“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” – Paulo Coelho – Author

“Too many people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold.” – Maurice Setter – 1936-2020 – English Football Player & Manager

“I may not be there yet, but I am closer than I was yesterday.” – Misty Copeland – Ballet Dancer

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING SCHEDULE

(notes presented by the disgruntled gentleman from Connecticut, Edward Perry)

Phyllis presented our club’s special recognition to Diana Dummit. Diana joined our club in 2008 and served as club president in 2010/2011.  She continued as chair on various club committees and was responsible for our club’s greeting cards for many years. Diana thanked everyone and stated how our club and the members were very special to her and she was proud of all the great things the club had done.

Phyllis thanked all for helping with Feed Our Kids on Saturday.

April 27, 7:30 to 10:30am – Marathon water station at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

May 4, 10 to Noon – Rotary District Assembly at The Carle Forum

May 4, 1pm to 4pm – Champaign County Humane Society folding newspaper at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

May 18 – Rotary Leadership Institute at Richmond Community College in Decatur.

May 30 – Club social at Mary Kay and Charlie’s house – 1607 Sandpiper Ct, Champaign

June 27 – Pass the gavel day (end of the reign of Charlie the Wise)

Program

Tom Ulen introduced our speaker, Al Nudo. Al is a well-known local business man and developer who has served on many civic and community organizations. His program this morning focused on the history and future of Willard Airport. His review of the airport’s history included:

1946 The airport opened

1954 First commercial Flights

1968 Willard was the second busiest airport in Illinois

1987 New terminal was built

Al presented a chart with information comparing population, the number of enplanements, airlines and number of destinations for four of the Central Illinois airports, including Willard Airport/Champaign; Central Il. Regional/Bloomington; Peoria Airport/Peoria; Abe Lincoln Airport/Springfield.

While Champaign county has the largest population of these four, it has the lowest number of enplanements. Eight out of 10 people in Champaign county fly out of someplace other than Willard. One reason for this 80% leakage is that Willard has only one major Airline and does not have a low-cost Airline service. According to Al, we need our airport to have more flights at a competitive cost.

The recent history of the number of flights at Willard by year has significantly declined:

2005  132,000

2013   85,000

2022   65,000

Much work and money is needed to attract more flights in and out of Willard. While the U of I, the Cities of Champaign and Urbana, Champaign County and the MTD have stated they will contribute initial dollars to help, Al stated that long term sources of continued funding are needed along with better Airport management. 

The current thinking by the U of I is that the Airport is not a priority.  According to Al, that thinking must change for Willard to be successful and beneficial to the community. 

More flights in and out of our airport can bring economic growth, a better image of our University, and a  better quality of life for our entire community.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

April 18^th – Mary Kay Smith will discuss the FriendShop

April 25^th – Jenette Jurczyk of The Family Room (Lisa)

May 2^nd – Cat Purcell, Career Librarian, Champaign Public Library, will discuss researching your home

May 9^th – TBD

May 16^th – TBD

May 23 – Cooper, the Child Advocacy Center Comfort Dog (Joe)

May 30^th – TBD
June 6^th – TBD

June 13^th – TBD

June 20^th – TBD

June 27^th – Pass the Gavel

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

April 3 – Mary Hodson

April 24 – Mary Kay Smith

“We are all more blind to what we have than to what we have not.” – Audre Lorde – 1934-1992 – Writer-Librarian-Civil Rights Activist

“Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan – 1882-1927 – Professor

“As long as I’m alive, I will continue to try to understand more because the work of the heart is never done.” – Muhammad Ali – 1942-2016 – Professional Boxer

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CALENDAR

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

May 4 – 10-Noon – District Assembly at the Carle Forum

1-4 PM – Fold newspapers for the Humane Society at Good Shepard Lutheran Church

May 13 – 24 – U of I Intensive Language Instruction.   Instruction in 13 languages is offered.  There is no required attendance, minimal homework and no grades.  For more information, go to go.illinois.edu/ilip.

May 18 – Rotary Leadership Institute – the Club will pay the fee for those who wish to attend.

May 30 – Club Social at 1607 Sandpiper Ct., Champaign – No AM meeting

June 27 – Pass the Gavel

PROGRAM

Joe Rank introduced Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel, the Executive Director of Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Living.    Chabad is the largest Jewish organization in the world.  It was started in Ukraine in the 1700’s to provide social services and education to Jewish families.  

