“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” ― Maya Angelou 
 
“Your conscience is the measure of the honesty of your selfishness. Listen to it carefully.” ― Richard Bach 
 
“Grief can take care if itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” ― Mark Twain 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)
 
Cary announced that for health reasons, Neil is leaving the club.  Please contact Neil and wish him well.
 
Nestor Ramirez announced Prescription Drug Pay Back Day.   You can drop off old prescription drugs in a box at the OSF lobby.
 
Fruit orders are due by November 16.
 
Diana introduced Kim Bryan.   Kim is a potential member who will be our speaker next week.
 
 
 
PROGRAM
 
Mary introduced Chris Gleason, Executive Director of Rosecrance Central Illinois.  Rosecrance was originally founded as an orphanage in Rockford, Illinois.   Today, their mission has grown to include addiction treatment programs.   Rosecrance recently acquired Community Elements and the Prairie Center.   
 
Unless someone has cancer or a serious bone break, Ibruprofen or Tylenol are sufficient for pain control.   
 
People addicted to alcohol are two times more likely to get addicted to heroin.   People who use marijuana are three times more likely to become addicted to heroin.   People who use cocaine are 15 times more likely to do so.   People who become addicted to opioid painkillers are 40 times more likely to become addicted to heroin.  A bag of heroin costs just $10-20 and it takes just two weeks to get addicted. 
 
Champaign County had 56 opiate related mortalities last year.   That number is actually low compared to other counties in Illinois.   Those dying are typically age 22-27 or 55 and older.   Older people often get confused about their meds and don’t remember how many they have taken.  On average, 172 Americans die from opiate overdoses every day.
 
When someone goes to the Emergency Room with an overdose, they are given Narcan and sent home.   Chris’ dream would be to see those individuals referred immediately to an addiction counselor.    There will be no wait list for services at Rosecrance of Central Illinois.   Rosecrance provides services at their facilities located on Fox Drive, Walnut St. and Killarney.   Their Hill St. residential facility is moving to Moreland Dr. near Hobby Lobby.  
 
What can we do to help?   We need to support families touched by addiction just as we support families touched by cancer.   The most beneficial thing families can do is to sit down and have a family meal every night.   And we all should go through our medicine cabinets and take unused prescription drugs to drop off sites like OSF and the police department.  
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)
November 1st – Kim Bryan, Executive Director, Rattle the Stars (Diana)
November 8th – Dr. Angela Williams, Associate Director, Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, UIUC (Bob)
November 15th – Bryan Medlin, Illinois Wrestling’s Regional Training Center (Charlie)
November 22nd – No Meeting – Thanksgiving
November 29th – Sue Grey, President / CEO United Way of Champaign County (David)
December 6th – Glenn Harbin, District 6490 Membership Chair, is going to tell us about a micro loan organization, Kiva (Mary)
December 13th – TBD (Phyllis)
December 20th – TBD (Tom)
December 27th – TBD (Bob)
January 3rd – TBD (Charlie)
January 10th – TBD (David)
January 17th – TBD (Mary)
January 24th – TBD (Phyllis)
January 31st – TBD (Tom)

 
“Truth is, I’ll never know all there is to know about you just as you will never know all there is to know about me. Humans are by nature too complicated to be understood fully. So, we can choose either to approach our fellow human beings with suspicion or to approach them with an open mind, a dash of optimism and a great deal of candor.” ― Tom Hanks 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Notes provided by Allan Penwell)
The Interact 5K run is on November 3^rd, and we will need to have some volunteers. See Michelle.
 
Veterans One-on-One is on November 11^th. See Ata for further information or visit the web page at http://veteransdayoneonone.com.
 
Robb announced the annual fruit sale has started. The goal is to have a profit of $7,000 of which half will go to Crisis Nursery and the balance to Sunrise Charitable Foundation. Oktay passed around sign-up sheets for members to visit other area clubs.
 
