“When people rely on surface appearances and false racial stereotypes, rather than in-depth knowledge of others at the level of the heart, mind and spirit, their ability to assess and understand people accurately is compromised.” ― James A. Forbes

Announcements
(notes submitted by the erudite Mary Hodson)

Book Mentors are still needed.  Training is scheduled for 3:30 PM Tuesday, September 29 at Campbell Hall.

The Illinois Humanities Council will be showing a film about migrants entitled, “The Long Journey Home”, 7 PM Tuesday, September 29 in the Spurlock Museum auditorium.

There will be a Club Assembly on October 29.

Be sure to read the email from President Reuben regarding the short term offer of a match on Paul Harris Foundation donations.

President Reuben announced that there are two ladies size large Polo Shirts available for a donation.

Program

Ed introduced the University of IL. head softball coach, Tyra Perry.  Tyra is from Zachery, LA, the oldest of four children of a high school principal and coach.  She participated in 3 sports in high school and credits her father for everything she knows about coaching.

Perry attended two years at Nicholls State University before being asked by her coach to go with her to start a softball program at LSU.  She earned a degree in kinesiology in 1997 and a masters in sports administration 1998.

Tyra was hired as the University of Illinois’s second-ever head coach in June.  She spent the previous 15 seasons as a NCAA Division I softball head coach, totaling 409 career victories as the head coach at Ball State, Western Kentucky and Birmingham Southern.   Perry was named 2014 MAC Coach of the Year during her first season at Ball State.

Tyra explained that pitchers are integral to the game.  Pitching underhand is less stressful on the athlete’s arm/should and makes it possible for one dominant pitcher to pitch all games.    Elite pitchers are tall like basketball or volleyball players and pitch 60-70 MPH.   Tyra likes to have left handed pitchers.  Both left and right handed batters have difficulty hitting balls thrown by a left handed pitcher.  They can throw a rise ball pitch which is unique to softball.  It looks like a flat pitch but rises just before the batter.

Tyra described the U of I team as a group of outstanding young women with an average 3.35 GPA.

Softball is a spring sport but they have fall games.   Tyra invited members to come out to  Eichelberger field for one of their two remaining fall games.   Through October 10, there are also open practices from 2-5 PM Tuesdays through Fridays and at 9 AM on Saturdays.

In closing, Tyra said that she is excited to be part of the current rapidly growing trend of women’s softball.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE

October 1st – Christine Catanzarite, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Illinois

October 8th – Jessica DeYoung, Director of the C-U Special Recreation Program

October 15th – Sue Grey from United Way of Champaign County will discuss their new Family Emergency Shelters

October 22nd – Mike DeLorenzo, Associate Chancellor, UIUC, will discuss Willard Airport

October 29th – TBD

November 5th – Brenda Koenig, Director of the C-U Folk & Roots Festival

November 12th – Guy Fraker, attorney and Lincoln scholar

November 19th – TBD

November 26th – Thanksgiving, no meeting

December 3rd – TBD

Feb 5 – Dr. Matthew Winters, Associate Professor of Political Science, UIUC, will present What Works in International Development: The Latest Evidence

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.”  ― Louisa May Alcott 

Announcements

(notes provided by the crafty and courageous Barb Lintner)

A report on our Chilean student, Antonia Rivera, is that she and her family had to evacuate due to the recent earthquake in Chile, but are okay with no damage to their home.

Champaign Central Interact Club is sponsoring a 5K run on Saturday, October 24^th at 9:00am at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana.  All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Crisis Nursery.  The club is seeking cash and product donations.  Sponsorships are due October 9.

Betsy Barringer on behalf of her family presented a gift of an additional Shelterbox this year to Gary Olsen in memory of Larry Barringer, a former member of CU Sunrise.

Program

Tom Ramage, President of Parkland College, spoke to us about the community college, the new facilities just completed at the campus in west Champaign, and current budget concerns.

Parkland was founded in 1966 in downtown Champaign with 1338 students; today it serves 21,000 credit students, and 4,000 non-credit students.  It has become a premier community college serving 300,000 students since its inception and offering 120 degree certificate programs to students in a 3,000 square mile area of central Illinois.

Parkland is the number one feeder school for the University of Illinois.  Engineering students who transfer to the university do as well or better than those who start as freshmen at the U of I.  Parkland students who have concurrent enrollments with the university have their courses accepted by other universities as well.  Parkland led the nation in online students from 2000 to 2010.

One third of area high school graduates in the top 10% of their classes get full-ride scholarships to Parkland.  In 2011, 10,000 Parkland students had academic deficits.  The college meets students where they are and helps them graduate and earn their degrees.

At present there are 250 foreign students; 116 are from China and are enrolled in Parkland’s Institute for Aviation due to the huge growth in air transportation in that country.

