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Media Coordinator: Jan Bleich
 Rotary
Interact QHW article Pittsfield High
School Rotary Interact club stresses community service close to home and
around the world
Abbie
Price, foreground, a member of the Rotary Interact group at
Pittsfield High School, operates a stand mixer as, from left,
Paige Brokaw, Joe Miller and Faith Hoffman, work on other parts
of the cookie-making process. Club members baked cookies at the
high school on Dec. 21, then delivered the goodies to nursing
home residents. (H-W Photo/Phil Carlson)
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Published: 12/28/2010 |
Updated: 12/28/2010
By
DEBORAH GERTZ HUSAR
Herald-Whig Staff WriterPITTSFIELD, Ill. --
Pittsfield High School junior Joe Miller is gaining a better
understanding of how to help people around the world without ever
leaving home.
He played a part in providing drinking water, chickens
and a water buffalo for families in Africa, battling polio, and
providing a holiday treat for senior citizens closer to home thanks to
involvement in the Rotary Interact club at PHS.
"I know that here we're really spoiled, but we don't
really know it. To go out and look at real life things makes you open
your eyes a lot more than what you see in Pike County," said Miller,
vice-president of the PHS club.
Interact is Rotary International's service club for
youth ages 12 to 18. Traditional Rotary clubs sponsor the Interact
clubs, which do at least two community service projects each year. One
of those programs is designed to further international understanding and
goodwill.
"The most important aspect of Interact is the concept
that service is a good thing, that community service is an integral part
of successful communities and so getting involved in an organization
whose focus is predominantly service to others is a good growth
experience," said Bill Durall, Interact club liaison and board member of
the Pittsfield Rotary Club. "The other thing the kids get out of this is
the opportunity for leadership -- to lead meetings, organize
activities."
On the second day of Christmas break from school, club
members baked cookies and delivered them to nursing home residents in
Pittsfield.
"It was a lot of fun," said club member Abbie Price, a
PHS junior. "Rotary is a way for me to help out my community."
The students baked cake mix cookies with various
toppings, packaged them and then "they go and give them to each of the
residents," said PHS Principal Angie Greger, who sponsors the club.
"It was nice seeing all the people out there. They
enjoyed us coming," Price said. "You can tell the people appreciated
it."
It's the second year for the cookie-baking project and
going into the fourth year for the group, which grew from just a handful
of students to around 35 members this year.
Club members make Interact activities a priority in
schedules already crowded with homework, extracurricular activities and
part-time jobs. "It's a great group of young people who are active in a
lot of different things. It's a credit to them in wanting to serve their
community," Durall said.
"It helps instill that community service mindset, and
it forms the potential for new Rotary members," Pittsfield Rotary member
Kaye Iftner said.
But key is "the fact they do things that are part of a
bigger purpose, not just a local club doing local community service
stuff. They're part of an international organization," she said.
The PHS club raised money to build a well in Africa,
donated money to Heifer Project International to provide animals to
families in need and worked with Rotary Club members during the Pike
County Fall Color Drive to raise money for efforts to eradicate polio
worldwide.
"It's important the students have an opportunity to
serve people in the community and those internationally who are a lot
less fortunate than we are. Through some speakers and opportunities,
their eyes are opened on some situations that we don't necessarily
always think about like malaria and polio that have been eradicated from
us for a while, just the needs that people from some other countries
have, the things we take for granted," Greger said. "It's providing an
opportunity to serve in ways we normally would not have the opportunity
to do."
Closer to home, they helped build the county's first
Habitat for Humanity house in Griggsville, plan to sponsor a mother-son,
daddy-daughter event this winter and worked with the Pittsfield Rotary
on its major fundraiser.
"Every year our local club sells radio advertisements
to local merchants and organizations, then we take over WBBA radio
station for two days that the Color Drive is going on. We broadcast
those ads and provide public service announcements to help people know
what is going on with all the Color Drive activities. We got Interact
students to help us read some of the ads," Durall said.
"Interact is a real positive organization. The kids
get a good positive experience out of it."
AT A GLANCE
• Interact is Rotary International’s service club for
young people ages 12 to 18.
• The first Interact group met in 1962 with 23 students at Melbourne
High School in Melbourne, Fla.
• It has since become one of the most significant and fastest-growing
Rotary programs, with more than 10,700 clubs in over 120 countries and
geographical areas.
• More than 250,000 young people are involved in Interact.
• Brazil, India, the Philippines and the United States have the highest
number of Interact clubs.
