Morrison

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First Gateway Credit Union
200 N. Base Street
MORRISON, IL 61270-3042
United States of America
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Highway Cleanup October 2025
We had a great turnout for our final highway cleanup of 2025. Helping to keep highway 30 clean were: (l-r) J.D. Benko, Paul Van Kampen, John Prange, Don Jevne, John Tomasino, Michael Gunderson, Stan Steines, Mick Welding, Brad Yaklich and Kevin Schisler (kneeling). Thanks again for a job well done gents!
 
October 2025 Students of the Month
Congratulations to the Morrison High School Rotary Students of the month: Emma Christin & Sarah Wetzell. EMMA is involved in school activities such as cross country, track, key club, band, choir, the National Honor Society, and WACC. She is also on her church's praise team, volunteered at Paint the Town, is involved with YF Youth Group and Kingdom Life Youth Group. She has also volunteered to do flag placing and clean up. Her hobbies are running, knitting, drawing, reading, singing, playing the flute and baking. She has the future plans to continue her education at SVCC (through the Impact Program!) and then onto to another school - all to become an elementary school teacher/music teacher. SARAH's school activities include: student council president, golf, BLIND, prom committee, homecoming dance planning committee, homecoming parade committee homecoming court and FFA. She is also an active volunteer totaling more than 100 hours in school programs, concession stands and Custom Pak picnic. Her hobbies are golf and mathematics. Sarah plans to continue her education in possibly psychology or engineering. Good Luck Students in all you do!
 
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September 2025 Students of the Month and new members
It is very rare to recognize 2 new members on the same date we honor Morrison High School September 2025 Students of the Month. Pictured here are the new Morrison School Superintendent Dr. Matt DeBaene, Levi Milder, Bella Scuchette, and the new Morrison High School Principal Dr. Dusti Markham. Welcome new Rotary members Dr. DeBaene and Dr. Markham and congratulations to two well deserving Students of the Month!
 
Morrison recognizes September Students of the Month
Morrison Rotary Recognizes MHS Students of the Month   
The Morrison Rotary Club was pleased to recognize our first two Morrison High School Students of the Month, Isabella (Bella) Scuchette and Levi Milder
Bella Scuchette
Bella is a senior at Morrison High School. She is involved in B.L.I.N.D and Student Council and the Sauk Valley College IMPACT program. In addition, she is on the Morrison softball team and MHS Pon Squad. Her future plans are to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy and then obtain her master’s degree in the same field. She is undecided on a college.
Levi Milder
Levi is the son of Matthew and Amanda Milder. He is completing his 4th year of football, and track. In addition, he wrestled for 3 years at MHS. He was all-conference in track and was a part of the first ever Illinois State Champion 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 relay teams and he also captured gold in the 200 and 3rd in the 100. Outside of running Levi likes to help kids in flag football, help with the food pantry and volunteer at Morrison Athletic Boosters events. His hobbies include video games, golf and being outdoors. His future plans are to pursue a Masters degree as a Dietician and also run track for a Division 1 school.
Morrison Rotary inducts two new members!
Morrison Rotary Welcomes New Members        
The Morrison Rotary Club started the year off right by recruiting two new members. Pictured here as they were sworn in (l-r) is Sponsor John Prange, Morrison High School Principal, Dr. Dusti Markham, Morrison District #6 Superintendent Dr. Matt DeBaene and President Ellen Smith. Dr. Markham and Dr. DeBaene have already plugged into our group. As new staff members, both have been getting to know the kids, their families and their friends throughout our community. Welcome aboard!
Morrison Rotary welcomes new School Superintendent Dr. Matt Debaene and Principal Dr. Dusti Markham
The Morrison Rotary Club was honored to have the new Morrison High School Superintendent, Dr. Matt Debaene and High School Principal Dr. Dusti Markham. Dr. Debaene has been in Morrison since last November perusing area businesses, restaurants and gathering places so he can meet people in the community. He previously worked in Geneseo and Moline. Dr. Markham resides in Sterling with her husband. She and Dr. Debaene have worked together for a few years so they form the perfect team to help the Morrison Schools prosper. And they both plan to join Rotary! Welcome to you both!
 
