Rotary Club of Lombard Newsletter

The Lilac Rotarian
May 14, 2007
Volume Forty-Nine, Number Ten

Rotary Corner - Chamber of Commerce "Business After Hours"
After a sampling of Casey's munchies on April 12, President Rick started off the festivities with a brief speech about Rotary. Each of the board members provided a description of what their office does to benefit the Club. Deb Allen and Dennis McNicholas, (although mostly Dennis) spoke about international efforts and more specifically our recycled bicycle and Haiti (four wells) projects. Both projects were worthy of admiration from the guests in attendance. Equally impressive, the Scholarship Committee spoke to the ten local scholarships that are awarded each year in May. The Fun and Funds Committee talked about the Reverse Raffle, which funds the majority of those scholarships, as well as a number of social events that are held throughout the year. Sergeant Dan noted that his job is to empty the pockets of the members to help finance food baskets, local charitable requests, and the like. In then midst of his description, he noted that President Rick served as a visual aid since his phone went off during Chamber Director Monica Brown's presentation. The festivities were especially joyous with the announcement of mom Jean Nolan giving birth to Benjamin John on April 11.

April Board Meeting Highlights - On April 19, the Board approved an additional scholarship request from the Youth Services Committee to recognize an extremely deserving student. Bob Mertz appeared before the board to request a change of venue for a meeting to be held at Beacon Hill next September. He did note that there is limited parking among several other noteworthy historical anecdotes. Dennis McNicholas reported that he is working on a challenge to complete fundraising for a fifth well and that the bicycle recycling program will be held on Saturday, September 15. Bob McBride noted that the scholarship luncheon will be at Villa Nova on May 24 and that two Glenbard East students recently returned from RYLA and will make a presentation on May 3. Mike Fugiel reported that the Club is sponsoring two little league teams this season: the Junior A Cubs and the Senior A Cardinals. Steve Flint noted that the Installation Dinner will be held at Weber Grill on June 28. A lengthy discussion was held to move the starting times of board meetings back to 11:30 a.m. on a trial basis.

Welcome To Our Speakers - On April 19, we were joined by Ivan Rodriguez of World Vision who spoke about sponsoring children in 3rd world countries. He gave kudos to the Club for the work we do on wells in Haiti and noted that the wells have World Vision signs on them. On
April 26, Dennis McNicholas wowed the crowd with good friend George Tessia elaborating on the French Wine Market in a global economy. As previously noted, Abel Velasco and Brittany Nelson recalled their RYLA experiences on May 3. On May 10, Pete O'Conner took a vacation from hosting a speaker on May 10 so everyone was let out early to enjoy the good weather.

Announcements - On April 19, President Rick reviewed the highlights (see above) of the board meeting. On April 26, President Rick scooped the press with an update on the demolition status hearing at the DuPage Theater. He suggested watching the early edition news for an update. Dan Tufano noted that he recently visited Bill Moran and that encouraged everyone to stop over and say hey. Bob Carter sent kudos to Dennis McNicholas for his efforts in a recent bike benefit. On May 3, Bob McBride plugged the Scholarship Luncheon scheduled for May 24. Dennis McNicholas was looking for divine intervention on wells #3 and #4 in Haiti as well as some help with the Bike Collection Day scheduled for September 15. On May 10, Bob McBride highlighted the upcoming scholarship luncheon (May 24) and invoked everyone to attend the event. Gary Bird noted that $150,000 was given to a family in need to purchase groceries, a new house and a better vehicle. On the health watch, it was noted that Gary Heppe recently underwent surgery and that school board member Dave Brown had recently experienced a medical pit stop.

