We will be having two speakers for our Earth Day program.  

     Josh Franks is our local District Conservationist with USDA – NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) here in Rockford and oversees Boone, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties. He has 18.5 years of experience with NRCS and is a Western IL Ag science grad.

     Josh resides in Byron with his wife and 3 children. In his free time, he likes to spend time on his 18.5 acres of mixed crop/timber ground he and his wife bought in 2019 doing habitat management, hunting, and camping. He also is an avid gardener and runner in addition to all the kid's activities!

     Dennis Anthony grew up in the driftless area of southwest Wisconsin, where he attended the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, and obtained a bachelor's degree in Soil & Crop Science.

     He has been with the Winnebago County Soil & Water Conservation District for about 29 years now, where he serves as the Executive Director and Soil Scientist and provides multiple duties for the district.

     In his free time, he enjoys watching sorts and helping out on the family farm.

     Josh and Dennis will discuss their various duties and talk to us about the importance of conservation with regards to saving our planet from ourselves.

     This will be an interesting and informative program and one you will want to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Memorial Hall or via zoom.

     Monica Glenny will introduce our presenters and act as Rotary Host.

Rotary Academy Presentation

 

     Our April 11th program featured a presentation about our signature project, the Rotary Academy.  We learned about the history of the Academy from Elise Cadigan who has been a liaison since the beginning of the program in 2002.  This was followed Tamir Bell, a former Academy student and Hannah Long the Executive Director of Camp Winnebago.  There were presentations from Lincoln, RESA and Kennedy.  Linda Johnson hosted the program and invited us to the Final Event which will be held May 6th from 6-9 PM at Embassy Suites.

 

 

The program was hosted by Linda Johnson, Chairperson of the Rotary Academy.

 

 

Tamir Bell, former Academy student, who now works for State Representative Maurice West.

 

 

Hannah Long from Camp Winnebago.

 

 

Steven Benny, Academy Advisor at Lincoln.

 

 

Paul Von Driska, Rotary Liaison at Kennedy.

 

 

Steven Benny and two students from Lincoln.

 

 

Two students from RESA.

 

 

Quincy from Kennedy.

 

     CELEBRATE HIGH SCHOOLERS!

 

     A favorite event is coming up, our annual High School Recognition/Scholarship program on April 25. We will honor two seniors each from area high schools who are service leaders at their schools, plus we will announce two winners of the $2,000 Burdette Anderson Scholarship Awards.

 

     For this special catered lunch, the price is $20 per person. Please pay Rotary Treasurer Monica Glenny by check, by PayPal @CharitableRkfdRotary or by cash. Many Rotarians generously donate another $20 to pay for students, principals and parents, as they are our guests.

 

     Thank you for your kindness! The lunch is catered by the University Club of Rockford.

 

 

There will be a Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, April 16th at the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois office (946 N. 2nd St.) at 12:00 Noon.

 

 

     Pete Rundquist

     President 

     815-985-3976 

 

        

     President Pete/Easter Bunny introduced two new members of Rockford Rotary.

 

 

     Brian Martin (left) is a Sergeant with the Loves Park Police Department.  Brian was sponsored by President-Elect Mike Forman.

     Tom Huber (middle) is retired and is sponsored by Linda Niemiec. He was previously a member of the Ripon (WI) Rotary Club.

     And of course, the Easter Bunny needs no introduction.

 

     

 

     Our third new member is Pam Iacullo (left) who is a member of our Wesley Willows Satellite Club.  Pam is retired and was a Special Education teacher from Schaumburg.  She is sponsored by Patty Bigger (right) who has taken over the leadership duties of the Satellite club from Dick Leighton.

 

     Welcome to Brian, Tom, and Pam to Rockford Rotary and we would encourage our members to welcome them to our club when you meet them. 

 

04-18-24 - "Earth Day - Protecting our Earth"

                  Josh Franks, Natural Resource Conservation Service

                  Host - Monica Glenny

 

04-25-24 - "Honoring Our Students"

                  High School Recognition

                  Host - Helen Hill

 

05-02-24 - "Rockford Rocks Sports"

                  Meet the Peaches

                  Host - Steve Malliet

 

05-06-24 - Rotary Academy Final Celebration

                  6:00 PM  Embassy Suites

 

05-09-24 - Committee Meetings

 

05-16-24 - "Rockford Rocks Sports"

                  Meet the Ice Hogs

                  Host - Steve Malliet

 

05-23-24 - "Rockford Rocks Sports'

                  Meet the Rivets

                  Host - Steve Malliet

 

05-30-24 - No Meeting

                  5:00 - Social

 

06-06-24 - "Rockford Rotary Welcomes Our Youth Exchange"

                  Ciara Staly

                  Host - TBD

 

06-13-24 - "The Norwegian - Starting a New Business in Rockford"

                  Emly Hurd

                  Host - TBD

 

06-20-24 - "Calm, Intelligent Helpers"

                  Bruce Erickson, 17th Judicial Circuit Therapy Dogs

                  Host - Jim Coffey

 

06-27-24 - "Order of the Shelf"

                  "Vetting, Selecting, Electing Our President"

                  Host - Eric Moe

                                 

 

 

     Starting with our September 7th meeting, we will be having lunches at our noon meetings.  We will be starting with a package from Beef-A-Roo.  It will consist of a Wrap, salad, chips, cookie, and a soda or water.  There will bea variety of meats in the wraps.  This is a work in progress and things may change.  Lunches will start on September 7, 2023 and will be available at 11:45 AM the day of the meeting.

     PLEASE.  If you plan to bring a guest, PLEASE let us know 3 days in advance so we can make arrangements for food.  It will be your responsibility to cover the cost at $12.50 per meal.

 

     Thanks

     Pete Rundquist - runky907@comcast.net

     President, Rockford Rotary