Parkland has business connections with many large companies such as Microsoft and Kraft but also with smaller central Illinois businesses.  The college’s customer service training helps keep our community viable.

The recent $92 million expansion includes six new facilities, one of which is a new student services building.  One quarter million square feet have been added.  The work will continue for 3 to 4 years to complete the remodeling process.

Tuition is up 6 % this year at $140.50 per credit hour.  The three sources of revenue for the college are area local taxes; the state (40% in 1970, 20% in 2003 and only a 9% credit hour equalization reimbursement this year); and grants, scholarships, and foundation funds.

Tom invited us to share our thoughts, suggestions and questions with him in person or by email.  In response to several questions he envisioned the future to include more sustainability, biotech, and medical support nursing and x ray technician programs at the college.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE

September 24th – Tyra Perry, new Head Coach of Women’s Softball, UIUC

October 1st – Christine Catanzarite, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Illinois

October 8th – Jessica DeYoung, Director of the C-U Special Recreation Program

October 15th – Sue Grey from United Way of Champaign County will discuss their new Family Emergency Shelters

October 22nd – Mike DeLorenzo, Associate Chancellor, UIUC, will discuss Willard Airport

October 29th – TBD

November 5th – TBD

November 12th – TBD

November 19th – TBD

November 26th – Thanksgiving, no meeting

December 3rd – TBD

“If you want to do really important things in life and big things in life, you can’t do anything by yourself. And your best teams are your friends and your siblings.” ― Deepak Chopra 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

Ed and Oktay modeled Rotary shirts now for sale.  The club will pay for one Polo and one T-Shirt for new members.   Others can purchase a Polo for $30 and a T-Shirt for $10.

Rod announced that volunteers are needed to distribute food for the EI Food Bank at Monticello on Sept. 26.  Volunteers are also needed for the upcoming Habitat Build days.  See Rod for further details.

September’s bucket money will go to the Cunningham Children’s Home.

PROGRAM

Andrew introduced Mahomet Rotarian and Executive Director of the Champaign County Forest Preserve, Dan Olson.   He came to update us on the plans for the Kickapoo Rail Trail.

Nationally, there are 1,906 recognized open rail trails.   The longest, now surpassing the Katy Trail in Missouri, is the John Wayne Pioneer Trail in Washington.

Dan reminded us of an article in “The Rotarian” magazine about Rotary clubs that have helped establish or maintain rail trails.   Some examples are the Hudson Valley Trail in Highland, NY, the Red Line in Cleveland, the South Wind Rail Trail in Iola, KS, the Spanish Moss Trail in SC and the Rotary Trail of the Magic City at Birmingham, AL.

The Kickapoo Rail Trail project will convert a disused railway to a multi-use trail between Danville and Urbana.  Keith Brandau is the lead structural engineer for the project, which will be supported by grants and donations.

Twenty-five years ago, the Heartland Pathways Foundation began the process for securing the line.   The project was initially started as a prairie preserve by David Monk.  The trail will traverse some of the most diverse ecosystems in this part of the state, including woodland and wetland ecosystems, as well as native prairie.

The Champaign County Forest Preserve, the Vermilion County Conservation District and the IL Dept. of Natural Resources each own a section of the trail. IDOT will provide $4 for every $1 in private donations.

The trail will be designed for pedestrians and bicyclists and will be ADA accessible.  No motorized vehicles will be allowed.  Parking lots, benches and restrooms are planned.

Phase 1 of the project will run from near the Urbana Wal-Mart to Main Street in St. Joseph.  To begin construction, another $50,000 must be raised.

It is expected that the communities of St. Joseph, Fithian and Ogden will see an influx of business from the trail.  Wineries and antique stores typically do well along rail trails.   Studies have also shown increases in property values.

The trail will encourage physical fitness and healthy, active lifestyles.   Dan said for every $1 spent on trails, $3 are saved on medical costs.

Cycles Plus is raffling a Trek Bike to raise funds for the trail project.   For more information, see www.kickapootrail.org, or talk to Andrew for tickets.  The Kickapoo Rail Trail also has a Facebook page.

A check for August bucket money was presented to Dan.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE

September 17th – Tom Ramage, President, Parkland College,  Update on Parkland’s Programs and Facilities

September 24th – Tyra Perry, new Head Coach of Women’s Softball, UIUC

October 1st – Christine Catanzarite, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Illinois

October 8th – Jessica DeYoung, Director of the C-U Special Recreation Program

October 15th – TBD

October 22nd – Mike DeLorenzo, Associate Chancellor, UIUC, will discuss Willard Airport

October 29th – TBD

November 5th – TBD

November 12th – TBD

November 19th – TBD

November 26th – Thanksgiving, no meeting