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Click here for a photo tour of the event
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Brian St. Hilaire |
For our final meeting of the year and a salute to President Betty-Lou, we convened at the Niagara Culinary Institute at Niagara College's Glendale Campus. The architecturally unique dining room was a perfect venue for an elegant and appreciative evening to honour our out-going President. (If you couldn't attend, learn more about the Culinary Institute here - http://niagarac.on.ca/features/nci_dining_room/). We were served an elegant three-course meal by an attentive staff, as we watched the sun settle over the neighbouring vineyards.
Past President Brian St. Hilaire brought the meeting to order. Larry Ross offered Grace, Rick and Jane Evans started Oh Canada, and we toasted the Queen and Canada.
Past President Brian stated that there was no head table, but recognized a few special guests - Dr. Dan Patterson, our host at the Niagara Culinary Institute, Judge Anne Bain, our first female member and first Lady President, Rick Merritt, who was at his first outing since his operation, and Art Wing, our own member who is our newest District Governor
Past President Brian said that Betty-Lou was our Rotarian-in-the-Spotlight this week - Betty-Lou was introduced to Rotary in 1997 by Eugene Gillies, and in her first year received a Paul Harris Fellowship for her community activities. He said her list of accomplishments over 30 years in the voluntary sector was too long to detail, but in addition to being CEO of Community Care, she has had leadership roles with the Trillium Foundation, Maycourt Club, the YMCA of Niagara, and the Niagara Hospital System. As our President, he said, Betty-Lou's special character and leadership shone through.
Birthdays - June 28, Bill Cole; June 29, Terry Wilkes; June 30, Gordon Armstrong; July 1, Bill McKay; July 2, John Lehnen
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Art Wing and Charlotte Herlong |
Arthur S. Wing Becomes District Governor, 2005/6, of Rotary District 7090
At a ceremony in St. Catharines on Saturday, June 25, Art Wing was handed the District Governor's pin and gavel by outgoing District Governor, Charlotte Herlong.
As District Governor for 2005/6, Art joins a distinguished list of members of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines who have served as District Governor. Previous DG's include David Haddow (2001/2), Rodger Allan (1997/8), Charlie Complin (1982/3), Gerry Wooll (1968/9), Arthur Beach (1958/9).
As District Governor, Art presides over 74 Rotary Clubs in a unique international district which includes clubs throughout southern Ontario and upstate New York.
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Brian St. Hilaire presenting Betty-Lou with her gavel |
Past President Brian made the first presentation, giving the President's gavel to Betty-Lou, emblematic of her leadership for the year. He spoke generously about her enormous contribution to so many of the programs in our Club, and as a partial thank-you presented her with her second Paul Harris fellowship.
Dave McAdam came to the podium. He related a story about spending his student summers in Muskoka and becoming very enamoured with three special young ladies who were high performance swimmers and wore the requisite Speedo swimsuits, which Dave admitted, did more than make them fast in the water. One of the girls became Dave's girlfriend and he admitted their blossoming relationship had amorous moments. Little did he know that special girl was best-friend and confidant of Betty-Lou, and until meeting Betty-Lou at a make-up at the South Club he didn't realize she knew some intimate details about his past. Dave said that he has come to admire Betty-Lou's tremendous contribution to many activities in our community, and he is grateful for this and for her willingness to keep mum on Dave's youthful escapades.
Earl Alton carried the basket. He began by urging us all to sell our shares in facial tissue companies now that Betty-Lou won't have a weekly reason to weep. He then read a list of suggestions applicable to both a good golf swing and performance in front of a urinal.
Rick Evans was grateful for our support for polio plus.
Art Wing admitted that it was at an Eastern Cities dinner that Betty-Lou and others suggested he should considering letting his name stand as a candidate to be District Governor.
Larry Ross was happy that he is about to be a grandfather for the third time.
Nancy Ferris was happy for a week enjoying a trek along the magnificent Bruce Trail.
Lezlie Murch was happy to receive a district grant that Alex Elliott initiated and that will be used for a project in India in his name.
Tom Arkell was happy to attend the installation ceremony and dinner for DG Art.
Ross Tucker was willing to pay money to hear Betty-Lou tell us what really happened during Dave McAdam's student summers.
Albert Cipryk said he is always happy to be a guest at our Rotary meetings and thanked us for choosing the Niagara Culinary Institute (his employer) for dinner.
Ralph Watters was happy that their son received his BA in Sociology.
Sam Walters hopes that Betty-Lou will continue to be an outstanding contributor while he is Auction Canvas Chair.
Don Fraser was happy for a great year with Betty-Lou and to be dining with his Barbara.
Dr. Ken Taylor is glad that we have women in our club and for all that they do as Rotarians.
Rick Merritt was grateful and happy to have his first outing and thankful for the thoughts, prayers, flowers and visits he received from club members. He was also happy that Larry gets to follow Betty-Lou rather than him.
