The Smile

Rotary Club of Moline Newsletter

Editor
Duane Swenson

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK- “Your mind is like a parachute. It works much better when it is opened.”- Kurek Ashley, from his book, how  would love respond?
“True abundance is an absolute knowing that everything you need will be supplied.”- Dr. Wayne Dyer, author of The Power of Intention.

TODAY – We will be getting a twofur.  First, Jeff VanEchaute will give us an update of our new website that the committee has been working on for the past several weeks. Then as an addition, Nicole Cisne-Durbin will demonstrate how Moline Rotary will be able to use Facebook.  Jim Graham will introduce the dynamic duo..

LAST WEEK –Jim Bohnsack and our property tax bills arrived this past weekend and last Monday. Jim apologized about the timing, but was satisfied that the taxes were not raised significantly. After a 35 year career at Deere & Co, Jim has seemed fit for the office of Rock Island County Chairperson. Through his power point presentation, Bohnsack explained how the money received was spent, and he felt that it was done wisely. Looking over the accomplishments, one of his favorite was Hope Creek Care on Kennedy Drive in East Moline. The 245 bed facility has a waiting list of 325 folks.  The county has about 500 employees and has 7 bargaining units plus some non union employees. He felt that through improved technology, a lot of streamlining has taken place. The biggest hurdle at this point is the reapportionment of the districts according to population. He also felt that the 25 person board should still continue, and that it is not too unwieldy.
Rock Island County’s costs run about $2.33 per citizen, while Scot County’ s costs are about $4.27 per person, Mercer County runs about $3.27. The Board will be voting on May 10th to make the necessary changes. The county highway department has 208 miles of roads and 48 structures (bridges) to maintain.One vision that Bohnsack sees, is a new courthouse, as the current one is almost as old as dirt. This was a real timely message, and gave us all an insight as to how our money has been spent.

President Roger with Jim Bohnsack

NEWS YOU COULD USE -

1 – Last Group of Junior Rotarians for this year introduced – Principal Bill Burrus introduced 5 of his 6 students who will be with us today and the 23rd.  Graduation is Sunday, May 22, so we hope that with Project Graduation, the students will be awake. Breanne Ford was ill, and will be introduced today.  Taylor Karben will attend Loyola University of Chicago to become a neurologist. Samantha Corelis intends to be a nurse, and will attend Black Hawk College. Matt   Van will attend Drake University to become a Pharmacist. Carissa Dewaele is interested in Anthropology with interests in Archaeology Museum Studies and/or Art History. She will attend Iowa. Jacob Strafford will attend Illinois at Champaign to
major in computer science. Dr. Burrus stated that it has been a difficult year to select students, as they are all quality students. 2– New Member Proposal –President Roger has proposed Jennifer Kress who resides in Eldridge, but is Sales Manager for I-Wireless.  You have seven days to file any written objection to Secretary Duane.

3 – Nursing Scholarship Winners Introduced -
Kris Hodgerson introduced the 3 winners of the Moline Nursing Scholarship at Trinity College of Nursing. They are: Jesus Raya, Kenneth Swanberg, and Pamela Esparza. Congratulations to these three.

Pamela Esparza, Kenneth Swanberg, Jesus Raya

4 – Taco Tuesday an apparent success – We will get the results of a fun night at Mulligans, where prizes, 50/50 drawing, and lots of tacos were consumed. Thanks to all of the volunteers, and especially Dee Runnels and her committee for taking on the great task.

5 – Gary Francque has a great time at RYLA –
Gary volunteered to assist as a chaperone for the RYLA program held at the Taft Campus of Northern Illinois in Oregon, IL. He and Ricardo were the only two participants from Moline, along with another 109 students from all over District 6420.  The main purpose is to teach leadership skills to these young people.

6 – Another chance to volunteer – Member Hunt Harris and his spouse Diane have funded a food give away at the River Bend Food Bank. Volunteers are needed to help distribute this food on, Saturday, May 21.  A signup sheet is attached to let the Community Needs Committee know you will help.   The time is only about three hours. See Nanci Perkins for details. 797-5406

7 – Which committee would you choose to serve?  Vicky Miller has picked out her chairpersons for this coming year, and wants to know which committee(s) you would like to serve on. You are certainly welcome to stay on your present assignment, but let her know.  Please let her know which committees you want to serve on.  Miller Vicky  <millerv@bhc.edu>, 

8 – A big birthday for John Ackley – John just celebrated his 89th Birthday. Congratulations, and thanks for your generous contribution to the Scholarship Fund.

9 – Jerry Taylor has a lot of his family present –
There were two big reasons for this occasion. His daughter, Ann, received her PHD in educational administration at Illinois State, and in July will become principal at Frances Willard in Rock Island.
His other daughter, Ann, from Orlando FL was checking on wedding plans with her fiancée, Chris Ball, also of Orlando. They are planning an August 6 wedding at Christ the King. She also was here to see her sister receive her degree. Thanks to Jerry for the generous gift to the Scholarship Fund.

10 – 5 Attend the District Conference – President Roger, Vice-President Vicky, Sec-Treas. Swens, Assistant Sec-Treas. Jim and Deni McCarter. Deni attended all sessions as her niece was to be honored as the outgoing Ambassadorial Scholar.

11 – Meeting dates – If you want to announce a committee meeting date, contact Editor Swens at 309/764-5296 or e-mail swensdls@qconline.com.
At the present, no committee has requested  a date.

VISITORS FROM HERE AND THERE
As stated above, JoeTaylor hosted Ann Taylor of Orlando, FL; Chris Ball , and Jerry hosted Kathy Taylor now of Milan IL.
Myron Scheibe hosted the students from Trinity and their leader: Kris Hodgerson, Jesus Raya, Pam Esparza, and Kenneth Swanberg. Rebecca Ott form Moline was a guest of Bill Grimes. President Roger hosted Jennifer Kress from Eldridge.

ROVING ROTARIAN

Mike Crotty is our Roving Rotarian of the Week, as he visited East Moline/Silvis, and Sturgeon Bay, WI

SMILE A WHILE –A couple to think about
One friend complained to another. “All my husband and I do is fight. I’m so upset, I’ve lost 20 pounds.”
“If it’s that bad, why don’t you just leave him?” asks the second friend.
“I’d like to lose another 15 pounds first.”

Of course I can keep secrets. It’s the people I tell them to who can’t keep them.

IN THE FUTURE –
May 21-25 –RI Convention, New Orleans.LA
May 23 – Kim Findley – Putnam, Titanic Exhibition
May 30 – MEMORIAL DAY – NO MEETING
Jun 06 - Renew Moline – Jim Bowman/Porter            McNeil