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July 2018
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Rotary Youth Exchange - Past and Present

Posted on Jul 19, 2018

Mike Albert, (right) President of Rock Falls Rotary, welcomed back to Rock Falls our RFHS student Tommi Myers (center right), daughter of Tom and Johnna Myers, who had spent the last year in Sardinia and presented to the Rock Falls Rotary Club the banner of her hosting club. Looking on is Amy (Harms) McFarlane (center left) and her husband Ross (far left) who live in Scotland. Amy had been the Rock Falls Rotary exchange student to Denmark in 1987 and then went to Scotland on an Ambassadorial scholarship four years later where she met her husband-to-be. They were back in the area visiting family and friends. Rotary Exchange students develop real friendships with their host clubs and families.

Good-Bye Manuela

Posted on Jul 14, 2018

Rock Falls Rotarians presented our 2017-2018 Foreign Exchange Student, Manuela, with a gift for her time spent this year with our club, at Rock Falls High School and in our community. The Rock Falls hat and long sleeve jersey pullover with RFHS seemed the perfect momento. Manuela, you were a delight, always upbeat and fun, a perfect exchange student. Safe travels back to Columbia and you are always welcome at our club anytime !! Making the presentation was past president Betty Clementz and current president Mike Albert.

Rock Falls Rotary Welcomes Rotary District Governor Kathy Kwiat-Hess

President Mike Albert welcomed Kathy Kwiat-Hess, 2018-2019 Governor of District 6420 which is the western corner of Illinois from Quad Cities to Wisconsin border and east to Henry, IL. Kathy shared the new President of Rotary International vision and how clubs may achieve his Presidential Citation for their activities of service in both their communities and internationally making a difference. President Mike presented her with the flag and pin of Rock Falls Rotary.

Rock Falls Rotary 79th Annual Corn Boil

Posted on Jul 12, 2018

The Rock Falls Community Building will be the site for the annual Rock Falls Rotary Corn Boil on Monday, July 23, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Keith Zoeller is Chair of this event. Cost of the tickets is $8/adults and $4/children under 12. Menu includes Pulled Pork Bar-B-Q or hot dog, chips, beverage and all the corn you can eat. Drive through service is also available. Tickets may be purchased in advance from any Rock Falls Rotary Club member or at the door on the day of the event.

Orders of 10 or more meals may be pre-ordered for pick-up at a requested time if faxed to Keith at 815 / 625- 3726 or emailed to zoeller@essex1.com no later than Sunday, July 22, by noon. No pre-orders for pick-up will be taken the day of the event. To place a pre-order, give name, phone number and number of meals of each sandwich choice along with the desired hour (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.) for time of pick-up.

This year 2018 will mark the 79th year that this has been an annual event for the Rock Falls Rotary Club. The original Rock Falls Rotary Club Corn Boil was an activity for the club members and their families which expanded over the years into what has become the major fundraising event for the club. Wilson and Lorraine King were the original hosts to this event on their farm south of Rock Falls. This event has grown into a community event with over 1500 meals being served. Proceeds from this annual event will benefit the many community projects and youth support of the Rock Falls Rotary. The public is invited.

Keith Zoeller (right), Chair of the Rock Falls Rotary Corn Boil, is making final preparation with Cindy Poci, co-owner with Jerry Poci of Poci’s Market, for the sweet corn that will be used for the 79th Annual Rock Falls Rotary Corn Boil to be held July 23at the Rock Falls Community Building from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Arunima Salomi Receives Rock Falls Rotary Scholarship

President Mike Albert (left) and Keith Zoeller (right), Chair of Scholarship Committee, presented to Arunima Salomi a Rock Falls Rotary Scholarship. 'Nima, daughter of Soloman and Satya Sudhakar, plans to study medcine.

Rock Falls Rotary Presents Scholarships

Keith Zoeller (right), Chair of the Scholarship Committee of Rock Falls Rotary, presented to Karley Crady (left), a graduating senior of Rock Falls High School, one of the three scholarships extended to RFHS students. She will be attending University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in the fall, her course of study is still undecided.

