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Cynthia Drollinger - Major Donor
 
L-R - President Eric, DG Laura Kann, Cynthia Drollinger, PDG and District
          Foundation Chair, and Bob Canfield, Rockford Rotary Foundation Chair.
 
Major Donor Cynthia Drollinger
 
     Congratulations to Cynthia Drollinger for achieving Major Donor Level 2 in her contributions to The Rotary Foundation. Achieving this level is no small task. An individual needs to have contributed $25,000 cumulatively to the Foundation.
     Contributions to the Foundation go toward doing good in our community and around the world. Projects ranging from building schools for girls to eradicating diseases like Polio to contributing toward peace and conflict resolution are assured of continuing because of the dedication of Rotarians like Cynthia.
     Attending the meeting on Thursday to recognize Cynthia’s achievement was DG Laura Kann. Kathy KwiatHess in her role as District Rotary Foundation Chair presented Cynthia with her Major Donor Level 2 pin. President Eric and Club Foundation Chair Bob Canfield were on hand to congratulate Cynthia as well. We can all be inspired by this ongoing generosity!
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October 13th Program
 
Anderson Garden Road Trip
 
     Our October 13th Rotary Meeting will be held at Anderson Japanese Gardens at 318 Spring Creek Rd.
     A group of us will be meeting for lunch at 11:00 AM at Fresco's, which is the restaurant at The Gardens.  If you would like to join the group for lunch, please call 815-316-2256 and make a reservation.  Mention that you will be with the Rockford Rotary.  We will be seated as a group, and we will order off of the menu. 
     Our Rotary meeting will begin at 12 noon, and we will be meeting in the conference room in the lower level at the visitor's center.
     Catherine Marsh will be our speaker and her topic will be "Patterns and Rhythms in Nature That Inspire Gardens and Architecture".  Catherine started her horticulture career as a greenhouse manager for Village Green on N Main in the late 90s, but then married, had children, and stayed home with her 3 girls for a decade.
     During that time, she volunteered throughout Rockford: as a Master Gardener, on the City of Gardens committee, and with our neighborhood group.
     When my youngest went to Kindergarten, I went back to school and graduated from Kishwaukee Community College in 2014 with a Greenhouse Management Degree, Construction and Design Degree and a certificate in Sustainability.
     My position with Anderson Japanese Gardens started in 2012 as part of an internship program through Kish. I currently work as a horticulturist and development assistant for AJG, specializing in horticulture therapy and social media content. In December 2017, I won a Confluence Award for my collaboration work with Rosecrance, a drug addiction facility for youth. I’ve presented at a National NAJGA conference, sharing my passion for connecting youth to nature.
     In 2018, I became an Associate Adjunct Professor at Kishwaukee Community College teaching Identification classes, Design classes and Sustainability. I truly love being involved with today’s youth. Their enthusiasm and passion is contagious.
     After the presentation, Rotary members will be encouraged to walk through the garden as guests of Anderson Gardens to enjoy the beauty of the gardens.  If you have any questions, contact JoAn Todd - jrubytodd@gmail.com or 815-218-5042.
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October 20th Program
 
Thayer Energy Solutions, in Rockford, serves both the residential and commercial markets, including auto dealerships.
Dan Brzozowski, GM at Anderson BMW/Mazda Crystal Lake (left) is seen here with Chuck Meyers, EVC specialist at Thayer Energy Solutions.
 
Is There an Electric Car in  Your Future? 
 
     For years, electric vehicles were said to be just around the corner. Now, they’re here, moving from niche to mainstream, with their listen-or-you’ll-miss-it, and with no need for gas, oil changes or emissions tests ever. again.  The revolution is happening in a time of high gas prices and amid worries about stable energy sources fueled by the war in Ukraine.
      Chuck Meyers, Electric Vehicle Specialist for Thayer Energy Solutions. He will shed some light to get you plugged in with the upcoming technology on electric vehicles (EV’S) and the charging networks powering our nation. for the home and/or workplace.
      Chuck will talk about the (EV) and (EVC) industry to discuss the advancements in technology, range anxiety, chargers in America, cost, performance, & environmental benefits as well as exciting new electric vehicle models rolling out today.  Get ready to be plugged in! 
     Chuck has proudly served in the local fire service for 18 years as an Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal Fire Investigator & Fire Inspector. With a passion for Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Planning.  
     Chuck has various certifications from IEMA, FEMA, and Homeland Security and enjoys planning for the mindset of what could go wrong and making decisions to never have to be in a bad situation!
     Mitigating issues from cyber security & electrical safety allows Chuck to sleep easy at night.  As being a Rockford Chamber –2015 Leadership Rockford Moderator – networking to the extreme is his flavor of choice!
     Chuck has immersed himself in the revolution of (EV’S) and the charging networks behind them!
     You will be educated and can ask questions at the end of this presentation.
     This will be an interesting and informative program and one to invite a prospective member or guest to join us at Memorial or via zoom.  Mary Ann Norwood will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary host.
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Social Events
 
