Effingham Noon Rotary

Service Above Self - He Profits Most Who Serves Best
EFFINGHAM
(OPINIONS OF THE TIMES)™
PUBLISHED BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS
Across the Crossroads in Style
EFFINGHAM ROTARY CLUB
CLUB NO. 3265
DISTRICT 6490
ORGANIZED 1920
Philip R. Coats, Editor
13 March 2013
Wherever you're goin', They’re goin' your way
Whatever you call it, Effingham County Public Transportation or
Central Illinois Public Transit it is about-time-transportation for
the citizens of Effingham County. A few years ago, long after the
caricature line drawing at right, a county-wide public survey
disclosed there was substantial need and want within our
community for non-private, public transportation. We haven’t
always agreed on whom or what organization should be the
provider until this past year though and the result of the contested
outcome was the quasi-governmental agency C.E.F.S. They now have the approval of the
State of Illinois, the Department of Transportation and on March 19 C.E.F.S. Central Illinois
Public Transit will be confirmed by our Effingham County
Board.
Local leader Norma Lansing from the Effingham County Chamber
of Commerce invited Jennifer Moore, (at left) the mobility
manager for CIPT in Effingham and Clay counties to explain more
about the fledging developing system. Christy (siq) Warfield
joined her. Jennifer’s role with CEFS/CIPT is to supervise drivers
and market the transit system to the communities.
This Effingham based transit
system is a demand-response
with door to door service
providing transportation for
medical appointments,
employment, social activities,
shopping or visiting friends or
family. Presently it operates
Monday through Friday from
6:00 am to 6:00 pm with their
dispatch office open 8:30 am to
4:30 pm. It is a first come, first
serve that requires one should
plan on having a possible 15
minute wait before and after.
The CIPT also works
conjunctively with R.I.D.E.S.
Mass Transit. The latter has
nine routes within Effingham
County and also works
throughout fifteen southeastern Illinois counties.
Funding for the program is by Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department
of Human Services, Lincolnland Area Agency on Aging, the East Central AAA and the
Midland AAA.
Passengers are required to wear seat belts and bus drivers can assist with loading people and
packages on and off the bus and up to the threshold (front door) of their building or home.
She listed the most common requests for transportation services:
Senior Centers & Nutrition Sites Meals
Assistance with Forms like Circuit
Classes, Recreational Activities,
Breakers, Energy Assistance
Medical Appointments
Doctor’s Offices Medical Facilities
Dialysis
Cancer Centers
Outpatient Surgery
Hospitals in Clay, Douglas, Fayette, Montgomery,
Moultrie and Shelby Counties
Employment Services
To and from work within Clay, Douglas, Fayette,
Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby Counties
Educational Opportunities
Classes scheduled during hours of operation
Day care and preschool
Local elementary and secondary schools if the
student resides outside the Community Unit
School Bus service area
Club activities, Beauty and Barber shop appointments, banking and business matters
including grocery and shopping to stores/shops that are scheduled on specific dates
Presently, if you are sixty years or over, the fare is “suggested donation”. For everyone else it
is $2.00 per trip with $2.00 per stop. Unscheduled out of county is $1.00 per mile for any trip
that is not an existing schedule out of county trip. Passes are available to the general public
for $25. The over 60 group gets the same pass for $15. A book of ten is $10 (what a bargain).
The drivers are trained in first aid and CPR and have graduated from defensive driving
training. They pride themselves on customer service and can provide passenger assistance
and limited emergency procedures.
The CIPT vehicles are clean and clutter free. They are warm in the winter and cool in the
summer and all are handicap accessible. Personal escorts and service animals ride for free
but you better have a veterinarian’s documentation for a “service snake”, Jennifer cautioned.
She is working on expanding the lines and
maybe some special garage sales bus trips.
Although they make three trips back and
forth to the Kluthe Center for Lake Land
College classes there is discussion of
extending the program up to 11:00 pm for
college students and even people working
the second or third shift. Saturday hours
may be added in the future, too.
CEFS/CIPT operates thirty vehicles in
their seven counties and in conjunction
with R.I.D.E.S. there are another dozen
plus or minus vehicles in Effingham
County.
You may want to know more about Central Illinois Public Transit. Here’s their direct website connection: http://www.cefseoc.org/CIPT/CIPT.htm
So, you
Don't need to be coy, Roy, just listen to me
Hop on the bus, Gus, don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee, and get yourself free.
Maybe you’d like to sing along,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBz81GsHloM
& Guests
R
The ARC-CSS coordinator for In House Employee Services Dennis
Quast was the guest of Tonya Blair. Jason Fox announced Mike
Walls, a Sunrise member.
OTARY PAVILION AT
COMMUNITY PARK
The new Rotary Pavilion at
the northeast side will replace the
furthermost north pavilion and be
located at the old horseshoe grounds
near the parking areas and thus more
handicapped accessible. The tentative
completion date is August 1, 2013.
All pavilion designated funds will be
channeled through the Rotary Charities Foundation of Effingham enabling donors to
realize maximum tax deductibility.
