Gossip Sheet # 29 - January 29, 2004
Editor: Rick Vanderkuip

Program: Youth Exchange

President Brian St. Hilaire chaired the meeting.

Grace by Cam Hathaway.

Don Shaw led the singing of Oh Canada and President Brian toasted the Queen and Canada.

Head Table Laura Dodge, Vanessa Fralick, President Brian St. Hilaire, Peter Lumsden, Rick Evans, Ron Sloan

Guests – Exchange students Erik Derkson (Holland) and Ignatio Vera Loza (Bolivia), Jamie Sherwood, Bernie Buschman, Tom Boyce, Barbara Chadwick, Karl Vanderkuip, Laura Dodge, Vanessa Fralick, Carol Stymiest (NF Sunrise Rotary) and Laetitia deWitt (St. Catharines Rotary).

Birthdays
Feb 3 Peter Lumsden

Maurice Gomme, Bill Ford and Harold Nash

Announcements

There are 4 sick Rotarians who we should keep in mind; Don Fraser (home), John O’Connor (Scarborough Hospital), Bill McKay and Jack Coopman (General Hospital).

The Rotary/Algoma Golf Tournament scheduled but in conflict with another tournament, is now to be held Monday June28/04 @ Lookout Point. Keep this date in mind.

Liz Palmieri and Brian St. Hilaire

Liz Palmieri presented the club with the proceeds of the TV Auction in the amount of $95,000

Notice that Betty McLean will be sending the Gossip Sheet by email to all those who have email address (instead of mailing or faxing).

Chicago 2005 is the location of the 100th anniversary of Rotary. Art Wing has information to book rooms right downtown @ approx $145 US. Call Art for more details.

The Valentine’s Day Dinner tickets are available for sale from Sam Walters. Dr. David (Love) Golelechea is the guest speaker on the theme Between two Lovers. Early purchase of tickets is recommended.

Happy Dollars

Lezlie Murch

Led by Lezlie Murch who donated $30 to admit that it was 30 years ago that she went on a student exchange trip to Bolivia.

Ken Taylor happy to say hello from Jack Coopman and to welcome all the exchange students today.

Pat Rooney $3 to also welcome the students and to note that it was 30 years ago she went as an exchange student to Cuba. She continues to visit and bring supplies provided by Ken and Denise Taylor and encouraged all to donate clothing especially nurse’s uniforms (whites and hose for the males are tough to get as are Dr’s coats).

Martha Abra happy that she and Jacquie H. interviewed 7 RYLA applicants for the 4 openings, and as well to present Community Care with a cheque from the Niagara Credit Union.

Betty-Lou Souter thanked Martha and the NCU for the donation, she denied some involvement in the confusion for the golf tournament, and she was very happy to announce that Dr. Don Fraser was recognized with an award for 50 years of practice this past week at a dinner.

George Shepherd was $12 happy (6+6) for 66 years wed to Doris who is in hospital.

Norm Kreger will still take orders today for Rotary Club shirts.

Howard Lackie happy and proud of the exchange students and RYLA applicants and noted past participant Ashley Clayton in the Standard and her anti-smoking campaign for Kids.

Henry Becker asked Mayor Tim how much would it cost him to get Trojan Security’s sign used for show in the newspaper next time instead of the real estate sign?

Doug Geddie

Doug Geddie noted that Chris Bangham phoned …. asking how to get high?

Mark Zammit told us he still loves to cycle, albeit lately in his livingroom, and he is happy that his wife is still talkative.

Ignacio Vera Loza was $6 happy to learn that Lezlie was able to learn first hand what life is like in Bolivia, happy for starting a new semester @ Laura Secord, for all the great people he classes with, the friends he has met, the exchange students with who he can share stories, for the fabulous host families who treated him well and thanks to the Rotary Club of St. Catharines.

Ron Sloan

Ron Sloan told us of a family friend and the Pelee Island plane tragedy.

President Brian met with the other St. Catharines Rotary Club Presidents this morning and noted 2 items: the other clubs may be interested in sponsoring some RYLA applicants from those we received and that for next years annual joint meeting it will occur around the 100th anniversary date in February 2005.

50/50 Draw:
Henry Becker was close to the money ($315), but closies still don’t count.

The Program
Youth Exchange

Ken Taylor

Ken Taylor introduced Laura Dodge who is an exchange student who recently went to Finland. While she was there, Ken heard daily about her trip, from her father who received frequent emails.

