“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.” ― Martha Washington 
 
“Confidence… thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.”― Franklin D. Roosevelt 
 
 
 “Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” ― Anne Frank
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS      
(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Eduard Perri)
 
Darrell thanked everyone who helped the last two weeks with the setup, clean up, and food preparation at our temporary location. Our meeting on June 21st will be back at the Hawthorne. The actual meeting room in the Hawthorne is unknown.
 
Lou thanked everyone for their help at last weekend’s volunteer project. Lou brought in a few treasures collected during the removal of honeysuckle from Weaver Park in Urbana.  
 
Bob announced that our club’s Hot Air Balloon Festival project will not take place this year. It will hopefully take place next year. Everyone was thankful to John for all the hard work he has done this year trying to get the Hot Air Balloon festival up and flying.
 
Cary noted that we have received a thank you note from Big Brothers/Big Sisters for our donations this past year. 
 
Mary noted that our Club’s Rotary Global Scholar, Miranda, has completed her degree and is now actively looking for a job. She will be headed back home in a couple weeks. 
 
 
PROGRAM
 
Bob introduced today’s speaker, Micah Putman, who is the assistant facilities manager at The Robert Allerton Park in Monticello. Micah, who has been with the park 11 years, gave an overview of Allerton Park.
 
Allerton is a 1,517 acre park, nature preserve, and conference center located just west of Monticello, Il. Robert Allerton donated the land and buildings to the University of Illinois in 1946. In the last few years, with the help of donations and endowments, the Park has completed many projects to improve the park and increase its many activities. Micah noted that more such improvement projects are on the way.
 
The Robert Allerton Mansion continues to host conferences of all sizes, the visitor center has added a new café, and the clearing/enhancement continues in the formal gardens and open concert areas. The number of visitors continues to grow with over 150,000 expected this year. Please check their website, allertoninfo@illinois.edu or their Facebook page for all the new activities.
 
Micah gave detailed reports on current projects such as the Mansion accessibility/driveway improvements, the Triangle Parterre renovations and the Picnic Area improvements. All of these projects are done with respect to the history of the park and its natural setting.
 
Micah noted that there are many ways to provide volunteer services. One project he mentioned would be to help plant redbud and dogwood saplings along the new access walk to the Mansion. Micah noted the timeline for this project is this fall or early next spring, and that he would be happy to partner with CUSR to complete it.
 
With all the current projects and planned improvements, Allerton Park, known as the hidden jewel in east central Illinois, will shine even more brightly. 
 
—
 

  Jun 21st Jun 28th July 5th July 12th
Introductions Jeff Van Buren Adam Wright Oktay Baran Michelle Barbey
Reflection Allan Penwell Ed Perry Rod Roberts Tod Satterthwaite
Greeters Jeff Van Buren Adam Wright Oktay Baran Michelle Barbey
Paul Conforti Diana Dummitt Ata Durukan David Henry
Song Leader Michelle Barbey Keith Brandau Ethan Chew Paul Conforti
Notetaker Penwell Hodson Conforti Conforti
Decker Weeding Shelby Johnson Hodson  
Next Weekend        
Decker Garden Henry Johnson Johnson Van Buren
Watering        

—
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)
June 21st – Mark Herriott, Columbia Street Roastery will discuss coffee, tea, and the roastery (Charlie)
June 28th – Annual Awards and Pass the Gavel Ceremony
July 5th – Mary and Darrell will discuss the Rotary International Convention
July 12th – Dylan Gunn, Champaign Central High School Senior, will discuss his trip to Guatemala  (Mary)
July 19th – Jayne DeLuce, President and CEO, Visit Champaign County  (Phyllis)
July 26th – Dr. Darren Pascavage, Founding Head of School, Academy High (Tom)
August 2nd – TBD (Bob)
August 9th – District Governor Pennie’s visit
August 16th – TBD (Charlie)
August 23rd – TBD (Mary)
August 30th – No regular meeting
September 6th – TBD (David)
September 13th – Lola Lewis, Donation Liaison, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network (Phyllis)
September 20th – TBD (Tom)
September 27th – TBD (Bob)
October 4th – TBD (Charlie)