President Cynthia Plouché opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, leading the Club in singing "God Bless America" and reciting the Four Way Test.

Fred Orkin introduced David Burke, a teacher at Highland Park High School and one of the organizers of this year’s DECA competition. DECA, (Distributive Education Clubs of America) is an international association of high school and college students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service. The organization prepares leaders and entrepreneurs for careers and education in marketing, finance, hospitality, management, and other business areas. DECA is need of judges for their upcoming competition on Friday, March 11th in Rosemont. Please contact Fred Orkin if you are interested.

Carolyn Cerf asked the members to support Community Emergency Response Team, of which she is a member. The Highland Park CERT educates the community about disaster preparedness for hazards and situations that may impact our City.

 

Carolyn also announced that the Charities Committee is now accepting applications from not-for-profit agencies for grants that the Club will award in April of this year. Deadline for submissions is March 31, 2016.

 

Cynthia announced that the Club will hold its monthly board meeting next Monday, February 15 immediately following the regular meeting. She also announced that next week’s speaker will be none other than Scott Drury, our Illinois state representative for the 58th district.

 

For the February 15th meeting, in honor of President's Day, and to support Happy Dollars, members are asked to bring in pennies (President Lincolns) that you might have around your home. Jars welcome!  If your lacking the copper Lincolns, the paper ones work just fine!

Emily Berezowsky, Speaker

David Burke, Highland Park High School, guest of Fred Orkin

Karen Moore, Host family mother for Miko, our exchange student, guest of Yesim Somnez

Bob Levy, Visiting Rotarian from the North Orlando, FL Club

 

 

Larry Block, accompanied by Matt Jenetopulos on the piano, led the Club in singing "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" in honor of the upcoming Valentine's Day. The duo also led the Club in singing "Happy Birthday" to Carolyn Cerf, Neil Dahlmann, Joe Lolli, Bob Morgan and Yesim Somnez.

There was no drawing this week and those that bought tickets generously donated their hard earned money to the Club's coffers.

There were many happy Rotarians this week. Yesim Somnez was happy that Karen Moore, Miko’s host mom was attending. Mike Babian donated in honor of all the birthdays. Neil Dahlmann gave because he returned from the land of the sun to the land of the snow (spare us the irony, Neil!). Rick Nelson gave because he’s traveling in the other direction! Fred Orkin donated to honor all those that signed up as judges for the DECA program, and Len Tenner contributed to honor Fred for all the good work he does for our club. Karen Dennis was happy to be leaving for a sunny week in Los Angeles and Dan Pierce gave in honor of his upcoming Sister City. Rob Levy made a donation on behalf of his home club in Orlando, and Jon Levey contributed to honor his first meeting as a club member. Finally, Larry Block chipped in to justify his announcement of the upcoming Highland Park Strings Annual Benefit Concert that will be held this Sunday, February 14 at Bennett Gordon Hall at Ravinia. All Rotarians are encouraged to attend and support our local musicians who are now in their 37th season!

Emily Berezowsky, Managing Producer at Muse of Fire Theatre Company was the Club’s guest speaker. The Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that strives to intrigue and educate the widest possible audience through productions of compelling plays, with Shakespeare as its cornerstone. Their vision is to become an integral part of the arts community and draw as many people as possible into the world of theatre through productions and innovative educational programming. The company has a fundamental belief that no one in the community should be excluded from the theatre experience, and as such it strives to make each play it presents understandable and engaging for everyone who comes to see it, children and adults alike. Performances are staged in found venues, often outdoors, and there is no admission charge!
 
Now in its 7th year, the company will be in Highland Park this summer staging performances of Queen Margaret – a contemporary short work adapted from four history plays following the rise and fall of the Tudor Kings through the eyes of the Queen who lived through it all. Plans also call for performances of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.
 
Speaking of which, Emily concluded her presentation by a reading from this play, with Carolyn, Cynthia, Fred, and Mike Babian assuming roles of various characters. Fred was particularly effective in the demanding role of Puck, but if I were you, Fred, I wouldn’t quit my day job just yet!