February 2 - Speaker: Bill Yoder - McLean County States Attorney, Drug Court - Break the Cycle

States Attorney Bill Yoder gave us some background on the McLean County Drug Court, a program designed for hard core drug and alcohol non-violent offenders that have hit "rock bottom" and want to change. The program provides treatment, education, job skills, family skills, adversity training and holds participant responsible. Felony cases are screened by the States Attorney's first, then the drug counselor's office, and finally must be voluntary by the participant for one to be considered for "Drug Court." So far the record is fantastic. There are 18 graduates of the Drug Court.

Prior to Drug Court their 18 people accounted for 157 criminal cases. Since graduating there have been zero offenses other than speeding or seatbelt violations. Jody Cooper, Drug Court Coordinator, told us of the day to day schedule for the 24 month program that leaves very little free time and requires frequent and random test for sobriety. The program requires sponsors, treatment, employment, or community service, regular probation checks, cell phone and unscheduled visits by Jody. Then Scotty Lewis spoke to us from a graduates perspective regarding the Drug Court. He was introduced to drugs and alcohol at a very early age as his family used drugs in their home as if it were an okay thing.

For years from age 6 up, he lived in a mansion with parents and family using drugs, and supported his self esteem with drugs. He found the solution to nearly everything via drugs and alcohol. Then he stepped over the "dotted line." He went to prison six times. He said he had lost or given away all the people in his life, including his wife and children. He had spent 16 years in prison, and when released was no different than when he went in. He was the caught steeling a car and faced up 42 years (due to prior convictions). He turned himself into the treatment center and went to the courthouse to talk with Jody. He had heard about the "Drug Court" while at the treatment center. Scotty said, "The Drug Court was an absolute miracle. It saved my life. It introduced me to the recovery process, added structure in my life, and held me responsible." He now has had three years of "good life." It has made him whole with self esteem. He now has a job, and he has rejoined his wife and kids at home. It is his biggest blessing. He attends church regularly and continues the process of rehabilitation, with support and faith. In Kiwanis we help the world one child at a time. Drug Court is helping the world, one MAN at a time.

Speaker January 25 Meeting - Lawrence Hayes - Airline Industry and Trends

Larry started in the September 1973 with TWA in St Louis. He was hired as the mail clerk at Lambert Field. Besides the airport, he has worked in general reservations, the tour department and the international rate desk. He transferred to sales in 1978 and currently works for AA since it was acquired by TWA. Larry filled us in on the 2009 American Eagle Results

Good News

• The industry is ahead of the GDP
• Airline Travel has improved
• New streams of revenues have appeared like luggage charges and drink charges

Bad News

• Travel is still way down
• The price of fuel is now 40% of their current expense report-more than salaries
• US unemployment is up to 10%
• International demand is way down
• Poor credit has forced prepayments

New to AA in 2010

• 31 new 737 aircrafts
• Opened the new admirals club
• Cabin upgrades
• GOGO Internet flight Service

In 2009 AA lost $1.5 billion. The good news is that its a billion better then 2008. The company always carries $5 billion in cash reserves.

January 18 Meeting - Speaker Linda Bowman, Camp Limberlost Kids

With the experience of more and more Limberlost campers arriving with special needs, Linda was asked to speak briefly about the disabilities represented at camp, what can be done to help these children, and how being at camp could benefit them. Many of the disabilities that we see at our camp are quite invisible. These include Mental Retardation/Intellectual Impairment, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, Learning Disabilities, and Speech and Language Impairments. These children look like other children, they do not act like it. So that, Linda says, "Brings us to Camp Limberlost, where children can get what they need, and want, which is structure, direction and organization." So if you think that a camp full of kids is the wrong place for child with social language deficits, it is really the BEST place for them to learn and practice the linguistic forms and social skills that lead to successful friendships. Adult caring supervision, rules, model behavior, cabin families, time away from familiarity of family and home provides opportunity and challenge for the children.

History of Kathryn Beich - Speaker Michael Holzworth - January 11

There was a candy salesman in Chicago by the name of Paul F. Beich that had a dream about making his own candy to sell. So, in the late 1800's he came to Bloomington's west side where there was a caramel factory for sale. The owner of the caramel factory was in search of his idea that he could produce milk chocolate. That's how two candy factories began, Beich Candy in Bloomington and one by the caramel factory seller, Milton Hershey, who started his new factory in Pennsylvania. In the early 1900's the Beich Candy Company made the famous Wizz Candy Bar and the slogan, "Wizz the Best Candy Bar There Is." Then Kathryn Beich had this idea of selling candy to churches as a fundraiser. While most of the management thought this to be a dumb idea, it became very successful and soon all of the efforts turned to "fundraising" marketing. It became a four billion dollar industry, selling 85 million bars and 8 million tons of candy. As sales began to slow, Beich decided it was time to sell to the Nestle Company. Through the 90's, Nestle Beich help schools raise nearly 80 million dollars. Kathryn Beich continued until recently independent of Nestle, and has now been sold to Great American Opportunities in Nashville Tenn.

Speaker January 4 - Marie Streenz - Wind Energy

Marie Streenz is a local project manager for the Twin Grove Wind Farm located east of Bloomington along the Illinois Route 9 highway. She received her degree from Illinois State in Environmental Health. Horizon Wind Energy develops, owns, and operates wind farms throughout the United States. Twin Grove is the third largest and the largest east of the Mississippi River. The Twin Grove Farm is planning expansion in the area north of Route 9 and has received zoning board approval and is awaiting county board approval.

In answers to questions we learned that the goal is to produce 20% of the electric need by 2025, and we are now at about 8% of production. Weather patterns are not expected to be significant changes for the midwest. The wind turbine begin to turn with 3 mph of wind, produce at 9 mph and shut down at 44 to 50 mph. They have received tax support in the following ways: enterprise zones where possible,stimulus package of 2 cents per kwh of production, and tax credits. The return on investment is based on a 10 year return. USA manufacturers of turbines is increasing, however General Electric is the largest US producer, and has the most units installed and is considered the "workhorse of the industry." The locally produced energy mostly goes north toward Chicago, and the Pontiac area uses the energy from the grid first. We learned that the placement of grids has many requirements, some technical for production reasons, and others due to roads, houses, natural habitats and more. The benefits include a tax base ($10,000 per wind turbine), jobs during construction, and residual maintenance jobs, and the power source is free. The cost is maintenance, lease cost and taxes. The growth rate for wind energy is expected to be 23% annually.