Rotarians install a Peace Pole
Rotary International challenged local Rotary Clubs to install a Peace Pole. Why a Peace Pole? A Peace Pole is a monument that displays the message May Peace Prevail On Earth in the language of the country where it is placed. It displays 3 additional languages in addition to English which are meaningful to the host site.
The message is referred to as an affirmation of peace and its placement furthers Rotary's goal of building a culture of peace throughout the world.
 
Peace Poles are intended to inspire unity among people of all cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds.  
 
The message May Peace Prevail On Earth was authored by the late Masahisa Goi of Japan after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 
It is now an international message of peace with over 250,000 Peace Poles in every country in the world, dedicated as monuments to peace.  
 
The Rotary Club of Morrison recently installed a Peace Pole next to our Pollinator Garden. Assisting in the installation were (l-r)
Jim Camp, Nate Jacobs, President Ellen Smith, Dan Vandermyde, Past President Stanley Steines, Karl Kovarik, Don Jevne (our Pollinator Plot and Peace Pole installation coordinator), Kevin Schisler and Mick Welding (taking the photo)
Harvest Hammer Sponsorships
For any company wishing to take advantage of some marketing exposure in front of several hundred Harvest Hammer athletes and fans feel free to check out our low cost advertising opportunities listed below. You can contact our sponsorship chair Stanley Steines at ssteines64@gmail.com and he will get your company registered. Thanks!
New members JD Benko and Paul Van Kampen
The Morrison Rotary Club was honored to admit JD Benko and Paul Van Kampen. JD and Paul were sponsored by Scott Vandermyde. JD is retired from a career in Finance and Paul is retired Designer. Welcome to the team gentlemen! (Pictured here (l-r)  is President Stanley Steines, Scott Vandermyde, JD and Paul) 
2025 Literacy Donation
The Morrison Rotary Club provided a donation to the Odell Public Library to support their summer reading program. Pictured here with books that were purchased with that donation are: (l-r) Kevin Schisler, President Stanley Steines, Scott Vandermyde, Mick Welding, Literacy Chair Ellen Smith and Jennifer Rangel- Kelly.
New Member Jennifer Rangel- Kelly 
The Morrison Rotary Club was honored to re-admit Jennifer Rangel-Kelly as a member in our club. Jennifer was previously a member of our club but her decision to pursue a law degree took up more time than she had to contribute to our group. She is the newly elected Illinois 14th District Circuit Court Judge of Whiteside County. We welcome Jennifer Rangel-Kelly. 
Annual Bike Helmet Donations
Four Rotarians and an honorary member applied Rotary Stickers on 4 boxes of bike helmets. Thank you to Scott Vandermyde, Stan Steines, Mick Welding, Ellen Smith and honorary member Bart Smith for taking time to apply stickers to the bike helmets. Morrison Rotary partners with the Friends of the Park to donate bicycle helmets to every 3rd grade student. The Rotary club provides the helmets at a bicycle safety program featuring a Friends of the Park spokesperson. If Morrison Police Officers spot a child with a bike helmet, they pull over and give that child a coupon for free ice cream. It is a win-win for all!
Pictured below are: Bart Smith (back to the camera? Scott Vandermyde, Stan Steines and Ellen Smith. Thank you all!
2025 Morrison High School Rotary Scholars
The Morrison Rotary Club was proud to award the following scholarships to Morrison High School seniors:
$1250 Female All-Around: Camryn Veltrop
$1250 Male All-around: Isaiah McDearmon
$1000 Citizenship: Blake Huizenga
$500   SVCC: MaKenzie Neas
$500   AG: Blake Huizenga
$500   MIT: None
$500   VoTech: Natalie Seilhymer
 
 
Pictured here (left to right) Camryn Veltrop, Isaiah McDearmon, Blake Huizenga, Natalie Seilhymer and MaKenzie Neas. Congratulations in your future endeavors!
 