Official Passing of the Presidential Gavel of Rock Falls Rotary

Betty Clementz, Rock Falls Rotary President 2017-2018, passes the presidential gavel to Mike Albert, President of Rock Falls Rotary 2018-2019. Rotary year is July 1st through June 30th.

Caitlin Shaw Receives Scholarship from Rock Falls Rotary

Caitlin Shaw, daughter of Wessley and Amber Shaw, received a 2018 scholarship from Rock Falls Rotary Scholarship Chair Keith Zoeller (left) and Bob Sondgeroth (right), Youth Chair. Her plans are to attend Sauk Valley Community College and then transfer to Northern IL University to pursue an elementary education teaching degree.

Rock Falls Rotary Bids Farewell to Manuela Beltran-Rojas from Colombia

Manuela Beltran-Rojas (center front row) has spent the past year in the Rock Falls community and will be returning to her home in Colombia. Members in attendance on July 2 joined in wishing her well with hopes for a return to the US soon. Manuela will be attending the Central States Youth Exchange Conference in Grand Rapids to share her country with outbound students going to Colombia ,before her return home.

Members from left to right: (front row) Sarah Willey, Julie Logan, Manuela Beltran-Rojas, Betty Clementz, Pat Novak, Pam Erby; (second row) Gabey Galinda, outbound student in 2018-2019 to Taiwan, Cheryl Faber, Karen Voss, and Tom Myers; (Back row) Mark Young, Darla Ewing, Bob Sondgeroth, Keith Zoeller, and Mike Albert.

Rock Falls Rotary Inducts a New Member

Keith Zoeller sponsored a new member to the Rock Falls Rotary Club, Darla Ewing, who was inducted July 2 and presented the Rotary wheel lapel pin by Keith Zoeller after her induction.

Rock Falls Rotary Welcomes Youth Exchange Students

_{Bob Sondgeroth, Youth Exchange Officer in Rock Falls Rotary, welcomed Rotary Youth Exchange Students (left to right): Gabey Galinda of Loves Park who will soon be leaving for Taiwan as an Outbound Student sponsored by Rock Falls Rotary, Manuela Beltran Rojas from Colombia who has been an Inbound Student sponsored by Rock Falls Rotary this past year at RFHS and will soon be returning to Colombia, and Katie Thompson, a Rebound Student who had spent a full year in 2012 in Ecuador. All students were welcomed to Rotary Park for the recent picnic to share their experiences.}

Rock Falls Rotary Sponsored Javier De La Torre to Boys State

_{Youth Committee Chair, Bob Sondgeroth, welcomed to Rotary Park the Rock Falls High School candidate sponsored by Rock Falls Rotary to attend Boys State June 9 - 15. Javier De La Torre will be a senior in the fall and shared his experiences at Boys State as memorable and educational at the same time. Thank you to the American Legion Post 902 for arranging the sponsorships of students to attend this week of participating in a mock governmental election to understand more fully the American system of government.}

Rock Falls Rotary Corn Boil - July 23, 2018

Posted on Jul 03, 2018

Rock Falls Rotary Club 79th Annual Corn Boil at Rock Falls Community Building from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Cost is $8/adult and $4/children under 12 for either a hot dog or pulled pork barbeque sandwich, chips, beverage and all the corn you can eat. Drive-through carryout service is available. Tickets available at the event or from any Rock Falls Rotarian in advance. Pre-order for pick-up orders (11 a.m.-6 p.m.) of 10 or more meals if preordered by Noon, Friday, July 20. Orders may be faxed to 815-625-3726 or emailed: zoeller@essex1.com . Give name, number of orders of each sandwich choice, time for pick-up, and phone number of person placing order. Proceeds benefit Rotary community & youth projects.

Rock Falls Rotary is also seeking any size of donations/sponsorships to help with the Corn Boil. If you or your business is willing to help, please contact Bob Sondgeroth at 815-625-1495.

Rock Falls Rotary Collects Food for Annual Food Drive

Members of the First Christian Church, 506 Fifth Avenue in Rock Falls who volunteer in their food bank received food items and money in their support from members of the Rock Falls Rotary Club. Seated (left to right) are the members who shared the food bank needs: Sue Insley and Edith Geiger, surrounded by members of the Rock Falls Rotary Club.

