News Briefs: Wilmette rotaries merge and serve; Sacred Heart gets new principal; Writers Theatre has new board leader

There is no more need for confusion. The Rotary Club of Wilmette and the Rotary Club of Wilmette Harbor are now one in the same.

The two group coexisted for more than 30 years with the harbor group holding morning gatherings and the other noon meetings. The united Rotary Club of Wilmette has around 80 members who can choose between meetings at 7:30 a.m. and noon on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month and at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month.

The club has already been in action, packing up close to 150 lunches for Connections to the Homeless in Evanston in July. The monthly project began in 2021.

“This project started during COVID and continues as we find the need in our community is expanding,” said Mariana Alfar, current president of the Rotary Club of Wilmette, in a press release. “We are energized by the excitement of Rotarians to make a tangible difference in people’s lives,” 

The individual bagged lunches consist of a sandwich, fruit, condiments, chips, dessert, napkin and water.

”This is a well-organized, fun activity where everyone contributes to the end product,” said John Held, past president of the Rotary Club, in the release. “My wife and I enjoy coming each month.”

Sacred Heart School welcomes new principal

Jodi Reuter recently was approved as the principal to Sacred Heart School in Winnetka and began the position on July 1.

A North Shore native, Reuter joins Sacred Heart with 26 years in Catholic school education and administration, according to a school press release.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Sacred Heart community,” Reuter said in the statement. “I’ve always known of the school’s reputation for high quality academic programs and supportive community, and am looking forward to building upon this with the help of the teachers, parents, families, and parishioners.”

According to the release, Reuter’s near-term goals are to work on the strategic plan items that were presented to the community this past spring, such as safety, high-quality staff and capital improvements on the campus.

Reuter is also reportedly working with the School Board on finalizing the plans for the Sacred Heart’s new playground (planned for summer 2024).

Reuter previously served as the principal of St. Catherine Laboure School in Glenview.

For more information on Sacred Heart School, visit its website.

Writers Theatre gets new board chairperson

Jaime Freeman recently was named chairperson of the Writers Theatre Board of Trustees.

According to a press release, Freeman is a managing director and market team lead at J.P. Morgan Private Bank and has been serving on the Writers Theatre Board since 2020.

A native of the area, Freeman reportedly believes strongly in supporting the local “jewels” that make the North Shore special.

“As new chair of the Board of Trustees, I’m honored to advance Writers Theatre’s mission and help bring groundbreaking productions to America’s finest regional theater company,” Freeman said in the release. “We have strong, creative leadership to guide us through this challenging time for regional theater, and I will add my long-held passion, local roots, and business acumen to help set this gem of Chicago’s North Shore on a path to grow and thrive for years to come.”

A magna cum laude graduate of Boston College, Jaime holds a degree in finance. She earned a master’s degree in finance from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

“We are filled with new energy and optimism as we the start of 2023-24 season, the first full season with Artistic Director Braden Abraham and with Jaime Freeman as the chair of the board,” Executive Director Kate Lipuma said in the release. “Jaime’s steadfast commitment to the theater and community, combined with her proven experience as a business leader, is an exciting combination as she begins this new role.

“As we move the theater forward and address the challenges of the theater industry in this moment in time, Braden and I are thrilled to have Jaime’s counsel and leadership.”

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