Better Know a Rotarian - A Tale of Two Danville's

Best read while listening to Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen because #TBT and his album Born to Run turns 40 this summer. Kevin Hill is 40(ish).

Kevin and I recently had lunch at Los Patios. He had a burrito, I had a Speedy Gonzalez (the Mexican restaurant lunch staple).

Kevin Hill grew up in Danville. Royal Donut, Schroeder's (formerly Burger Chef), and a love of everything Dick Van Dyke are part of his heritage.... wait, that's not Danville! Why actually it is. Kevin is from Danville, Illinois. He's traded in his past Danville for the Royal Theater, Burger King (where nobody eats), and a love of everything Andy Griffith. 

Kevin has been a huge part of Rotary's growth in the past year as the Membership Director. I looked this up (no I didn't) and we've added a staggering 40 members (give or take a few dozen) in the past 6 months. DO NOT FACT CHECK THAT STATISTIC. As if that's not impressive enough of a Rotary resume he's also the Assistant to the Vice President Elect. I believe that means if the President & Vice President & Speaker of the House & President pro tempore of the Senate & Secretary of State are all incapacitated, he becomes President. Wow is right.

His most prized accomplishment since joing Rotary however is his Danville Rotary Fantasy Football trophy he won last season. Ever since he won he's been wearing a crown on his head, which I found odd. When I asked if winning has changed him he took a big sip out of the golden chalice he now carries around and drinks from exclusively and declared "Nay, winning the figure league hath not chang'd me any. i am the same sirrah from anoth'r danville that i always was. i still associate with the less'r people from timeth to timeth." I believe the crown came from Burger King. 

BETTER KNOW A ROTARIAN

Best read while listening to "What Do You Like" by Graham Parker, because why not. 

Sat down with "Attorney For The Innocent" Terry Kessinger at Frank's Place for a brief conversation to better know a Rotarian. Terry had antipasto (which sounds like it should be illegal in a pasta place correct?) while I had the grilled chicken and a salad with no olives because they are from the devil. 

To say Terry is a complicated fellow would be inaccurate... wait. To say Terry is a complicated fellow would be a fool-hearty lie. Nobody would believe it. He's a man of a few passions that aren't hard to spot. I'll skip the golf part because I'm horrible at it and I suspect those who aren't don't work hard enough at other aspects of their lives so it's more of a fault of theirs and less an accomplishment. No need to mention his predilection for those cheaters the Cardinals, his Hoosier backing cancels that out and then some. There are two things that make Terry an important Rotarian to know: Music & Brews.

If you need a music history lesson you could do a lot worse, his breakdown of the ironic differences between Beatles & Stones fans vs. the two bands upbringing is pretty fascinating, but that's not what makes Terry's love of music important to Rotary. The symphony on the Prairie trips, the Kessinger's constant appearances at other Rotarian's musical events (Royal Theater concerts, volunteering at the Rotarian booth for Concerts on the Square) etc.. are all things that wouldn't be the same if you didn't see Terry and his better half there. Yes it's great that he supports and in some cases even helps organize these events. But his enthusiasm for music shines through and makes the evening more enjoyable for all involved. 

Which is when we come to the brew. Thankfully there is brew at all these events or Terry probably wouldn't be there long. Not only that, but neither would we more than likely. Listening to these music lovers (myself included) can be exhausting and lead one to the bottle quick. I mean, have you heard Terry's dissertation on the differences between Beatles & Stones fans vs. the two bands upbringing? Wow, hope you have a few hours. 

Honestly this is a Rotarian you should know better, or at least know better than to offer him a Coors Light, because he's more of a craft brew guy. Yeah, he's a little pretentious just like most Cards fans. Dang it I couldn't help it!

-Seth Cromer