View pictures and more information in Club Documents/Forms section of the website:
http://www.effinghamrotary.com/content_files/rotary_pavilion.pdf
https://rotary.sdsmanage.com/content_files/Rotary_Pavilion_Flyer.pdf
Pavilion Committee:
Jim Arndt, Monte Bartels, Carrie Crippen, Andy Hanfland, Stephen Hopkins, Jerry
Jansen, Kevin Miller, Amanda McKay-Biarkis , Mike Varady , Bob Schultz, Carl
Schwinke.
(Sunrise members Noon Members)
Fish Fry Fundraiser on April 12 at the Effingham KC Hall
in conjunction with GSE (joint Sunrise/Noon event).
We need to sell a lot of tickets.
There will be a raffle for some
surprising “seafaring” items.
Printed and cut tickets are available at each club or you
may download a sheet of 10 here and print at your home
or office. Click here, please:
http://www.effinghamrotary.com/content_files/Fish_Fry_Tickets.pdf
Our Student Guest from Effingham High School
Aleese Kinney, Scott & Kristi Kinney’s daughter post graduate plans are to attend
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville for a BS in Nursing. She is a member
of the National
Honor Society, the
Marching Band,
does cheerleading
and track and is on the student
council. She has earned a place on
the Academic Hall of Fame and a
listing on the High Honor Roll.
When she is not spending time with
her little brother, traveling with her
family, water skiing or reading, she
cashiers at Martin’s IGA and in the
warmer months, Aleese is also a
lifeguard at Kluthe Memorial Pool.
Program Chair Norma Lansing,
Central Illinois Public Transit Mobility Manager
Jennifer Moore and Student Guest, Aleese Kinney
MORE
STUFF YOOUU PROBABLYY WANT TTOO KNOW
FF
GSE TEAM  APRIL 9-13
The team, from the Torino/Genoa Italy area in districts 2031 and
2032, arrives in Effingham Tuesday, April 9 and will leave Saturday
morning, April 13.
All the host families are in
place and Jeff Bloemker and
his team are planning the
cultural and social events for
the team during their five
day/four night stay in Effingham.
The complete schedule will be published later but here are some tidbits: wine reception at
the Village Wine Shop, meetings with Mayor Gillenwater and County Board chair Jim
Niemann, visits to the Cross and the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum, stops
at Mid-America Corvette museum and office, Imagine This, Effingham Daily News, Milano &
Grunloh and Heartland Dental.
Norbert Soltwedel etal is planning a “rural culture” day, Friday, 12 April with harness racing,
Ballard Nature Center, Cumberland Road and culminating with a fish fry at the Knights of
Columbus hall, which is also a fund raiser for the pavilion project.
Jeff says they could use some tour guides so if you would like to help with anything please
contact Jeff at his office: 347-7179, ext 1016 or jbloemker@heartlandhs.org .
Our board of directors decided to add a Wednesday meeting to honor the GSE team.
Originally, according to the club calendar our “regular” meeting would have been the SAA
banquet, April 11. We will now have a meeting on Wednesday, April 10, so that the GSE
team has ample opportunity to make their informative, enlightening presentation to more of
the club members. The SAA banquet for our scholastically gifted students will also be
Thursday evening, April 11.
The team will transition to Effingham from the Vandalia/Litchfield Rotary Clubs on the
afternoon of Tuesday April 9 and be here until Saturday April 13, when they will travel to
Bloomington. Libby Moeller and Carrie Crippen are arranging social events for their
Effingham visit.
Want to know more about the team who will visit in April?
Click here for their profile/resume/picture:
http://www.effinghamrotary.com/content_files/GSE_Team_2013.pdf
DICTIONARY DISTRIBUTION
The dictionaries have arrived and are
being distributed. Literacy Project
Chair Mike Sehy has arranged for
labels to be inserted and the books are
available
for pickup
at the Sehy & Jones Optometrist office at 303 N. Keller Dr.
The following Rotarians volunteered to deliver to the county’s
3rd graders at the schools: Rosie Gibbons, Tonya Siner, Libby
Moeller, Bud Sills, Mike Defend, Mike Sehy, Brandon
Wright, John Kingery, Linda Hemmen, Claude Hudson,
Amanda McKay and Greg Sapp.
There will be no collection of funds for the dictionaries this year. Last year’s Cubs/Cards
baseball game ticket sales revenue distribution paid the entire cost for the dictionaries.
FIREWORKS
The Southtown Business Association has disbanded according to a report disclosed on WXEF
March 11 and in the Effingham Daily News March 14. One of their main events was the
sponsorship of the annual Independence Day fireworks at Hendelmeyer Park on Effingham’s
south side.
Read more about efforts to continue the city fireworks in the two articles below. The WXEF
article contains a picture from the meeting.
At least two Rotarians, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Norma Lansing and
Country Companies Insurance agent Scott Mosher.
Our club will evidently be a part of the reorganization and funding. More, later.
http://www.thexradio.com/news/78-local-news/4581-fireworks-fundraising-effort-underway
or
http://effinghamdailynews.com/local/x2101729840/New-group-to-spearhead-fireworks-display
Parsimony meets matrimony.
