The Rotary of Macomb meets Tuesdays at noon at the First Presbyterian Church.
September 2, 2025 Our 10th meeting of the Rotary year commenced with President Seth Minter ceremoniously ringing the Rotary bell. Seth delivered the invocation, and Matt Lawver led the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
Matt Lawver reported that 32 members attended, including one via Zoom, which represented 63.5% of the club. There were two guests, Joy Swearingen our speaker and a visiting Rotarian, John Maguire from the Macomb Centennial Morning Rotary Club for a total of 34 in attendance.
Happy Money was collected from 6 Rotarians marking happy occasions this week. Rotarian Dennis Iversen entered the 50/50 drawing but did not win the $148, as he drew the 6 of Clubs instead of the 7 of Clubs.
President Seth made announcements. Our club has scheduled two dates for selling Raffle tickets in September. The 1st is at Farmers Market on Saturday 9/6/25 from 8AM-12PM and the 2nd is at Hy-Vee on Saturday 9/13/25 from 8AM-12PM. Signups were sent to members. The Youth Task Force in Macomb is asking our club to help with a First Responders event we have participated in before. The date for that is Friday 9/12/25 from 8:30AM-11:30AM. Seth stated he has had replies for volunteers. Our meeting on Tuesday 9/30/25, will be a Fifth Tuesday Social at Park Place. The drawing for the $20,000 Raffle prize will be conducted at that social event. Seth also reminded the club that on Saturday, October 4, 2025, the Rotary District 6460 will be having a Foundation Dinner in Macomb that is for the Central area. Our club will be getting recognized for the great year of giving to the Rotary Foundation.
Emily Gillett was then called to introduce the speaker, Joy Swearingen from Carthage, who is a board member for the Kibbe Museum in Carthage. Joy grew up in Carthage and majored in journalism at the University of Illinois. She had several writing jobs and was a reporter and then editor of the Hancock County Journal Pilot for 18 years. After retirement she has enjoyed traveling and volunteering for groups in Carthage and Hancock County.
Joy gave a presentation about the Kibbe Museum in Carthage, describing its history, exhibits, and involvement with the local community.
The museum is named after Dr. Alice Kibbe, who served as head of the biology department at Carthage College from 1920-1925 and later established the museum. Her leadership and collections contributed to the museum’s formation and its status as a tourist destination.
The museum operates with support from donations and the city, and showcases artifacts related to Hancock County’s history, including Native American items, natural history specimens, an Abraham Lincoln exhibit, and additional historical objects.
Joy presented slides featuring the various displays and rooms within the Kibbe Museum. One notable display is a restored 1910 Burg Car built by the Burg Carriage/ Car Company in Dallas City, IL, which originally produced carriages and manufactured approximately 50 automobiles. The vehicle on display is believed to be the last one remaining.
Rotary members acknowledged the range of items displayed in the museum and expressed appreciation for Joy’s informative presentation.
Last on the agenda was an Early Bird Ticket drawing and an update on the sale of tickets. The name drawn for the free Raffle ticket was Lisa Ward and Ryan VanDolah announced that 184 tickets have been sold so far.
The club recited the “Four Way Test”, which was followed by ringing the Rotary bell and encouraging everyone to make Rotary Part Of Their Life – and to “Unite For Good”.
Interested in speaking at Rotary or becoming a member, contact Tom Stites at tastites902@ gmail.com.
