There are 46,000 Rotary clubs around the world, and members of three of them recently enjoyed a chance meeting in Chicago.

In the first photo, Brookings Rotarian and District 5610 Assistant Gov. Don Norton, right, had traveled to the Windy City and scheduled lunch with his former student Ryan Kuro, seated. Kuro, who is legally blind, graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in broadcasting, and is now a member of Rotary Club One, the very first Rotary Club, founded by Paul Harris in 1905. While lunching, Kuro introduced Norton to his current club president, Aleta Williams, standing center. And visiting Club One that day was Annamaria Corrandini, left, member and past president of the Palermo Liberta Club in Italy.

In the second photo, the Rotarians enjoyed the unexpected fellowship as well as the traditional exchange of club flags. Recently, Norton presented the flags from the Chicago and Palermo clubs to Brookings Club President Michael Gonda.

“The global presence of Rotary means you have friends all around the world,” Norton said, “and sometimes you meet those friends when you least expect it!”