 
Pollinator Plot Clean up Crew
Thank you to Master Gardener Don Jevne for coordinating another successful Spring Pollinator plot cleanup. Seven members and Prez-elect Ellen's hubby Bart Smith showed up to plow an additional plot and remove small trees, weeds, and some stray grass from the plot. Another beautiful job! Members responding to the cleanup call were:
Ted Volckmann, Stan Steines, Don Jevne, Mick Welding, Bart Smith, Ellen Smith, Michael Blean and Brad Yaklich.
 
Morrison Rotary recognizes April 25 Students of the month
Morrison Rotary recognizes the April Students of the Month
The Morrison Rotary Club honored Colton Bielema and Hunter McNeece as April Students of the Month.
 
Colton is the son of Brad and Amy Bielema. He participated in football and basketball for 4 years, track 3 years, baseball 1 year and was a member of the National Honor Society. He also volunteered to coach and assist flag football teams, and he volunteered at the local Food Pantry. His hobbies include golf and weightlifting. He is currently enlisted in the Air Force awaiting his active-duty date.
 
Hunter is the son of Larry and Danelle McNeese. He loves to play music in the marching band and in the jazz band. He enjoys working in the greenhouse. Hunter can be seen playing taps at funerals for departed veterans. He loves board games and enjoys exploring the great outdoors and trying new foods. His future plans are to attend Northern Illinois University and study Bioscience. He loves to conduct research and therefore feels this will be an excellent way for him to pursue his dream.
 
April 2025 Road clean-up 
The brave Morrison Rotary road clean-up crew battled some cool weather, strong winds and a few rain drops tossed in just for fun. But the stretch of highway 30 from Dairy Queen to the Vet Clinic was cleared of trash! Thanks to our dedicated team (pictured left to right) Rich Groleau, Dan Vandermyde, Mike Gunderson, Ted Volckmann, Stan Steines, and John Tomasino (kneeling). Not pictured is Don Jevne who went out earlier and Mick Welding who took the photo.
 
Morrison Rotary MHS March Students of the Month
Morrison Rotary Club welcomes March Students of the Month

Our March 2025 students of the month are Morrison High School seniors Alli Ferguson and Madi Armitage.
Alli is the daughter of Angie and Shane Ferguson. She has participated in Key Club for 2 years, a member of FFA for 4 years and was a cheerleader for 3 years. FFA has given her opportunities to assist with meal drives and also rake yards. Her hobbies are baking, crafts, playing legos, fishing, riding 4-wheelers and spending time with family members. She has been working at the Morrison Vet Clinic which has fueled her passion for Veterinary Medicine. She will attend Blackhawk College for 2 years and then continue her education at UW Platteville.

Madi is the daughter of Leslie and Andy Harridge and Dan and Jessica Armitage. She has participated for 4 years in Volleyball, Basketball, Softball and Student Council and B.L.I.N.D for the last 2 years. She loves to volunteer at the schools especially Northside. She loves to color and draw and hang out with the kids at Northside School and working with her intern class. She received a softball athletic scholarship at Sauk Valley College where she will major in Elementary Education and minor in Psychology. She then plans to transfer to Illinois State to continue her education.

Well done ladies!
Pictured (left-right) Madi, Alli and President-Elect Ellen Smith
 
Morrison Rotary February 2025 Students of the Month
 
Morrison Rotary February 2025 Students of the Month
The Morrison Rotary Club recognized Morrison High School seniors Kenadi Hinrichsen and Austin Boonstra as February 2025 Students of the Month
Kenadi is the daughter of Eric Hinrichsen and Marlene Buikema. She was involved with student council for 4 years, key club for 2 years, and PONS for 3 years. She volunteered at the Custom Pak picnic for 3 years through student council. Her love of dance has been perfected for 15 years at Jennifers Dance Studio. Her future plans are to attend Clinton Community College for gen eds and then transfer to Scott Community College to be certified in rad tech and cardiac sonography. She would love to work with kids at a Children’s hospital.
Austin is the son of Jenny Boonstra. He is a member of the National Honor Society and FFA. He played football, baseball and track in school. He helped kids in the Flag Football program. He loves football, baseball and health and wellness. His future plans are to attend Monmouth College and study Business Administration while playing on the football team.
Congratulations to both students. We wish you all the best!
 
