Art's Safari

PARK FOREST 11/1/07

2007-11-02T20:33:00.000-07:00

The Club just relocated to Country Club and I hope and think that they have a permanent new home.
CHICKEN, you all know how I like chicken [not], well I must say this was the best chicken that I have
had so far. Grilled tender and juicy, not over cooked at all. Rice and corn along with apple pie ala mode.
Early act is a signature project with this Club along with the 4 way test competition and Polio Plus just to
name a few.
President Terri is working very hard on the Foundation program this year and I am sure that there will be
a banner year in Park Forest.

WESTMONT 10/30/07

2007-11-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

Cucina Roma on the East side of Westmont is a really good Italian restaurant.
I ordered off the menu and got a pretty darn good chopped salad.
This Club meetingstarts at noon and don't stand in front of the door
at 1 PM. In and out in an hour, they start the meeting and order then take a break
when lunch is served and the meeting [program] is restarted.
We welcomed PDG Irv Kaplan. Fun, service and fellowship is the thrust of the Club.
Operation Safe wheels will be coming soon.

HINSDALE 10/26/07

2007-11-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Oaks Hotel is the location for this Club, The owner is a Rotarian and provides a very good buffet.
There was CHICKEN and Fish, salad and some great pumpkin and apple pie for desert.
We welcomed PDG Sue Smallwood, a member of the Hinsdale Club.
The Club has everything together and continues to work on membership and many other projects.
A few weeks ago they completed a very successful run walk race that netted them $65,000.

ORLAND PARK 10/25/07

2007-10-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

Well this CHICKEN Kiev was pretty tasty I must say. Chicken??? Did I say good?
Soup, rice and ice cream completed the menu. [not in that order]
The meeting place was the beautiful Silver Lake Country Club.
As I have said before inducting a new member is a special honor for a District Governor and I had that honor today and the
good news continues next week when they bring in the School District Superintendent.
Orland Park has produced a Governor and now an Assistant Governor. The Club has good leadership and is looking at several new projects. Grant application will be forth coming. The Club funded a restoration of an antique barn, build ramps for disabled vets, support for the Blackfeet Indians, safe wheels project and early act just to name a few.
A strong Club with a membership goal of 71, they have 40 PHF and are a 100% sustaining Club.

CONFERENCE 08 October 24,07

2007-10-25T19:42:00.000-07:00

California Dream'n
The kick off to the District Conference [May 2,3 & 4, 08] in Sheboygan Wisconsin was the theme for the night.
The new Islamorada Fish House that is attached to the Bass Pro Shop in Bolingbrook was the venue.
As with the Installation at the Zoo, we owned the restaurant and bar for the night.
The meal was a really great 12oz rib eye cooked to order or a fabulous Talapia fish with a shrimp topping. [NO CHICKEN].
Social time in the lounge from 6 to 7, dinner 7 to 8 and a great presentation put on by the committee.
The Blue Harbor Resort and Conference Center will follow the same idea as the other major events, we will own the Blue Harbor
for those days in May. Rotary will be the only guests.
A new Hotel, all suite, all no smoking, great food, day and evening child care for kids and grand kids, wonderful water park,
a to die for SPA, new programs and new presentations, new members program and much more. Electronic game room,
and a craft shop attached to the hugh indoor water park will thrill and entertain the youngsters as well as the "oldsters".
All registered adults will be given a high quality Conference sport shirt compliments of Harris Bank, for free, mens and women's sizes are available and are on the order form. REGISTER TODAY ON LINE AT rotary6450.org

========REMEMBER THE $100.00 DISCOUNT AND DATED BILLING GOES AWAY ON NOVEMBER 16th============

OAKFOREST and MORRIS 10/23/07

2007-10-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

The Rotary cruiser traveled to Oak Forest
Lunch was a menu choice and I chose a wonderful Cobb Salad. Their was chicken on the menu, the meeting place is in the beautiful Midlothian Country Club. A private dining room upstairs was perfect.
This Club seems to have it together, good leadership and an active board. Projects and fund raisers in place.
Members also work at the District level

MORRIS
Back to Naperville to pick up Sandy and head toward Morris, traffic was very heavy and it took forever to get there.
We were there on time, I love evening meetings, there is no rush to get back to work.
The meeting place is at the Morris Country Club in a private meeting room.
The meal was one of the best so far.
Double pork chops with cheese potatoes and the most delicious hot rolls not to mention a hot apple cobbler for desert.
The meeting got off to a little bit of a late start, lots of fellowship. Challenged by membership issues as a lot of clubs are.
They are working on a membership increase, the big fund raiser is just around the corner.
Evening meetings allow for a cocktail and fellowship afterward, no one needs to rush back to work. What a great idea.

