President Ghida Neukirch welcomed guests and attendees. She asked our speaker Craig Culp from NSSRA to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Club recited the Four Way Test.

 

This Saturday, March 16th is the Bernie's Books Bank service day with the Interact Club. 12:30 PM - 2 PM.

 

The Curl Up With Rotary event will be rescheduled due to a number of conflicts with spring break.

 

Invitations our Spring Gala, went out this week. Mark your calendars - Saturday, April 27 at Exmoor at 6pm. We will be honoring our own Larry Block for his service as a Rotarian and his contributions to the community through the Highland Park Strings over the past 40 years. Contact Mike Babian at michael.babian@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities, dinner and raffle tickets. First prize in the raffle is $5000, second place is $2000, and third place is $1000. Members are strongly encouraged to sell a minimum of four raffle tickets. The Gala raises funds for the Club's scholarship programs, and to sponsor the Rotary Interact Club at HPHS.

 

Craig Culp, Executive Director NSSRA, Speaker

Laurie DeSimone, NSSRA

Michelle Holleman, City Councilman

Karla Mugler, guest of Dale Mugler

Jenanne Rock, Freedom Home Care, Prospective Member

Happy dollars were given by: Len Tenner gave in celebration of his Grandson playing in the Super Sectional Championship on behalf of Stevenson High School; Dale Mugler in honor of his 7 year old granddaughter. He reported that he and Karla have been living in South Carolina. He is serving as a consultant and they are both participating in a study whereby patients with and without Alzheimer's Disease are being evaluated with the objective to be able to give advanced notice of the disease to patients; Jim Berardi in honor of Larry Block; Rick Nelson - just because he's happy; Eric Ephraim because the snow is melting - welcome Spring!

Program Chair Dale Mugler introduced Craig Culp and Laurie DiSimone representing NSSRA. Craig Culp serves as the Executive Director of the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA).   NSSRA was formed in 1970 and serves as an extension of ten park districts, two cities and one village in the northern suburbs of Chicago.  This partnership includes the Park Districts of Deerfield, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Kenilworth, Northbrook, Northfield, Wilmette and Winnetka; the Cities of Highwood and Lake Forest and the Village of Riverwoods.  NSSRA provides and facilitates year-round recreation programs for children, teens and adults with disabilities throughout the northern suburbs. Craig has served as NSSRA’s Executive Director since 2009, having been in the field of therapeutic recreation since 1993 and previously serving as Superintendent of Recreation at Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation.
 
NSSRA was described as the Park District for people with disabilities. This is the only State with this type of association.   NSSRA has 1600+ participants and serves individuals from birth until adulthood – as long as they like.   
 
They discussed their contract purchase of the Lakeside congregation property in Highland Park.  They will be advancing through the City’s planned development process. The 30,000 sf. facility will offer greater programming space and administrative space for staff.
 
The Foundation has raised $1.8M since they were formed in 1997.  They offer scholarships to students and provide 8 buses for various programming activities. 
 

Everyday is a great day to get something special for yourself or someone you love and also give our club a boost by reminding you to shop at smile.amazon.com, and Amazon will donate to Rotary Club of Highland Park- Highwood when you shop!