THE ROTARY MAKE-UP

 

Volume 26, Number 19                                                                            November 24, 2008

 

One of Wood River Rotary’s top service projects takes place soon.  Rotarians will ring bells for the Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, December 6 at Wal-Mart’s entrance.  Please contact Max Emery for more information.

 

The Club needs donations to our on-air auction on Z-1570 Saturday morning, January 3.  Items from businesses such as event tickets, gift certificates and household services usually generate strong bids.  If your business does not have such items please seek a donation from other business.  Please contact Nick Darr for additional information.

 

Two outstanding East Alton-Wood River Community High School students are with us again today.  Erin McDonough plans to “go to college to receive a business degree.”  Matt Alexander’s plans include joining the U.S. Air Force and attending college.

 

Rotarians will distribute dictionaries to third grade students in the Wood River-Hartford School District.  Project organizer David Ayres needs volunteers to hand out dictionaries and briefly demonstrate how to use them.  The distribution starts at 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 26.  A similar distribution will be scheduled for the Roxana School District.

 

Last Monday Dan Powers provided the invocation and Martha Billiter introduced visitors.  Junior Rotarians Matt Alexander and Erin McDonough won the 50/50 drawing, but they failed to pick the $326 jackpot winning Queen of Hearts.  Pat Devening fined those who had raked leaves in recent days and those who were seated at tables of either all men or all men (virtually everyone). Marilyn Frye paid a $5 happy fine in honor of her 42^nd wedding anniversary with Mike. John Pearson (joined by students Erin and Matt) led singing of L’il ‘Liza Jane and Roll Rotary.

 

The Great Depression was the November 17 program topic.  Frank Akers based his remarks on information from three books—The Crisis of the Old Order by Arthur Schlessinger, Jr.; The Great Crash by John Kenneth Galbraith; and, The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression by Amity Shlaes.  Schlessinger and Galbraith believed Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s inspired leadership and New Deal policies lifted the nation from despair and set terms for postwar prosperity.  Shlaes gives FDR credit for having a “first-class temperament...(FDR’s) New Deal inspired and tided the country over.”  Shlaes concludes, however, FDR’s policies lengthened the depression.

“A smart person knows all the rules so he can break them wisely.”

            Lubna Azmi

“Saturday morning I got up early, dressed quietly, made my lunch, grabbed the dog, slipped quietly into the garage to hook the boat up to the truck, and proceeded to back out into a torrential downpour.  The wind was blowing 50 mph.  I pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the weather would be bad throughout the day.  I cuddled up to my wife’s back, now with a different anticipation, and whispered, ‘The weather out there is terrible.’  My loving wife of 20 years replied ‘Can you believe my stupid husband is out fishing in this weather?’  I still don’t know to this day whether she was joking, but I have stopped fishing.”

(Submitted by a friend of Leonard Berg)

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THE ROTARY MAKE-UP

 

Volume 26, Number 18                                                                            November 17, 2008

 

Have you signed up to ring bells for the Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign?  Max Emery coordinates the effort from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, December 6 at Wal-Mart’s entrance.

 

The Board of Directors approved a generous fund raising opportunity offered by WBGZ radio station.  Proceeds from the December 27 edition of the popular Saturday morning program “What’s Your Bid?” will be donated to the Club.  Rotarians may offer services or merchandise from their businesses (or other businesses) with a minimum value of $50.  The items will be auctioned to listeners.

 

We wish a full recuperation to Mike Bell who recently underwent gall bladder surgery.  Vice President Martha Billiter is planning a Club social event, including spouses and guests, for February 21.  Please contact Martha if you have suggestions.  Alton-Godfrey Rotary now holds its Monday evening meetings at Alton Sports Tap. Land of Goshen Rotary shifted its Wednesday noon meetings to the LeClaire Room at LCCC’s Nelson Campus,

600 Troy Road

.

 

Highland Rotarian Henry Metzger and his wife, Elza, attended last Monday’s meeting.  Armed with a 44-year Rotary perfect attendance streak, Henry said that he especially appreciated that our Club “holds its Board meeting before the regular meeting and involves students in the (regular) meeting.”

 

Please welcome two outstanding East Alton-Wood River Community High School students.  A member of the National Honor Society, Matt Alexander has served as an Alpha Peer Leader, evening school tutor and Senior Transition Coach.  He has also participated in MCYB, baseball, golf, Oiler Yearbook staff, Scholar Bowl, Drama Club/Thespians, Renaissance and Saturday Scholars.  Matt’s plans include joining the U.S. Air Force and attending college. He works for the Wood River Recreation Department.  Matt’s parents are Wood River Fire Chief Steve and Debbie Alexander.