NASCAR 10/21/07

2007-10-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

At times we all visit auctions that our fellow Clubs have, this was a gift for me from Sandy.
Here is the story.
We attended the Darien raffle fund raiser, one of the loud auction items was a "Richard Petty NASCAR Experience"
As a NASCAR fan I thought that it would be cool to do this, however Sandy said don't you dare bid on that [we had bid on
a few things at the silent auction] so I didn't [it would keep piece in the family]. What I didn't know was that she was
bidding on it and I didn't even know it [she was sitting next to me] and she was the high bid.
We made a reservation for October 21st at the Joliet Speedway for 11AM.
We arrived early to the sound of 750 horsepower engines in the air, the excitement was building, we signed in and looked
for a bathroom [found] everything was better now. We watched as people took "ride arounds" this is where a person can ride
around the track for 3 laps with a professional driver at 165 MPH WOW!
I would be a DRIVER however.
The training is interesting and needed. They show you a film and explain that you can't "burn rubber". After that you and 9
other would be drivers hop in a Chevy van to tour the track. The tour includes such information as to when to accelerate
and when to slow, all marked by large orange rubber cones. The second time around in the van they explain the meaning
of the signal flags along with your pit speed and shift points [yes they are 4 speed stick shifts].
After putting on a fire safety suit and getting fitted for a helmut we were ready to wait around a little more.
There were the final instructions that were needed and then it was my turn.
Getting in the car was the first challenge [there are no doors you know] right leg thru the window and on the floor grab the roll bar and swing your left leg in, slide your butt towards the windshield and slip into the seat.
Next is the 5 point seat belt [I haven't had one of these on since I was racing sports cars many years ago] 5 point you say?
One over each shoulder one from each side for your legs and one up the center to keep you from sliding under the
steering wheel. There is also the HANS device [Head restraint system] it helps you keep your head on in a crash as well as
up when driving, the "G" force on turns is terrific you can't hold your head up. I start the engine, 750 HP throb under the hood just waiting to go, we have to wait for traffic to clear and then we are motioned to go. My instructor is in the car in front of me and I am in a bright metallic blue car that is Kurt Bush's #2 I accelerate up to 4,000 RPM and shift to 2nd 4,000 again and into 3rd out on to the track as we approach turn two we continue to accelerate to 7,000 RPM about 120 MPH, shift to 4th pedal to the metal, follow that car stay two to three car lengths behind at 140MPH=8 laps of the most fun you can imagine, slow to 110 then back to 140, I have a new respect for NASCAR drivers, they must have massive upper body strength. I drove 8 laps about 12 miles and the professional driver races for 500 miles,
I can't imagine the strain on the body.
This was the experience of a lifetime===I hope she gets it again!!!
Go ahead try it!!

MORAINE VALLEY

2007-10-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

And we are off to another meeting.

Lunch was HUGE four meats, chicken thighs, breaded meat balls, roast beef in gravy and some pork patties.
The meal started with a crisp garden salad then a great soup. desert was a large ice cream sunday.
This Club eats really well. Do a make up here if you are hungry.
A small Club with a BIG heart. President Larry was not in attendance, he was in Mexico but other board members
took up the slack. For a small Club they do a lot. Membership is a challenge but they have a goal of 7 net new
in 07/08

Moraine Valley has received two Rotary Foundation Awards:
1] one of only 370 Rotary Clubs worldwide to be a 100% Foundation Sustaining Club
2] one of only 552 Rotary Clubs worldwide to become an Every Rotarian Every Year Club

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

NEW LENOX

2007-10-18T20:11:00.000-07:00

BREAKFAST I am so happy to have breakfast.
This was great, a scrambled egg omelet containing, cheese, potato and bacon with sausage links, fruit and pastries.
WOW, I think we have a contest under way!!
The meeting was a pleasure, a full house a new member to induct along with three Paul Harris Fellows.
What a way to start a day.
A nice meeting place with a private meeting room in a high school. Good fellowship active projects and a great future.