Pictured are Kenadi, President Stan Steines, Morrison High School Principal Dave Mills and Austin
 
January 2025 MHS Students of the Month
 
Morrison Rotary Club January 2025 Students of the Month
 
The Morrison Rotary Club is proud to recognize our January 2025 Students of the Month Olivia Dauphin and Camryn Veltrop
 
Olivia is the daughter of Tim and Jamie Dauphin. She has been a member of the Student Council and has been on the Football and Basketball Pon Squad for the past 3 years. She is a member of the Emmanuel Church youth group where she has participated in 3 mission trips. In her free time, she loves to shop, hang with family and friends, travel and dance at Jennifers Dance Center. Her future plans are to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing and follow in her moms’ footsteps.
 
Camryn is the daughter of Todd and Kelly Veltrop. She has been a member of the Student Council all 4 years of high school, the last two serving as an officer. She has been honored to play basketball at MHS and has served as team captain for the last 2 years. Editor’s Note:  Camryn was awarded a Class 2A All-State first-team selection by the Illinois Media and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association this season. She is the first girls’ basketball player in program history to receive those honors. She also was a unanimous first-team all-Three Rivers West selection for the second straight season and was the Sauk Valley Newspaper’s Girls Player of the Year. She is a B.L.I.N.D leader, which has allowed her to participate in activities throughout the community such as an animal shelter and Sterling’s Hot Dog Days. She loves playing basketball, shopping and hanging out with family and friends. Her futures plans are to possibly play basketball in college and major in a Rad-Tech program.
 
Congratulations to both of these fine young seniors!
 
Christmas Party 2024
A big thank-you to Kevin Schisler for allowing our Rotary club to celebrate Christmas at Community State Bank. President Stan Steines welcomed members, spouses and guests and then encouraged everyone to dine on the potluck buffet. After dining we were treated to a Christmas Carol sing-along with song leaders (l-r), Mike Zurn, Michael Blean, Elizabeth Yaklich, Dr. John Tomasino on guitar and Dr. Brad (Buffett) Yaklich on ukulele. Another big thank you to new member LuEllen Lee for providing bar tables and Blue Violet centerpieces for each of those tables. Congrats to those who won those beautiful flower arrangements. A good time was had by all!
 
 
 
Ted Volckman awarded Paul Harris Plus 2
Congratulations to Ted Volckman for attaining the Paul Harris plus 2 award. This means that Ted has reached the $2,000 level in donations. Presenting the pin to Ted (left) is Foundation Chair Dave Abele. 

By giving to this fund, Rotarians support families and change lives all over the world. Paul Harris Society gifts have helped provide:

  • Vocational training for teachers establishing an early childhood education center in South Africa
  • Water filters, toilets, and hygiene training to prevent fluorosis, diarrhea, and other diseases in India
  • A scholarship for a medical professional in Italy to research treatments that minimize mortality rates among premature babies
  • Peace-building seminars for 200 teachers and 1,300 students in Uganda
  • Treated mosquito nets and medical services that prevent malaria in Mali
Congratulations and thank you Ted!
 
