“Memory is a great artist. For every man and for every woman it makes the recollection of his or her life a work of art and an unfaithful record.” ― Andre Maurois

 

“Negative emotions like loneliness, envy, and guilt have an important role to play in a happy life; they’re big, flashing signs that something needs to change.” ― Gretchen Rubin

 

 

Announcements

(notes provided by the unconventional and unorthodox Paul Conforti).

 

Rod distributed our slate of officers for the coming Rotary year.

 

Laura announced that June 2 is Wear Orange Day.  Wear Orange was created to make it easier for people to show their support for common sense solutions that will save lives. If you believe there’s more we can do to help end gun violence, wear orange on June 2nd. But don’t stop there. www.wearorange.org

 

This initiative will be a community-wide effort that will include a variety of events and activities throughout Champaign, Urbana and the University of Illinois, including a bring-your-own picnic hosted by Moms Demand Action beginning at 6 pm in West Side Park. During the picnic, Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen will be issuing a proclamation declaring Champaign’s support of this important day.  Look for other activities throughout the community and get ready to be a part of something big!  champaignparks.com/event/wear-orange-national-gun-violence-awareness-day

 

 

Program

 

Laura also introduced our speaker, T.J. Blakeman, who gave a presentation on about the Champaign County Historical Museum at the Historic Cattle Bank

 

T.J. Blakeman, is a senior planner for economic development for the city of Champaign and the president of the board of directors for the Champaign County Historical Museum. T.J. is a transplant from his native Ashland, Illinois and moved to Champaign to attend the University of Illinois in 1999. He is a 2003 graduate of the College of Fine & Applied Arts with a degree is Urban and Regional Planning.

 

The mission of the museum is: To discover, collect, preserve, exhibit, study and interpret objects relating to the history of Champaign County, and to provide educational programs about the County’s heritage and the Museum’s collections.

 

T.J. was involved in the decision to close the museum for over 12-months to start a desperately needed renovation. The entire 1stfloor was remodeled into what can now actually be recognized as a museum. The Champaign Rotary received a matching grant which provided the flooring. The grand re-opening is scheduled for this week.

 

The museum has over 20,000 objects in its collection including one of the largest and most significant collections of 19th century clothing and millinery. Currently there is a permanent collection room and one rotating theme room, “When We Went to War”.

 

How Can You Help? The museum is 100% membership driven, so become a member. Volunteers are needed to be docents at the museum, to provide office staffing, skilled labor in the areas of flooring, building and construction. For more information please visit: www.champaigncountyhistory.org/

 

 

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June 2nd June 9th June 16th June 23rd
Introductions Lou Simpson Billy Stull Jeff Van Buren Cary Woolard
Invocation Molly Delaney Ata Durukan Diana Dummitt Robin Ferguson
Greeters Lou Simpson Billy Stull Jeff Van Buren Cary Woolard
Julie Allen Laura Auteberry Oktay Baran Keith Brandau
Song Leader Cary Woolard Harold Adams Julie Allen Laura Auteberry
Notetaker Perry Penwell Hodson Lintner

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE

 

June 2nd – Geri Wirth, representing Avicenna Community Health Center

June 9th – Megan Casey, Frances Nelson and SmileHealthy

June 16th – TBD

June 23rd – TBD

June 30th – TBD

July 7th – TBD

July 14th – TBD

July 21st – TBD

July 28th – TBD

August 4th – TBD

August 11th – TBD