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June 11th Program
 
 
An Apartment in Paris
 
     David Benjamin, who has lived part-time in Paris with his wife for over 30 years—an echo of the name of his book. When he’s not in Paris, he also lives in downtown Madison.
     David is also the publisher of Last Kid Books, named for his first book published by Random House (NY) several years ago, about his poignant coming-of-age story, growing up in the Midwest, in Tomah, Wisconsin.
     By the way, he came to Rockford College as a National Merit scholar in 1967 and was elected president of my freshman class- ran cross country for the Regents and made friendships with both students and faculty that he always cherished. He went on to graduate from college elsewhere, but never forget those wonderful days spent in Rockford.
     So many people have asked him what it’s really like to live in Paris, he finally wrote a book about it .. (he worked on it for about 10 years). An Apartment in Paris, has been a big hit with readers no matter whether they’ve been to Paris or not.
     Benjamin says, “Paris has always been a place where impulse triumphs over reason, where a silly romantic notion can cloud your mind and change you forever. This is why, when you see a window in Paris full of real estate ads, you should run for your life.” With that said, he and his wife, an international journalist and photographer, bought a Paris in the Latin Quarter three decades ago …and it’s now the subject of David’s new book.
     Readers will find out what it's like to buy a 6-story walkup apartment in Paris and what’s it is like to live in Paris from a very different, non-tourist point of view If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live in Paris or buy a place to live, (as an American it’s very tricky), this is a Paris story like no other.
     Benjamin has written 24 books (four set in Paris), which have earned him book awards in fifteen different literary genres.  For those who have a further interest in his stories, he will bring books to sign/sell after the meeting.
     This promises to be an interesting and informative program and much different from many of our previous presentations.  This will be an excellent opportunity to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person a t Memorial Hall or via Zoom.
     Elise Cadigan will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary host.
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Dues Due - June 30th
 
Dues Due - June 30, 2026
 
     The Board voted to make some small changes to the club's dues and invoices have been mailed out.  Please pay your dues prior to June 30, 2026 because our club will be billed by Rotary International and District 6420 based on the number of members we have on July 1, 2026.
     If anyone has any questions about the dues they can email President Paul at pvondriska@bergstrominc.com .
 
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Final Academy Celebration Student Winner
 
Academy Final Event Winner
 
     One of the highlights of the Rotary Academy Final Event was a drawing for an all-expense paid family vacation certificate for the Embassy Suites.
     Linda Johnson, Mary Maxted, and PDG Elise Cadigan joined with West's principal, Academy advisor, club liaisons, teachers and counselors to present the lucky student with the certificate.  Congratulations to the winning student and a big thank you to Embassy Suites for the donation and also for their cooperation in making the Final Celebration a success.
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PB and J Drive
 
 
 
 
Food Pantry Annual PB&J Drive
 
     The Rock River Valley Food Pantry is conducting their Annual Peanut Butter and Jelly drive through the end of June.
     There will be a collection barrel at the west end of Memorial Hall and Rockford Rotary will be taking donations through June 25th.  Peanut butter in plastic containers is preferred but there doesn't seem to be Grape Jelly in plastic containers so glass will have to do.  Just be careful when putting the jars in the barrel.
     Let's see how many barrels we can fill in the coming weeks.
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New Member Reception
 
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Rotary Foundation Giving Update 
 
                
       
     Amount Donated                  Members Donated
 
              
     Our 2025-26 goal for the Rotary International Foundation Annual Fund is $13,000.  So far, members have contributed $10,545.  In addition, members have contributed an additional $4,787 to the other six funds including Polio Plus.
     Our other goal is to have 100% participation.  To date, 34 members have contributed to the Foundation out of our total membership of 83 which is 41%.
     Congratulations and thank you to the following members who have contributed to this year's campaign.
 
 
Suzanne Berger        Patti Bigger
Dave Byrnes             Elise Cadigan 
Bob Canfield            Larry Carlson
Jim Coffey                Maureen Crowe
Mike Foreman         Monica Glenny
Warren Heinke        Helen Hill 
Wray Howard          Russ Johansson
Linda Johnson         Don Kinney
Kathy Kwiat-Hess   Dick Leighton
Paul Logli                 Brian Martin 
Mary Maxted           Eric Moe 
Lynn Momberger     Jim Nelson
Linda Niemiec          MaryAnn Norwood
Jim Powers                Bob Presman
Becky Rundquist      Pete Rundquist
Lois Seijo                  Jeff Smith
Beth Thacker            Paul Von Driska
 
   The information is from Rotary International as of June   6, 2026.  If you have any questions, contact Jim Coffey (jimc6659@aol.com or 815-222-9168).
 
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Northern Illinois Food Bank - June Time
Northern Illinois Food Bank Opportunities
 
     Rockford Rotary will be helping out at the Northern Illinois Food Bank at the following times:
 
      Tuesday June 23, 2026
           12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
         - Serving neighbors in the market
      
     If you have any questions, contact Mary Maxted - marymaxted1@gmail.com or 815-985-5538
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Meeting Responsibilities
June 11, 2026
Greeter - Russ Johansson
Reflections - John Torrence
 
June 18, 2026
Greeter - Jim Coffey
Reflections - Terry Watts
 
June 25, 2026
Greeter - Becky Rundquist
Reflections - Suzanne Berger
Rotary Lunches
 
 
 
Rotary Lunches 
 
     We will continue to serve lunches for $12 each week.  We currently are having food from the Sandwich Shop.  Monica will be more than happy to take your money for lunch. 
 
Jim Coffey, Secretary  
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Jun. 16, 2026
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Stanley Goral
June 6
 
Jeff Smith
June 16
 
Tanner Elliott
June 16
 
Paul Von Driska
June 18
 
Frank Buchmann
June 20
 
Linda Niemiec
June 20
 
Becky Rundquist
June 21
 
Sedrick Robinson
June 25
 
Bob Canfield
June 30
 
Join Date
Bob Canfield
June 8, 2000
26 years
 
Monica Glenny
June 8, 2000
26 years
 
Eric Moe
June 15, 2005
21 years
 
Linda Johnson
June 23, 2005
21 years
 
Warren Heinke
June 23, 2005
21 years
 
Meeting Responsibilities
Greeter
 
6/11/26
Johansson, Russ
 
6/18/26
Coffey, Jim
 
6/25/26
Rundquist, Becky
 
Meeting Reflections
 
6/11/26
Torrence, John
 
6/18/26
Watts, Teri
 
6/25/26
Berger, Suzanne
 
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