When it is your wedding anniversary bring your husband or wife
who will eat for free (once during the Rotary year).
Unattached?
Bring your fiancé or significant other or celebrate another
noteworthy date, e.g., work, school, day you joined Rotary, and
bring a guest who can eat for free.
On the ATTENDANCE CARD write ANNIVERSARY behind the
guest’s name. Hopefully our spouse or guest will feel included maybe even interested in joining.
Free meal does not apply to non-members, visitors or guests and only one spouse per member per year
 District Conference at the Marriott Hotel & Conference
Center in Normal is April 19 & 20. Here’s where you can find
more info at the net:
http://www.clubrunner.ca/portal/Events/EVPEventDetails.aspx?accoun
tid=50033&eid=fb744cf2-d3a1-430e-a15a-94b1ced2d904&tid=2
District Governor wants 100% of the clubs represented and
there will be special recognition of 50+ year member
Rotarians.
R
R EE AA SS OO NN SS TT OO C
C EE LL EE BB RR AA TT EE (( NN EE XX TT 11 00 DD AA YY SS ))
Tonya Siner
Claude & Linda Hudson
March 15
March 21
MAKE UPS
None reported this week but if you are traveling, remembering the 10th anniversary of the
start of the Iraq War leading to the toppling of Saddam Hussein, you can always visit another
club and if that doesn’t work for you do your Rotary membership duty on line.
http://www.rotaryeclubone.org
HI TECH PRESENTATION FOR YOUR PROGRAM?
Computer/laptop projector and Wi-Fi are available at First Baptist Church – please make
arrangements BEFORE your program.
You may need a special connector or adaptor from your unit, i.e., your
computer, to the projector…talk to President Rosie Gibbons and arrive
early to set-up, please.
FYI: Roger Marshall is our designated expert for equipment set-up. He’s the pastor at the
church, too, and IMHO knows a lot of stuff.
March
Sunday
Palm
Sunday
Monday
(program chair in red)
Tuesday
18
19
25
26
Wednesday
Thursday
20
21
Rural Urban Luncheon
Rita Frazier with RFD
Illinois, guest speaker
Literacy
Friday
Saturday
22
Chairs Julie Stephens &
Norbert Soltwedel
27 28 5:00 pm
New
Libby Moeller
Member
US House Orientation
Board
Representative
meeting
John Shimkus Mixer at
Tuscan Hills
Winery
23
30
APRIL
Italian GSE team April 9-13
Regular Meeting on April 10.
Social at Tuscan Hills Winery with GSE – April 10
SAA banquet is Thursday, April 11
Friday evening, April 12 at Effingham High School the
pavilion committee will host Rhodes Fish Fry in conjunction
with the Effingham Artisan Fair and the visit of our
GSEteam
Scholar Athlete Awards - April 24
April 27 Pancake & Sausage breakfast at EHS Hearts
Rock Café ~ 7-10 am Sat. morn
MAY
 There is NO Wednesday meeting May 1 because
 Our annual golf outing, lunch and meeting in conjunction
with the Sunrise club is Friday, May 3 at the Effingham
Country Club. Lunch starting at 11:45; meeting begins at
Noon.
 Mike McCollum’s program rescheduled for May 8
 Amanda McKay’s program rescheduled for May 29
JUNE
Final fiscal year club assembly is
June 5
Why you need to join and promote the World’s
Biggest Commercial
Rotary is inviting all supporters to participate in the World's Biggest Commercial. Join Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bill Gates,
Jackie Chan, Amanda Peet, and other world figures participating in Rotary's This Close campaign to raise awareness and support
for polio eradication efforts. The more images it includes, the more impact the commercial will have on the world.
And thanks to a recent partnership with PhRMA, the trade association representing U.S. drug research and biotech companies,
those photos will have even more impact: For each uploaded photo, the PhRMA will make a donation that can two children from
contracting polio. But in order for the commercial to be recognized as the world’s biggest, we need to collect more This Close
images. Here are tips on collecting photos at a photo booth:
1) First, try it yourself. Go to www.endpolionow.org, click on World’s Biggest Commercial at the top of the page, and follow the
instructions to upload your photo; be sure to fill out the required dialogue boxes and permission check boxes. For more help,
watch this video.
2) Take your show on the road. Now that you are comfortable uploading images, consider places where you can take your
laptop and have others upload their photos. Perhaps set up a “photo booth” for club members at your next meeting or event. You
can also use tablets and smartphones to upload images.
3) Plan ahead. Test the laptop, tablet, or smartphone to be sure it is working properly and that you have Internet access as well
as a working webcam.
4) Get your best face out! Webcams often distort backgrounds or even the clothing you are wearing, so do your best to submit a
clean, clear image. And be sure to capture your This Close sign. Here are more hints to help produce the best shot:
Set the laptop on a desk and provide an adjustable chair for the photo subject.
Make sure the hand position is correct, as it is easy to inadvertently make an offensive gesture.
Wear solid colors; prints or plaids tend to be distorted by webcams.
Clear clutter from the photo background.
Make the event fun, to get people excited about joining in