 

Erin McDonough finished among the top five candidates for Harvest Queen.  An officer of Big Sisters, she also serves as an Alpha Peer Leader, evening school tutor and Senior Transition Coach.  A member of the National Honor Society, Erin has also participated in softball, Renaissance and Saturday Scholars. She plans to “go to college to receive a business degree.” Erin works at the local Hallmark Store.  Her parents are Jacqueline McDonough and Robert McDonough.

 

The Wood River Levee and Drainage District has protected our communities from floods that have devastated nearby areas.  George Tyler gave an update on efforts to reconstruct area levees to the 500-year standard and repair or replace pumping stations and other infrastructure.  The work must be completed in order for the levees to be recertified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  District property taxes, especially those from industry (including $350,000 from Conoco-Phillips), will assist the project.  The state also authorized the Madison County Board to enact a one-quarter cent sales tax for levees.

 

THE ROTARY MAKE-UP

 

Volume 26, Number 17                                                                            November 10, 2008

 

Rotarians will again ring bells for the Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign.  Max Emery coordinates the effort from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, December 6 at Wal-Mart’s entrance.

 

We send best wishes to Junior Rotarians Kristen Karpan and Nicole Titus.  Nicole said that she “learned a lot of stuff” during her visits to Rotary.  Kristen said that she “really liked the food.”  We thank them for providing cookies.  They also demonstrated some magic tricks with John Pearson, Patti Anderson and David Ayres as volunteers.  Only Patti “solved” a trick.

 

Congratulations to Paul Guccione and the Great Rivers Choral Society on their performance last Saturday night at Principia College.  Classics on the River Bluff was the theme of the concert in conjunction with Principia’s choir and orchestra.

 

Thanks to Claud Snowden for presenting a “short and politically incorrect program” November 3.  Claud regaled us with original poems on the topics of Scary Times and High Finance.  The poems were very clever and amusing.

 

Last Monday Jim Herndon provided the invocation and Martha Billiter introduced visitors.  Dick Bell won $1 in the 50/50 drawing, but he failed to win the $302 jackpot.  Pat Devening fined Max Emery ($2), herself and all Rotarians who missed a meeting during September. Happy fines of $5 each were paid by Paul Guccione (daughter’s wedding) and Claud Snowden (wedding anniversary).

 

Kirksville, Missouri Rotarian Ray Klinginsmith is the president-elect of Rotary International for 2010-2011.  He was a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.  A Rotarian since 1961, Klinginsmith has served as district governor and as chair of the 1998 Council on Legislation in New Delhi and the 2008 Los Angeles Convention Committee.

“Like all parents, my husband and I just do the best we can, and hold our breath, and hope we’ve set aside enough money to pay for our kids’ therapy.”

            Michelle Pfeiffer

“The truth is that parents are not really interested in justice.  They just want quiet.”

            Bill Cosby

“Better to be forgotten than sued.”

            Dave Weinbaum

“The concerts you enjoy together/ Neighbors you annoy together/ Children you destroy together/ That keeps marriage in tact.”

            Stephen Sondheim (lyrics from “The Little Things You Do Together”)

“Everyone has the ability of making someone happy, some by entering the room, others by leaving it.”

            Sam Ewing

“The law of heredity is that all undesirable traits come from the other parent.”

            James Dent

THE ROTARY MAKE-UP

 

Volume 26, Number 16, November 3, 2008

 

Wood River Rotary’s Board of Directors meets at 11:30 a.m., Monday, November 10 at St. John United Church of Christ.  Rotarians sang birthday greetings last Monday to caterer Barb Kyro and her daughter, Missy Burgess.  Missy serves as assistant director of housing at the University of North Dakota.

 

Past Rotary District Governor Clint Rogier attended the October 27 meeting.  Chair-emeritus of Madison Mutual and former owner of Tri Ford-Mercury, Clint has a Rotary perfect attendance streak of about 56 years.

 

This is Speech Day for Junior Rotarians Kristen Karpan and Nicole Titus.  Kristen plans to major in biological sciences at SIUE to prepare for a career as an orthodontist. Nicole plans to major in mathematics at SIUE and become an actuary.

