Executive Club Newsletter

January 2009

Beautiful Skin

January Program

by Ellen Schmidt

Thursday, January 15 Champaign Country Club

11:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking

11:45 a.m.: Buffet Opens

12:15 p.m.: Mtg/Program

Learn more about state-of-the-art skin treatments.

Dr. Russo of Rejuvenis Facial Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa, and his highly trained and skilled staff offer comprehensive aesthetic surgical and non surgical care of the skin and face, from medical skin products and care to the most effective and innovative surgical technologies and latest proven laser and light technology.

Registrations are due by noon on Monday, January 12. Please indicate if you are bringing a guest. Contact the Treasurer with questions about registration. Register online now!

*Remember, there will be a $5 late fee for reservations received after the Monday Noon deadline. Attendees with late or no reservations will be permitted to attend as seating is available.

Pre-register online and send a check for $15 to ECCC, P.O. Box 61, Champaign, IL 61824-0061 OR pre-register online and pay on day of luncheon.

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“If This Isn’t Nice, What Is?”

President’s Message

by Hope Wheeler

Another year has passed us by and a new year is upon us. In spending some time reflecting on the past year, I wonder how many great moments occurred in work, at home, and in life, that drifted by me without any acknowledgement of their significance. It is always so easy to be busy with new projects, initiatives, and plans that you miss the payoffs. Happiness and fulfillment are ignored rather that celebrated as the outcome of hard work. Too often, we are so focused on the future and what we “have to do,” that we miss all of the pleasures of the present.

In an article I read by Barbara Bartlein entitled, “Increase Your Happiness by Paying Attention”, she wrote of author, Kurt Vonnegut, who often referred in his speeches to his Uncle Alex, who was a Harvard graduate and worked as an insurance agent. Vonnegut states, “One of the things that Uncle Alex found objectionable about human beings was that they so rarely noticed it when they were happy. He himself did his best to acknowledge it when times were sweet. We could be drinking lemonade in the shade of an apple tree in the summertime and Uncle Alex would interrupt the conversation and say, ‘If this isn’t nice, what is?’”

A recent Associated Press poll on happiness found that for most people it is a U-shaped phenomenon; we are happiest at our youngest and oldest points in life. People are reported to be most unhappy at age 40. Considering I had this milestone event occur just this past year, this really jumped out at me. Is this because we are SO busy at this point in our lives? Do we have unrealistic expectations? Whatever the cause, here are some suggestions that I took from the article to maximize your happiness:

Take note when you are happy. Pay attention to the little moments and clear your head to let them in. Taking note of pleasurable times each day fortifies the neurological system and stress and anxiety are less likely to capture your attention.
Stretch your happiness. University of Minnesota researcher, David Lykken, suggests that we can adjust our level of contentment by paying attention to what makes us happy and what brings us down. Seeking out simple pleasures like taking a walk, working in a garden, reading a good book, or attending an ECCC social can “stretch” our happiness.
Avoid comparison. Whether it is physical appearance, money or possessions, comparisons always leaves someone coming up short. People tend to be overly optimistic on how a future change will affect their happiness. Whether losing weight, having a new car or a new job, trying to “keep up with the Jones’” will lead to unhappiness.
Celebrate successes. My mom is a scrapbooker and is working on a heritage album for me. When finished with a section she has a habit of sitting down and admiring her work when completed. I often sit with her and look over it and tell her nice it turned out. Take time to sit down and admire what you have accomplished. Celebrate your successes at work and at home.
Turn off electronics! Take a walk without your cell phone, Blackberry, and other electronics. All these devices pull you out of the moment and deposit you in cyberspace. These distractions prevent you from noticing and appreciating the present.
Acknowledge and appreciate yourself. Sometimes the person we are hardest on is ourselves. Savor the successes and bask in your achievements. Reward yourself for the completion of difficult projects. And yes, it is OK to tell yourself that you did a good job.
SMILE! It is contagious. It can make those around you happier which can only increase your happiness.

I know in January many people set New Year’s resolutions. Think of the above simple items that we can consider doing in 2009 to help improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I had the opportunity to sit with my daughter this weekend and have some one on one time with her, playing with some of her new toys. I thought to myself, “if this isn’t nice, what is?” Next time I will say it out loud.

HAPPY New Year!!!!

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ECCC Day at the Activities & Recreation Center

by Jayne DeLuce

Happy New Year to ECCC members! It’s time for some post-holiday fun at the new Activities & Recreation Center (ARC) this coming Sunday, January 11 from 3-5pm.

This event is free for members and just $5 for any guests. You’ll have the chance to check out the facility, try the climbing wall, go swimming, walk around the track, or just hang out with other ECCC members.

The ARC is located at 201 E. Peabody (just north of Memorial Stadium) and there’s plenty of available parking.

Register online now! Registration ends on Thursday, January 8th.

Look forward to kicking off the new year in style!

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Give us your opinion!

We are looking for ideas for the annual fall trip. Please take a moment to answer the poll on the Mary Poppins Musical.

If there is something else you would rather go see please email Jeannette G. Beck at vicepresident@executiveclubcc.org and let her know what you are interested in viewing.

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December Program

Santa Claus: From Saint to Secular Salesman

by Ellen Schmidt

Dr. Joy Kammerling, Associate Professor of History at Eastern Illinois University was our December speaker.

Dr. Kammerling talked of Santa Claus, also known as St. Nicolas and how he has evolved over the years. Saint Nicolas’ image evolved from a bishop wearing a robe to the plump, white-bearded man wearing a red coat. This image we have of Santa came largely from the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas", by Clement Clarke Moore. He was brought to life by political cartoonish Thomas Nast. Nast gave Americans the image of Santa in his illustrations for Harper’s Weekly.

The feast of St. Nicolas is December 6 however he is largely known and recognized for his visits to good children on Christmas Eve.

While Santa is famous for marketing many products over the years he is perhaps best known for his marketing of Coca-Cola.

I encourage and welcome your program ideas. I also appreciate any feedback about what you liked or disliked about programs that have been presented. Please feel free to drop me an email at programs@executiveclubcc.org

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Welcome New Member

Marjorie Williams

Marjorie is an incorporated independent real estate professional, DBA Marjorie Williams & Associates, Inc. , affiliated with RE/MAX, and she specializes in residential real estate, with a focus on new construction.

She serves on the Parkland College Foundation Board of Directors, and is a member of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, Champaign Rotary Club (Chair of the Rotaract Committee at Parkland and member of the Literacy Committee and New Member Orientation Team). Marjorie belongs the the Home Builders Association of East Central Illinois and serve on the Governmental Affairs Committee for the Champaign County Board of Realtors. She was an exchange student host parent, and a mentor for the Illini Football Team. She has worked extensively with Habitat for Humanity, and Big Brothers Big Sisters in the community.