Today we enjoyed an unusual beginning to an unusual meeting. It commenced with Piper Jimmy Johnson piping in the Haggis carried dutifully by Brian Stewart. Jimmy recited Robbie Burns' Ode to the Haggis, stabbed it a few times with his snee and drank a toast to it.

Brian Stewart, Jimmy Johnson, and the Haggis

•  Ross MacDonald

•  Brian Stewart

•  Sgt-at-Arms: Judith Barker

Bill Campbell introduced Nancy April 21, 1994. She is married to George and has two sons, Blair and Mark. Nancy's interests include hiking (completed the Bruce Trail), golf, music, skiing and tennis; she was a member of the Scottish National Springboard Diving Team for the 1970 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh. Nancy was born in San Francisco and moved to Canada in her teens. She attended University in Edinburgh, McMaster and Humber College. She taught high school with the Hamilton and Halton Boards for 9 years. She was a program director and volunteer coordinator with the Burlington Y for 7 years (bumped into Steve Butz during this time). Nancy has operated her own consulting company in career and life skills since 1987. Nancy was Executive Director for the Alzheimer's Society of Niagara and currently operates Charity by Quinn with her husband George. Nancy was a Director of our Club 1996-1997 and has co-chaired the TV Auction. Nancy has been involved with the following committees: Charitable Trust (Assistant Chair), Rib Fest, Civic Affairs, Sergeant-at-Arms, Recruitment, Membership, the 1998 District Conference, Children's, Program and Seniors. In the community she is a Past President of the Hamilton Junior League, founding volunteer President and developer of the Ronald MacDonald House opened in Hamilton in 1993; member of the Board of Ronald MacDonald Children's Charities; President of the Council of Canadian Ronald Houses; canvassed for Heart and Stroke and provided training for Women's and Youth-at-Risk groups. Her honours include Volunteer of the Year and Woman of the Year in Hamilton. She has published in the areas of Volunteers and Volunteer Motivation.

Nancy Ferris Hostick

Guest Introducer: Peggy Davidson

Grace: Angus Adams recited The Selkirk Grace by Robbie Burns

Toast to the Queen: Graham Kennedy recited Robbie Burns' Toast to the Queen.

Guests: Peggy introduced our guests including:

Karin Barnes, a visiting Rotarian from the St. Catharines AM Club

Sun Sun, our Youth Exchange In-student

Bill Williams, guest of Chris Bangham

Blair Pollard, guest of Ross MacDonald

Ian Ellingham, guest of John Crossingham

Madelyn Hamilton, guest of Betty-Lou Souter

Chris Blake, guest of Liz Palmieri

Peter McDougall, guest of Terry McDougall

Watson Reed, guest and spouse of Patricia Rooney

Eileen Buckley, guest and spouse of Lloyd Buckley

Sharryn Oleskiw, guest of Kelly Buckley and member of McPherson's Rant

Gene Oleskiw, guest of Kelly Buckley and member of McPherson's Rant

Betty-Ann Baker, guest of Kelly Buckley and member of McPherson's Rant

Sylvia Brabson, guest of Kelly Buckley and member of McPherson's Rant

Birthdays: Norma Medulun 1/23 and Maurice Gomme 1/27. In addition we had a 'special birthday' to celebrate: Bill Ford will celebrate his 90 th on January 30. A cake with one candle was presented to Bill who journeyed to the podium and blew the candle out.

Bill Ford, Maurice Gomme, Norma Medulun

Announcements

•  Notice of Motion: At the Jan. 17, 2006 Board of Directors meeting a "Motion passed by Bird and Campbell that a pledge be made of $75,000, payable $25,000 per year for 3 years to Hospice Niagara's Palliative Care Centre campaign with the first payment to be made upon proof of commencement of construction.  A ten day notice is to be given." This was provided to the Club during the January 19, 2006 meeting.

•  John Crossingham introduced a new member to our club, Ian Ellingham . Ian has a Bachelor of Architecture from Carlton University, a Masters in Business and a PHD in Urban Studies. His father practiced medicine in Niagara Falls. Ian married Diane, who is also a doctor. They have a daughter Victoria aged 18 and two sons, Nelson and Charles who attend school at Denis Morris and Grey Gables. Ian's interests include sailing, wine, skiing and photography. Many in the audience commented that today we had one 'ham introducing another 'ham but John explained how an Ellingham is only half of a Crossingham. You see, the "L" in "L"ingham is half of the "cross" in "Cross"ingham (apologies for being unable to draw the cross). If you don't get it, better sit with John next week. Welcome to our Club Ian.

