07/24/07
The winds blow the "ship"to Bensenville.
The lunch was a delightful "crispy" Chicken salad, fresh crisp greens with an in house dressing that I couldn't quite identify
the taste combinations, that is OK because I am trying to not gain any weight on the Rotary tour. Most Governors gain 20 to 30 pounds during the year.
The Bensenville Club is a smaller Club but has a great heart and supports a lot of community causes, the coat drive, music in the park as well as scholarships and the Library literacy program. An increase in diversity is a goal for this year, President Lynne has a great plan for 07/08 and I wish her well as the Rotary ship continues it's voyage.
I was very pleased to present a Paul Harris to Alf Logan a member that has done it all. Congratulations Alf!.
By the way after the "Crispy" chicken salad, I left the lunch and felt something strange between my two front teeth [ all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth] a filling had broken [nothing to do with the "crispy" chicken salad]. My dentist was the next stop and $550.00 later all was well.
7/24/07
Rotarians that excell.
There are times in our life that we meet people that just seem to be very special.
Back in, I think 1991 or so, I met a man in Naperville named Bill Garlough in a new catering business and asked if he would
be interested in catering the new Oktoberfest in Naperville sponsored be the Rotary Club of Naperville. He said yes, not knowing what was ahead. Bill was not a Rotarian and I said if he wanted to be the caterer for Oktoberfest he would have to join the Club and he said yes. I had my "ASK" in gear.
Bill and Karen Garlough's company "MY CHEF" fulfilled every need that this new event required without question and the event came off without a hitch and "My Chef" has been the only food service that Oktoberfest has ever had.
As the Chair of Oktoberfest for 15 years I sincerely appreciated the effort that Bill and his wife Karen have given to Rotary.
In 2006 My Chef won the Naperville Chamber of Commerce "Small Business of the Year" award and was well deserved.
In 2007 MY Chef won the United States Chamber of Commerce "Small Business of the Year" award in competition with seven
other finalists.
Think about that - the best small business on the United States WOW!!!!
Tuesday evening the Naperville Chamber honored MY CHEF and Bill and Karen with a gala event for the who's who in Naperville, and a good time was had by all.
Bill Garlough will be the President of the Rotary Club of Naperville in 08/09 and is currently the District Chair for the Rotary
Foundation annual giving [EREY Every Rotarian Every Year]
Bill and Karen were co-chairs of Art"s Safari at the Brookfield Zoo.
Bill is also a co-chair of Conference 08 in Sheboygan Wisconsin.
Rotary Shares,
Congratulations Bill and Karen.
7/25/07
West to Aurora Sunrise.
Please note there was no chicken for breakfast. The owner supports the Rotary Club by allowing them to meet and having breakfast ready for them even though he is not open for breakfast. This I believe is service above self and he is not a Rotarian
We had scrambled eggs, bacon and fruit along with some sweets. Excellent!
This Club has achieved a 148% of goal for the Rotary Foundation last year.
It has sponsored 6 outbound Youth Exchange Students as well as sending one Youth Exchange Outbound Student and maintains the cleanliness of 2 miles of Highway 31 in Aurora.
Other projects are underway and new ones are being considered.
Over Three hundred dollars has been raised for a new project "Shelter Box".
7/27-28/07
Indiana's calling.
The Rotary Cruise Ship head off to South Bend Indiana for a Zone 27 membership development workshop.
A group of about 330 Rotary mover and shakers were in attendance [about 100 more than had registered.]
I would suggest that as a courtesy, when you will attend a meeting, please register! The caterer ran out of
food. It is impossible to service a 1/3rd increase of attendees.
The conference was great and lots of new ideas will be presented at the Presidents Round table and Membership
workshop on Sept 22nd. Be sure you attend AND register.
I will spend a day at my business on Monday and then continue the Safari.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
WEST TO AURORA FOR LUNCH
Long Island Sound [sounds like I was in New York] but that is the name of a really nice banquet hall where the Aurora Club meets.
Charcoal grilled chicken, roasted veggies and much more on the buffet line.
The board meeting was great, this club has a lot of great energy. All of the families for the inbound exchange student are lined up and ready.
Aurora is down to about 70 members after pruning off some dead wood, an energetic membership drive will bring in a net
5 or 6 new members.
All Clubs need to realize that they will loose 10 to 15% of their members for any one of many reasons so the membership
committee needs to bring in that many more just to stay even.
President Larry has a book full of great ideas that he will roll out as the Rotary year moves on.
This past week they had a program on "Shelter Box" this program sold them on the project and the plan is to fund at least
one maybe two Shelter Boxes.