 

The Club’s Annual Salvation Army Tree of Lights bell-ringing takes place Saturday, December 6 at Wal-Mart.  Max Emery will coordinate our participation. Bethalto Rotary continues accepting orders for citrus until just before Thanksgiving.  Please call Ken Harmon at 377-9330 to place your order.

 

Last Monday Frank Akers provided the invocation and Jim Herndon introduced visitors.  Pat Devening won $1 in the 50/50 drawing, but she failed to win the $290 jackpot.  Pat (assisted by Nicole Titus) fined Rotarians who did not help build the Halloween Parade float, walk in the parade or donate candy. George Moore paid a $5 happy fine to mark his 7^th wedding anniversary. Junior Rotarians Nicole and Kristen led singing of When the Saints Go Marching In.

 

The Illinois Appellate Court system was the October 27 program topic.  Judge Richard Goldenhersh (5^th District) said the appellate court hears “all kinds of cases, except death penalty cases” which are appealed directly to the Illinois Supreme Court.  He said the Appellate Court is “sort of an invisible court” because “we don’t retry, we review it.”  Each case is reviewed by a panel of three judges who study written briefs and hear oral arguments by opposing attorneys.  Judge Goldenhersh said rulings by the circuit courts “are usually upheld.”  We thank Leonard Berg for coordinating the program.

Women are like cell phones.  They like to be held and talked to, but push the wrong button and you’ll be disconnected.”

            Bill Vaughn

“Those who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do.”

            Terry Marchal

“Heredity is what sets the parents of a teenager wondering about each other.”

            Laurence J. Peter

“The trouble with jogging is that by the time you realize you’re not in shape for it, it’s too far to walk back.”

            Franklin P. Jones

“Asking politicians to give up a source of money is like asking Dracula to forsake blood.”

            Cal Thomas

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THE ROTARY MAKE-UP

 

Volume 26, Number 15 

October 27, 2008

 

Wood River Rotary welcomes Appellate Judge Richard Goldenhersh as today’s keynote speaker.  Judge Goldenhersh serves the Fifth District of Illinois.

 

Rotary’s Wood River Halloween Parade float featured a general Halloween theme.  We thank Allen Gaines for coordinating float assembly and driving the float.  Thanks to candy donors and to those who walked alongside the float handing out candy.

 

Two outstanding Roxana High School students are with us again today. Nicole Titus and Kristen Karpan are tied for highest grade point average in the class of 2009.   Kristen plans to major in biological sciences at SIUE to prepare for a career as an orthodontist. Nicole plans to major in mathematics at SIUE and become an actuary.

 

The Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Jeff Stassi, who is no longer employed by YTB.  The Board approved donations of $150 to VISION (the outdoor classroom plan coordinated by the Roxana School District) and $50 to Hope Center.  The Board allocated $99 to sponsor a special Veterans Day salute on WBGZ radio station.  Max Emery said Salvation Army Tree of Lights bell-ringing takes place Saturday, December 6 at Wal-Mart.

 

Last Monday Dan Powers provided the invocation and Jim Herndon introduced visitors.  David Ayres won $1 in the 50/50 drawing, but he failed to win the $275 jackpot.  Pat Devening (assisted by Kristen Karpan) fined Martha Billiter, those who did not participate in Rotary Trivia Night and those who failed to get a flu shot.  Back from Italy, Paul Guccione led singing of My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean and America, the Beautiful. Bethalto Rotary is taking orders for citrus. Please call Ken Harmon at 377-9330 for more information.

 

Disaster preparedness was the topic of the October 20 program.  Wood River Fire Chief Steve Alexander said the primary focus is on the aftermath of tornadoes and earthquakes.  He said local, state and federal agencies are “looking at a range (of emergencies) that could happen.  Steve urged households to be prepared to “handle their own needs for 72 hours.”  Necessary items would include bottled water, non-perishable food and basic first aid supplies.  We thank Jim Schneider for making arrangements for the program.

“Men want the same thing from their underwear that they want from women:  a little bit of support, and a little bit of freedom.”

            Jerry Seinfeld

“My family isn’t really Italian.  We’re more like Olive Garden Italian.”

            Mike Birbiglia

“They usually have two tellers in my local bank, except when it’s very busy, and then they have one.”

            Rita Rudner

“Never try to impress a woman.  Because it you do, she’ll expect you to keep up the standard for the rest of your life.”

