“All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.”― Friedrich Nietzsche

 

 “Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.”― Mahatma Gandhi 

 

“We are constituted so that simple acts of kindness, such as giving to charity or expressing gratitude, have a positive effect on our long-term moods. The key to the happy life, it seems, is the good life: a life with sustained relationships, challenging work, and connections to community.”― Paul Bloom 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

 

 

May Bucket Money will go to the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen.

 

May 10 – Election of Officers – The slate includes: 

               President – Cary

               VP – Darrell

               Treasurer – Billy

               Secretary – Allan

               Club Service Director- Robb

               International Director – Charlie

               New Generations Director – Michelle

               Vocational Director – Angie

 

May 19 – Volunteer opportunity at Sola Gratia Farm – contact Tod

 

May 31 – No AM meeting – Club Social on the Lake Shelbyville Party Barge, May 27

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Mary Kay introduced Dave Leake, Director of the William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.   Dave is also the president of the CU Astronomical Society.   

 

There are 3,767 known planets in our solar system.   Dave encouraged us to look up at the night sky for the planet Venus, which is currently the brightest body in the sky after the sun and moon.  As Venus sets, Jupiter rises.   With binoculars, you can see Jupiter’s four moons.   Early in the morning, Mars arises.   Over the summer, it will gradually rise earlier.   By July 28, 2018, Mars will be at its closest orbit to the earth in the last 15 years.

 

Sydney, Homer and the Middle Fork River Forest Preserve are the darkest places for viewing the night sky in Champaign County.  Middle Fork will soon be the first dark sky park in Illinois, meaning that all electrical lights are directed downward.  There are also monthly open houses at the new observatory southwest of Willard Airport.

 

Staerkel Planetarium will be closed for 3-4 weeks in August for a software upgrade.

 

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  May 10th May 17th May 24th May 31st
Introductions Ed Perry Rod Roberts Tod Satterthwaite Angie Schoonover
Reflection BJ Lytle Ben Mast John McDaniel Phyllis Mischo
Greeters Ed Perry Rod Roberts Tod Satterthwaite Angie Schoonover
Cary Woolard Adam Wright Oktay Baran Michelle Barbey
Song Leader Angie Schoonover Jen Shelby Lou Simpson Jeff Van Buren
Notetaker Conforti Perry Penwell Hodson

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

May 10th – Claudia Lennhoff, Executive Director, Champaign County Healthcare Consumers

May 17th – Laura Bleill, Associate Director, Research Park, will provide an overview of Research Park and future development (Phyllis)

May 24th – Barbara Kessel, Books to Prisoners (Mary)

May 31st – TBD – Club Social

June 7th – Dr Pauketat, U of I professor of Anthropology and Archaeologist at Cahokia World Heritage Site

June 14th – Micah Putnam, Allerton Park and Retreat Center (Mary)

June 21st – TBD

June 28th – TBD

July 5th – TBD (David)

July 12th – TBD (Mary)

July 19th – TBD (Phyllis)

July 26th – Dr. Darren Pascavage, Founding Head of School, Academy High (Tom)