President Linda Gerber welcomed members to the meeting before leading the group in the “Why We Are Rotarians” statement.  As our Thought for the Day, Jason Keiser paraphrased a Maya Angelou quotation (“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”), adding that it’s vital to use emotional intelligence in our interactions as well as our intellect and other skills.

 

For the latest in Rotary news, Bruce Baumberger suggested visiting my.rotary.org.  Today you’ll see that Gordon R. McInally, a member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, Lothian, Scotland, has been selected as the President of Rotary International for 2023-2024 (following Jennifer Jones). 

 

Bruce also noted that you can access our District 6440 website from our club’s website.   From our club’s Home page, you can select District site (under the red End Polio Now symbol).  Once on the District 6440 website, by selecting Calendar in the upper right corner, you will be directed to a set of monthly calendars showing fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, district, and fellowship events. 

 

Among others, these include bike rides, an Oktoberfest celebration, Taste of Evanston (!), NU football (District 6440 Day at Ryan Field) and a collaborative club benefit concert on September 22, featuring three bands at Gillson Park/Wilmette.  Perusing the District calendar is an easy way to explore what’s going on around us!  

 

Bruce also encouraged members to join him at Sunday’s CSO Tchaikovsky Spectacular at Ravinia. An earlier email provided the details for this August 15 event.  Please contact Bruce for further info.

 

Club Service Chair Katherine Peterson announced that the next Club Service meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 7:30 a.m., via Zoom.  The committee will be discussing hybrid meetings-- which are likely to be delayed because of the Delta coronavirus variant.   All members are welcome. Katherine also expressed appreciation for the Technology Committee and everything they do.  When things run smoothly, it’s easy to forget how much important work is going on behind the scenes.  Kudos to Marv, Bryant, Bruce, and the others who keep all of our meetings going!

 

In support of Rotary’s newest area of focus (Environment), Joy Joyce reminded members that a curator-led private tour of the Third Coast Disrupted: Artists & Scientists on Climate exhibit is being offered at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18, at the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, 29850 N. Riverwoods Rd, Riverwoods.   Please contact Joy for further details.  If you are unable to attend the private tour, there are additional public tours listed on the Brushwood Center website.  Steve Goranson gives the exhibit a thumbs up!

 

Bill Glader reported that Taste of Evanston (TOE) tickets are now on sale at tasteofevanston.org.   Bill is finalizing a template, perfect for inviting friends and family to the Taste.  In addition to purchasing tickets on the website, supporters can purchase 50/50 raffle tickets – which will also be sold at the event.  Aware of the growing impact of the Delta variant, the TOE Committee has developed a new tent and table layout which will allow for more social distancing and better air flow.  They are closely watching the situation and are develop contingency plans in the event that the COVID situation worsens.  As Randy Usen noted, additional sponsors are still needed for the event.  If sponsors’ names and logos are to be included in our event materials/publicity, these are the final weeks to get on board.  Please pass along any leads to Randy or Mike Merdinger.  Underwriters are also needed.  Bill Glader will be sending along an updated list of Underwriter Needs, along with the Ticket Sale Email Template. 

 

Last, but not least, TOE Silent Auction Chair Helen Oloroso asked for donations of desirable goods and services. In additional to sports/entertainment tickets and consulting services, we need attractive items (gift baskets, jewelry, artwork, vacation homes) that will catch attendees’ attention.  Use your imagination!  What would you like to buy at a silent auction?

 

The TOE Committee will be meeting at Fran Caan’s home, 2236 Orrington on Thursday, Aug. 12, 6 p.m. Potluck Dinner, 7 p.m. Meeting.

 

Membership Chair Ann Searles reported that new members were hosted at a fun and successful gathering at the home of Kathy Tate-Bradish last Saturday evening.   Attendee and new member Keith Banks noted the warm and hospitable atmosphere and expressed amazement at the broad international reach of Rotary.  As he succinctly put it, Rotarians support each other and their communities!   Kathy and husband Bob are generously hosting a similar New Member event on Saturday, Aug. 21.  How do you get on the invitation list?  Consider mentoring a new member!  Ann also noted that the Membership Committee will be meeting Monday, Aug. 16, at 5 p.m. via Zoom.  Please contact Ann for a link to that meeting.   

 

 

Kelly Fidei boasted Katherine Peterson for organizing last Sunday’s flash walk.  This informal walk for EL Rotarians visited three gardens, and Kelly went home with fresh vegetables and a profound story.   On a block in Evanston where two teens were killed as a result of gang violence, Evanston Grows has developed a vegetable garden which has become a community hub, fighting food insecurity and building community. 

 

Jean Saunders enthusiastically “ditto-ed” Kelly’s boast!    

 

Helen Oloroso, proud mother of Black Dog Gelato founder Jessica Oloroso, explained that her daughter had recently participated in the Food Network’s new ice cream challenge – Ben & Jerry’s: Clash of the Cones.  This four-part series featuring six ice cream artisans from across the country begins on Monday, Aug. 16, at 8 p.m. on the Food Network. 

 

Katherine Peterson thanked Kelly Fidei and others who have participated in the club’s flash walks.  It’s always wonderful to learn the stories and enjoy the company of our fellow Rotarians.

 

Harold Bauer boasted his generous daughter Alice who surreptitiously paid (long distance) for Karen & Harold’s birthday celebration dinner at Froggy’s in Highwood.  Alice is slowly building a successful myofascial release practice in Shelter Cove, California.