Rabbi Dovid is originally from Brooklyn, NY. Three of his great grandfathers were killed for being Jewish.  One was killed by the Cossacks, one by the Nazis and one by the KGB.  He lost 22 family members in the Holocaust.   From childhood, he wanted to be a rabbi.

Rabbi Dovid’s wife Goldie is from Chicago. They have six children. They believed that they should not go where they wanted to go, but where they were  needed to go. So in 2003, when they were asked to move from Brooklyn to start Chabad in CU, they came.  Rabbi Dovid said there is a long history of Jewish life in Champaign, beginning with Joseph Kuhn.

The first building Chabad owned was at the corner of 4th and Green Street.  Later, a fraternity lost its charter and they were able to buy the fraternity house at 4th and Armory.  The aim of the Jewish center is to give meaning, share joy and add spirituality to the every day. Their dream is to teach those values in a warm and nurturing environment where people can grow together, enjoying life and Judaism simultaneously.

Rabbi Dovid became the liaison for religious life on campus. After ten years, the University made it an official position. He wants to bring people together rather than to divide them.  He believes that people will always care about each other; you just have to bring them together.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

April 11^th –Al Nudo who will speak about Willard Airport (Tom)

April 18^th – Retired American Airlines Captain John Carey will speak by Zoom about his experience investigating U.S. Airlines flight 1549 that landed on the Hudson River in 2009 (Mary)

April 25^th – Jenette Jurczyk of The Family Room (Lisa)

May 2^nd – TBD

May 9^th – TBD

May 16^th – TBD

May 23 – Cooper, the Child Advocacy Center Comfort Dog (Joe)

May 30^th – TBD

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

April 3 – Mary Hodson

April 24 – Mary Kay Smith

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – 1928-1968 – Minister and Civil Rights Activist

UPCOMING EVENTS & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

April 3 (7am) – Club Board Meeting

April 6 – Feeding our Kids (sign-up sheet passed around)

April 19-21 – Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) at Allerton
May 4 (9-noon) – District Assembly
May 4 (9-noon) – Newspaper folding @GSLC – save your newspapers
May 18 (9-3:30pm) – Rotary Leadership Institute @ Richland Community College in Decatur (the club will pay your registration fee)

SPEAKER

Our speaker last week was Professor Kent Redfield.  Dr. Redfield is a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois – Springfield where his research focused on teaching and public service on campaign finance issues and Illinois politics. He served as the program coordinator for the Illinois Legislative Staff intern program for 20 years. Before joining UIS he worked as legislative analyst for the Illinois Legislature.

Dr. Redfield has authored a number of books, chapters in books and articles on Illinois politics, campaign finance and political corruption. He is currently working with two co-authors on a new edition of Illinois Politics: A Citizen’s Guide which will be published by the U of I press in July 2024.

Dr. Redfield covered a number of different topics: shifting demographics; downstate versus Chicago; billionaires and bribery. Even veteran observers need a roadmap to track Illinois’ ever-changing political landscape. Dr. Redfield discussed recent events like the 2015-2017 budget disaster, the response to COVID-19, and the fall of longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Much of his presentation centered on corruption, social policies, and the political rules of the game.  Dr. Redfield provided perspectives on the nuts-and-bolts of campaign funding and the ways political actors acquire power or influence.

Dr. Redfield made it clear that it is okay to contact him regarding questions about Illinois Politics. Cell: 217-971-8691 or kredfl@uis.edu

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

April 4th – Rabbi David Tiechtel (Joe)

April 11^th –Al Nudo who will speak about Willard Airport (Tom)

April 18^th – Retired American Airlines Captain John Carey will speak by Zoom about his experience investigating U.S. Airlines flight 1549 that landed on the Hudson River in 2009 (Mary)

April 25^th – Jenette Jurczyk of The Family Room (Lisa)

May 2^nd – TBD

May 9^th – TBD

May 16^th – TBD

May 23 – Cooper, the Child Advocacy Center Comfort Dog (Joe)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

April 3 – Mary Hodson

April 24 – Mary Kay Smith

“Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci – Former Gymnast-Gold Medalist

“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.”  – Herman Melville – 1819-1891 – American Novelist

“Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.” – Auguste Rodin – 1840-1917 – Sculptor

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Notes provided by  Lisa Crane)

Reflection: Phyllis remembered our wonderful member Lou Simpson, who passed away just  a little over a year ago, by rereading his obituary.

Ata and Lisa commented on their leadership training and thanked the club for supporting their attendance.

