PITSFIELD ROTARY CLUB   District 6460         8 November 2006

Visitors:  Cole Bradburn with Mark Meleski.. (Cole has been proposed for membership.

Donna Smith, Guidance Counselor for WestPike.,accompanied our student guests.

Student guests:   Dawn Colvin, daughter of Dennis and Vickie.  She is active in Student Council, National Honor Society, active in Volley ball, Soft ball and cheerleading. Helps with the blood drives, was 2003 Hull Queen, works at the Twin Pike YMCA, teaching tumbling and dance. Dawn hopes to attend college and go after a PhD in Psychology.

Britni Miller, daughter of Barb and Bob.  She is on the Student Council, in National Honor society, band, FFA, plays Volley ball, Softball, is in band, is a Gym master, teaches dance, and is a lifeguard in the summer. Plans on attending Culver-Stockton, with a degree in sports medicine and physical therapy.

President Anna reported that a preliminary color drive committee met, with a lot of recommendations for changes, going with a possible Rotary Radio Day II,  Next week will have a meeting where any, or all, can have the opportunity for input, and c an contribute to the new format……(although Randy will not allow the entire meeting to last over 15 minutes….(which is apparently his attention span….)….remember that he is a ‘control freak’, and now actually promises that the Rotary meetings under HIS administration will be OVER, not later than 12:45….next year when HE’S president…) DUH!!!

December 12 is the Rotary Christmas Party, at 6:00 p.m.., at the Cross Roads Center….Becky McCartney is chair of the committee…..Will make a change in that each child will have a chance to give a girt to a needy child instead of receiving one… more information next week…..

Walter (I’m the man) Lamb, held to the promised checking on people without a Rotary pin being worn, and collected $7.00 from our errant Rotarians……all for the Rotary Foundation…

Program:  Max Middendorf introduced Brenda Middendorf, his wife, who is in charge of the Access Illinois Program for the Two Rivers RC&D Area.

Brenda reported that the RC&D  Access Illinois covers areas are in 48 counties in Illinois

And just in Pike County has brought 43 million dollars into Pike County since its inception in 1994

The RC&D brought wild turkeys into Pike County in 1975, and they have become a unique hunting experience for many here.

Access Illinois is not for just deer hunting, although this has become a multi-million dollar business in Pike County…. They also promote fishing, camping, hiking, nature study, photography and trail riding on the lands of participants.  The results have increased income for the farmers, ;ocal businesses. Helped the all-over economy of the area, opened private land to public use, and has encouraged more people to participate in agri-tourism.

Over 200,000 acres are enrolled in Access Illinois program.  Land values have really increased in the past 10 years, with Pike County land value increasing by over 800 million dollars…..

Outfitters in Pike County have been employing about 260 individuals in hunting activities…with over a Million dollars in annual payroll….

Access is also sponsoring a program where deer are donated to help feed the hungry.  Federal rules require that donated deer must be processed in a Federally inspected facility..(Illinois inspection is not considered  adequate for some reason…this needs to be changed.)   So far, over 1600 pounds of deer have been processed…. It costs more to process at a Federally inspected facility, so asking for donations to assist in feeding the hungry….

Rotary presented a generous check to assist the program….

Thanks…Brenda, for an informative program….Rotary for the Donation to help more people have a better meal….