            W.C. Fields

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THE ROTARY MAKE-UP

Volume 26, Number 14

October 20, 2008

 

Thank you to all who staged a very successful Rotary Trivia Night October 11.  The event earned a profit of about $1,800.  Thanks to Martha Billiter and Andy Dykeman for coordinating the event.  Thanks to John Pearson, Tommie Myers, Tyler Pitchford, Max Emery, George Tyler, Pat Devening, Nick Darr, David Ayres, Frank Akers and a few Rotary family members for helping with various chores.  Thanks to those who sponsored trivia rounds and to those who donated attendance prizes.  We thank Paul Harris Fellow Jim Stewart for donating 50/50 winnings to the Club and the championship trivia team of John and Julie Pearson, Dan Powers, Joe and Lee Ann Parmentier, and Ben Akers for donating winnings to the Club.

 

Allen Gaines invites Rotarians to meet at ServiceMaster warehouse at 5 p.m., Tuesday, October 21 to build the Rotary float.  Please invite young people from your family to wear costumes and ride in the Wood River Halloween Parade Saturday morning, October 25.  The lineup starts at 9:30 a.m. on streets adjacent to Emerick Sports Complex and the parade begins at 10:30 a.m.  You may bring candy donations to George Tyler’s office,

33 East Ferguson Avenue

. Bethalto Rotary now meets at 6:30 a.m., Wednesdays at Bethalto Senior Citizen’s Center, 110 East Central. Alton-Godfrey Rotary holds a steak fry at 6 p.m. tonight at Rolling Hills Golf Course Clubhouse.

 

Please welcome two outstanding Roxana High School students.  Kristen Karpan is tied for highest grade point average in the class of 2009.  Kristen serves as treasurer of Student Council.  A member of the National Honor Society, she has received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, Presidential Physical Fitness Award, George Eastman Young Leaders Award and Scholastic Achievement Award.  Kristen has participated in volleyball, basketball, Saturday Scholars, German Club, Science Club, R Club, History Club and Extreme Team.  She plans to major in biological sciences at SIUE to prepare for a career as an orthodontist.  Kristen’s parents are Randy and Donna Karpan.

 

Nicole Titus is tied for highest grade point average in the class of 2009.  A member of the National Honor Society, she has received recognition in Who’s Who Among U.S. High School Students, Math Student of the Year, Spanish Student of the Year and Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award.  Nicole has participated in band, TRIM, Science Club, Science Olympiad, Scholar Bowl, track and field, R Club, WYSE, Spanish Club, Saturday Scholars, Senior Olympiad and cross country.  Nicole plans to major in mathematics at SIUE and become an actuary.  Henry and Mary Titus are Nicole’s parents.  

 

Record rainfall last June broke levees on a lake near the Wabash and Embarras rivers inundating farmland and forcing evacuations of nearly 200 homes near Lawrenceville, Illinois.  Dan Powers told us about a mission trip by 32 members of First United Methodist Church of East Alton and five members of Gillespie United Methodist Church. Church members cleared debris from property and homes and worked to save items that were very important to residents. United Methodist Village in Lawrenceville housed the helpers during their trip.  We thank Dan for a very interesting program.

 

THE ROTARY MAKE-UP

 

Volume 26, Number 13

October 6, 2008

 

In honor of Columbus Day, Wood River Rotary won’t meet Monday, October 13.  The Board of Directors meeting will be postponed until 11:30 a.m., Monday, October 20.

 

Assembly of Wood River Rotary’s Halloween Parade float begins at 5 p.m., Tuesday, October 7.  Allen Gaines coordinates the float building effort at ServiceMaster, near the intersection of Routes 111 and 140 in Bethalto.  Additional float building sessions are set for October 14 and 21.  The Wood River Halloween Parade will be held Saturday morning, October 25.  Please bring candy donations to future meetings or to George Tyler’s office,

33 East Ferguson Avenue

.

 

This is last call for Wood River Rotary Trivia Night.  Doors open at 6 p.m. and competition starts at 7 p.m., Saturday evening, October 11 at Sgt. Pepper’s Restaurant, 144 East Ferguson.  The cost is $80 per table with a maximum of eight players.  Sponsorships may be purchased for $25 per round.  Martha Billiter (254-8445) and Andy Dykeman (259-2676) seek volunteers to help with set-up, check-in, judging and to donate prizes.

 

Bethalto Rotary has a new meeting place and time.  Jeff Dyer said the club now meets at 6:30 a.m., Wednesdays at Bethalto Senior Center.  Frank Grazier of Bethalto won the recent Bethalto Rotary Cruise Raffle.  He took the money rather than cruise.  Wood River Women’s Club is selling pecans for $7.50 per bag.  Martha Billiter has more info.

