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November 2018
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Rotary Decorates Tree for Hospice

Sauk Valley Community College Rotaracters assisted the Rock Falls Rotarians in decorating the tree for the Festival of Trees for Rock River Hospice & Home at Northland Mall. Those pictured from left to right: Karyn Baldwin, Lillian Maxfield, Deb Gonzalez, Paul Sedig, Cheryl Faber, Betty Clementz and Pam Erby.

Rock Falls Rotary Obtains Grant for L.I.F.E.

Rock Falls Rotary wrote a grant to obtain matching Rotary District 6420 funds to support the Whiteside County Literacy Is Fun(damental) for Everyone (L.I.F.E ) program which provides a book per month to children in Whiteside County from birth through age 5. The Rock Falls Rotary Club provided $1500 to support L.I.F.E which was doubled by Rotary District 6420 to provide $3000 for the program. Presenting the check is Rock Falls Grant Chair Cheryl Faber (center) to Diana Verhulst (left), CEO of Whiteside County United Way, and Pam Martinez (right) Director of Programs and Services of United Way of Whiteside County. This grant was made possible through the charitable giving of Rock Falls Rotarians to the Rotary Foundation.

Rock Falls Rotary Honors Rotary Students of the Month

Gracie Young (left), daughter of Brent and Denise Young, was chosen by Rock Falls High School staff as August Rotary Student of the Month, and Abbigail Jones (right), daughter of Dave and Sue Jones, was selected as November Rotary Student of the Month. Both were selected 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 good will and better friendships? 4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Rock Falls Rotary Supports Coloma Township Thanksgiving Baskets

Two members of Rock Falls Rotary - Betty Clementz (left) and Pam Erby, (right) Chair of Community Service Committee, present to Dave Blanton of Coloma Township a check for $150 for Thanksgiving baskets.

Javier DeLaTorre Selected as October Rotary Student of the Month

Posted on Oct 30, 2018

Javier DeLaTorre, son of Javier and Maria DeLaTorre and a Senior at Rock Falls High School, was selected as the Rock Falls Rotary October Student of the Month by staff based on the Four Way Test of what Rotarians say, think, and do: 1) Is it the truth? 2) Is it fair to all concerned? 3) Will it build good will and better friendships? 4) Is it beneficial to all concerned? President Mike Albert presents to Javier the Rock Falls Rotary lapel pin.

End Polio Now Walk

The End Polio Now Walk was held Saturday, Oct. 13 at Centennial Park in Rock Falls. The event was sponsored by Sterling Noon Rotary Club, Dixon, Illinois Rotary Club, Twin Cities Sunrise Rotary Club - Sterling, Illinois and the Rock Falls Rotary Club. In attendance were several members from each club and members from the District including our currrent District Governor and Past District Governor. The Iron Lung was also on display for everyone to view.

2017-2018 Presidential Citation Presentation

Past District Governor Steve Kuhn (left) awards the 2017-2018 Presidential Citation to Rock Falls Rotary Club members at the Oct. 13 End Polio Now Walk at Centennial Park in Rock Falls. Rock Falls was one of the 12 of 47 clubs in the district to achieve goals in five categories during the year. Betty Clementz, 2017-2018 past president and President Mike Albert accept the award.

Rock Falls Annual Greenery Sales

It is time for the Rock Falls Rotary Club Annual Greenery Sale. You can send a wreath, garland or table piece directly to your friend's or relative's doorstep in time for the holidays. These are GREAT gifts for those who live elsewhere in the continental USA. It appears at their door as a great, fresh surprise of the holiday season. Plus, you are supporting Rotary projects through this gift. Contact Pat Novak at 815-441-0528 or any Rock Falls Rotarian.

Rotary Students Visit and Arrive

Rock Falls Rotary welcomed several exchange students to its recent meeting. Attending were (l to r) Sterling Rotary Inbound student Fritio Fagergren from Sweden; Sterling's Outbound student Brice Taylor leaving for France; Rock Falls Rotary Inbound student Flavien DuPont from France; Gabby Galindo Rock Falls Rotary Outbound to Taiwan; and Rock Falls Rotary Rebound student Tommi Myers who returned from a year in Sardinia, Italy. Also pictured is RF Rotarian Bob Sondgeroth, Youth Exchange Officer.

Third Annual Polio Walk

The Third Annual End Polio Now Walk, sponsored by the Rock Falls, Sterling Noon, Twin Cities Sunrise, and Dixon Rotary Clubs will be held on Saturday, October 13 at Centennial Park in Rock Falls. Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m. There is no fee to participate. Donations will be accepted and with a $20 donation you can get an End Polio Now Tshirt, while supplies last. The walk will step off around 9 a.m. and will proceed along the Hennepin Canal bike path to the walking bridge which will cross the Rock River. Upon crossing the river and reaching Sterling, the water station will be set up at the gazebo, which will also be the turn around point (route is approx. 2.5 miles)

The public is invited to attend, will all donations collected and given to the End Polio Foundation at Rotary International. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation then triples that amount donated. We encourage and invite all to attend to help us eradicate Polio.

Also on display from 8 a.m. to Noon will be the Iron Lung.

For more information, contact any participating Rotarian.

Rock Falls Rotary Donates to LIFE Program

Posted on Aug 06, 2018

Rock Falls Rotary President Mike Albert presents a check to Pam Martinez of the United Way of Whiteside County in support of the L.I.F.E (Literacy is Fun for Everyone) program. The program supplies books to children in Whiteside County.

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.

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