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"The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn't it be? — it is the same the angels breathe." Mark Twain, Roughing It, Chapter XXII, 1886.
We are at the airport this week! Our speaker will be Mark Wilken from Elliott Aviation.
Mark is the Vice President of Avionics Programs and Operational Logistics where he provides leadership and direction for avionics sales, aftermarket avionics, engineering and certification, FBO and facilities, parts and government programs. He has been with Elliott since 1989. We look forward to hearing from him on Monday.
Don't forget, park in short term parking. Passes for waiving the parking fee will be distributed at the meeting. If you haven't been to an airport meeting before, to get to the meeting room, enter through Door 1 near American Airlines. Once inside, head to the right and you'll be greeted at the meeting room.
We've been a bit spoiled lately by our speaker chair's lining up some great programs surrounding the arts. Music, theatre, and now literature.
Ryan Collins, Executive Director of the Midwest Writing Center (MWC), joined us last week. He introduced the Midwest Writing Center as the only 501(c)3 non-profit organization in the area focused on the literary arts. As we learned last Monday, the MWC has opportunities for every stage of writer. Whether you are looking to publish a family cookbook, a memoir, a book of poetry, or a graphic novel, they can help. Writers and readers of all ages can find a place at the MWC to nurture their writing skills. As Ryan noted, if you write, you're a writer.
A few of the programs he highlighted for us were:
The upcoming Rock Town Lit Fest: May 5th from 6 PM to 9 PM join the MWC for a lit crawl through downtown Rock Island featuring readings from local and regional poets and writers. The lit crwal will start at the Midwest Writing Center and end at Rozz-Tox, with a second location in-between TBA, and will be followed by an after-party at Rozz-Tox.
Also a part of the Rock Town Lit Fest: on Saturday, May 6th, the Rock Island Public Library will host a book fair from 10am-4pm. There will be panel discussions and readings scheduled throughout the day. All the Rock Town Lit Fest events are free and open to the public. Complete information on participating authors, publishers, panel discussion topics, and times for readings are on the MWC website.
We also heard about the Young Emerging Writers Internship Program. This program is for youth in the Quad Cities who are passionate about writing. The Summer Internship Program is a seven-week program for high school students between the ages of 15-19. The goal of the program is to develop writing abilities and at the end of the Program, produce and distribute a literary journal representing the best work of the participants.
Additional highlighted programming included the Children's Literature Festival, "Finish Your Book" workshop series, and the Young Writers Studio.
To learn more about the programming and events hosted by the Midwest Writing Center, head to their website at mwcqc.org.
One last thanks to Ryan. We wrapped up the meeting with a poetry reading of one of Ryan's poems from his book "A New American Field Guide & Song Book" (available on Amazon). If you missed the reading, head on over to our facebook page (facebook.com/moline.rotary) and watch it there.
New Student Rotarians: We welcomed another fine group of Moline High School students last Monday. Here is a little bit of info about them:
Crystal Rios: Crystal is a member of eh basketball team, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Track, Cross Country, Link Crew and QC Scholars. She'd like to pursue a career in Athletic Training and become a basketball coach. Her college or university of choice is yet to be decided.
Rebecca Quick: Rebecca is a member of the Track team, Random Acts of Kindness, and Link Crew. She plans to attend Monmouth College and study Architecture.
Sydney Biscontine: Sydney is a member of the Tennis team, Bowling, Softball, and the National Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa and study Computer Science/Programming.
Benjamin Castro: Benjamin is a member of the National Honor Society, Share Joys, Link Crew, Latinos Unidos, Club Baseball, Symphonic Band, Student Recognition, TEC program at church, and the South Dakota Mission trip. He plans to attend Augustana College and study Geography and Environmental Science.
Alec Quick: Alec is a member of the Football team, Tennis, Sports Unlimited, and Spanish Club. He plans to attend Bradley University and study Engineering.
Adrien Reese: Adrien is a member of the Varsity Baseball team, Sports Unlimited, Spanish Club, and Young Life. He plans to attend Black Hawk College and play on their baseball team. He plans to study Mechanical or Electrical Engineering and to continue playing baseball at a four-year college or university.