Ata presented the club with this year’s theme banner THE MAGIC OF ROTARY sharing a story that the International President Elect Stephanie Urchick from McMurray, Pennsylvania told. She got the idea of the theme after visiting a country helping to train a family with a home water filtration system. The child in the home asked her to “do the magic again.”

In March, our Bucket Bucks will go to the Child Advocacy Center.

In April, our Bucket Bucks will go to CASA.

UPCOMING EVENTS & SERVICE OPPORTUNITES

April 6 – Feeding our Kids (sign-up sheet passed around)
April 19-21 – Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) at Allerton
May 4 (9-noon) – District Assembly
May 4 (9-noon) – Newspaper folding @GSLC – save your newspapers
May 18 (9-3:30pm) – Rotary Leadership Institute @ Richland Community College in Decatur (the club will pay your registration fee).

SPEAKER  

Amy Heggemeyer moved with her husband to the Champaign-Urbana area in 2005 and is happy to call this place home. A mom to two girls, by day she works for the University of Illinois System and at night she’s a volunteer with the Champaign County chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gunsense in America, which is a grassroots movement that encourages a culture of responsible gun ownership and safe gun storage. Amy joined us today to share the Be SMART message. She gave a very informative talk despite the failure of the AV equipment.

The Be SMART campaign was launched in 2015 to promote responsible gun ownership in order to reduce child gun deaths. She discussed gun storage and referenced a website to discuss gun safety with kids: BESMARTforkids.org

Firearms are the leading cause of death for children. Six children die every day due to unsecure guns and 60% are homicide. Most of the tragedies occur in the home with unsupervised access to guns. She gave examples of news stories that occurred due to an unsecure gun left in a vehicle or home.

She defined the SMART acronym:

SECURE – Secure guns in homes and vehicles.  Hiding a gun is not securing a gun. Two guns are stolen every 15 min across the US.  She brought some free Cable locks. There are also Biometric safes and Trigger locks as well.

MODEL – Model responsible behavior. Many parents do not know that their child has handled a gun.

ASK – Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in the home where a child may visit.

RECOGNIZE – Recognize the role of guns in suicide. 90% of suicides with guns are successful. Remove guns from the home when a child or person is in distress. 20% of high school students have thought about suicide with a gun.

TELL – Tell your peers to be smart.

Amy also noted that her group is encouraging local laws about gun safety, including cold case second look after ten years, removing firearms access from persons involved in domestic violence cases, and increased safe storage bills.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

March 28^th –Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Kent Redfield (Tom)

April 4th – Rabbi David Tiechtel (Joe)

April 11^th –Al Nudo who will speak about Willard Airport (Tom)

April 18^th – Retired American Airlines Captain John Carey will speak by Zoom about his experience investigating U.S. Airlines flight 1549 that landed on the Hudson River in 2009 (Mary)

April 25^th – Jenette Jurczyk of The Family Room (Lisa)

May 2^nd – TBD

May 9^th – TBD

May 16^th – TBD

May 23 – Cooper, the Child Advocacy Center Comfort Dog (Joe)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

April 3 – Mary Hodson

April 24 – Mary Kay Smith

“We first make our habits, then our habits make us.” – John Dryden – 1631-1700 – English Poet-Translator-Playwright

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” – Robin Williams – 1951-2014 – Comedian-Actor

“If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.” – Erica Jong – Novelist-Satirist-Poet

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished germ from Connecticut, Edward Perry)

Thanks were given to the members who helped with “Read Across America” this past weekend.

Our club will be sponsoring Cooper the comfort dog for the Children’s Advocacy Center through a gift of Lou and Trina Simpson.

We will again be providing a $1,500 Parkland Community scholarship to a Champaign Central High School Student.

We will help sponsor activities for our very active Central High School’s Interact Club. 

We will also be donating to CASA and place their pinwheels in the Don Decker Garden.

Phyllis asked for help with the placing of the Flag at the Don Decker Garden on Federal Holidays.

Bucket Bucks for march will go to the Child Advocacy Center.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

March 16 & 17th: Ata and Lisa will be attending the Rotary PETS Training

March 19: Books to Prisoners

April 6: Feeding Our Kids

April 19-21 “RYLA” at Allerton Park

May 4: District Conference

May 4: Newspaper rolling for the Champaign County Humane Society

May 18: Rotary Leadership Conference 

SPEAKER

Michael introduced Jason Harden, Associate Race Director of the Christie Clinic Illinois ace Weekend. Jason, who has been involved in the annual race since it began in 2009, gave a history of the event and told of the many events that will take place this year on April 25, 26 and 27th. The weekend activities will include the Marathon and a Half Marathon, 4-person relay, 10k, 5k, mile and youth run and eight I-Challenge Events.

