FEBRUARY 1997
ON THE CHUCK WAGON
Things have slowed down a bit for Jane and I since the
official club visits are finished, but there are still plenty of
committee meetings, Paul Harris Fellow presentations, and special
events to attend. One such special event was held recently in
Blue Island. We were invited to attend ceremonies commemorating
the 50th Anniversary of the death of our founding father of
Rotary, Paul P. Harris.
Jane and I had been to the Memorial Walkway in Mount Hope
cemetery back at the end of June as part of the changeover
program for incoming governors. We were impressed then, and
somehow it seemed even more impressive snow covered on a cold
January 27. A luncheon was held nearby prior to the trip to the
cemetery for the purpose of honoring the legacy of Paul Harris
with readings from his works and a special message form President
Luis Giay.
District 6420 was well represented in spite of the fact that
bad weather kept many away. In addition to your governor and
first lady, the event was attended by 99-2000 Governor Nominee,
George Partlo (our official photographer), Pat Burch, President
of the Rochelle club, and our two Brazilian exchange students
whose grandfather is a PDG from Brazil. Ken Kline of the Moline
club participated in the program. Ken, who is a former member of
the Blue Island club, is currently serving as chairman of the
Paul Harris Memorial Committee.
We were pleased that we got to see some of our fellow
"Governors Plus" as Luis calls us, Karen Kline (no
relation) from District 6440 in the northwest suburbs and Art and
Irene Malasto from District 6540 in northern Indiana. We have
developed many close friendships among our fellow governors, and
it is always a pleasure to get together.
I was especially thrilled that our two Brazilians, Sabrina and
Patricia Cavalhiero had a chance to meet Luis and Celia Giay and
get photographs with them. What memories these two, ages 15 and
16, will have to share with their grandfather when they return
home at the end of this month. Sabrina is in Rochelle, while her
sister, Patricia is in Dixon. Both are short term Rotary Exchange
Students.
Speaking of exchange students, while this little epistle is at the printers, your governor and Governor Nominee 97-98,
Ray Den Adel will be attending the midyear planning meetings
February 14 and 15 for both the short and long term exchange
programs. Our district committee chairs, Dave Smith, Jim Nelson
and their helpers will also be in attendance. We should all thank
these dedicated people who make these programs such a great
success.
Building the Future by Honoring our Past
Scenes from Paul Harris Memorial Ceremony
Monday, January 27, 1997
Ken Kline with President Luis DISTRICT MOURNS PASSING OF
PDG JOHN R. DOAK IN OMAHA
We have been notified of the death of PDG John R. Doak in Omaha,
Nebraska on January 20, 1997.
John was a member of the
Freeport club for many years and
served as governor of District 642
in the Rotary Year 1975-1976.
PDG John R. Doak John and Marcella recently moved 7/26/07 - 1/20/97 to Omaha to be nearer to family
members as John's health had been failing. Marcella, John's
wife of 51 years, will continue to live in Omaha. John was buried
in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Omaha.
John served as president of the Freeport club in 1969-1970 and
was instrumental in the organization of the district's first
Interact club at Aquin Central Catholic High School. He served as
advisor to that club for many years. During his years in
Freeport, John was active in many church and civic organizations
as well as his Rotary club. He was a graduate of Mount Herman
College in Mount Herman, Mass.
Our sympathies go out to Marcella, their family, and to the
Freeport Rotary Club as we all remember and mourn the passing of
a great Rotarian leader.
PDG STU SMITH
CONTINUED DEDICATION TO THE LITERACY
CAUSE
During the 1996 District Conference held last April in Rock
Island, then Governor Ben Litherland presented a certificate of
special recognition to PDG Stu Smith of Loves Park.. At that time
Ben noted that Stu provided not only leadership and support for
District 6420 literacy activities during his years as DGN, DG,
and PDG, but he continues as an active member of the district
Literacy Committee and as a volunteer tutor.
In August 1995, after having served his year as District
Governor, Stu volunteered as a literacy tutor through the
Rockford Area Literacy Council. As Stu wrote in the March 1996
edition of Governor Ben's newsletter, he had learned that the
Scott Paper Company spent $400,000 to search for workers, and
screened 14,176 people to come up with 174 new hires. Of the
10,000 people who made it through Scott's preliminary screening,
4,000 failed a standardized English and high school algebra test.
Stu said, "This social need motivated me to volunteer as a
literacy tutor." His first student was a 1963 high school
graduate who could read only at a kindergarten level.
Stu reports that "Literacy tutoring is most rewarding,
and I recommend it to other Rotarians." PDG Stu Smith is
certainly to be commended for his continued dedication to the
cause of literacy in our district.
DEADLINES APPROACH FOR PROPOSED
LEGISLATION FOR NEXT COUNCIL ON
LEGISLATION
Rotary International bylaws, section 7.030. requires that
proposed legislation be received by its respective deadline (1
May 1997 for proposed enactments; ninety days before the opening
of the council for proposed resolutions). Forms for this purpose
can be obtained from your District Governor. The council will
meet 12-16 January 1998 in Delhi, India.
Clubs may still nominate a PDG for the district's delegate to
that council. As of this writing, the governor has received only
one nomination. It would be nice to have an alternate. This
election will take place at the District Conference held in
Rochelle on April 25, 26 and 27.
NOTICE OF DISASTER
Severe flooding in parts of District 5180 and 5190 in northern
California and northwestern Nevada has caused extensive damage to
residential and commercial properties and farms. They would
welcome assistance for cleanup and repair efforts. To support
relief efforts, make contributions payable to "Rotary
District 5180/5190 Flood Relief Account #1135077431, Feather
River State Bank, 1221 Bridge Street, Yuba City, CA 95991.
Further information can be obtained from Rotarian Richard D.
Coyner, 1036 Bryn Mawr, Yuba City, CA 95993. Phone: (916)
755-2420.
ADDITIONAL CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS TO THE
1996-97 DISTRICT DIRECTORY
PAGE 25 RYLA COMMITTEE ADDRESS CHANGE
Kim Schmidt Kim
1516 Wind Trace Ct. Jon
Rockton, IL 61072-2661
Res: (815) 624-7099
PAGE 27 CHAIRMAN - NEW CONTACT NUMBERS
David Smith Dave
300 River Lane Betty
Loves Park, IL 61111 Bus: (815) 397-3015
Res: (815) 654-1965 Fax: (815) 226-1641
PAGE 41 OTTAWA SUNRISE SECRETARY-NAME,ADD.
Judy Christiansen
1713 Guion Street
Ottawa, IL 61350
Res: (815) 433-5000 Bus: (815) 433-3100