Wine Raffles - next 4 weeks: Our Rotarians were so generous with donations of wine for the wine pull at the Murder Mystery Dinner that we still have quite a few bottles of wine left. When we get back to the church on the 12th, come prepared to part with $5 for a raffle ticket. The $5 raffle may win you 3 bottles of wine!
Birdies for Charity and the John Deere Classic: You may have noticed a recent flood of Birdies for Charity donation requests in your mail box this past couple of weeks. Don't forget that each year the Moline Rotary has our own Birdies program. This year funds from our Birdies donations will go to the Community Needs Committee. Please consider a donation. You may remember that every year, as a bonus from tournament proceeds, the John Deere Classic adds at least 5% on top of the pledges to participating charities. This could make a significant impact upon what our club is able to support this coming year. To make a pledge, simply fill out the yellow Birdies forms (they will be on the tables this Monday), and indicate whether you wish to make a pledge in a flat amount or an amount per birdie. You'll also have the chance to guess how many total birdies will be scored during the tournament, putting your name in a drawing for some great prizes from the JDC. Thank you for supporting the Moline Rotary Club Foundation!
Also, don't forget, the Moline Rotary Club has the honor of marshaling the 18th hole of the Classic every year. It is a tremendous undertaking, requiring many volunteers. If you are able to volunteer, please let us know. Historically we hope to have each person take on at least two shifts. Save the dates: July 10-16, 2017. Sign up sheets appeared on the tables last Monday. Please contact Randy Sovey if you are interested in volunteering.
Youth Exchange: Do you know a Moline High School Student who may be interested in short or long term youth exchange? Our Youth Exchange Committee is looking for candidates to send abroad for the 2018-2019 school year. The student should be either in their Junior or Senior year of school for that school year. Contact a member of the committee for more details.
District 6420 Awards: The Moline Rotary Club received two awards last weekend at the Rotary District Conference. The first was for Club Achievement in Literacy and the second was an honorable mention award for Public Image.
P = The problem logged by the pilot. S = The solution logged by the mechanic.
P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough. S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.
P: Something loose in cockpit. S: Something tightened in cockpit.
P: Autopilot in "altitude-hold" mode produces a 200-fpm descent. S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear. S: Evidence removed.
P: DME volume unbelievably loud. S: DME volume set to more believable level.
P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick. S: That's what they're there for!
P: Transponder inoperative. S: Transponder always inoperative in OFF mode.
P: The T/C ball seemed stuck in the middle during my last turn. S: Congratulations! You've just made your first coordinated turn.
P: Suspected crack in windscreen. S: Suspect you're right.
P: Number 3 engine missing. S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.
P: Aircraft handles funny. S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.
P: Radar hums. S: Reprogrammed radar with words.
P: Mouse in cockpit. S: Cat installed.
The Four-Way Test: Of the things we think, say, or do: Is it the Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
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We are at the airport this week! Our speaker will be Mark Wilken from Elliott Aviation. 
We've been a bit spoiled lately by our speaker chair's lining up some great programs surrounding the arts. Music, theatre, and now literature.
New Student Rotarians: We welcomed another fine group of Moline High School students last Monday. Here is a little bit of info about them: 
Birdies for Charity and the John Deere Classic: You may have noticed a recent flood of Birdies for Charity donation requests in your mail box this past couple of weeks. Don't forget that each year the Moline Rotary has our own Birdies program. This year funds from our Birdies donations will go to the Community Needs Committee. Please consider a donation. You may remember that every year, as a bonus from tournament proceeds, the John Deere Classic adds at least 5% on top of the pledges to participating charities. This could make a significant impact upon what our club is able to support this coming year. To make a pledge, simply fill out the yellow Birdies forms (they will be on the tables this Monday), and indicate whether you wish to make a pledge in a flat amount or an amount per birdie. You'll also have the chance to guess how many total birdies will be scored during the tournament, putting your name in a drawing for some great prizes from the JDC. Thank you for supporting the Moline Rotary Club Foundation!
District 6420 Awards: The Moline Rotary Club received two awards last weekend at the Rotary District Conference. The first was for Club Achievement in Literacy and the second was an honorable mention award for Public Image.