President Chris Joyce welcomed members to the meeting before leading the group in the Why We Are Rotarians statement.   

 

Sue Bova shared a Thought for the Day from the Dalai Lama – “The planet does not need more successful people.  The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds. “

 

 

President Joyce reminded the group that there will be NO Tuesday morning meeting next week.  Instead, we will be gathering in person (socially distanced, with masks) for our Annual Picnic on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 5:30 p.m., at Fran Caan’s home, 2236 Orrington Ave.

 

Bruce Baumberger followed up with a prediction of superb weather – and a request that Rotarians visit our club’s website (www.evlrc.org) to register for the picnic.  Please contact Bruce with any registration concerns/questions.  This year’s picnic will be “Ravinia style,” meaning you will need to bring what you typically take to an outdoor concert -- chairs, picnic cloth, food, drink.  Fran will have a limited number of chairs available, as well as hand sanitizer, garbage receptacles, etc.   Each social pod (2-4 people) will have its own space on the lawn – everyone will be physically distanced, masked, etc.   This year’s event will also feature Los Perros Cubanos, a Latin band led by our recent speaker, Roger Sosa, who is the Executive Director of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce.  Fellowship and picnic begin at 5:30 p.m. with the band playing from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.   Please note:  Street parking is available, but a permit is needed until 6:00 p.m. Fran will have a supply of parking permits near her front door. 

 

Chris explained that the August Virtual Board Meeting will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  All members are welcome.  Please contact Chris or Marv Edelstein if you need a link to the event.

 

Bill Glader reported that the Virtual Taste of Evanston has netted $13,456 to date, just over half-way to its goal of $25,000.  We have received direct donations of $2,885, “Chef” gifts from the website of $8,750, and sponsorships of $3,950.   Our membership has been responsible for most of these donations.  Please consider a second or third appeal to your friends and family.  If each Lighthouse Rotarian could generate an additional $200 in donations, we would meet this goal!   With sources of support drying up, the need for housing assistance is tremendous.  Reba Place and Connections are poised to fill the gap!  Giving is easy --  use the Donate buttons on  www.virtualtasteofevanston.org or mail a check to Foundation Treasurer Miguel Hernandez, 1058 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette, IL  60091.

 

International Service Chair Patrick Mbullo, participating from Kenya, announced that the next meeting of the International Service Committee will take place on Monday, Aug. 31, time TBD.  All are welcome!  

 

Linda Gerber announced that next Tuesday’s Equity & Inclusion Virtual Workshop with the YWCA will include 20 members from our club, as well as members of the Noon Club, PDG Suzanne Gibson, and others in the DG line, plus Rotary staffers (including Chandra Palmer, integral to the Multicultural Employees of Rotary Affinity group).  Later this week, Linda will send out pre-event reading and viewing materials to Workshop participants.  The following statement from Rotary International, after the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others, will be a jumping off point: 

 

“At Rotary, we have no tolerance for racism. Promoting respect, celebrating diversity, demanding ethical leadership, and working tirelessly to advance peace are central tenets of our work. We have more work to do to create more just, open, and welcoming communities for all people. We know there are no easy fixes and that challenging conversations and work lie before all of us. Rotary's strength has long been our ability and commitment to bringing people together. We will tap into that strength now as we stand with those who are working for peace and justice. Rotary will do our part to listen, learn, and take action to ensure that we continue to contribute to making positive change.”

 

Noting that fellowship is particularly important during these times, Club Service Chair Katherine Peterson encouraged members to host small get-togethers in their yards, parks, wherever.  Members have enjoyed a variety of recent small, socially distanced gatherings!

 

 

Nick Powers encouraged Roasts & Boasts before quizzing the membership on baseball trivia.

 

Albert Menard boasted his wife Anne for tolerance on the occasion of their 50^th wedding anniversary (Saturday, Aug. 29).

 

Helen Oloroso boasted her husband Oly for reaching 50 years of marriage on Aug. 27, two days before Al & Anne Menard.  Helen also boasted Linc Janus for sending a message to the membership about Covid-related clinical trials at Northwestern Medicine.  Helen has registered, the first step in the process. 

 

Neil Gambow boasted (and showed a photo of) former Youth Exchange Student Cassie Tingley who is a U.S. Marine in Officer Candidate School.  She continues to attend the University of Vermont.

 

Bryant Wallace boasted Marv Edelstein and the teamwork of the Tech Committee.  Despite obstacles, Marv helped make last’s week meeting look smooth and seamless.

 

Recording attendance, Club Secretary Willie Steiner noted a mystery ‘Carol’ at our meeting (Bild or Pandak?) – and encouraged members to include a recognizable first and last name when using Zoom.   

 

 

 

Chris Joyce introduced our own Paul Brown as a past President, Sergeant-at-Arms, Treasurer, Ad hoc Committee Chair, and, particularly in the early years, member of virtually every major committee.

 

Paul was born in Lakewood, Ohio, an Evanston-like suburb of Cleveland.  An accountant from an early age, Paul reminded his older brother to give a customer of their Victory Garden only 11 additional ears of corn as she already had one sample ear.  Valedictorian of his class of 400, Paul had to choose between playing football for Ara Parseghian at Northwestern and receiving a National Merit Scholarship in its first year.   On the first day of practice, when Paul heard a coach call out “what are you doing letting that little guy push you around?”, that little guy (aka Paul) decided to accept the academic scholarship. 

 

Paul came to NU/Evanston in 1956 and never left.  He held a series of jobs while in school, including a laundry and dry-cleaning delivery service.  Paul took clothing from his fraternity brothers to/from a local cleaner located in the current Gigio’s space, earning a commission.   (Julio from Gigio’s was very nearly a charter member of the ELRC, deciding at the last minute not to join.)  An avid and lifelong reader, Paul had read all of the classics before NU.  He still enjoys English and U.S. History, fiction, nonfiction, mysteries and political analyses.

