Larry announced that the Prairie Ensemble has a fundraiser on June 3 at Refinery in Champaign. For $40 per person you can get a Tango Lesson and enjoy South American tapas and desserts.  Tom Hodson is a new Prairie Ensemble board member and would appreciate our support of this organization. For further information go to www.PrairieEnsemble.org.An EIFB re-pack party has been set for June 5th, 5:30 to 7:30 at the Eastern Illinois Foodbank facility in Urbana. Let Rod or Larry know if you plan to be there. This is a surprise party as you never know what we are going to “re-pack”!  Rest assured, Ed Perry will be there… and someone will need to check his pockets before he leaves.

Champaign West Rotary has tickets available for the Cubs-Cardinal Game on July 21st. For $100 per person you get to join in the fun with ticket to the game and Bus transportation to and from St. Louis.  The bus leaves Champaign at 9am with the game starting at 3:05pm. See President Bruce for more information.  Early predictions from baseball experts are that, somehow, both teams will manage to lose the game.  This unprecedented outcome would lead to fans from both teams to utter, “Wait til next year!”

Program

Sonya Darter, Executive Director of the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, presented information about the local Museum. Located at 346 North Neil in the Historic Orpheum Theatre, the museum is preparing to celebrate its 25th year (and soon will celebrate 100 years since the Theatre’s opening). The museum had over 25,000 visitors last year and has a membership base of 450.

The Orpheum Children’s Science Museum mission is to inspire, engage and educate children through exploration of science and the arts. Sonya noted the various activities and special events the Museum has to offer. Focusing on the 2 to 12 year age group, one the Orpheum’s goals is to unite schools, business, universities and community colleges, performance centers and groups, artists and the array of talent and resources from our community to enrich and enliven daily life of families and the community. The building’s various spaces are available to rent for special activities such as weddings, concerts and meetings.

The Orpheum continues to rely on volunteers and donations from the community and Sonya thanked our club for the past years of volunteer help and donations and looks forward to the continued help from our club.

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Announcements  (notes courteous of the stylish, striped-tie-wearing Allan Penwell)

Jeff is looking for a replacement for Andrew on the New Generations committee for next year.  It’s a great gig, ask Andrew for details.

Program

Our speaker last week was Brian Nudelman, associate professor of humanities at Parkland College.  Brian coordinates campus-wide service learning and volunteerism. These efforts include co-creating the Garden Hills Homework Club with Champaign Schools; leading Parkland’s Service-Learning Advisory Council; and working to get students, faculty, and staff out in the community working alongside other non-profit partners and area schools.  Brian also helped enable dental hygiene program trips to Tennessee and India.

Brian has organized and guided some 120 students through nearly 2,500 service learning hours at 11 agencies and non-profits in Champaign-Urbana.  Community engagement not only integrates Parkland with those needing help, but it is a life-skill for students as they move into their careers.  To learn more about the Service Learning Program, go to their website:

http://www.parkland.edu/academics/servicelearning.aspx