OAK BROOK

2007-10-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

Surprises are wonderful!
Today I had two.
First was the lunch, a GREAT Greek restaurant with an even better Greek style white fish. The Club has the choice of a special
lunch menu. Lots of good things to choose from, do a make up here and you won't be disappointed.
Second surprise was the meeting, this Club has been struggling for years and with a change in the meeting place and four
new members, a President Elect in line for leadership, The Club is looking at a new water project and I believe it has a great future ahead.
I hope this is the start of the return to the dynamic Club it was a decade ago. I will assist in any way I can. The District is
ready to provide any and all help that is required as well.

HELLO OUT THERE

2007-10-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

I AM NOT SEEING ANY COMMENTS.
THIS CAN BE INTERACTIVE YOU KNOW.
ARE YOU OUT THERE?? LET ME HEAR FROM YOU.

RYLA

2007-10-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Lake Geneva and Williams Bay was the sight for this years RYLA program for high school students.
I think that this years students that attended were the best I have seen. The weather was good on Friday and Saturday
but Sunday brought the rain. The program goes on rain or shine. The food was good and plentiful.
On a sad note PDG Chuck and Susie Johnson presented their last "reality store" this year. The store will continue
next year under the RYLA leadership team.
If you like youth programs, you will LOVE RYLA. It is so cool to see kids that have never met and for the most part
have very little in common come together as a team, you will be amazed and proud of what this program does for kids.
If you saw any thing in the news about the kids lost in the cave, you will see that the two girls have RYLA T shirts on.
They were not on a RYLA camp!
One councilor, Liz Zienty was part of the kids team and chose to do whatever the kids did, she did it all!
Commitment, Sharing, and Dedication is what makes her work and she has been a member for less than a year! You go girl!
I want to thank all of the committee that works so hard on this terrific program. Thanks goes as well to the Clubs that
support the program. Keep up the good work. RORARY SHARES

MAYWOOD

2007-10-15T21:02:00.000-07:00

I was remiss in mentioning the really nice "Centennial Project" by the Maywood Club.
PP Leon Wilson and AG Bob Giles showed me this great work in progress.
Congratulations Maywood.

MATYWOOD 10/11/07

2007-10-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Road construction required some thought as to parking, I was OK with my choice of location.
Lunch was a fine buffet provided by the "church ladies" beef, smashed potatoes, veggies a great salad.
Fruit and a bunt cake for desert.
The board meeting went well, great goals are projected for this year. This Club does more projects than
anyone can imagine and even more are are planned. Foundation giving is a priority for 07/08.
Something funny happened on the way to the finish of my my presentation, about 1:20 a cook from
the kitchen came into the meeting and said that the Department of Transportation wanted every one that
was parked on the main street to move their cars NOW [remember my choice of parking] I was OK.
Most of the membership left to move their cars, some how most of them must have forgotten that the
meeting was not over as yet. Oh well, life goes on, Rotary goes on.
Anyway, I asked PP Leon Wilson if he would be interested in being an AG and take over a vacant position.
Leon joined the monthly AG meeting and agreed to join the AG team, WELCOME LEON.

5:30 PM brings on the AG meeting, thanks to Republic Bank for the use of the meeting room. CHICKEN, salad and
garlic bread was the meal. Lots of topics were discussed including the District Conference May 1,2,3, & 4 at the
new Blue Harbor Water Park and Conference Resort. The kickoff for the Conference is by invitation and is on Oct 24.
November 10th is the Foundation meeting, $15 each, $30 unlimited attendance per Club includes breakfast.

