sometimes used to mark the end of the Middle Ages. It was the nerve centre for military campaigns that were to enlarge the Ottoman Empire dramatically.

By the mid 1500s, Istanbul, with a population of almost half a million, was a major cultural, political, and commercial centre. Ottoman rule continued until it was defeated in WWI and Istanbul was occupied by the allies. When the Republic of Turkey was born in 1923 after the

War of Independence, Kemal Atatürk moved its capital to the city of Ankara. However, Istanbul has continued to expand dramatically; today its population is approximately 14 million and increases at an estimated 400,000 immigrants per year. Industry has expanded even as tourism has grown.

Song: Led by Don Hunt with JoAnn Smith at the Piano. ‘GOD BLESS AMERICA’.

Announcements:

Guests: Shirley Gordon, wife to Tom Gordon, Judy Martel, daughter of Ann Martel, and Eli Bushue, grandson of Ron Peters.

Student of the Month: NoneMission Statement

Exchange, America’s Service Club, is a group of men and women working together to make our communities better places to live through programs of service and Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities and its national project, the Prevention of Child Abuse.

Opening Ceremony Led by President Beth Chato.

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Beth Chato

Invocation: Presented by Dick Underwood

Weekly Meeting – July 7, 2016Reporter – Dave Wilson

EchoesOur 91st Year

Exchange Clubs Nation Wide: Focusing on Families and ChildrenSo Proudly We Hail

The Exchange Club of Urbana, IL, meets each Thursday at 11:20 a.m. at Clark Lindsay in Urbana.President: Beth Chato, 714 W. Vermont, Urbana, Illinois 61801.

Address inquiries to: Secretary Van Bowersox, 1811 Clover Lane, Champaign, Il 61821

Programs:

July 14 – Pam Leiter with the Champaign County Forest Preserve will be our speaker and update us on these valuable natural spaces.

July 21 – Marlin Livingston, CEO of Cunningham Children’s HomeDon Smith sharing his

Mediterranean trip with club members.

John E. Smith, Don Smith, and President Beth Chato after Don was presented a certificate of appreciation for his program.

Announcements: Survey call by President Chato for the survey forms that were distributed last week. The leadership team would really like to know what the members think of the club and a genuine desire to understand the direction for the next year. Don Hunt announced that anyone seaking fame and fortune could start their career as a club member song leader, contact don Hunt if you are willing to lead the music during the meeting.John Hummel reviewed the 4th of July Parade ‘Give-A-Kid-A-Flag-to-Wave project by announcing that 15 people helped with the project and approximately 3.650 flags were distributed during the parade. The numbers appeared very good compared to previous years as the weather was cooperative and favorable for good attendance at the parade.

Dick Underwood shared two jokes form the News Gazette with regard to TSA and Taco Bell.

3-Minutes of Exchange: Beth shared a short summary of the Exchange National Exchange club.

Joys and Sorrows: Presented by, Tom Gordon: John E. Smith, $3, for my brother Don speaking to our club; Judy Hummel, $1, Good 4th of July Parade; Dick Underwood, Good visit from our granddaughter and talk by the good Smith brother; Fred Holhubner, $1, great 4th of July Parade-flags for the Kids!!!; Ron Peters, Joy to have grandson, Elijah Bushue visiting today; Tom Gordon, Joy of wife Shirley as guest; Joan Freestone, $54 in pig for our 54th anniversary, PS bought no lunch today as we plan to go out for dinner tonight.

Birthdays: None this week

Music: Led by Don Hunt, with JoAnn Smith playing the piano; 1. ‘IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME’, 2. ‘YOU’RE A GRAND OLD FLAG’, 3. ‘BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE’.

Contributions:PIG $16.00FOUNDATION 0.00OTHER (operations) 54.00TOTAL $70.00

Program: Ron Wilcox was introduced as the Program chair and he described the next few weeks of programs followed by an introduction of John E. Smith to introduce his brother Don Smith to speak on his trip to the Med. and Instanbul plus a few short stories. Don Smith retired from a career with caterpillar.

İstanbul is Turkey's most populous city as well as its cultural and financial hub. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait

between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. Istanbul's population is estimated to be between 12 and 19 million people, making it also one of the largest cities in Europe and the world.

Istanbul districts

Expanding the ancient Roman colony of Byzantium by the order of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, the imperial city of Constantinople was for nearly a thousand years the last remaining outpost of the Roman (later termed Eastern Roman or Byzantine) Empire. It was finally conquered by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in 1453, an event