Eugene Gillies had fond memories of teaching Betty-Lou how to work a computer mouse.
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Betty-Lou Souter and Brian St. Hilaire |
Peggy Davidson was happy for Betty-Lou's year and was thankful that Sam Walters helped her put together this farewell dinner.
Pat Hoggan was happy to have worked with Betty-Lou at United Way, and looks forward to being a Rotarian in our Club.
John Crossingham had condolences for Larry Iggulden being President during the Year of the Woman in Rotary.
John Snowling thanked Kenny for letting us have Betty-Lou for a year.
Pat Rooney had thanks for Dan Patterson and Albert Cipryk being our hosts at the Culinary Institute.
Bob Lawler said he had worked with Betty-Lou on many projects but wasn't sure how happy he was when she put him to work as a volunteer, counting tampons. He revealed that Betty-Lou's emotions sometimes come out in coarse words rather than tears (!!!).
Janet Johnston was happy that Betty-Lou was such a fine role model.
George Darte was happy that son, Greg, has graduated from Humber College and becomes the fifth generation of Darte's to work in the funeral business.
Liz Palmieri was happy to announce that Betty-Lou will become the new Vice-Chair of the Niagara Community Foundation.
George Doty heard that women will take over the world in 10 years. At 88 now, he doesn't expect to see it.
Larry Iggulden said his wife couldn't attend so he was happy that his granddaughter was kind enough to accompany him.
Kenny Souter said he was happy to be married to Betty-Lou, and admitted that he knew the three girls in the Speedos in Muskoka before Dave McAdam did.
Brian St. Hilaire was happy that his nine-year-old daughter, Julia, scored a penalty shot to help their soccer team win a game.
Rick Evans then came forward and sang this tribute to Betty-Lou -
Now Betty-Lou, she is a powerful woman,
With the Rotary Club in the palm of her hand,
For all intents and purposes she, was President with a capital "P"
Whatever she did, she did it with style,
When she made the effort, we went the extra mile,
We all had fun and worked hard for the money,
The Auction and Rib Fest were a success, don't you see,
When Betty-Lou's around, there's no decision that's not sound,
If you ever find yourself here you'll know what I mean,
She's one of the best I've seen.
Down at the other end of the scale,
Holding two jobs can make a face grow pale,
But fear not Betty-Lou the end grows near,
Those committee meetings you went to paid off, did you hear,
But if my analysis of the position is right,
At the end of the tunnel there's a glimmer of light,
For all of a sudden an indescribable thing, has happened because of the commitment you bring,
It's been a good year, so raise your glass it's very clear,
That a gal who serves mankind will go far, could become a star..A Star,
We thank you now for all you've done,
For a gal who serves mankind could go far.could become a star,
This year you've been our Paul Harris Star!
Inspired by Betty-Lou, written by Rick Evans
Your Editor (Doug Geddie) then briefly introduced a slide show that highlighted many of the images captured by Roger Segalin during our coverage of our weekly meetings.
Finally, President Betty-Lou came forward with the last word.
She admitted that she was amazed that the year was coming to an end - and admitted that she is going to miss being President and working with our 137 members and many hard-working committees.
She has fond memories - of two amazing International Assemblies, of Dr. Orr's 50 th Anniversary, of our Tsunami Relief contributions, of the Every Rotarian Every Year campaign, of our ethnic programs, and the District Conference.
She acknowledged the assistance of many - two Bills - Ford and Finley - for keeping her on the straight and narrow, and your editor for chatting with her regularly and honestly.
She offered congratulations and our Club's support to Art Wing as he becomes our District Governor.
She thanked everyone for their support throughout her year, but singled out Eugene Gillies for introducing her to Rotary, Brian St. Hilaire for his advice in assuming the presidency, and lastly husband Kenny for putting up with the jokes and tagging along on many special occasions.
She gave a deservedly emotional conclusion, "I am honoured, I am humbled, and I am extremely grateful for having been given the opportunity to serve my Club and my community in this way."
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Larry Iggulden, Betty-Lou Souter and Brian St. Hilaire |
Click here for a photo tour of the event
July 7 - First Meeting of the New Rotary Year with President Larry Iggulden.
Meals on Wheels Thorold-St. Catharines is having a "Meals on Keels" Dinner Dance cruise fundraiser on Saturday July 9. Boarding at 6:30 on the Dalhousie Princess. Cost is $100 pp, with a $50 tax receipt. Call 905 682-0333 for tickets or to donate to the silent auction. Or mowtsc@becon.org
The MS Society is looking for volunteers to assist with the Rona MS Bike Tour being held in Niagara on August 28. You can call 1 800 268-7582 X2321, or check out www.msbiketours.com. To volunteer, send an email to msvolunteers@mssociety.ca
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