[Please find photos of this event below, following the "News/Updates" section.]
On Saturday June 6th the Sycamore Rotary Club joined with Rotarians from the DeKalb Retirement Center-Oak Crest and friends who all honored Barry Schrader for his many contributions to the Sycamore community and to Rotary. Family members in attendance included Barry's sons Darrin and Todd and sister in law, Carol Larson, sister to Kay Schrader.
Rotary Club President, Pat Shafer, lead the ceremony held on the beautiful grounds of Oak Crest surrounded by dozens of Rotarians, family, and friends. To begin, Shafer introduced two Rotarians who assisted in the ceremony: Paulette Renault who read the classic poem "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer and club incoming president Michael DeVito who shared Rotary's "Service Above Self" core beliefs in the "4-Way Test" which Michael associated with Barry's many contributions.
The elements of the Rotary "4-Way Test" center on the key challenge to Rotarians: "Of the things we think, say, or do":
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
Shafer continued: If a man is measured by his family, friends, and contributions then Barry Schrader is truly worthy of our honoring him this morning at Oak Crest with this newly planted red maple tree.
As many of you may know, one of Barry’s recent contributions to Sycamore and to Rotary was the founding of a satellite Rotary Club here at Oak Crest. Schrader, a former editor of the Daily Chronicle, along with Sycamore Rotarian Dr. Paul Stromborg began the Oak Crest Club with 17 members, many first-time Rotarians.
It seems to me that a tree in his honor is a fitting expression of our recognition of the many known and unknown contributions that Barry has made to make his and our world a better place. The life forces that trees exhibit: strength, flexibility, and hardiness are similar to what a good man also provides for the world that he touches. Our friend Barry is that man and we are honoring him in front of the Sycamore community that he loves so much.
The Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" has truly been a guiding principle for Barry contributions to the Sycamore community.
Although the Coronavirus Pandemic is preventing us from hugging and congratulating Barry, please know Barry that our heartfelt congratulations are with you today.
God bless you Barry and thank you for everything and everyone that you have touched. You are indeed a strong tree for all.
The Sycamore Rotary Club also wishes to thank the amazing staff and residents of Oak Crest, especially their Director of Resident Programming & Oak Crest Rotarian, Linda Sherman, who helped to make this dedication so special for Barry, his family, friends, and all Sycamore Rotarians.
The world’s attention has been focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, but Rotary’s long-standing fight to eradicate polio continues. Dr. Paul Stromberg updated Sycamore Rotarians on what is happening during their June 10 Zoom meeting. He noted the World Health Organization (WHO), the organization tracking the COVID-19 crisis, is also the organization that oversaw eradication of smallpox, control of the Ebola virus, and now the near eradication of polio. The U.S. is a major funder of the WHO, providing $237 million through an assessment formula and another $656 million voluntarily. Rotary provides $143 million. China contributes $73 million.
There is an uptick of polio cases mainly blamed on restrictions from COVID-19. Wild polio cases went from 26 in 2019 to 61 this year. Vaccine-derived cases jumped from 11 to 122. The polio virus is active in two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Dr. Stromberg encouraged Sycamore Rotarians to contribute to the “End Polio Now” fund of Rotary. The Rotary fiscal year ends June 30 and so far club contributions are trailing last year’s total of $4,476. To date they stand at $3,514, although some contributions are pending book entry. To give, contact Club Treasurer Dr. Michele Jurkovic or go to www.endpolio.org/donate.
Remember...NO MEETING THIS COMING WEEK! Enjoy your holiday!
Following is our schedule of upcoming speakers/presentations:
Wednesday, November 25 - NO MEETING (holiday)
Wednesday, December 2 (Hybrid meeting: In-person at Blumen Gardens, pending status of Covid mitigation efforts, and online via Zoom): DeKalb County Community Foundation (Daniel Templin)
Wednesday, December 9 (Hybrid meeting: In-person at Blumen Gardens, pending status of Covid mitigation efforts, and online via Zoom): Classification Speech (Joyce Klein)
Wednesday, December 16 (Hybrid meeting: In-person at Blumen Gardens, pending status of Covid mitigation efforts, and online via Zoom): Fate of the USS Peter Silvester - Feb 6, 1945 (Stephanie Forsberg)
Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Originally planned to be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, this year's Rotary International Convention will now be held virtually from June 20 through June 26.
The first General Session, entitled "Together, We Connect" will be held June 20. Celebrate our connection with speeches from Rotary International President Mark Maloney, Convention Chair Celia Giay, Foundation Trustee Chair-elect K.R. Ravindran, and Foundation Trustee Chair Gary C.K. Huang. Witness how the world of Rotary has come together in an unprecedented way during an unprecedented time. See how our Rotary family is connecting across the globe to support each other and the fight against COVID-19, and find out how we can continue to support these efforts. Learn from an expert panel of global disease prevention and treatment and humanitarian aid organizations how lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic response can help strengthen our communities against similar events in the future. Honor those members impacted by and lost to COVID-19 with a musical tribute.
The second General Session, entitled "Together, We Learn" will be held June 21. Be inspired to action by RI President Mark Maloney, Convention Chair Celia Giay, RI President-elect Holger Knaack, General Secretary John Hewko, and RI President-nominee Shekhar Mehta.
“Travel” to Hawaii and experience the Honolulu Mural Project. Learn how e-clubs work and discover how Rotary clubs are leveraging new platforms to meet virtually and stay connected. Watch Rotary Peace Fellows in action around the world and see how an RIBI club innovated to expand membership. Receive an update on our polio eradication efforts and find out how existing infrastructure assists in the battle against coronavirus.
The following Breakout Sessions will be held June 22 through June 26:
Using Virtual Tools to Engage Members
Engaging Rotary Alumni
Greening Rotary Events: Be Plastic-free, Offset Carbon, and More!
Grow Rotary Through New Club Types
Coffee with Shekhar for District Governors-nominee and Club Presidents-nominee
How to Start and Manage RAGM Microfinance Projects
Adopt-a-River Initiative: A Rotary & UNEP Partnership Model
Rotaract Elevated, Now What?
Disruptive Innovation in Rotary Clubs
How to Submit a Great Global Grant Application
Forum for 2020-21 District Governors and Club Presidents
Digital Trends of 2021: Using Tech to Engage Millennials
Engage Young Families with Service and Alternative Meetings
The Rotary Brand
Personal Growth Opportunities: Rotary’s Alliance with Toastmasters
June 9, 1898 – The British signed a 99-year lease for Hong Kong; on July 1, 1997 its sovereignty reverted to the People’s Republic of China.
June 10, 1652 – Massachusetts silversmith John Hull opened the first mint in the American colonies (his first coin was the Pine Tree Shilling).
June 11, 1994 – After 49 years the Soviet military occupation of East Germany ended.
June 13, 1966 – The U. S. Supreme Court ruled an accused person must be apprised of certain rights before police questioning in the case of Miranda v. Arizona.
For all of us who are married, were married, wish you were married, or wish you weren't married, this is something to smile about the next time you see a bottle of wine:
Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road.
As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride.
With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car.
Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Sally.
'What in bag?' asked the old woman.
Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, 'It's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband.'
The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said:
'Good trade.'
Birthdays & Club Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Paul Callighan
December 10
Julie Sgarlata
December 13
Concetta Maniaci
December 19
Jeffrey Petersen
December 19
To provide feedback or contribute content for this newsletter, please contact Tim Neubert at timneubert@sbcglobal.net.
