Rotarians Meet Rodeo Queen, Hear About Economic Development Effort

A gallery of images from the rodeo parade can be found here.

Effingham Noon Rotarians Wednesday said hello to the Illinois High School Rodeo Association state queen and heard about an upcoming economic development effort in the county.

Rodeo Queen Jacy Littrell of Montgomery County is the two-time defending state queen, but is not running again as she graduated from high school this spring.  Jacy said Rodeo is different from other sports in that while there is fierce competition, contestants root for one another and support each other.

The Illinois High School Rodeo Association State Finals are set for Thursday through Saturday at the Effingham County Fairgrounds at Altamont.

(JACY LITTRELL)

The economic development presentation was delivered by Dan Woods of the Effingham County Economic Development Foundation.  Woods told Rotarians the Foundation's mission is to "take what's already working in Effingham County and enhance it."  He spoke about an electronic interview initiative planned for the Effingham community later this month.  Secured for Effingham by Ameren, it makes Effingham one of 10 communities nationwide to be selected for the initiative.  Woods said the initiative is designed to address three things: "too many businesses, too little time, and too many surprises."  The software will allow information on all businesses in the community to be gathered and maintained and to be kept timely.

Larry O'Dell served as Rotary weekly program chairman and introduced Woods, also a Noon Rotarian.

(LARRY O'DELL AND DAN WOODS)