Announcements

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

 

Rod enthusiastically opened the meeting and the club set a new level in singing America the Beautiful and the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Eastern Illinois Food Bank Re-Pack is scheduled for Thursday, April 30th from5:30pm to 7:30pm. Please let Phillip or Rod know if you plan to attend.

 

It’s never too early to start planning for this year’s Rotary District Conference. It will be May 2 and 3rd with many interesting sessions and noteworthy speakers.  Plus it’s in C-U this year!

 

We all gave Paul a hearty congratulations on his new grand child Sonny Indiana. He brought the first of the mandatory grandchild photos with him to the meeting.

 

 

Program

 

Phyllis introduced Kevin Ullestad, Associate Athletic Director for the State Farm Center, as our speaker this morning. Kevin oversees the total operations of the State Farm Center. His responsibilities include booking, scheduling, contracting and budgeting for the arena. However, an additional task includes working with the $170 million renovation of the building.  His program this morning centered on the current construction project and the design features for the all new] state of the art State Farm Center building.

 

When completed, the new State Farm Center will continue to perform as a multiuse facility for over 100 yearly events from Broadway shows to basketball games. Kevin presented photos of the current interior demolition work along with sketches of the finished design. Kevin told how the building project will include new scoreboards, sound systems, electronic digital displays of all sizes, new mechanical systems which will include air conditioning and better ADA access to all levels. There will be new entrance lobbies on the east and west sides and a new drive way approach from the east side.

 

The facility will also have new and better access for building operations, additional concession stands, additional toilets, larger mezzanine walkway at the upper level and retractable lower level seating for a larger lower floor area suitable for concerts and exhibit shows. This work has been in the planning for many years and it will bring the building into the 21st century, including air conditioning!

 

 

 

Apr 2nd Apr 9th Apr 16th Apr 23rd
Introductions Alan Chalifoux Neal Chamberlain Reuben Chambers Paul Conforti
Invocation Dave Krchak Bob La Charite BJ Lytle Ben Mast
Greeters Alan Chalifoux Neal Chamberlain Reuben Chambers Paul Conforti
Larry Johnson Andrew Kerins Dave Krchak Bob La Charite
Song Leader Bruce Hatfield Mary Hodson Phillip Holthaus Larry Johnson
Notetaker Penwell Hodson Lintner Conforti
Rotary Minute Reuben Chambers Paul Conforti Molly Delaney Ata Durukan

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

April 2nd – Don Fournier will speak about “The Future of Coal as an Energy Source”

April 9th – Denise Martin will discuss Cradles to Careers

April 16th – TBD

April 23rd – Dr. Richard Fredrickson, Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, UIUC, will discuss services and research in veterinary medicine

April 30th – TBD

May 7th – Winnie Crowder, Executive Director of the Reading Group, and former CU Sunrise Rotarian

May 14th – George Vargas, Champaign County Public Defender’s Office

May 21st – Sam Banks, Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club

May 28th – TBD

June 4th – Jen Shelby will discuss the Cannes Film Festival

June 11th – Kathie Spegal, Coordinator, Illinois Radio Reader, and former CU Sunrise Rotarian

June 18th – Andy Leipold will discuss grand juries and Ferguson, MO