 

Ann Searles boasted the Bradishes for hosting a new member party – and then doing it again on Aug. 21. 

 

Joy Joyce boasted Steve Goranson who has shown up to support gardens and kids in Evanston.  (Most recently Steve shared photos from a visit to Evanston’s Ridgeville Park District garden.)

 

Marisa Naujokas boasted Neil Gambow, who took action when Comfort Desserts Reimagined, a specialty bake shop on Dempster, was having trouble hiring staff.   Neil worked behind the scenes and with the City of Evanston, “doing things we don’t even know about.”   Comfort Desserts Reimagined is a “mom and pop” shop in the best sense, creating bread puddings, pies, and other luscious desserts.   

 

Sue Bova boasted Comfort Desserts owner Harith Razaa, who personally baked and delivered a specialty bread pudding when the original item wasn’t up to his standards.  Comfort Desserts Reimagined will be participating in the Taste of Evanston!

 

 

 

 

 

Linda Gerber introduced Tosha Wilson, neighbor, friend, police sergeant, and much more.  Cited by Chicago Tribune columnist Heidi Stevens as one of “10 (or so) people who gave me hope in 2020,” Tosha took an A,B,C approach to her presentation.

 

Accomplishments:  A 5^th generation Evanstonian, Tosha attended Dewey, Haven, and ETHS.  She received a Journalism degree from Illinois State and a Masters degree in Children’s Law and Policy from Loyola University. She joined the Evanston Police Department in 2002, moving up the ranks from Dispatcher to Patrol Officer, Community Policing Officer, Detective and Sergeant in 2021. 

 

Tosha is the first African American woman to become an EPD sergeant, following in the footsteps of her great uncle (Noon Club Rotarian) William Logan Jr.  While doing all this, Tosha was an adoptive parent of two!  When – as a very young woman -- her parents picked up a ruinous crack cocaine habit, she agreed to care for her younger sisters, ages 5 years and 11 months. Tosha continues to be a positive role model for these young women, now 25 and 20 years of age.

 

Business:  When Tosha and cousin (and Highland Park Police Officer) Jacqui White applied for a bank loan to open The Laundry Café in Evanston’s 5^th Ward, they were turned down.  Realizing that others must be experiencing the same obstacles, they reached out to the community, asking for support.  Boost Black Business was formed, seeking donations of $5 to $1,000 to fund The Laundry Café and other black-owned start-ups (including Herby Pop artisan popcorn, Badge Brew coffee, Chef Q’s Kitchen & Garden, two Chicago area doulas, Rose Café, Kingsway Prep, Wellbeing Chicago, Full Bloomed Lotus, Awe-Sauce).

 

Boost Black Business now boasts more than 3,000 followers, collectively working to foster family, community, an entrepreneurial spirit,and a “Do Your Job” attitude.  Raised on Florence Avenue in Evanston, across from Mason Park, Tosha yearns for the sense of community experienced years ago.  “Everyone knew each other and was raised collectively.”   It’s vital for children of color to see minority-owned businesses, black home owners, real role models.  The Laundry Café falls under the umbrella of Tosha’s aptly-named Florence Kid Inspired LLC.

 

Community: Tosha is a respected and active member of the community who has worked with S.T.A.R. (Skills to Achieve Results) Academy mentorship program for young women, the Citizen Police Academy, Leadership Evanston, FAAM (Fellowship for African American Men), the Evanston History Center, and others.

 

What can heal the wear and damage caused by stress, isolation, system racism and trauma in Evanston?  The AUX!  

 

The AUX (short for Auxiliary cord… something you plug in and get connected) is an effort to Boost Black Business in Evanston, in partnership with The Growing Season.   The AUX is a commercial hub dedicated to wellness, a space owned and co-created by the community.  It will house practitioners and entrepreneurs, opportunities and experiences that bring Evanstonians together to uplift their minds, bodies, and spirits.   

 

This $6 million redevelopment project dedicated to racial equity and wellness will be located on the recently acquired (former EZ Spuds) property at 2223 Washington St.  Lori Laser of The Growing Season and Juli Kaufmann of Fix Development have a track record with this type of development and will be partners in the process. Minority-owned Nia Architects of Chicago has been engaged to design this multi-use space.  The AUX will transform vacant property into a high-quality commercial space for a collective of locally-owned businesses and organizations that support holistic wellness.  It will bring together diverse talents in our community, supporting one another to reach physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, and financial wellness. 

 

Tosha introduced a brief, but informative, video about the AUX.  She also shared some remarks from NFL running back Edgerrin James on his induction into the Hall of Fame.  James noted that everyone must do their job… in his world, to protect the Quarterback. Given the issues in Evanston today, it’s more important than ever that people of all colors protect each other. 

 

One million of $6 million has been raised informally to date. For more information, or to donate to the AUX, please visit thegrowingseason.com.   The AUX is about impact, inclusive economy, community wealth, wellness, changing the narrative, self-determination, and action.  The AUX will be a sustainable social change model!

 

With luck (and adequate financing), the AUX could be open by summer 2022.  Importantly, the AUX will give people of color power that isn’t just symbolic.  Modeled after the Sherman Phoenix project in Milwaukee, the AUX offers hope in a difficult time.   Please feel free to reach out to our talented and motivating speaker:  toshawilson28@gmail.com.  

 

 

 

 

 

Marisa Naujokas - 6 years, Aug. 11

Barb Miles – 5 years, Aug. 16