Harold noted that both Nancy Phillips and Susan Prout have completed their membership requirements and are sporting blue badges.

 

Don Gwinn reported that he is now able to process credit cards, using a new credit card reader and an internet connection.  If you’d like to pay your quarterly dues and breakfast costs with a credit card, please see Don at an upcoming meeting.

 

Don also reminded the club that Rebuilding Together will take place this Friday and Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m., at 1817 Emerson St. in Evanston. On these two days, we will be assisting a very nice woman, formerly of Belize, with a number of small household projects.  We will be working on Friday until mid-afternoon; on Saturday, we will work until completion.  All members are encouraged to attend.  We are partnering with members from the Noon Club, as well as Interactors and Rotaractors. 

 

Ann Searles thanked the membership for stepping up to assist with the Aging Well Conference on Saturday, May 8.  At this time, she could use a few additional volunteers for this morning volunteer commitment.   A collaborative effort between the City of Evanston and several area non-profits, the Aging Well Conference entails a continental breakfast, mayoral welcome, several helpful sessions for seniors, and entertainment. The event will be held at The Merion (formerly the North Shore Retirement Hotel) at 1611 Chicago Ave.  After their morning’s work (7:30 a.m. – noon), volunteers will enjoy a complimentary lunch.   If you’d like to help, please contact Ann for additional info.

 

Fran Caan provided an update on the ELRC ‘Taste of Evanston’ Fundraiser scheduled for Sunday, June 14, from  4 - 7 p.m., at the John Evans Alumni Center.  A number of members have been active in the planning, including Fran, Bill Glader, MaLu Simon, Nancy Phillips and Don Crost-Fink.  Local restaurants will be providing generous samples of their favorite menu offerings.  Live music will be provided and tents will expand the event space.  If you know of any restaurants or caterers who might like to participate, please contact Bill, Fran, or MaLu.   An Evite has been sent to all members.  It will be sent again as the date approaches.  Tickets ($75 each) may be purchased online using a credit card, or in person by providing a check.   We’re hoping to attract 200 attendees to this new and fun event, complete with live auction. 

 

Steve Steiber generously donated two items to be auctioned off, benefiting our club foundation.  Two tickets to Sense & Sensibility at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (Saturday, May 2, 8 p.m.) were purchased by Fran Caan.   Four (4) tickets to the Chicago Master Singers’ Spring Concert are still available.  These tickets may be used on Friday, April 24, or Sunday, April 26, for the performance at the Divine Word Chapel in Techny.  The face value of the four tickets is $152.    Please contact Steve if you’re interested.  

 

New ELRC member Lincoln Janus made up a meeting last week at the RC of Edinburgh.   Noting that Linc hailed from a (formerly) teetotaling community, the Edinburgh club provided him with a Rotary banner as well as a small bottle of Scotch. 

 

Just back from the second RYLA weekend, Marv Edelstein spoke enthusiastically about the success and importance of this Rotary program.   A number of recent RYLA attendees will present at an upcoming ELRC meeting.  Visitor Barry Rassin shared Marv’s enthusiasm, noting his grandson’s very positive RYLA experience.   

 

Ken Green announced that Campus Kitchens volunteers are still needed for several dates in May.  If you’re available on May 3, 10, or 24, contact Ken.   

 

To inform our newer members, Harold briefly recapped our Community Service efforts.  In addition to the monetary grants that we will be awarding in early June, we participate in a number of ongoing projects – Gulf Road Clean-up, Beach Clean-up, Campus Kitchens, Soup Kitchens, and Rebuilding Together.   Ken Green noted that the Community Service Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, May 13, to review and rank the 42 grant applications that have been received.  Please contact Julianne Dieterich or Ken Green if you’d like to be a part of the review process.  

 

The Community Service Committee hopes to compile a list of those non-profit organizations where ELRC members are involved. In addition to being an interesting exercise, this info could inform future Community Service possibilities.

