David A. F. Sweet is the author of Three Seconds in Munich: The Controversial 1972 Olympic Basketball Final and Lamar Hunt: The Gentle Giant Who Revolutionized Professional Sports. He launched columns for WSJ.com and NBCSports.com and has written articles for the Chicago Sun-Times, the Los Angeles Times and other publications. He helped create The North Shore Weekend and ran a number of Pioneer Press newspapers.
There were 15 members present including Tom Evans, Rich, Terry Dason, Chuck, Marie, Bob Baker, Julie Tye, David Birkenstein, Fred Schwimmer, Joe Fell, Robert, Peter, David Grant, Wes and Keith.
Rich did the thought of the day – “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people, but the silence over that by the good people.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Marie introduced Jose Munez from La Casa Norte whose main activity is to provide housing and employment opportunities to youth and homeless families in 43 of Chicago’s zip codes. A Wilmette Rotary Club member, Bob Taylor, helped found the organization. Bob suggested we provide new shoes from Oearation Warm to the La Casa Norte, and he, his club and several other Rotarians in our District helped us provide 300 pairs of shoes worth $6,000.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Heather Higgins fell and suffered a compound fracture of her arm which required 2 nights of hospitalization. Marie has sent her flowers and Club members who live in the Winnetka Mews have been alerted that she may need help for a couple of weeks. It was also reported that Sam Badger recently fell but is recovering.
Marie announced that the Rotary’s virtual convention starts this coming Saturday and anyone interested in attending or being involved should contact her.
Marie also said that Rotary has a “racism action group” program this coming Friday at 4:00 PM called “Together for Peace”. It features Rotarian and Past District Governor Carolyn Jones, civil rights attorney. Marie suggested that our Club’s newly formed Social Justice Committee should attend and report back at one of our future Club meetings. Rich reminded us that on July 8th at 7:00 PM is a District Series program on racial injustice featuring Rotarian and Pastor John Alan Boryk who will discuss his experiences with Martin Luther King.
Several members raved about the new Winnetka Farmer’s Market now in its 3rd year in Winnetka which is being held on Saturdays from 7:30-12:30 PM in the Village Hall Parking Lot. This market replaces the one that was formerly over by New Trier West High School in Northfield.
HAPPY BUCKS: Marie said that she is now engaged in her dream activity of producing and publishing a women’s magazine with a group of about 20 interested and very talented women. Terry said she was happy because one of her sons is moving to Winnetka along with Terry’s grandchildren.
DIG N GRIN: Marie filled in for Sam Badger with “Father’s Day” joke material provided by his family—the best one being-- what did the drummer name his twin girls (“Ana 1 and Ana 2”)
TERRY DASON BIO PRESENTATION: Terry reported that she was born in the Panama Canal Zone and then eventually moved north with her family to Illinois towns where her grandparents were in the newspaper business. Her prized pet from south of the border was a spider monkey which she had for 5 years after moving to Illinois. Her family moved to Spring Grove, Illinois where they had a dog kennel business with up to 150 dogs which they raised and showed. Then her family moved to Palatine where she graduated from high school; and then put herself through college at S. Illinois University doing all sorts of “customer service” jobs in the hospitality business. She even did a stint at being a telephone switchboard operator (ala Lily Tomlin). After college, Terry and a friend started the first suntanning store in the city of Chicago business at Clark/Diversey in Chicago. It was open every day of the year except for 2 days (Christmas and New Years) and employed as many as 30 persons. They opened a second store on Armitage before she finally got married, started a family and moved to Winnetka to get some rest! She’s always been active in community activities such as school benefits and being on the Winnetka Community House Women’s Board in is the past President of the Womens’ Club of Evanston. She took her position heading up the Winnetka/Northfield Chamber of Commerce 15 years ago, where she used her early experience running her own business. In addition to the son who just moved to Winnetka Terry has another son (who is getting married in December) and a daughter.
SPEAKER LESLIE OLESIN, PRESIDENT OF OASIS—SENIOR ADVISORS: Leslie has nursing and MBA degrees with about 40 years of experience. She spends most of her work time advising seniors and communities on aging and effective methods to plan for it. She operates out of Lake Bluff and her phone is 847-727-6654. Points she made were: signs of early dementia are changes in vision, hearing, isolation, loss of appetite/weight, trouble walking, changes in mood, fear of water or showering, not cleaning living space, not paying bills, and driving problems. People showing such signs should seek medical help. The products advertised on cable TV have not proven very effective. Brain health can be improved with certain supplements like fish oil and having a balanced diet. There is a normal and natural dip in memory loss at ages 80 and 85 as our brain structure ages. She recommended that seniors study this health condition and that there are lots of resources to gain information including the various senior centers that operate in the Chicago area.
