President Rick called the meeting to order today
at 12:20 pm at the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club.
Seated at the head table were:
MC: Chris Blake
Piper-Payer: Don Fraser
President: Rick Merritt
Sergeant-at-Arms: Bill Cole
Guest Introducer: Peggy Davidson
Today’s Guests were:
VISITING ROTARIANS
Denise Elliott, Gary Vickers and Ethel Washby of
Niagara Falls Sunrise
OTHER GUESTS
Diana Ellingham, guest of Ian; Bill Blakie, guest of Larry Ross; and Heidi Wilson, guest of Judith Barker
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Chris Blake |
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BIRTHDAYS
Norma Medulun (January 23) and Maurice Gomme (January 27).
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Happy Birthday Maurice Gomme |
PROCEEDINGS
The event began with Jimmie Johnstone piping in the inevitable haggis, which was carried in grand style by Brian Stewart, the official "Haggis Harrier". Jimmy then performed the famed "Ode To The Haggis; after which Jimmy and Brian drank a toast to the curious dish. Jimmy piped out and was duly thanked by Don Fraser. Following that, Angus Adams offered the Selkirk Grace and Graham Kennedy proposed the Royal Toast. Don Shaw was assisted in getting us all in tune on the National Anthem by Sylvia Brabson, keyboard player for McPherson's rant.
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Jimmie Johnstone & Brian Stewart |
Jimmie Johnstone |
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Brian Stewart &
The Haggis |
The Inevitable Haggis |
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Don Fraser |
Graham Kennedy |
Literacy Committee - Monday January 29 at 5:00 pm at Betty-Lou Souter's office on Church St
RibFest Committee - Tuesday January 30 at 5 pm at Rodman Hall
Night of 1000 Dinners - Tuesday January 30 at 5:00 pm at Marg Jarrell's office at 60 James, top floor.
Membership Committee - Wednesday January 31 at 5:00 pm at George Darte's office on Carlton St.
Prez Rick announced that the Valentines Day meeting on Thursday February 15 th would be moved to the evening for a dinner at the Golf Club, with entertainment by Brock University.
Membership dues invoices are now ready and can be picked up at the lunch registration desk.
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Liz McPalmieri |
Were solicited by Liz Palmieri, who alleged that she does, in fact, have a legitimate Scottish heritage and would be traveling to that bonnie
land this summer to explore that claim.
John Crossingham paid tribute to Ray Bukovec's address of last week, as did Bill Campbell.
George Park, as expected, made some disparaging remarks about bagpipes.
Kelly Buckley was delighted to be able to bring her musical group, McPherson's Rant to play today, was thrilled to have been in Rotary for exactly 2 years and was very happy that her Piping website is up and running: passionforpiping.com
Len Fenig told us a dramatic story of his uncle who, in 1912, was
a world boxing champion who was cheated of his title, but was finally properly recognized 60 years after the event in question.
Jim Denham noted that his business of designing sewers and watermains was, technically, related to Rabbie Burns and "piping".
Larry Ross pleaded nationality and got away with only contributing 25 cents.
Sangeeta Hollo gave the wonderful news that she is expecting a baby in July.
Juergen Knof counted himself lucky, that in the event of his inadvertent ingestion of any haggis, he would likely survive because there were 3 doctors at his table, but that he was still a bit uneasy as George Darte was seated at the next table.
Angus Adams is looking forward to St Andrew's Day in November.
50/50 Draw: Mike Pihura drew the King of Clubs and missed out on $1289.95. The suspense continues.
Chris Blake set the mood with a couple of Scottish stories and then introduced McPherson's Rant, a Celtic/Down East Ensemble. The members are:
Betty Ann Baker, Sylvia Brabson, our own Kelly Buckley, Kelly's husband Allen Hardy (who wasn't able to play today), Gene Oleskiw (Kelly's brother-in-law) and Sharryn Oleskiw, Kelly's sister.
McPherson's Rant have been playing together for 5 years and can be heard frequently in the Niagara area.
They will be playing at the Port Dalhousie Legion on St. Patrick's Day.
They played some beautiful numbers, with Kelly getting pretty jazzy with the bagpipes on a couple of occasions and we conclude with an all-club "Auld Lang Syne."
Prez. Rick thanked the group for their wonderful music.
NEXT WEEK: His Worship Mayor Brian McMullan
SPECIAL NOTE: 10 Day Notice for proposed member Heidi Wilson, Classification - Associations, Hospice Niagara.
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