Gerry Wooll received a standing ovation for being awarded a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for recognition of his many contributions to the Canadian Community.

The Rotary TV Auction: Cam Hathaway (email @ camhathaway@dsbn.edu.on.ca) still needs a number of time-slots filled for the TV Auction, especially Saturday night (party at the Mansion House after). Sam Walters still needs 4-5 volunteers for the “cash staff” for Sunday shifts from 10 am- 4 pm

President Earl remembered that wine gifts were forgotten to be given to Bill (“Spillmore”) Ford and Hugh Mahoney for their contributions during the Remembrance Day presentation.

Margaret Jarrell still has some Rotary golf shirts for sale.

Next week’s meeting will be held at the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club. There will be a new “Attendance Box” for your cards rather than leaving them on the tables.

Happy Dollars

Led by Ray Bukovec, he congratulated Gerry W. and noted that if he had a dollar for every Rotarian member’s picture in the Standard lately, that this club would end up paying him to be here.

John Crossingham looking forward to cross-country skiing and drinking more Gamay Nouveaux.

Chris Bangham back from beautiful South Africa told us of the great Rotarian hospitality down there.

Bob Lawler paid one happy dollar and one to Ray?

Don Fraser thanked John Nitsopoulos, the Holiday Inn and staff for the great hospitality over the past years.

Bill McKay happy that George Upper was here and a good supporter of TV Auction. Bill also looking forward to lunch with Potsy but asked who had to pay?

Rachel happy for 17 years of wedded bliss.

Margaret Jarrell noted that guest Rebecca West snuck in.

Rebecca West happy to be here.

Jacquie Herman thankful for Holiday Inn & staff hospitality.

John Lehnen happy to work with George Upper on Rotary Skate Park too.

Doug Geddie noted meeting for Children’s committee Dec 2/02 @ 5pm @ “Y” and happy for his son’s walking concert in a Taipei park.

Martha Abra thanks for the warm welcome to the club.

Dave Stevenson happy that his rink tied for 1st place in recent bonspiel.

Earl noted this week being the last at the Holiday Inn, extended many thanks and congratulations for a great job to the staff.

50/50 Draw: George Darte won lunch.

Program
John Nitsopoulos - Classification Talk

John Kerklaan introducing John Nitsopoulos

John Kerklaan introduce today’s speaker who he has know and been friends with for a long time. Johnnie (Jaanie?) Nitsopoulos is the second son of five and hails from Macedonian Greece. He immigrated with his family to Canada in 1968 full of anticipation and entrepreneurial spirit. Starting in Danforth shining shoes the family bought their first restaurant in St. Catharines in the 70’s. John is married to Mary (the Slovenian Queen) since 1978 and has 3 children; 2 in university and one in high school. John enjoys golfing, traveling and being with his family.

John Nitsopoulos

John Nitsopoulos extended thanks from he and his brothers and staff to the club for the years of service they were able to provide. John was born in 1953 in Greece. John told us that somewhere around 1912 the family name was changed from Nitso as all good Greeks need a little “poulos” in their life. John upbringing was a wonderful cultural mix of Yugoslavian and Greek. Strong family ties and an excellent work ethic were taught at an early age. At the age of only 11.5 John and another boy went to another town to live and board in order to further their education. This was a time of growing up really fast and learning to take and accept responsibility on his own. Compared to today’s kids, it was a rough time period and he was homesick for the first three months. (John’s kids: “Oh Dad…those were the old days…”). John’s father was an only son who originally thought of moving to Australia instead of Canada. John’s grandmother was not fond of this idea (too far to swim home!) and talked of keeping the farm in the family. John’s father traveled here on a 7-month trip and was convinced to move to Canada. The move was expensive but worth it to provide opportunity for the future.

His Uncle sponsored the family and they started their shoeshine enterprise with vigour and thus began the family-spirited operations. In 1972 they started the Chicken Burger in Toronto. In 1974 they opened the Double M at the Pen Centre; 1993 bought Howard Johnson’s; 1995 Ramada Parkway; 2000 Holiday Inn. The family operation believes in “sticking to what you know”, “build it and keep it”, “maintain the strong family bond” and “living within your means”. Community has been an important aspect of the business in the past and the family looks to the future to continue to build and partner with the Community by promoting and supporting various venues.

John Nitsopoulos

As a family unit and family business model they have succeeded in the face of many and varied temptations to change. Five brothers, five concepts, five egos, five individual family units with spouses and children…. one family. John closed by reflecting how beautiful Canada is, the many opportunities they have been afforded and the stamina they learned to work the challenges they face and to teach the next generation the same principles.

George Darte thanked John for his presentation noting that the family has set new standards within this Community for giving back to St. Catharines. The Community thanks the family and he noted that it just might be that the spouses may wish to talk to Grandpa who once said “ Boys…you are the boss at work…let the wives be boss at home.” George then offered a special thank you to John, his brothers, and the staff at the Holiday Inn, for everything they have done for us over the years.

Earl presented John with a bottle of Niagara’s finest and thanked him for being so open with us, especially for his honesty in that he too did NOT buy into Trivial Pursuit.

PSST: Check out the website for the Auction @ www.rotarytvauction.ca You can search by category of items, see pictures, etc. Please visit and offer some feedback.