2013 Farmers Day

Just when you think that the weather would keep people home.  Enter your local Farmer!  They grab weather by the tail and create what they can with the resources that they have on hand.  Gary and Henry make a great team putting together a wonderful afternoon with our local Hero's... Our Farmers.  This year, Don Villwock was our guest speaker.  Don Villwock of Edwardsport, Ind., took office as president of Indiana Farm Bureau and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance in January 2002. His farming operation produces white corn, soybeans, seed soybeans, and seed wheat.

Villwock served in many capacities with Farm Bureau prior to his election as president, including vice president, District 7 director, Knox County president, State Young Farmer Committee chairman, and Feed Grains Committee chairman. He has served on the Farm Bill Task Force and the Farm Credit Task Force.

Don informed us about the importance of education for the public about where our food comes from.  Some of the education that Don provided to us was that farming today is completely different that it was 30 years ago.  Advancements in seed and process have developed a better product.  

Ron, David, and Rex listening to our speaker

Large crowd

 There were too many guest to list each of them.  We hosted local farmers, Rotary Interactors, and a former Rotary Interact President.

Gary

 This week we will be having a board meeting on Thursday morning at Court House Grounds.  The meeting starts at 7:30am. Following the board meeting, our meeting will be Apple for Teacher.  Our teachers work to shape and mold our youth.  Please plan on showing your support.

Just in case you live under a rock, there is a BIG event occurring on Feb. 21st.   Thaddous Rex will be coming to town.  The meeting will be in the evening at the Royal Theater.  Tickets are available during Rotary or available on the Royal's website.  Proceeds with go to benefit Suzy's Place.  Please come out and support Rotary and Inspire like a Rock Star.

Save the Royal

Well, last week I was in sunny Florida helping with the Ziggy Dick's BBQ festival.  There are some things that Pat, Steve, Rex and I learned from our time together.  They are as follows:

Rex and Steve hard at work

1. Florida in January is the bomb.

2. Steve can swim with a cell phone in his pocket.

3. Steve can not take a picture to save his life.

4. Pat can fish from anywhere.

5. and going to a Naples Bay Rotary Club meeting helps one realize just how young our club really is.

There was some work, some play and some really good Rotary friends in Naples.  It is always a good time.  If you can help out in the future, you will want to make it a priority.  

This week, Tracie Shearer, was our program.  Tracie was a roaming Rotarian last year in Naples.  Last year she laid down the law.  She said that while I was taking pictures, I could not take a picture of her with her mouth open, her mouth full of food and that all pictures of her must be approved by her before publishing.  With those rules in mind, during her program, I had no pictures of her speaking where I was in compliance with all the above rules.  

Tracie told us about the challenges that the Royal Theater are facing right now with the conversion of the theater to digital.  The Royal is more than just movies.  The Royal has been a venue for fundraisers, live music, plays, comedy nights, and birthday parties.  The Royal has a mission to make it a quality experience for everyone.  You can help support the theater from their website or their facebook page.  Tracie asked for each of us to share the Royal's status to help in raising the money needed for the conversion. 

There is a comedy event that will be used to raise funds for the Royal.  It will be Jan. 23 and 24 at 7:30pm.  Check out the website for more information.

Farmers day will be on Jan. 31st.  Invitations will be mailed to farmers, but if you know a farmer.... Invite them.  We will be at the Train Station in Ellis Park that day.

Ron will be retiring from Hendricks Power.  There is a reception for him at the Prestwick Country Club on January 30th.  The open house is from 3:30 to 6:30pm.  Ron would be delighted to have you stop by and help him celebrate.

Registration is now open for the next RLI session on Saturday, Feb. 16^th, 2013. You have completed RLI Part I or Part II already; now is the time to call on your club to sponsor your next session. The fee has now been reduced to $70, and everyone and every club should be able to afford it, especially when you consider being provided with new material, getting healthy breakfast and lunch, meeting new Rotarians from throughout the district, getting new fresh ideas, and improving your leadership skills while increasing your knowledge of Rotary. It’s a bargain you cannot find anywhere else. Please encourage your fellow club Rotarians to register if they have not yet done so.

Fee Reduced to $70 if you pre-register; On-line personal and club payment available

Who: All Rotarians

What: RLI Parts I, II, and III

When: Saturday, February 16, 2013, from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Where: First Baptist Church, 1010 East 126^th Street, Carmel, IN  46033

To register: 1) Go to http://www.hoa-rli.com ; 2) Click on RLI Events tab; 3)Look for D6560 Seminars; Click on 3 Events being offered; 4) Click onparticular seminar you wish to register for; 5) Fill out the Registration Form, and select method of payment. Clubs may register several of their members at the same time. The Pre-Registration Fee is $70 per session. On-Line payment is available for individuals or clubssponsoring several candidates, by credit card or check made out to HOA-RLI. Mail Pre-Registration checks to Salim Najjar, 3382 Eden Park Place, Carmel, IN 46033 by February 9, 2013. After registering you will receive a confirmation via e-mail. You may also access the Registration site through our district website or DacDb; Calendar Tab/ Feb. 16, 2013.  Walk-ins may pay $85 by check or cash on the day of the session at the Check-in Registration Desk if space is available.

