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President Tom welcomed all and introduced the head table: Jaquelyn Clark, Chris McNaughton, Bob Lawler, Rick Merritt and Ron Sloan
Guests: John Lehnen brought the following guests: Harriet Lehnen, Bill Schenck, Kathleen Schenck, Bruce Mcdonald, Leanne Standryk, Phil Jones, Wendy Sorley, Eleanor Lancaster and Dave Derry; Paul Allen was a guest of Doug Geddie; Gini Rigby was a guest of Tim Rigby.
President Tom announced Sangetta let him know that Jagdish had a mild heart attack and is awaiting surgery. When she went to visit him, he was standing at the nurse’s station reading the India Times.
John Lehnen came to the podium to present our newest Paul Harris Fellowship to Bill Schenck. Bill is one of 5 fourth generation Schenck’s, whose farm is located on the west side of the city. Bill is a volunteer member of the Regional Municipality of Niagara’s Agricultural Task Force. He served as Regatta Chair for the 1992 FISU World University Games, a member and Regatta Chair of the Bid Committee for the 1999 FISA World Rowing Championships, Past President for both the St. Catharines Rowing alumnae and the Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation and a member of the Bid Committee for the 2010 FISA World Rowing Masters Regatta, that St. Catharines is hosting in 2010. The club welcomed our newest Paul Harris Fellow.
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Paul Harris Fellow Bill Schenck |
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President Tom Arkell, Bill Schenck, John Lehnen |
Larry Iggulden, as Chair of the Major Grants Committee, invited Eleanor Lancaster to the podium to accept our club’s three-year commitment of $30,000 to the Stokes Community Village project.
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President Tom Arkell, Eleanor Lancaster, Larry Iggulden |
Rotary Club of Fort Erie and the Buffalo Sunrise Rotary Club are hosting a Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, May 6th at the Holiday Inn Fort Erie from noon to 1:30.
Niagara on the Lake Rotary Club is having its annual International Rotary Bike Trek on Saturday, June 7th. Go to www.rotary-niagara.com for more info.
Phil Porter reminded members about the Rotary Algoma Golf Tournament taking place on June 23rd. Cost is $185 and the committee is still looking for hole sponsors and prizes. Contact Phil or Earl Alton.
Earl Alton was happy that it wasn’t raining because he has a 2:16 tee time. He also announced the major acts for Ribfest. Friday: Caverners, Saturday: 905 Blues Band, Sunday: Downchild Blues Band.
Henry Klassen was equally happy to be golfing today at 4:37. He also thanked those members in the club who came to the Children Helping Children concert, which raised $10,000 to helps kids in South Africa.
George Doty congratulated Rick Evan’s business as it celebrates is 50th anniversary.
Pat Rooney was very happy to announce that our former exchange student Vanessa Fralick has completed her studies at U of T and McGill and was accepted into Julliard (she’s only 21).
Larry Ross thanked those club members who donated blood in celebration of his 100th donation.
George Bodogh-Darte and Leslie Murtch both congratulated Bill Schenck on his Paul Harris Fellowship.
Rick Merritt noted that May is Paul Harris Month. He recounted the achievements in creating Rotary and his how his legacy has grown to 1.2 million members in 32,000 club located in more than 200 countries and geographic areas.
John O’Connell didn’t draw an Ace. He was probably quite pleased, since the pot was starting over after last week’s big win
Blair Pollard missed the fact that we didn’t sing Happy Birthday to him.
Chris McMaughton
Jacquelyn Clark introduced Chris McNaughton. Chris has lived in the area since 1975. She currently lives in Grimsby. She stopped practicing family law in 2002 and is currently the Legal Aid Director for Niagara North.
It’s difficult to do a presentation on Birding in Point Pelee without pictures of birds. Chris entertained us with her wit and humour as she, and Doug Geddie, had more than a few anxious moments getting her presentation up on the screen.
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Chris McNaughton & President Tom Arkell |
Chris is a passionate birder and focused her presentation on the variety of ecosystems at Point Pelee National Park. The park is located at the southern most part of Canada on the same latitude as northern California. It sits on the northern range of many species of birds. Because of its proximity to the southern shore of Lake Erie, small bird can fly from island to island as they make their way north. The on shore breezes are a help as well.
There are many migration observatories throughout Essex County and she encouraged our members to visit the area. However, she noted that during the periods of heavy migration, accommodation is difficult to obtain.
Point Pelee has a variety of ecosystems including: marsh, old and new farm fields, irrigation canals, woods, thickets, swamp and beach. Each attracts different types of birds and birders.
She noted that birders are very competitive, at times spending more time looking for birds than looking at birds. And they are tenacious, like bees to honey, when a rare sighting is noted.
Cindy Mewhinney thanked Chris.
Next Week:
Gregory Bodogh-Darte will be doing his classification talk.
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