Keith announced the Holiday Party is to be at the Hawthorne Suites on December 15^th. It will be a family event so bring your family members.
 
Bob noted there will be a Habitat for Humanity work party on December 13^th. It will be inside work and more details later.
 
PROGRAM
The speakers on October 18^th were introduced by Ed Perry. They were Abdul McWhorter and Kate Williams-McWhorter who are with the University of Illinois. They have written a book, New Philadelphia: Can America Be America Again?
New Philadelphia in Pike County, Illinois was founded by Free Frank McWhorter in 1836. Frank McWhorter was the son of a Scotch-Irish farmer in Kentucky and an African mother. His father, George McWhorter, actually owned him. Frank McWhorter was entrepreneurial and made enough money to purchase him out of slavery.
Frank moved to Pike County, Illinois and organized the town of New Philadelphia which does not exist today. It grew as a multi-racial town during an age which was filled with racial strife. As Frank sold lots he was able to make enough money to purchase other family members out of slavery.
Frank McWhorter made a contribution to freedom and organized the community to help freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad travel to Canada. The town grew to a population of 165, but when the railroad came through, it bypassed the town. There were no likely reasons the railroad went around the town except for racial bias. People gradually moved away in the late 1800s and the land reverted to agriculture and prairie.
Abdul McWhorter is the great-great grandson of Free Frank McWhorter.
 
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)
October 25th – Chris Gleason, Executive Director, Rosecrance Central Illinois, will speak about the heroin/opioid crisis in central Illinois (Phyllis)
November 1st – Kim Bryan, Executive Director, Rattle the Stars (Diana)
November 8th – Dr. Angela Williams, Associate Director, Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, UIUC (Bob)
November 15th – Bryan Medlin, Illinois Wrestling’s Regional Training Center (Charlie)
November 22nd – No Meeting – Thanksgiving
November 29th – Sue Grey, President / CEO United Way of Champaign County (David)
December 6th – Glenn Harbin, District 6490 Membership Chair, is going to tell us about a micro loan organization, Kiva (Mary)
December 13th – TBD (Phyllis)
December 20th – TBD (Tom)
December 27th – TBD (Bob)
January 3rd – TBD (Charlie)
January 10th – TBD (David)
January 17th – TBD (Mary)
January 24th – TBD (Phyllis)
January 31st – TBD (Tom)

 
“It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.” ― Confucius 
 
“Never respond to an angry person with a fiery comeback, even if he deserves it… Don’t allow his anger to become your anger.” ― Bohdi Sanders 
 
“True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island… to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.” ― Baltasar Gracian 
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS          
(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Edward Perry)
 
Many activities and chances to volunteer are taking place these next few weeks:
*October 19: and 20th, Rotary District Conference in Normal, Illinois
*October 20: Eastern Illinois Food Bank’s food distribution in Mansfield, lL. at the Fire Station
*Nov. 3: Central Interact Club’s 5k run fundraiser 8:30 to 11:30am at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana
*Nov. 12: Veterans Luncheon at the Round Barn Center
 
Rob announced more information about this year’s club Fruit Sale. Our annual fundraiser will officially start in the next couple weeks, but you can start selling fruit now. Our goals for this year are for each club member to sell an average of 14 cases ($27 each) or contribute $200+/- in cash. A portion of the money this year will go to The Crisis Nursery. Orders will need to be in by November 16th with an estimated delivery date of the fruit on December 10th. 
 
Phyllis noted that The Times Center has purchased bed sheets and pillow cases for their men’s shelter with our donation from last year’s Fruit Sale. 
 
PROGRAM
 
Allan Penwell presented a program on his recent trip to Paris, France. He and his daughter, Ali, along with his son-in-law and family visited Paris for ten days in early September.
 
Staying in the heart of the city in a typical Paris street apartment with its elegant entrance doors, views from large windows and interior court yards, they were able to visit many historic locations, museums that contained the original works of art, enjoy fresh French pastries and meals, or just relax with a bottle of vino in many locations on the streets of Paris. 
 
