Train your mind and heart to see the good in everything. There is always something to be grateful for. – Unknown

 

“Be grateful for what you have and be ready to share it when the time comes.” – Michelle Obama – Former First Lady of the United States-Author-Attorney

 

“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.” – Napoleon Hill – 1883-1970 – Author

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Perry Edwards)

 

 

Charlie shared with us a thank you note from the Salvation Army for our help with the holiday bell ringing.

 

Jarrod shared the passing of a local icon, Bob Espeseth, who was a tireless advocate for local parks and forest preserves.  Early in his career he worked with the Wisconsin State Park system before moving to Illinois to work at the University of Illinois in what is now the Department of Recreation, Sport, and Tourism.  He will be missed, but his impact on the environment and our opportunities to enjoy it will be felt for generations.

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

January 10 – 5 to 6:30 pm, Books 2 Prisoners

 

February 10 – 9 to 11am, Salt & Light

 

February 24 – 7 pm Club Social “That’s What She Said” at Virginia Theater (featuring Jen Shelby?)

 

March 16 & 17 – District President-Elect Training

 

April 19-21 – Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) at Allerton

 

April 20th – Party at Robb’s house

 

April 27 – District Assembly

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Joe introduced Lieutenant Commander J.P. Thompson, USN, Associate Professor of Naval Science, UIUC as our speaker this morning. JP presented his program titled “Life as a Navy Surface Warfare Officer and Assorted Sea Stories”.

 

JP began with his background, including Naval career activities and the challenges of Naval Surface Warfare. JP earned degrees from Ohio State, Kansas and Army Command and General Staff College.  He was a Surface Warfare Officer serving in six Operation tours of duty in various areas around the world starting in 2011. He later did Staff tours in Manama, Bahrain, and now is here as NROTC, University of Illinois Urbana -Champaign.

 

Using maps of the world, JP displayed the various locations where he has served. He explained with photos the capabilities of the ships on which he served. He told how the role of the Navy and the various Ship types must continue to adapt to the ever-changing world. He noted the increasing importance of the submarine in a nation’s military.

 

JP told personal sea stories including one about how when he started in the Navy the use of paper maps were common for navigation.  There has been a sometimes bumpy transition to computer generated electronic graphics that are now used for navigation. While explaining how warfare methods continue to change with the advancement of new technology, he also added how Naval ships are used for “peace or presence”‘ patrols throughout the world.

 

 

—

  Jan 11th Jan 18th Jan 25th Feb 1st
Introductions Jen Shelby Mary Kay Smith Cary Woolard Phyllis Mischo
Reflection Michael Hogue Larry Johnson Eddie Bridges Paul Conforti
Greeters Jen Shelby Mary Kay Smith Cary Woolard Phyllis Mischo
Michael Hogue Larry Johnson Eddie Bridges Paul Conforti
Notetaker Perry Hodson Crane Conforti

—

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

 

January 11th – Jamila Amartry, former Rotary Exchange student from Charleston to France (Lisa)

January 18th – Rachelle Langley from the Rotary built data base DACdb (Mary)

January 25th – TBD (Michael)

February 1st – TBD

February 8th – TBD (Tom)

February 15th – TBD (Cary)

February 22nd – TBD (Joe)

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

March 7th – TBD (Lisa)

March 14th – TBD (Mary)

March 21st – TBD (Michael)

March 28th – TBD (Tom)

April 4th – TBD (Cary)

April 11th – TBD (Joe)

 

 

 

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

 

January 18 – Jen Shelby

January 27 – Rod Roberts

January 28 – Scott Paceley