I am all EARS

There is more or less corn in Indiana.  Jon MeDugle was Thursday's program chair and introduced Doug Whicker.  Doug is one of the Whicker boys.  And his family is well known in the county and the Ag business.  Doug talked to us about the challenges of the farmers during this drought.  It is not just about lower yields, but also what corn there is has been infected with viruses that can get a whole truckload of corn rejected at the elevator.  The red in the corn in the picture on the left is an example of this virus in the corn.  Doug went on to answer questions from Rotarians about the drought, farm insurance, and yield.

Saturday night, Rotarians fulled the streets of Downtown Danville to enjoy the sound of Hoosier Beetles.  Headliners Timm Grimm and Jenny DeVoe rocked the show.  Frozen bananas were wonderful treats for the show goers. Rotary is always well represented at these events.

You can go online to register for the fall District Conference in West Lafayette.  Go to www.rotary6560.org

Aug. 23rd, Gary Frey, District Membership Chair, will be our guest speaker.  Gary will give us update about the District and what other clubs are doing to attract quality Rotarians.

Rotary Ag Day

Editors Note:  I just wanted to thank each of you for taking the time to read our Rotary Blog.  I hope you enjoy it each week.

Ag Day
Welcome to all Farmers.  We had a good turn out at the Ellis Park Train Station for Ag Day or Farmers Appreciation.  Some of the Farmers were:  David Whicker, Phillys Palmer, Jim Loughmiller, JD Mendenhall, Cathy Stamper, Rex Parsons, and Charles and Theresa Brown.  This is not a full list, just the names I was able to remember.  Sorry to leave anyone out.  We were very happy that these folk took the time to share their time with us.  The Danville Rotary Club would like to formally thank all farmers for the work that they do.

Other guests included:  Interactors:  Gary, Lornezo, Gabe, Elliott and Plainfield Rotarian Mike Miller.

Henry Wallis introduced our speaker, Amber Wolfe from AgrAbility.  Amber is a Project Coordinator for them.  AgrAbility is an organization designed to help farmers with disabilities continue farming.  They specialize in Arthritis help.  They will work to keep farmers farming.  They are receiving funding from the USDA now.  50 million battle Arthritis and mostly women are effected.  Amber suggests getting checked out by your doctor if you have problems with your joints not your vet.

Jayson Marksberry and Mike Miller both talked briefly about the tornadoes and destruction in Southern Indiana.  Jayson got the word out to the club last week that he had alread made a relief run to Henrysville there weekend before.  Jayson let us know what supplies are still needed and that he was collecting those donations with the help of North Salem State Bank.  (As of Monday at 10am, I am still waiting on word from Jayson for an update on how things went over the weekend.)

Your Chance to Help!
Mike Miller spoke about the opportunity for each club to help on a District Level.  Here is a excerpt from the District Website:

Register to Help With Tornado Relief
Description:	Our group will be doing tree and debris removal. Please dress appropriately. Leather gloves, boots and rain gear are strongly recommended. We need three additional chain saws and four-wheel drive vehicles are also needed, if possible. The Rotary Club of Danville generously equipped our trailer with one chain saw already. The Salvation Army is providing our team with overnight accommodations, if needed, at the Country Lake Christian Retreat Center, (approximately 15 miles from Marysville.) You may work one day or all of them, whatever your schedule or physical limitations permit. Please join us if you can. Our plan is to meet at 8:00am on Thursday, March 15that the Cracker Barrel at the Scottsburg exit (mile marker 29A.) From there, we will drive to Marysville to Fire Station #2 on Nabb Marysville Road (approximately one mile SE of Marysville.) Please check-in there upon your arrival for a work assignment. If you have questions or concerns, please call Mike or e-mail Mike directly. His contact information is as follows: Mike Miller CPCT/BAT Drug and Alcohol Testing LLC 317-664-0188 cell 317-243-5468 office drugtesting@att.net
Location:	Our plan is to meet at 8:00am on Thursday, March 15that the Cracker Barrel at the Scottsburg exit (mile marker 29A.) From there, we will drive to Marysville to Fire Station #2 on Nabb Marysville Road (approximately one mile SE of Marysville.) Please check-in there upon your arrival for a work assignment.
Event Date:	Thursday March 15, 2012  to  Sunday March 18, 2012
Start Time:	8:00 AM

Follow this link to Register to help out.

March Madness!!!!

Brackets and more brackets.... Join the CVB in the Pizza Playoffs.  Cast your vote today.  Our club is planning on sampling some pizza from some of these local contenders.  Stay tuned for more information.  But, today you can vote, in Round !,  for your favorite pizza hangout until 8pm.  Starting at 8pm you can vote in Round 2.  Follow the link and cast your vote today!