Allan and family enjoyed the perfect fall weather for walking through the various neighborhoods, took advantage of Paris’ fine subway system, individual tour guide services, and a dinner cruise on the Seine river through the heart of Paris.   
 
His presentation included many photos of the trip such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triumphe, the Palace and Gardens of Versailles and a short trip to a region of Normandy, France.
 
Allan mentioned that he took art history classes in college and was able to see and enjoy the original works of several France’s great painters. 
 
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)
October 18th – Kate Williams, Associate Professor, UIUC, and Abdul Alkalima, Professor Emeritus, African American Studies, UIUC, will discuss New Philadelphia, the early settlement in western Illinois  (Ed)
October 25th – Chris Gleason, Executive Director, Rosecrance Central Illinois, will speak about the heroin/opioid crisis in central Illinois (Phyllis)
November 1st – Kim Bryan, Executive Director, Rattle the Stars (Diana)
November 8th – Dr. Angela Williams, Associate Director, Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, UIUC (Bob)
November 15th – Bryan Medlin, Illinois Wrestling’s Regional Training Center (Charlie)
November 22nd – No Meeting – Thanksgiving
November 29th – Sue Grey, President / CEO United Way of Champaign County (David)
December 6th – TBD
December 13th – TBD
December 20th – TBD
December 27th – TBD

 
“I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life; I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” ― Theodore Roosevelt 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bucket Money for October is for Urbana High School
Michele announced our November volunteer project helping with the Central Interact 5k. It will be take place from 8:30 – 11:00 (race 9:00 – 10:30) on Saturday, November 3^rd at Crystal Lake Park.  We will meet at the Lake House, and volunteer parking is available off of Broadway Ave. Responsibilities include: We will be stationed near streets or parking lot entrances to prevent cars from entering the course and to cheer and direct runners. We will help with any clean up after the race.  Please let Michelle know if you will be able to take part in this event, and if you would like to order a race t-shirt ($12-$15 and orders due by 10/16). Michelle will bring a signup sheet to the next couple of meetings.
On October 11 the News Gazette will hold it’s annual Forty Under 40 luncheon and one of our members, Angela Schoonover , is being honored. The event will run from 11:30am – 1:30pm at the Hilton Garden Inn. Contact President Cary Woolard for more information.
Mark your calendars for the annual Veterans luncheon on Monday November 12 at the Round Barn Center (more info to follow).
CU Sunrise Holiday Party – if you have any ideas and or suggestions please see or contact Keith (kbrandau@fehr-graham.com)
Holiday Fruit Sale is approaching. Cases of fruit will once again be $27.  It is suggested that each member contribute $200 or sell at least 8 cases.
 
Phyllis, Billy and Charlie are the search committee for a new meeting location as our current contract expires December 31 of this year. If you have any suggestions on this matter please contact our committee.
Phyllis Mischo – phyllismischo@gmail.com
Billy Stull – bstull@stephensstull.com
Charlie – csmith1991@yahoo.com 
 
 
SPEAKER
 
There was not a speaker at this meeting.
 
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)
 
October 11th – TBD
October 18th – Kate Williams, Associate Professor, UIUC, and Abdul Alkalima, Professor Emeritus, African American Studies, UIUC, will discuss New Philadelphia, the early settlement in western Illinois  (Ed)
October 25th – Chris Gleason, Executive Director, Rosecrance Central Illinois, will speak about the heroin/opioid crisis in central Illinois (Phyllis)
November 1st – Kim Bryan, Executive Director, Rattle the Stars (Diana)
November 8th – Dr. Angela Williams, Associate Director, Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, UIUC (Bob)
November 15th – Bryan Medlin, Illinois Wrestling’s Regional Training Center (Charlie)
November 22nd – No Meeting – Thanksgiving
November 29th – TBD (David)
December 6th – TBD
December 13th – TBD
December 20th – TBD
December 27th – TBD

 
“Don’t handicap your children by making their lives easy.” ― Robert A. Heinlein 
 
“Living in the past is a dull and lonely business; looking back strains the neck muscles, causes you to bump into people not going your way.” ― Edna Ferber 
 
“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” ― Abraham Lincoln 
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)
 
This was Tod’s last meeting before leaving for Bohol Province, Philippines.
 