Laura Dodge

Laura led us in learning how to roll our R’s as this is important phonetically. She explained that Finland is really a large body of water with a little land around it. All visitors must understand the 3-S’s of the Finnish culture – Sauna – Sausage – Solitude. Describing the population as shy, who value their privacy and love their singular sports. She described the Rotary Club as a panel of elderly gentlemen (no female members yet) who like to speak of wine and lawyers (sounds familiar). Although she did not attend many meetings, she was accepted and treated well when she did. Her first host family was typical and enjoyed well-pressed clothing, fine wine, fast cars and hockey (almost Canadian eh?). The son was in America on an exchange as well. Her first friend was a translator and loved music. Socializing became more interesting after meeting a Bob Marley wannabe; difficult given the climatic and sun-sheltered attributes of her new friend. Other exchange students were also fun to be with and to learn from. The second host family had a BIG Guy for a father and two sons. Many trips within Finland were had traveling to Orivesi (close sleeping quarters), to Lapland, home of Santa Claus of course. Santa skis, has no sleigh, and only 1 reindeer to guide him. It was foggy but fun and got to go to Santa’s workshop. For Christmas they ate black porridge and glogi. In Jyvaskyla they experienced their first “club” meeting. Lots of dancing and joviality (OK Rotarians). She went ice swimming and enjoyed the hottest-ever sauna and the local Lake Festival. In St. Petersburg they had KFC. Her final month saw her go on a Euro tour/ cheese and clogs (“Klompen”) in Holland/ singing in the rain barefoot in Austria and climbing/ visited a Jazz Club in Paris, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre/ sumo-wrestled on the beach in Italy. She got to experience the 24-hours mid-summer light with a 7-course meal well into the lateness of day. Laura’s pictures were great. Laura’s experience changed her. Finland was great.

Rick Evans

Rick Evans introduced Vanessa Fralick who went to Austria. He described her as a perfect fit for the criteria of being able to make a good first-impression, academically strong, enjoyed a challenge for language and had a musical background. Vanessa described her journey as a little surreal until she met other exchange students flying to Austria as well. The lack of German vocabulary was not bad as she knew the basics…”My name is Vanessa…I have 2 brothers and sisters…I like to play volleyball…I’m hungry…I’m tired.” She spent the first week with Roberta who came to St. Catharines from Liz. Yup, yup, yup, they had there own castle, private island, great Austrian food, went sailing for the first time and got to meet lots of people. It was hard. Vanessa and 50 other exchange students attended a 2-week language camp in the small town of Gmunden. Lots of fun, lots of stories, lots of learning from each other from around the world. The local Rotarians arranged many outings where they went by boat and train to the tiny town of Hallstatt, one of the prettiest in Austria. In Vienna she visited friends of her own family. Just beautiful! Museums, opera, Vienna Philharmonic 2x, amusement parks, Ferris wheel rides and watching life go by. Arriving in her host town of Liz 2 days before school was a challenge. There was a friend met in language camp. School was stiff and respectful. She joined the choir and played piano with the orchestra. They hiked. Boy did they hike. Austrians like to serious hike. The Rotary Club in Linz was great, they took her to concerts, museums, art galleries, and taught her how to Eisstockschissen (like curling). Her host Mom took her on family vacation to Tunisia, Africa, went camel riding and fed a piece of cactus to one camel – with her mouth (good pictures). Austrians like to ballroom dance. Vanessa taught them line dancing. After Christmas she went to Dublin, Ireland to visit an Aunt. The best way Vanessa found to integrate herself into the Austrian community was through her Trombone playing. She joined a brass band that played several concerts, attended to local Advent parties, caroled throughout the town and competed in a formal marching competition. The exchange program offered many opportunities for the students to get together many times on weekend trips hiking or skiing, a good-bye party in Upper Austria and a 3 week tour of Europe…Italy, Monaco, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, and the Czech Republic….there was only 1 problem…it was too short! Her dad visited a month before the trip ended and he was amazed to see how she had grown and learned so much. Leaving left her again feeling surreal… she had met and been family to so many new and wonderful people. She stays in touch by email and letters and phone calls. She thanked the club for the memories of this year...the best year of her life.

Pat Rooney thanked Laura and Vanessa for their reflections and for showing us those great pictures. She was happy that they enjoyed themselves and that they were both able to learn so much about others; they’re lifestyles, culture, the similarities. Pat expressed her appreciation to the ladies for showing us all how good this program really is.

President Brian also expressed his thanks and presented them with a token of our appreciation in being able to hear of their enthusiasm and their learning experiences.

Brian St. Hilaire, Laura Dodge, Vanessa Fralick and Rick Evans