February 20th, 2025 Newsletter

“Each day provides its own gifts.” – Marcus Aurelius – 121-180 – Roman Emperor

 

“Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top; it is the willpower that is most important.” – Junko Tabei – 1939-2016 – Mountaineer-Author-Teacher

 

“When you choose to collect experiences rather than things, you never ever run out of storage space.” – Joshua Becker – Author-Writer-Philanthropist-Pastor

 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Urbana, Edward Perrey)

 

Lisa noted that one meeting in March is needing a breakfast cook 

 

February Bucket Bucks are going to DSC

 

Feb 27, 6:30 to 8pm- Central Interact Trivia Night in Central’s Library. Contact Lisa if you want to be part of the team.

 

March 8 – Read Across America. Contact Mary Kay to sign up.

 

March 11,5-6:30pm- Books to Prisoners. Let Larry know if you can make it.

 

April 4 – Central Interact International Fair

 

April 26 – Help GSLC at the Marathon Race at a water station

 

May – date to be determined, C.C. Humane Society Newspaper Roll

 

May 30 – Champaign Rotary Club’s Action Auction

 

June 14 – Rotary District Expo & Installation   

 

CLUB ASSEMBLY

 

Ata asked members and committee chairs to report to the club on past and future activities.  

 

Fundraising 

Robb reported that the club’s Karaoke event was a success in raising money and was a fun evening. Let Robb know of any thoughts you may have for future fundraising events. Also let Robb know of any song suggestions for his next gig.

 

International Service

Eddie announced that he is looking at a way to help Zambia with their Radio Station and/or medical supply needs. A contact at Bloomington’s Rotary club was suggested.

 

Membership

Ata noted that continued success in gaining members relies on each member and to keep up the good work.

 

Community Service Projects

Larry brought the club up to date on the many service projects our club has done this past year and continues to do. 

The Salt & Light, Books to Prisoners, and Feeding our Kids projects have continued on a quarterly fashion. 

Feeding our Kids is now taking place at EIFB and are serving 7,200 in 44 area schools every week and helped EIFB with several food Repacks. 

We have helped the local United Way with School Kits, Winter Kits and Signs assembly. 

We also helped with Crisis Nursery’s Holiday Shop and Salvation Army’s Bell Ringing. 

Larry thanked everyone who has helped with all the various projects and thanked Garrett for his work with Sola Gratia Farm and Eddie with the Don Decker garden.

 

Program Committee

Mary thanked the committee members for once again putting together great speakers for our club meetings. Mary noted that Lisa will be leaving the program committee as she begins as our club president and a new committee member(s) is needed. Any and all suggestions for speakers are welcome.

 

Public Relations

Darrell continues to do a great job in getting our name out to the public with his ideas in print, Facebook and photos.

 

Social

Cary continues to organize Social events for our club for the 5thThursday of the month. Any ideas from members for socials are welcomed. 

Central High School Interact Club and CU Sunrise Scholarship

Mary Kay noted how active our High School Interact club is and that we help sponsor each year their Fall Race in Crystal Lake Park. She also noted that our club provides a $1,500 scholarship to Parkland Community College for a high school student.   

 

—

	Feb 27th	Mar 6th	Mar 13th	Mar 20th
Introductions	Garrett Colbert	Paul Conforti	Lisa Crane	Mary Hodson
Reflection	Thom Hodson	Rod Roberts	Michael Hogue	Larry Johnson
Greeters	Garrett Colbert	Paul Conforti	Lisa Crane	Mary Hodson
	Thom Hodson	Rod Roberts	Michael Hogue	Larry Johnson
Food	Schultes	Patton
Notetaker	Crane	Conforti	Hodson	Perry

—

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

 

February 27^th – Mitch Marlow, Sales & Public Relations Manager, Virginia Theatre (Charlie)

March 6^th – TBD (Lisa)

March 13^th – Brandon Fischer, Director, Salvation Army ReStore (Joe)

March 20^th – Todd Gleason, Farm Broadcaster with the College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences (ACES) at UIUC and WILL Radio (Les)

March 27^th – Dr. Jeffery Mondak, James M. Benson Chair in Public Issues and Civic Leadership, UIUC, will discuss the relationship between personality types and political opinions (Mary)

April 3^rd – TBD (Cary)

April 10^th – TBD (Charlie)

April 17^th – Zack Schweig, Executive Chef, Hamilton Walkers, will discuss how COVID changed the restaurant industry (Joe)

April 24^th – TBD (Les)

May 1^st – TBD

May 8^th – TBD (Mary)

May 15^th – TBD (Cary)

May 22^nd – TBD (Charlie)