“Whatever you want in life, other people are going to want it too.  Believe in yourself enough to accept the idea that you have an equal right to it.” – Diane Sawyer – American Broadcast Journalist

 

“The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes – 1841-1935 – Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

 

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott – 1832-1888 – Novelist-Short Story Writer-Poet

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Eddie Perry)

 

Tod distributed information about Sola Gratia Farm’s Fresh Fruit Fundraiser.

 

Lisa noted that volunteers are needed for January’s breakfast preparation. 

 

Dec. 14, 10am-7pm – Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Walmart in Champaign

 

Dec. 19 – Sunrise Holiday Party with White Elephant gifts and cookie exchange

 

Dec. 26 – No Meeting

Bucket Bucks for December will go to Austin’s Place.

 

PROGRAM

Joe introduced Molly Cornyn, Project Coordinator for the 2025 Ebert Film Festival. Molly is a Champaign native with college degrees in media studies and in producing film and television. Her previous work includes five years working for Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas as an entertainment public relations coordinator and a film and special events manager.

 

Molly is now back in town and is helping to plan the upcoming Roger Ebert Film Festival for the U of I College of Media. Molly presented background information on Roger Ebert and on the film festival which will be celebrating its 25th year this coming April 23-26.

 

While the full film schedule is yet to be announced, a special one of a kind film will be shown. The 75mm film of John Ford’s “The Searchers” will be shown. This 1959 film is considered by many as one of the top 100 films ever made and this 75mm showing at the Virginia theater is a one of a kind presentation.

 

Festival Sponsorships and Full Festival passes, for all 12+movies, are currently on sale with individual movie passes going on sale April 1, 2025. 

 

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  Dec 12th Dec 19th Dec 26th Jan 2nd
Introductions Mary Hodson Thom Hodson No Darrell Hoemann
Reflection Charlie Smith Mary Kay Smith morning JP Thompson
Greeters Mary Hodson Thom Hodson meeting Darrell Hoemann
Charlie Smith Mary Kay Smith this JP Thompson
Food Lisa Crane Lisa Crane day. Lisa Crane
Notetaker Perry Hodson   Conforti

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

 

December 12th – Brendan  McGinty, UIUC, will discuss AI (Cary)

December 19th – CUSR Holiday Party

December 26th – No morning meeting

January 2nd – Amanda Borden, Vice President of Development, Eastern Illinois Foodbank (Les)

January 9th – TBD (Lisa)

January 16th – Dr. Pavlo Dziuba, Visiting Professor, Economics, UIUC   (Mary)

January 23rd – Lynne Barnes, Advocates for Aging Care (Michael)

January 30th – TBD

February 6th – TBD

February 13th – TBD

February 20th – TBD

February 27th – TBD

 

 

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

 

December 29 – Jerry Payonk