Mary Beth Schaye is a zero waste consultant and works with The Urban Canopy, an organization that focuses on keeping food production and food waste management local and sustainable. Mary Beth gave an overview about how diverting food scraps from landfills helps to mitigate climate change and explained how the container-swap commercial composting service her company provides helps both residential and commercial customers to be a part of the solution. She encouraged zero waste events and commended our club on our efforts.
Welcome!
2026 HOPE WALK FOR THE HOMELESS
Hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Wilmette, Skokie Valley, Evanston Lighthouse and Winnetka-Northfield
5k Fun Walk in Gillson Park
All funds raised will support local organizations that provide services to the unhoused people in our area.
Saturday, May 9
The March 25 Noon Program was well attended to hear Chris Lindgren, Executive Director of the Wilmette Park District talk with us about his first year. Chris brings a strong background in construction and facilities to the position and also has extensive experience in environmental issues. He previously worked for the award winning Oak Park Park District. He said the Park District has a robust master planning process and will begin discussions in the next year about the use of the former Beth Hillel property that the Park District purchased. He wants the discussions surrounding this property to be the most extensive community outreach in the Park District's history. The Park District also recently won an award for their partnership with Go Green.
Commander Marc Pullman, Auxillary Flotilla 3906 of the United States Coast Guard presented the mission and duties of the volunteers of the Flotilla. The Auxiliary is composed of civilian volunteers. They are a key component of the Coast Guard and assist the active duty in promoting recreational boating safety. The Auxiliary’s missions include search and rescue at sea, teaching recreational boating safety classes and conducting complimentary safety checks on recreational boats. The Auxiliary prides itself on being “Semper Paratus” — always ready! Their duties have also included assisting at the Air and Water Show in Chicago and search and rescue missions on the Great Lakes and other waterways in the Chicago area.
The intersection of Mental Health issues and Public Safety is well documented in our communities. It is estimated that 7-31% of calls to first responders involve mental health issues. Please join us on Monday, April 6 at noon for the next in our Monthly Mental Health Speaker Series. Our speaker is Kim Kidders from the Ecker Center. With the Elgin Police Department, Kim leads the Ecker Center 24/7 Mobile Crisis Response, Crisis Stabilization Program and the Collaborative Crisis Services Unit. Zoom Link
Earth Day Event – April 18, 2024, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Location Keay Nature Learning Center (Hibbard and Skokie Blvd.) Our club in coordination with Wilmette Park District will have a tent there. We will offer a small container with a native seed planted for kids and others to take home and grow. Park District activities will include: Build your own trail mix station, resources table, craft table, nature/activity table that gets attendees through the park. Contact Ben Ivory to volunteer to be at the Rotary tent. benjamindivory@gmail.com. Rotary International has designated April as Environmental Month.
Member George Pearce is being honored with the George E. Noyes Community Spirit Award! At the New Trier Township Annual Town Meeting, awards will be given to George and to other local residents who were nominated by their peers for a number of community awards. The meeting is April 14, 7:30pm-9:00pm Wilmette Public Library Auditorium.
The Rotary International theme for March is Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Month. This monthly focus highlights the urgent need for safe water access and sanitation worldwide, encouraging clubs to launch projects that provide clean water, toilets, and hygiene education to communities. For many years our club has supported the building of wells in Angola to provide water to schools.
More than 25 members attended the February 25 Noon meeting to hear Wilmette Police Community Relations Officer, Carly Watson, talk about cybersecurity and what some of the current scams are. She had excellent advice including: never provide personal or financial information to anyone you do not know well, especially over the phone; no business will ever request payment in gift cards or stay on the phone with you while you go to stores to buy them; if you feel pressured or rushed, take a step back; if ever in doubt call the police or at least tell a friend about your situation (if you are embarrassed to tell a friend, that is a sign that it is not a legitimate situation). And, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. She emphasized calling the police or contacting her as soon as possible if you think you've been defrauded. She is also happy to talk with other groups. Her email is: Watsonc@wilmette.com.
Our speaker on Feb 18 was Tracy Butkus, Director of Training for the Shedd Aquarium. It was an exceptional program filled with information about this wonderful Chicago institution. Founded in 1930, the Shedd Aquarium is focusing on its 2030 Centennial. Home to 1500 species and more than 32,000 animals, the Shedd has committed more than $500 million to its Centennial Celebration. They are modernizing the facility, adding educational and experiential programs, accelerating aquatic research and continuing their advancement into animal care. If you would like to volunteer or learn more about the Shedd Aquarium, visit their website: https://www.
Our club recently granted a $2000 scholarship to Oakton College for Lilly Ekhtera. Lilly and Jim Vilson, Manager of Scholarships and Donor Relations talked to us about Oakton and Lilly’s current educational goals. Jim spoke about the many programs available at Oakton and how these programs have enabled students to get good jobs. Lilly spoke about her goals to pursue a PhD in Psychology and is currently working on a project with a psychologist to test cortisol’s effect on vitality.
George Pearce who recently became Chair of the Youth Services committee, spoke to our group about the projects currently part of Youth Services, including scholarships, youth exchange, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA).
George Pearce who recently became Chair of the Youth Services committee, spoke to our group about the projects currently part of Youth Services, including scholarships, youth exchange, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA).
Our Motto: Service Above Self
Wilmette, IL 60091
United States of America