Between last week and today the donations are all ready at close to $300. Way to go Aurora.
Charcoal grilled chicken, roasted veggies and much more on the buffet line.
The board meeting was great, this club has a lot of great energy. All of the families for the inbound exchange student are lined up and ready.
Aurora is down to about 70 members after pruning off some dead wood, an energetic membership drive will bring in a net
5 or 6 new members.
All Clubs need to realize that they will loose 10 to 15% of their members for any one of many reasons so the membership
committee needs to bring in that many more just to stay even.
President Larry has a book full of great ideas that he will roll out as the Rotary year moves on.
This past week they had a program on "Shelter Box" this program sold them on the project and the plan is to fund at least
one maybe two Shelter Boxes.
Between last week and today the donations are all ready at close to $300. Way to go Aurora.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
SHORT TERM MEMORY AND OTHER ITEMS
Before I start = I need to finish yesterday, I forgot to mention that my Club presented the First Lady of The District "Sandy"
with a most beautiful bouquet of cut flowers, they were fantastic. Thanks Naperville!
Now back to Friday 07/20/07 at the Rotary club of naperville Sunrise.
John "nine fingers" Colucci the piano player was great even with his temporary
handicap, As you all know the Presidents name is "Dawn" and the Club meets in the morning
so this year they will play songs before the meeting that have that theme.
"The Dawn is Breaking" 'Sunrise" and any thing else they can think of with a Dawn or morning theme.
Breakfast was as breakfasts should be EARLY, the buffet was
ample with selections of eggs, sausage patties, pancakes, sweets
and yogurt.
There was a good group in attendance, about 85 or so.
PDG Art Muelhausen DID show up so I guess I did OK the day before.
I hope the Club visits continue in the same way. Three of the four
Clubs had either a Paul Harris presentation or installations of two new members.
WAY TO GO!
The Naperville Sunrise Club has over 100 members and is growing.
This is an exciting and friendly Club that is sweet 16 years old.
The meeting with the board went well as would be expected of a strong Club.
It appears that they will add add their second Paul Harris Society member soon.
If you want to know how to do a fund raiser ask this Club. The fund raisers include
The Beau Arts Ball, a murder mystery dinner, a bike ride, a brutal Sgt at arms [just
joking Kieth}.
Great community service projects, Foundation involvement at many levels.
The future plans look very good.
---------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 7.21.07 The Foundation Grants Workshop.
8 AM start with a complimentary continental breakfast [ yes a free something in Rotary ]
8:30 PDG Larry Stichweh the District Rotary Foundation chair kicked of the workshop and
introduced District Grants Chair Pat Merryweather to about 65 interested Rotarians and guests.
After Governor Art's comments on the possibility of Sharing Rotary with other organizations.
Including:
Easter Seals
Heifer International
Job 1
Shelter Box
Alliance for Smiles
Operation Safe wheels.
There were then presentations on a few projects.
I was very pleased to see so many Interact Club members in attendance.
Chairman Pat then lead us thru the Grant application forms and explained the pitfalls
as well as the time lines.
We also learned that TRF now has deadlines for project completions.
Now it is honey do time at home.
Ill be at the Aurora noon club on Monday.
with a most beautiful bouquet of cut flowers, they were fantastic. Thanks Naperville!
Now back to Friday 07/20/07 at the Rotary club of naperville Sunrise.
John "nine fingers" Colucci the piano player was great even with his temporary
handicap, As you all know the Presidents name is "Dawn" and the Club meets in the morning
so this year they will play songs before the meeting that have that theme.
"The Dawn is Breaking" 'Sunrise" and any thing else they can think of with a Dawn or morning theme.
Breakfast was as breakfasts should be EARLY, the buffet was
ample with selections of eggs, sausage patties, pancakes, sweets
and yogurt.
There was a good group in attendance, about 85 or so.
PDG Art Muelhausen DID show up so I guess I did OK the day before.
I hope the Club visits continue in the same way. Three of the four
Clubs had either a Paul Harris presentation or installations of two new members.
WAY TO GO!
The Naperville Sunrise Club has over 100 members and is growing.
This is an exciting and friendly Club that is sweet 16 years old.
The meeting with the board went well as would be expected of a strong Club.
It appears that they will add add their second Paul Harris Society member soon.
If you want to know how to do a fund raiser ask this Club. The fund raisers include
The Beau Arts Ball, a murder mystery dinner, a bike ride, a brutal Sgt at arms [just
joking Kieth}.
Great community service projects, Foundation involvement at many levels.
The future plans look very good.