NORRIDGE HARWOOD HEIGHTS 10/9/07

2007-10-09T18:26:00.000-07:00

A really great little Italian restaurant is where the Club meets. The owner is a member as well.
Mark this as the most unusual meal I have had so far, you order off the menu and they had grilled
octopus on the menu, it was absolutely the best I have ever had. WOW!!!
Maria has been the President for 6 years and no one will step up, so she gave the Board a letter
stating that this is her last year as President. BRAVO! I spoke with the owner of the restaurant and
he and Maria will discuss the job and as long as he is there anyway on Tuesdays this may work out.
Maria has a membership goal of net 6 to be at 20, great goal = you go girl!

HINSDALE OAKBROOK SUNRISE 10/9/07

2007-10-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

Breakfast=as you all know this is my favorite meal of the day, what made breakfast even more special
was the location. The Club meets at the Lodge on the McDonalds corporate campus. The meeting room
overlooks a beautiful lake. A fantastic breakfast burrito was just what I need to start the day. This is
not the little one you get at the golden arches, this was huge, almost enough for lunch.
This is a small Club that does a lot and has plans for even more. As with most Clubs they are challenged
for membership but the will have their "ASK" in gear.

HOMEWOOD = ALMOST FORGOT SOMETHING ELSE
I was pleased to install new member Steve Howard. Welcome to the Rotary family!

HOMEWOOD [belated] 9/26/07

2007-10-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

THERE ARE TIMES THAT WE GET A BRAIN FREEZE SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 WAS ONE OF THOSE TIMES.
THANK YOU JACK FOR THE HEADS UP.

When you pull up to the front of the Calumet Country Club you can be assured something special is ahead.
Opening the front door the first thing I saw was a Rotary display of youth projects including a printed "T" shirt on a
mannequin. Just around the table were several photo posters on tri-pods featuring Club events.
The buffet was well stocked and very tasty BUT the BEST surprise was at the end of the table==
The Homewood Club had 2 Rotary cakes made for my visit. I did have desert that day, one was Chocolate and
the other was banana. The decoration on top was a full Rotary wheel and "Welcome Governor Art"
This was a special day and a special Club. THANK YOU = ALL
The meeting went well. The Club is strong and has many projects in process. Foundation giving is good as well.

Brabley- Bourbonnais

2007-10-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

A very flavorful buffet today that included CHICKEN and a nice salad as well as some fabulous looking cheese potatoes.
Desert was pumpkin pie [I didn't have any but was tempted]
The Club has 30 Paul Harris Fellows and a goal of 11 new members for a net of 5.
Dictionaries, water and painting projects are just a few if the things this 26 year old Club does.
A strong Club with lofty goals==go for it Tiffanie.

MELROSE PARK

2007-10-03T13:05:00.000-07:00

A good Italian restaurant and an ample buffet along with some great pizza.
This is a wonderful combination to enhance any Rotary Club, why not this one.
Melrose Park Rotary has been challenged for membership foe several years
and the total has slipped to 2 active and one inactive members.
This Club will be 50 years old next year.
What are you, the District members willing to do to help save this Club?
Can it be saved?

Please let me know ASAP

KANKAKEE

2007-09-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

We may have a great meeting place here but the Hotel was full of meetings and were were relegated to a small room.
The buffet was nice but with a hugh group of teenagers the CHICKEN disappeared quickly and the Hotel was not
prepared to refill the chafers quickly. That was OK for me because the salad and beans were fantastic. Chicken who needs it!

This Club has great plans to support the Rotary Foundation in 07/08 there was even a member that gave me a check for $100.
Interact and and job shadowing took its toll on attendance today.
I was happy to receive a T shirt from Julia and another from the Rotaract Club for the sleeping in a box fund raiser.
President Jerry has an aggressive program for membership growth and Foundation support.
The Club 'Shares" Rotary with other Clubs and Shares Rotary with the community.
Good Job.

MATTESON

2007-09-26T22:15:00.000-07:00

WOW!! This lunch was one to remember=mmmmm-good.
A buffet that has it all, a great salad selection and the entree choices were fantastic. I believe I had the best crab cake EVER,
corn battered catfish [there was CHICKEN] but the other choices far out weighed the need to select chicken.
The soul food selection was amazing and very tasty.
There was even a desert buffet!!

