“Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”  – James Baldwin – 1924-1987 – Writer

 

“Without commitment, you cannot have depth in anything.” – Neil Strauss – Author-Journalist-Writer

 

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

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

No AM meeting on Feb. 6.   Karaoke Fundraiser at Jupiter’s at the Crossing starts at 5:30 PM

 

Feb. 22 – 9-11 AM, Salt and Light

 

March 26 – Read Across America

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Mary introduced Pavlo Dziuba, Visiting Professor of Economics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-CHampaign. Dr. Dziuba and his family came here from Ukraine under the Illinois Scholars at Risk Program. He shared “one family’s experience” of the Russian invasion.

 

At the time of the Russian invasion, Dr. Dziuba was teaching at the Department of International Economics in the University of Kyiv.  He and his family lived in Irpin, which is adjacent to Bucha.   Irpin was occupied in the first days of the Russian occupation.  On February 24, Pavlo, his wife and two children moved to the basement of their apartment building.    Fortunately, his mother was in the subway when her apartment was bombed. 

 

Pavlo’s apartment building was hit, destroying the rooftop boiler room   He decided to evacuate his family on March 2.   The Ukrainians had blown up the bridges leading to Kyiv to block the Russian forces, leaving just once escape route to the south.   He said there was a 50/50 chance of making it through “The Road of Death”.  

 

They stayed with friends in the Carpathian Mountains until April 19, when he returned to Irpin.   He had to pass through road blocks, answering questions that only Ukrainians would be able to answer.    He brought his family back in June.   The area was heavily mined.  Pavlo showed a picture of a mine in a tree where his children played.    

 

He and others in his building made repairs but couldn’t replace the boiler.   So he and his family left again in late October.   They couldn’t go to his wife’s parent’s home as they were in an occupied area.   He did research and learned about the Visiting Scholars Program.   He is now in the U.S. under a G-I Visa.   His family have G-2 Visas.  They are valid for up to five years.

 

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  Jan 23rd Jan 30th Feb 6th Feb 13th
Introductions Robb Patton No Karaoke! Oktay Baran
Reflection Eddie Bridges am Karaoke! Garrett Colbert
Greeters Robb Patton meeting Karaoke! Oktay Baran
Eddie Bridges on Karaoke! Garrett Colbert
Food Garrett fifth Karaoke! Schultes
Notetaker Conforti Thursday. Karaoke! Hodson

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

 

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

January 30th – TBD

February 6th – Karaoke fundraiser (no AM meeting)

February 13th – TBD (Cary)

February 20th – Club Assembly

February 27th – TBD (Charlie)

March 6th – TBD (Lisa)

March 13th – TBD (Joe)

March 20th – TBD (Les)

March 27th – TBD (Mary)

 

 

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

 

January 18 – Jen Shelby

January 27 – Rod Roberts

January 28 – Scott Paceley