

Windsor Manor
Morrison, IL 61270-2036
United States of America
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Taylor is the daughter of Kris Stratton and Amy O’Connor. She is active in volleyball, basketball, band, student council, key club and BLIND. She is also the drum major of the band. She loves sports and hanging out with friends. She is planning to study radiology at a school to be named later.
Nick is the son of Mike and Andrea Allen. He has played football, track and basketball for the past 4 years. He is also a BLIND leader and is on the student council. Nick belongs to the youth group at Emmanuel Reformed Church and has participated in 4 mission trips. Nick loves to work on his grandpa John Kophamer’s farm and he wants to major in Ag Business in college so he can come back and work on his grandpa’s farm.
A note from John Prange, our Picnic committee chair!
A big thank you to all of you for your contribution toward another successful picnic. 57 adults and 11 children consumed all but 3.5 sandwich ribeyes at a total cost of $423.17 or $6.22/person. And the side dishes were once again phenomenal! And, of course, the group time with the committee is always special.
I have been thinking some more about when this all started. My first picnic was in 1989 at George Piersol’s cabin on the Mississippi, the year after I joined Rotary (Oct 1988). It began probably two years prior to that because I remember it being fairly new that year. George grilled chicken over the big block grill. George and Ron did the grilling that year. Ron and I grilled the next year while George supervised and made sure everyone’s drinks were full. I would imagine that it started 2-3 years prior to 1989, say 1986 – Ron might be able to piece that together. That means this was #34. That is a LONG time – great tradition!
So thanks again for helping to keep this tradition alive. What say we do it again next year!!!!
PS: EP had my tongs. That 30+ year tradition continues as well as those two tongs have never been separated!






Morrison Rotary Club Sends Seventeen Students to Rotary Leadership Camp
This year the Morrison Rotary Club, in partnership with the Erie Rotary Club, is sending 13 Morrison High School and 4 Prophetstown High School students to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp (RYLA). The camp will take place this past weekend May 3-5 at the Lorado Taft campus of NIU at Lowden State Park.
The purpose of RYLA is for students to improve their leadership skills as they work together in teams. They meet students from all over northwestern Illinois as well as exchange students from all parts of the world. Lasting friendships are built during this time. The camp is staffed by Rotarians from around the District who volunteer their time to provide a safe, positive atmosphere for the students. Approximately 120 students attend the camp each year.
The camp has an amazing impact on students’ lives. Several past Morrison High School campers have gone on to become student Counselors/helpers at the RYLA camp; one student went on to find the nearest RYLA camp in the Rotary district where they were going to college and helped them run their camp for two years.
This is the second year in a row the Morrison Rotary Club has sponsored students from both Morrison and Prophetstown. Because of the large number of applicants, and because the club did not want to turn anyone down, the Erie Rotary Club stepped up and assisted with the funds to send them. Another club, Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary, also helped to contribute to the cause.
The Morrison Rotary Club organizes the Harvest Hammer 5K Race and Duathlon each Fall. It is their only fundraiser. Proceeds from the Harvest Hammer are used each year to provide scholarships to Morrison High School Seniors, send students to RYLA and fund community and international projects.

Today Morrison Rotary welcomed Kate Vos (left) and Cassie Osborn as our April Students of the Month from Morrison High School.
Cassie is a Senior, has been involved in musicals, Band, Choir, Jazz Band and Drama Club. She has also been a dancer at Leanne's Dance Connection for 15 years. Her plans are to attend Illinois Wesleyan University and major in Music Education. Cassie's parents are Roger and Sheila Osborn
Kate is a Senior. She has been involved in Softball, Volleyball and basketball. She has been a Student Council member for 4 years. Her plans are to attend Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. Her parents are Dale & Polly Vos.



Morrison Rotary Club Literacy Committee Chair Ellen Smith submitted these photos of one class which is receiving free books throughout the 2018-2019 school year. Parent donations supported the program, Smith noted.
Northside School children received their October installment of free, monthly books, provided by Morrison Rotary Club. Increasing literacy is an important goal of the organization. Below are children in Karen Mayberry's class.
Kolten Conklen was our speaker today. Kolten traveled to South Korea through the Rotary Long Term Youth Exchange program. He spent the 2016-2017 school year there and was sponsored by the
Sterling Noon Rotary club. While in South Korea he stayed with three host families and learned a lot about their culture.In the photo Kolten’s jacket is covered in all sorts of pins and memorabilia that he collected throughout his visit. This is a tradition with all of the exchange students (inbound and outbound).
Kolten is currently attending the University of Illinois studying International Studies and Business. He will return to South Korea next Spring on a study abroad.



