Martha Lillard, the last polio patient to use an iron lung has died at age 78 in Oklahoma.  She was diagnosed with polio when she was 5 years old and slept in the iron lung at night up until the last few years when she was in it 24 hours a day.  Her death is attributed to the effects of long-haul COVID, chronic pulmonary failure and post-polio syndrome.  She and her family were desperately trying to repair her iron lung which had been failing – unfortunately they could not find anyone to repair it.  Her sister, Cindy McVey, said that Martha was not expected to live past 20 years of age but her enthusiasm contributed to her longevity.  Her sister added that Martha was artistic, creative, wrote poems and composed songs.  Martha was only able to attend school for 2 hours a day due to her diminished lung capacity but was tutored so she could complete her education.  She also struggled with paralysis and through therapy was able to regain partial use of her left arm. She lived independently for a few years. Her family adapted to her need to sleep in the iron lung every night by pulling it in a trailer on vacations.  Her father would call ahead and make sure the hotel doorways were wide enough for them to bring it in with them. She was married twice.

Martin Gruner is Founder of Gruner Capital Management of Raymond James. He has over 30 years of experience as a financial advisor.  Martin told us about smart strategies for retirement planning and investing.  He strongly encouraged having a Roth IRA because your heirs will not need to pay taxes if they inherit the funds, and will not have the restrictions that a traditional IRA has.  Additionally, he stressed the importance of diversified asset allocations, and not putting all investments in just stocks. It was an important and informative presentation.

Several members helped the Wilmette-Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce to count attendees to the Sidewalk Sale event this past weekend. We greeted event attendees and talked about Rotary to those interested in knowing more about our club. Volunteers who worked in shifts Friday and Saturday included George Pearce, Lee Brodne, Brian Bradley, Frank Candioto, Frank Cheswick, Doug Oettinger, Gene and Mary Rinaldi and Debora Morris.

The next monthly Lunch-Packing project will be held on Tuesday, August 4 at St. Joseph's Church at 6 p.m. and is hosted by the Wilmette Rotary Club. We typically pack 160 lunches, which are delivered to Connections for the Homeless the next day.  Sign -up LUNCHES

The Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse is having its annual Taste of Evanston on Sunday, August 30th, again on the lakeside lawn of the Charles Gates Dawes House, home of the Evanston History Center. 3pm-6pm.  As live music plays, more than forty restaurants, wine shops and breweries will serve “great food for a great cause.” A silent auction and a raffle for exciting prizes will build suspense. Tickets  are available now at www.tasteofevanston.org

Big Book Drive started October 1 and will run until November 13 at all Wilmette public and private elementary schools and Loyola Academy, Regina Dominican  HS, and New Trier HS.  Start saving books for our Big Book Drive.  We will partner again with Bernie's Book Bank to collect books for under-resourced schools in Chicago, kindergarten through high school.  Contact Maurice Sullivan for more information mauricewsullivan@aol.com 

TEDxWilmette Salon - Burning Questions: What Are Yours? Join a panel of three TEDxWilmette speakers to discuss the most burning questions on their minds right now. What are your burning questions?    Sunday, November 8.  1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Baker Demonstration School, 201 Sheridan Road, Wilmette.  Purchase tickets ($20 each)

Convito Cafe & market - Thirsty Thursdays, now through November 19, after 5pm in the cafe, $2-5$ off wine and cocktails. https://www.convitocafeandmarket.com/