Fines & Happy Fines - On April 19, Ron Mensching paid up for no pin and Greg Young paid for missing the board meeting. Late fees were paid by Jim Blanche for the Board Meeting and Doc Arndt for lunch. Brian Johnson and Gary Bird were but mere seconds late for the bell and paid anyway. Table fines included two lawyers (McNicholas and Gessner), two educators (Mensching and the scooting Bob McBride), and two Gary's in the form of Smit and Heppe. Ralph Schweppe kicked off a happy fine for John Nolan being a grandpa one more time and Rich Gallicchio has happy that tax season is over and even happier that he got a haircut that was missed by the absent John Nolan. Steve Flint was happy that son Chad turned 17. Jim Blanche noted that Pleasant Lane School won a National Contest where a teacher and student will go to Paris as the prize. Sergeant Dan admits that this story could be out of context due to fading memory. Pete O'Connor volunteered for the trip to Paris if no one else could go…Nice try Pierre. The festivities ended with two birthdays including Marge Topel and Kim Pede. The fine master paid for missing Kim's special day to an old list or perhaps that memory problem. Rich Gallicchio, Doc Arndt, Steve Flint and Connie Gessner were all late on April 26. Deb Allen and Bob Harris paid up for two directors at the same table and Scott MacKay got squeezed for missing a pin. Deb Allen got to give again for being cited for missing the board meeting. Bob Whitacre initiated happy fines noting his 63rd wedding anniversary and John Nolan called for a moment of silence for Kay. Pete O'Conner, ever the banker, was happy about the LaSalle buy out. John Nolan was happy about his new grandson and Bob Mertz was happy not to be wet and hungry. Dennis McNicholas was happy to be entertaining long time friends from France and Dan Tufano was happy to buy his dad lunch. The festivities ended on a happy birthday note on behalf of Deb Allen. Late Fines on May 3 included Connie Gessner, Doc Arndt and Bob Carter. Pete O'Conner was less happy about being a banker since he got fined for sitting at the same table as Marge Topel. Bob McBride and Ron Mensching paid the two educators table fine shortly thereafter. Picture fines included President Rick (2) and Deb Allen and Ron Mensching and ADG McGurr were short on badges. Jim Blanche was happy that the 4th Graders at Parkview School were having an awards pizza party tonight and that the Westlake Concert Band was headed to competition at the U of I. The Tribune made Bob Whitacre a happy guy as they picked up on the aforementioned anniversary celebration. Dan Tufano and Kim Pede fell a bit short in celebrating 29 and 21 years of wedded bliss…apparently not to each other. Kim's daughter also recently turned 17. Mike Fugiel noted that despite a few curve balls from Mother Nature, Lilacia Park is nearing full bloom and looks great once again. The festivities concluded with a rendition of Happy Birthday in honor of Steve Flint. May 10 was quite memorable as Kathy Volpe qualified for the daily double for a missing pin and being late trying to find it. Rich Gallicchio joined her for a pin violation and Bob McBride just missed the bell and was late. Picture fines were paid by Jim Blanche and Chief Seagraves. Bob McBride was really happy that the Mock Trial Team from Glenbard East has already won the state championship and was on their way to Dallas to compete for the National Crown. Dennis McNicholas was happy that Bob Carter had the time to help make the "Ride for Reed" a success and that he was on the cusp of discouraging a member of the Mock Trial Team from being a lawyer. Brian Johnson was happy that his granddaughter had overcome a broken arm to win a recent badminton meet.

Honored Guests - Apparently there were no guests on April 19 while Victor Tufano and baby Benjamin John joined us on April 26. Hank Thiele from Ludington was on hand May 3 although he promised to be absent for awhile as the weather has improved on the east shore of Lake Michigan. It was also Assistant District Governor Day as Bill McGurr handed over the switch to Linda Zirwin. Bill is done with his three year hitch and Linda will begin working with President Flint this summer. Addison Rotary Member and Lombard Resident Bill Schab joined the group on May 10 and plugged the upcoming Mutt Strut.

Object of Rotary - or Be Reminded - The first regular (Thursday) meeting of every month is "Food or $5" as members will have the choice of bringing a food item to help supply for the Food Pantry or pay a $5 fine to support First Things First. When a speaker is not scheduled on the first Thursday of each month, the time will be spent in quality fellowship and member to member interaction.

Birthday Celebrations - Recent and upcoming birthday celebrations of note include:

Deb Allen April 25
Art Karnatz April 30
Steve Flint May 2
John Brust May 6
Ron Mensching May 11
George Goetschel May 17
Bob Carter May 23
Pete O'Connor June 10
Bill Moran June 15
Dennis McNicholas June 17
Kathy Volpe June 21
Paul Arndt July 11

Weekly Raffle - With over $920 in the pot on April 26, Guest George went fishing for the table. Things could have gone better in pulling the still elusive Six of Diamonds as he took out the Eight of Diamonds. Jim Blanche represented the table and pulled out the Ten of Diamonds on May 3. Kim Pede stepped up to the plate, on behalf of her table, on May 10 to take a stab at the $975. In a serious effort, she took out the Eight of Hearts.

Mark Your Calendars -

Scholarship Luncheon on May 24 at Villa Nova
Installation Dinner on June 28 at Weber Grill

Check the Website - Take the time to visit the newly revised www.lombardrotary.com to see the latest edition of this newsletter as well as other information relating to our Club. If you have any additional features that you would like to see posted, please send it my way….thanks!

Board Meeting - The next Board Meeting is May 17 at 11:30 a.m. at Casey's preceding the normal luncheon.

 
 




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2004 Rotary Club of Lombard