Since 2009 the event has had thousands of runners and has raised $1.734 million dollars for local charities. Our Community involvement has been the reason for its continued success over the years and volunteers are needed again this year. For more information please go to ILLINOISMARATHON.COM.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

March 14^th – Larry Kenemore’s Rotary Action Group (Mary)

March 21^st – Amy Hegemeyer from Mom’s Demand who will talk about the Be Smart Program

March 28^th –Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Kent Redfield. (Tom)

April 4th – Rabbi David Tiechtel (Joe)

April 11^th –Al Nudo who will speak about Willard Airport (Tom)

April 18^th – TBD

April 25^th – TBD

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

March – No club birthdays

“The smallest change in perspective can transform a life.”  – Oprah Winfrey – Actress – Talk Show Host – Producer – Philanthropist

“All progress takes place outside the comfort zone.” – Michael John Bobak – Digital Artist-Songwriter-Poet

“With confidence, you have won before you have started.” – Marcus Garve – 1887-1940 – Jamaican Activist

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There was no morning meeting last week.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

March 7^th – Jason Harden, Associate Race Director of the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend (Michael)

March 14^th – Larry Kenemore’s Rotary Action Group (Mary)

March 21^st – Amy Hegemeyer from Mom’s Demand who will talk about the Be Smart Program

March 28^th –Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Kent Redfield. (Tom)

April 4th – Rabbi David Tiechtel (Joe)

April 11^th –Al Nudo who will speak about Willard Airport (Tom)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

March – No club birthdays

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” – T.S. Eliot – 1888-1965 – Poet-Essayist-Publisher-Social Critic

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” – T.S. Eliot – 1888-1965 – Poet-Essayist-Publisher-Social Critic

“If you’re serious about changing your life, you’ll find a way. If you’re not, you’ll find an excuse.” – Jen Sincero – Author-Speaker

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by Lisa Crane)

No meeting this week, 2/29/24, because it is the fifth Thursday of the month.

Joe Rank and Cary would like our club to consider sponsoring Cooper the Comfort Dog from the Children’s Advocacy Center. This idea will be brought before the board.

UPCOMING EVENTS & SERVICE OPPORTUNITES

February 24^th – That’s What She Said Social featuring Jen Shelby

March  2  (10-1pm) – Read Across America

March 16-17 – PETS training – Ata & Lisa will be attending

March 19  5-6:30pm) – Books to Prisoners

April 6 – Feeding our Kids

April 19-21 – Rotary Youth Leadership Academy at Allerton. 

May 4 (9-noon) – District Assembly

May 4 (9-noon) – Newspaper folding at GSLC

BUCKET BUCKS

February – Meals on Wheels

March – Child Advocacy Center

SPEAKER

Journalist Lex Tate spoke to us about the Evolution of Campustown. She is the author of AN ILLINI PLACE. During her career, Tate was a writer for three University Presidents, wrote a weekly column in the News Gazette, and taught journalism courses at the University of Illinois.

Campustown is considered the Third City, after Champaign and Urbana. Champaign county was chartered in 1833. Urbana, established near the Big Grove,  became the county seat. The railroad was three miles to the west establishing West Urbana which later became Champaign in 1860.

Illinois Industrial University opened on March 2, 1868. Tate shared photos of early Campustown including the first building, University Hall (1876-1880) which known as The Elephant. It was replaced by Gregory Hall and the Illini Union in 1938. Photos of the Quad, which had an informal golf course on it, and Campustown, which was basically 6^th Street to Wright Street to Green Street, were shared.

Originally, there was no University housing or dining services.  Greek organizations started early on that provided some housing and dining options. 

George Cunningham was influential in opening the first student book and supply store at Green and Wright. He also opened a post office, confectionary, billiard parlor, tailor and barbershop. Later, three drug stores opened on Green between Wright and 6^th to provide a place to eat and gather as well as everyday necessities.

Laster, Greek housing development moved away from Campustown. The men moved towards the west side of campus (Frat Park).  And, on the east side of campus (near what is now the Krannert Center for Performing Arts), sororities for women were developed.

The 1920s was the heaviest growth period at the University. There were a rich variety of businesses, but interestingly very little pictures were taken of store fronts.  Tate showed photos tracking the changes over the decades at the corner of Sixth and Green.

