The annual Green Raffle fundraiser is now underway! Tickets cost $25 each or 4 for $100, and winners will be announced at our Mardi Gras event on April 25. Funds raised will support the club’s programs.
Party with a Purpose! Join us for a fun-filled evening of trivia, Cajun-inspired bites, music, and prizes — all supporting Rotary’s community service initiatives. Trivia | Food | Raffle. April 25, 2026 7 - 10 pm. St. Mary’s PAC, 312 Waterman Street Sycamore IL 60178. Scan the QR Code to purchase tickets and more information about the event. For sponsorship information, contact Brandon at BDiviak@ResourceBank.com
Party with a Purpose! Join community leaders, businesses, and friends for a festive evening of trivia, Cajun-inspired bites, music, and celebration — all in support of Rotary’s service initiatives. Let the good times roll — for a great cause. An Evening of Fun and Community Impact The Rotary Club of Sycamore invites you to partner with us for Mardi Gras Mind Games, a lively trivia night celebrating community while supporting Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self. Guests will enjoy: • Three rounds of lively trivia • Cajun-inspired appetizers and desserts • Green Raffle with prizes up to $1000 • Bottle pulls • Networking with community leaders This exciting event will bring together local businesses, community partners, and residents for an unforgettable evening while raising funds for programs that strengthen our community. The Impact of Your Sponsorship Your sponsorship helps support: • Youth leadership and scholarship programs • Local service projects and community initiatives • Rotary’s international humanitarian efforts • Global polio eradication efforts • Volunteer programs serving our region When you sponsor Mardi Gras Mind Games, you are investing in programs that create meaningful and lasting impact. Scan the QR Code to purchase tickets and more information about the event. For sponsorship information, contact Brandon at BDiviak@ResourceBank.com
Northern Illinois University Head Women’s Golf Coach Kim Kester shares information about the current season and her views on the overall state of college athletics during an appearance before Sycamore Rotarians. Kester is in her 14th season as coach and has consistently produced among the top Conference teams during this time.
In her 14 years as Northern Illinois University (NIU) Head Women’s Golf Coach, Kim Kester has led her players to record-breaking performances on the course and to academic honors as well. Kester told Rotarians this week how she got hired just as fall classes were getting ready to start but jumped right in and methodically worked to build a highly competitive team on the links and also expanded recruiting at both the national and international level. For example, the Huskie’s leading player at their most recent tournament is from Toronto, Canada.
Kester says it is people that make her want to stay at NIU. Although she added that the ability to have the championship Rich Harvest Farms golf course in Sugar Grove as their home course is a special added benefit. Kester knows about quality golf settings having grown up in Michigan and winning a variety of championship recognitions. She earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Toledo, was a star player for the University, and then came back to help coach at her alma mater before coming to NIU. As a player, she has five “hole-in-one’s” to her credit.
Kester admits she has concerns about the new “portal” system for student athletes, saying the transfer options, extra payments it allows, plus ways to add a year to eligibility devalue education and cause loss of school loyalty. She said that a competitor university pays an additional $350-thousand to two women golfers beyond traditional scholarships. Kester noted that sponsorship of individual athletes is also possible with recognition on parts of helmets and jerseys.
April 6, 1483 – Considered the architect of the Renaissance period of painting, the artist Raphael is born in Urbino, Italy.
April 8, 563 BC – Celebrated as the birthday of Buddha; an estimated 350 million people currently profess the Buddhist faith.
April 9, 1898 – American Pro-Football Hall of Fame halfback and coach (founder, first coach of the Green Bay Packers), Curly Lambeau, is born in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
April 10, 1847 – Newspaper publishing magnate Joseph Pulitzer is born in Budapest, Hungary. With his wealth he endows the journalism school at Columbia University and the prizes annually given in his name for excellence in journalism.
April 6, 1980 – Post-It Notes are sold in stores for the first time. Originally developed by 3M in 1968 during adhesive research, it wasn’t until an employee began using the product to mark pages in a book with no damage when removed that multiple uses for the product came to light.
April 8, 1913 – The 17th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution was ratified requiring direct popular election of U.S. Senators instead of being chosen by state legislators.
April 9, 1865 – General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, effectively ending the Civil War.
April 11, 1968 – President Lyndon Johnson signs into law the Civil Rights Act of 1968. Generally called the Fair Housing Act, it expands on previous acts by adding federal enforcement provisions to prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, religion, and national origin. The Act was passed following the April 4th assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and subsequent civil unrest.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2025-2026
President – Jonelle Bailey
President Elect – Becky Springer
Director (President Nominee) – Matt Nelson
Director (President Designee) -
Past President – Brandon Diviak
Treasurer – Dr. Michele Jurkovic
Secretary – Pat Shafer
Sergeant at Arms – Paulette Renault
Monthly Committees
July: Board of Directors
August: Brandon Diviak, Jeff Keicher, Pat Shafer
September: Dave Hamilton, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Stoddard
October: Paul Callighan, Matt Nelson, Paul Stromborg
November: Sue Emberson, Jeff Frank, Phil Meyers
December: Larry Berke, Ray Dembinski, Riley Oncken
Fellowship: Paulette Renault, Larry Berke, Sue Emberson, Dave Hamilton, Pat Shafer
Foundations:Paul Stromborg, Jim Buck, Sue Emberson, Matt Nelson, Jim Stoddard
Membership: Jonelle Bailey, Ray Dembinski, Brandon Diviak, Bob Hammon, Jeff Jacobson, Steve Kuhn, Phil Meyers, Matt Nelson, Riley Oncken, Jeff Petersen, Bob Wildendradt
New Generations: Chip Houdek, Julie Sgarlata, Becky Springer
Public Image: Bob Brown, Paul Callighan, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims
Scholarships:Tim Neubert, Ray Dembinski, Phil Meyers, Michele Jurkovic, Steve Kuhn
Service: Brandon Diviak, Jeff Frank, Michele Jurkovic, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert, Brendan Wilson
