BULLETIN – January 14, 2026
By Tim Dempsey

Standing in for Tom Gore, past President Jon Robb rang the bell, Bob Zamor gave the Pledge, and Greeter Charles Lesser led us in prayer. In a feeble attempt at a song, Ron Lapins helped us sing the first 5 words of Silent Night.

BRAGS:
-Steve Risley encouraged us to root for the Bears by saying “Go Bears!”. Packer fan Bill Rickert had no comment!
-Jim Laverdiere’s wife’s recent surgery went well. Thanks for all the prayers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Regarding the Fundraiser, we have reached 10% of our silent auction goal. We need 138 items with a value of $500 per member. We need to sell tickets!

FUN & FROLICS:
-Yours truly conducted a putting contest and no one made a putt. Full disclosure, the putter is over 60 years old, and the putting target rejects made putts to make room for the next putt.

PROGRAM:
Today’s program was A. J. Voth from the Rotary Club of St. Charles/Geneva telling us about a village drill project in Eswatini. Eswatini is a small country in Southern Africa bordered by Mozambique and South Africa. A. J. is partnering with Bridges to Prosperity to bring water to 150 schools who don’t have access to clean drinking water. Evey school has a wash station provided during Covid. Not every school has clean water. A. J. is working with Engineers without Borders to provide small well drilling rigs.
Clean water helps health and improves attendance at schools. The project will purchase small well drilling rigs, powered by a generator, that can be mounted on pick up trucks. The project will do a community assessment and drill sample holes. A team will be assembled for testing and treatment. The group Village Drill will train operators and technicians in the operation and maintenance of their drill. The project has a budget of $70k. A. J. is asking for our support in the partnership.

RAFFLE:
-Daily: $34 won by Tom Zengler who donated his. winnings to the Food Pantry.
-Progressive: $690 (33 cards). Happi Datt drew the Jack of Diamonds. ROLLOVER!

NEXT WEEK:
-Greeter & Prayer: Jim Laverdiere.
-Fun & Frolics: Doug Fendon.
-Program: Paul Hettich from the Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County (VACLC).

FOUR WAY TEST:
Rich Babjak led us in the Four Way Test.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“ ‘Tis easier to prevent bad habits, than to break them”. – Ben Franklin