Larry Iggulden, Ian Ellingham, John Crossingham

•Bill Finley made one last kick at Ken Taylor's Mount Kilimanjaro climb and sponsor endeavor. If you pledge 1 cent per foot, it would mean a donation of $150 if they make it to the top. Maurice Gomme will begin collections on February 20.

•President Larry announced that John Snowling is our new Club President
Nominee.

Happy Dollars

Nigel Riddell

•  Nigel Riddell was well prepared for his task today. He was dressed in shorts, hiking boots and had a 3" paint brush hanging from the center of his belt in the back. He began by noting that he is half English (Dad) and half Scots (Mom). He explained that you can tell the difference between an Englishman and a Scot if you see them stripping wallpaper off the walls of their homes. If it is an Englishman, he is redecorating; if it is a Scot, he is moving! Nigel attempted another involving Jennie, David, Dougall, a sandbox and some stones. If you want to hear it, see Nigel, an excellent travel agent .

•  Norm Kreger was happy that Nigel's joke was over and also happy to have an acknowledgement for the wheelchair lift that we sent south 3 years ago.

•  Henry Klassen was happy.

•  Norma Medulun was happy to share her birthday and divide her age (how does that work?) with her twin sister.

•  Rob Reid was happy.

•  Dave Stevenson was very happy on behalf of Bill Ford for his having achieved 4 score and 10.

•  Bill Campbell was happy to share our Robbie Burns meeting with his daughter Beth.

•  Bill Finley was happy on behalf of Bill McKay for the election result.

•  Ray Bukovec was happy; his first $ was for Nigel and the second was to let Nigel know that tissue is on sale at Basics.

•  John Snowling was happy to explain that his committee keeps track of the various meeting duties by computer database and that Nigel's duty will not reoccur for another 130 weeks!

•  Chris Bangham is happy that his daughter's Airedale has found a home in Ottawa.

•  Doug Geddie was happy to have helped host the Rotary Can-Am Bonspiel where competitors came from Elkridge Maryland and Madison Wisconsin (he provided bannerettes to President Larry).

•  Liz Palmieri was happy to have been a Rotarian for 5 years.

•  Bill McKay was 'moderately' happy with the election result and to learn that Haggis is not bad if you drown it in horseradish.

•  Sangeeta was happy to have her Dad helping a friend get around in India, especially if they can connect. You see, her Dad and her friend have never met.

•  Peggy is happy to have celebrated RB Day twice in two days and to be departing for England tomorrow.

•Pretty happy crowd.

This week's New Yorker cartoon

50/50 Draw:
George Irvine awoke to realize that he had the right ticket. His draw for the Queen of Spades did not entitle him to the $503 pot.

Program

• Ross McDonald introduced McPherson's Rant as "Kelly and her band".
• The Band of 5 members (see guest list above) proceeded to play more than a half a dozen pieces accompanied by guitar, violin, drum, electric piano, flute, whistle and bagpipes. Three of the band members sang.
• Kelly then introduced three Highland dancers in full regalia, Brian Stewart, Liz Palmieri and Sam Walters (who was also equipped with red hair). Art Weaver, unable to dance because he is on the injured list (it's the other knee Art), presented the dancers with gifts (sorry President Larry, your day will come).

Highland Dancers - Sam Walters, Liz Palmieri, Brian Stewart

• Everyone stood and joined in with Auld Lang Syne.
• Graham Kennedy offered thanks on our behalf for today's fine program.
• President Larry remarked that after seeing our dancers today he understands the true meaning of the word "courage".

Graham Kennedy

Editor's note: McPherson's Rant will be appearing at Patrick Sheehan's Pub on 1/29 from 5-8 and again at the Celtic Club on St. Patrick's Day from 7-12. (Visit their web site at www.mcphersonsrant.ca).

Kelly Buckley

McPherson's Rant

President Larry's Moment in History.

President Larry noted that Paul Harris' wife was of Scots descent.

Larry Iggulden

Next Week: The Fognet Project Dr. Rick Taylor.

7th Gala Trivia Night
Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore

A fun night of questions and answers!!

Cash prizes for the top 3 teams!!

Cash bar - Wines of Niagara - Complimentary pizza and munchies

To be held at the CAW Hall, 124 Bunting Road, St. Catharines

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Doors open at 6:30 pm. Questions begin at 7:30 pm SHARP !!!

Tickets are also available from:

Howard Johnson Hotel & Convention Centre Reception Desk

89 Meadowvale Drive (QEW & Lake Street), St. Catharines (905) 934-5400

Tickets will go fast so get yours soon!!!!