News Briefs: D39 Bingo Night; top scholar in science competition; Sportsman’s Country Club rebrand

This year’s annual Bingo Night hosted by the Wilmette District 39 Educational Foundation attracted more participants than usual with 150 families, representing all six schools and raising more than $6,000.

While the event was heavily attended on Feb. 6, it did look different this year. Sponsored by North Shore Community Bank, the Bingo Night was the foundation’s first virtual event, held on an especially chilly and snowy winter evening when staying home was a “blessing,” according to a press release.

Presented on Zoom, the event was hosted by Mike Lieber who called around 10 rounds of bingo and kept the momentum going all night long with his energetic banter. 

The event raised funds to support the D39 Educational Foundation, and all proceeds go toward “special gifts” to District 39 as well as Gripp Grants, which fund innovative educational programs, experiences and technologies that expand, enrich, and complement the schools’ curricula. 

For more information, contact Anne Stumpf at the D39 Educational Foundation office at (847) 853-3939, d39found@wilmette39.org or www.d39foundation.org.

New Trier senior makes Top 300 Scholars in Regeneron Science Talent Search

New Trier High School senior Alexandra Bardas was recently named one of the top 300 Scholars in the 80th Regeneron Science Talent Search — dubbed the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors, according to a press release from the high school.

Scholars were selected from 1,760 students who entered from 611 high schools across 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and 10 countries.

Bardas’ award-winning project aims to identify genes responsible for drug resistance in parasitic nematodes that cause deadly diseases and create problems for livestock and crop industries worldwide. 

By identifying these genes, Bardas hopes to lessen the burden of these infections in impoverished countries.

“I decided to submit my research report to the Regeneron Science Talent Search because of its remarkable reputation within the math and science community and the amazing opportunities the company offers,” Bardas said in the release.

The promotion of young scientists was also appealing to Bardas, she said in the release.

“The Regeneron Science Talent Search inspired me to think more deeply about research as a humanitarian dedication rather than strictly science itself: it pushed me to have clear goals regarding what I hope to accomplish through my work on a larger scale,” she added.

Sportsman’s Country Club undergoes rebrand

The Northbrook Park District embarked on the renovation and construction project at Sportsman’s Country Club, 3535 Dundee Road, now known as Heritage Oaks Golf Club, based on survey feedback from residents who listed it as a priority.

According to a park district press release, this property is a “tremendous asset to the community.” The top goals for the project were to improve the golf courses and create an inviting year-round destination for everyone, including the residents drawn from other parts of the North Shore.

With significant changes taking place at the property, the district also undertook an analysis of the golf brand with Chicago-based a5 Digital & Branding. Interviews and focus groups with members of the community were conducted to begin the four-month brand review and redevelopment with the district’s internal project team. This process resulted in the decision to rebrand Sportsman’s Country Club to better reflect all the facility offers to the diverse and vibrant Northbrook community, the release says. 

In December, the Board of Commissioners approved the Golf Committee recommendation to rebrand the Sportsman’s Country Club property as Heritage Oaks Golf Club. 

“Heritage Oaks will be a destination for everyone to enjoy — a place that showcases the Northbrook Park District’s steadfast commitment to stewardship and recreation,” Northbrook Park District Commissioner Michael Ziering said. “This project reflects the commitment of Northbrook Park District leaders to create opportunities for Northbrook residents as well as drive additional revenue to the community through its regional appeal.  Heritage Oaks will offer exceptional facilities where golfers can pursue the game they love year-round in a world-class setting.” 

Names for amenities, or sub-brands, were also developed or reaffirmed through this process. The amenity names at the facility now include the Classic 18 course, Legacy 9 course, Acorn Grill + Terrace, the Practice Range at Heritage Oaks, Northbrook Golf Academy and Sporty’s Halfway House.

According to its website, Heritage Oaks will open in the late summer.

To submit a news brief, email newsroom@therecordns.org.