Speakers
Click on photo for Facebook item.

On March 29 member Chuck Traugott described his February cruise to Antarctica. He explained that Antarctica's land area is greater than the entire area of the United States! 70% of the world's supply of water is there, and if it all melted, the oceans would rise 16 inches! He accounted for many creatures who live there: seals, penguins, whales, dolphins, albatrosses, and cormorants. Photo courtesy of Sara Johnson

Bill Andrae of Wells Fargo joined us March 22 to explain the mystifying world of Crypto Currency. Here we met the distinction between investing (as in a blue-chip stock) and betting (as with gold, or bitcoin maybe). We learned of a giant web-based ledger on the Bitcoin (Capital B) server, which serves all participants. We marveled at the every-ten-minute equation one must solve to update the ledger. Amazingly, Bill was able to explain in terms everyone understood.

March 15 featured Tom Stewart (President) and John Ziegler (IKE) of Elgin's Isaac Walton League of America. Isaac Walton (author of "The Compleat Angler") is an environmental conservatism-oriented organization. In Elgin the group's efforts include fishing, creek clean-up,/restoration), archery, oak tree giveaways, and support for scouting activities. Famously, they did the cleanup of Elgin's picturesque Walton Island. Photo courtesy of Sara Johnson.

Next in our series on senior scams - Susan McGufin (pictured) and Kristal Johnson from Chase Customer Service helped us learn to avoid ID Theft. They provided startling examples and urged us to be careful in our online, postal, and telephone communications. Photo courtesy of Sara Johnson

March 1st - City of Elgin Senior Liaison Cherie Aschenbrenner spoke on senior fraud and scams. She described many threats we experience as seniors and explained various services including Senior Showcase (WRMN - 3rd Thursdays at 9:15am), Device Advice, Triad, Senior Services Association, Memory Cafe, and many others. We were pleased to award her with a donation of $350 for her work. Photo courtesy of Sara Johnson

On Feb 22 Elgin Councilman Cory Dixon spoke, explaining Elgin's lead pipe problem, North Grove Redevelopment Plans. and 5-Year Strategic Plan. Cory has served as Councilman for 6 years. Photo courtesy of Sara Johnson

Kiim Wascher, Director – South Elgin Parks & Recreation Feb 15th speaker was Kim Wascher, Director – South Elgin Parks & Recreation. Kim has 22 years’ experience in the Parks and Recreation field. She recently won the Myrtle Spiegler Gerberding Award for Public Service from the YWCA of Elgin - which celebrates women leaders in the Elgin area. She outlined a startling variety of community programs, including Preschool Pals (serving 150 kids), After Shock After-School Program, Wednesday Concerts in Panton Mill Park, along with 180 acres of parks and 20 public playgrounds. Photo courtesy of Sara Johnson

Welcomed Julia the Comfort Dog in our Feb 8 23 meeting. Handler Karen Stout helped us understand the importance and amazing background that goes into training and handling a Comfort Dog. Julia has a Facebook page with 2,247 likes! Her ministry is part of Lutheran Church Charities, sponsored by King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin. Her ministry is impressive, including memory care, prisoners, and veterans. Thanks, Karen, for a great talk! Photo courtesy of Sara Johnson

Alex Hoffer spoke on Feb 1, explaini ng leadership and core values at Hoffer Plastics, a successful business in South Elgin. He, along with family members William, Gretchen Hoffer Farb, Charlotte Hoffer Caning manage this business with more than 300 employees. Founded in 1953, Hoffer handles injection and molding and manufacturing. Alex featured the importance of plastic in the lives of human beings. He is an active speaker in the community and offers a personal blog at alexhoffer.me Photo courtesy of Sara Johnson

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.

From Elgin Partnership for Early Learning - Amber Peters who spoke to us today.. About this morning! Thank you to Elgin Golden Kiwanis for inviting EPEL to talk about our birth to five community! I learned a few new jokes, enjoyed your information about your new Facebook site, your fundraiser of selling peanuts and your big kind ❤️! You are one of the reasons that make Elgin so very special!

David Akemann - Retired Judge and States Attorney - September 7.

Elgin Golden K Kiwanis Donates $4,000 to the Gail Borden Library Foundation Jennifer Bueche, Gail Borden Public Library District’s Director of the KidSpark program, addressed Golden K Kiwanis members at the weekly meeting on September 14. Also pictured are Carole Medal, Executive Director of the Gail Borden Public Library, and Mike Lee, president of the Gail Borden Library Foundation. Elgin GoldenK Kiwanis was pleased to donate $4,000 to the Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation, which was founded in 1933 to provide resources and financial support for library services. Photo courtesy of Jerry Turnquist.

Elgin Golden K Kiwanis Donates $5,000 to Food for Greater Elgin Food For Greater Elgin Board Member Robert Langlois addressed Golden K Kiwanis members at the weekly meeting on August 31. The group was pleased to donate $5,000 to Food for Greater Elgin, Inc. Founded in 2011, Food for Greater Elgin (FFGE) is the second largest food pantry in Kane County. Their goal is to combat food insecurity in the most effective and supportive ways possible by giving the community the resources it needs.

Elgin Golden K Kiwanis Donates to U-46 Superintendent’s Scholarship Program U-46 Superintendent Tony Sanders addressed Golden K Kiwanis members at the weekly meeting on August 22. The group was pleased to donate $2,000 to the Superintendent’s Scholarship Program. The fund, established in 2012, supports outstanding students who are the first in their immediate family to attend college.

Prior to August 24, 2022

.

.

.

.

.

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