ALL Club lunch and other face-to-face committee meetings are cancelled for an indefinite period. Our first priority is always safeguarding the health and well-being of our members and their families. Our members are meeting every Wednesday using the technology of Zoom. We will be having virtual presentations from time to time. On May 27, we heard from Paul Waechtler, Principal of New Trier Northfield, who explained how New Trier High School is maintaining contact and continuing educational services during the lockdown.
Welcome!
Our Motto:
Service Above Self
Because of Corona virus safety concerns, we are now conducting Virtual Meetings. Please join us when we are able to have live meetings at our usual location.
Wilmette Golf Club
Wilmette Golf Club
3900 Fairway Drive
Wilmette, IL 60091
United States of America
Wilmette, IL 60091
United States of America
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Paul Waechtler is a member of our club, and the principal of New Trier Northfield. Paul gave an enlightening presentation about how the New Trier staff is coping and overcoming the obstacles of having to close the school during the pandemic. The primary areas of concern were teacher's pay and evaluation, grading students, curriculum (remote learning), managing illness of teachers and school-wide events that needed to be canceled. Payroll for teachers was continued for all teachers and coaches. A detailed schedule of remote classes was developed for Zoom meetings.
School administrators had to determine what was essential to continue academic success for the students, and ensure that students don't fall behind during this time. Student assistance programs created special problems, but using Zoom, Special Ed, social worker access, advisors and tutoring were made available. Food service was continued for those who relied on this in the form of gift cards and arranged pick-ups. Much attention was given to reaching "disengaged" students and supporting stressed-out teachers.
Major school events like the prom became a virtual event. Graduation included a virtual address and the names of graduating seniors were announced. Eights stages were set up in different locations to video students accepting their diplomas. Summer school will be all remote and offer more classes. Athletes will receive virtual training.
Current seniors are concerned about college entrance in the fall; some are considering a "gap year" and not going to college. Juniors missed taking the ACT and SAT; some colleges may not require these tests.
For the future, New Trier may be blending live and virtual classes; offering virtual classes to outside students, and generally reviewing how to transition to a new way to view education.
Mike Braiman, Wilmette Village Manager, spoke to us about what the Village of Wilmette is doing during the lockdown restrictions. Two major projects will be proceeding soon - the Optima project at Central and Green Bay and the Stormwater Improvement Project.. In response to the pandemic, Mike indicated that the Village closed its offices early on March 10, before the governor's orders. But many of the Village services are continuing (eg. building permits). There are, thankfully, no infections in the police or fire departments. The Village initiated a grant program for small business assistance to tax-paying businesses and service businesses. Going forward, the Village Board is looking at extending outdoor dining options to restaurants and opening beaches. Mike described a Central Avenue Reconstruction Project which will start in August.
Luis Carreon, Resident House and Bar Magician from Chicago Magic Lounge will entertain us with a 30-minute virtual magic show at our Wednesday, June 17 meeting, Starting at 12:15pm. Members and their families are invited. We will welcome outside guests as well. Contact us if you want to attend this event.
Magician and mentalist, Luis Carreon, won the Harlan Tarbell Close up Competition Award from the International Brotherhood of Magicians 2 years in a row, took home 1st place at the Chicago Magic Competition hosted by the Society of American Magicians. Carreon has performed his show Bending Minds and Bending Dreams at theaters around Chicago, has been featured on the Univision Evening News. In addition to being a founding ensemble member of the Chicago Magic Lounge, he is also a frequent performer at The World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. Luis also travels the country teaching other magicians about the art of magic and is the head demonstrator at Magic Inc, the oldest family-owned magic shop in the country.
Dr. Bonow is a Goldberg Distinguished Professor of Cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; and currently on staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He began his presentation by informing us that the pandemic has resulted in the entire world sharing data, so treatment and vaccines may be developed faster than otherwise possible. He reported that cases are declining in Illinois, but deaths are not. He believes the virus will be active in the population at least through August. New York, the former hotspot, is seeing declines in new cases, but in most other states new cases are on the rise.
