“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” – T.S. Eliot – 1888-1965 – Poet-Essayist-Publisher-Social Critic

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” – T.S. Eliot – 1888-1965 – Poet-Essayist-Publisher-Social Critic

“If you’re serious about changing your life, you’ll find a way. If you’re not, you’ll find an excuse.” – Jen Sincero – Author-Speaker

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by Lisa Crane)

No meeting this week, 2/29/24, because it is the fifth Thursday of the month.

Joe Rank and Cary would like our club to consider sponsoring Cooper the Comfort Dog from the Children’s Advocacy Center. This idea will be brought before the board.

UPCOMING EVENTS & SERVICE OPPORTUNITES

February 24^th – That’s What She Said Social featuring Jen Shelby

March  2  (10-1pm) – Read Across America

March 16-17 – PETS training – Ata & Lisa will be attending

March 19  5-6:30pm) – Books to Prisoners

April 6 – Feeding our Kids

April 19-21 – Rotary Youth Leadership Academy at Allerton. 

May 4 (9-noon) – District Assembly

May 4 (9-noon) – Newspaper folding at GSLC

BUCKET BUCKS

February – Meals on Wheels

March – Child Advocacy Center

SPEAKER

Journalist Lex Tate spoke to us about the Evolution of Campustown. She is the author of AN ILLINI PLACE. During her career, Tate was a writer for three University Presidents, wrote a weekly column in the News Gazette, and taught journalism courses at the University of Illinois.

Campustown is considered the Third City, after Champaign and Urbana. Champaign county was chartered in 1833. Urbana, established near the Big Grove,  became the county seat. The railroad was three miles to the west establishing West Urbana which later became Champaign in 1860.

Illinois Industrial University opened on March 2, 1868. Tate shared photos of early Campustown including the first building, University Hall (1876-1880) which known as The Elephant. It was replaced by Gregory Hall and the Illini Union in 1938. Photos of the Quad, which had an informal golf course on it, and Campustown, which was basically 6^th Street to Wright Street to Green Street, were shared.

Originally, there was no University housing or dining services.  Greek organizations started early on that provided some housing and dining options. 

George Cunningham was influential in opening the first student book and supply store at Green and Wright. He also opened a post office, confectionary, billiard parlor, tailor and barbershop. Later, three drug stores opened on Green between Wright and 6^th to provide a place to eat and gather as well as everyday necessities.

Laster, Greek housing development moved away from Campustown. The men moved towards the west side of campus (Frat Park).  And, on the east side of campus (near what is now the Krannert Center for Performing Arts), sororities for women were developed.

The 1920s was the heaviest growth period at the University. There were a rich variety of businesses, but interestingly very little pictures were taken of store fronts.  Tate showed photos tracking the changes over the decades at the corner of Sixth and Green.

Lex shared photos of the development of Green St. over several decades. At one point there was a movement away from Campustown living to the edges of town.  Now there has been a movement of students back to the Campustown area, including to high rise apartment buildings.  However, as one astute audience member noted, these high rises are not exactly as they seem.  There was a Federal economic development grant with huge tax breaks that helped subsidize the construction of these large apartment buildings.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

February 29^th – No AM meeting (5^th Thursday)

March 7^th – Jason Harden, Associate Race Director of the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend (Michael)

March 14^th – Larry Kenemore’s Rotary Action Group (Mary)

March 21^st – Amy Hegemeyer from Mom’s Demand who will talk about the Be Smart Program

March 28^th –Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Kent Redfield. (Tom)

April 4th – Rabbi David Tiechtel (Joe)

April 11^th –Al Nudo who will speak about Willard Airport (Tom)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

March – No club birthdays

“Courage of the heart is very rare. Let it guide you.” – Sarah J. Maas – Author

“If we all did the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” – Thomas Edison – 1847-1931 – Inventor

“The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.” – Stephanie Perkins – Author

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

President Charlie welcomed our Assistant Governor Marlys Scarbrough.

The Club presented a $5,000 check from our fruit sale to John Williams from Sola Gratia Farm.

President Charlie thanked Darrell for his donations to the Rotary Foundation and awarded him with the PHF plus four pin.

Membership Chair Paul gave the new version of the Rotary pin to four of our newest members.

Bucket Bucks for February will go to Meals on Wheels.   March Bucket Bucks will be directed to the Child Advocacy Center

Darrell announced the “Fill Bob’s Truck” one day diaper drive, March 3rd at Good Shepard Lutheran Church on Prospect Ave (10am-noon, 4-8pm).

The Membership Committee is in need of an additional member.   See Mary if you would like to know more.

SPECIAL NOTE

Mary Hodson submitted these photos in remembrance of CU Sunrise Rotarian Gary Olsen.

CALENDAR

February 24 – “That’s What She Said”

March 3 – “Fill Bob’s Truck” Diaper Drive at the Good Shepard Lutheran Church

March 2, 10 AM – 1 PM, Read Across America

March 16-17 – President Elect Training

March 19 – Books to Prisoners

April 6 – Feeding Our Kids

April 19-21 – RYLA

May 4 – District Assembly at the Carle Forum

May 4 – Fold papers for the Humane Society – Save your papers for Ed!

PROGRAM

Cary introduced Champaign Rotarian Salvation Army Captain Kenyon Sivels and Case Manager Aaron Bird.

Captain Kenyon told a story about a boy and his brother whose mother was addicted to drugs.   The Salvation Army helped her get on her feet and her two sons were the first in their family to attend college.   That boy was Kenyon.

The Salvation Army works in 134 countries.  Its mission is to preach the gospel and meet human needs in Christ’s name without discrimination.   In other words, the Salvation Army helps people without asking about their spiritual beliefs.

The Salvation Army has two local buildings.   The building at 502 N. Prospect serves a lot of immigrant families.   They offer ESL classes mostly to Congolese immigrants, most of whom already speak 3-5 languages.  They also offer youth programming.   For $30, a child can attend the Salvation Army Summer Camp in Kenosha, WI.   If you would like to sponsor a child, please contact the Salvation Army.

The building at 2212 N. Market St. is primarily a social services building.  They have a food pantry that served 19,579 families last year.   They also provided 400 back to school back packs filled with school supplies.  Captain Kenyon said that the food panty needs both volunteers and donations.  They will happily accept any excess produce from your garden.

With Title XX funding, they help people who have been incarcerated get reacclimated to society.   They have a twenty bed transitional men’s shelter and last year they sponsored a job fair.

Three nights a week, from 6-8 PM, they make a canteen run, giving out snacks, coats, mittens, hats around CU.   Kenyon said they also need more volunteers to help with the canteen run.

In addition, Captain Kenyon is often deployed to help with Emergency Disaster Services.

He thanked our club for helping with holiday bell ringing and reported that our members collected $519.26 last year.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

February 22^nd – Lex Tate, the Evolution of Campustown (Joe)

February 29^th – No AM meeting (5^th Thursday)

March 7^th – Jason Harden, Associate Race Director of the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend (Michael)

March 14^th – Larry Kenemore’s Rotary Action Group (Mary)

March 21^st – TBD (Michael)

March 28^th – TBD (Tom)

April 4th – Rabbi David Tiechtel (Joe)

April 11^th – Tom Allen will introduce Al Nudo who will speak about the Willard Airport. (Cary)