Rotopep for September 20, 2018

Diane Krier-Morrow read a passage from “Bonds of Rotary Between Us”

 

Brian Brown introduced our three guests. Kelly Fidei was visiting for the first time. Michael Livshutz is a regular visitor and Paulo Giordano is a Rotarian (who happens to be the father of our club president).  Paulo will be a regular visitor for several weeks.

 

Michele reviewed upcoming events. 

October 13: The club has a number of tickets to the NU football game vs Nebraska. Tickets are still available. Brian King added that there will be a tailgate party at the Friendship Garden from 9 till 11 PM. Let Brian know if you plan to attend, though you can come even if you don’t.

October 20:  One Rotary Summit district training event at Harper College. Learn about what’s happening in our district and about leadership roles for next year.

October 24: World Polio Day. The event will be livestreamed from Pennsylvania. There will be a joint meeting with Lighthouse Rotary Club and Rotary International at the Rotary Center. The Mayor will attend.

October 25:  Club Assembly to kickoff planning for the club’s centennial.  The 100-year anniversary is May 1 2020, and events will run from July 1, 2019.

November 10: Rotary UN day in Nairobi, Kenya. Mark Steele is arranging a visit to our club project on November 11.

November 15: Heads up Evanston! Details later.

 

September 1 – Paul Fischl (32 Years)

September 11 – April Jensen (4 Years)

12 September – Abby McNear, Guy Riendeau (5 years)

15 September – Shawn Iles (2 Years)

 

Michele reminded us of the “Lockout Hunger” box. Dave Stumpf donated around 100lb of food at the weekend! Helen asked for volunteers to deliver the food.

 

Stephanie Murray summarized the results of the “First Annual” Trivia Bowl held on September 11 and thanked the International Service Committee, and Diane, John and Karen for organizing this event and our “Streets Alive” participation on Sunday September 9.   Stephanie pulled the raffle winner: Paulo Giordano won the $55 prize.  Diane announced that the event raised over $1,000.  Auction Items were still open for bid. We learned later that Wally’s table won the Trivia test, and a $125 dollar meal at Chef’s Station.  See below for more details and photos from the Trivia Bowl.

 

Mark Lowry reminded us that “Open House Chicago” will happen on October 13 and 15. Evanston Rotary clubs will have a table on both days.  Details to follow. 

 

We will also participate in the ComEd (behind the scenes) green tour.  Registration will be required.

 

Brian Brown let us know that the Open Visitation for Mayor Lorraine Morton would take place on September 21, followed by the funeral at Alice Millar Chapel on September 22.

 

Dick Peach was Sargent at Arms, and had an onion of his own.  The Federal government has opened the Boundary Waters Wilderness in Northern Minnesota to mining.  Individual leases will need to be combatted on a case by case basis.

Gene Servillo threw out a spontaneous onion recalling his 1993 involvement with the Federal review on policy relating to canoes on the Boundary Waters.  Sadly, studies like this have no effect on policy in the current political environment.

Karen Kring had an orchid for the organizers of the Rotary table at Evanston’s “Streets Alive” festival on September 8 and the Trivia Bowl on September 11. She gave an onion to Dick for not attending the trivia night.

Jane Lawicki had orchids for the promotional team and the organizers of the events, and for the “Sunset Magazine” wedding she attended at Carmel over the weekend.

Wally Bobkiewicz apologized for “spotty” attendance due to tending for his aunt in California, who passed away on September 1^.  He gave an orchid for the wonderful woman she was.  He gave an onion for possibly having violated the 4-way test when his wife “planted” a Trivia question (an entertaining tale).

Ada Kahn asked us to sign a condolences card for Kelly Gilbert, whose father died recently.

Michelle had orchids for the organizers of the events and a “shameless plug” for the “celebrate!evanston” ECG fundraiser dinner on October 15.  (Ticket prices go up on September 15^th).

 

 

Dick stumped all but one table with tough questions about the National Parks.

 

Our speaker was Vicky Pasenko who is a cofounder and copresident of the Evanston Animal Shelter Association and sits on the Evanston Animal Welfare Board. Vicky gained her compassion for animals growing up on a farm, and her executive skills as a manager in a large tech company. 

 

Vickie described activities of the Evanston Animal Center and its achievements.  In 2017 the Center provided shelter for 655 dogs and Cats (and a Python!).  It adheres to the “No Kill” principle and 97% of its intake was released to new or prior owners in 2017, the highest release rate in the greater Chicago area. As well as returning lost pets to owners and arranging adoptions the Center offers custodial care for owners temporarily unable to care for their pets, runs a pet food bank, and provides free vaccinations and microchipping.  The center has an “open admission” philosophy, as illustrated by the case of a cat named “Mercy”. Mercy was suffering from Feline Immune Deficiency Syndrome and had an infected head- wound, among other problems.  He had been rejected by centers in Chicago, but was admitted by the Evanston Animal Center where he made a full recovery. 

 

The Animal Center organizes two major events annually: a gala and “Trot for Tails”, which is an outdoor family-oriented fancy-dress walk/run, with prizes for the best costumes.   The Center has 175 volunteers and is always looking for more.  In addition, it can benefit from donations of money, space or items from its wish list, and foster homes.

 

After her talk, Vickie answered a question from Phil Klein on the relationship of the Center with Evanston’s Animal Control (a good one), while Wally described a little of how the Center got established and expressed the City’s appreciation.  In a moment of serendipity, Don Bally asked about the availability of hypoallergenic dogs for adoption.  He and his wife recently lost a Maltese.  Amazingly the center recently admitted two Maltese and expects two more.  We foresee an Orchid in Don’s future!

 

The club has donated “Defending the Defenseless: Protecting and Advocating for Animals” to Evanston Public Library, in Vicky’s honor.