ROCKFORD ROTARY SOCIAL EVENTS
 
 
 Friday, October 21, 10 am we will have a Rotary Tour of Tinker Cottage. There is a charge of $7 for the tour. The house will be decorated for Halloween, and the tour will last about 90 minutes. We plan to follow with a lunch at Ernie’s Midtown Pub. A signup sheet will be available at the meetings or email runkymom@comcast.net.
 
 
Sunday, December 11, 3:30 pm we will have a tour of the Laurent House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for a Rockford family who had a wheelchair-bound father! The tour will cost $20 and will be followed up with drinks and appetizers. More info to follow.
 
PLEASE ATTEND THESE INFORMATIONAL AND FUN EVENTS
 
GUESTS ARE WELCOME!
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Upcoming Service Projects
 
 
Upcoming Service Projects
 
     Rockford Rotary has several opportunities to serve our local area and people around the world!
     Please join us as our motto is SERVICE ABOVE SELF.
 
     RPS 205 Academy Expo is Wednesday, October 19 at the Indoor Sports Center,8800 E. Riverside Blvd, Loves Park. RPS 205 freshmen participate in the expo each year to learn from industry experts and see where each College and Career pathway can lead. Volunteers are needed from 12-3 (lunch is included) to guide students through the areas. To signup, email Becky Rundquist, runkymom@comcast.net.

     Northern Illinois Food Bank –  Friday, October 28
     9-11 am – Stock shelves
     12:30-3 pm – Distribute food at the Community Market
     A signup sheet will be available at Rotary meetings or email runkymom@comcast.net.
 
     Rotary Environmental Committee will help repurpose an old playground near Welsh School into a flower garden. More information to follow.
 
     THANK YOU!!!
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Four New Members
 
Jennifer, Caitlyn, Eric, Courtney and Suzanne.
 
     At our September 15th meeting, President Eric welcomed 4 new members to Rockford.  They are all employees of Furst Staffing and come in with a Corporate Membership.  The new members are Jennifer Furst, Caitlyn Steiner, Courtney Joy, and Suzanne Shelain.
     They hold various leadership positions within Furst Staffing and were all sponsored by Darlene Furst who is CEO of Furst Staffing and a Past President of Rockford Rotary.
     We would encourage our members to make an effort to meet our new members and welcome them to Rockford Rotary.  We will be publishing more information about our new members in future issues of the COG. 
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Oct 06, 2022
Overview of 2022 RI Convention
Oct 13, 2022
Field Trip and Lecture at Anderson Gardens
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Oct 18, 2022
 
Board Meetings
Nov 15, 2022
 
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Jim Nelson
October 5
 
John Larsen
October 12
 
Lynn Momberger
October 14
 
John Anderson
October 17
 
Jim Powers
October 18
 
John Torrence
October 18
 
Daniel Ross
October 30
 
Bob Presman
October 31
 
Join Date
Alex Stagnaro-Green
October 9, 2014
8 years
 
Dick Lunde
October 16, 1975
47 years
 
Shondra McLarty
October 22, 2021
1 year
 
Cynthia Drollinger
October 25, 1991
31 years
 
Jeff Smith
October 27, 2016
6 years
 
Tyler Smith
October 27, 2016
6 years
 
Darlene Furst
October 28, 1994
28 years
 
Karl Jacobs
October 28, 1971
51 years
 
Meeting Responsibilities
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Rockford Rotary - Our 107th Year - www.rockfordrotary.org