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April 17th Meeting
Committee Meetings
 
     The April 17th meeting is set aside for Committee meetings.  Committee chairs will contact their members to remind them of the meeting.  If you are not assigned to a specific committee, feel free to join us for lunch a d sit in on a committee meeeting.
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April 24th Meeting 
 
 
Composting in Your Backyard
 
Rotarians Help Save Our Planet
 
     In celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd, we have invited Jessie Crow Mermel to come and share her knowledge and show us how to do composting in our own backyard.
     Jessie loves to nurture opportunities for people to experience wonder and awe in the natural world. She graduated with a degree in Sustainability Studies but is driven to go deeper than sustainability and study systems of regeneration, restoration/re-storying, and rewilding. Jessie wears several hats, all dedicated to her passion for caring for the Earth and community. She is an Educator at Farmers Rising (formerly Angelic Organics Learning Center), a Master Naturalist, a field representative for Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves, and a worker-owner of Nettle Curbside Compost. She also leads women's circles and mindfulness experiences in nature.
     Jessie loves to help people think about our connection to the soil and choices in food systems as a solution to climate change. She has a wanderlust for exploring the natural world by canoe, foot, or bicycle and loves to indulge in camping and backpacking.
     This will be an interesting and educational program in addition to being a timely one with all of the interest in "Saving Our Planet".  This will be an opportunity to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Memorial Hall or via Zoom.  Russ Johansson will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary Host.  
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High School Recognition Recap
  At our April 10th meeting, we recognized a female and male student from nine area high schools along with faculty members.  Burdette Anderson's daughters Linda Oshita and Sue Vetrono announced that due to the excellent portfolio management of the Burdette Anderson Scholarship Fund, the amount of the two scholarships will be raised to $4,000 each.  Congratulations to the students and their parents and also thank you to the committee for putting on another great High School Recognition Program.  Anda special thanks to Tom Clabough for the pictures.
 
 
 President Mike Foreman welcomes everyone to our annual High School Recognition program
 
 Chairperson Helen Hill congratulates the students and explains how the program will proceed.
 
Roosevelt - Host Linda Johnson, Mahalia Seward and Quinn Brown
 
Rockford Lutheran - Host Kathy Kwiat-Hess, Landon Schoenweiss, and Claire James.
 
Rockford Christian - Host Liz Dickinson and Savana Halfman.  Kyle Breon was not able to attend.
 
 Hononegah - Host Eric Moe, Owen Zeiter, and Emerson Czizek 
 
 Harlem - Mackenzie Erickson, Host Mary Ann Norwood, and Bryson Berry
 
 Guilford - Host Becky Rundquist, Madelynn Reinagle, and Aly Fouda
 
  
East - Host Paul Von Driska and Makya Knox.  Jovanni Ortega could not attend.
 
 Boylan - Host Roger Maggio, Jayden Bali, and Megan Larson.
 
 Auburn - Host Mike Foreman, Gian Sasan, and Megan Green.
 
 Scholarship Winners - Linda Oshita, Bryson Berry from Harlem, Megan Larson from Boylan, and Sue Vetrono.
 
 
 
 
 
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Memorial Hall Daffodils
 
     Several years ago, the Sustainability Committee chaired by Russ Johansson and Tyler Smith planted daffodils on the south side of Memorial Hall.  Many Rotarians helped with this project.
 
     Photo courtesy of Liz Dickinson.  Thanks Liz.
 
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Meeting Responsibilities
 
April 24, 2025
Greeter - Sedrick Robinson
Invocator - Daniel Ross
 
May 1, 2025
Greeter - Denise Noe
Invocator - Liz Dickinson
 
May 8, 2025
Greeter - Suzanne Shelain
Invocator - TBD
 
May 15, 2025
Greeter - Stephanie Bradley
Invocator - TBD
 
May 22, 2025
Greeter - TBD
Invocator - Jeffrey Smith
 
May 29, 2025
Greeter - Tyler Smith
Invocator - Uma Srivastava
April Rotary Happy Hour
 
 
Rotary Happy Hour
 
     Our April Rotary Happy Hour will be on April 24th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Carlyle Brewing Company at 215 E. State Street.
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Rockford FC Player Excels
 
U23 Rockford FC player, Anthony Martinez receives a call up for the USMNT CP program 
 
     Rockford FC is proud to announce the call up of Anthony Martinez to a very prestigious select group of players, the USMNT CP camp. Read below an interview done with Anthony and what he had to say about the call up and the events that have transpired.

-Anthony, how do you feel to have been called up to the USMNT CP program?

A. I am truly grateful and honored for this call-up and feel prepared to seize the opportunity presented to me.

-What do you expect to accomplish with this call-up?

A. My goal is to attend this camp, demonstrate my abilities, and subsequently earn a spot to compete in the "2025 Copa America" this October in Uruguay. I aspire to continue receiving call-ups for future events while representing the U.S. Men's National Team CP.