Lex shared photos of the development of Green St. over several decades. At one point there was a movement away from Campustown living to the edges of town.  Now there has been a movement of students back to the Campustown area, including to high rise apartment buildings.  However, as one astute audience member noted, these high rises are not exactly as they seem.  There was a Federal economic development grant with huge tax breaks that helped subsidize the construction of these large apartment buildings.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

February 29^th – No AM meeting (5^th Thursday)

March 7^th – Jason Harden, Associate Race Director of the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend (Michael)

March 14^th – Larry Kenemore’s Rotary Action Group (Mary)

March 21^st – Amy Hegemeyer from Mom’s Demand who will talk about the Be Smart Program

March 28^th –Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Kent Redfield. (Tom)

April 4th – Rabbi David Tiechtel (Joe)

April 11^th –Al Nudo who will speak about Willard Airport (Tom)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

March – No club birthdays

“Courage of the heart is very rare. Let it guide you.” – Sarah J. Maas – Author

“If we all did the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” – Thomas Edison – 1847-1931 – Inventor

“The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.” – Stephanie Perkins – Author

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

President Charlie welcomed our Assistant Governor Marlys Scarbrough.

The Club presented a $5,000 check from our fruit sale to John Williams from Sola Gratia Farm.

President Charlie thanked Darrell for his donations to the Rotary Foundation and awarded him with the PHF plus four pin.

Membership Chair Paul gave the new version of the Rotary pin to four of our newest members.

Bucket Bucks for February will go to Meals on Wheels.   March Bucket Bucks will be directed to the Child Advocacy Center

Darrell announced the “Fill Bob’s Truck” one day diaper drive, March 3rd at Good Shepard Lutheran Church on Prospect Ave (10am-noon, 4-8pm).

The Membership Committee is in need of an additional member.   See Mary if you would like to know more.

SPECIAL NOTE

Mary Hodson submitted these photos in remembrance of CU Sunrise Rotarian Gary Olsen.

CALENDAR

February 24 – “That’s What She Said”

March 3 – “Fill Bob’s Truck” Diaper Drive at the Good Shepard Lutheran Church

March 2, 10 AM – 1 PM, Read Across America

March 16-17 – President Elect Training

March 19 – Books to Prisoners

April 6 – Feeding Our Kids

April 19-21 – RYLA

May 4 – District Assembly at the Carle Forum

May 4 – Fold papers for the Humane Society – Save your papers for Ed!

PROGRAM

Cary introduced Champaign Rotarian Salvation Army Captain Kenyon Sivels and Case Manager Aaron Bird.

Captain Kenyon told a story about a boy and his brother whose mother was addicted to drugs.   The Salvation Army helped her get on her feet and her two sons were the first in their family to attend college.   That boy was Kenyon.

The Salvation Army works in 134 countries.  Its mission is to preach the gospel and meet human needs in Christ’s name without discrimination.   In other words, the Salvation Army helps people without asking about their spiritual beliefs.

The Salvation Army has two local buildings.   The building at 502 N. Prospect serves a lot of immigrant families.   They offer ESL classes mostly to Congolese immigrants, most of whom already speak 3-5 languages.  They also offer youth programming.   For $30, a child can attend the Salvation Army Summer Camp in Kenosha, WI.   If you would like to sponsor a child, please contact the Salvation Army.

The building at 2212 N. Market St. is primarily a social services building.  They have a food pantry that served 19,579 families last year.   They also provided 400 back to school back packs filled with school supplies.  Captain Kenyon said that the food panty needs both volunteers and donations.  They will happily accept any excess produce from your garden.

With Title XX funding, they help people who have been incarcerated get reacclimated to society.   They have a twenty bed transitional men’s shelter and last year they sponsored a job fair.

Three nights a week, from 6-8 PM, they make a canteen run, giving out snacks, coats, mittens, hats around CU.   Kenyon said they also need more volunteers to help with the canteen run.

In addition, Captain Kenyon is often deployed to help with Emergency Disaster Services.

He thanked our club for helping with holiday bell ringing and reported that our members collected $519.26 last year.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

February 22^nd – Lex Tate, the Evolution of Campustown (Joe)

February 29^th – No AM meeting (5^th Thursday)

March 7^th – Jason Harden, Associate Race Director of the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend (Michael)

March 14^th – Larry Kenemore’s Rotary Action Group (Mary)

March 21^st – TBD (Michael)

March 28^th – TBD (Tom)

April 4th – Rabbi David Tiechtel (Joe)

April 11^th – Tom Allen will introduce Al Nudo who will speak about the Willard Airport. (Cary)