The Light for October 19, 2021
By Neil Gambow
President Linda Gerber called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. on the dot with the ringing of the bell.
Jackie Mack read “Why We Are Rotarians,” followed by the thought for the day – “There is no end to the good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.” – Colon Powell
Mark Gibson, District Environmental Chair, started by reminding us of the District 6440 commitment to improving our environment and the District's support of that initiative. He was here to recognize our club as being far out in the lead in terms of taking action and finding multiple partners for collaboration on environmental projects. Steve Goranson is being recognized as Outstanding Environmental Rotarian along with our club being recognized with a Distinguished Service Citation. As the recipient of the first club and Rotarian to receive these distinctions, Mark presented our club with a plaque in recognition of our accomplishments.
Announcements
All future announcements to be included in “The Light” must be submitted to
scribe@evlrc.com, before Tuesday, noon on the day of the meeting. The Zoom video and transcription remains available for up to 30 days.
Please mark your calendars for the Annual Holiday Party Sunday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. at Sherman Plaza Hospitality Suite. Look for more details soon.
Club Service would like to invite you to consider becoming a valued scribe for “The Light." This is an ideal way to get to know your club and contribute meaningfully to the history and service of our community. Your scribing colleagues and I would love to hear from you and would be happy to answer questions!
agingpotential@me.com
Club Service wants to continue building fellowship opportunities by hearing about your ideas. Want to have a gathering over wine and cheese? Organize a potluck? Enjoy one of Evanston’s many arts and humanities opportunities?
Chris Joyce and I would love to help you organize and promote your fellowship opportunity, and invite your creativity and inspiring thoughts. Chris Joyce
trusty49@gmail.com or Katherine Peterson
agingpotential@me.com
Program
Topic: Surviving Polio
Speaker: Ina Pinkney
Ina is a legend on the Chicago restaurant scene, having served breakfast first at her bakery and then her restaurant in the Loop, which closed in 2013.She is an astute businesswoman, community leader, television personality, columnist for the Tribune and a polio survivor.She is the subject of an award-winning documentary, “Breakfast with Ina,” on Amazon and the author of a memoir cookbook “Cooking With Ina”(this scribe can vouch for it).
For the past ten years, she has been speaking at many Rotary district conferences, zone institutes, and other events. She told us her story of contracting polio at age 6 before there was any polio vaccine. She met Sister Kenney and others when she was going through the known treatments of the day All through this time, her father was very supportive and never saw her as “damaged.” She was taken many places by him and spent time with many adults and learned the skill of listening.
After surgery in the hospital where she thought she was going to die, she woke up and thought there was some kind of mistake, as she was alive. It was then that she determined everyone deserves a second chance because she had a second chance.
A couple of years ago, she wondered what would have happened to her who or if she had known what kind of life she could live. She decided to write a letter to her 6-year-old self and tell her what was going to happen in her life. She read the most compelling letter, which was moving and poignant. (A text of the letter will be sent out via Club Runner)
Guests and Milestones
Visiting Rotarian
Mark Gibson – District Environmental Chair
Other Guest
Ina Pinkney – Speaker
Birthdays This Week
Don Gwinn, Oct 18
Brad Weiss, Oct 20
Kristin Brown, Oct 21
Jackie Mack, Oct 22
Bob Teska, Oct 23
Kassandre McGovern, Oct 24
Club Anniversary
Katherine Peterson , 3 years