Rock Falls Rotary Honors 2017 - 2018 Students of the Month

Rock Falls Rotary honored the Rotary Students of the Month for their selection and gave to each a special gift and certificate.: (left to right) Hannah Rockwell - September; Jacob Oltmans - October; Faith Sandrock - November; Jackson Rinehardt - December; Bradi Schrader - February; Thomas Christensen - March; Madeline LeFevre - April; Delaney Wetzell - May; and Rock Falls Rotarian Youth Advisor Bob Sondgeroth. Absent from the photo are Karley Crady - August and Arunima Salomi - January. All students were selected based on the 4-Way Test of the things that Rotarians think, say, and do: 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Rock Falls Rotarians Attend Rotary District 6420 Conference with Exchange Student

Three Rock Falls Rotarians and Exchange Student from Colombia were in attendance at the 2018 District 6420 Conference held at Faranda's in DeKalb April 27 - 28.
Those pictured are (left to right) Julie Logan, Betty Clementz, Exchange Student Manuela Beltran Rojas, and Cheryl Faber.

Mauela Beltran Rojas, Exchange Student from Colombia who is staying in Rock Falls, participated in the Ceremony of Flags carrying her flag of Colombia to the hit song of Neil Diamond, "They are Coming to America".

Rock Falls Rotary Celebrates Cinco de Mayo

Posted on May 07, 2018

Members of the Rock Falls Rotary and guests enjoyed a casual Rotary meeting "Cinco de Mayo" style with Mexican cuisine, decorations and some games and trivia about Cinco de Mayo. Thanks to the social committee for organizing the evening.

PDG Ruth Lee Presents Foundation News

Betty Clementz, Rock Falls Rotary President, thanks Ruth Lee (right), a Past District governor and chair of the Rotary Foundation for District 6420, for her sharing the goals of the Rotary Foundation and the progress of the district in attaining them through Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY).

Rock Falls Rotary Literacy Awards At District Conference

Posted on May 17, 2018

Three members of Rock Falls Rotary who are involved in the Literacy efforts of the club are holding the Sustained Excellence Award and ribbon for Literacy for their 16 years of reading to students at East Coloma-Nelson Elementary School in grades K - grade 5 weekly. The second award was for Club Achievement in that the club met the four criteria of awareness, financial support, a hands-on activity, and an activity during American Education Week by club members. Pictured are the guest readers at East Coloma-Nelson of (left to right) Cheryl Faber, Bob Sondgeroth, and Betty Clementz.

Rotary District 6420 selected Bob Sondgeroth as the recipient in 2018 of the Literacy Individual Achievement Award of the District for his efforts in promoting literacy. It was Bob Sondgeroth who started the reading program of Rock Falls Rotarians over 15 years ago when he was a teacher at East Coloma at that time wanting his students to encounter guest readers who shared their love of literacy weekly. From that initial invitation has grown some 300 students weekly being read to in grades K through fifth grade. Presenting to him the plaque and framed certificate is Rock Falls Club President, Betty Clementz.

April and May Rock Falls Rotary Students of the Month

Posted on May 14, 2018

Delaney Wetzell, daughter of Chad and Jodie Wetzell, (left) and Madeline LeFevre, daughter of David and Julie LeFevre, were selected as Rotary Students of the Month, by Rock Falls High School staff for the months of May and April respectively, based on the Four Way Test of the things that Rotarians think, say, and do:

1.Is it the truth?...
2.Is it fair to all concerned?
3.Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4.Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

New Member Open House

Rock Falls Rotary recently held a New Member Open House at the Rock Falls Candlelight Inn. Members were encouraged to invite prospective members to come and mingle and learn more about Rotary. President Betty Clementz shared what Rotary is all about, while fellow Rotarians introduced themselves. Newest member Dylan Devers shared why he decided to become a Rotarain and representatives from the Rotaract Club at Sauk Valley Community College also spoke about what their club is doing in the community. We thank everyone who came and welcome you to attend a Rock Falls Rotary Meeting at anytime.