October 11, 11:30 AM, “40 Under 40” lunch at Hilton Garden Inn.   The Club has reserved a table.  Contact Cary.
 
District Conference is October 19-20.  See the District newsletter for reservations.
 
The Interact Race for the Crisis Nursery will be on Saturday, November 3.   Contact Michelle if you can help.
 
 
PROGRAM
 
Benjamin Lapid returned to give us a program on the “Customs and Traditions in Orthodox Weddings”.
 
Ben explained that Orthodox Jewish couples meet their prospective spouse through a matchmaker and there is a very low divorce rate among these couples.  The matchmakers match couples based on economic background and the level of religious observance.   When the girl agrees, the two meet in a public place and talk about their values and how they want to live.  
 
If the couple agree, their families meet to agree on a marriage contract.   The contract covers what wedding expenses each of the two families are going to pay for and how they are going to support the couple in the early years of the marriage.   Once the contract is settled, the couple are married right away.   A broken engagement would reflect poorly on both families.
 
The wedding photographs are taken before the wedding.  Because the bride and groom cannot see each other for two weeks before the wedding, her picture is later photoshopped into the pictures.  
 
The bride is brought to the reception by the two mothers.  The contract is read and the women break a plate to signify that there is no return.
 
Then the groom is brought in.  He does a reading and throws a veil over the bride’s face.  This is so that the people don’t focus on her exterior beauty, rather on the inner beauty.   Her father blesses her.   He is the only man allowed to touch the bride.
 
The groom is taken to a separate room where his tie, belt and shoe laces are loosened.   This is to signify that he has come “open” to the marriage.  The groom is blessed and both are lead to the Chuppah with two candles.  The bride goes around the groom seven times, a sacred number.  
 
After the ceremony there is a sermon and a glass is broken.  Then the couple go to a private room.  A silver spoon is placed at the door to symbolize affluence.
 
At the reception, the bride dances with all the women and the groom dances with all of the men in attendance.   After the solemn ceremony, this is a joyous and fun filled event.   
 
Thanks to Ben for an informative program!
 
SPECIAL NOTE 
Veterans Day One on One, a dinner event to honor veterans for their service, will be held on November 11th, 2018 at the Round Barn Banquet Centre.  The event runs from 3:00 – 6:00PM, with the program beginning at 4:00PM.  Tickets are $20 each for you and your veteran guest.  See Ata for further details.
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)
October 4th – Todd Gleason, Media Communications Specialist, News & Public Affairs (Radio), University of Illinois Extension (Charlie)
October 11th – Nancy Fahey, Head Coach, UIUC Women’s Basketball (Mary/Jen)
October 18th – Kate Williams, Associate Professor, UIUC, and Abdul Alkalima, Professor Emeritus, African American Studies, UIUC, will discuss New Philadelphia, the early settlement in western Illinois  (Ed)
October 25th – Chris Gleason, Executive Director, Rosecrance Central Illinois, will speak about the heroin/opioid crisis in central Illinois (Phyllis)
November 1st – Kim Bryan, Executive Director, Rattle the Stars (Diana)
November 8th – Dr. Angela Williams, Associate Director, Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, UIUC (Bob)
November 15th – Bryan Medlin, Illinois Wrestling’s Regional Training Center (Charlie)
November 22nd – No Meeting – Thanksgiving
November 29th – TBD (David)
December 6th – TBD
December 13th – TBD
December 20th – TBD
December 27th – TBD