---------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 7.21.07 The Foundation Grants Workshop.
8 AM start with a complimentary continental breakfast [ yes a free something in Rotary ]
8:30 PDG Larry Stichweh the District Rotary Foundation chair kicked of the workshop and
introduced District Grants Chair Pat Merryweather to about 65 interested Rotarians and guests.
After Governor Art's comments on the possibility of Sharing Rotary with other organizations.
Including:
Easter Seals
Heifer International
Job 1
Shelter Box
Alliance for Smiles
Operation Safe wheels.
There were then presentations on a few projects.
I was very pleased to see so many Interact Club members in attendance.
Chairman Pat then lead us thru the Grant application forms and explained the pitfalls
as well as the time lines.
We also learned that TRF now has deadlines for project completions.
Now it is honey do time at home.
Ill be at the Aurora noon club on Monday.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
NAPERVILLE MY HOME CLUB
Today is July 19,2007
I had the privilege to visit my home Club The Rotary Club Of Naperville.
I presented Mr Mike Myers with a Paul Harris recognition for truly 'Service Above Self".
Mike saw a 16 year old loose control of her car and crash it into a small lake behind
his home. He dove into the water and pulled the injured young girl from the car just
before the car sank. WOW SERVICE ABOVE SELF!!
The meeting went well with the Board and it seems that President Mike has his team
at full speed ahead. Membership goals are in place, the Club has four members on
the District Team. It also has 12 Paul Harris Society members. Way to go!.
The lunch meeting was attended by about 100, a little light but it is summer vacation time.
Past District Governor Art Muelhausen was there with his wife Ellen, I assume he was
checking to see if the talk was good enough for his club at 7 AM Friday morning.
The Mayor of Naperville was there as well, he is a member you know. Chicken Caesar
salad was the fare for today at the Key Wester in Naperville. If you have never been there
the room we meet in is themed as if you are on an ocean bottom looking up. Very cool
with SCUBA divers on the ceiling and a huge fish tank that holds about 1500 gallons
of salt water. Sandy was presented with a giant flower arrangement.
This is a great Club with all there ducks in a row.
I had the privilege to visit my home Club The Rotary Club Of Naperville.
I presented Mr Mike Myers with a Paul Harris recognition for truly 'Service Above Self".
Mike saw a 16 year old loose control of her car and crash it into a small lake behind
his home. He dove into the water and pulled the injured young girl from the car just
before the car sank. WOW SERVICE ABOVE SELF!!
The meeting went well with the Board and it seems that President Mike has his team
at full speed ahead. Membership goals are in place, the Club has four members on
the District Team. It also has 12 Paul Harris Society members. Way to go!.
The lunch meeting was attended by about 100, a little light but it is summer vacation time.
Past District Governor Art Muelhausen was there with his wife Ellen, I assume he was
checking to see if the talk was good enough for his club at 7 AM Friday morning.
The Mayor of Naperville was there as well, he is a member you know. Chicken Caesar
salad was the fare for today at the Key Wester in Naperville. If you have never been there
the room we meet in is themed as if you are on an ocean bottom looking up. Very cool
with SCUBA divers on the ceiling and a huge fish tank that holds about 1500 gallons
of salt water. Sandy was presented with a giant flower arrangement.
This is a great Club with all there ducks in a row.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The Official Visits Begin
Tuesday July 17 2007
The Rotary Club of Darien was the first to be visited.
I would think that the Darien Club will most likely be
the most unusual meeting place in the District this year.
They meet at Argonne National Lab. There is a really
nice hotel hidden way back on the property.
The meeting room was perfect, there was a choice of
three different meals, all looked terrific. I had halibut
and no desert.[which looked fabulous by the way].
The Darien Club is on top of all the programs thanks
to the two PDGs that are members there.
The Club will be reaching out to Lemont for membership
growth. President Chris offered the use of a meeting room
at the Republic Bank on the South side of Naperville for
a start up meeting place as we look to create another
Rotary Club in south Naperville.
The Dictionary project will continue as will most of the
other programs.
Darien Rotarians have a lot of fun together as a Rotary
family.
Wednesday July 18, 2007
The Rotary Club of Addison was today.
The meeting place was very nice and located in
a large banquet hall. The lunch was family style
and had salad, sausage, peppers, chicken and pasta
with italian Ice for desert. Yum Yum!
I was happy to induct two new members into the Club,
there was to be three but that one will come in next week.
New fund raisers and a lot of activity are in store for
everyone in this club. 15 Paul Harris Fellows are thanks
to the quarterly donation on the dues bill.
