Prez elect Jeff Harger opened the meeting and John Schuler led us in the Pledge. Reverend Brian Paulson did double duty by delivering a prayer and leading us in a stirring rendition of "You are my Sunshine". I feel warmer already!

BRAGS:

- Elliot Pinsel attended the White Sox game with the GSE Team from India. his son caughta foul ball and one of the team members asked what jobs do the players get after baseball. Apparently cricket players play for the love of the game!

- Bob Zengler told us that 4823 prom dresses had been collected so far in his dress drive. He expects over 6000 dresses to be given out this year!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

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President Zamor called the meeting to order with Bill Rickert multitasking with the pledge and prayer.

GUESTS: Past President Pete Clark was our only guest. Welcome back Pete!

BRAGS:

     -Teri Dreher returned from a trip to South Africa with a bottle of wine for Bob Zamor and 3 flags from clubs she visited.

     -Steve Kershner bragged that he married off a daughter in Ann Arbor Michigan and paid for his brag with his last $5!

     -Bill Rickert's step son Adam is an Assistant Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University. Guess we know who Bill was rooting for in the NCAA  

      basketball tournament.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

     -Rotary Reads will in Waukegan will take place on April 18th followed by lunch with the Waukegan Rotary Club.

     -Friday 4/19, the District Conference begins with the Foundation presentation.

     -Saturday 4/20 8:00 to noon is the District Assembly. Food packing will take place in the afternoon.

     -Sunday 2 volunteers are needed to accompany the GSE team from India to the White Sox game. Contact Bob Zamor for details.

     -Volunteers are needed on May 10th for Dr Dave Potts' "Dentistry from the Heart".

     -Rotary Reads in North Chicago will take place in early May.

FUN & FROLICS:

     -Jackie Buerstatte entertained us with Easter eggs that contained Easter questions. Jackie must think the recession is over because she assessed

      a hefty fine of $3 on everyone!  

Welcome to Diana Taylor!  Diana is a partner in the Libertyville law firm of DeSanto, Morgan and Taylor. She has lived in Libertyville since age 9. She received a degree from Tulane Law School in sports law. While at law school in New Orleans she worked with the Saints and Hornets. She also served with Habitat for Humanity and the St Bernard Project.  Welcome to Diana Taylor!  

Sponsor Ken Chapin bestows the Rotary pin.

Prez Zamor opened the meeting and Ron Lapins led us in the pledge. Rich Schoeneman gave a prayer and Rev Brian Paulson roused us with a version of: " My Country Tis of Thee". Unfortunately the second verse was known to no one!

BRAGS:

-Steve Risley's son graduated from college in May and now has a job. Another kid off the payroll!

-Jeff Harger bragged about the Blackhawks and their hot start. He took Dominic to Friday's game.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-Pat Hart reminded us about the food packing at Feed my Starving Children Saturday from 9 to 11 at the Libertyville facility. There is still room for a few more volunteers.

-Prez Bob informed us about the summer fundraiser. We will partner with the Save Brainard Group on the Northshore Wine, Beer and Cigar Fest. Our emphasis will still be the raffle. Each ticket will include admission and a raffle ticket. Branding is a priority and volunteers are welcome. 1600 people attended last year's Fest.

-We received an email from Teri Dreher updating us on her tour of South Africa.

-Jeff Fougerousse from the Mundelein Club had raffle tickets for sale. Their raffle is their major fundraiser.

-Dominic is raising money for the LHS track team by selling gourmet foods. Upscale girl scout cookies?

-The LHS Interact Club is raising money to replace books at the Community Center. We passed the hat and raised $210!

-The club inducted a new member. Diana Taylor is an attorney who is a partner in the firm of DeSanto, Morgan and Taylor. Diana has lived in Libertyville since age 9. She graduated from Connecticut College and received a degree from Tulane Law School in sports law. While at law school in New Orleans she worked with the Saints and Hornets. She also served with Habitat for Humanity and the St Bernard Project. She joined Rotary to get more involved in volunteering in the local community.

FUN & FROLICS:

Rich Schoenemann entertained us with a game of Yaht zee. Something about dice games in the morning!

