March 15^th marks 98 years that the Kiwanis Club of Lake Bluff & Lake Forest has been serving our communities. As part of a global organization established in 1915, the mission of Kiwanis is to “Serve the Children of the World.” That motto continues to be the backbone of the  23 member club, made up of area men and women.  

The Club donates to more than 20 charities in Lake Bluff, Lake Forest and Lake County that serve the needs of children.  In addition, Kiwanis  selects a major project annually for organizations in the community. As an example, several weeks ago the Club donated $14,000 to provide the Children’s Department at the Lake Bluff Library with needed technology upgrades for media components such as new laptops, iPad’s, headphones, STEAM/STEM kits and pre-loaded tablets.  

With a lessening of the impact of COVID-19, the Club is looking forward to being with the community again on the Fourth of July with its 48^th Pancake Breakfast.  If you are interested in Kiwanis, please visit us at www.KiwanisLBLF.org.

On December 4th, Kiwanis Lake Bluff/Lake Forest Club members, rang the Salvation Bell at the Jewel-Osco in Lake Forest over 6 hours. The funds raise will be used both serving needy families this season of the year as well as serving some 30 children who attend regularly in our weekly music and character building programs.

Congratulations to David R. Lee for receiving the prestigious Dr. Luis V. Amador Medallion Award on behalf of the Kiwanis Clubs of Division 7 which include nine clubs in Lake County.  This award extends special recognition and honor to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service within the community.

David was presented the award and medallion at the Club’s October 1 Kiwanis meeting by Division Lt. Governor Dale Hale.  A contribution of $500 was also made in David’s name to an endowment fund with the Kiwanis Neuroscience Research Foundation.

David became a Kiwanis member in 1997 and has been the President of the Lake Bluff & Lake Forest Club for the past six years.  He continually promotes Kiwanis and his passion to support the needs of children.  His leadership encourages team effort by truly listening and encouraging all to share and contribute in the process.

Our Lake Bluff & Lake Forest Club has been in existence for 98 years and was one of the first clubs in the State of Illinois.  To learn more about Kiwanis’ contributions to the community, visit our website at www.kiwanislblf.org.

Mike Adams of Edward Jones in Lake Forest provides top-notch financial services for clients, all with a personal touch. Adams has grown the branch by building trust through human-centered wealth management.

Business at Mike Adams’s branch in Lake Forest has grown swiftly over the decade it has been open, and Adams says much of that growth is attributable to the investment philosophy of Edward Jones. While it is a national company with branches dotting the country’s landscape, it does not prescribe financial solutions from the top.

“Judy Joyce is my branch office administrator. She and I partner together in serving our clients, and I would add she is the only administrator I’ve had in the branch,” Adams says. “We have a great relationship! When a client comes into our office, there aren’t five different advisors to choose from, so the experience is very one-on-one; very warm. It’s a very deep relationship with clients and very heart-felt.”

“As the largest privately held financial services firm in the country, we’re committed to the long-term success of our clients. We don’t answer to our clients,” Adams say. “That’s what really drew me to Edward Jones. It really fits my personality. As a company, Edward Jones places a high value on client relationships and an understanding that the relationship is a the heart of financial planning.”

“When we have volatile markets, our resources help clients understand the reasons behind staying invested in times like these,” he says. “Not only do my clients understand the investments, but they also understand why they have these investments.”

His investment philosophy is about staying focused on quality investments, diversification, and maintaining an eye for the long-term. That is the recipe for helping clients get through uncertain times like we are seeing now.

Once he opened his Edward Jones office in Lake Forest, Adams started pounding the payment.

“I embarked on a journey of knocking on doors, literally going face-to-face in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, meeting with folks and talking through their concerns,” Adams says. “Through talking with them, I would follow up with ideas to provide solutions.”

Adams says it is important that he lives in the community where he works. He currently serves as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, on the Lake Forest Caucus, and the Lake Bluff/Lake Forest Kiwanis Club. Over the years, he has developed a strong network of estate planning and family law attorneys, CPAs, and others who he often partners with to make sure clients’ need are met.

“We have an established process that begins with understanding what is most important to our clients. We then create personalized strategies to help them reach their goals and we partner with them, throughout their lives, to keep them on track,” Adams says. “Our clients feel understood, secure, informed, and in control.”

Financial Advisor Mike Adams is located at Edward Jones, 840 Waukegan Road, Suite 205, in Lake Forest, 847-234-1623, edwardjones.com.

Article: words by Mitch Hurst, Photography by Robin Subar

An interesting tradition of the Kiwanis Club of Lake Bluff & Lake Forest meetings is their “Food for Thought.” Each member would bring a can of food and mention something going on in their life. This not only brings the club members closer together but the collected food then is donated to the Phoenix Rising Foundation, the food pantry at Shields Township.  

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Kiwanis has been holding their bi-monthly meetings online and members have felt a loss without making their normal donation.

Knowing that the pantry shelves are being depleted, the Kiwanis members decided to make a $1,000 donation to Phoenix Rising Foundation to help restock their shelves.  Kate Briand, board member at the pantry, was thrilled to receive the donation.  Kiwanis is hopeful to return to their regular structure of meetings, but for now, continues forward with their endeavors to “Serve the Children.” 

