Written by Patrick Hart

                   

President Tom Zengeler opened the meeting with a pledge and a prayer but no song.

 

 

Tom Zengeler told us about a long road trip he took, heading east, which included Savanna, Memphis, Charleston and lots of other places.

 

 

 

Pat Schwartz bragged that the he has just purchased a condo in Florida which he is planning to spend a lot of time in from now on during the winter.

 

John McDonald bragged about Elliot Pinsel’s son Sam from Libertyville High School, who made All-North Suburban Conference as both Tight End and Defensive Lineman.

 

Elliott's son Sam, a Junior at Libertyville High School, made All-North Suburban Conference as both Tight End and Defensive Lineman. accomplishing great athletic feats.

 

Doug Fendon is going to have a grandson around November 1.

 

Patricia Bleck informed us that she is now becoming an empty nester after her youngest daughter Emma graduated from Libertyville High School.

 

Jon Robb has returned, having made great progress in his recovery, and he thanks everyone for all the cards, calls, and letters.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

In his Rotary Minute President Zengeler pointed out that May is Rotary youth service month.

 

Diana Taylor informed us that Service Partners of Lake County grossed $2,400.00 in their May 3 Zoom fundraiser..  She did not yet have a net number. 

 

Scott Hezner said that our club awarded to vocational scholarships of $1,500.00 to Libertyville High School students. One will be studying nursing, and the other is studying drones.  He was disappointed that the district did not match these grants.

 

Tom Gore reminded us of the Blue Star Recycling event for electronics this Saturday between 10:00 and 1:00 in the Sunset Foods parking lot. No appointment is necessary. They will also pick up some items on Monday May 10. See the Blue Star Recyclers website for how to sign up for the pick-up.

 

 

 

Ron Lapins  gave us a short Cinco de Mayo day quiz, which we all passed with flying colors.

 

Our speaker this week was Vickie Marasco, who founder Art Impact Project in 2014. Art Impact Project attempts to help troubled individuals express themselves through creating art as a form of therapy.  They work with schools, domestic violence organizations, and addiction organizations and they hold sessions in the Lake County Jail.

 

Ms. Marasco is an artist rather than a therapist.  She was inspired to start this project when her teenage son was going through group therapy, and she felt she could use art to help the participants in these sessions express their feelings.  The volunteers from her project help the participants with their art, but they always have the therapists from the organizations they work with present.  The volunteers do not analyze the participants’ output. Rather they allow the participants to self-analyze their creations.

 

At the beginning of the pandemic their in-person sessions pretty much shut down, while at the same time the pandemic caused an increase in mental health problems.  The isolation affected many people, and domestic violence rose.  In an effort to continue helping people during the shut down the Art Impact Project packed and delivered several thousand home art kits for troubled individuals.  They also began a zoom speaker series.  At this point they are largely returning to in-person operations.

  

Diana Taylor tried to win the progressive pot of $398.00 by drawing the ace of spades from 38 cards, but alas, alas, this was not her day, and she only pulled the seven of hearts.  David Ritland then won the weekly drawing of $25.00.

 

Greeter and Prayer:  Tony Collins

 

Fun and Frolics and Bingo: Bob Likus

 

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”  ― Buddha