This coming February 2nd, the Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club will be holding a Dinner/Dance at the Midlane Country Club in Wadsworth.  During the evening, the Club will celebrate its 25th Anniversary of Service.  Music by the Peter Hennes Orchestra as well as both Silent & Live Auctions will provide entertainment for this celebration which also serves as the Club's principal fund-raiser.  Over two dozen local and international charities and projects are supported by the Club, including local literacy and scholarship programs, programs to combat hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, the eradication of polio, and many, many more.

The gala is open to the public and tickets are available by contacting Event Chairperson, Jeff Harger at jharger@hlpsystems.com or call 847-362-0777

Hope to see you there !!

The regular weekly meeting was anything but, when the first married couple was installed as the newest members.  Steve and Ann McKnight .Both graduates of Purdue, they've been married for 30 years. They initially lived in the Chicago area; then in Appleton, WI, and now back here.  Steve is in the packaging industry and Ann is a former business person and  teacher.  They have always volunteered in many capacities.  They have two sons, Connor, 27, is a sports broadcaster with the Score 670 AM in Chicago.  Ian, 25 is a middle band director in Appleton.  We welcome Ann and Steve. President Bob Zamor pins Steve, and Membership Chair Patti Loris presents Ann with hers during their induction.

On Saturday December 1st, club members mobilized again to ring Christmas bells at several of the Salvation Army‘s kettles helping to raise funds to benefit the Army’s programs in Lake County.  For over 17 years, the members have been volunteering to man the  kettles for one Saturday in December.  Participation by club members has always been nearly 100 %, with the only acceptable excuse being unavoidable circumstances such as death in the family, out of town on business, etc..  This years’ chair was Rick Mittelman, who admitted no Krugerrands had turned up, but maybe next year!  Rotarians Alan Burack and Terry Weppler get an assist from Reindog, Molly, at the Jewel Food Store on Milwaukee Avenue.

Steve Risley of the Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club organized this year’s “Rotary Reads.”  With Steve, were thirteen volunteers from the club, including four family members, plus fourteen volunteers from the Libertyville High School, Rotary sponsored, INTERACT Club. The philosophy behind the “Rotary Reads” program is to encourage reading at the very early elementary levels by the participation of members of the public.

In all, Adler, Butterfield, Copeland, Rockland, and Oak Grove Schools received 250 books through this year’s event.  Chair of the event, Risley remarked “The success of this reading program shows what a wonderful type of citizenry we have in Lake County, which allows such a great interaction between people of all ages.”   The program has been a great success and will be expanding into Waukegan schools this November with two schools involved initially, and 500 books donated.

for News Article go to:

http://m.dailyherald.com/dailyherald/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=tkgf3Lqn

Libertyville High School INTERACT Club students Julia Curry (L) and Elizabeth Woo (R), read to Rockland School students.

Jane Risley reads to Rockland School students.

RAIN DOESN’T DAMPEN PUMPKIN FEST - Cook Memorial Park was the soggy scene last Saturday, October 13^th, of the annual Pumpkin Fest.   In spite of the almost constant rain, Libertyville Sunrise Rotary collected food and cash contributions in exchange for several hundred pumpkins.  Libertyville Township Food Pantry receives and distributes these contributions to the hungry in the area.

Attendance was boosted by the “Touch the Truck” activity, which was sponsored by the Cook Memorial Library District and took place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Church Street.  The event is co-sponsored by the Libertyville Junior Woman’s Club and Libertyville Sunrise Rotary.

Rotarians Steve Risley and Scott Hezner look on as a little one discovers the joys of pumpkin shopping.

                                                                 June 27, 2012 at White Deer Run Lake Charles Banquets
Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club past president Janice Matthews (left) gives outgoing president, Scott Hezner, (right)  “the boot” for his exceptional year
while incoming president Bob Zamor (middle) approves.

LIBERTYVILLE SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB INSTALLS BOB ZAMOR 2012–2013 PRESIDENT  Libertyville, IL– At a special evening meeting June 27^th at White Deer Run, Lake Charles Banquets, in Vernon Hills, the Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club inducted Bob Zamor as its 26th president.  Zamor is the retired Fire Chief of Libertyville..  Bob and his wife, Nancy, have three children.

