“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” – Kahlil Gibran – 1883-1931 – Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist

 

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”- Nelson Mandela – 1918-2013 – Political Leader – Philanthropist – Former President of South Africa

 

“I knew that I just didn’t have it in me to give up, even if I sometimes felt like a fool for continuing to believe.” – Misty Copeland – Ballet Dancer

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Sir Edward Perrie)

 

Oct. 10 – 1-4pm – Gary Olsen Celebration of Life and Shelterbox fundraiser

 

Oct. 24 – World Polio Day at the Museum of the Grand Prairie in Mahomet

 

Nov. 11 – CU Sunrise Rotary Club Anniversary/Veterans Day Party at City View

 

The C-U Sunrise Rotary Newsletter historian was unable to verify the claim made in last week’s Newsletter regarding our football picking success.  Sadly, the review of many years of data showed that we are less than stellar when it comes to football picking.  But this year will be different!

 

 

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

 

 

Oct. 14 – Rotary Booth at Lincoln Square, see times on sign-up sheet

 

Nov. 4 – Central Interact 5K Fundraiser – CU Sunrise is a sponsor 

 

Mar. 28 – National Car Wash Day – Jarrod invites everyone to his house to wash his vehicles

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Jarrod Scheunemann gave an informative presentation dealing with his recent trip tO to Bilisht, Albania. Jerrod was part of a mission trip with the Twin City Bible Church of Urbana and he also would be helping with the development of a recreational space in Bilisht. 

 

Jarrod started with a few greetings to the club in Albanian and added a few comments about trying to learn the language. Jarrod then told us about two important figures in Albania’s history. Gjergi Skanderbeg who battled the Ottoman Empire to gain independence in the 1400s, and later about Enver Hoxha, who after World War II became the Communist Prime Minister of Albania who ruled from 1944 until his death in 1985. Albania suffered under the Communist’s rule as their resources and work force were exploited. 

 

Today’s Albania can be described as a Democratic Socialist government and is part of the European Union. While dealing with poverty and immigration issues the country’s agricultural economy and its entrepreneurialism is thriving. Many new businesses are starting up and people are seeking new ways to make money and improve their lives.

 

Jarrod shared several interactions he had with the local people and governing bodies. The town of Bilisht does not have a park or an established outdoor recreational area. Jarrod showed us a vacant five acre plot of land in Bilisht that is currently used for pick-up soccer games. The city is currently considering transforming it into a recreational area.

 

He has begun working with the local people to help them find the best use of this vacant lot. Funding, labor force, equipment, and material shortages are some of the main issues that Albania faces today for many new projects.

 

Jarrod and the Twin City Bible Church in Urbana are helping through mission trips to Bilisht.  They are also considering possible vocational and Kids exchange programs as ways to help the city of Bilisht. Some of the exchange ideas they are working on include firefighting, social work, construction, government, technical skills and for children of special needs, after school and preschool programing.

 

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  Oct 5th Oct 12th Oct 19th Oct 26th
Introductions Phyllis Mischo Scott Paceley Robb Patton Jerry Payonk
Reflection Jen Shelby Mary Kay Smith Cary Woolard Eddie Bridges
Greeters Phyllis Mischo Scott Paceley Robb Patton Jerry Payonk
Jen Shelby Mary Kay Smith Cary Woolard Eddie Bridges
Notetaker Perry Hodson Crane Conforti

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

 

October 5th – Club Assembly

October 12th – Brittany Millington, Director, Champaign Public Library (Thom)

October 19th – Dr.  Nestor Ramirez  will give a summary of his OLLI class on Polio

October 26th –  John Clark, who will discuss Storybook, a program that allows inmates to maintain a connection to children by recording stories for their children (Mary)

November 2nd – Dr. Dan Simons, Professor, Psychology, UIUC, co-author of “The Invisible Gorilla” and “Nobody’s Fool”

November 9th – no morning meeting – Anniversary Dinner at CityView

November 16th – TBD

November 23rd – Turkey Day – no morning meeting

November 30th – TBD

December 7th – TBD

December 14th – TBD

 

 

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

 

October 23 – Jarrod Scheunemann

October 29 – Robb Patton