 

Married during the summer before senior year, Paul and wife Gail had three children – Kristin, Randy, and Stephanie – and lived in Northwest Evanston until they divorced. Paul married Margo in 1974, inheriting three additional children – John, David, and Annie.  Among his proudest accomplishments, all six children consider themselves full siblings and all 21 grandchildren as cousins. 

 

Upon graduation, Paul entered a prestigious nine-month management training program as one of Randall’s Rangers of Inland Steel.  Remembering his father’s admonition that it’s better to be self-employed, Paul took the National Certified Public Accountant exam and received the second highest score in Illinois (and among the top 10 scores in the country).  In 1962, he began his accounting practice.  After several name changes, the firm was known as Brown, Kaplan & Liss  (which counts another Evanston Lighthouse Rotarian among its named partners – Scott Kaplan). 

The firm served a variety of clients across the country and was known for its audit work.  Familiar Evanston organizations for whom they have worked include the Evanston United Way, McGaw YMCA, Evanston History Center, Evanston Community Foundation, SASI, Evanston Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Evanston, and many others.  Paul retired as Managing Partner in 2003 and worked part-time with clients until his total retirement in 2015. 

 

Paul’s life has always included an active community component.  He has been involved with City Commissions, the Evanston Public Library Board (both he and Margo have served as President), the  Business Development Commission, political campaigns, and various non-profits.  He considers his encouragement of former Mayor Jay Lytle to enter city politics as his greatest Evanston achievement.  Similarly, he views his introduction of daughter Kristin to the ELRC as his biggest Rotary contribution.   Paul himself ran an unsuccessful campaign for the District 65 School Board, dooming himself (in wife Margo’s eyes) by telling people the truth about what was needed!

 

Paul has been an active power boater and water skier over the years, passing on his slalom technique to family members old enough to learn.  He and Margo enjoy theatre and music, with a Northlight subscription and periodic visits to Shakespeare Rep, Writers Theatre, Steppenwolf, the Goodman, the Chicago Symphony, and Lyric Opera.  For nearly 40 years, they have been part of the Upstagers, a play-reading group that performs dramas and musicals. Noting the "low level of musical talent in the group,” Paul & Margo have played lead roles in 15 musicals. Still going strong, Kristin and Mahmoud are now Upstagers, too.

 

Paul is a charter member of our club, which formed as a breakfast spinoff of the Noon/Lunch Club. Yet again, an introduction by Paul has been important, bringing “wonderful member” Bob Teska into our club at its formation. 

 

 

Since joining the club in 2008, Neil has held a number of important positions, including Membership Chair, Sergeant-at-Arms, and ongoing Youth Exchange guru.  Neil was born in Cleveland in 1945, the oldest of five children of a tool & die maker and stay-at-home mom.  When he moved to the suburbs at the age of 9, Neil’s working career began.  A stint as a newspaper deliverer was followed by work in his local grocery store through high school. 

 

Neil pursued a Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Dayton, met his wife of 53 years there (Marge!) and continued to work at a variety of jobs including Republic Steel.   Upon graduation, Neil went with BF Goodrich Aircraft Wheels and Brakes and married two months later. During the first six years, while working as an engineer, Neil’s children – Jennifer and Dennis – were born.  Neil was then selected to manage a new plant.   Senior management in the aerospace industry was next. 

 

Over the years, Neil was President of four companies and General Manager of another for more than 35 years.  Neil was involved in the manufacture of a wide range of engineered products – from aircraft evacuation slides and de-icing systems to vans that carry MRIs and railroad tank car valves.   Most recently, he kept a struggling company out of bankruptcy.   Neil and Marge ultimately moved five times during his ‘paid’ career – from Troy, Ohio, to West Virginia, then to Akron, Cincinnati, and finally Evanston.  

 

While these jobs “paid the bills,” Neil has always been an active community volunteer. In the early 1970’s, he was the Jaycees Chapter President and a soccer referee.  In West Virginia, he served as an Umpire and member of the Little League Commission, and assisted a sheltered workshop.  In Akron, Marge and Neil were both approved judges for speech and debate.  In Cincinnati, he supported social service agencies and fundraised for his church.  Now, Evanston is benefiting from Neil’s efforts.  Ann Searles and Marge conspired to bring Neil to Rotary -- where, in his words, there is something for everybody.  We all need to ask “What can I do to make things better?”  

 

As Chair of the Mayor’s Employment Advisory Council, Neil and his colleagues have focused on the career needs of students who will not be attending college.  In the current Covid-19 environment, they have pivoted to virtual communication with students while collaborating with the Youth Job Center (career and resume prep), Oakton Community College, and numerous local employers.  Oakton CC has recently documented the 100+ certificates it offers, most requiring only one semester.   Neil is particularly enthusiastic about Schoolinks.com, a college and career readiness platform that begins with an inventory assessment of student interests and gives students direct access to potential employers.  ETHS is also utilizing Portrait of a Graduate which provides strategic direction for the redesign of the overall educational experience.  As Neil notes, “we’ve moved the needle.”   There may be opportunities for our club to help in these career readiness efforts.

 

Thanks to both Paul and Neil for contributing so much to our club and our community!  

 

 

 

Gary Peterson – August 17

Jean Saunders – August 17

Dieneba Soma – August 20

John Searles – August 22

Chuck Bartling – August 25

Marisa Naujokas – August 27

 

 

John Searles – August 26, 23 years

 

 

Please note that there will be NO REGULAR MEETING next Tuesday morning!

 

Instead, we’ll gather for our annual Club Picnic on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at the home of Fran Caan, 2236 Orrington Ave., Evanston.