Rock Falls Rotary Student of the Month of November

Jackson Reinhardt, son of Daniel and Kim Reinhardt, was selected by staff at Rock Falls High School as the November Student of the Month for Rock Falls Rotary. Criteria for selection is based on the Four Way Test of what Rotarians think, say, and do:

1. Is it the truth?

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Rock Falls Rotary Club Hosts 70th Farmer's Night

Rock Falls Rotary Club held the 70th Annual Farmer's Night on March 12 at Deer Valley Banquets. Rotary hosts this dinner in recognition of those who work in our agricultural community. Student of the Month Thomas Christensen, 2017-2018 Rotary Exchange Inbound Student Manuela Rojas and Sauk Valley Community College Rotaract Club Representative Bailey Wetzell all spoke about their experiences and importance of Rotary. A dessert auction and 50/50 were held with the proceeds to benefit youth scholarship programs, and Korah Winn, past Ambassadorial Scholar and her band Milltown, entertained the crowd. Thank you to our sponsors The Cornerstone Agency, Vern's Farm Supply, Alton Irrigation, Compeer Financial, Sauk Valley Bank, Sterling Federal Bank and Zoeller Ag Services. Thanks to everyone who helped make the evening a success.

Rock Falls Rotary Welcomes January and February Rotary Students of the Month

Rock Falls Rotary welcomed the Rock Falls High School January and February Students of the Month, selected by RFHS staff, based on the Rotary Four Way Test of what Rotarians think, say and do as they live their lives:

1. Is it the truth?

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Bradi Schrader (left), daughter of Brad and Becky Schrader, was selected as the February Student of the Month and Nima Salomi (right), daughter of Solomon and Satya Sudhakar, was selected as January Student.

Rock Falls Rotary Completes Valentine Community Service Project

Posted on Feb 13, 2018

Members of Rock Falls Rotary Club completed the wrapping of boxes of candy to be distributed to all residents of the Sauk Valley Senior Living and Rehabilitation Center on Dixon Avenue to be included with Valentine greetings from the Rock Falls Rotary Club. Pictured are (left to right): Cheryl Faber, Karen Voss, Julie Logan, and Pam Erby.

Blood Drive co-sponsored by Rock Falls Rotary

There is still time to sign-up to be a blood donor on Monday, Jan. 22 at the Blood Drive at East Coloma School in Rock Falls, co-sponsored by the Rock Falls Rotary Club.

Rock Falls Rotary Presents 2017-2018 Scholarship to Bailey Bickett

Bailey Bickett (left) received a Rock Falls Rotary Scholarship for the 2017-2018 school year from the Rock Falls Rotary Scholarship Chair Keith Zoeller (right). Bailey, a 2017 graduate of Rock Falls High School, is the daughter of Brad and Jolene Bickett and attends the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Former RF Rotarian Receives Jefferson Award

Congratulations to Linley White, former Rock Falls Rotarian, on his Jefferson Award honor by WBBJ TV. Linley was nominated by the Paris Rotary Club. Way to go Linley, the Rock Falls Rotary Club is so proud of you and Rebecca!!!

Click link below to read story and watch video.

http://www.wbbjtv.com/2017/12/22/decembers-jefferson-award-honoree-linley-white/

Rock Falls Rotary November Student of the Month

Faith Sandrock, Rock Falls High School senior and daughter of Cathy and Gary Sandrock, is presented a Rock Falls Rotary lapel pin from Youth Chair of Rock Falls Rotary, Bob Sondgeroth. Students are selected by RFHS staff based on the Rotary Four-Way Test of how Rotarians think, say and do: 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Is it beneficial to all concerned? and 4. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

RF Rotary Sells Holiday Greenery

Posted on Oct 23, 2017

Sherwood Forest wreaths, garlands, pine cones, and swags delivered from YOU directly to the recipient’s home in continental United States, all for one price which includes cost of item, taxes, and shipping charges.

Freshly shipped from state of Washington, your gift will arrive at the doorstep of your recipient the week after Thanksgiving for a full holiday season to enjoy.

Contact President Betty Clementz at tbclementz@gmail.com to place an order and to prepay cost to Rock Falls Rotary prior to November 1.

All monies from this fundraiser will support Rotary Youth activities.

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