On Thursday, December 5th, 2019, Stephen Muckerman Swift, fondly known as Big Yea passed away unexpectedly at the age of 59. Big Yea was born on
November 29th, 1960 in Chicago, IL to Hampden and Margaret (Muckerman) Swift. Stephen graduated from Lake Forest Country Day School, Lake Forest
Academy and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, FL in 1985.

Stephen had a passion to serve and protect others. Joining the Kiwanis Club in April 2004 it became his second family. Stephen embraced bimonthly Kiwanis meetings where his genuine desire, willingness to serve and protect others was a natural fit with their mission of serving youth. At their seasonal fundraisers, you could readily spot him wearing his characteristic, beaming and infectious smile, whole heartedly sharing his contagious good will. Always patient and inclusive, happy to all, willing to listen and offer his help, he was a hit with children, friends, new and old, and the elderly.

Stephen began his day with his fitness routine at the Lake Forest Rec Center, often followed by morning services at St. Mary’s Church before going to work at the family owned business, John S. Swift Print Co. Stephen enjoyed dog walking, playing golf, biking, beach swims, movies, traveling and trips to Lake Forest Library. He was lifelong Cubbies and Bears fan. As a voracious reader, he studied U.S. History and enjoyed Mystery and Geography. His Library Card was worn thin!

Stephen’s loyalty reflected on his family, friends and community in so many helpful and sincere kindnesses. Always a joy to have around, welcoming to all, a gifted listener and eager walking companion, remarkably friendly and loads of fun, made Stephen universally loved!!

Stephen was preceded in death by his father Hampden, his mother Margaret and his brother Hampden, Jr. He is survived by family members Jessica M. Swift, John S. Swift (Mary), Nina E. Swift, Christy S. Maxwell (Peter), Laura C. Swift, Shepard C. Swift (Patricia), Martha Maria Swift, Bryan M. Swift (Lindsey), Stewart G. Swift (Dodie), Sheila S. Keil, Constance J. M. Swift (Quinn Miklos), twenty–three nieces and nephews and the family dogs, Star and Molly.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019 at 11:30 am at Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest, IL. Private interment at Lake Forest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Kiwanis Foundation of Lake Bluff & Lake Forest, P.O. Box 34, Lake Bluff, IL 60044.

On March 15, 1923, ninety-five years ago, the Lake Bluff-Lake Forest Kiwanis Club was founded. The service-oriented mission and the Club’s motto is “Serving the Children of the World”. Today the Club has 23 members – including seven women, something which was not permitted before 1987.
Right now, approximately 15 organizations in Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, North Chicago and Lake County receive annual contributions from the Club including Reading Power, Mother’s Trust Foundation, CROYA, Zacharias, Max Schewitz Foundation, LEAD, and the Boys and Girls Club.
Historically, the funds provided have been obtained mainly through Pancake Breakfasts with Santa, the 4th of July, and Peanut/Candy Days. The 4th of July Pancake Breakfast is in its 47th year and now includes a hot dog/hamburger cookout and family activities following the parade. Ted Anderson of the James Anderson Company (opened in Lake Forest in 1891 and now in Lake Bluff) was Club President in 1961 and his son James a member since 1995 said, “Income from the breakfasts, teamwork of the members, generous food and supplies donated by local retailers, have made the event a success.”
In the past year, the Club has also been focusing on distinct “projects”. Backpacks with books were provided t 125 kindergartners in North Chicago – this will be an annual event! Funding for four Samrt Boards was given to the Lake Bluff Preschool. Financing was provided to the Lake Bluff Middle School for a handicapped ramp and also chairs and instruments for the Band Program. Just this month, funds were given to GLASA to purchase an adaptive track and all-court chairs for sports activities for handicapped children at Lake Forest High School.

“To Serve the Children” is the motto of the Lake Bluff and Lake Forest Kiwanis Foundation. Mike Redding, a foundation member, in communicating with GLASA staff, discovered their need for two all court chairs and one track chair. Mike invited Cherie Hrusovsky – Development Director, Tom Daly – Equipment Director, and Julia Tanna – Lake Forest student in the GLASA program to attend Kiwanis’ bi-monthly meeting to introduce members to the goals of GLASA. Also in attendance were Julia’s mom, Dr. Carola Tanna, and Areta Verschoor, GLASA volunteer.
Cherie and Tom explained that the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) is an organization that provides sports programming to individuals with physical and visual disabilities and promotes their physical and mental well-being. The organization encourages individuals to participate in one of the many activities offered, for example, wheelchair basketball, football, soccer – to name a few. The education and outreach programs are facilitated by over 600 volunteers! Julia commented how GLASA has been her support system at Lake Forest High School.
David Lee, Foundation President, presented the surprise check for the adaptive chairs, which caught everyone by surprise with many smiles and tears! Accepting the check were Cherie Hrusovky, Tom Daly, and Julia Tanna.
Please consider helping the foundation, P.O. Box 34, Lake Bluff, IL 60044.