Miles Neilsen performed a benefit concert for the Children of Brovary, Ukraine, Rockford's Sister City. The concert was sponsored by Rockford Rotary and held at Memorial Hall. Attendees enjoyed food from two Food Trucks and the Vee Dubs cocktail truck. The fundraising committee did a terrific job putting this together on short notice.
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.
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.
Rotary Environmental Committee will help repurpose an old playground near Welsh School into a flower garden. More information to follow.
Northern Illinois Food Bank: Watch the announcements for more opportunities to help our neighbors in need. We plan to schedule at least one time per month.
RPS 205 Academy Expo is Wednesday, October 19 at the Indoor Sports Center. 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 to guide students through the areas. Signups will be available as the event approaches.
Here is the information on the "Delightful Daffodil" project sponsored by the Rotary Sustainability Committee, chaired by Russ Johansson.
DELIGHTFUL DAFFODILS
• Buy high-quality daffodil bulbs from Rockford Rotary and donate half for Memorial Hall’s new daffodil garden! Keep the other half for your garden, or give them all to Rotary, or give to family and friends.
• 100 bulbs from Holland are just $50 (in bags of 50). Large, firm bulbs are selected by Rotarian Tyler Smith, Certified Nurseryman and past president of Illinois Landscape Contractors Association.
• Daffodils are a sure sign of early spring, a welcome sight after a long winter. Plus, they are deer-resistant, hardy and easy to care for.
• Please order by Sept. 30 for early October delivery.
• Write your check to “Rockford Rotary Club” and mail to P.O. 1323, Rockford IL 61105
or bring the check to a Rotary meeting.
• Bulb pickup at Memorial Hall on Oct. 15. Perhaps some could stay and help us plant?
• You can help plant bulbs on Saturday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m. Rain date Oct. 22. Bring a shovel and dress appropriately.
• Delightful Daffodil is a project of Rockford Rotary’s Sustainability Committee.
Any questions, contact Russ Johansson - warrior44russ@gmail.com
Thank you for your help to beautify Memorial Hall and the Rockford Region!
Past President Linda Johnson will be conducting interactive activities which will allow us to get to know each other better. In accordance with the 5th Part of the Four Way Test, "This Will Be Fun!!!".
Linda is not giving out any further details, so you will have to show up and get ready to have some fun.
President Eric will discuss the Rotary International Convention which was held in Houston, Texas on June 4 - 8 of 2022. The convention usually draws around 20,000 people and features many sessions to learn about various Rotary programs.
Highlights include:
Admission to the convention’s opening and closing ceremonies and general sessions, where you’ll hear from inspiring and entertaining speakers, including top leaders in our organization;
Information breakout sessions to help you build your communication, leadership, and project management skills;
Opportunities to network and exchange ideas while browsing the project and fellowship booths in the House of Friendship;
Entertainment provided by local artists and musicians in the House of Friendship and at the general sessions;
President Eric has been married to Christy for 35+ years. They have a son Philip who is married to Michelle. They have two grandsons, Callen (6) and Beckett (1). Philip is an Elementary School Principal and Michelle is a Physical Therapist. Eric was a charter member of the Macomb Centennial Morning Club from 2005 to 2021 and served as President during the 2006-07 Rotary year. He grew up as a PK (pastor's Kid). His dad was a Lutheran Pastor, and his mother was an RN. He was born in England, lived in Las Vegas, Watseka, Ottawa, Macomb, and now Winnebago, IL Eric attended Valparaiso University where is earned a BS in Civil Engineering. He is a Senior Principal/Client Executive for IMEG. His engineering experience is mainly transportation, water, and wastewater engineering. In his free time, he likes to travel, sing, sail, hunt, fish, x-country ski, ride his bike and of course, service to others (Rotary). Eric joined Rockford Rotary on June 30, 2021, and has been active on several committees during that time. He did not hesitate to accept when asked to be President-Elect.
While Eric will be the featured presenter, we can also expect to hear some comments from PDG Elise Cadigan and PDG Kathy Kwiat-Hess who also attend the convention. This will be an excellent opportunity to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person or via Zoom.
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 spe3aker and her topic will be "Patterns and Rhythms in Nature That Inspire Gardens and Architecture".
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.
The Social Committee would like to invite our Rotary members and guests to join us at the Women's Suffrage Plaza on Tuesday, September 27 at 5:00. Barbara Simon from the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Committee will be there to share the process and historical account of the sculpture. The location is the Riverfront of the YMCA at 200 Y Boulevard (just south of the Y Lodge) with parking along the river west of the YMCA. There are no seats, so people can either stand, sit on the retaining wall or bring a folding chair.
In a nutshell: August 18, 2020, marked 100 years to the day that the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, recognizing women’s right to vote. The Women’s Suffrage Centennial Sculpture, Rockford’s first public art installation honoring women’s leadership and celebrating that momentous achievement, was dedicated on October 31, 2020.
After the presentation by Barbara Simon, we invite the members and guests to join us as we walk down the bike path to the Nicholas Conservatory Truck Night for dinner.
This event is weather permitting and any rescheduling due to inclement weather will be announced as necessary.
Food Truck Information: Alcohol must be purchased onsite. Alcohol consumption is limited to the circle drive area, pavilion, and terrace. No alcohol is allowed on the rec path and/ or riverbank We encourage cashless transactions to minimize cash handling.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call/text me at 815-222-0663 or email kmolson257@gmail.com
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