Jeanne Nolan has been growing food organically for over 20 years. She is the founder of The Organic Gardener Ltd. and a well-known educator, author, and consultant. Jeanne has helped hundreds of families develop gardens that are beautiful, productive, and uniquely suited to their homes and lifestyles. She also works extensively with schools, restaurants, not-for-profit organizations, and other institutions. In 2005, Jeanne began her partnership with Green City Market, under whose auspices she designed, installed, and maintains the Edible Gardens, a 5,000-square-foot vegetable garden for children at the Lincoln Park Zoo. She has been featured in Food & Wine, Woman's Day, Shape, The Chicago Tribune, Parade, and other national publications. Jeanne frequently lectures on the key steps to success in organic vegetable gardening, inspiring both novice and experienced gardeners. Her book, From The Ground Up: A Food Grower's Education in Life, Love and the Movement That's Changing the Nation, is an inspiring story for everyone who's ever dreamed of growing the food they eat. -
Also Remember:April 24 Evening Event at Happ Inn!!
May 1
Greeter
Kristen Leahy
Dig-n-Grin
Robert Mardirossian
Thought
Tim McCabe
Sgt-at-Arms
Ned Meisner
Please find a substitute if you are unable to fulfill your assignment; Just call or e-mail a fellow member and ask him/her to sub. Tom Evans - tom.evans527@gmail.com- who chairs the service committee, will confirm assignments. Sgt. at arms helps set up and store our stuff, please come 15 minutes early and be prepared to stay a few minutes after the meeting; Greeter greets and announces names of visiting Rotarians and guests; Thought of the Day can be spontaneous or read from a script; Dig 'n Grin can make us laugh or think seriously.
Twenty-eight club members were in attendance at this week’s meeting. We had no guests other than our team of three speakers. You are encouraged to bring guests to our meeting. Why? - to introduce potential new members to the best Rotary Club on the North Shore and/or to spread the good word about Rotary. Membership in Rotary is in decline worldwide, but not in our club, thanks to the efforts of Membership Chair David Birkenstein and his committee and our club members.
President Birkenstein reminded us of two upcoming events in April. The District Conference in Oakbrook on April 11 – 13. Attendance offers a great opportunity to learn more about Rotary and meet other area Rotarians. Also, the April “After Hours” event will be co-sponsored by our Club and the W-N Chamber of Commerce on April 24th at the Happ Inn from 5 to 7 p.m.
Patti Van Cleave handed out kudos to all those who participated in last Saturday’s “Kids Against Hunger” food packing event. Many of the 492 participants were repeaters and many mentioned they would be back next year. We packed 110,000 meals for the children of Nicaragua. The food almost did not make it and finally arrived at 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning. A special thanks goes out to the crew from the Park District who unloaded the many heavy bags of raw product.
President Eric introduced Marie Kuipers, who transferred from the Northbrook Rotary Club to our club. Welcome Marie!
A team of speakers from Northeastern Illinois University presented this week’s program. Speakers included: Melba Rodriquez, a University Vice-President; JB Ludwig, Grant and Resources Coordinator and Shirley Caruso, the Human Resource Development Program Liaison. Melba informed us about the almost 150 year history of the school, how it is one of the most ethnically diverse schools in the Midwest and received recognition in the Newsweek’s “College Ranking” in 2012 at the 6th best investment in the entire U.S. Tuition for both undergraduates and graduates is about $10,000 per year! JB told us the fellow Rotarian, Dirk Tussing, started a scholarship for the Human Resource Development degree. Shirley provided more details about the nature and value of the Human Resource Development degree, emphasizing the importance of a well-trained workforce. Investing in human capital in terms of knowledge, skills and attitude will provide a company with the greatest chance of success and ability to hold on to its employees.
