announcement of this year's recipient of the John W. Ovitz, Jr. Rotarian of the Year Award.
Cost is $30.00 per person; the deadline to register is Monday, June 19th. Reservations must be made in advance; no payments will be accepted at the door.
The Sycamore Rotary Club's annual Golf Outing will be held on Wednesday, June 28th at the Sycamore Golf Course; it will be preceded by a make-up session at 12:00 p.m. at the clubhouse. Four-man scramble play begins at 1:00; the round will be followed by dinner at the clubhouse.
Each event that day counts as a separate make-up, so if you spend the whole day at the course you'll receive three make-ups -- and that may be useful, if you are close to making perfect attendance for 2016-17.
Rotarians not playing must sign up separately for the pre- and post-golf events; golfers will automatically be included for the 12:00 make-up session, but must indicate on the sign-up sheet if they will be staying for dinner afterwards.
Since the traditional Installation of Officers will be held the previous Sunday during DG Steve Kuhn's Installation Brunch, the post-golf event will be strictly a dinner.
If you have questions, please contact Dan Gibble for details.
Rotarians are being asked to offer their time on Saturday, June 10th, to assist with the MS Bike Tour rest stop in Sycamore.
Sycamore Rotarians will be manning the stop at North School from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. that day. Volunteers will set up the rest area, greet the riders as they check in, distribute water and other items to those riders and provide any other assistance needed.
A sign-up sheet will be passed around at upcoming Rotary Club meetings; shifts are from 9-12 noon, noon-3 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. You can contact Ray Dembinski for more information.
