Rotarian Rick Evans offered Grace, Don Shaw led us in Oh Canada , and we toasted the Queen and Canada.

President Tom introduced the Head Table:

• Patricia Rooney to introduce our speaker
• Guest speaker, Ted Usick
• President, Tom Arkell
• Sergeant-at-arms: Bob Gosselin
• Rotarian/Committee in the Spotlight: Ryan Carson
• To introduce the guests: Stuart Butler

Guests:

Stuart Butler

Stuart Butler introduced our Guests:

• Andre Beaudoin, guest of Larry Ross
• Steve Tenyenhuis, guest of Wade Stayzer

Rotarian in the Spotlight – Ryan Carson

Ryan Carson

Stuart Butler drew our attention to a new Rotarian in our club, Ryan Carson. He was recently introduced by Rob Reid in early September of this year. He is married to Jen, and they are expecting their first child. He is a lawyer with Lancaster Brooks & Welch, and holds Bachelor degrees in both kinesiology and law. He was described as enjoying several sports, including hockey, baseball and golf. As a new Rotarian, he is not currently involved in committee work, but his exposure to the club today may spur some chairs to solicit his assistance to bolster their committees.

Birthdays – John Crossingham (Oct. 14); Lloyd Buckley (Oct. 15); and Doug Geddie (Oct. 15)

Doug Geddie & Lloyd Buckley

Both Lloyd and Doug were present to hear us make another attempt singing Happy Birthday.

Announcements

•  President Tom announced that we had acquired special R.I. pins that were to be given to all those who had received certificates recently for sponsoring someone in the club as John Potts circulated to distribute these.

•  He also noted that there would be a Foundation Committee meeting following today's at Rick Merritt's table.

•  Our president summarized several items discussed at this month's board meeting; specifically,

•  The Rotary clubs in the area are attempting to work together to plan some fundraising event for the hospital campaign – no specifics as yet.

•  Leaves of absence were granted for Janet DeVries, Peter Lumsden (who will be traveling) and Greg Norton (for health reasons)

•  President Tom asked us to sign three cards that were circulating in the club; for Bill Finley, Judith Barker and Greg Norton.

•  He also reminded the club that the Eastern Cities Dinner is fast approaching on Oct. 23 rd , and anyone who would like to attend should contact Rick Merritt. In addition, the Foundations Dinner is Nov. 9 th , and those planning to attend should confirm with Joyce.

Sam Walters Rewards Canvassers

Norma Medulun

•  Norma Medulun, accompanied by Sam Walters asked the newer Rotarians, who may need our assistance with their auction campaign to stand, and Sam distributed sweets to them. In a similar vein, Norma listed all those members (74) who have brought in items to stand, and sweet treats were also given to them. She said that we have now collected $98,000. worth of items, and we need $171,000 to run the auction as we have done in other years. Bring in your items. We have been given one week's extension only because we need those items. If anyone needs assistance registering their items on the computer, contact either Terry McDougall, or Jane Rufrano. Norma thanked all those who had handed in items, and encouraged all others to finish the job for next week.

The Canvassers Rise

Happy Dollars were collected by Scott Heelis who was happy having just returned with his family from a short holiday in Atlanta . He also said that he would have TV Auction staffing sign-up sheets ready for next week.

Scott Heelis

• Rick Merritt updated us on Glen Norton's progress - after just having received two new knees, he is quite immobile, but doing fine.
• Ken Taylor reported that he had seen Bill Finley in the hospital, saying that he was going to be discharged today, and that he was as grumpy as ever.
• Rachel Delaney was happy to mention that, of the $102,000 raised by Rib Fest, $35,000 had been raised by Judith Barker and her team from sponsorship proceeds.
• Betty Lou Souter was happy to say that Dutch Earling was still making positive steps towards recovery, but encouraged us to stop by the visit (after 2pm is best; call first).
• Karen Mazier was happy that her son had undergone his surgery as planned and that he was on the road to recovery.
• Doug Geddie was happy to have completed a bike race whereby he had cut his time, but he still came in 5 th . He was also happy to note that Gerry Remple had earned the silver medal in the same race.
• Dave Feasby was happy to be back from camping in Alberta .

