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Don Shaw led us in Oh Canada, Harold Nash offered the Grace, and a toast was made to Her Majesty The Queen and Canada.
President Tom introduced our Head Table:
Maurice Gomme to introduce our speaker
Guest speaker Alastair Davis
President Tom Arkell
Sergeant-at-arms Art Weaver
Rotarian in the Spotlight John Nitsopoulos
Registrar Cindy Mewhinney
Guests:
Cindy Mewhinney introduced our Guests:
Paul Allan, guest of Doug Geddie
Dolores Grimstead and Khan Rooney, guests of Patricia Rooney
Ryan King, Habitat for Humanity
Exchange Student Kenji Motsomoto
President Tom started the meeting on a sad note, noting the recent passing of Patricia Rooney’s husband, Watson Reed. Tom noted the commitment and passion Watson had for Rotary. He will be forever remembered for the smile on his face and the glint in his eye. A moment of silence was observed in his memory.
Patricia Rooney extended her appreciation for the tremendous support and generosity of Rotarians over the past year. Her attendance at our weekly meetings provided a respite from sickness and treatment and gave her the opportunity to share the ‘news of the week’ with Watson. Watson had a tremendous depth of feeling for Rotary and his life exemplified what Rotary is about. She expressed her thanks for all of the kindness and prayers and, in the past week, the condolences. The plan was that Watson would exit from this world first-class, and this club allowed them to grant this wish. Patricia will accept all hugs, but don’t forget not to squash Watson!
President Tom reminded all that next week’s meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 2nd at Coppola’s Restaurant on Carlton Street. Lunch will cost $25 on this day.
Phil Porter is this year’s ‘chosen one’ to help plan the Algoma/Rotary golf tournament and solicit prizes and hole sponsors. The tournament will take place on Monday, June 23rd at Lookout Point at a cost of $185 per entry fee.
Marg Jarrell reminded us that on Wednesday, April 23 the four Rotary clubs will jointly host the ‘Night of 1000 Dinners’ at John Michael’s Banquet Centre. Tickets are $50 each ($20 of which is tax-deductible) and proceeds from this event will help purchase a dog that will be trained to find land mines. Contact Joyce, Marg or Sam Walters if you wish to purchase tickets.
President Tom asked if anyone knew where the Rotary bike was for Kenji’s use now that biking season is almost upon us.
Collected by Earl Alton
Earl was denied the chance to share a story about Betty-Lou, but he is happy that Phil is helping out with this year’s golf tournament.
Jim Denham was happy (his wife apparently more so) since his oldest young one registered for junior kindergarten today.
Bill Finley was happy to return from Mexico and even happier that his luggage showed up two days later. The Rotary Club there, despite the fact that they only have 32 members, are involved in many projects. The latest is ‘Smiles without Borders’ which sees dentists travel to provide services in needy areas.
Tom Pekar thanked Rotarians for their support of the ‘Smiles for Life’ campaign. He also spent Easter with his brother-in-law, former member Franco Savoia, who sends along his greetings.
Jagdesh Mehta was happy to return from 10 weeks in India, where it was extremely cold.
Bill Ford’s assistant was blessed to have met Rotarians by helping Bill. Apparently Bill has taught her well, since she ‘borrowed’ her dollar from tablemate Bill Cole.
Rick Merritt spent 4 weeks in Florida and did a makeup at the Indian Rocks Beach Rotary Club. The good news is that their meetings are held in a tiki bar; the bad news is they hold their meetings at 7:15 am.
Liz Palmieri was happy to have spent time with Bill Ford yesterday. She also has 2 passes to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum for anyone interested.
Ted Usick is happy the Ice Dogs are moving on in the playoffs. He and Kenji will be going to the next game to cheer them on.
Henry Becker was happy to have worked Ribfest security with Watson Reed. He noted that he always welcomed visitors upon arrival and thanked them when they left. He was also talented at keeping the donation bucket full.
Marg Jarrell explained that the cross Canada trip for exchange students is no longer taking place. However, Kenji will be spending the month of July on the Discover America tour, hitting all of the highlights from New York to California.
Jinnie Gordon was happy it was her birthday and she invited Rotarians to come see her in the play ‘Father of the Bride’ at the Thorold Community Theatre next weekend.
Coletta McGrath and Oraine DeRosa tag-teamed to tell everyone that they are co-chairs of the Rotary sponsorship committee (it takes two to replace Judith in the job). The first meeting was held and the goal they have set is to double cash donations. Since Bob ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Gosselin is on board, this shouldn’t be a problem.
March 23 – Mark Zammit
March 23 – Jinnie Gordon
March 26 – Dave McAdam
March 27 – Ed Silver
March 28 – Dave Butler
March 29 – Bill Campbell
Kim Widdicombe could have won $849, but not today! The pot grows!
John was introduced to Rotary by John Kerklaan in April, 2000 and has been involved in numerous club committees since. Born in Macedonia Greece, John came to Canada when he was 15. He and his brother own and operate the Heart of Niagara Hotels Group (Holiday Inn and Quality Parkway). Major renovations are in the works for the Holiday Inn, so stay tuned. John and his wife Mary have two daughters, Natalie and Stephanie and a son, Adrian. John loves golf, travelling and spending time with his family.
Habitat for Humanity Niagara
Maurice Gomme introduced our speaker, Alastair Davis. Alastair grew up in the Ottawa Valley, attending Carleton University and graduating with a degree in Social Sciences in 1973. He has been the V.P. of Human Resources for Sherwood Credit Union in Regina and Niagara Credit Union. He moved to Niagara in 1998, is married to Reverend Lorraine Davis and has twin daughters. He has been actively involved in the community, including the United Way, Canadian Training Council and St. Andrews United Church.
Alistair has been the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Niagara since January, 2006. So many live locally and worldwide with so little and have to make difficult choices between rent and food. Habitat for Humanity provides a safe, secure place to call home. The power of home means hope, not just a roof over their head.
This independent non-profit organization intends to be part of the solution to Niagara’s affordable housing crisis. They provide simple, decent, affordable housing to those who can not afford or qualify for a traditional mortgage. Habitat for Humanity holds the mortgage on homes that are built, with no down payment or interest payments required. The mortgage is geared to the income of the family. In return, the family gains much-needed equity and independence.
Worldwide, one home is built every 24 minutes. Since 1993, 28 homes have been built in Niagara. Their plan as an agency is to increase their capacity by completing more projects and developing a ‘1 to 1’ program where one home is built here and one in a developing country. Currently, there are 2 projects in Welland, 2 in Fort Erie and the site in Port Colborne will break ground in mid-April. The Port Colborne project is in conjunction with the local Rotary Club.
On average, the cost to build a home is $60,000. This is heavily dependent on in-kind donations, volunteer labour and donations. The Region and local municipalities have assisted when they can to waive development fees or donate land or offer a favourable price on the properties. Habitat for Humanity runs the ReStore on Cushman Road, selling new and used building supplies to the public in order to generate funds to operate. Partnerships, both with families and with the community, continue to be crucial to their success in building homes, building lives and building community.
Brian Stewart thanked Alistair for enlightening us about Habitat for Humanity’s worthwhile activities. He also learned that it’s not just for peanut farmers!
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Alastair Davis & President Tom Arkell |
Next Week: REMINDER: Joint Club Meeting Wednesday, April 2nd at Coppola’s 203 Carlton Street, $25 for lunch this day.
Mailbag: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be participating in the Rotary World Peace Summit on April 25 – 27, 2008 in Windsor, Ontario. To register, visit the summit’s website at www.rotarypeacesummit.org.
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