Gossip Sheet # 6 - August 7, 2003
Editor: Bill McKay

PROGRAM - 100th Anniversary of Royal Canadian Henley Regatta

Presiding President Brian St.Hilaire opened the meeting by asking Mac Gollert to provide the blessing. Larry Ross jumped in to start O’Canada when Ivor Khan hesitated. Ivor complained it was the wrong key. Brian led us in the toast to the Queen and Canada.

After a suitable period, to finish our lunch, President Brian introduced the head table: Tim Rigby, Introducer; John Lehnen, Speaker; Peter Gosen; Sgt.-At-Arms; and Rick Vanderkuip who introduced the following guests: Michael Trach and Sherry Barnes, both guests of Martha Abra; Walter Garcia [Mexico] guest of Lezlie Murch; visiting Rotarian Elizabeth Gaffney from Stratford, and her guest Anita Gaffney.

Head Table - Mayor Rigby, John Lehnen, President Brian, Peter Gosen and Rick Vanderkuip

Birthdays:
Aug 14 Tom Fletcher
Aug 15 Bill Oaks

Announcements

Boss Hog, Rick Merritt

Rick Merritt advised the club that despite the weather forecasts, we managed to avoid the rain at the busy times and this will be our best year of the three. Preliminary report from event treasurer John Potts indicates approximately $57,000 in net revenue. Rick thanked all volunteers who worked but specifically thanked Tom Arkell [Site], and Wade Stayzer & Norm Kreger for the efficient supervision of the spirits. Brian thanked Rick and the committees who had put us in a breakeven position even before the event started. Rick commented that he felt this event did a great deal to promote family involvement in Rotary, one of President Brian’s objectives, judging by the number of family volunteers who showed up.

Happy Dollars

Past. Pres. Earl Alton collected and started with an old golfing joke.

Judith Barker threw in the $5 she had won at their table in guessing the closest to the net Rib fest revenue.

John Potts announced that his wife Janice has been appointed manager of the Niagara Office of Human Resources Canada and will no longer have to commute to Hamilton.

Ivor Khan paid $10 to express pride in the accomplishments of son Domenic who recently celebrated the 10th Anniversary of revitalizing the Bayside Rowing Club in Toronto and they had just recently successfully hosted a major provincial regatta.

George Doty was happy to note that Betty-Lou Souter has been appointed Vice Chair of the board of the Niagara Health System as reported by the Globe & Mail.

Norm Kreger announced a new joint venture with Nigel Riddell to be called Handi-Travel designed to make it easier for handicapped and elderly customers to travel. [Sounds like a winner].

Martha Abra

Tim Rigby paid to congratulate Jan Potts on her appointment but warned he would soon be around in his official capacity, with his hand out.

Brian St. Hilaire was happy about Rib Fest but sad because his 8 yr. old daughter had broken her arm. [I don’t think it was at Rib Fest].

50/50 draw: Martha Abra cleared the first hurdle but was unsuccessful in winning a pot of unknown amount.

Program
100th Anniversary of Royal Canadian Henley Regatta

Tim Rigby

Rotarian Tim Rigby introduced his friend and compatriot John Lehnen, both of whom have been connected with the rowing in St. Catharines for many years including the successful running of the 1999 World Rowing Championships. Tim revealed that John returned from California several years ago and immediately plunged into community affairs. John is married to Harriet and they have two children. Tim made mention of John’s diverse background. We remember John as a hard working Rotarian and publisher of the St. Catharines Standard.

John revealed that he took up rowing in the recreational program on his return from California but has competed in the Rowing Club’s Masters section. John successfully used a Power Point presentation to assist him and interspersed many photographs [some aerial] of the Henley Rowing Course.