Meeting adjourned at 1:30 with Marie reciting the Rotary 4 Way Test.
The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield has met weekly at the Winnetka Community House since 1924. That streak ended in mid-March, when the club suspended its weekly lunch meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, this did not stop the club from continuing to meet and live up to its well-earned reputation as People of Action. Almost immediately, the club began to meet on Zoom every Thursday at its regular 12:15 time, and the club’s board and committees did so as well.
Over the club’s 96 years, it has undertaken many notable service projects. So, it is no surprise the club quickly responded to the needs of those affected by COVID-19. Supported by donations from members and friends of the club, and a grant from The Rotary Foundation, the club took the following actions:
Supported the local food pantry and provided financial assistance to families experiencing severe financial need through a $5,000 donation to the New Trier Township Angel Fund.
Helped provide infant formula to 50 Chicago area food pantries, shelters and social services through a $3,000 donation to Infant, Inc., a Winnetka based nonprofit.
Supported homeless families and children in foster care by providing weekly meals from Donna Goodman Events (the club’s regular caterer) to Good News Partners in Rogers Park and Lydia Home in Irving Park.
Provided 300 pairs of new children’s shoes from Operation Warm to homeless families served by La Casa Norte of Chicago.
“Rotarians are People of Action who live the long-time Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self’, and our club fits that to a tee,” said Club President Marie Kuipers.
Chuck Norton, President Elect of the club, adds “We have a long history of humanitarian service- locally, in our region, and internationally. We are long term supporters of Rotary International’s work to eradicate polio, we have supported many international humanitarian projects in Africa, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia. Every year, we provide hundreds of Chicago area children with the gift of a new winter coat through our Operation Warm project, and for over ten years we have sponsored the large, all-day Kids Against Hunger food packing event at the Winnetka Community House. Our longstanding Community Grants program annually provides financial grants to nonprofits that are nominated by our members and are doing work that aligns with our values.”
Local citizens interested in learning more about the Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield may join the club’s weekly lunch meetings on Thursday’s from 12:15 – 1:30. Each meeting features an interesting and topical speaker and opportunity to deepen friendships. Learn more at www.wnrotary.org.
Until meetings resume at the Winnetka Community House, email info@wnrotary.org to get the Zoom access link. Membership is open to anyone of good character who is interested in making new friends and taking action to create lasting change in the world.
Attendees: President Marie, President Elect Chuck Norton, Secretary/Treasurer Rich Lalley, David Birkenstein, Eric Birkenstein, Rik Boerjesson, Laura Cunningham, David Grant, Bill Leske, Brooke Peppey, Peter Skalski, John Thomas, Barb Tubekis, Patti Van Cleave
Prepared by: Rich Lalley
The meeting was called to order. As no minutes were prepared for the previous meeting, none were reviewed.
Financial reports for the club and WNRCF were reviewed.
As of June 3, the club has just under $4,000 in cash. Fiscal year to date, the club is running a $3,600 deficit, with about $5,200 in dues yet to be paid by members.
As of June 3, WNRCF has over $38,000 in bank accounts, with $5,600 in funds reserved as prior year restricted donations. Fiscal year to date, the foundation is running a $21,000 surplus. At year end (June 30), donations made for Kids Against Hunger, the Peru school supplies project, RYLA and our Community Grants Fund will be placed in to prior year restricted donation accounts.
Motions we made and passed to accept the Treasurer’s reports.
President Marie announced she has formed a “Social Justice” committee which will meet for the first time June 8. She invited any interested board members to participate.
President Elect Chuck made the following comments during his minute:
Several club members have committed to make donations to our Community Grants fund to help make up for the postponed spring benefit. However, to fully fund the program, we need all members to donate what they would have spent on benefit ticket(s), raffle tickets, etc.
The club needs a President Elect for the next Rotary year. Without someone assuming this position, the club’s future is in jeopardy.
A rousing THANK YOU was made to President “Queen” Marie for her outstanding leadership this past year. All members seconded the sentiment.
Committee Reports:
Membership: John Peterson will be the new Park District head. Patti knows John well and will reach out to confirm he should assume the Park District’s membership.
Programs: John Thomas will continue book a combination of outside speakers and bios to be presented via Zoom through July. John proposed having one or two bios each week we have a speaker in response to the positive reception the bios have gotten from the members. Also, we discussed possibly using video (e.g. Ted Talks on You Tube) to provide interesting speakers.
Foundation: Brooke is preparing files to turn over WNRCF leadership to David Grant on July 1.
District Grant: A committee has been appointed. Based on club survey input, the foundation will use the District Grant to make donations to the New Trier Township Angel Fund and Infant, Inc. A final recommendation on donation amounts after reviewing a detailed financial report of COVID-19 donations and club meal revenue. Rich Lalley will make those donations and submit the District Grant application before the June 15 deadline. A press release will also be issued.
