“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” – Paulo Coelho – Author

 

“Too many people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold.” – Maurice Setter – 1936-2020 – English Football Player & Manager

 

“I may not be there yet, but I am closer than I was yesterday.” – Misty Copeland – Ballet Dancer

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING SCHEDULE

(notes presented by the disgruntled gentleman from Connecticut, Edward Perry)

 

Phyllis presented our club’s special recognition to Diana Dummit. Diana joined our club in 2008 and served as club president in 2010/2011.  She continued as chair on various club committees and was responsible for our club’s greeting cards for many years. Diana thanked everyone and stated how our club and the members were very special to her and she was proud of all the great things the club had done.

 

Phyllis thanked all for helping with Feed Our Kids on Saturday.

 

April 27, 7:30 to 10:30am – Marathon water station at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

 

May 4, 10 to Noon – Rotary District Assembly at The Carle Forum

 

May 4, 1pm to 4pm – Champaign County Humane Society folding newspaper at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

 

May 18 – Rotary Leadership Institute at Richmond Community College in Decatur.

 

May 30 – Club social at Mary Kay and Charlie’s house – 1607 Sandpiper Ct, Champaign

 

June 27 – Pass the gavel day (end of the reign of Charlie the Wise)

 

Program

Tom Ulen introduced our speaker, Al Nudo. Al is a well-known local business man and developer who has served on many civic and community organizations. His program this morning focused on the history and future of Willard Airport. His review of the airport’s history included:

 

1946 The airport opened

1954 First commercial Flights

1968 Willard was the second busiest airport in Illinois

1987 New terminal was built

 

Al presented a chart with information comparing population, the number of enplanements, airlines and number of destinations for four of the Central Illinois airports, including Willard Airport/Champaign; Central Il. Regional/Bloomington; Peoria Airport/Peoria; Abe Lincoln Airport/Springfield.

 

While Champaign county has the largest population of these four, it has the lowest number of enplanements. Eight out of 10 people in Champaign county fly out of someplace other than Willard. One reason for this 80% leakage is that Willard has only one major Airline and does not have a low-cost Airline service. According to Al, we need our airport to have more flights at a competitive cost.

 

The recent history of the number of flights at Willard by year has significantly declined:

2005  132,000

2013   85,000

2022   65,000

 

Much work and money is needed to attract more flights in and out of Willard. While the U of I, the Cities of Champaign and Urbana, Champaign County and the MTD have stated they will contribute initial dollars to help, Al stated that long term sources of continued funding are needed along with better Airport management. 

 

The current thinking by the U of I is that the Airport is not a priority.  According to Al, that thinking must change for Willard to be successful and beneficial to the community. 

 

More flights in and out of our airport can bring economic growth, a better image of our University, and a  better quality of life for our entire community.

 

—

  Apr 18th Apr 25th May 2nd May 9th
Introductions Garrett Colbert Jarrod Scheunemann Jen Shelby JP Thompson
Reflection Allan Penwell Ed Perry Joe Rank Rod Roberts
Greeters Garrett Colbert Jarrod Scheunemann Jen Shelby JP Thompson
Allan Penwell Ed Perry Joe Rank Rod Roberts
Notetaker Crane Conforti Perry Hodson

—

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

 

April 18th – Mary Kay Smith will discuss the FriendShop

April 25th – Jenette Jurczyk of The Family Room (Lisa)

May 2nd – Cat Purcell, Career Librarian, Champaign Public Library, will discuss researching your home

May 9th – TBD

May 16th – TBD

May 23 – Cooper, the Child Advocacy Center Comfort Dog (Joe)

May 30th – TBD
June 6th – TBD

June 13th – TBD

June 20th – TBD

June 27th – Pass the Gavel

 

 

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

 

April 3 – Mary Hodson

April 24 – Mary Kay Smith