 
 
New Members Inducted Today
 
The Morrison Rotary Club welcomed 3 new members today. Starting left-right, Michael Blean, sponsor for Mr. Randy Larson (next to Michael), Evan Ernst, sponsored by Stanley Steines and LuEllen Lee, also sponsored by Mr. Steines. Randy is a retired veterinarian who still dabbles in consulting work. His daughter Dana McCoy, who is a Rotarian in the Sterling Noon Club accompanied him and his wife Jan for his installation service today. Evan owns Refuse to Quit (RTQ) Fitness in Morrison. He is a lifelong resident of Morrison and he looks forward to being part of the club. LuEllen owns the Blue Violet in Morrison featuring fresh flower bouquets, candy and gift items for that special someone(s) in your life. She is married to Matt and has 3 wonderful children!
We welcome each of these fine new members!!
December 2024 Students of the Month
Morrison Rotary honors December Students of the Month MaKenzie Neas and Bella Duncan.
MaKenzie is the daughter of Eric and Stephanie Neas. Her parents own Urban Eats in Morrison so she is excited to work there. While in school MaKenzie has participated in basketball and softball and she is also Student Council. She loves to serve her community so she delivered fruit boxes to the library, wrapped gifts for kids in need, and she volunteers art God’s Will in Morrison and the Clinton Humane Society. Her passion is theater. She has starred in Charlotte’s Web in Morrison and has appeared on the stage at Sauk Theater. When she is not in plays she loves to hang with friends. She does plan to major in Theater at a college after she completes her gen-eds at Sauk Valley College.
Bella is the daughter of Dave and Taylor Duncan. She loves sports!! Playing volleyball and especially softball. She has also assisted with programming the new scoreboard and working with the Athletic Director. She is a member of Emmanuel Church, and she enjoys helping the Kiwanis Club unload boxes. Bella has also enjoyed coaching local volleyball and softball teams. Her hobbies include weight-lifting, coaching, shopping and she has been in 28 states. She has signed a letter of intent to play Division One softball at Western Michigan University. She will major in Occupational Therapy and minor in Athletic Training,
Well done ladies. We are proud of both of you!
 
2024 CEO Program
The Morrison Rotary club hosted CEO students Isabella Scachette and Blake Huizenga on December 4. The CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) one-year course is offered to juniors and seniors. It covers a wide range of business topics, such as innovative thinking strategies, product development, competitive advantages, business structure, marketing, financial strategies, record keeping, financial statements, business plan writing. Entrepreneurial thinking (out-of-the box problem solving) is utilized throughout the course. Twenty-First Century Workforce Skills, creative and critical thinking, collaboration, and communication are emphasized throughout the year. Students experience networking and business development firsthand. Bella is exploring a floral business and Blake is looking for ideas to help develop and promote a pumpkin business that he started when he was 8 years old. Best wishes to all CEO students!
 
Morrison Facebook

November 2025

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Club Executives & Directors
President
Ellen Smith
President Elect
Kevin Schisler
President Nominee
Rich Groleau
Past President
Stan Steines
Treasurer
Karl Kovarik
Secretary
John Prange
Sergeant At Arms
Michael Blean
Bulletin Editor
Mick Welding
Board Member 2024-26
Rich Groleau
Board Member 2024-26
James Camp
Board Member 2025-27
Carrie Melton
Board Member 2025-27
Nate Jacobs
Membership
Michael Gunderson
New Member Mentor
John Prange
Public Image
Mick Welding
Rotary Foundation
Dave Abele
Literacy
Bill Bird
Scholarship
Karl Kovarik
Service Projects
LuEllen Lee
RYLA
Stan Steines
End Polio Now
Dave Abele
Web Site
Mick Welding
Events and Fundraisers Photo Album
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Suellen Girard
    November 4
  • JD Benko
    November 16
  • Randy Larson
    November 17
  • Bill Bird
    November 25
Join Date:
  • John Tomasino
    November 17, 1982
    43 years
  • Bill Bird
    November 19, 1997
    28 years
  • Karl Kovarik
    November 19, 1997
    28 years
  • Colleen Buckwalter
    November 22, 2023
    2 years
  • Nate Jacobs
    November 27, 2024
    1 year
  • Brad Yaklich
    November 30, 2011
    14 years
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