Community Service/COVID Relief: We continue to distribute weekly meals from Donna Goodman to Good News Partners and Lydia Foster Home. We will continue this practice until in person meetings resume. We provided weekly meals from Stormy’s to North Shore Hospital ERs for six weeks, ending May 23. We will not be continuing that program in June. Also, David Birkenstein expressed an interest in exploring a plan to secure naming rights for a Winnetka Park. David will connect with the Park District and Rich will work to get a listing of District 6440 club who have named parks in their communities.
Communications/Bulletin: We will reinstate weekly assignments (Thought of the Day, Dig n Grin, scribe) and include these in the weekly bulletin. TO make scribing easier and promote briefer stories, a meeting notes template will be created. Also, meeting on Zoom will be reordered so those not attending can view them. Links will be included in the weekly bulletin.
International: Peru continues to be shut down, so the school supply program is on hold. The Ecuador grant application has been resubmitted to The Rotary Foundation.
One of the nice features of meeting virtually is that our meetings can be recorded. This of course depends on your meeting host (me) remembering to start the recording (sometimes I'm a bit late in starting it).
Here are links to view our three most recent meetings:
As the 2019-20 Rotary Year concludes, please join the millions of beneficiaries of projects funded by The Rotary Foundation in thanking our members who have honored their commitment of Every Rotarian, Every Year, contribute to The Rotary Foundation's Annual SHARE Fund.
These gifts support the local and international work of Rotary Clubs and Districts through District and Global Grants. A significant portion of these gifts support projects of our club like Kids Against Hunger, our COVID-19 response, and our Ecuador "Farm to Table" Global Grant.
To date, our club members have donated a total of $7,833 in the 2019-20 Rotary Year, 78% of our goal of $10,000.
Please thank these 20 Rotarians for already making their annual contribution, especially those in bold who are Paul Harris Fellows:
Sam Badger*+, Bob Baker, Wes Baumann, David Birkenstein*+, David Grant*, Heather Higgins, Marie Kuipers+, Rich Lalley+, Robert Mardirossian, Chuck Norton+, Lee Padgitt, Brooke Peppey, Keith Reed, Fred Schwimmer+, Peter Skalski, John Thomas, Barb Tubekis, Julie Tye, Patty Van Cleave, and Carl Yudell. * signifies a Major Donor+ signifies Paul Harris Society ($1,000 per year)
There are many reasons to give to the The Rotary Foundation:
Contributions support humanitarian and educational projects initiated and run by Rotary Clubs and Districts in six areas of focus- Disease prevention and treatment, maternal & child health, education & literacy, water and sanitation, economic & community development and peace & conflict resolution. Learn more by reviewing the Foundation’s annual report.
Contributions come back to support projects of our club's projects, like our COVID-19 Response efforts, coats for kids, Kids Against Hunger and International grants projects like our Farm to Table eco-agribusiness project in Ecuador, the water and sanitation projects we helped fund for schools in Guatemala and Kenya, and the digital x-ray/community health clinic project organized by District 6440. This year, we received $3,400, and next year we will can receive $3,660. But we must give to receive.
Giving to The Rotary Foundation is an easy way for you to participate in Rotary’s service work beyond our club, providing you a personal connection to this great organization and the good it does throughout the world.
It’s easy to give. You can send a check to “WNRCF” (mark TRF in the memo line) to our club, c/o Bob Baker at Killian Plumbing at 933 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka 60093; you can donate via PayPal by clicking here, or you can donate directly to The Rotary Foundation at www.rotary.org or by calling 866-976-8279. One very convenient way to give is by making a recurring monthly gift on your credit card or from your checking account, which you can set up on Rotary’s website.
If you have not already supported The Rotary Foundation this year, please do so now.
If you have any questions about The Rotary Foundation or how to give, contact Rich Lalley.
If you would like to attend our Rotary meetings being held on Zoom, and are not sure how to do this, I can help. Let me know by return email or give me a call and we can schedule a time for me to walk you through the process and you can join a test meeting. After you do this the first time, it be much easier to join future meetings.
Note, everyone can join a Zoom meeting. You can join via a computer, tablet, iPad or smartphone that has internet access, or you can join via a plain old fashion phone.
I am confident that with a one on one session, we can get you onto Zoom so that you can continue to be a part of our club during these uncertain and trying times.
Let me know if you would like assistance.
Rich Lalley Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield Club Secretary; WNRCF Treasurer 224-305-3684
Helped provide infant formula to 50 Chicago area food pantries, shelters and social services through a $3,000 donation to 
Provided 300 pairs of new children’s shoes from Operation Warm to homeless families served by 