President Don realizes that attendance is, and has been
a challenge for them.
To that end they will give away a flat screen TV to some
luck member. The idea is that when you attend a meeting
you will get a ticket, the more you attend the more tickets
you have so the better the chances of winning.
Addison has sent their first Youth Exchange Student to
Italy. How about that==The Group Study Exchange Team
will be going to Italy as well.
President Don will also be attending the Grants Seminar
on Saturday.
The Rotary Club of Darien was the first to be visited.
I would think that the Darien Club will most likely be
the most unusual meeting place in the District this year.
They meet at Argonne National Lab. There is a really
nice hotel hidden way back on the property.
The meeting room was perfect, there was a choice of
three different meals, all looked terrific. I had halibut
and no desert.[which looked fabulous by the way].
The Darien Club is on top of all the programs thanks
to the two PDGs that are members there.
The Club will be reaching out to Lemont for membership
growth. President Chris offered the use of a meeting room
at the Republic Bank on the South side of Naperville for
a start up meeting place as we look to create another
Rotary Club in south Naperville.
The Dictionary project will continue as will most of the
other programs.
Darien Rotarians have a lot of fun together as a Rotary
family.
Wednesday July 18, 2007
The Rotary Club of Addison was today.
The meeting place was very nice and located in
a large banquet hall. The lunch was family style
and had salad, sausage, peppers, chicken and pasta
with italian Ice for desert. Yum Yum!
I was happy to induct two new members into the Club,
there was to be three but that one will come in next week.
New fund raisers and a lot of activity are in store for
everyone in this club. 15 Paul Harris Fellows are thanks
to the quarterly donation on the dues bill.
President Don realizes that attendance is, and has been
a challenge for them.
To that end they will give away a flat screen TV to some
luck member. The idea is that when you attend a meeting
you will get a ticket, the more you attend the more tickets
you have so the better the chances of winning.
Addison has sent their first Youth Exchange Student to
Italy. How about that==The Group Study Exchange Team
will be going to Italy as well.
President Don will also be attending the Grants Seminar
on Saturday.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Travels continue
Last week my manager was on vacation fishing in Michigan so I was unable to be out and about.
Saturday Art's Safari was off to Grand Rapids Michigan for the Summer Youth exchange Conference.
There were about 750 students from all over the world in attendance along with their parents and
a lot of Rotarians to total about 1500.
The program was fantastic and I am sure that all the kids had a wonderful time.
The class included INBOUNDS, students that are here for a year from elsewhere,
OUTBOUNDS [students that will be traveling abroad and REBOUNDS those from here
that have returned after completing the year of study overseas.
The weekend included many meetings not to mention all the meals, the food was prepared by
Calvin College and was pretty good I have to say.
The highlight of the Conference was the Rotary Youth Exchange 2007 Variety Show. WOW it was great.
We had 20 acts from a classical piano player playing Mozart and Chopin then a magician that was excellent.
A Japanese instrument called a Pipa was expertly played Julia Lin.
Dancers from Ecuador, Scottland, Hungary and Indonesia were amazing as well.
If you have never hosted a Youth Exchange Student you don't know what you are missing.
And if you have never sent a student you are causing them to miss out on an experience of a lifetime.
These kids go away a kid and return a young adult and may have even learned a new language.
This is one of the best youth programs Rotary has. Try it you may like it.
My Safari begins again on Tuesday as I start the 65 Club visits. The first is Darien.
Please have a great week and I will be back here Tuesday.
ROTARY SHARES<
Art Davis DG D6450
Saturday Art's Safari was off to Grand Rapids Michigan for the Summer Youth exchange Conference.
There were about 750 students from all over the world in attendance along with their parents and
a lot of Rotarians to total about 1500.
The program was fantastic and I am sure that all the kids had a wonderful time.
The class included INBOUNDS, students that are here for a year from elsewhere,
OUTBOUNDS [students that will be traveling abroad and REBOUNDS those from here
that have returned after completing the year of study overseas.
The weekend included many meetings not to mention all the meals, the food was prepared by
Calvin College and was pretty good I have to say.
The highlight of the Conference was the Rotary Youth Exchange 2007 Variety Show. WOW it was great.
We had 20 acts from a classical piano player playing Mozart and Chopin then a magician that was excellent.
A Japanese instrument called a Pipa was expertly played Julia Lin.
Dancers from Ecuador, Scottland, Hungary and Indonesia were amazing as well.
If you have never hosted a Youth Exchange Student you don't know what you are missing.
And if you have never sent a student you are causing them to miss out on an experience of a lifetime.
