Speakers
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Director of Community Crisis Center Maureen Manning. Club President Lyle Wolff presents Golden K check for $5,000. Photo courtesy of Saralee Johnson

Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain updated Golden K on Elgin matters on January 18, including limits to city expansion, police and fire services, homeless shelter, trains, removing Kimball Street bridge, and many other topics. Most helpful for all of us!

January 11 meeting featured Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain and Undersheriff Amy Johnson. Covered many topics. FB summary: "Through implementation of jail supportive program, drug addiction assistance, medically assisted treatment, vocational certification and solid exit programming, along with Taser training for our officers, improved food, and climate quality, we have seen a 37% decrease in detainee altercations and an almost 95% decrease in inmate vs. officer altercations in 2019 vs. the three years before. All while coming in over $500,000 under budget in FY2019." Photo courrtresy of Saralee Johnson

Food for Greater Elgin Executive Director Michael Montgomery spoke on January 4th. Some interesting facts from his presentation: Food for Greater Elgin served about 130,000 people in 2022, and presently serves about 100 per day. Elgin Golden K donated $5,000 to them in 2022.

Hosted Pastor Tiffany Henerson of Kingdom Advancement Center at our December 21st meeting. She presented an aweseme storehouse of accomplishments over the past decade in which her Center is serving the city's youth in a combination of Science and Christianity. We have greatest respect for her ability to prepare youth for the future. The video illustrates the Jesus Is the Reason pageant Kingdom Advancement Center shared with youth of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on December 17th. Clothing donations in the video were donated by the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Festive Christmas Dinner at the Legion Dec 14th. Featured performer was violinist Carol Dillon of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

Boat Engineer Lyle Wolff was featured December 7 with great memories of his background. Lyle is currently president of our group. Also, we were honored by a visit with news from Chrystal Maxwell of Boys and Girls Club of Elgin. Chrystal is a member of Elgin Noon Kiwanis.

Featured guest Nov 30th was Gordon Turner - Circus Enthusiast & Model Builder. Everyone loved his stories and home movies from the Big Top! Gordon is a member of Circus Fan Association, Circus Model Builders and Circus Historical Society. He retired from 40 years at General Electric, where everyone called him the "Circus Bum!" He was accompanied by family members Steve and Lynn Martin.

Todays' Speaker - November 16th - Welcome to Susan Wood, R.N. (Stroke Coordinator at Ascension, St. Josephs, St. Alexis) with very helpful advice on recognizing symptoms of a Stroke. Especially important for our age group! Thanks Susan!

Kiwanis Golden K welcomed Dan Symonds November 9. Dan is from Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. Symonds-Madison features special services for veterans. For example, he and his wife Joy conduct Operation LOVE - Love our Veterans Elgin to help veterans and their families. A second-generation funeral director, Dan purchased the funeral home in 2013. He is a second-generation Army reserve soldier, having served twice in Iraq and Afghanistan. His great-great-grandfather served in the Civil War Battle of Appomattox Court House.

Welcome to Mike Kearney for Nov 2 meeting. Mike teaches a driver training course for seniors through AARP. His purpose - to make seniors safe and mobile. Very helpful for all!

On October 26 we enjoyed a presentation by Dan Fox, Board member of PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter). Founded in 1989, PADS of Elgin meets the basic needs of homeless individuals first, providing a safe place to sleep, meals, showers, laundry facilities and personal hygiene products. Elgin Golden K donated to their vital program. Pictured (left to right) are Lyle Wolff (President), Dan Fox, and Karen Snyder (Board Member).

Today we enjoyed a presentation by Amanda Harris - Arts Manager, City of Elgin. Amanda works with performing arts, community engagement, tour and venue management, arts administration and grant writing. Amanda develops many Elgin events - see www.cityofelgin.org/sp

Jerry Turnquist presented on Oct 12 on the history of Elgin, seen through the eyes of local newspaper columnist. Charles Gregory. Jerry is a columnist for the Daily Herald and a member of the Elgin Area Historical Society.

On October 5th we were honored to host Tom Armstrong. Tom Armstrong is a long-time Elginite and used to be the City Planner for the City of Elgin. He is also a bicycle enthusiast.

Prior to Otober 5th, 2022

Amber Peters, Executive Director, Elgin Partnership for Early Learning - September 21

Gail Borden Library Foundation - September 14

David Akemann - Retired Judge and States Attorney - September 7

Michel Montgomery - Food for Greater Elgin - August 31

Tony Sanders U-46 Superintendent - August 24

Member Interview - August 17

Mike Oine - Division Chief - Elgin Fire Dept. - August 10

Member Interview - August 3

Picnic - July 27

Dave Rohlwing - Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia - July 20

David Ahrens - Operation Sweet Life, Inc. - July 13

Steve Knight - Elgin Men's Shed - July 6

Linda Eggebrecht - Paul's Restaurant - June 29

Tina Vigucci - Hispanic Services - Gail Borden Library - June 15

Jim Feuerborn - Beekeeper - June 8

Rep. Ann Moeller - 33rd District - June 1

Cherie Aschenbrenner - TRIAD and Jerry Turnquist on Memorial Day - May 25

Maureen Manning - Director of Elgin Crisis Center - May 18

Jaime Garcia - Executive Director - Centre de Information - May 11

Jennifer Phillips - Elgin neighbor Services Manager - May 4

Kimberly Rother - ECC Culinary Arts Progfram - April 27

Dave Reich - ECC Welding School - April 20

Donna Boyce - ECC School of Nursing - April 13

Dr. David Sam - ECC President - April 6

Barb Kohley - Anderson Humane - Formerly Anderson Animal Shelter  - March 30

Coleen Haas - Sherman Natural Prairie & Garden - March 23

Kane County Forest Preserve - March 16

Robb Cagann - Elgin Fire Dept Chief - March 9

Gary Swick - Friends of the Fox River - March 2

Melissa Pedrigi - U-46 Program for 17 to 21 Year-olds - February 23