BULLETIN – August 13, 2025

By Tim Dempsey

 

President Gore rang the bell and called on Elliot Pinsel to give the Pledge, Greeter Gina Shad to lead us in prayer, and song Meister Dennis Kratohwil who informed us that today was the 48^th anniversary of Elvis’ death and helped us through “there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues”.

 

-Elliot Pinsel bragged about Doug Fendon’s efforts to recruit new members.

-Doug Fendon said his grandkids, 2 and 4, were visiting from Arizona and they stayed in Michigan City, Indiana. He got a lot of sleep afterwards. 

-Dave Potts’s granddaughter is attending the College of Charleston and is in the honors class.

-Tucker Olson celebrated his 47^th wedding anniversary with wife Cheryl and attended a family event with his brother who celebrated his 50^th anniversary.

 

-Friday, we have a booth at Lunch in the Park in Libertyville. Volunteers needed to man the booth.

-Howard Jaffe told us that our charitable giving this year will take the form of sponsorships with the various groups we support.

-Anya, Ex Director of Willow House, announced their fundraising event on 9/7 at Independence Grove, starting at 7:30 am. There will be a 1-mile walk and 5-mile run. Willow House offered child bereavement counseling for survivors who have lost a child, sibling or parent. 1 in 12 children lose a parent or sibling.

 

Jon Robb had us write a silly sentence.

 

Today’s program featured Darby Hills, Illinois State Senator from the 26^th District. She was appointed to fill the position when Dan McConchie stepped down early this year to lead a nonprofit advocacy group for people with disabilities. She is up for reelection next year. She is from Barrington and served as a Cook County prosecutor and Barrington Trustee. 14 years ago, she founded Barrington Children’s Charities, which has served over 500 children since its formation.

She began her remarks by describing the $55 billion budget just signed by the Governor and includes $1 billion in new taxes. She said she was against the new service tax and the digital tax on online transactions. She favors the drug price reduction provision in the budget. She advocates for practical solutions and feels she can work with everyone across the aisle. The best ideas come from the community. She then was asked questions.

She was asked about a proposed exit tax on people leaving Illinois and she is against it. Both parties gerrymander, and she thinks it is not good. She feels that there should be less representation from Chicago on service boards. There is unintended harm in many bills. She is one of 19 Republican Senators who work across the aisle. She represents the people in her District, not the party. Her office is on Ela Road in Lake Zurich.

 

-Daily: $27 won by Tom Miller.

-Progressive: $133 (50 cards). Gina Shad drew the 9 of hearts. ROLLOVER!

 

-Greeter & Prayer: Diana Servos.

-Fun & Frolics: Steve Risley.

-Program: TBA.

 

The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund is the funding source for a broad range of local and International Foundation programs. Rotary members volunteer their time and expertise to work with communities on meaningful projects that use contributions to the Annual Fund wisely.

In 2020-21, donors gave $139.4 million to the Annual Fund. These contributions come from members, other people who support Rotary’s goals, corporations, and workplace giving programs.

 

“If winning isn’t important, why do they keep score?” Vince Lombardi