The meeting went well and I was able to present Shirley Green, the first woman in our District, a women in Rotary pin and framed photo of her induction taken 20 years ago. A private room and great food what a combination, add an effective Club and we have Rotary.

Chicago Heights

2007-09-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

Chartered in 1922 the Chicago Heights Rotary Club has been meeting at the same Church for almost ever
and the Church ladies have been making lunch for them for the past 65 years. Yes 65 years.
Roast pork with smashed potatoes steamed vegetables and a really nice pork gravy, not to forget the
rhubarb pie, [I did take a taste of the pie] was the menu and it was wonderful. The ladies keep your plate full just like Mom did. This is a great place for a make up and a great meal. The Club is friendly and fun, try it you will like it.
The Club has plans to increase membership this year, along with continuing the long list of projects.
At 85 years old they have a rich history of service and a strong future ahead. Do to an emergency business
commitment the Club President was unable to attend, the Board did a great job.

PRESIDENTS ROUND TABLE AND MEMBERSHIP SEMINAR

2007-09-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

TODAY 9/22/07
THERE WAS AN EXCELLENT MEETING THIS MORNING AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INVOLVED
IN THE PRESENTATION.
I HEARD GREAT REPORTS THAT THE MEETING WAS FUN AND MEANINGFUL.
THERE WERE ABOUT 62 THAT ATTENDED THIS VERY IMPORTANT WORKSHOP, WE EVEN ENDED A LITTLE EARLY.

I AM GENERALLY A PERSON THAT LETS MOST THINGS ROLL OFF MY SHOULDERS, HOWEVER---I MUST VENT.
TODAY, AT THE WORKSHOP THERE WERE ABOUT 15 PEOPLE THAT WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY AND SPENT MANY HOURS PREPARING A QUALITY PROGRAM FOR YOU, THE CLUB PRESIDENTS AND MEMBERSHIP CHAIRS.
A SINCERE THANK YOU TO ALL THAT ATTENDED, I AM SURE YOU FELT IT WAS VALUABLE AND WORTH WHILE.

31 CLUBS WERE NOT REPRESENTED, ALMOST HALF OF THE DISTRICT, WHAT A SHAME, AND MOST [NOT ALL] THAT MISSED ARE THE CLUBS THAT NEED THE MOST HELP IN SO MANY WAYS. THESE EVENTS ARE DONE FOR YOU, PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF THEM AND GROW YOUR CLUB. WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

DO YOU THINK THAT AN APOLOGY TO THE WORKSHOP COMMITTEE IS IN ORDER? I DO

THANKS FOR READING THE BLOG [IFEEL BETTER NOW]
ROTARY SHARES
ART DAVIS DG6450

CHICAGO NORTH WEST

2007-09-20T22:46:00.000-07:00

I like evening meetings they always last a long time, more time to socialize and no work to run off to. What a concept.
Nothing is rushed. There is even time to have a cocktail. [I had no desert] This is a common meeting time
every where but in the US.

I arrived at the Club at 7 PM for the Board meeting, dinner started about 8:15.
Dinner, I think President Lorena reads this blog because there was no chicken in sight.
Dinner was a "fall off the bone" full slab of baby back ribs, baked potato, soup, salad and desert, hurt me!
This was a great meal, I had no bread, soup or desert.
I was totally surprised, I inducted a new member but, even more surprising was the fact the I was
asked to present 10 Paul Harris fellows [3 were missing] one #1 level and two #2 levels a well as a #5 level.
I hope they will be able to do it again, there may be a society member in this Club.
This Club was accepted by R.I. as a test Club for a flexible meeting schedule and so they meet the first and third Thursday of the month. We shall see if this helps in any way.

Elmhurst

2007-09-20T22:34:00.000-07:00

Today was a really nice Italian buffet that included stuffed peppers, lasagna, meatballs, a tomato and cucumber salad, soup and
a seafood salad. chocolate cake for desert. WOW, I think I hurt myself [no desert however]
You talk about a Club that has it together, this is it. Over twenty new members last year and lofty goals for this year.
I had the pleasure to induct new member Tom Grittani into the Elmhurst Club today.
This Club has so many projects going I don't have enough room here, OK one, how about a free dinner for 400 plus needy
folks at Thanksgiving.