September 6th, 2018 Newsletter

 
 
 “Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character.” ― Horace Greeley 
 
“Never regret anything you have done with a sincere affection; nothing is lost that is born of the heart.” ― Basil Rathbone 
 
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” ― Sophia Loren 
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Ed Perry)
 
David Henry’s daughter, Lauryn, has now settled in France and is ready to start her year as our Outbound Rotary Youth Exchange student.
 
Janis with DSC announced the annual C-U Oktoberfest on October 6th in Downtown Champaign. Activities run from 3pm to midnight with a $5 charge at the gate. This is DSC’s big fundraiser. They also need volunteers to help with the festivities. Check their web site for more information 
www.dsc-illinois.org.
 
Lou announced we are in second place +/- in the annual Rotary Club Football Guessing contest. David gave the point spread for this week’s games.
 
Volunteers are still needed for the Rotary District’s High School Writing Contest. Please contact Michelle for more information.
 
Sign-up sheets are available for this year’s Rotary District Conference. See the District’s newsletter for more information and the registration form.
 
Andrew received a heartfelt applause and song from the club for his birthday and his 10th anniversary of joining out club. At an old 37 years of age he is no longer the youngest member in our club.
 
PROGRAM
 
David introduced Emily Reichman of Hope Lives Rescue Ranch as today’s speaker. Hope Lives Rescue Ranch is a non-profit organization that aims to help at-risk youth and families recover from trauma, build resistance and find purpose through equine assisted learning and mentoring.
 
From early May to the end of September the ranch provides one-on-one, 90 minute sessions with kids from ages 8 to 18. With the use of horses and miniature donkey’s, the kids learn healthy relationships, self-esteem, and an understanding of healthy boundaries. Each 7 week session begins with 10 to 15 minutes of chores with the remaining time spent exercising and riding the horses/donkeys. Games are also played on horseback with all activities tailored to each individual’s abilities and needs.
 
They currently have 3 horses available for 5 sessions a day with plans to expand that number and build an indoor arena for winter sessions.  Sessions are free with operating costs received through donations and fundraising.
 
More information can be found on Facebook or at their website www.hopelivesrescue.org. The weekend of September 14 and 15th will be a fundraising yard sale for the ranch at Catalyst Creative Studio, 818 S. Market Street in Monticello, Il. 
 
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)
September 13th – Lola Lewis, Donation Liaison, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network (Phyllis)
September 20th – Deb Feinen, Mayor, City of Champaign (Tom)
September 27th – Benjamin Lapid, Traditions in Jewish weddings (Bob)
October 4th – Todd Gleason, Media Communications Specialist, News & Public Affairs (Radio), University of Illinois Extension (Charlie)
October 11th – TBD (Mary)
October 18th – Kate Williams, Associate Professor, UIUC, and Abdul Alkalima, Professor Emeritus, African American Studies, UIUC, will discuss New Philadelphia, the early settlement in western Illinois  (Ed)
October 25th – Chris Gleason, Executive Director, Rosecrance Central Illinois, will speak about the heroin/opioid crisis in central Illinois (Phyllis)
November 1st – TBD (Tom)
November 8th – TBD (Bob)
November 15th – TBD (Charlie)
November 22nd – No Meeting – Thanksgiving
November 29th – TBD (David)