Outgoing President Scott Hezner presented the Rotarian of the Year Award to Club Secretary Melanie Van Heirseele for her tireless work all year along, embodying the motto of Rotary, “Service Above Self”.

Mr. Hezner acknowledged his board and Club members for an exceptional job this year.  During his presidency the Sunrise Rotary Club raised record funds from the Goose is Loose Festival and Raffle, and a Dinner Dance Auction and distributed them to local, national and international humanitarian efforts. 

Mr. Hezner was particularly proud of member John Schueler’s efforts to increase involvement with the Interact Club at Libertyville High School, as well as member Mark Houser’s work on vocational scholarships and work with CERT and the Police and Fire Departments.  Finally, Mr. Hezner was especially proud of the Club’s effort in literacy through its Rotary Reads program which will expand into other communities this fall.

Incoming President Bob Zamor then gave an inspirational speech including his vision for the upcoming year. He said: "We are in the making a difference business" and recalled the words of Glen Kozlowski who had spoken to the Club: "I am one and only one, but I can and will make a difference". He recognized that this is the 25th anniversary of the Club. He was especially proud of the fact that the Club increased its gifts to charity by 50% in one year and contributed to 20% more organizations.  He closed with a quote from Margaret Meade: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world".

If you are interested in finding out more about the Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club, the Club is always accepting new members and welcomes individuals who would like to try out the breakfast meeting and experience the Club.  For information on attending a meeting, please contact Mr. Bob Zamor, Club President, at (847) 367-0511, or visit our website:

www.libertyvillesunriserotary.com

The Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club is a local chapter of Rotary International.  Founded in 1905 by Paul Harris in Chicago, it is an international humanitarian service organization.  The men and women of Rotary are business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and resources to help others in their local communities and throughout the world.  Today there are more than 1.2 million members in more than 31,000 clubs in 166 countries.  The club meets Wednesdays at 7:00 a.m. at Lambs Farm.  Guests and prospective members are welcome.

Diana Schnell was recently presented with the Service Above Self Award by the Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club. 

"This award is a great way in which our club recognizes unsung heroes within our community", noted Bill Rickert, chairman of the award committee.

Schnell was selected for this award for her tireless efforts with the Equestrian Connection, a therapeutic riding center in Lake County.

In 1990, Diana gave birth to twin boys, both of whom were born with severe cerebral palsy.  they have been confined to wheelchairs their entire lives.  Through the age of 10, they were engaged in traditional forms of therapy and were not seeing results.  Diana had heard about therapeutic horseback riding and took her boys to a farm in Wisconsin.  The results were impressive as the twins responded positively to the horses.

Diana decided to start a therapeutic riding center in Lake County and in 2001, Equestrian Connection was born.  It started in rented facilities with borrowed horses.  In the intervening years, acting as volunteer Executive Director, Diana has overseen the growth of Equestrian Connection to today, where they own ten acres of land and a 26,000 square foot barn.  They have 19 horses and see over 220 riders every week, over 11,000 annual visits.  In addition to fundraising, Diana coordinates programming and over 500 volunteers and an annual budget approaching $1 million.  She routinely works over 50 hours a week in a strictly volunteer capacity, receiving no compensation.  She has invested personal funds into Equestrian Connection on numerous occasions to cover cash flow deficiencies.

Additionally, prior to Equestrian Connection, Diana was instrumental in the Libertyville High School CATS Special Olympics swim team as parent, coach, lifeguard and fundraiser.  She has competed in numerous marathons and Ironman triathlons with the sole purpose of raising funds and awareness for Equestrian Connection.  She is a tireless advocate for those with disabilities and advocates with no expectation of personal gain or recognition.

According to Rotary, Schnell exemplifies the criteria for the Service Above Self Award.  It states:  "Nominee saw a need and, without hesitation and without being instructed to do so, took on the tasks to meet that need."

The Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club is a local chapter of Rotary International.  Founded in 1905 by Paul Harris in Chicago, it is an international humanitarian service organization.

One of the best events of the year, is the dinner we host for the charities we support. As the checks are presented, we ask each charity to tell us about their work.  It is incredible to hear all of the amazing things these people do to lift up others in our community.