50/50 - Despite the size of the pot now at $1,280.55, Bill Orr had the lucky ticket, but did not draw an ace.

Program – Classification Talk

Patricia Rooney

Patricia Rooney introduced Ted Usick, describing him as being an active husband and father with three teenage children. While he had previously worked in the field of hazardous waste, she became acquainted with him through his work at the Investor's Group in financial planning.

Ted Usick

Ted began by saying that he was second generation Canadian with his grandparents having first arrived from Europe in southern Saskatchewan where their winter home had initially been a hole in the side of a hill. His parents had moved to St. Catharines soon after the war, and while Ted was born here, he had spent his early years, growing up in Beamsville. His memories of this life there were very pleasant, although he told us of a story where his brother had ended up falling into a rushing river after following his lead to in an attempt to slide over it, and their plans to appease their mother by picking flowers had ended in a poison ivy outbreak.

Since grade seven, his family had moved back to St. Catharines , and Ted described his beginning interest in chemical reactions. He followed this interest further after receiving his wish of a chemistry set one Christmas, and was able to put various ingredients together to make explosions. He also spoke of how, as an air cadet, he wanted to get his pilot's license. After winning a scholarship to do this in 1977, he did just that. Ted said that he had pursued further education at Niagara College in Chemical Engineering, and he had been totally occupied in these years as he was both working and going to school. However, he was happy to report that he was able to graduate from this program with no debt as a result.

He noted that he was subsequently hired to process explosives for a local waste management company. He spoke of his enthusiasm at the time to be able to create large explosions of all kinds as a result of chemical reactions, and saw himself as having fun with fire and explosives. But, alas, he said that he eventually became bored of this type of work, and became part of a service crew, traveling across the country picking up and sorting hazardous waste so that no unwanted reactions occurred on the highways. After he entertained the club with a couple more stories related to the smells and danger surrounding this work, he said that he returned to do laboratory work, and he had initiated the hazardous waste day in 1995, and had been on the ground floor of the opening of, what is now, a $3 million plant in Missassauga. Seeking to explore other options, results from a skill/interest test led him into his current field of financial planning. While working at Investors Group, he has received a Financial Planning diploma from Wilfred Laurier, and has built a solid business for himself.

On a personal note, Ted said that he liked going to the Ice Dogs hockey games; that he loves to drive fast cars as he owns two rare Porches himself; and that he enjoys to sail…fast, on his friend's Hobby Cat. He also likes to hike, and sing, having been asked to do just that in a gospel band. In closing, Ted shared with us the life lessons that he has learned: You don't have anything if you don't have health and family, and you have to be able to forgive, and do good for others.

Mark Zammit thanked Ted, noting the common link they share with garbage, and President Tom reflected on the value of classification talks such as this, and added his thanks.

Ted Usick & President Tom

Next Week – His Excellency, the Iraqi ambassador to Canada , Howar Ziad

From the Mailbag:

•  RI President Wilf will be speaking at the Eastern Cities Fellowship dinner in Rochester on Tuesday October 23 rd  The theme is a Salute to Canada

•  Our district will be sending a five person team to Bulgaria in May 2008, as part of Rotary International's Group Study Exchange (GSE) program This is a vocation specific exchange for those working in the hospitality, tourism or wine industries. The team will be comprised of 4 non-Rotarian people between the ages of 25 and 40 who are interested in learning about the economic, social and cultural characteristics of Bulgaria . The fifth member will be an experienced Rotarian, who will act as team leader and ambassador for the District.  All costs of the trip (travel and accommodation) will be picked up by the host Rotary District and the Bulgarian Rotary counterparts. The District GSE Committee is encouraging people to apply for both team member and team leader positions. The closing dates for submission of applications are November 2 for the team leader position and November 20 for the team member positions.  The contact people are the GSE Committee Co-chairs: Jean Armitage (905-934-5576) in Canada and David Greenfield (716-439-9186) in the United States .  Additional details and application forms can be obtained from www.rotary7090.org/gse

Other Announcements:

• Niagara Suicide Prevention Coalition, Community Solutions Conference, Four Points Sheraton, Schmon Parkway, Thorold, ON. Evening of November 6 and all day November 7, 2007.