President Rick called the meeting to order today at 12:40 pm at the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club. Seated at the head table were

Dancers from the Brian Taylor Dance Academy

Guest Speaker: Ray Bukovec
President: Rick Merritt
Sergeant-at-Arms: Art Weaver
Guest Introducer: Phil Porter
Rotarian in the Spotlight: John O’Connell

Today’s Guests were:
VISITING ROTARIANS
Doug Foss - St Catharines South
OTHER GUESTS
Erin MacQueen – guest of Wendy Southall
Bob Thompson – guest of John Snowling
Eric Hardy – guest of Kelly Buckley
Fern Hardy and Connor Hardy – guest/performers, with Kelly Buckley

BIRTHDAYS: March 12 – Dave Haddow, March 16 – Dave Stevenson, John Nitsopoulos, Debbie Sevenpifer

Dave Stevenson and Dave Haddow

GRACE:  Betty-Lou Souter stepped into the breach and covered for
Greg Bodogh-Darte, who was running “late”

TOAST FOR ST PATRICK’S DAY
Was delivered by Graham Kennedy, recalling the Saint’s talent for snake removal.

Graham Kennedy

MEMBER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Phil Porter allowed as how it was St. Patrick’s Day, it was fitting that John O’Connell be shown some special tribute as Member in the Spotlight. Phil then went on to be very unkind to John in his introduction, making serious allegations about John’s interest and lack of skill at golf.  He eventually recovered from his slanderous outburst and told us how John arrived in Canada in 1967, joined Rotary in 1992 and has had an extensive career across Canada in the men’s fashion industry.

John O'Connell

Grace: Ron Sloan
O Canada: Don Shaw
Toast to the Queen and Canada:  by President Rick

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• The Club Board will have its regular meeting this coming Tuesday at noon on March 20 at Church St.

• Prez Rick read a thank-you letter from Jim Bradley who obviously enjoyed his visit with us last week very much.

• Terry McDougall

  Terry McDougall previewed some upcoming high-profile speakers at our meetings – April 15 – Catherine Swift, President of theCanadian Federation of Independent Businesses and on April 11 (Wednesday) we will have the joint meeting of all clubs to hear John Nay, Consul-General of the United States.

• Rachel Delaney provide us all with a learning opportunity to support
  our Book and Magazine Drive for Literacy Month. Today’s words were “protagonist” (Judith Barker got it), ameliorate (Ross MacDonald, although Tom Pekar made a witty attempt) and “pejorative” ( Graham Kennedy).

• Rachel Delaney

  Rachel honoured George Shepherd for canvassing his neighbourhood and coming up with 20 (count’ em, 20!!!) boxes of books.

• Marg Jarrell reminded us of the upcoming “Night of A Thousand Dinners” for the Canadian Landmine foundation at Club Roma on March 31. Tickets still available. Guest Speaker is Scott Fairweather, President of the Canadian Landmine Foundation.

• Larry Iggulden

  Larry Iggulden will be holding a 30-minute Rotary Foundation meeting following next week’s club meeting. Larry also reminded us about Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships which are an outstanding Rotary program of great benefit to students. Our deadline is April 1, 2007. Information is available at www.rotary7090.org.

HAPPY DOLLARS

Chris Blake

Were solicited by Chris Blake who kicked things off by giving away 2 pairs of tickets to the musical “Mack and Mabel” at the Shaw Festival. The lucky winners were Jane Rufrano and Alex McKee.

Peter Lumsden told a joke about a Chinese restaurant.

Roger Segalin is happy to be leaving for Costa Rica, but seems completely unconcerned about who’s going to take photos in his absence.

Rick Evans paid tribute to Ray Bukovec and told us that his wife, Jayne, is currently in Slovenia.

Betty Lou Souter treated us to an alleged Irish toast.

50/50 Draw: Jim Denham missed out on $183. The suspense continues.

Program

Connor Hardy

Connor Hardy opened the program by giving us some background on Clog dancing and then we were treated to the stunning visuals of Kelley Buckley and her mother-in-law, Fern Hardy all in green. Fern executed a vigorous clog dance which featured a mop.

Connor then danced for us and was followed by a program of dances from the Brian Taylor Academy of Dance. There were 9 dazzling beauties of tender years and accomplished abilities, including some very young and determined talent. Ringlets flew, colourful skirts were atwirl and smiles were seen all around the house. A great demonstration of talent, commitment and the joy of dancing.

Kelly Buckley, Greg Bodogh-Darte and Coletta McGrath

A game-show, entitled “Who Wants to be a Derriere?” ensued with Greg-Bodogh-Darte (see what arriving late can do?) and Coletta McGrath as the contestants who were tested on their knowledge of Irish folklore. They distinguished themselves appropriately.

Rick Evans closed the program with a beautiful rendition of “Danny Boy”.

Thanks to Kelly Buckley and the Brian Taylor Academy for treating us to a perfect St Paddy’s show.

Dancers from the Brian Taylor Dance Academy

Prez Rick thanked Kelly and the dancers and presented a certificate showing a contribution to Literacy to the Brian Taylor Dance Academy.

NEXT WEEK:  The Brain Injury Association of Niagara

Rick Merritt presenting a certificate to the Brian Taylor Dance Academy.

10 Day Notice

Serge Paquin, proposed by Oraine DeRosa, owner of Sky Computers providing services to companies in the Niagara Region, mostly in St. Catharines, for over ten years.