Program: Christmas Party

Head Table

After Grace by Gordon Armstrong with an assist by Bill Ford, we sang Oh Canada, and toasted the Queen.

Head Table: Debbie Slade to introduce our entertainers, President Earl, Sergeant-at-Arms, Jim Denham, newer member, Peter Papp, and introducing our guests, Rick Merritt

Guests: Exchange student from Sardinia, Sara Ballero, Barb Fraser, Diane Michaud, Loretta Heide, Brian Delaney, Edie Orr, Adrian and Sarah Palmieri, Debbie Vanderkuip, Wilma Stayzer, Ron Sloan, April Feasby, Lisa St. Hilaire, Diane Jefferey, Sheila Gillies, Geoff Park, Barb Banwell, Alexis De Wolfe, Karen Morgan, Anne Finley, Ken Souter, Sonya Stevenson, Alice Cole

Birthdays: Gerry Repple, Larry Iggulden, and Nigel Riddel.

Announcements

Hugh Mahoney introducing Peter Mahoney

Hugh Mahoney introduced his son, Peter, to the Club. Hugh pointed out that we have had two double memberships in our club - Lance and Bob Dunn, Sangeeta and Jagdish Mehta, and now he is proud that we will have Peter and Hugh Mahoney. Peter was born in 1959, and is the sixth of eight sons. He is a graduate of Dennis Morris, did his undergraduate at St. Francis Xavier, and studied law at Dalhousie. He was called to the bar in 1986 and has been employed ever since at Sullivan-Mahoney, where he practices civil litigation. He is a board member of Wellspring Niagara, and the Knights of Columbus. Proud uncle of soon-to-be 16 nieces and nephews. Classification: Barrister – civil litigation.

After last week’s Board Meeting, President Earl announced the resignation of Bob Williams.

Happy Dollars

Chris Bangham

Chris Bangham circulated the basket and announced that all of today’s proceeds would go to Community Care.

Don and Barb Fraser are happy for a new grandchild.

Betty-Lou Souter thanked all the Rotarians who came to the Christmas Carol reading at Brock. Over $4,000 was raised for Community Care.

John O’Connell was just happy.

John Snowling wished everyone Merry Christmas.

Art Wing announced he is off to India in two weeks with Group Study Exchange.

Wade Stayzer was happy to have his mother with him and reminded Bill Ford that she works at Hotel Dieu should he ever need a tune-up.

Roger Segalin introduced Alexis, the author of our web site.

Brian St. Hilaire anted-up for the birthday he will enjoy during the week we don’t meet.

Alex Gillies was happy to have Sheila with him after cataract surgery on Tuesday.

John Potts thanked Betty-Lou for all she does at this time of year to make the world a better place.

Debbie Slade presented the real cheque for over $4,000 raised at Brock’s Christmas Carol performance to Betty-Lou.

Debbie Slade and Betty-Lou Souter

And there were many, many donations from Rotarians who remained silent, resulting in a collection of $286 for Community Care.

Earl announced that today is the last day to make additional nominations for the Board of Directors. Announcement of the voting will be at our first meeting in January.

George Darte re-visited the auction remnants – two Alfred Sung toiletry baskets, which were both purchased by Bill Ford, who was so overcome with generosity that he started to bid against himself.

50/50: Morris Gomme drew the 2 of hearts.

Program
Christmas Party

Rob Tripe, Ted Schwenker, Art Sallis and Bud Phelan "It's About Time"

Debbie Slade did the introductions of the four singers – Rob Tripe, Ted Schwenker, Art Sallis and Bud Phelan, collectively known as It’s About Time, who entertained us with a selection of Christmas songs. Rick Mauro thanked our entertainers for a wonderful performance.

Santa and Debbie

At this point Santa entered the room wearing what looked suspiciously like an A E LePage watch. He presented Erika Beatty with, “How to Play the Piano in 10 Easy Lessons”, For Henry Becker he had a tour of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. For Steve Butz he had a membership to Fulton’s Fitness, For Dave Butler he had a copy of Ed Werenich’s book, “How to win at Curling”. John Crossingham got a copy of Johnny Cochrane’s book, “Getting Directly to the Point”. For George Darte he had a book titled, “How to Sit with Someone Other Than Your Wife.” For John Kerklaan, he had a brochure on how to read your hydro bill. For Norm Kreger, he had a copy of the Dress Code of the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, for Bill McKay he had a copy of Jean Chretien’s book, “My Life as a Liberal.” Rick Merritt received a copy of “101 Rib Recipes”. Mary Stack, got a copy of “Overcoming Your Shyness.” John Snowling got a pocket guide to turning off your cell phone. President Earl got the Collection of Letters that Gerry Wooll had sent to previous presidents.

Hopefully the recipients of Santa’s gifts read the Gossip Sheet because precious few of them were in attendance. Benevolent Santa thought they must be at another Rotary meeting. Either that or at the Holiday Inn.

Debbie Slade did the elf thing and circulated a basket of candy-canes with Santa

President Earl wished everyone a Merry Christmas, thanked our many guests for their attendance, and declared the meeting adjourned.

Next week:
No meeting, it’s Boxing Day. We’ll gather on Thursday, January 2, 2003 for our Club Assembly.