Our speaker for the 7/2/25 meeting was Britney Harris, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Decatur. Ken Kreckman accompanied Britney to help with the presentation. She spoke about her Boys and Girls Club experiences and what is happening now and in the future for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Decatur.
July 9
Our speaker for the 7/9/25 meeting was Father Chris Commerford, pastor of St. James and Patrick Parish in Decatur. He has served as Catholic chaplain for St. Louis Cardinals, celebrating Mass for team and organization since 2009 and spoke about his experiences.
July 16
Our speaker for the 7/16/25 meeting was Andrea Evey, Residential Outreach Manager Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program (IPHA), She gave an overview of how we can all save on energy and electrification through energy efficiency.
July 23
Our speaker for the 7/23/25 meeting was Angie Williams, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Director. She spoke about RSVP: Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the volunteers activities as well as other Dove programs.
July 30
Our speaker for the 7/30/25 meeting was Robert D. Sampson, historian, former reporter, and former Congressional Aide. He spoke on “Decatur’s Not-So Grand Baseball Tournament of the Western States – September, 1867.”
August 6
Our speaker for the 8/6/25 meeting was Quay Owens, Director of Community & Athletics Ministries, Decatur Salvation Army. He spoke about the after-school and summer programs initiated at Salvation Army since March, focusing on faith-based curriculum, character development, and educational enrichment.
August 13
Our speaker for the 8/13/25 meeting was Mary Rogers, Program Director at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital Foundation in Springfield. Brittany Hendricks and son, Jase, also spoke about the care Jase received after his accident. Golden K President Harold Wilkinson presented a check for $1,500 to the Childrens’s Miracle Network.
August 20
Our speaker for the 8/20/25 meeting was Connie Doty, Patient Services Coordinator at Jerger Pediatric Dentistry. She spoke about the services offered through the Teddy Bear Dental Health Fund. President-Elect Tom McQuistion presented her with a $5,000 check for the Teddy Bear Dental Health Fund.
September 3
Our speaker for the 9/3/25 meeting was Kate Williston, Dansig Risk Advisors Benefits Account Executive and Chairs the Decatur Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She spoke about the Women’s Ice Hockey Team and the Decatur Women’s Hockey Association.
September 10
Our speaker for the 9/10/25 meeting was farmer Jim Stoutenbourough who spoke about the local wind farm that is located on his farm.
September 17
Our speaker for the 9/17/25 meeting was Noted Farm Reporter Stu Ellis. He addressed the challenges to Farmers in 2026.
September 24
Our speaker for the 9/24/25 meeting was Dick Virgin who gave an interesting & thorough history of Vietnam before the war.
September 24
Mt. Zion Key Club Member, Makaylah Adams spoke to us about the many activities & grants given by Young Leaders in Action. She is vice president.
October 8 2025
Our speaker for the 10/8/25 meeting was Heather Purdeu, Director of Scovill Zoo. She spoke about the many animals at the zoo and what changes are happening. She also brought a 25-year-old three banded armadillo for us to see!
Our speakers for the 10/15/25 meeting were Dr. Rochelle Clark, Superintendent of Decatur Public Schools, Mary Brady, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, Monica Wilks, Director of Human Resources and Melanie Schelling, Community Involvement. They spoke about the International Teachers in the Decatur Schools.
Our speaker for the 10/22/25 meeting was Kyle Carston, Director of Development at MRI. He spoke about MRI’s Mission, Programs, and Personal Stories.
Our speakers for the 10/29/25 meeting were Dr. Dean Pribbenow, Millikin University President & Lori Kerans, Millikin University Vice President for Athletics & Community Engagement. Dr. Pribbenow spoke of his educational experiences, student demographics and focusing on student-centered learning, community engagement, and the “four Ps”: people, presence, purpose, partnerships. Lori Kerans spoke about the Millikin Market, a campus food pantry, opens Tuesdays and Fridays for students and employees with Millikin ID.
Our speaker for the 11/5/25 meeting was Jeff Daly, Salvation Army Development Director. He introduced Major Susan Summit & Major Randy Summit and together they kicked off the Salvation Army Christmas Fundraising campaign.