 

Best wishes to Junior Rotarians Trey Stille and Jessica Parmentier who brought delicious cookies to last Monday’s meeting.  Jessica said that she “enjoyed learning all the new songs” and finding out about the people Rotary helps.  Trey said that is was “an honor” to attend Rotary and met “prominent figures in the community.”

 

In the absence of hairless President Nick Darr, Vice President Martha Billiter presided over last Monday’s meeting.  Scott Levan provided the invocation and Secretary Jim Herndon introduced visitors.  Patti Anderson failed to draw the $246 jackpot winning card in the 50/50.  Pat Devening fined Sam Brinkley, Tommie Myers, herself and those who failed to wear a Rotary badge.  Jim Herndon paid a $5 “happy fine” to announce the birth of his granddaughter.  Pat Devening led singing of It’s a Small World.

 

Random drug testing at East Alton-Wood River Community High School is aimed at students who compete in sports or participate in most extracurricular activities.  Superintendent John Pearson said the Board of Education approved the drug testing policy in 2001, but this is the first year the school has had funding to implement it. Only two of 340 students tested to date have registered positive. When a positive result occurs, the student and parents are questioned about prescription medications that could trigger a “false positive” and the sample is sent to a second lab.  The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that public schools may not test students involved in activities for academic credit, such as band.  John said drug testing serves as a “deterrent…to diagnose (a problem) and get kids help.”

THE ROTARY MAKE-UP

 

Volume 26, Number 12

September 29, 2008 

 

How many Wood River Rotary Trivia Nights have been held?  I don’t know, but the next one takes place Saturday evening, October 11 at Sgt. Pepper’s Restaurant, 144 East Ferguson.  The cost is $80 per table with a maximum of eight players.  Sponsorships may be purchased for $25 per round.  Martha Billiter (254-8445) and Andy Dykeman (259-2676) seek volunteers to help with set-up, check-in, judging and to donate prizes.

 

The deadline is nearing to obtain a personalized full color digital Rotary banner for $25 minimum.  The offer is good only through the end of September.  Please contact Patti Anderson at 259-5599 or patti@andersons.cc for information on how to design your banner. 

 

President Nick Darr regrets that he had only one head of hair to lose for children’s cancer research.  Nick had his head shaved during a St. Baldrick’s Foundation event to raise money for childhood cancer research.  To donate to Shave the Way to Conquer Kids’ Cancer you may call 1-888-899-BALD or pledge online (in honor of Nick) at www.StBaldricks.org.

 

This is Speech Day for Junior Rotarians Jessica Parmentier and Trey Stille of East Alton-Wood River Community High School.  Trey plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University and “pursue a career teaching PE and coaching football.”  Jessica plans to “go to medical school and become a pediatrician.”

 

Have you submitted information for the updated Wood River Rotary Directory? Please complete your personal information sheet and give it to Martha Billiter.  Allow George Tyler to take your photo.  If you have completed these tasks please review and proofread information that you provided.

 

Last Monday Jim Herndon supplied the invocation and Martha Billiter introduced visitors.  Martha won $1 in the 50/50 drawing, but she failed to draw the $236 jackpot winning Queen of Hearts.  Pat Devening fined Nick Darr, John Pearson, herself and those who did not attend the Wood River Centennial Picnic/Fireworks.  John led singing of In the Good Old Summer Time and Vive Le Rotary.

 

Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation was the September 22 program topic. Joan Spiegel said that the organization provides free legal help to low-income people.  The Alton office serves residents of Madison County and several counties to the north.  The highest demand is for cases involving family law (domestic violence, orders of protection, child custody, etc.), housing (evictions, foreclosures, etc.) and consumer law (debt collection, repossession, garnishments, etc.).  Joan said that she is grateful for donations of money and legal representation by attorneys (including Leonard Berg).  We thank Leonard and Tommie Myers for coordinating the program.

“Somebody gave me a shower radio.  Thanks a lot.  Do you really want music in the shower?  I guess there’s no better place to dance than a slick surface next to glass door.”

            Jerry Seinfeld

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THE ROTARY MAKE-UP

 

Volume 26, Number 11

September 22, 2008 

 

Wood River Rotary welcomed District 6460 Governor Dick Passmore last Monday.  A Macomb Rotarian, DG Dick met with club officers, directors and committee chairpersons.  His keynote address focused on the theme “Make Dreams Real.” DG Dick sold $20 shares through the Rotary Foundation to provide food, clean water and sanitation, preventive health care and literacy to children in Kobi-Madaki, Nigeria.  He used the word “toilets” seven times during his presentation—a new record for a district governor.

