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Programs on 1/21 and 1/28
We have two flexible options for programs in the next two weeks:
Option A:   Speaker to be John Thomas, currently a Trustee of the New Trier Township.  His topic will be "Townships in Illinois. What they do and why we have them."
Option B:   Winnetka Northfield Rotary Club Annual meeting for the election of the 2021/22 Board and Officers and other club business.
 
 
 
Meeting Notes January 14
President Chuck Norton opened our weekly 12:15 meeting
 
Thought of the Day:
David Birkenstein shared a quote from one of his favorite philosophers who is a longshoreman from the West Coast, Eric Hoffer:
"The beginning of thought is disagreement -- not with others, but with ourselves."
 
Birthdays/Anniversaries
Again no birthdays this week, but Peter Skalski reminded us of Jean Wright's 95th birthday. Feel free to send a card or call her cellphone: 847-217-1906
 
Address:
Ms. Jean Wright
Brookdale Palmer Ranch
5111 Palmer Ranch Pkwy
Sarasota, FL 34238
 
Announcements:
Barb Tubekis announced the Volunteer Center's MLK Day activities, Sunday, January 17th, the HEROS (Healing Everyday Racism in our Schools) virtual workshop on the Legacy of MLK. In addition, the VC will host its annual no-sew fleece blanket donation program for the homeless that begins at the Community House (thank you for opening your house to us) on MLK Day, Monday Jan 18th and runs through Saturday, Jan 23rd.
 
Board Elections:
Rejoice! Chuck Norton made the happy announcement that he has secured two terrific co-presidents-elect for our 2021-22 board.
They are the esteemed Bill Leske and Greg Nelson. Terms begin July 1st.
Note: Greg Nelson said he will not fight any impeachment attempts :)
 
Happy Bucks:
Robert Mardirosian pledged five Happy Bucks in honor of Bill & Greg for stepping up and agreeing to be co-presidents. Barb Tubekis added $5 to Robert's pledge for $10 donation.
 
Dig 'n Grin:
Eric Birkenstein passed the spotlight to his daughter Leslie Ann Birkenstein who shared some jokes with us, notably: "Why does a clock get more food? It goes back for seconds." :)
 
Speakers: 
The research team of Dr. Sajoy Varghese, Primary Investigator from the Lovell Federal Health Care Center and Dr. John Bair, PHd. presented: "Correlating Kynurenine Pathway & Heart Rate Variability: A Novel Method to Assess Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder With and Without Alcohol Use Disorder."  Or for the benefit of us very lay listeners: "Psycho Physiological Effects of PTSD & Alcohol Use Disorder."
 
This very thorough presentation covered this expert team's research on the devastating effects of PTSD and what they have uncovered about addictions - reward systems and anti-reward systems that alcohol can have on PTSD on a molecular level - biological intervention. PTSD widely occurs in Veterans of the Vietnam War, and along with it a high rate of suicide. They live 10 or more years less than those without PTSD and their families also experience more violence from those suffering from the addiction.  
 
Dr. Varghese presented chemical evidence and shared an important approach to their study with this quote about addiction psychiatry from Victor E. Frankel:
"Between stimulus & response is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth & our freedom." Determines whether or not you turn to alcohol to understand that gap is a large part of their research. Why? What are the known and unknown triggers? 
 
Questions and answers followed, including a discussion of potential positive impact of cannabis support. There needs to be more research to what Dr. Varghese termed is still controversial. 
Please visit the meeting recording for accurate, detailed and scientific research they presented. https://youtu.be/31QRfj2db3w 
 
 
News about Jean Wright
Peter Skalski spoke with Jean Wright recently to wish her a Happy 95th birthday.
 
Peter learned that she has Covid. 
 
Jean says she's doing ok. She was in hospital for a week and is now back at the infirmary at her assisted living facility.  She says she was congested at first, but better now.  She can taste and her temperature is normal, but she has a roommate who doesn't talk. Sometimes that's a good thing.  Hopefully, she will continue to improve and be able to get back to her own room soon.
 
She can take incoming calls on her cell phone number, 847-217-1906, and she would welcome Happy Birthday calls from those in our club who know her.
Equity Challenge
Our Winnetka Northfield Club Social Justice Committee, led by Marie Kuipers, is embracing a new equity challenge.
 
Many of you may have read about the challenge in an email from Rotary District Governor Lyle Staab:
 
The United Way of Illinois Equity Challenge, which starts on January 18th,  is a 21-week program that encourages Illinois residents to engage in conversations and gain a deeper understanding about the impact systemic racism and inequity have on our state and in our local communities.  THERE IS NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS, who will receive one email per week through mid-June.  Each weekly challenge will require 15 minutes.  Topics include Understanding Privilege, Housing & Redlining, Justice System Inequities, among many others. Participants who complete all of the weekly challenges will receive a certificate of completion, a digital badge, and links to tips and training tools to help continue the conversation.
 
Meeting Assignments
January 21
Thought Terry Dason
Dig-n-GrinLaura Cunningham
ScribeJohn Thomas
 
January 28
Thought Joe Fell
Dig-n-GrinTom Evans
ScribeKeith Reed
 
February 4
Thought Tony Kambich
Dig-n-GrinRich Lalley
ScribeCarl Yudell
 
Note:
If you are unable to fulfill your assignment, please find a substitute.
 
 
Meeting Recordings
One of the nice features of meeting virtually is that our meetings can be recorded. This of course depends on your meeting host (me) remembering to start the recording (sometimes I'm a bit late in starting it). 
 
Here are links to view our recent meetings:
Read more...
Upcoming Events
Board Meeting 1/21/21
Jan 21, 2021
11:00 AM - 12:05 PM
 
View entire list
President's Message
Chuck Norton
member photo
We welcome visitors to join us for lunch, to enjoy our great speakers and to learn about our club and our great service projects. Come join us!
Bulletin Editor
David Grant
Club Information
WELCOME TO OUR CLUB! CELEBRATING 96 YEARS OF SERVICE. COME JOIN US CONNECTING FOR GOOD.
Winnetka-Northfield
PEOPLE OF ACTION
Thursdays at 12:15 PM
Meeting with Zoom during the health crisis. Email info@wnrotary.org for log-in info.
620 Lincoln Avenue
Winnetka, IL 60093
United States of America
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Jean Wright
January 19
 
Bob Sanfilippo
January 27
 
Markie Gekas
January 27
 
Join Date
Jean Wright
January 1, 1993
28 years
 
Markie Gekas
January 1, 1998
23 years
 
Chuck Norton
January 30, 1998
23 years