BULLETIN – February 18, 2026
By Bob Zamor

Standing in for Tom Gore, Bob Zamor rang the bell, Doug Southgate gave the Pledge, and Greeter Howard Jaffe led us in prayer. Our prayers were answered when no one volunteered to do a song! 

BRAGS:  There were none this week …..

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Howard Jaffe told us that we have 250 more tickets to sell for the Fundraiser which is only 2 weeks away. He reminded us that if each member can sell 4 tickets, we can sell out.  He then noted that 20 members had not yet purchased tickets nor contributed silent auction items and that time is running short!  We need everyone to participate to make this a successful event.  Purchased tickets will be available for pick-up this coming Friday at Mickey Finn’s as well as Club meetings starting next week.  
-Rich Schoeneman reported that he has received 85 silent auction items with a goal of 138, as well as 30 bottles of wine with a goal of 40, and 18 bottles of bourbon out of a goal of 20.
-Rick Mittelman announced that he is purchasing a golf outing and if members are looking for an idea, he is looking for partners for this auction item.

SPECIAL EVENT: 
Melvina Lube was recognized as the Club’s newest member and was given a membership certificate, her name badge, and a warm welcome by all.  Melvina had been our Assistant District Governor for a number of years, and we’re thrilled to have her transfer to our Club.

FUN & FROLICS:
Howard Jaffe won the bifecta today having not only the opportunity to lead us in the Greeter & Prayer position, but also to provide us with Fun & Frolics.  He introduced us to a bit of the history of the Second City which was originally called the Compass Players which he traced back to Viola Spolin at the Hull House and her son, Paul Sills.
Howard then asked for a volunteer from each table and went through a series of three “games” like “Mirror”, “One word at a Time”, and “The World’s Worst….”.  In the end we recognized that improv was best left to the professionals!

PROGRAM:
Today’s program was given by our own Bill Taranowski and Charles Lesser, who informed us of the Club’s efforts in the New Generations Avenue of Service.  They noted that the Club traditionally has offered both academic and vocational scholarships and that recently expanded into “Daring Scholarships”, where first generation students are given post-secondary educational opportunities.  The Club also supports scholarships to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) and is considering participating in a short-term student exchange program.
The ensuing Q&A included discussions about the student exchange possibility as well as issues of students from Vernon Hills HS, Mundelein HS, and Carmel HS since the Mundelein-Vernon Hills Rotary Club has dissolved.  This generally came down to a common theme……our ability to serve students and others comes down to available funds; and available funds come down to the success of our fundraiser.

THE WHEEL:  Rookie Kyle McCartney drew the wrath of the Sergeant at Arms (S at A) with a phone infraction. The S of A, who happens to be running our silent auction, deemed a bottle of wine for the fundraiser to be an appropriate punishment….

RAFFLE:
-Daily $40 was won by Larry Neal.
-Progressive: $871 (28 cards). Tom Gore drew the 8 of diamonds. ROLLOVER!

NEXT WEEK:
-Greeter & Prayer: Scott Hezner.
-Fun & Frolics & Bingo: Sheb Karasu.
-Program: Student programs: Jason Kern, Executive Director for LAKECOMM

FOUR WAY TEST:
-Howard Jaffe led us in the Four Way Test.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“The next 2 weeks will determine what we are able to do for the next year!”