Golden K Weekly Speakers
July 2
Our speaker for the 7/2/25 meeting was Britney Harris, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Decatur. Ken Kreckman accompanied Britney to help with the presentation. She spoke about her Boys and Girls Club experiences and what is happening now and in the future for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Decatur.
July 9
Our speaker for the 7/9/25 meeting was Father Chris Commerford, pastor of St. James and Patrick Parish in Decatur. He has served as Catholic chaplain for St. Louis Cardinals, celebrating Mass for team and organization since 2009 and spoke about his experiences.
July 16
Our speaker for the 7/16/25 meeting was Andrea Evey, Residential Outreach Manager Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program (IPHA), She gave an overview of how we can all save on energy and electrification through energy efficiency.
July 23
Our speaker for the 7/23/25 meeting was Angie Williams, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Director. She spoke about RSVP: Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the volunteers activities as well as other Dove programs.
July 30
Our speaker for the 7/30/25 meeting was Robert D. Sampson, historian, former reporter, and former Congressional Aide. He spoke on “Decatur’s Not-So Grand Baseball Tournament of the Western States – September, 1867.”
August 6
Our speaker for the 8/6/25 meeting was Quay Owens, Director of Community & Athletics Ministries, Decatur Salvation Army. He spoke about the after-school and summer programs initiated at Salvation Army since March, focusing on faith-based curriculum, character development, and educational enrichment.
August 13
Our speaker for the 8/13/25 meeting was Mary Rogers, Program Director at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital Foundation in Springfield. Brittany Hendricks and son, Jase, also spoke about the care Jase received after his accident. Golden K President Harold Wilkinson presented a check for $1,500 to the Childrens’s Miracle Network.
August 20
Our speaker for the 8/20/25 meeting was Connie Doty, Patient Services Coordinator at Jerger Pediatric Dentistry. She spoke about the services offered through the Teddy Bear Dental Health Fund. President-Elect Tom McQuistion presented her with a $5,000 check for the Teddy Bear Dental Health Fund.
September 3
Our speaker for the 9/3/25 meeting was Kate Williston, Dansig Risk Advisors Benefits Account Executive and Chairs the Decatur Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She spoke about the Women’s Ice Hockey Team and the Decatur Women’s Hockey Association.
September 10
Our speaker for the 9/10/25 meeting was farmer Jim Stoutenbourough who spoke about the local wind farm that is located on his farm.
September 17
Our speaker for the 9/17/25 meeting was Noted Farm Reporter Stu Ellis. He addressed the challenges to Farmers in 2026.
September 24
Our speaker for the 9/24/25 meeting was Dick Virgin who gave an interesting & thorough history of Vietnam before the war.
September 24
Mt. Zion Key Club Member, Makaylah Adams spoke to us about the many activities & grants given by Young Leaders in Action. She is vice president.
October 8 2025
Our speaker for the 10/8/25 meeting was Heather Purdeu, Director of Scovill Zoo. She spoke about the many animals at the zoo and what changes are happening. She also brought a 25-year-old three banded armadillo for us to see!
Our speakers for the 10/15/25 meeting were Dr. Rochelle Clark, Superintendent of Decatur Public
Schools, Mary Brady, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, Monica Wilks, Director of
Human Resources and Melanie Schelling, Community Involvement. They spoke about the International Teachers in the Decatur Schools.
Lynda Durnil presented our youth protection training. Thank you!
Our speaker for the 10/22/25 meeting was Kyle Carston, Director of Development at MRI. He spoke about MRI’s Mission, Programs, and Personal Stories.
Our speakers for the 10/29/25 meeting were Dr. Dean Pribbenow, Millikin University President & Lori Kerans, Millikin University Vice President for Athletics & Community Engagement.
Dr. Pribbenow spoke of his educational experiences, student demographics and focusing on student-centered learning, community engagement, and the “four Ps”: people, presence, purpose, partnerships.
Lori Kerans spoke about the Millikin Market, a campus food pantry, opens Tuesdays and Fridays for students and employees with Millikin ID.
Our speaker for the 11/5/25 meeting was Jeff Daly, Salvation Army Development Director. He introduced Major Susan Summit & Major Randy Summit and together they kicked off the Salvation Army Christmas Fundraising campaign.