“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” ― Mark Twain 

 

“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” ― Bryant H. McGill 

 

“Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are.” ― Markus Zusak 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Edwin Perri)

 

Diana asked everyone to come early to the meeting this week (August 17) and wish Barb Lintner the best as she heads west to live with her daughter.   

 

Tod passed around the signup sheet for the Habitat Build on Saturday, August 26, starting at 8:00am and going till approximately 3pm. The home we will be working on is located at 610 Phillips, Champaign.

 

Keith noted that a few seats are still available for the SlowRide pedal party, and he reminded everyone that the ride departs at 5:30pm on Thursday, August 31. Please plan to meet at the Tumble Inn parking lot 15 minutes before departure. He also noted that there will not be a Thursday morning meeting on that day.

 

Bob noted that our club is expected to plant 40 trees this Rotary year to meet the RI President’s goal for each club to plant trees equal to the number of their membership. Phyllis and Lou are looking into a tree planting club project, but each member can plant an individual tree and that tree can be part of the club total. BJ noted that he planted a peach tree earlier this week, albeit in an unusual fashion.

 

Diana mentioned that the Membership Committee will be having an informal meeting with new members to gather information on what our club can do to better to attract new members and to keep new members involved. Stay tuned for further details on the date and location of the meeting.

 

Jen noted that the local premiere of “The Pooka” will be shown at The Art Theatre on Monday, August 14, starting at 7:00pm. Filmed in Champaign the short film is making the rounds at film festivals. The movie classic “Harvey” will follow.

 

Bob mentioned that a Rotary District Grant is being put together to help the local Men’s Emergency Shelter. Our club’s contribution to this cause is estimated to be approximately $500.00.

 

PROGRAM

 

Jen introduced Kenny Chumbley as our speaker this morning. Kenny comes from a publishing background but this morning he focused on children’s books and plays, particularly in the fantasy genre. Kenny gave a brief history of children’s fantasy literature by famous authors of the past including 19th and 20th century authors such as George MacDonald (Phantastes), C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia), J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings) and L. Frank Baum (The Wizard of OZ).

 

Kenny is a co-author of an award-winning children’s book, “The Green Children”. The book is based upon a 12th century English legend about the green children of Woolpit. The story centers on the tale of two young children who were green in color and ate nothing but green beans. Kenny’s book is available on Amazon.com.

 

Kenny’s current project has been to have his book turned into a musical play. Teaming up with local producers and sponsors, a talented cast and crew has been assembled to perform the play in September. Joining Kenny this morning was Steve Condon who plays the villain in the play. He sang a song from the play and his performance was praised by the club. “The best singing during our club meeting in a long time” was heard among the applause. A video from “CI Living” was also played showing two young very talented performers from the play singing.

 

The play’s performances will be at Parkland College Theater on September 15-17 with tickets available on line. The cost of the tickets for the performance on the 15th will also benefit the Cunningham’s Children Home.    

 

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  Aug 17th Aug 24th Aug 31st Sept 7th
Introductions Allan Penwell Ed Perry Tod Satterthwaite Angie Schoonover
Invocation Ata Durukan Mary Hodson Darrell Hoemann Larry Johnson
Greeters Allan Penwell Ed Perry Tod Satterthwaite Angie Schoonover
Lou Simpson Billy Stull Jeff Van Buren Cary Woolard
Song Leader Angie Schoonover Jen Shelby Lou Simpson Billy Stull
Notetaker Hodson Conforti Perry Penwell
Decker Weeding Perry Simpson Simpson Simpson
Next Weekend        
Decker Garden Perry Simpson Simpson Simpson
Watering        

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

August 17th – Jen Shelby will discuss what’s next for Shatterglass

August 24th – Don White, retired Professor in Crop Sciences, UIUC, will discuss the Master Gardener program (Tod)

August 31st – TBD (Social)

September 7th – First Followers (Ethan)

September 14th – Belegarth Medieval Combat Society (Ethan) (Meeting in Savoy Room)

September 21st – Meagan Smith, Three Spinners (Mary)

September 28th – Jim Rossow, Vice President-News, News-Gazette Media (Phyllis)

October 5th – State Senator Scott Bennett (Bob)

October 12th – TBD (Tom)

October 19th – TBD (Tod)

October 26th – TBD (Mary)

November 2nd – TBD (Phyllis)