The Light Newsletter

 

 

President Bryant Wallace welcomed members to the meeting and read our Land Acknowledgment.  Chip Uchtmann led the group in the Statement of Purpose and shared a Thought for the Day from Paul Harris, given to the Rotary Club of New Orleans in May, 1917: “It’s a man’s job to be a good Rotarian, and he who lives up to the precepts will be a good neighbor, a kind friend, a loving husband, a companionable father, and an asset to the community in which he lives.” 

 

 

 

Intrigued by a discussion of Rotary Means Business in Melbourne, President Wallace was pleased to learn that District 6440 is planning a Rotary Means Business event.  District 6440 is trying to be as serious about networking as it is about service!  More details about the event – to be held on August 9, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. , will be shared via email.

 

Bill Glader reminded members that many TOE costs (tents, tables, chairs, floral, music, wine, printed materials) have historically been underwritten by club members.  If you’re interested in helping support TOE by picking up a portion of these costs, please look for a future email, outlining the options and explaining the sign-up process.

 

Silent Auction Chair Helen Oloroso encouraged members to think about what they could donate to the TOE Silent Auction. In the past, donations have included gift baskets, artwork, technical expertise, vacation homes and a wide range of experiences.  We are looking for new items (“this is not a garage sale!”), but we are happy to accept gifts you may have received that were not a good fit.  If possible, please send a description and photo of any items to Helen.

 

Mary Beth Cleary will be working with a group that packages trips for non-profits to select some exciting options for our fundraiser. Experiences -- such as a hosted dinner or wine tasting-- have historically been popular, but were hampered last year by our auction bidding system.  We will be working with 32Auctions.com this year, the silent auction fundraising company that Aimee and her colleagues used successfully in the spring.  With 32Auctions, bidding should go more smoothly and our items are expected to reach a larger audience.  Please contact Helen with any questions. 

 

The Taste of Evanston Committee will meet next on August 7 at 6 p.m. at the Firehouse Grill. 

 

Via email, Aimee Resnick explained: "The Public Image Committee would like to highlight our club's astounding initiatives. If you have recently participated in an event, attended a morning meeting, took part in a service project, or anything else related to Rotary, please submit social media posts here. It will take five minutes or less - all we need is a photo and a brief description. Thank you for helping us share Service Above Self in our community!

 

We are also seeking new photos for the website. Any and all photos are welcome. If you have any images to contribute, please email them to Aimee Resnick at aimee.r.resnick@gmail.com or text them to 303-515-0816.

 

Linda Gerber spoke briefly about the Participatory Budgeting posters that members received at the meeting. With participants’ help, the City of Evanston is trying to determine how to spend $3 million on housing, environment, transportation, economic development, health, education and community. The poster is a reminder to register now to vote online or in person for the best of 20 proposals in September. Linda asks for your vote for the proposal she sponsored to establish an Asian American Art & Culture Center in Evanston.

 

Allison Plyer encouraged members to join her for the Thursday, Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m performance of Marie & Rosetta at North Light Theatre.  This play with music chronicles the relationship between Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of Rock ‘n Roll, and her young protégé Marie Knight.  Please send Allison an email (allisonplyer@gmail.com) if you’re interested.  A pre-theatre dinner option is likely!

 

Barb Miles explained that her ‘Dinner for 8’ group (which includes Bruce Baumberger and Ann Weatherhead) has struggled with finding a date/time to get together.  To solve that problem, Barb, Bruce & spouses are encouraging any interested Rotarians to attend the Ravinia CSO performance (Marin Alsop – Beethoven and Rachmaninoff) on Saturday night, August 5.   Please let Barb or Bruce know if you’ll be attending so they may secure a large enough spot on the lawn!  More details will be circulated via email.

 

Ekram Hanna explained that there will be a Middle East Festival at Warren Park in Chicago on August 19 and 20, from noon to 6 p.m.  Please consider attending or volunteering at this fun event, featuring food, culture, music and dance from the Middle East, sponsored by MIRA (the Middle Eastern Immigration and Refugee Alliance).   

 

Helen Oloroso passed along a recent plea she heard on WBEZ for furniture for refugees.  The Chicago Furniture Bank (CFB) is currently in desperate need of couches, beds, and other items for refugees settling in the Chicago area. In response to a question, Helen noted that the CFB DOES accept pest-free mattresses, although there is a suggested donation to cover the cost of furniture pick-ups.   Please visit chicagofurniturebank.org for details. 

 

Ann Searles reminded members that she is still collecting wall calendars for Refugee One.  Please contact Ann or bring them to a Tuesday morning meeting.

 

 

Bryant thanked everyone working on TOE. 

 

Linda Gerber thanked Stuart Cleland for his efforts on another TOE video – preparing Shawarma with Ibrahim Darmisieh, co-owner of Habibi In Mediterranean Grill on Church Street.  Check out Stuart’s work on the TOE website or Facebook page. Soul & Smoke will be next!   

 

Stuart, in turn, commended Linda G. for all of her efforts on behalf of TOE, including her vital role in setting up the videos. 

 

 

Today’s Rotary meeting featured Jim Croegaert—an Evanston neighbor who retired from hospital chaplaincy but will never retire from volunteering (with Red Cross Disaster Care and others) and creating/performing music! 
 

 

 

Jim Croegaert, Speaker

 

Alec Bradley, son of Dale

 

Lisa Kaplan, friend of Bryant Wallace

 

Stephen and Vanessa Frost, friends of Bryant Wallace

 

 

 

Harold Bauer – August 6