Source: rotary.org
--dhusar@whig.com/221-3379
web posted 12-28-10
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Sue Grigsby presents Peru Mission
Trip results to Rotary.
 Pittsfield
Rotarian Joe Dierker invited Sue Grigsby to be the special guest speaker
at the regular Wednesday noon Pittsfield Rotary Club meeting on October
13th. Sue showed numerous photos and discussed her recent
mission trip to Peru where she had many varied experiences.
web posted 10-21-10 |
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Access Illinois Outdoors continues
success with the Access Food program - Rotary continues support.
 Brenda
Middendorf gave an update on the Access Illinois Program for the members
of the Pittsfield Rotary Club at the regular noon meeting on Wednesday,
October 6th. Access Illinois provides deer meat to families
in the area through local food banks. By bringing together deer hunters,
financial donations, meat processors and local food banks, local
families are provided with a source of protein. According to Brenda
Middendorf, “Approximately 70 % of the deer donations used in the Access
Illinois Program come from out of area hunters.” Pittsfield President,
Dan Borrowman presented Brenda with a $500 donation from Pittsfield
Rotary Club to assist with the cost of processing the deer. For more
information on the Access Illinois Program call 217-285-4114.
web posted 10-21-10 |
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Rotary hears update on REX pipeline
status.
 Pittsfield
Rotary Club President, Dan Borrowman welcomed Allen Fore, Director of
Community Relations for Kinder Morgan, to the Pittsfield Rotary Club
regular Wednesday noon meeting on September 8th. Allen presented a
PowerPoint show explaining the REX pipeline project which passes through
Pike County. The project will bring natural gas from Wyoming to the east
coast. Allen presented Dan with an official pipeline hat and Dan
presented Allen with an official Rotary 4 way test pen.
web posted 09-29-10 |
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New Rotarian Julie Plattner inducted
and Mayor Goewey explains Griggsville's beautification project success
and status.
 Photo:
Pittsfield Rotary Club President, Dan Borrowman, new Rotarian Julie
Plattner, and Griggsville Mayor Kent Goewey.
The Pittsfield Rotary Club welcomed
a new member at the regular Wednesday noon meeting on September 1st.
Club President Dan Borrowman inducted Julie Plattner as the newest
Rotarian.
Special guest
speaker, Griggsville Mayor Kent Goewey, explained to the group how the
Griggsville Beautification Project started , the progress made thus far
and plans for the future.
web posted 09-29-10 |
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Congressman Schock and Candidate
McCann visit Rotary Club.
 Photo:
Sam McCann, Rotary President Dan Borrowman, Dave Awbrey, U.S. Congressman
Aaron Schock.
U.S. Congressman Aaron Schock, several
of the Congressman’s staff members and State legislative candidate Sam
McCann were all in attendance at the Pittsfield Rotary Club meeting held
on August 25th. Rotarian, Dave Awbrey, invited the special
guests to speak with Rotarians about current political issues pertinent to
constituents.
web posted 08-27-10 |
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Candidate for Judge and Exchange
Student visit Rotary Club.
  Please
see attached photos: 1) Rotarian Debbie Dugan and guest Chris Scholz and
2) Rotarian Bill Durall, Bob Oitker, Braden Oitker, exchange student Diego
Martinez, Robin Oitker, Rotarian Violet Shulman.
The Pittsfield Rotary Club hosted
several special guests at the Wednesday meeting on August 18th.
Rotarian Debbie Dugan invited guest, Chris Scholz to speak. Mr. Scholz is
an attorney in Quincy and is currently a candidate for 8th
judicial circuit judge. Also attending the meeting was Rotary foreign
exchange student, Diego Martinez from Mexico, along with his local host
family, Bob, Robin and Braden Oitker. Local Rotarians Bill Durall and
Violet Shulman will coordinate Diego’s exchange experience in Pittsfield.
Diego and Braden will be both be seniors at Pittsfield High School
beginning next week.
web posted 08-27-10 |
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JWCC Programs.
 To
the left Pittsfield Rotary Club President, Dan Borrowman; Coordinator of
Literacy Program for JWCC, Kathy Tomlinson; and Pittsfield Rotary Club
member, Jason Bollenbaugh.