 

Bob Teska cited the opportunities for partnership that exist between the Cradle to Career Initiative (with new Executive Director Sheila Merry) and Rotary International.  Literacy is a high priority for both groups.  Kristin Brown commented that a new RI publication on literacy is available, co-authored by a member of her team.  She will try to make the document available to interested members. 

 

Lesley, who joined our club in November, was born and raised in the Chicago area, primarily on the South side.  She attended the University of Missouri, married her high school sweetheart, and raised a son and a daughter. (She now has three daughters, all born in the same year, not twins or triplets. More details to come…)

 

As a young parent, she participated in a number of service activities – delivering mobile meals, starting a summer day camp, and helping with school activities for her children.  

 

The outside world beckoned and she returned to school, earning a certificate in Computer Science.   She worked as a software developer in the corporate world and provided tech training to business people.

 

Later, she determined it was time to move in a different direction, both personally and professionally.  She met and married her second husband and gained three stepchildren.  (Lesley now has one daughter, one stepdaughter, and one stepdaughter-in-law, all born in the same year.)   She also enjoys nine grandchildren.

 

Change came yet again when her husband lost his job.  Tired of cold weather, they moved to Tampa, Fla..  Lesley began an entrepreneurial venture, providing business writing (and technical training) to her clients.

 

One consistent interest has been volunteering.  In Tampa, Lesley volunteered with Tech Start Tampa Bay, the Hillsborough County Literacy Program (working one-on-one with a young Columbian woman), Florida Money Mentors, and Food & Nutrition Volunteers.  

 

Two years ago, Lesley’s husband passed away unexpectedly and she decided to make a U-turn, returning to Evanston.  An old friend, Gary Peterson, suggested Rotary as a great way to serve the community both locally and internationally.

 

Lesley’s life has come full circle and we’re happy to have her back in Evanston as a member of our club.

 

 

 

Nancy, of stoic Yankee stock, was raised not to talk about herself.   Having said that, she shared a few facts about her life.  Nancy was born and raised in Evanston, one of five girls.   After years of living in a drafty Victorian home, she opted for the warmth of the southwest (and the promise of a car from her father) and headed to the University of New Mexico for her college education.  She loved the area immediately, appreciative of the many ways it differed from northern Illinois. 

 

While she ultimately returned to Illinois, she’s been lured back to New Mexico several times by its beauty and climate.   Back in Illinois, she married, earned a Masters Degree in British History, and gave birth to a daughter and a son.   More of a baseball mom than a soccer mom (although her children played both sports), she was an active parent.  Her children attended Chiaravalle Montessori School and that’s where she met Kate Collinson – a friend of many years and her Rotary sponsor.   

 

Chiaravalle was a pivotal institution in Nancy’s life.  While her children progressed academically, she became involved – first, as a board member, then taking the training to become a Montessori teacher.  She enjoyed many satisfying years of teaching there before being tapped for the position of Interim School Director.   Nancy is very proud of her children, but you’ll have to ask her personally for more details.  She’ll be happy to talk your ear off.   When she was ready to leave the education field, Nancy moved into fund-raising as the Director of Development at Y.O.U. (where she met Horton Kellogg).

 

Nancy eventually moved back to New Mexico, working in Development for Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity and a large medical center serving families regardless of their ability to pay. 

 

In early 2014, Nancy returned to Evanston.   Mid-summer, her Columbus-based daughter gave birth to twins  -- a boy and a girl. She is loving being a grandmother.  Nancy currently works as Director of Development and Marketing for the Bright Promises Foundation in Chicago.   Formerly the Illinois Humane Society, Bright Promises currently focuses its efforts on identifying and assisting children who have experienced trauma.  She hopes that BPF will join us in the future for a program.

 

On a more personal level, Nancy likes to play tennis, golf, dance, and sing.  She misses the days when people would stop by for a visit.  Texting is just not the same!  

 

 

 

Randy Usen

 

 

Nancy Phillips – 1 year

 

 

Mike Messini, guest of John Osterlund, and soon to be a member