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Guest Speaker: Gilbert Sebentse
 
Gilbert Sebenste, chief meteorologist at NIU, spoke about severe weather in this area, some history, and what NIU does to ensure the safety of their people.
 
Even though Fairdale was hit with an EF-4 tornado two years ago, he says we are overdue for a tornado locally since the average time between them is 25 to 30 years, and DeKalb hasn't had one for 50 or more years.
 
Steve Kuhn noted that the Rotary Foundation paid for the installation of a warning siren in Fairdale. Sebenste said that is effective only for people outside their houses, while an NOAA weather alert radio is important to have in your home.
 
He then explained that "straight-line" winds from 60 to 100 mph are the greatest threats we face here, plus hail storms. The most injuries come from the debris tossed about in storms, not just the wind itself.
 
Sebentse says that his position is being eliminated due to state budget cuts at NIU and after 19 years on the job he will be leaving in the next year.
 
DGE Steve Kuhn receives PHF plus-7 pin
 
District 6420 DGE Steve Kuhn (right) receives his Paul Harris Fellow plus-7 pin at the April 12th meeting; presenting it to him is Dr. Paul Stromborg, the Sycamore Rotary Club's Foundation Chairman.
 
Volunteers, donations needed for Rotarians at Work Day
Sign-up sheets will be going around at all upcoming Rotary Club meetings, as we seek volunteers to help out with our Rotarians at Work Day projects.
 
You'll be needed on Saturday, May 6th from 9:00 a.m. until noon at our work sites -- the Pay it Forward House, Rotary Park at Sycamore Lake, and the Kishwaukee SRA office at Hopkins Park in DeKalb.
 
If you're unable to join us that day, we now have an additional volunteer opportunity available; the Youth Service Bureau is seeking assistance with their annual Bike Auction on Saturday, May 20th.  Their offices are located in downtown DeKalb, next to Faranda's; help will be needed starting at 7:00 a.m. 
 
We are also collecting items for the Amazing Grace Organization.  This not-for-profit agency collects items for placement in care packages to cancer patients; Interact has set up collection boxes on the Sycamore H.S. campus, at Country Insurance or at Spex Expressions.
 
Rotarians are invited to donate items at any participating location, or at the Rotary meetings on April 26 and May 3.
 
Hula-for-Loota set for Thursday night
Rotary's annual taste of Hawaii returns on Thursday, April 20th as we host the annual Hula-for-Loota bash at Chapel in the Pines.
 
This annual night of fun will help raise monies for the Sycamore Rotary Club's scholarship fund; we will have the traditional draw-down raffle, with numbers being eliminated one by one...until we get down to the final number(s), and the winner of our grand prize of $3,000. 
 
We'll also have a 50/50 drawing, gift baskets and cash prizes for giveaway during the drawing, food and a cash bar for all participants.
 
Publication of The Spoke will be delayed until Friday, so that we can include the results from Hula-for-Loota
 
Pictures still needed for Rotary photo directory
We are still looking for pictures of two Rotarians whose images aren't included in the official photo directory -- Dick Hagen, and Bill Scott (both are retired from active participation in the club, but remain honorary members). 
 
If you happen to have a picture of either one, or if you would like to update your own photo, please contact or send to Brian Adams at brianadams62@hotmail.com
 
The photo directory is accessible through your account on the club website.
 
Attendance Report -- April 19, 2017
 
     Attendance:  53.51%
 
     Guests of Rotarians:  Karen Keicher (Jeff Keicher)
 
     Other Guests:  Marcela Silva (exchange student); Katherine Katz; Morgana Gandsey
 
Speakers
Apr 26, 2017
Kishwaukee/Northwestern Medicine Wellness Center
May 03, 2017
NIU Basketball Coach
May 10, 2017
Exchange Student
May 17, 2017
"The Wall That Heals" Display
May 24, 2017
KCH Emergency Services
May 31, 2017
Midwest Museum of Natural History
View entire list
Upcoming Events
District 6420 Conference
Starved Rock State Park
Apr 28, 2017 12:00 PM –
Apr 30, 2017 12:00 PM
 
Board Meeting
Blumen Gardens
May 03, 2017
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
 
Rotarians at Work Day
May 06, 2017
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Board Meeting
Blumen Gardens
Jun 07, 2017
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
 
Bike MS: Tour de Farms
North School
Jun 10, 2017
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
 