Kathy Tomlinson, Coordinator of the
Literacy Program for John Wood Community College, recently spoke with the
Pittsfield Rotary Club members at the invitation of Rotary member, Jason
Bollenbaugh. Kathy has worked for JWCC for 30 years and has worked with
the Literacy Program for 23 years. She explained the tutoring and GED
programs available in the JWCC district. Rotarian Bill Durall, who
volunteers as a JWCC tutor, told about the satisfying experience he has
had in seeing the personal and academic progress for the student which he
tutors. For more information about JWCC Literacy programs, call
217-641-4951 or log onto
www.admissions@jwcc.edu .
web posted 08-27-10
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Club hears about Transportation in
Pike County. See attached photo of
Pittsfield Rotary Club President-Elect, Josh Filbert, and Jean Jumper,
Managing Director for West Central Mass Transit District.
“At their regular Wednesday noon meeting on August 4th,
Pittsfield Rotary club members learned about the local initiative which
will provide public transportation for Pike County residents. Jean Jumper,
Managing Director of the West Central Mass Transit District (WCMTD), based
in Jacksonville was the guest speaker. Jean explained how the WCMTD will
be working with the Pike County Transportation Committee to “Put Wheels on
Pike County”. More details will be forth coming, but it is anticipated
that public transportation will be available in Pike County sometime this
fall or winter. A schedule of public meetings is to be announced soon.
Josh Filbert, Pittsfield Rotary Club President- Elect, welcomed Jean and
her husband Gordon Jumper to our club in the absence of Club President,
Dan Borrowman. Jean and Gordon are members of the Rotary Clubs of
Jacksonville.”
web posted 08-27-10
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Rotary Club is visited by new
District Governor and inducts two new members!
 pictured
left to right, Pittsfield Rotary Club President, Dan Borrowman, new
members Noelle Smithers and Beth Smith, and Rotary 6460 District
Governor, David Parsons.
At the Rotary meeting held on Wednesday,
July 28th, District Governor David Parsons made his official
visit to the club and with the assistance of Club President, Dan Borrowman,
inducted two new members. Noelle Smithers and Beth Smith were accepted into
the club and welcomed by all members. District Governor Parsons also
provided members with an enthusiastic overview of Rotary and the importance
of local and international community service.
web posted 07-29-10
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Rotarian magazine
 current
Pittsfield Rotary Club President, Dan Borrowman and Club Secretary, Chuck
Barber.
On July 14, 2010 Pittsfield Rotary
Club Secretary, Chuck Barber presented information to the members on the
Rotarian magazine and the many interesting articles included. Of
particular interest in a recent Rotarian issue is an article regarding new
Rotary International President, Ray Klinginsmith. Mr. Klinginsmith has
visited Pittsfield many times and is a good friend of local Rotarian,
Dawson Dean. Ray currently lives in Kirksville, MO, but will be traveling
the world as President of Rotary International. For more information about
Rotary International log onto
www.rotary.org.
web posted 07-29-10
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Rotary Club presents scholarships
at annual meeting
 pictured
left to right Dan Borrowman, Noah Gregurich, Chris Foster, Jan Bleich
The Pittsfield Rotary Club awarded $500
scholarships to two graduating Pike County High School students at the
recent annual meeting held at the Red Apple Room at the Old Orchard Country
Club in Pittsfield. Outgoing club president, Jan Bleich and incoming club
president Dan Borrowman presented the awards to Noah Gregurich of Pleasant
Hill and Chris Foster of Pittsfield. The son of Bart and Kim Gregurich, Noah
plans to attend Lincoln Christian University majoring in elementary
education and math. Chris Foster is the son of Ricky and Christina Collins
and plans to attend SIU, Edwardsville majoring in pharmacy.
web posted 07-29-10
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Illini Community Health Care
Foundation presents new project to Pittsfield
Rotary Club
 L
to R- Jan Bleich, local Rotary Club President, Patricia McIntosh,
Executive Director Illini Community Health Care Foundation, Walker
Filbert, Board Member, Illini Community Health Care Foundation.
“Local Rotary club members learned of a
new and exciting Illini Community Health Care Foundation (ICHCF) project
at the Rotary meeting held on June 23rd. Josh Filbert
invited Walker Filbert, ICHCF board member, and Patricia McIntosh,
Executive Director of ICHCF to speak at the local Rotary meeting. Plans for
a new, consolidated building to house Pike County health and human service
agencies were announced. Initial discussions are underway and the potential
exists for construction to begin before the end of the year. More
information will be forthcoming. For more information on ICHCF log onto:
www.ichcf.org.
web posted 07-29-10
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Rotarians attend District Assembly
 Right
to Left: Chuck Barber, Josh Filbert, Jan Bleich, Bill Durall, Wally Lamb.