These kids go away a kid and return a young adult and may have even learned a new language.
This is one of the best youth programs Rotary has. Try it you may like it.
My Safari begins again on Tuesday as I start the 65 Club visits. The first is Darien.
Please have a great week and I will be back here Tuesday.
ROTARY SHARES<
Art Davis DG D6450
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Last Installation 07/07/07
Westmont was the last installation for me this Rotary year.
Just turning 30 years old this club is vibrant and exciting.
President Val hosted the party in his beautiful new backyard.
About 60 attended the Bulgarian themed extravaganza.
Bulgarian dancers and music with a lamb roasting on a spit
over an open fire. WOW
The presentation of the Paul Harris medal to Val's wife Yana
was special event for me.
Great fun was had by all.
Stay tuned for the next event, when we will travel to Grand Rapids
Michigan for the annual Central States Youth Exchange weekend.
Just turning 30 years old this club is vibrant and exciting.
President Val hosted the party in his beautiful new backyard.
About 60 attended the Bulgarian themed extravaganza.
Bulgarian dancers and music with a lamb roasting on a spit
over an open fire. WOW
The presentation of the Paul Harris medal to Val's wife Yana
was special event for me.
Great fun was had by all.
Stay tuned for the next event, when we will travel to Grand Rapids
Michigan for the annual Central States Youth Exchange weekend.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
More Installations
July 6th 2007.
Sandy and I joined the Franklin Park Rotary Club for the installation of Anjam Aziz as President.
The group of 20 boarded the dinner ship Mystic Blue for a great party on the most perfect night
the temperature was in the 80s on the lake, the skyline view was absolutely fantastic.
This Club just turned 50 on June 29 2007. There is new life in this nice Club, I know that
President Anjam has the Rotary fire in his sole.
Sandy and I joined the Franklin Park Rotary Club for the installation of Anjam Aziz as President.
The group of 20 boarded the dinner ship Mystic Blue for a great party on the most perfect night
the temperature was in the 80s on the lake, the skyline view was absolutely fantastic.
This Club just turned 50 on June 29 2007. There is new life in this nice Club, I know that
President Anjam has the Rotary fire in his sole.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Installations
We have done the installation for Berwyn in La Grange at D's Little Italy on Monday June 25th
as well as attending the installation for Chicago One at the Union League Club on Tuesday June 26th
and that evening we installed the President of the Woodridge Club.
Then it was Shorewood for the there installation = this Club is just two and a half years old and really has got it together.
The next stop was my own Club [Naperville] this was a trifecta, all of the three Naperville Clubs installed at the same event
this was held at the new Pavilion at Meson Sibeca Tapas restaurant in Naperville.
Friday the 29th brought the LaGrange Club into the spotlight and that was at the beautiful Drake Oakbrook.
Art's Safari was held on June 30 at the Brookfield Zoo. The weather was perfect for the 300 attendees. The African dancers
and musicians were fantastic. The food was also wonderful.
The highlight of the evening was the address by Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson.
District Governor Sue Smallwood turned the District over to the new Governor Art Davis and all appropriate pomp and circumstance was present. We thank Co-Chairs Bill and Karen Garlough for putting together a wonderful party.
My wife Sandy was the interior decorator for the event. It was a WOW!
I really appreciate all of the well wishes and support shown by the record attendance of 300 family of Rotary members.
We will have a banner year in District 6450
Happy Independence Day [July 4th]
ROTARY SHARES
as well as attending the installation for Chicago One at the Union League Club on Tuesday June 26th
and that evening we installed the President of the Woodridge Club.
Then it was Shorewood for the there installation = this Club is just two and a half years old and really has got it together.
The next stop was my own Club [Naperville] this was a trifecta, all of the three Naperville Clubs installed at the same event
this was held at the new Pavilion at Meson Sibeca Tapas restaurant in Naperville.
Friday the 29th brought the LaGrange Club into the spotlight and that was at the beautiful Drake Oakbrook.
Art's Safari was held on June 30 at the Brookfield Zoo. The weather was perfect for the 300 attendees. The African dancers
and musicians were fantastic. The food was also wonderful.
The highlight of the evening was the address by Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson.
District Governor Sue Smallwood turned the District over to the new Governor Art Davis and all appropriate pomp and circumstance was present. We thank Co-Chairs Bill and Karen Garlough for putting together a wonderful party.
My wife Sandy was the interior decorator for the event. It was a WOW!
I really appreciate all of the well wishes and support shown by the record attendance of 300 family of Rotary members.
We will have a banner year in District 6450
Happy Independence Day [July 4th]
ROTARY SHARES
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