Dr. Bonow said there are three strains of the current virus in Illinois: 50% of the strains are the same as in New York; 35% the same as Washington State; and 15% are a unique mutation. There are approximately 20 strains of this virus worldwide.
He advised us that the usual symptoms of fever, shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue are not reliable symptoms of the virus. Many infected people have shown other or no symptoms. He described some of the extra effects of the virus, like liver and kidney damage, pneumonia, respiratory disease, and Kawaski-like disease in children.
He offered examples of countries that have fewer cases, like Germany who tested early and extensively, contrasted with rampant cases in the UK where testing was not done and precautions were not exercised early enough. The same was true of Iceland with extensive testing and few cases, vs. Netherlands with less testing and many cases.
He went on to explain the structure of the virus, and how it attaches to a receptor on the surface of a cell which allows the virus to enter the cell. Vaccines are being developed to try to block this attachment, as well as other methods to thwart the virus. A vaccine is at least a year away from being developed and tested enough for distribution.
Julie Yusim, Executive Director of the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce updated us on how businesses are doing since the COVID-19 restrictions were ordered last month. Julie reported that while all Wilmette restaurants are taking a hit financially, some are faring better than they thought since the orders. Most are offering curbside pickup and/or delivery, and one restaurant, Torino's may even open a new site for take-out only. The Chamber sends our email blasts twice a week to let residents know what stores and restaurants are open and what goods and services they are offering. Several restaurants and businesses are sending meals to care workers on a regular basis. Julie mentioned that the Village of Wilmette is offering special grants to small businesses in Wilmette, adding that Wilmette is one of the only villages doing this.
The businesses suffering the most are retailers, personal services (nail salons, massage therapy, fitness centers) and theaters. The biggest concern after re-opening will be if the public is confident enough to return to the place of business.
Some businesses have been forced to create new ways to serve customers. Some have created online stores; medical practitioners are doing "telemedicine".
Some members thanked Julie for the notifications she has sent to Wilmette businesses regarding the availability of small business loans. Julie was asked if she has any information about businesses unable to pay their rents. She replied that so far this does not seem to a problem for most businesses.
The next scheduled "Blood Drive" is June 26th at Vitalent (formerly LifeSource), 2436 Main Street, Evanston, but anyone planning on attending should make their own appointment (Noon is already unavailable); also the 26th is not really a fixed date, but rather a suggestion. Rotarians and prospective donors should make appointments whenever they can and donate blood, plasma or platelets as often as they are able. The American Red Cross is running ads stating that the national blood supply is wholly depleted.
Dr. Mary Berge gave an excellent and informative presentation about ways to cope with the anxiety of COVID-19. Among her suggestions were the following:
1. Avoid "information overload" - do not watch TV news more than twice a day at most, and not right before bedtime.
2. Maintain a routine - create a schedule of activities, set goals, take frequent breaks from the computer
3.Try to elevate your dopamine levels to make you feel good - smile often, show gratitude to others, don't neglect intimacy
4. Decrease anxiety - try deep breathing, listening to music through earphones with eyes closed.
5. Take advantage of this time to understand how to be a "better version of yourself"
Our Satellite's project to help the Sisters of Christian Charity in Wilmette is continuing. We send a check that covers groceries to be delivered for the week, and provide one catered meal per week for the 29 sisters at the convent. A week of groceries or one meal costs about $400. Donations to date have exceeded $5200 using online payments through the link on our website, "COVID-19 Response Sisters of Charity".
The Satellite group has raised over $11,000 this year in their overall fundraising efforts. Kudos to this enthusiastic and committed group.
From the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce: In the spirit of community and making sure many of our neighbor businesses and their employees survive and thrive during this time of crisis, we are asking you to remember to shop online at your local businesses and order from local restaurants. See our Open for Business Updates for a list of restaurants offering curbside pickup or delivery and information about other stores and service businesses. Wilmette businesses are here for you!
