August 22, 2011 - Champaign Exchange Club
Transcription
August 22, 2011 - Champaign Exchange Club
Meeting Mondays at Noon O'Charley's Restaurant 730 W. Town Center Blvd. Champaign, IL 61820 Chartered 27 July 1926 Champaign Exchange Club 1812 Coventry Drive Champaign, IL 61822 August 22, 2011 Volume 78, No. 8 Editor: Tom Williams 29 August 2011 Meeting Mary "Tief" Tiefenbrunn, Executive Director Champaign County Humane Society Our speaker today will be Mary Tiefenbrunn, Executive Director of the Champaign Co. Humane Society. Come next Monday and meet Mary and hear what she has to say about the needs and services the society provides the citizens of our county. Mary Tiefenbrunn Connecticut native heads local Humane Society. 5 September 2011 Labor Day GiveAKidAFlagToWave This will be the third year that the Champaign & Urbana Exchange Clubs pass out American Flags to the kids along the Labor Day Parade route. Frank Scantlebury and John Hummel are committee chairmen. We passed out about 1,500 flags last year and this will be our third year to hold the program on Labor Day. Sign up next Monday to help pass out flags. 12 September 2011 Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum The Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum is located in one of the large old hangars on the former Chanute Field Air Force Base in Rantoul. The museum is the largest air museum in the State of Illinois. Nancy and I visited the museum several years ago and it is definitely worth taking the time to visit. Board Meeting After Lunch 19 September 2011 Annual Exchange Picnic at Mikucki's The Mikuckis will host our Picnic again this year on the third Monday evening in September. Walt & Dottie are always gracious hosts at their home in the Maynard Lake subdivision and we always look forward to this event. As we get closer to the date we'll start taking reservations and announce the costs. Mark the date on your calendar now so you keep this date open for a fun evening. 10 October 2011 No Meeting - Columbus Day Holiday In keeping with established tradition we will not be having a meeting this Monday due to the Columbus Day Holiday. Enjoy the time off with family and friends. 22 October 2011 National Day of Service We hope to follow up last year's project, cleaning up Johnston Park in west Champaign, with another worthwhile project this October. If you have a good idea about what we could do on Saturday, October 22 give it to committee chair Frank Scantlebury. I'm sure he will welcome all worthy suggestions. 24 October 2011 Army Corps of Engineers Research Laboratory (CERL) The Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) is part of the U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center (USAERDC), which is the Army Corps of Engineers' integrated research and development (R&D) organization. CERL conducts research to support sustainable military installations. Coming Events Coming Events 31 October 2011 Proudly We Hail Program This will be the third year we honor 6 outstanding Champaign families who fly the American Flag daily and in the appropriate manner. It's never too early to nominate good candidates for this year's awards. If you know of a good candidate turn in your nominee's address and name (if you know it) to Tom Williams, Bob Decker or Don Trulock. 12 November 2011 Mid-Year Educational Conference This year the Mid-Year Educational Conference will be . held at the Hawthorn Suites in Bloomington. This is a training session for club officers and directors. We need at least two in attendance and with the Illini hosting the Buckeyes in Memorial Stadium it's a challenge. 21 November 2011 One Nation Under God Program Thomas Williams, Jr. is the committee chairman for this year's luncheon. Let him know if you have someone that you know would be an outstanding speaker for this special occasion. 7 December 2011 (Wednesday) Annual Inter-Club Christmas Party This year it is our turn to host the Urbana Exchange Club, and the . Champaign Country Club will again be the location. More details on this fun evening will be published by early fall. Anne Johnston is again our committee chairperson and is making the arrangements. 