Freshly-minted Rotary member Brendan Wilson joins fellow Rotarian and Park District Executive Director Jonelle Bailey in preparing scrumptious pancakes in an outdoor tent
Dr. Michele Jurkovic leads her experienced kitchen crew of Sycamore Rotarians
While discussing the impact of Covid-19, Circuit Court Judge (and fellow Sycamore Rotarian) said "Zoom saved the courts"...and it wasn't a joke!
Saying that “Zoom saved the courts,” Circuit Court Judge Marcy Buick gave an overview of the Covid-19 response at the DeKalb County Courthouse during this week’s Rotary meeting. Buick said there was initial apprehension after the emergency closure of the courthouse in March 2020. Buick felt a need for a physical presence at the courthouse building during this time as a way of showing the court system was still in place. She said standard court activity gradually began to resume but shifted to the high-tech virtual world of doing business.
According to Buick, some of Zoom-imposed changes improved management of resources. For example, transportation of prisoners to the courthouse from the county jail or other non-local jail facilities was eliminated because all parties appeared via video screens. Various court orders, such as orders of protection brought at the request of the non-profit Safe Passage organization, and issuing warrants, were scheduled for specific times reducing courthouse congestion. Also, required paperwork could more easily be filed electronically. Buick related that for one warrant request after hours, she was on the Great Western Trail bike path in Lily Lake but could still manage the hearing and order using her cell phone. However, she said the downside to easier video access is loss of control over the court setting with defendants and witnesses sometimes being overly casual in their appearance.
Buick said the use of virtual court technology will continue. All courtrooms now have large video screens and proceedings are streamed live on the county website to fulfill the requirement of a public trial. Buick said the courtrooms are also reconfigured to ensure social distancing although there have only been four jury trials since the start of Covid. She concluded her remarks by explaining the new criminal justice law related to bail. No longer will there be cash bail in Illinois. Instead, those charged with a crime will either be released with specified conditions to follow or remain incarcerated to ensure public safety. Buick said she did not want people to think dangerous felons will be released who pose any threat in the community.
As part of Sycamore's Pumpkin Fest, more than 525 hungry guests enjoyed all you can eat blueberry and buttermilk pancakes, sausage, apple sauce, and drinks at the annual Sycamore Rotary Pancake Breakfast held at St. Mary's Catholic Church Hall.
Under the leadership of Brandon Diviak, Chair, and Dr. Michele Jurkovic, Jeff Petersen, Jonelle Bailey, and Club President Paulette Renault dozens of Sycamore Rotarians assisted by High School Interactors cooked and served this wonderful breakfast. There were even bucket toss games for kids directed by Julie Sgarlata and her volunteer team.
Thanks to the following sponsors for underwriting this fun community event: Resource Bank (represented by Rotarian Brandon Diviak), Priority Promotions (represented by Rotarian Paulette Renault), State Farm (Patrick Marsden), Allstate (represented by Rotarian Patrick Shafer), Spex Expessions (Drs. Kristy Marczewski and Rotarian Jeff Frank, O.D.), Chapel in the Pines (represented by Rotarian Jeff Petersen), and Hy-Vee Supermarket.
Donations are currently being requested for the Sycamore Food Pantry. Bring a bottle of laundry detergent...or $10 for Julie Sgarlata to purchase one. Money is easier to handle.
Personal hygiene items (bar soap, shampoo, etc.) are also being sought.
Posted by David Bills, District 6420 Governor on Sep 13, 2021
Dear Rotary Club Presidents, Club Secretaries, and All District 6420 Rotarians,
It is time for our clubs to consider nominating a Rotarian to serve as Governor for Rotary District 6420 for the 2024-25 Rotary year.
The qualifications to become Governor include being a member in good standing of a club in good standing, serving at least one full term as a club president, and being available in person to meet with the Nominating Committee on the date set by that committee. That interview date is tentatively set for Saturday, December 4, 2021.
The successful candidate will join the Governor Line, serving as the District Governor Nominee Designate in the second half of the 2021-22 Rotary year, District Governor Nominee in 2022-23, District Governor Elect in 2023-24, and District Governor in 2024-25.
There is an expectation that a Past District Governor will continue to serve the District in some leadership position for at least two years following the Governor year. A high-quality Governor training program is provided by Zone, Region, and Rotary International personnel.
A prospective candidate should contact me or any past Governor with any questions.
Each club is eligible to nominate one candidate, and the club must sign off on their full support for their candidate. Official nomination forms are available by contacting me. Also, the nomination forms need to be returned to me by the deadline for nominations which is Monday, November 15, 2021. Candidates will be contacted to set up interviews following the deadline.
PLEASE MAKE THIS INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO ALL YOUR MEMBERS.
Feel free to contact me with any questions, or for more information.
November 8, 1656 – Astronomer and mathematician Edmund Halley is born in London. He discovers his namesake comet in 1682 and calculates its next appearance in 1758. Reappearing about every 76 years, it should next be visible in 2061.
November 10, 1483 – German Theologian and Reformation founder Martin Luther is born. He begins a religious movement after posting his 95 Thesis originally meant to reform the Catholic Church.
November 12, 1929 – Grace Kelly, award-winning actress who left Hollywood to marry Prince Ranier of Monaco, is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
November 13, 1850 – Famed Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson is born in Edinburgh.
November 8, 1895 – X-rays are discovered by William Roentgen at the University of Würzburg in Germany.
November 9, 1965 – At 5:16 PM, the Great Blackout of the Northeast began caused by a circuit breaker malfunction at a power plant on the Niagara River. The blackout affects more than 30-million people living along the East Coast and Canada.
November 10, 1871 – Explorer Henry M. Stanley found missionary David Livingston at Ujiri, Africa. Livingston had been missing for two years.
November 11, 1918 – The Armistice ending World War I takes affect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in Germany. Before it ends, the global conflict involves more than 70 million military personnel and leads to 8.5 million combatant deaths and is blamed for 13 million civilian deaths.
