BULLETIN – December 10, 2025
By Bob Zamor
President Tom Tore opened the meeting and called on Charles Lesser to lead us in the Pledge. Today’s greeter, John McDonald, offered the prayer. There were still no volunteers to lead us in song.
BRAGS: Elliot Pinsel gave us a breakdown of the 540 “ornaments” that he collected for this year’s holiday gift giving. He thanked Club members for the success of the program which is now in it’s 32nd year….(Thank you, Elliot!!)
-Bill Rickert bragged about the Packers squeaking by the Bears last Sunday…..just wait Bill, they say revenge is best served cold…as in Soldier Field in late December.
-Tom Zengeler bragged how Zengeler Cleaners collected over 7,000 coats and winter items for Veterans this Fall! Tom took a much needed “Break” by traveling through Indonesia for 3 weeks.
-President Gore thanked Jon Robb for organizing our holiday party last week and he thanked Rich Schoeneman for conducting an entertaining and successful raffle.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Jeff Harger reported that we are collecting for Food Pantry Holiday Dinners. After successfully providing 50 Thanksgiving meals we are now collecting for 55 Christmas meals. Please direct checks/cash to Jeff or Howard for this worthy program.
-President Gore announced that we are drafting a slate for Officers, Directors, and Chairman for next year, RY 2026-27. If interested, please see Tom or President-Elect Taranowski.
-Gore also reminded members that there will be no meetings on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve.
-Howard Jaffe gave an update on this year’s upcoming fundraiser of Second City on March 7th. Tickets are available on the website now, as are raffle tickets. There’s an Early Bird Special for tickets purchased before December 31st. Howard noted that we have lost a few sponsors from last year that we need to replace. If you have a business contact for a potential sponsor, please give Howard the information and he will pursue the lead.
FUN & FROLICS: Mary Cole provided us with challenges to our vast collective knowledge of Mammals. Unlike her last quiz about U.S. Presidents, which we failed miserably, we generally faired much better except perhaps aging lions (by their nose, really?) or naming a group of cats (a clowder). Fun was had by all, and the best table won, which included this author, the Professor, and two esteemed Past Presidents. How could we lose!
PROGRAM: Today’s program was given by a “Drove” of Directors (or is it a “Horde’ or…?). In an effort to better inform members about the Club and increase Board participation, today’s program focused on Public Image, International Service and Vocational Service. Kim Smith led off with a description of how the Club used social media to not only “get the word out about Rotary” to the community-at-large, but also to advertise the Club Fundraiser and solicit membership. Kim was followed by Rich Schoeneman who reported on the Club’s efforts in international projects. Supporting schools, purchasing medical equipment, providing clean water and sanitation, and other programs have had our Club leave its mark from Nepal & India to Moracco & South Africa & Zambia; from Mexico and Central America through South America. We are currently exploring a project to provide water wells to 150 schools in Eswatini and to continue our ongoing support Shelter Box and End Polio Now programs. Scott Hezner reported on the Club’s efforts in Vocational Service. Our Club supports scholarships for Career & Technical Education (CTE) students as well as preparing them for potential District-provided scholarships and training. We have presented vocational presentations at elementary and high schools and, for the last 5 years we have provided heavy-duty tool bags and backpacks to new apprentices of IBEW Local #150. While one of the original Rotary Avenues of Service, Vocational Service has been redefined to a more dynamic and far-reaching program than previously practiced.
Other Officers and Directors will be presenting at Club meetings in the future. We hope that all members not currently on the Board will take this opportunity to find an area of service that motivates them to take a more active position in the Club.
RAFFLE: With $589 in the progressive and $44 in the Daily
-Daily: Rich Schoeneman won $44.
-Progressive: With 36 cards remaining, Tom Zengeler drew the King of Diamonds. ROLLOVER!
Next Week:
-Greeter & Prayer: Kyle McCartney
-Fun & Frolics: Jim Curtis
-Program: Ray Albin Ed.D, Principal of Libertyville High School
