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Meeting Beginnings
President Larry brought the meeting to order and asked Rick Vanderkuip to deliver the Rotary Grace.
Don Shaw blew a middle C to get us going with Oh Canada, and we toasted our Queen and Canada.
President Larry introduced the Head Table - to introduce our speaker, Judith Barker; speaker, Jason Burgess; President, Larry Iggulden; Sergeant-at-arms, Larry Ross; Rotarian-in-the-Spotlight, Nigel Riddell; Registrar, Kim Widdicombe
Kim Widdicombe introduced our Guests -John Currey, Bill Gallaway and Jason Burgess, all guests of John Lehnen; Rev. Mel Binks, guest of Archie Heide; Amy Leaming, guest of Judith Barker; Bill Woods and Pat Woods, visiting Rotarians from the Woodbridge Rotary Club; Nancy McIntosh, guest of Betty-Lou Souter; Blair Pollard, guest of Ross MacDonald; and Christina Pentlichuk, guest of Liz Palmieri.
Rotarian in the Spotlight - Kim Introduced Nigel Riddell - fellow Rotarian and travel agency wizard. Nigel was born in Portsmouth, England and did his senior education there in travel and tourism. Nigel came to Canada in the early 80's and maximized his interests in travel and tourism with employment with Wardair, Hertz and Carousel Holidays. He returned to England to be married to Audrey and they have two sons - Gregory and Matthew. Nigel has been a valuable addition to many of the committees in our Club, but is best known for his magical solutions to the various and difficult travel requirements of our members.
Birthdays - March 5 - John Travers, March 6 - Don Shaw, March 7 - Roger (Flash) Segalin, March 10 - Rick Merritt
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Don Shaw, Flash, John Travers, Rick Merritt
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Rick Merritt spoke to us about SlapShot, a student leadership program for students from 16 - 18. This is a new endeavour and an offshoot of RYLA. The program involves a weekend retreat in June. If you know any suitable candidates, contact rickmerritt@sympatico.ca
Betty-Lou Souter came forward to remind us of the priority of literacy as a goal of Rotary. She asked Janet Johnston to introduce us to Franklin, a speak-and-spell device to help children learn. Franklin allows a lot of independent learning. Betty-Lou told us that we have sponsored a project to provide Franklins to several schools, the Niagara detention centre and to third-world countries. She asked us to bring a book to the next meetings suitable for children and youth.
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Janet Johnston and Betty-Lou Souter
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Tom Arkell introduced us to Chris Blake, a new old-member. Chris has a background in restaurants, the theatre, advertising and as an alderman in Stratford. He recently was in Ottawa with the Governor General's Performing Arts program. His wife is a senior administrator at the Shaw Festival, and he has two daughters, one an actress and one currently an exchange student in France. Great to have a man with his talents back in our Club!
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Larry Iggulden, Chris Blake, and Tom Arkell
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Ross MacDonald brought forward Blair Pollard, another new member. Blair is a vice-president of HR at Canadian Tire Financial Services. He was a Rotarian in Brantford and Oakville. He is on the board of the Niagara Symphony and an instructor at McMaster. Welcome Blair!
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Larry Iggulden, Blair Pollard, Ross McDonald
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Bill Cole carried the basket and told us a story about an Irish wife, her husband's obituary, skilful editing and a meager budget.
Bill Finley is happy to be back from a month's travels.
Lezlie Murch is happy to be back from a five-week international tennis tour.
George Darte is sorry that his staff looks up his phone numbers.
Coach Denham is happy that his girls' hockey team at Ridley has had lots of success.
Henry Becker is happy but I didn't catch why.
Len Fenig paid up for a birthday he missed.
Ron Sloan tried to finish his Olympic saga, but got hooted down.
Betty-Lou is happy to have Nancy McIntosh as the newest member of the Community Care team.
Archie Heide is happy to have Rev. Mel as his guest and long-time friend.
John Snowling is happy to hear Irish stories.
Rob Reid is happy to have a son who has managed to get his grandparents, reluctantly, on a cruise ship. Rob mentioned something about his mother having an advanced case of fixed opinions.
Larry Ross is happy to have a grandson who is one year old.
50/50 - Ron Bassett drew a card, but not the right card. The pot is almost $700! Bring your lucky shamrocks next week.
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Jason Burgess |
Judith Barker began our lunch presentation promising us an update on the Hospice Niagara Palliative Care Centre campaign progress.
The campaign, When Time is Precious , had its public launch as few weeks ago. She pointed out that we need this Centre now.
She pointed out that how we treat those who are dying reflects who we are as a society. The statistics point out that our population is aging, and significantly so in Niagara.
Hospice has been in our community for over a decade, and last year they served nearly 300 clients, through a visiting volunteer program, a day hospice program, and a bereavement support service.
Judith pointed out that in the continuum of care for those in need, the missing link has been a residential hospice.
Judith then introduced Jason Burgess, who during the day is a Vice-President at Deloitte.
Jason described the Hospice Palliative Care Centre that is planned for Niagara. He pointed out its location, at the Linhaven Campus at Ontario Street and the QEW.
Jason explained that as of today, $1.6 of their $2.7million has been raised. He thanked our club members for the individual and group support that they have given to the When Time is Precious campaign.
Henry Becker thanked our speaker and President Larry added his thanks and made the donation to the Canadian Land Mine Foundation in Judith's and Jason's names.
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Judith Barker, Jason Burgess, and Larry Iggulden
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President Larry told us Rotary facts about women in Rotary. It took a rebellious California Rotary club and a lawsuit to recognize women's status, and it happened officially in 1987.
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Dr. Ken Taylor Spreads the Rotary Message at
the Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro
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Next Week:
March 16 - St. Patrick's Day (Try to sit near John O'Connell)
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