By Tim Dempsey

 

Today’s meeting was opened by Elliot, Robin O’Connor gave the pledge and simultaneously was wheeled for her phone ringing but was given a pass because it was her birthday. May have been the first time for this event! Greeter Rich Schoenenman led us in prayer. No song again today!

 

-Malvena Lube- Assistant District Governor

 

BRAGS:

-Tom Miller was in Washington DC and celebrated the birth of his 6^th grandson.

 

-Tom Gore attended the Bruce Springsteen concert in Milwaukee last night. Bruce did 3 hours non-stop!

 

-Carol August bragged it was Robin O’Connor’s birthday and sang Happy Birthday to her.

 

-Today is International Women’s Day.

 

-Jeff Harger celebrates 32 years as a Rotarian!

 

-The next Board meeting is March 14 at 4:45 pm.

 

-The fifth Friday of March is the29th. We will have an event at White Deer Run.

 

-Howard Jaffe reported that we have sold 645 tickets and should be sold out today or tomorrow. We will continue to promote the auction and the 50/50 raffle. Will call will be Friday at Mickey Finn’s from 3:30 to 7 pm and at LHS after noon on Saturday. Club members are asked to park in the back lot at LHS. It is suggested that we purchase drinks up front at the after party to avoid lines in the Amber room. There will be no refreshments at the show. There will be easels listing sponsors at the auditorium entrance and we will have a brochure on the Club available. Doors for the show will open at 6:45 pm. The auction closes at noon on Sunday and the 50/50 raffle winner will be announced at the after party.

 

-A special thanks to Howard Jaffe for putting the event together. We will have results March 22.

 

Jon Robb conducted a Springsteen trivia contest.

 

Today’s program was Jennifer Johnson Executive Director of Mainstreet Libertyville. She became ED on June 1, 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. Jennifer is a 22 year resident of Libertyville and previously worked for Zanta International, Rotary International and as the assistant to the Village Manager of Long Grove. She said Rotary was a great place to work.

Mainstreet Libertyville is an affiliate of Mainstreet America. They help to connect people with a sense of community. Mainstreet hosts over 50 events each year and supports capital projects aimed at maintaining aesthetically pleasing environment of the town including the building roofline lights and projecting signs. They are part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Mainstreet needs volunteers especially in the areas of fund raising and capital campaign marketing. They have a 10-member Board of Directors, one full time staff (Jennifer) and one part time employee. They are volunteer led with volunteers contributing over 37,000 hours of time. Membership is stable with 87 downtown businesses in 2022 and 124 associated businesses. They have seen a fall off of residential members. “Why aren’t you a member”?

 

Their income is stable and employ a zero-based budget system. They need a $100k budget to be accredited and they have that. They have a large gift certificate program. Mainstreet supported businesses during the pandemic.

 

-Daily: Bill Rickert collected $32.

-Progressive: Rich Schoeneman drew the 6 of diamonds.

ROLLOVER!

 

-Greeter & Prayer: Jon Robb.

-Fun & Frolics: Rich Schoeneman.

 

“You can’t win all the time. There are guys out there who are better than you.” Yogi Berra