The meeting was called to order by President Greg at 12:18. There were 19 club members in attendance, in the room and on Zoom.

Thought: Bob Baker shared a quote from Rembrandt.

Pledge: John Thomas led us in the pledge.

Visiting Guests and Rotarians: AG Tami joined us today, as well as prospective member Moha Bouacha. Barb also introduced our speakers.

Birthday: Honorary member Mary Lou Bilder-Gold.

            AG Tami encouraged attendance in the District Leadership Academy. Sessions run for one year and occur once a month online. Graduates receive a deep knowledge of all things Rotary.

            Marie has signed books from our speaker last week. They are gratis – please take one!

            Peter raised the issue of continuing with our Monday evening @ 5:00 cocktail gathering – currently held on Zoom. Attendance has dwindled – what would fellow Rotarians like to do now? Meet in person? Continue/change the day and time? Comments and ideas welcome – please direct them to Peter.

            Patti outbid David B for 4 tickets to Emerge Winnetka.

Happy Bucks:

            Barb is happy because Adventures in Learning is over and she is going on vacation!

            Rich is happy that his shoe distribution went well on the 9^th – and many distinguished Rotarians joined him for it. The event was covered on FOX, and in the Tribune and Sun Times!

Dig N Grin:

            Barb named several inspiring women in history whose accomplishments are largely unheralded. 

Speakers:

Jon Ebersole and Chip Borkowski spoke about Lydia Homes.

Learn more on the website at https://www.lydiahome.org/

 

 

President Greg Nelson brought the meeting to order at 12:19.

Our Greeter and Sargent-at-Arms, Liz Taylor, lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guests today were Charlotte McGee (Barb Tubekis), Cam Johnson (Community House Director of Development-Amy Skalinder) and John Rogers (Robert Mardirossian).

Birthdays:  Amy Skalinder, for whom we serenaded with Happy Birthday.

Anniversaries:  July Tye – 5 yrs;  Greg Kurr – 5 yrs; and Trisha Kocanda – 5 yrs.

 

Donna is retiring as our caterer.  We will be trying 3 possible replacements in August.

David Grant announced that his email was hacked so you may have received a message purportedly from David.  The problem has been fixed.

Rich Lalley reported that Operation Warm will be giving away shoes in July and could use some help.  Laura Cunningham volunteered,

Tony Kambich reported that this month’s Rotarian had a good story on page 44 about Rotary’s positive involvement in Uganda.

 

Robert Mardirossian was happy the micro-lending project in Uganda is still paying dividends to the community.

Fred Schwimmer was pleased that even with all the Covid problems, there was still a Fourth of July parade.

Barbara Tubekis was both sad and happy.  Allen Goldberg and Martha Atkinson both passed away this week.  They were both tremendous community leaders and Barbara was happy they were part of her life.

 

Dig and Grin:  Peter Skalski told us how Yodeling came to be.

 

Today’s Speaker:  Hussein Al-Baiaty  Queen Marie Kuipers introduced Hussein, who has written a book called “The Art of Resilience” about his experiences as a refugee from Iraq.  Hussein and his family escaped the war in Iraq to become refugees in Saudi Arabia in Camp Lot 22.  Fortunately, his father was an artist and a painter who had the skills to support the family in those dire times.  Hussein gained confidence and sold his father’s paintings to the soldiers.  Eventually, Hussein made his was to the US where he could not find a job.  Eventually, he combined his artistic talents with his sense of entrepreneurship and started the “Printory” which created embroidered tee-shirts.  Marie is the book editor and said there would be copies of Hussein’s book at our next Rotary meeting.