Gossip Sheet # 50 - June 24, 2003
Editor: Peggy Davidson

PROGRAM - President's Farewell

Double Past President and Emcee Rob Reid

Double Past President Rob Reid opened the meeting, held at the beautiful Henley Island clubhouse. The event was organized by Chris Bangham and Sam Walters, who did a great job with the exception of WINE! As this scribe overheard, one wife said something like… “he couldn’t organize a P..S-up in a Brewery!”

Grace was said by Larry Ross AFTER Rob started O Canada, followed by a toast to Her Majesty the Queen and Canada. You would figure Rob would have it right by now!

There was no head table to introduce. In addition, Rob forgot the birthday list! Happy Birthday to you if it’s yours this week! The upside, of course, is that we didn’t have to sing!

Guests were too numerous to mention!

Brian St. Hilaire obviously showing the effects of three weeks in Australia	Norm Krieger shows off the new Rotary dress code

Happy Dollars

John Crossingham

John Crossingham did the honours with President-elect Brian’s hat, as the organizers had apparently forgotten the basket too! John paid $2 U.S. to tell us that his son’s band, “Broken Social Scene” had been booked for two sold out concerts in New York City. He also pointed out that B.A.R. was surreptitiously trying to increase its membership by absconding with the wine!

Ross Tucker and Anne Bain

Betty-Lou Souter paid $10, partly for her new 7lb 4oz grandson, as well as for Anne Bain’s recent wedding (the photo was beautiful). She also thanked Earl for all he had done for the club.

Foster Zanutto was happy about his new makeover, but was drowned out by George Darte who advised “lay down—I’ll do it for free!”

Alex Elliott and John Crossingham

Doug Geddie was happy that the golf tournament was a huge success, having raised about $30,000. He thanked all those who helped, and advised that Ryan, from the NPCC was doing better.

George Park thanked Doug and others for a great golf tournament, and even gave them credit for the great weather.

Alex Elliott was happy to have been at the induction of the District Governor at Hamilton GCC, but was even happier that he saw Mike Weir and Lori Kane there.

Richard Wiley paid $2 because he was happy to have both his wife and his neighbour (a new grandma) in attendance.

Earl paid $1.50. He was half glad the year was over, and also happy to have Diana and his daughter in attendance.

Don Fraser also paid a US Buck – happy for a new granddaughter.

Sam and Marianne Walters

Sam Walters actually paid a buck to apologize for his “faux pas” with the wine. (It wasn’t HIS wife…)

Rob Reid paid several bucks, to thank Sam for organizing, to thank Earl for a great job as president, and to suggest that 20 guys should get together to do what Foster had done and “make a statement!” He was also happy for his 27th anniversary with Margie (George again…”St. Margie!”)

Rachel Delaney was happy to advise that her Kiwanis Duck had won $500 in the recent duck race.

Jacquie Herman

Art Wing paid a buck being happy for his 9th anniversary with Jacquie.

Jacquie Herman paid $3!… not only for the anniversary but also because her daughter and son in law are moving back to Canada. He will be the President of Eli Lily Canada. The last buck was for her granddaughter, whose excellence in academics won her a President’s citation.

George Darte finally paid to talk…he told Foster “we could make you look a helluva lot better than that!”

Brian St. Hilaire paid $5. One for President Earl, who only let one meeting (his first) run overtime, $3 because his wife and kids weren’t there (last day of school outing), and the final buck because he was very happy to have so much money in his hat!

Brian St. Hilaire, happy to see so much money in his hat.

Program
President's Farewell

Rob Reid awarding President Earl the Paul Harris Fellowship

Paul Harris Fellowship: Rob Reid advised that there had been some debate as to the validity of this award automatically going to the outgoing President…no reflection on Earl, but is it becoming a routine thing? Having said that, he advised that, if anyone shows commitment to Rotary, it is the President. It was therefore decided that there is no change this year, and congratulated President Earl. He then placed the medal on Earl.

Rachel Delaney then reminded us all that behind every great man is an even greater woman, and presented St. Diana Alton with a lovely bouquet.

Nancy Geddie

Rob Reid then began the “Roast Earl” proceedings, by telling us how Earl, due to job commitments just prior to his term expressed reservations about being able to serve as President. Rob said he saw tears in Anne Bain’s eyes!

Nancy Geddie had a golf story about Earl, who apparently has no time for women on the golf course. One day Earl was in the foursome behind her, and she hit her drive on a par 3 hole, 2 feet from the pin. Earl immediately piped up: “Bet you a buck you don’t make it!” Earl did pay up, though.

Art Wing

Art Wing told us about Earl’s reaction to Art standing for district governor: “Are you out of your tree??” Of course, that could have been because even though Earl disagreed with the district budget and was withholding our dues, when Art was elected we had to pay up!

Peter Banwell relayed Earl’s 5 secrets to achieving happiness in Marriage:
1. Find a woman who…
2. Find a woman who...
3. Find a woman who…
4. Find a woman who…
Now you may fill in the blanks with these attributes, but the 5th secret is “Make sure these four women do not know each other!”

Peter Banwell

Rob Reid shared an observation about Earl’s tendency to comment from the podium with razor sharpness. After Hugh Mahoney had glowingly introduced son Peter to the club, Earl remarked: “If it were my son, I wouldn’t need a paper to read off!”

Doug Geddie then carried on the theme of Earl’s strong opinions, telling us that Earl has a group of 15 golfing buddies at Lookout, and they always play by Earl’s rules. He went on to say, however, that Earl’s strong opinions, strong principles, and sense of honour, make him a great Rotarian, and he is thrilled to have introduced Earl to Rotary.

Ross MacDonald

Ross MacDonald told us that he was surprised when he received a phone call from Earl, asking him to chair the Polio Eradication Fund campaign. He found out, however, that his strongest committee member was Earl, who helped greatly in the committee’s raising $35,000. He encouraged all committee chairs to seek out Earl as a member.

Chris Bangham

Chris Bangham then announced that as an ordinary member, Earl must now join B.A.R.

Rob Reid then presented President Earl with two pictures, one from the world rowing championships which needed a home, and the other a magnificent print of the 17th hole at St. Andrews Scotland. He told a long story about how in fact golf is a great analogy to being president of Rotary.

President Earl, of course, had the last word. He didn’t realize it was going to be over until Peter Banwell asked him if he was looking forward to it being over! Now he is! While he was honoured to be President, he is looking forward to being “past”.

He then expressed his thanks to the following:
The Executive and to Maurice Gomme in particular for his commitment
Rob Reid, for agreeing to be twice “past”
Brian St. Hilaire, who won’t need too much help
Betty McLean
His wife Diana for her support and understanding
His Employer, who was very understanding

Doug Geddie receiving the Charlie Complin Award

Earl then gave us a snapshot of the year in review, including a successful Rib Fest, the move from the Holiday Inn to the Golf club (with special thanks to Rachel), the amazing success of the TV auction, the polio + campaign, with special thanks to Ross for his “passion”, and finally the great golf tournament, with thanks to Algoma as partners, as well as to all those who helped out.

His one challenge as incoming President was fulfilling plans made previously by the long range planning committee.

He then mentioned that the Ice Path continues, and he was happy with our budget restructuring. He was also very happy with our new website, noting what a great improvement we have made this year, thanks to Roger and others.

Having met with many other clubs over the year, he now truly realized how blessed we are as a club.

President Earl then performed his last duty as President, by awarding the Charlie Complin award, which recognizes a Rotarian who has made the greatest contribution during the year. The award went to Doug Geddie.

Earl’s last words: He found out “You can’t screw it up in a year!”

Diana, Earl and Shelley Alton