21 April 2012 Believe in the Blue Program This past April we distributed Exchange literature on the Prevention of Child Abuse Through Better Parenting at the Wal-Mart Store in Savoy. We'll do something similar again this coming April. Let's all keep our finger and toes crossed so it's not cold and raining this year like it was the last time. 21-24 June 2012 85th Lincolnland District Convention Crowne Plaza in Springfield, IL The convention next year will be hosted by the Lincolnland District at the Crowne Plaza Hotel just off I-55 on the east side of Springfield. Past District President Dennis Koch of Quincy is the convention chairman, and because of the convention's central location we're hopeful that attendance will increase. All interstates lead to Springfield so plan now to attend. 22 August 2011 Meeting Invocation Pledge of Allegiance . Attendance Attendance Drawing . - Nancy Williams Frank Scantlebury 9 Members & 7 Guests $5.00 Nancy Williams (Donated to the GiveAKidAFlagToWave Program) The weather was absolutely wonderful again today with bright sunshine and the temperature in the mid 80s as 16 people gathered at O'Charley's for lunch. To those members who had to miss today you really missed an excellent program. Member Update On the member news front, Nancy Williams reports she spoke to Don Kruse on Sunday and his surgery in Chicago went really well and he's back home and doing much better. Nancy said he has his voice bank and that he sounded great. We hope he will be feeling well enough to join us next week. We all miss him very much. Dottie and Walt are really busy this week and next as relatives are visiting from out of state. Anne Johnston was absent today so we couldn't both pick on her and/or congratulate her on 70 years in the floral shop business in Campus Town. She started Campus Florist when she was a Freshman at the U of I. See more details on Anne's business on page 7 of this issue of the Exchanger. Maj. Gen. Don Lynn Finally, it was great to have Don and Dee Trulock back with us today. They have been really busy getting settled in their new home in southwest Champaign and keeping up with his tax work. GiveAKidAFlagToWave Program Frank Scantlebury and Tom Williams reminded everyone that it's just two weeks before Labor Day and we will be passing out approximately 1,500 American flags to the kids along the parade route. Frank says we will meet at 9:00 AM one half block south of the Lincoln Square Shopping Center parking lot. The parade starts at 10:00 AM. We need 5-6 volunteers to join with the Urbana Exchange Club in passing out flags. Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy What a wonderful program we had today and I would be remiss if I didn't recognize Nancy Williams for making all the arrangements to have the dignitaries from Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy in Rantoul join us today to tell their story. We were joined today by seven guests - Major General Donald W. "Don" Lynn (retired), the former Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard and former member of the Quincy Exchange Club, and his wife Barbara; Peter T. Thomas, the director of Lincoln's ChalleNGe; John Rodgers, the new deputy director of Lincoln's ChalleNGe; Renee Schoonover, the long-time executive secretary of the Dir. Peter T. Thomas Academy; and last but certainly not least, Cadets Ivan Gonzalez and Anisa Williams who are current students at the Academy. Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy's Mission LCA's mission is to train, mentor and develop selected applicants into contributing members of their communities by providing life application skills through a variety of activities based on the 8-core objectives. History - In 1993, the Center for Strategic and International Studies published a study entitled, Forging a Military Youth Corps. That same year, Congress, acting upon the studies recommendations, provided funding in the 1993 Defense Authorization Act for the National Guard Bureau to conduct a pilot youth intervention program. The purpose of this pilot program was to determine if life coping skills and employability of a high school dropout could be significantly improved through participation in a life skills program using a military model. Fifteen states became operational during the first 5-year pilot period with Illinois chosen as one of the original pilot states. Currently, 29 states are operating Youth Challenge Programs. Illinois has the largest program with an annual target of 800 graduates. In May of 2001, the Illinois program's name was changed from Lincoln's ChalleNGe Program to Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy. Moving Forward - The Lincoln's ChalleNGe is currently on its 35th class and starting its seventeenth year of operation. The program has become immensely popular and has the potential of providing thousands of "at-risk" young men and women in Illinois