There were several excellent speakers at PETS this year and for our program on 5/7/26 we will show the video recording of the presentation made by Richard Kyte. His presentation is about his latest book, Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities and Making Great Friends Along the Way.

     In a timely and thoughtful examination, Richard Kyte explores the places that nurture our souls and make up the bedrock of our communities. Third Places can range from a neighborhood tavern, to a community center, to a local bookstore or coffee shop. They are the critical gathering spaces where friendships are formed, relationships are nurtured, and the tapestry of community is woven.

     Yet, for an ever-growing list of reasons, many people today find themselves without a third place of their own. At a time when our nation is facing an epidemic of loneliness, when communities are suffering from loss of trust, low levels of engagement, despair, and political polarization, what if the answer to many of our problems lies in a simple idea? What if we just need to pay attention to the places where we find ourselves?

     Richard Kyte received his Ph.D. in philosophy from The Johns Hopkins University in 1994. He has lived and taught all over the United States, finally settling down in La Crosse, Wisconsin where he serves as Professor of Ethics at Viterbo University and Director of the Endowed D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership. He teaches a senior seminar in ethics and graduate courses in servant leadership. He holds regular office hours in a few of the area’s many neighborhood coffee shops.

     He is the author of several books, cohosts a podcast titled “ The Ethical Life” (with Scott Rada) and writes a biweekly column that appears in 73 newspapers across the country. He also serves on several nonprofit boards, including the La Crosse Community Foundation, the Coulee Region Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and LeaderEthics. He is a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Rotary Club of La Crosse.

 

     Our 2025-26 Youth Exchange Student, Isabella (Isa) de Melo Reis from Brazil will make her official report to her host club on May 14th.  Isa is being hosted by Samantha Hochman and her husband Eric.  Isa attends Harlem High School along with Loves Park Rotary's exchange student Sarah from Columbia. 

     We would encourage all of our members to mark their calendars for May 14th and hear about Isa's adventures this year.  This will be an excellent opportunity to bring a guest or prospective member to learn about one of Rotary's programs to let teenagers learn about another country and help bring a better understand between countries.

     Paul Von Driska will introduce Isa and act as Rotary host. 

 

 

     Our April social at the Chavez Restaurant turned into a birthday party for Isa our Exchange Student from Brazil who is being hosted by Samantha and Eric Hochmann.  There were 23 people there including members from Loves Park Rotary and their Exchange Student Sarah from Columbia.  Isa and Sarah both attend Harlem High School.  The highlight of the evening was when Isa opened her many presents and the staff from Chavez sang happy birthday in first Spanish and then English.  Thank you to everyone who showed up to celebrate with Isa.  Also during the evening Elise Cadigan talked Isa into making another presentation to the club on May 14th so mark your calendars and listen to Isa's adventures this past year.

 

Isa and Sarah

 

Nice turnout

 

View from the other end of the table.

 

Can't have a birthday party without fried ice cream

 

 

Isa and Sarah with Samantha and Eric Hochmann in the background.

 

Isa with her card signed card from Rockford Rotary which also included some cash collected at our regular meeting.

 

 

     Rockford Rotary will be helping out at the Northern Illinois Food Bank at the following time:

 

 

      

     If you have any questions contact Mary Maxted - marymaxted1@gmail.com or 815-985-5538

 

     Rockford Reads Reads has been the main focus of our Literacy Committee for a long time. We can be proud of having this program run for 24 years and we will continue to be the face of Rockford Reads.

     We would like to explore ways for our literacy impact to expand and grow. If you are interested in serving on the Literacy Committee, please contact Kathy Kwiat-Hess.

     Our 2025-26 goal for the Rotary International Foundation Annual Fund is $13,000.  So far, members have contributed $9,570.  In addition, members have contributed an additional $4,131 to the other six funds including Polio Plus.

     Our other goal is to have 100% participation.  To date, 33 members have contributed to the Foundation out of our total membership of 83 which is 39.7%.

     Congratulations and thank you to the following members who have contributed to this year's campaign.

 

 

 

Rotary Lunches 

 

     We will continue to serve lunches for $12 each week.  We currently are having food from the Sandwich Shop, but we will alternate each month between Beef-A-Roo and the Sandwich Shop.  Monica will be more than happy to take your money for lunch. 

 

Jim Coffey, Secretary