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President Tom Arkell opened today’s Robbie Burns Day meeting.
Grace was offered by Graham Kennedy in rhyme and Angus Adams in Gaelic. O Canada led by Don Shaw.
Members at the head table: Ross MacDonald , Piper Jim Johnston, President Tom Arkell, Sgt Vicky Rudachuk.
Guests introduced by Steven Tenyenhuis.
The Haggis was piped in by Jim Johnston and carried on a regal salver by Brain Stewart. Jim recited the Ode to the Haggis in Gaelic that had just enough English sounding words for the non -believers to follow.
At the high point of the poem Jim savagely struck the Haggis with what appeared to be Brian’s dental scalpel, eviscerating the beast, rendering it completely harmless and declared to fit to eat if washed down with whisky. Every heart in the room stirred with passion.
Paul MacDonald wearing appropriate head dress. Paul joined in Sept 07 introduced by Doug Foss. His personal file notes he is single and handsome, president of the Right Stuff. He collects antique cars including a 32 Ford, enjoys motorcycles, has a flair for Japanese and Spanish. Paul has discovered the delights of the underwater world in over 1000 scuba dives. Paul is on the Family of Rotary, civic Affairs& Environment committees.
Earl Alton had the distinct pleasure of introducing the newest rotarian to the club John Chabot.
John comes originally from Pointe Claire PQ, has pursued a career as an English Second Language Teacher and consultant culminating in over 55 books. Having exhausted that area he has turned his attention to the limitless potential of realestate. John has contributed to the community of NOTL by serving Meals on Wheels for 12 years and now continues in St. Catharines. We will find him active on the Literacy and Ribfest committees. John was welcomed warmly by stuffed with Haggis members as they left.
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Tom Arkell, John Chabot, Earl Alton |
Membership Committee under Alex McKee will be holding a meeting on Feb 13 for those members with less than 2 years in the club, Please call Alex.
Larry Ross introduced our latest Paul Harris Fellow Peter Hammond.
Peter has been active in his church for over 20 years, as member of the parish council, review profile workshops and priest selection, and the ST. Thomas Daycare. Peter is the chair of Opportunities Niagara, member of the Poverty Reduction Initiative, Past Chair of Community Care. Peter is a member of the Trillium foundation, third term on the Niagara Grant Review Program. Peter is in his 8th year with the Breakfast Program, serving the Homeless through Out of the Cold. He is the VP of the local Probus group. In 2001 his family including wife Linda and son Brad hosted an exchange student from Germany.
Brad himself had been an exchange student. Brad reports the rotary experience was life altering for the family. Somehow Peter managed to find time for a 35 year career as an educator. According to Art Wing Peter was equally active in his profession as he was in the community.
To a standing ovation Peter expressed his gratitude to be recognized for his community work by the Rotary Cub which he deems to be a wonderful organization. The family regularly participates in the Ribfest and Auction.
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Larry Ross, Peter Hammond, Tom Arkell |
Norma Medulin, John Potts and Aurora Tancock. We sorta sung.
Happy dollars was hosted by Alex McKee who started weaving a thread about angels and alluding to a Rabbi Berstein who’s birthday we were recognizing.
Henry Becker asked Ray Bukovic to Translate from Gaelic for us.
Bill Campbell welcomed John Chabot and heralded the day.
Doug Foss dressed as Scottish drag queen announced Feb 2nd artist preview at their gallery on St.Paul St. He had no fliers as he had no pockets.
Doug Geddie and John Travers gave us a report on the Can/Am curling bonspiel in Madison Wisconsin. Apparently that club has over 500 members that made for a very welcoming and hospitable weekend.
Dave Stevenson pointed out that our own bill Ford was one of the founders of this event.
Sam Walters thought Rabbi Bernstein is just the latest attempt on the whole world trying to be jewish.
Betty Lou Souter, Art Wing and Eugene Gillies voiced their heartfelt approval of Peter Hammond being the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship.
Larry Ross gave his 25 cents for RBDAY, George Park gave 75 cents to show the English were still supporting the Scotts.
Angus Adams is looking for one of those reely tape machines to play a John Laroque version of RBDay.
Henry Klassen gave a brief update on their recent trip to South Africa where they visited three rotary clubs and verified that rotary money is being well spent. Future endeavours include a chicken coop, bread making machine. He told us how he almost got onto a cable car where the electricity disappeared just four feet out from the loading gate. His friends endured four hours of cold while the rest of the group was comfortable indoors. One of the small miracles awarded , by unselfishly giving up ones place in line.
Don Fraser was happy for RBday and wished happiness to all.
President Tom got to see his” first real live dead badger”
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President Tom with a Badger |
50/50 draw for $284.50 was attempted by Dave Feasby and the pot continues to grow.
Ross MacDonald introduced the program by giving us many details of the life of Robbie Burns, poet, womanizer, and afficianado of whisky. Ross introduced three dancers from the Paula McMaster School of Highland Dance. The lovely lasses Michelle Hurst, Danielle Lanthier and Markayla Adam entertained us with several high stepping dances that had all of our interest. They must practice diligently as their timing and co-ordination was bang on whether danced in solo or group.
Our club showed their appreciation with much applause and thanks by Chris Blake. President Tom awarded a dictionary to each of the lovely lasses to be placed in their name into one of the city schools.
English George Park was given an opportunity to upstage the Scots by leading us in a rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Perhaps a shot of whisky would have helped with the second verse, but on a personal note I was pleased to hold the hand and hear the clear singing notes of our friend Peter Banwell.
Rotary Park Update-Art Weaver
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