with a new start. Where traditional educational methods have failed, the Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy has succeeded and proved to be a tremendous alternative for young people who have the ability to excel, but need an intensive, structured environment. The graduates of the Academy are disciplined and accomplished. They are on the road to becoming successful and contributing members of society & their community. Core Objectives - The 8-core objectives are the goals established by the National Guard Bureau as the criteria for each cadet attending a Youth Challenge Program. These core objectives are: (1) Academic Excellence, (2) Job Skills, (3) Physical Fitness, (4) Leadership/Followership, (5) Health, Sex Education and Nutrition, (6) Life Coping Skills, (7) Responsible Citizens, (8) Community Service. Bottom Line - A youth attending a Challenge Program must achieve 80% of each objective's criteria, and he/she must complete all 8 objectives before graduating from the Resident Phase and moving into the Post Resident Phase. These objectives are taught during the 5-month, 200-hours of classroom instruction and during daily activities. Gen. Don Lynn & Tom Williams Cadets also attend classes for computer literacy to become familiar with current computer programs. The Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy is run by active members of the Illinois National guard and retired military personnel. All instructors are certified teachers, and program counselors are qualified and experienced professionals. Maj. General Don Lynn, who founded the Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy, said that they have received word that they are going to get a new 25-acre campus on the old Chanute Air Base just south of their current location. About $34 million dollars has been granted to build a new campus which will be a great improvement on the old base facilities they have been using the past 19 years. Director Peter Thomas said that they currently host about 400 cadets in their 5-month program and run two sessions each year. About 70% of the students make it through the program (the biggest challenge is getting them through the first two weeks of the program because of the military type atmosphere and discipline) to graduation which is held in Springfield with about 4,000 graduates, family members of the cadets, and friends in attendance. From Left: Tom Williams, Maj. General Don Lynn, Cadet Anisa Williams, Director Peter Thomas, Cadet Ivan Gonzalez, Renee Schoonover, and John Rodgers. A Bronze Star-winning Lincoln's Challenge graduate has died after serving in Afghanistan. Sgt. Jesse Richard Tilton, 23, of Mount Zion in Macon County, was serving with the 508th Regiment, 82nd Airborne, U.S. Army in Afghanistan. He died July 16, 2010 in the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Frankfurt, Germany, from injuries received while taking care of a soldier during a battle in Kandahar, Afghanistan. According to an Army news release, insurgents attacked Sgt. Tilton's unit in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, with rifle, rocket-propelled grenade and other small-arms fire. Peter Thomas, the director of Lincoln's Challenge, called Sgt. Tilton "a scholar & a gentleman. He was a young man with a vision, very focused," Thomas said. "His purpose was to get through here to join the military." Thomas said the sergeant scored extraordinarily well on his GED while at Lincoln's Challenge, earning perfect 800s on three of the five blocks of the test. "He was also a very nice guy, friendly," Thomas added. Sgt. Tilton served on the LeVant Guard at Lincoln's Challenge, an elite group that guards dignitaries on visits. - "Champaign floral shop to mark 70 years in September" 22 August 2011 Anne Johnston prepares to mark 70 years in business at Campus Florist on Green Street in Champaign. CHAMPAIGN — Anne Johnston has seen Campustown merchants come and go. Some restaurants move onto Green Street, she said, and "two years or so, they're gone." Not so with her business, Campus Florist. Come September 26, the floral shop at 609 E. Green St., will mark 70 years in business. Johnston opened it as a freshman at the U of I. Next Sunday, she'll throw a party at the Champaign Country Club for invited friends and customers — the "70th Hurrah," as she calls it. "People are coming from California, Wisconsin and all over Illinois," she said. Her late husband, Seely Johnston, ran a sporting goods store in downtown Champaign for 75 years. And Anne Johnston said it's