Bruce Baumberger mentioned that an international assembly is taking place this week in San Diego. The new RI president, H.S. Riseley, has chosen “Making a Difference” as next year's RI theme. He is concerned about a graying RI membership that is 80% male.
Marv addressed upcoming Rotary events. On Saturday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m., the Rotary Foundation will hold a fundraiser involving the Windy City Bulls. A portion of each $20 ticket goes to support End Polio Now. Club members and their guests can visit WindyCityBulls.com/PROMO and enter the promotion code ENDPOLIONOW to buy tickets.
On Friday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Club is sponsoring a forum for Evanston youth at RI. The theme is “A world of opportunities in
leadership and service available to Evanston youth.” The Club is inviting students from ETHS, Beacon Academy, and Roycemore School to participate. Club members are invited to volunteer at this event.
Additionally, RYLA is holding a retreat for high school youth on March 9-12 and April 6-9. Club members are invited to attend. Finally, Rotary District 6440 is holding a conference from Friday, April 28, through Sunday, April 30, at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort. John Huston and Rick Metzger will be among the
speakers.
Don Gwinn said that the bills for the winter quarter that recently went out to members have the wrong date on them.
Roasts and Boasts
Gary Peterson boasted Don Gwinn for keeping track of past due bills, including one Gary owed.
Dale Bradley boasted six members who have joined the Evanston History Center: Don; Marv; Charlotta
Koppanyi; Marisa Naujokas; Bill Glader; and Ken Green.
Special Presentation
Marv presented Katherine Adams with her blue badge, noting that she is an attorney in Arlington
Heights and the daughter of her sponsor, PDG Rodney Adams.
Marv and Katherine
Program
History of the Opera and the Lyric Opera in Chicago
Speaker: Sam Fain, Group Sales Associate, Lyric Opera
Fran Caan introduced our speaker, Sam Fain. Sam recounted the early days of opera in Chicago. The first operas were presented in Chicago in 1850 and the first permanent home for opera was built in 1865. That building was known as the Crosby Opera House. It failed financially soon after opening. Thereafter,
the Auditorium Theater became home to operas in Chicago, starting in the 1890’s.
In 1929, under the leadership of Samuel Insull, the Civic Opera house opened. It soon ran into financial troubles because of the Great Depression. In 1952, Carol Fox founded Lyric Opera of Chicago and soon propelled it to prominence by bringing Maria Callas to Chicago to perform. She resigned in 1981 amidst
financial problems at Lyric.
Currently, Lyric Opera is profitable, having successfully spearheaded the sale of subscription series. Lyric plans to continue a recent innovation of offering one Broadway musical per season. Club members can buy tickets to any performance at a discount using the promotional code “Rotary.”
Marv thanked Sam and said that the Club is donating a book on the history of the Lyric to the Evanston Public Library.
Marv Edelstein and Sam Fain
Guests and Milestones
Guests
Heather Harper, prospective member and guest of Kristin Brown
Eric Franzon, guest of Nancy Franzon
Luis Abrev, our exchange student
Sam Fain, Lyric Opera, and today’s speaker
Anniversary
Steve Carlson, 19 years
Next Week’s Assignments
Set Up : Gary Peterson and Nick Powers
Greeters: Gerry Baumann and Bruce Baumberger
Thought for the Day: Neil Gambow
Scribe: Yves Lassere
Break Down: Kristin Brown and Paul Brown