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 2025
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 2025
Our speaker for the 9/17/25 meeting was Noted Farm Reporter Stu Ellis. He addressed the challenges to Farmers in 2026.
September 24 2025
Our speaker for the 9/24/25 meeting was Dick Virgin who gave an interesting & thorough history of Vietnam before the war.
October 1 2025
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!
October 15 2025
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.
October 29 2025
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.
November 5 2025
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.
November 12 2025
Our speaker for the 11/12/25 meeting was Dan Miller, Macon County Health Department Information Spokesman, He updated us on the many activities at Starting Point, the Aging and Disability Resource Center for the community.
November 19 2025
Our speaker for the 11/19/2025 meeting was Abby Helm, Community Relations Executive with Ameren Illinois. She advised us on how to Avoid Scams.
December 2025
Our speaker for the 12/3/2025 meeting was former Kiwanis Division Lieutenant Governor, Pete Buckley. He shared his experiences in law enforcement and as an FBI agent.
December 10 2025
Our speakers for the 12/10/2025 meeting were Michael Warner and Holly Newbon. They gave us an update on Youth Advocacy at Webster Cantrell Hall.
December 17 2025
Our speaker for the 12/17/2025 meeting was Golden K member Larry Wade leading us in our annual Christmas Sing-Along.
January 7 2026
Our speaker for the 1/7/2026 meeting was Tanya Melendez, Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Inn. She spoke about how the Good Samaritan Inn is funded and the Mercy Gardens.
January 14 2026
Our speaker for the 1/14/26 meeting was Josh Chamblin, Chamblin Wealth Management. He discussed “Smart Charitable Giving…and Other Retirement Topics.”
January 21 2026
Our speakers for the 1/21/26 meetings were Chris Ellis (Board President) and Devon Joyner (Executive Director) of Old Kings Orchard. They spoke about all of their programs that help the youth of Decatur.
January 28 2026
Our speakers for the 1/28/26 meeting were Leslie Risby, Supervisor, and Ashley Grayned, Executive Director, and Rahgeb Qatoum discussed the Decatur Public Schools Prep Academy.
Feb 4 2026
Our speakers for the 2/4/2026 meeting were Lacie Elzy, Director of Economic and Community Development and Director of Transportation Services for the city of Decatur and Melissa Hon, the new City Manager.
Feb 11 2026
Our speaker for the 2/11/26 meeting was Jami Fawley, Executive Director of The Decatur Area Arts Council. She spoke about the importance of the arts in our lives and the new programs and direction being taken by the Arts Council./
Feb 18 2026
Our speaker for the 2/18/26 meeting was Mark Scranton Vice President Lincoln Square Theater. He updated us on the many happenings there, including restoration efforts and live shows. The theater, which is in its 110th year of serving the downtown area , has hosted stars including Houdini and Barrymore.
Golden K Weekly Speakers
Upcoming Speakers
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hlkWUE8Z1A81D1pYWN0YOMR-LOVHXaxllTRVIpWi9Z4/edit?usp=sharing
September 3 2025
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 2025
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 2025
Our speaker for the 9/17/25 meeting was Noted Farm Reporter Stu Ellis. He addressed the challenges to Farmers in 2026.
September 24 2025
Our speaker for the 9/24/25 meeting was Dick Virgin who gave an interesting & thorough history of Vietnam before the war.
October 1 2025
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!
October 15 2025
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!
October 22 2025
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.
October 29 2025
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.
November 5 2025
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.
November 12 2025
Our speaker for the 11/12/25 meeting was Dan Miller, Macon County Health Department Information Spokesman, He updated us on the many activities at Starting Point, the Aging and Disability Resource Center for the community.
November 19 2025
Our speaker for the 11/19/2025 meeting was Abby Helm, Community Relations Executive with Ameren Illinois. She advised us on how to Avoid Scams.
December 2025
Our speaker for the 12/3/2025 meeting was former Kiwanis Division Lieutenant Governor, Pete Buckley. He shared his experiences in law enforcement and as an FBI agent.
December 10 2025
Our speakers for the 12/10/2025 meeting were Michael Warner and Holly Newbon. They gave us an update on Youth Advocacy at Webster Cantrell Hall.
December 17 2025
Our speaker for the 12/17/2025 meeting was Golden K member Larry Wade leading us in our annual Christmas Sing-Along.
January 7 2026
Our speaker for the 1/7/2026 meeting was Tanya Melendez, Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Inn. She spoke about how the Good Samaritan Inn is funded and the Mercy Gardens.
January 14 2026
Our speaker for the 1/14/26 meeting was Josh Chamblin, Chamblin Wealth Management. He discussed “Smart Charitable Giving…and Other Retirement Topics.”
January 21 2026
Our speakers for the 1/21/26 meetings were Chris Ellis (Board President) and Devon Joyner (Executive Director) of Old Kings Orchard. They spoke about all of their programs that help the youth of Decatur.
January 28 2026
Our speakers for the 1/28/26 meeting were Leslie Risby, Supervisor, and Ashley Grayned, Executive Director, and Rahgeb Qatoum discussed the Decatur Public Schools Prep Academy.
Feb 4 2026
Our speakers for the 2/4/2026 meeting were Lacie Elzy, Director of Economic and Community Development and Director of Transportation Services for the city of Decatur and Melissa Hon, the new City Manager.
Feb 11 2026
Our speaker for the 2/11/26 meeting was Jami Fawley, Executive Director of The Decatur Area Arts Council. She spoke about the importance of the arts in our lives and the new programs and direction being taken by the Arts Council./
Feb 18 2026
Our speaker for the 2/18/26 meeting was Mark Scranton Vice President Lincoln Square Theater. He updated us on the many happenings there, including restoration efforts and live shows. The theater, which is in its 110th year of serving the downtown area , has hosted stars including Houdini and Barrymore.