Rotopep for October 15, 2026

Meeting Location or Virtual Login details:

This will be the same meeting login for all club meetings every week including happy hour and fireside chat.

Weekly Rotary Club of Evanston Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/896382967?pwd=RE9wRkpxTUxjUTdVTFB4RWt2bXduUT09
 

You can also join the meeting manually from your Zoom App or from zoom.us, using the meeting number and password below.

Meeting ID: 896 382 967

Password: Rotary2372

JOINING THE MEETING USING A PHONE

Dial: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Enter Meeting ID: 896 382 967#

Participant Number: (no participant number, so just push the # key)

Enter Password: 941281#

One-tap for smart-phone users:

+13126266799,, 896382967#,,,,0#,,941281# (US Chicago)

Visitors: Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbBefTII7W

---

Rotary Minutes: October 8, 2026

 

President Mark Lowry called the meeting to order at the Evanston Ecology Center.

 

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

There were no visiting Rotarians or guests this week.

 

Inspiration

Barbara Huffman provided our inspiration. A group of District 6440 Rotarians recently visited the home of Rotary founder Paul Harris, which is located on Chicago’s south side and is known as “Comely Bank.” In recognition of Paul Harris, Barbara read us one of his many well-known quotes – this one reminding us of the importance of finding areas of agreement and being forward-looking.

 

Speaker

Our speaker was Matt Poole, Deputy Director of Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Department. Matt provided an update on the proposed Evanston Canoe Launch, which is slated to be built on the North Shore Channel, near the Ecology Center, the Ladd Arboretum and the International Friendship Garden.

 

The project began in 2015, when the old canoe-access area near the Ecology Center was identified as a hazard because of its deterioration. The access had been built by a local Boy Scout troop years earlier. By 2017, the launch had to be closed. Since then, people who wanted to access the Channel on canoes or kayaks have had to travel several miles south to a rowing facility maintained by the City of Skokie.

 

The City of Evanston began working with the Evanston Environmental Association (EEA) on a plan to replace Evanston’s canoe-access site, and between 2019 and 2022 feasibility studies were conducted to determine the best course of action. In 2025, a plan was approved and a Memorandum of Understanding created. The city will now work with EEA in partnership to build the new canoe-access site, which is scheduled for completion in 2027.

The new site will be located just south of Bridge Street and will include an environmentally friendly landscaped pedestrian ramp and floating dock structure. Landscaping in the area will be improved with native plantings and access will be ADA-compliant. An access area for fishing will also be included. The city is also seeking proposals from vendors to supply rental canoes and kayaks for the site. The rental feature is expected to be completed and available in 2028.

 

The current parking lot next to the Garden will be upgraded, and electrical-power access expanded. The city is currently in discussion with the Rotary Club of Evanston to determine the feasibility and cost of providing additional electrical access beyond the canoe ramp and dock area to include the larger International Friendship Garden. This would make the Garden more viable as a setting for special events and activities.

 

The cost of the canoe-access project will be roughly $2 million, which the EEA will provide through a fundraising campaign. The city will provide additional funding for improvements to the parking lot, which will be closed during its reconstruction.

 

Birthdays

Helen Dickson and John Robertson

 

Rotaversaries

Barbara Huffman, Stephanie Murray and John Robertson.

Congratulations to all!

 

Announcements

Be sure to register for the World’s Largest Polio Walk, to be held in Evanston on October 24. The 1.5 mile walk begins at 10 a.m. at Rotary headquarters in downtown Evanston. The course will take participants from headquarters to the lakefront and back and is slated to take from 30 minutes to an hour. To register, visit:

https://form.jotform.com/admin6440/orc-worlds-largest-polio-walk-regis

 

Orchids and Onions

Paul Larson presented the club with $50 for our Charitable Fund, from tickets to the Sept. 25 “There’s a Higher Power” show purchased by Bridget McDonough and John Robertson. Thank you, Bridget and John!

Jue Meyers had an orchid for the recent refurbishing and clean-up at the Friendship Garden, which went very well.

Bridget McDonough had an onion for the noise at the pizza restaurant chosen for our Sept. 25 social event. The pizza was great, but too many loud kids!

 

Sergeant-at-Arms

Pam Rosenbusch quizzed us on football coaches who coached at or attended Miami University of Ohio – some of whom went on later to coach at Northwestern. Miami has been called “the Cradle of Coaches” because so many have gone on to notable careers in football coaching.

 

Scribe: Paul Larson

 

 

---

Register for WLPW!

 

Information on the event:

• Location: One Rotary Center “Sunken Garden” (behind the Polio Plus statue)
• Event starts at 9:00 am, walk begins at 10:00 am
• 1.5 mile circuit to lakefront and back; estimate time to complete 30-60 minutes
• 3 Evanston clubs, 7 additional clubs, District 6440
• Words of inspiration from District officials, Dr. Carol Pandak (Rotary staff), and Blane Foundation representatives
• Registration Link: ORC World's Largest Polio Walk Registration
• Fundraising Link:  https://raise.rotary.org/en-GB/project/world-polio-day-evanston
• Order “End Polio Now” gear here: End POLIO Now-Rotary Club Supplies - Russell Hampton Company 

QR code for registration to WLPW:    

---

Save the Date - Social Outing - 29 October

Next social outing will be October 29 at Prairie Moon, 5:30 PM.

1635 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201.

 

---

Save the Date – Step Up Against Hunger Club Fundraiser – 6 February 2027

 

 

https://www.rotary.org/en/john-hewko-curing-the-loneliness-epidemic-chicago-style