conceivable she might match that. "There might be another party after this one," she said. But Johnston said she can't foresee one 10 years from now. News-Gazette Article Johnston said she puts in 7 hours a day at the shop. Working with her is Phyllis Valentine, who has been at Campus Florist for 32 years. When Valentine started — two years after getting married — she swept the floor, watered plants, waited on customers. "Now I'm the straw boss," Valentine said, "and do almost all of the arranging." Valentine said it's been a pleasure working with Johnston. "Anne taught me how to design (bouquets) and taught me other things about life as well," she said. "We've just become family over the years." Johnston said the Valentines "adopted me, or I've adopted them." The shop has 5 full-time employees and, in recent years, has been prowled by a cat named Trouble. Being in business 70 years doesn't seem as amazing to Johnston as the fact that her mother — who had two flower shops in Chicago — left 13-year-old Anne in charge of the shops while she went to Europe. "Can you imagine being 13 and having two stores?" she said, noting each shop had a floral designer. Compared with that, running a shop for 70 years is "normal," she said. Lots of things have changed since Johnston — then known as Anne Petersen — opened her shop in 1941 in a small storefront on South Wright Street. "The students are different. The way of life is different," Johnston said. "You used to be able to park on Green Street — without meters!" During her early days in business, most customers were men buying flowers for women. "At one time, girls didn't buy flowers for girls, and girls didn't buy flowers for boys," she said. "Now fellows come in and want flowers for their rooms." Besides devoting time to the shop, Johnston remains active in the Champaign Exchange Club, helping to line up speakers for weekly meetings. She's also an active member of the Illini Quarterback Club and the Illini Rebounders — and was awarded life membership in the latter last year. She likes basketball but doesn't find it easy to get around Assembly Hall. As for football, she confesses she doesn't know anything about the game except when a touchdown is scored. But a football player once assured her that's the most important thing to know. Hope Eastin, a friend and customer for more than 20 years, called Johnston "a lovely, remarkable, gracious and giving person. I have never known a harder worker." Johnston was severely injured in a 1997 assault at the shop but has bounced back from it. She said she has to watch carefully where she walks. Last October, she got out of a car at the Champaign Country Club, tripped on a curb, fell on the ground and was knocked out. But after a trip by ambulance to the hospital to get checked out, she returned to the country club to have her meal. Why, her friends asked. "I was hungry," she said. Maybe crazy too, she added. Johnston said she has stopped making annual winter visits to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. But she continues to go to Florida and take shorter trips. She said she still hopes to travel to Thailand, where she has friends, but needs a companion for the journey. Johnston said she's not tempted to sell or lease her shop to merchants willing to pay big bucks for the space. She's going to stay. Besides, she doesn't get many offers for the building these days. "I guess they figure there's no use in asking because the answer will be the same," she said. Proudly We Hail Award Candidates Needed Before you know it it'll be time again to honor six patriotic Champaign families for proudly and correctly flying the American Flag every day. We've been fortunate to honor some wonderful people the past 2 years and I need more good candidates for this year's award luncheon. Please turn in qualifying homes like the dozen pictured below we've honored the past years to Tom Williams, Don Trulock or Bob Decker so we can investigate them to see if they are worthy. The first 2 rows were our 2009 honorees and the last 2 rows we honored in 2010. Donations $1.00 $2.00 $1.00 $4.00 $$$ Green Box News Notes $$$ Bill Dieker – For the nice article in the News-Gazette about Anne and Campus Florist. Christine Felty – Because I'm so pleased to sit by our celebrity, Anne Johnston. She has accomplished so much at the Campus Florist - a wonderful 70 years and loads of friends. Congratulations. (Editor's note - unfortunately Anne didn't make it to the meeting and Christine had to sit by an empty chair.) Ivan Gonzalez – I am a