Absent from photo Dan Borrowman
“Several Pittsfield Rotarians attended
the Rotary District 6460 Assembly recently in Springfield at the Crowne
Plaza Hotel. The day long training included sessions on leadership and the
following Rotary Programs: Youth Exchange program, Interact, Group Study
Exchange and more. Bill Durall presented information on the Assembly for
the entire Pittsfield Rotary Club membership at the regular Wednesday noon
meeting on June 16, 2010.”
web posted 07-29-10
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Rotary Peace Program Explained
 “Special
guests, Dr. Howard and Mrs. Kate Schwadron, presented a program for the
Pittsfield Rotary Club on June 9th. Rotarian Walter Lamb
scheduled this program and Chuck Barber hosted the presenters. Dr. Howard
and Kate explained the Rotary Peace Program, which includes the
opportunity for a graduate level degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution
for selected students from around the world. Universities offering this
Rotary sponsored degree, include one in North Carolina and one in
California.
web posted 07-29-10
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Mastering Transformation in
Business and in Life
 Dennis
Slone was the guest speaker at the noon meeting of the Pittsfield Rotary
Club on February 24th. Dennis was formally trained as an
Aerospace Engineer and in Computer Science. He is now owner and founder of
Black Belt Alchemy- mastering transformation in business and in life. He
is a published author, speaker, business and life coach. His passion is
helping others succeed by changing limiting beliefs. Several Rotarians
purchased Dennis’s book, “Nature’s Lessons”. To learn more about Black
Belt Alchemy, log on to:
www.blackbeltalchemy.com. Dennis and his wife, Tammy, are pictured
with current Rotary Club President, Jan Bleich.
web posted 03-1-10
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Pike County Cemeteries topic for
Rotary Club meeting
 Linda
and Al Berry attended the Pittsfield Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday,
February 10, 2010 at the invitation of Rotarian, Tom Moore. Linda
presented very interesting information on her research and writings about
Pike County cemeteries. She has written numerous books on the cemeteries.
The books are available at Casteel’s in Pittsfield. For more information
about Pike County cemeteries, check the books at Casteel’s.
web posted 02-15-10
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Pittsfield Club hears about status
of Pittsfield's new Water Supply Project
 The
City of Pittsfield water project was the topic of discussion at the
Pittsfield Rotary Club regular noon meeting on Wednesday, February 3rd.
At the invitation of Rotarian, Max Middendorf, John Hummel of MECO
Engineering gave a riviting presentation and updates on the water project.
Projected completion for this project is December 2010.
web posted 02-15-10
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Pittsfield Club hears from first
program speaker for 2010
 Wayne
Hays was the speaker during a recent Pittsfield Rotary Club meeting at the
invitation of Rotarian, Murray Martin. Wayne works locally in marketing at
Farmers State Bank and shared his wealth of knowledge regarding marketing
and advertising. He has 22 years experience in banking and 21 years
experience in marketing. Some recently developed Farmers State Bank
marketing materials were shared with those in attendance.
web posted 01-13-10
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Pittsfield Club learns about Relay
for Life
Natalie Gaunt, Income Development
Representative, with the American Cancer Society, Western Regional Office
in Springfield, was the guest speaker at the Pittsfield Rotary Club
meeting on December 30th. Rotarian Chris Little invited Natalie to speak
about the upcoming Relay for Life of Pike County to be held from 5 pm on
June 11th to 6 am on June 12th on the Courthouse
lawn in Pittsfield.
Funds raised through the American Cancer
Society Relay for Life make possible a number of patient programs and
services. In addition, these funds provide for critical cancer research.
Purely by coincidence, Rotarian Josh Filbert invited Casey Krusemark and his
fiancée to attend this same Rotary meeting as guests. Casey happens to be a
postdoctoral fellow working on imaging reagents for
 the
early detection of cancer at Stanford University in California. Casey’s
research is funded by the American Cancer Society.
For more information about Relay for
Life of Pike County, log onto:
www.relayforlifepike.com .
(Pictured left to right, Rotarian, Chris
Little; Natalie Gaunt, American Cancer Society; and Casey Krusemark,
postdoctoral fellow Stanford University.)
web posted 01-13-10
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| Josh's Corner: | | | | This Week In Rotary...
Announcements 
check out our News Page | | Welcome to the Pittsfield Rotary Club website.
"Service Above Self" |
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| Contact Information | | Telephone
| | | 217-248-2471 | |
Postal Address | | | PO Box 145, Pittsfield, IL 62363 | | | Webmaster | | | mmiddendorf@pittsfieldrotary.com | | Meeting Time: | Wednesday at 12:00 PM | | Meeting Location: | Community Center | | 224 W. Washington | |
Pittsfield, IL 62363 |
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