Club Information
Rotary Club of Sycamore, Illinois
Sycamore
We meet Wednesdays at 11:45 AM
Blumen Gardens
403 Edward Street
Sycamore, IL  60178
United States
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2016-2017
President -- Sue Emberson    
President-Elect -- Eric Jones
Past President -- Russell Bishop    
Secretary -- Sally Bruch    
Treasurer -- Michele Jurkovic    
Director -- Ray Dembinski
Director -- Pat Shafer   
Assistant Treasurer -- Lavarre Uhlken    
Sergeant-at-Arms -- Brian Adams
 
Monthly Committees
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, 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, Paul Barnaby, Heidi Wright
February -- Brian Gregory, Nicole Stuckert, Riley Oncken, Ahmed Kamel, 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 -- Mark Spiegelhoff, Cliff Bottigliero, Rose Henton, Mark Hilde, Darion Page, Rose Treml
June -- Paul Stromborg, Brian Adams, Lavarre Uhlken, Jeff Keicher, Jim Stoddard, Marijo Schwartz
 
New Generations
Chair—Julie Sgarlata
At-Large Committee Members – Kathy Countryman, Eric Jones, Don Clayberg, Julenne Davey, Nicole Stuckert
Sycamore H.S. Interact – Ben Swedberg  
Sycamore M.S. Interact – Nicole Stuckert 
South Prairie EarlyAct – Julie Sgarlata  
North Grove EarlyAct – Mark Hilde       
Long/Short Term Youth Exchange – Chip Houdek, Tim Carlson, Jeff Jacobson, Jeff Keicher
Group Study Exchange – Troy Oates, Fred Peltz
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, Curtis Lang, Bert Gray
Annual Giving/Foundation – Jim Stoddard, Jim Buck, Jim Bowers, Riley Oncken
Scholarships Pete Johnson, Jeff Keicher, Ray Dembinski, Michele Jurkovic, Don Clayberg
 
Service Above Self and Service Projects
Chair – Ray Dembinski
Multiple Club Project Coordination – Bob Hammon, Dave Miller, Paul Stromborg, Keven Dahl
Water Project – Heidi Wright, Riley Oncken, Julenne Davey
Meals on Wheels (August) – Brian Adams, Curt Lang, Sejal Patel, Darion Page, Mark Spiegelhoff
Dictionary Distribution (September) – Lavarre Uhlken, Brian Adams, Shelley Hendricks
Pancake Breakfast (October) – Dave McCann, Marcy Buick, Marijo Schwartz, Brad Waller, Michele Jurkovic, Fred Peltz, Jeff Petersen, Paulette Renault
Feed My Starving Children (November) – Heidi Wright, Jeff Frank, Eric Jones, Paul Stromborg, Marijo Schwartz
Salvation Army Bell-Ringing (December) – Dave Andrews, Jim Moris, Kathy Countryman, Rose Treml, Paul Borek
Adopt a Family (December) – Heidi Wright, Dave Miller, Brad Waller, Julenne Davey
Rotarians at Work Day (May) – Brian Adams, Pat Shafer, Bert Gray, Brandon Diviak, Sejal Patel
 
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
Sergeant at Arms – Brian Adams, Lavarre Uhlken, Barry Schrader, Curt Lang
IT/Audio-Visual – Eric Jones, Brian Adams
 
Club Fellowship
Fines – Jeff Keicher, Riley Oncken, Paul Callighan, Marijo Schwartz, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Bowers
100% Attendance Lunch (August) – Sally Bruch
Holiday Party (December) – Jeff Petersen, Gary Evans, Dave Hamilton, Tami Armstrong, Paulette Renault, Julie Sgarlata
Rural-Urban Day (February) – Bob Wildenradt, Troy Oates, Larry Berke
Hula-for-Loota (April) – Paul Michel, Julie Sgarlata, Tami Armstrong, Jim Bowers
Golf Outing (June) – Dan Gibble, Brian Gregory, Steve Balster, Brad Waller
 
Membership
Chair Sally Bruch
Recruitment All members are expected to bring at least one prospective member as a guest
New Member Orientation Bob Hammon, Ray Dembinski, Brandon Diviak, Russell Bishop
Member Retention Jim Stoddard, Bob Wildenradt, Larry Berke, Nicole Stuckert
 
Russell Hampton
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