cadet at the Lincoln's Challenge Academy in Rantoul. Wally Lehman – $3.00 for Exchanger expenses and $1.00 for a great picture of Anne on the front page of the News-Gazette. $10.00 Barbara Lynn – In honor of the guests from Lincoln's Challenge Academy. $10.00 Don Lynn – In honor of the guests from the Lincoln's Challenge Academy. $1.00 Frank Scantlebury – Because the Cubs took 2 out of 3 games from the Cards over the weekend. $1.00 Renee Schoonover – Challenge Academy. $6.00 Peter Thomas – I'm happy to be here today to tell about Lincoln's Challenge and present two of our cadets to you. Because I'm here representing the Lincoln's $2.00 Dee Trulock – Because I'm glad we got here today. $2.00 Don Trulock – Because that's all the money I have. $1.00 $2.00 $10.00 $1.00 Anisa Williams – Because I am a cadet from the south side of Chicago at the Lincoln's Challenge Academy. I'm here to give my personal testimony about my experiences. Nancy Williams – Because I want to give my congrats to Anne Johnston. What a wonderful article about her 70 years of owning and operating Campus Florist, and in honor of all our guests. Tom Williams – In honor of all our guests from the Lincoln's Challenge Academy, especially the two cadets and the wonderful front page article and color photo in yesterday's News-Gazette. Thomas Williams – Because Frank gave me a dollar and something about the Cardinals avoiding the sweep - maybe the Cubs gave the Cards a win? Former Champaign Exchangite Frank Schooley The next page has the second installment in a feature I started 2 weeks ago, printing the bios of former Champaign Exchangites that I authored 3 decades ago. Dewey Bagur was the first past member featured and this week it's Frank Schooley. Frank had a long and distinguished tenure as a Champaign Exchangite including editing our newsletter for 20+ years. As space allows I plan to print more bios as the year progresses. From time to time I will also print the bios of current members so we can all become more informed. Fighting Illini Hoosiers Hawkeyes Wolverines Football Guessing Contest Kicks Off Next Monday Fighting Illini Schedule Sept. 3 - vs. Arkansas State Sept. 10 - vs. South Dakota St. Sept. 17 - vs. Arizona State Sept. 24 - vs. Western Michigan Oct. 1 - vs. Northwestern Oct. 8 - at Indiana Oct. 15 - vs. Ohio State Oct. 22 - at Purdue Oct. 29 - at Penn State Nov. 5 - Open Date Nov. 12 - vs. Michigan Nov. 19 - vs. Wisconsin Nov. 26 - at Minnesota Spartans Gophers Huskers Wildcats Buckeyes Nittany Lions Boilermakers Be Sure Not To Miss The Meeting Next Week! Badgers Exchange, America's Premier Service Club, working to make our communities better places to live. Chartered 27 July 1926 Firefighter of the Year Champaign Exchange Club 1812 Coventry Drive Champaign, IL 61822 Police Officer of the Year Phone: (217) 356-1057 Prevention of Child Abuse Meeting Every Monday at 12:00 Noon Except Holidays Time Out Teddy O’Charley’s Restaurant 730 W. Town Center Blvd. Eastern Illinois Food Bank Nursing Scholarships A.C.E. Award Crisis Nursery Seniors Vial of Life President: Tom Williams President-Elect Thomas Williams, Jr. Secretary/Treasurer: Nancy Williams Directors: Richard Adkins Bill Dieker Anne Johnston Wally Lehman Dottie Mikucki Frank Scantlebury E-Mail: tw1812@aol.com Exchange Covenant of Service Accepting the divine privilege of single and collective responsibility as life’s noblest gift, I covenant with my fellow Exchangites: To consecrate my best energies to the uplifting of Social, Religious, Political and Business ideals; To discharge the debt I owe to those of high and low estate who have served and sacrificed that the heritage of American citizenship might be mine; To honor and respect law, to serve my fellowmen, and to uphold the ideals and institutions of my Country; To implant the life-giving, society-building spirit of Service and Comradeship in my social and business relationships; Website: www.champaignexchangeclub.com Believe in the Blue Campaign For Kids GiveAKidAFlagToWave One Nation Under God Freedom Shrines Proudly We Hail Awards Book of Golden Deeds Student of the Month/Year Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club Snacks For Kids Salvation Army Bell Ringing See us on Facebook - Champaign Exchange Club To serve in Unity with those seeking better conditions, better understandings, and greater opportunities for all. Exchange Club of Champaign . 1812 Coventry Drive Champaign, IL 61822 . National Day of Service Child Abuse Prevention - Americanism - Community Service - Service to Youth