“What a desolate place would be a world without a flower! It would be a face without a smile, a feast without a welcome. Are not flowers the stars of the earth, and are not our stars the flowers of heaven?” – Mrs. Clara Lucas Balfour (1808-1878)

 

“Wild roses are fairest, and nature a better gardener than art.” – Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888)

 

“Autumn is a second Spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus (1913-1960)

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

 

Darrel announced that Cary had suffered a heart attack earlier this week and is now back home comfortably recuperating.  He will soon begin cardiac rehab. Please wish Cary well.

 

This week’s meeting will take place at the Decker Garden starting at 6:30pm. The meeting will include the annual “Passing the Gavel”, introducing Jarrod Scheunemann as our newest member, and a presentation of the annual club awards. Bring your own chair, blanket, hammock, and umbrella(?).  Please also be sure to wear a face mask and practice the proper social distancing for this special outdoor event.  If you can’t make it, join in on the live Facebook stream. 

 

This month’s bucket money will go to the Cunningham Township Angels Fund. Because we have not been able to pass the bucket due to our Zoom meetings this money will be donated from our club funds. Any members wanting to add to that may donate by sending a check to Lou.

 

Mary noted that the new Rotary International President, Holger Knaack, has identified “Rotary Opens Opportunities” as the theme for the year. He is committed to bringing Rotary and Rotaract closer together.  We can connect with him via our Rotary Region 30-31 weekly online chat. 

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Allan introduced Sara Johnson as this morning’s speaker. Sara is currently Vice President of the Champaign County Audubon Society. Originally from Buffalo, New York, since 2015 she and her husband have made their home here. Sara spoke of the many activities, volunteer opportunities and information about the Champaign County Audubon Society.  

 

The Champaign County Audubon Society (CCAS) became a chartered member with the National Audubon Society in 1945. CCAS now has 500 members who are involved in many activities centering around birds and environmental issues. Membership is made up of people from all walks of life. A variety of activities for the membership include local meetings, scheduled bird watching here locally, and traveling to various locations and the focus for environmental concerns. 

 

Sara also spoke of the healthful benefits of bird watching. The peaceful activities in natural surroundings can improve both your physical and mental wellness. Here in Central Illinois we are fortunate to have a variety of birds, including those that stay all year and those that migrate through our area. Sara shared examples of many bird types that can be identified visually and by sound.  She also gave examples of what plants you can provide for a bird friendly habitat in your own backyard.

 

Champaign County Audubon Society plans to resume their many activities this fall. For more information on membership and activities please go to champaigncountyaudubon.org.   

 

 

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  July 2nd July 9th July 16th July 23rd
         
Reflection Larry Johnson Andrew Kerins Bob La Charite Phyllis Mischo
Notetaker Penwell Hodson Conforti Perry
Decker Weeding Shelby Penwell/LaCharite Hodson Johnson
Next Weekend        

 

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

*All meetings via Zoom*

 

July 2nd – Pass the Gavel ceremony – 6:30PM at the Decker Garden

July 9th – Club Assembly

July 16th – District Governor Mike Step

July 23rd – Heather Stoa, 2021-2022 District Governor, will speak about the 2019 “Heart to Heart” trip to Mexico and new projects in honor of Mexico’s 100th anniversary of Rotary  (Bob)

July 30th – Club Social

August 6th – TBD (Cary)

August 13th – TBD (Charlie)

August 20th – TBD (Ondine)

August 27th – TBD (Tom)

September 3rd – TBD

September 10th – TBD

September 17th – TBD

September 24th – TBD

October 1st – TBD