John explained the various ownerships and responsibilities of the organizations involved in the operation of the Regatta and rowing course. The City owns the pond and the lower levels of Henley Island and leases them to the Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation (CHRC). CHRC owns the upper level of Henley Island, the bridge, the “Craig Swayze” grandstand, finish tower, starting gates, and buildings. CHRC leases building space to the rowing clubs, the Henley Island Helpers, and the St. Catharines Rowing Alumni Association.
The rowing programs, coach boats, and racing shells are owned and operated by the Brock Rowing Club, Ridley Grads Boat Club, and the St. Catharines Rowing Club.

The history of the Henley Regatta is somewhat complex. The first one was held in 1882 and this will be the 121st Henley. The Henley has been held in Brockville, Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton. It was first held in St. Catharines in 1903 thus the 100th anniversary, however the 100th Henley in St. Catharines will be in 2006 because it was cancelled during war years 1919, 1917, and 1918.

John Lehnen

The Henley is a joint operation of Rowing Canada Aviron [National Federation] and the CRHC, and the profits are split evenly. The 2003 budget indicate a profit of almost $44,000. Brock University Professor Lou Soroka has estimated the economic impact of the Henley on St. Catharines at just under a million dollars. [no mention made of amount of beer purchased]

There have been 4 major regattas held on the course including two World Championships [1970 & 1999]; the 1993 World University Games, and the 1967 North American Championships, which was a proof of ability event prior to the 1970 Worlds.

Several firsts help to celebrate the Century Anniversary.

the Regatta has a female Chair, Carol Purcer;
there are 6 days of racing to allow for storm delays (two already)
registration and entry fee payment can be done “On Line” via a service provided by Mediaglue (Roger Segalin)
They expect almost 3000 athletes and just under 2000 entries. [some boats carry 9]

The CHRC hosts several regattas during the year and for four years have hosted “Dragon Boat Races” which is primarily a fundraising and social event. This year there were 62 crews of 22 people each participating and approximately $50,000 was split between the Linda Evangelista Breast Screening Clinic and the St. Catharines Museum at Lock 3. The CHRC received $6000 for the rent of facilities.

As a professional fundraiser, John could not resist the opportunity to point out the need of the CHRC to replace its ageing fleet of Officials boats. They are evaluating aluminum catamarans with 25 hp. 4 stroke motors at a cost of $12,500 each.

Some of the photographs showed the results of the money spent dredging the channel (Rotary contributed), the additional space on Henley Island, the erosion protection, and the environmental improvements. Bird and wildlife is evident including Blue Herons

John Lehnen

John felt the future of rowing in St. Catharines is bright. He has witnessed the Parks & Recreation Rowing program for 10 to 14 yr. old youngsters where 16 are required to carry an 8-man shell over their heads and all you can see are 32 legs. In addition there is a strong recreational program with several hundred participants. A new program for blind scullers and paraplegics is under experimentation.

Chris Bangham delivered the thanks of the club with the comment that when he arrived in St. Catharines he was astonished to see how much rowing and St. Catharines were interconnected.

Editors note: - As someone who was involved in the operation of another summer sport, track & field, and witnessed the success of the rowing establishment in acquiring financial support, somewhat enviously, while we were existing on the crumbs, I admit I have not always been a supporter.
John’s presentation has helped me to understand that the City has indeed benefited.

P.S. I thank John for his notes [in advance], it made by task much easier

Community Announcements

Do you know a member who could use a little extra attention??
If you know a fellow Rotarian who would welcome a friendly phone call, a greeting card or a visit, please let the Seniors Committee know. Perhaps you know about a Rotarian recovering from surgery, or a Rotarian who has recently lost a loved one, or a Rotarian who is just feeling a little low. A phone call or brief visit might be very welcome to those individuals - and the Seniors Committee wants to make sure these thoughtful gestures happen.

Need a lift??

If you know a club member who would welcome a ride to our weekly meetings, please let the Seniors Committee know. We will be pleased to arrange for someone to pickup and return any club member needing a lift. Just telephone Judith Barker (905-984-8766).