Presiding was President Chris Joyce, who began the meeting with Why We Are Rotarians. 

 

The Thought for the Day was presented by John Osterlund: "If one advances confidently in the direction of her dreams and endeavors to live the life which she has imagined, she will meet a success, unexpected, in common hours." By Henry David Thoreau.

 

 

Chris Joyce announced there is no clear date on returning to in-person meetings at Rotary International, though signs seem to indicate September.  Meantime, Marv Edelstein and the Technology Committee are working on hybrid meetings in preparation for that time.

 

On behalf of Brad Weiss, Chris Joyce announced thanks to the Menards, Linc & Myra Janus, the Edelsteins, Louis Allred, Chip Uchtman, and the sons of Brad Weiss for the Golf Road Clean-up on Saturday.

 

Gary Peterson, for the Rotary Foundation, announced we are at $16,700 of our $18,000 goal for the year, which is close, but we still have work to do.  If you are in a position, please donate at the Rotary website under the Annual Fund, as this involves a lot of the matching financing for our club programs.  Chris Joyce added that you can make a direct deposit into the Rotary Foundation from your IRA without any tax consequences.

 

Sue Bova made several announcements for the International Service Committee.  Hydroponics Project in Guatemala: This is a large project that involves collaboration between the Vista Hermosa Rotary Club in Guatemala -the International Partner, The Rotary Club of Skidaway Island, Savannah Georgia, and a not-for-profit Phalarpe.  The project will teach hydroponic farming techniques to indigenous people in an extremely poor area in the highlands of Guatemala, near Tecpan, Chimaltenango. The committee will vote next month on the amount our cljub will contribute.  

 

Habitat for Humanity - Port Beirut Explosion Response: Habitat for Humanity local staff will assess damage, identify, and assist affected populations with repairs, most commonly replacing windows and doors.  Secure doors and windows will have a ripple effect, allowing residents to shelter safely, return to school and work. The Committee unanimously voted to support the efforts with a $3,000 grant. Kristin Brown and Kate Collinson will work to find a Host Rotary Club in Lebanon. 

 

Collaboration with Community Service Committee: An ISC select team is working on the details of a joint project with the Community Service Committee. A designated $5,000 will be used to support organization(s) in Evanston serving international refugees and/or undocumented residents.

 

Stephen Goranson shared the details on the cleanup at Lighthouse Beach on Saturday as part of Earth Week.  The beach cleanup was part of the Alliance for the Great Lakes Adopt-A-Beach Program.  Volunteers removed tens of thousands of pounds of litter from the Great Lakes shorelines and also contributed data on what they find for researchers to use worldwide.  Steve thanked the 26 volunteers who participated in the cleanup (18 from our club), especially to Ann and John Searles, who set up tables, registered volunteers, and distributed gloves and bags and much more. Thanks also to Bruce Baumberger for his hard work, and Jean Saunders for doing a fabulous job monitoring the Earth Day webinars sponsored by Citizens’ Greener Evanston.

 

Bryant Wallace announced The Chessmen Club of North Shore is having its golf outing this year.  We missed last year but had previously had Rotarians come out to play and had a really good time.  It’s going to be July 5, with details forthcoming shortly. 

 

 

Nick Powers shared fun facts, history teasers, and facilitated Roasts & Boasts:

 

Marv Edelstein boasted Katherine Peterson for organizing a fun Flash Walk and encouraged others to join with nice weather, a walk, and a chance to socialize that finished with an outdoor drink.  Marv also boasted the nice weather as he was going to Milwaukee to pick up his motorcycle and drive home.

 

Jean Saunders boasted the members of our club who supported Citizens’ Greener Evanston’s Earth Week, and Steve Goranson for recruiting Bruce Baumberger for his technical support in that effort.

 

Neil Gambow boasted his granddaughter.  This weekend the Gambows attended her graduation from Belmont University, where she graduated with a Global Studies degree and a minor in Spanish.  She has her first job as an environmental and sustainability educator for a year-round camp in the Houston, Texas, area.   You could tell that the grandparents were really proud of her.

 

Joy Joyce boasted helmets for Marv’s motorcycle ride and her own helmut at Big Sky and no head injury.

 

 

 

 

Jean Saunders introduced our speaker for today, Leslie Shad. 

 

Leslie founded and co-leads Natural Habitat Evanston, which encourages habitat for nature and people, and to build a culture that recognizes the value of wild space.  She currently serves on the board of Citizens’ Greener Evanston, following her retirement from a 25-year legal career with CARE USA.  She previously served on the boards of National Wildlife Federation and Planned Parenthood New York City.  Leslie and her husband are continuing work to restore forested wetlands in Northwest Indiana.

 

Leslie discussed how reducing lawns contributes to reducing toxins, water waste, air pollution due to grass cutting, and hearing damage due to power equipment needed for maintenance.  As a result of damage to the environment, we are losing biodiversity with insect die off, a 30 percent loss of songbirds, a 90 percent loss of monarch butterflies, and more.  Whole insect populations may be disappearing that are critical to plant life.  Trees, shrubs, and wildflowers create areas that attract insects and birds.  Planting trees creates shade, relaxes and beautifies, and reduces noise by absorbing sound.  Since host plants evolved with insects, we know that 90 percent of plants need insects, which in turn feed birds.

 

Leslie shared the following information in her presentation:

 

Bird Buzz Native Plant Sale. Evanston Environmental Association and Natural Habitat Evanston are partnering for the sale. Buyers purchase in advance and pick up their orders at the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge, on May 22. We need volunteers at the sale. Sign up here https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4CAAA829A0FD0-bird 

 

Masks and distancing required.

 

Listening Sessions. They want to hear what members of the community think about habitat, soil, insects, birds, and wildlife. Help them talk with the community at public events. Essentially walk around with a clipboard and interview adults for 1-2 hours, then debrief afterwards with NHE. Masks and distancing required. Sign up
here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4CAAA829A0FD0-natural

 

Take the Pollinator Pledge https://tinyurl.com/NHEPollinatorPledge • Spread the word Pollinator Pledge

 

Join the Evanston Native Bee Initiative: Plant, monitor, survey  native-bee-initiative 

 

Volunteer in a park: help in a natural area, or pick up trash. Confirm with park steward before showing up. Wear a mask, bring your own gloves, and physically distance when working. Let the steward know if you need tools or gloves.

Or become a Rain Garden monitor. Contact Libby Hill libbyhill@comcast.net. Rain garden locations:

 

 

Horton Kellogg – April 28

 

 

Ann Searles – May 1, 28 years.