“If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it.” – Wanda Sykes – Comedian-Actress-Writer

 

“One finds limits by pushing them.” – Herbert Simon – 1916-2001 – Political Scientist

 

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” – Eckhart Tolle – Spiritual Teacher-Author

 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS

Ata started the meeting with a photo of the first Rotary members meeting on February 23, 1905 in Chicago. The first four members were Gustavis Loehr, Silvester Schiele, Hiram Shorey and Paul P. Harris.

 

March 8 – Read Across America. Mary K thanked all that have signed up 

March 11-5 to 6:30pm-Books to Prisoners. Larry passed around the signup sheet

April 4 – Central High School Interact’s International Festival

April 26 – Volunteers needed to help GSLC Marathon Race’s water station

May 17-10am to Noon – Champaign County Humane Society’s Newspaper Roll at GSLC. Keep saving your old newspapers and old towels for Ed!

May 30 – Champaign Rotary Club’s Action Auction

June 14 – Rotary District Expo & Installation

December – The Twelve Bars of Christmas – A CUSR original

 

PROGRAM

 

Charlie introduced Mitch Marlow who is the Sales & Public Relations manager for the Virginia Theatre, Champaign Park District. With a background in music performance and management, Mitch presented information about the upcoming activities this year at the Virginia Theatre. 

 

The Virginia Theatre opened in 1921 in downtown Champaign presenting theatrical entertainment with vaudeville acts and movies. Over its 104 years it has had many restoration projects and numerous updates. Currently, the Virginia Theatre is closed as it updates its back stage Fly System. This rigging system will be computerized to hoist and move the curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and even people. This current work was originally scheduled to be completed in April for the upcoming Ebert Film Festival but is progressing ahead of schedule so Mitch is looking at possible scheduling small events in to fill in the dates before the Ebert Festival.

 

Many events for the year are being considered and scheduled. Several were mentioned with exact events and ticket sales to be announced at a later date. The Virginia Theatre will continue to provide special showings and events this year. Special events will again include past shows such as “Art House”, “Rewind” and the “News Gazette Golden Age” movie events. The emphasis this year will be to add audience interaction with the movie to make it more of an event. Also, community events will again take place in the Virginia Theater like the family favorite “Pens to Lens” in which local students write the script and local film companies produce the movie. 

 

Mitch answered several questions from the club. He mentioned sound systems, what certain acts need and want, future updates to projector systems, concession area expansion, audience circulation improvements, and adding various video screens.  

 

Mitch also noted the need for community volunteers as the Virginia Theatre relies on volunteers to assist with the essential tasks of ushers, taking tickets, crowd control, and greeters. If you are interested in being a volunteer, sign up at thevirginia.org/volunteer/.  

 

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

 

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

 

March 6th – Ella Napoli, Kappa Delta sorority philanthropy (Lisa)

March 13th – Brandon Fischer, Director, Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Joe)

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

March 27th – 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 3rd – Andrea Fain, District 6490 International Service Committee Chair, will discuss their recent trip to Guadalajara (Cary)

April 10th – TBD (Charlie)

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

April 24th – TBD (Les)

May 1st – TBD

May 8th – TBD (Mary)

May 15th – TBD (Cary)

May 22nd – TBD (Charlie)

 

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

 

March 14 – Michael Hogue