-How has your family impacted this call-up?

A- My family has played a crucial role in this call-up. My mother has always been my strongest supporter, consistently urging me to pursue soccer. Additionally, my siblings, who have all played soccer, have pushed me to improve, ensuring that I remain challenged and motivated.

-Do you feel there is enough awareness with regards to programs that can help players such as yourself?

A- While significant progress has been made, there remains much work to be done.

Many children with CP face challenges in accessing youth programs, often needing to travel to cities with such offerings. Increasing awareness of these programs can facilitate the development of more accessible opportunities in various communities.

-If you could say something to the Rockford community, what would it be and why.

A- I would like to express my gratitude to the Rockford community, particularly the great soccer community here. We are fortunate to have excellent soccer programs and facilities, and I appreciate the consistent support in providing a space to play.

-How have programs such as Rockford FC helped you in your process.

A- Rockford FC has been instrumental in allowing me to train, enhance my skills, and engage in competitive play. Being part of a remarkable team, especially following our best season where we earned a State Championship Cup in the GCSL has been an enriching experience that has motivated me to strive for even greater in the upcoming season. Rockford FC sponsors have helped people like us behind the scene, they contribute to programs such as Rockford FC to have a team and represent our city across different areas. Companies like Lonnie's Carpet Max, Gambino, Eye Deal Optical, Atkins Electric, Retool, Quest7 and many more, they are the best help we players have.

-To close up, send a message to aspiring kids across the nation, kids that one day could potentially look up to you and say I too can do it!

A- I encourage everyone to pursue their dreams and dedicate themselves to their goals. When faced with doubt from others about your abilities, maintain confidence in yourself and the determination to prove them wrong.

 

 
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Future Programs
Future Programs
 
04/24/25 - Composting Your Own Backyard
               - Jessie Crow Mermel 
               - Host - Russ Johansson
 
05/01/25 - Uplifting Rockford with Art & Music
               - Victor "Vic" Rivera
               - Host - Samir Romero
 
05/08/25 - RYLA: Rotary Youth Leadership Academy
               - Speaker - TBD
               - Host - TBD
 
05/15/25 - Committee Meetings
 
05/22/25 - Rockford University Update
               - Dr. Patricia Lynott, RU President
               - Host - Mike Foreman
 
05/29/25 - RPD Equine Center
               - Kayla Tilly, Program Manager
               - Host - Mary Ann Norwood
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Reminder to Pay for Lunch
 
Reminder to Pay for Lunch
 
     A gentle reminder that you please pay for your lunch, $200 for March, April, May, and June. You can pay by credit card or send a check to our treasurer, Monica Glenny. If you bring your own lunch, you can opt out by not paying the $200.00. If you have any questions, or if you only want the lunches for a specific month, please tell Bob Canfield, 815-968-7200 or canfilaw@sbcglobal.net .
 
Thank you!
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Weekly RI Foundation Message
 
Each week we will be publishing a message from the Rotary International Foundation.  This week's message is:
 
WORDS FROM A VOCATIONAL TRAINING TEAM PARTICIPANT
 
“With a [vocational training team], you also develop professional relationships between skilled individuals on both sides. The level of interpersonal engagement can’t be duplicated in another type of activity; the team members are not just colleagues but friends.”
 
Ron Smith, past governor of District 7430 (Pennsylvania)
 
Learn more about PDG Ron Smith’s experience in leading a vocational training team. 
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Apr 24, 2025
Composting Your Own Backyard
May 01, 2025
Uplifting Rockford with Arts & Music
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Upcoming Events
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May 20, 2025
 
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Tyler Smith
April 1
 
Eric Moe
April 4
 
Lori Gummow
April 5
 
Kent Mallquist
April 14
 
Michele Pankow
April 16
 
John Fridh
April 20
 
Michael Foreman
April 20
 
Tom owski
April 24
 
Join Date
Suzanne Berger
April 1, 1990
35 years
 
Dennis Horton
April 11, 2019
6 years
 
Teri Watts
April 11, 2013
12 years
 
Laura Eakman
April 18, 2024
1 year
 
Wray Howard
April 28, 1983
42 years
 
Meeting Responsibilities
Meeting Greeters
 
April 24, 2025
Robinson, Sedrick
 
May 1, 2025
Noe, Denise
 
May 8, 2025
Shelain, Suzanne
 
May 15, 2025
Scardon Bradley, Stephanie
 
May 22, 2025
 
May 29, 2025
Smith, Tyler
 
Meeting Invocators
 
April 24, 2025
Ross, Daniel
 
May 1, 2025
Dickinson, Elizabeth
 
May 8, 2025
 
May 15, 2025
 
May 22, 2025
Smith, Jeff
 
May 29, 2025
Srivastava, Uma
 
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