 

Thanks to Patti Anderson personalized full color digital Rotary banners are available for $25 minimum.  The offer is good only through the end of September.  Please contact Patti at 259-5599 or patti@andersons.cc for information on how to design your banner. 

 

President Nick Darr will have his head shaved during a St. Baldrick’s Foundation event to raise money for childhood cancer research.  Shave the Way to Conquer Kids’ Cancer takes place from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, September 25 at

Alton Square

. Nick will collect pledge forms and contributions in person.  You may also call 1-888-899-BALD or pledge online at www.StBaldricks.org click on “donate” and search for Nick by filling in his first and last name under “Find a Participant.”

 

Have you met our Junior Rotarians from East Alton-Wood River Community High School?  Trey Stille plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University and “pursue a career teaching PE and coaching football.”  Jessica Parmentier plans to “go to medical school and become a pediatrician.”

 

Efforts continue to update the Wood River Rotary Directory. Please complete your personal information sheet and give it to Martha Billiter.  Allow George Tyler to take your photo.  If you have completed these tasks please review and proofread information that you provided.

 

Wood River Rotary Trivia Night takes place Saturday evening, October 11 at Sgt. Pepper’s Restaurant,

144 East Ferguson Avenue

.  The cost is $80 per table with a maximum of 8 players. Sponsorships may be purchased for $25 per round.  Please e-mail your logo to

John Pearson.  Martha Billiter and Andy Dykeman seek volunteers to help with set-up, check-in, judging and to donate prizes.

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THE ROTARY MAKE-UP

 

Volume 26, Number 9

September 8, 2008 

 

Please welcome Mishawaka, Indiana, Rotarian Ed Mattson as today’s guest speaker.  Ed serves as Ambassador of Goodwill for Humanitarian Services Rotarian Action Group (HSRAG).  Ed and his wife have helped with nearly 100 humanitarian aid projects in Eastern Europe, South America, Africa and the South Pacific.

 

Rotary District 6460 Governor Dick Passmore will visit our Club on Monday, September 15.  Club officers, directors and committee chairs should set aside some time prior to the regular meeting to meet with DG Dick. 

 

Two volunteer opportunities are being coordinated by John Pearson.  Adopt A Highway begins at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, September 13.  Please meet at the city parking lot at Second and Madison (Route 143).  Depending upon the number of volunteers litter pickup usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

 

Rotarians and Kiwanis club members will serve as parking attendants during the Wood River Centennial Picnic/Fireworks at Belk Park.  The event begins at 5 p.m., Saturday, September 20 and wraps up with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.  The Bob Kuban Band and Wood River Muny Band are among the featured performers.

 

If you have not already done so, please complete your personal information sheet and give it to Martha Billiter.  Allow George Tyler to take your photo.  These steps are aimed at updating the Wood River Rotary Directory.

 

Wood River Rotary Trivia Night takes place Saturday evening, October 11 at Sgt. Pepper’s Restaurant,

144 East Ferguson Avenue

.  Each Rotarian is asked to recruit a team or combine efforts with another Rotarian.  A team may have a maximum of 8 players.  This is one of our major fund raising projects and we need the help of every Rotarian.

 

Vice President Martha Billiter presided over the August 25 meeting in the absence of President Nick Darr.  Frank Akers provided the invocation and Secretary Jim Herndon introduced visitors. Mark Cappel won $1 in the 50/50 drawing, but he did not draw the $192 jackpot winning Queen of Hearts. Sgt. at Arms Pat Devening fined those who did not attend Business After Hours at Wood River Aquatic Center.  “Happy fines” were paid by Martha Billiter (for the college graduation of her daughter) and John Pearson (to celebrate his wedding anniversary with Julie).   Margo Barnett led singing of In the Good Old Summer Time and I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad.

 

A May 2008 trip to New York City was outlined in image and narration by George Moore.  George said the “biggest reason (for the trip) was to go to a Yankees game” during the final season of the current Yankee Stadium.  George and his wife also attended a Mets game, two Broadway productions (Lion King and Hairspray) and Late Night with David Letterman.  They toured the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and NBC studios.  We thank George for a very interesting program.

“The vice presidency is like the last cookie on the plate.  Everybody insists he won’t take it, but somebody always does.”            Bill Vaughn