Gossip Sheet # 9 - September 2, 2004
Editor: John Lehnen

Larry Iggulden

First Vice President Larry Iggulden called our meeting to order today at The St. Catharines Golf & Country Club. Joining Larry at the head table were:

•  Guest Speaker Introducer: John Potts.
•  Guest Speaker: Gerry Ginsberg, Niagara Wine Festival.
•  Sgt-at-Arms: Harold Nash.
•  Member in the Spotlight: Eugene Gillies.
•  Guest Introducer: Dave McAdam.

Guests

Dave introduced our guests including:Gerry Ginsberg, Watson Reid and Mark Fiero

Announcements

Liz Palmieri

Liz Palmieri introduced two Proud Rotarians, Chris Bangham and Terry Wilkes. Chris Bangham drew a comparison between the Dalai Lama and Rotary who share one thing, they both “get it right”. Chris recounted how in his previous job he used to look forward to Thursday noon as his “Oasis” in the week. He is proud to be a Rotarian because on a worldwide basis, Rotary everywhere shares the same sets of values. Terry Wilkes spoke of diversity and how Rotary allows those of diverse interests to pursue different avenues of service. He is proud that there is nothing that Rotary cannot do. He is proud of the things that all of the small Rotary Clubs around the world do in the name of humanity. Terry added his joke as follows. Queen Elizabeth and Dolly Parton reported at St. Peter's gates on the same day. St. Peter said he only had one space left. Dolly said, “Well, just look at me, I must be your choice!” Queen Elizabeth promptly emptied the contents of her purse into the toilet and flushed it away. St. Peter chose Queen Elizabeth and explained that a “Royal Flush” beats a “Pair” every day.

•  Nancy introduced the Canvas Team Captains as follows:

Rick Merritt

Rick Merritt announced that while some bills are still slow in coming in as well as some of the sponsor revenue, he and our Rib Fest Treasurer, John Potts, are confidently expecting our net income to be in the neighborhood of $85,000 to $90,000. WOW!!

Brian St. Hilaire

Brian St. Hillaire announced that the Major Grants Committee would have a meeting September 20 at 5:00 pm at his office (682-8363-106).

Eugene Gillies reminded us of the Dr. Bill Orr Gala Reception and Dinner Friday October 15, 2004. The reception will begin at 5:30 pm with dinner at 6:15 at Club Roma at 125 Vansickle Road. Cost is $45 per person for a 5-course Italian meal with wine and entertainment. Ticket order forms are on the tables each meeting or you can place your order and pay by credit card online at http://www.rotaryniagara.org The deadline for reservations is September 30.

Eugene Gillies

Martha Abra announced that the next Group Study Exchanges would be to the Philippines (General study) and Guatemala (Medical study). The exchange is looking for leaders (who must be Rotarians) and applicants. Selection will be in November and the studies will take place in Jan – March 2005.

Martha Abra

Happy Dollars

Norm Kreger

Norm Kreger led the collection with $3 Happy, Sad and Educational $. Happy that we had better weather than Guelph did for their Rib Fest last weekend; Sad for Guelph; and educational because one should never reheat a hard-boiled egg (in a microwave).

Liz Palmieri was happy to announce that she has hired Shareen Greenland as her assistant.

Brian St. Hillaire was happy to have squeezed a successful vacation in Florida between two hurricanes.

Jim Denham is happy that his 2 month old, Robbie, was rapt for 5 minutes of the Canada vs. Czechoslovakia game on TV last night (Canada 5, Czech 1).

George Darte was happy hat he and Greg Pinder won the Men's Master's E (F, or G or H ?) 2x at Henley this year.

Dr. George Park was happy that Shareen is working with Liz now.

John Crossingham was happy to have survived his attempts at gallantry relating to his offer of underwear to his wife (you really had to be there to get this one).

Mayor Tim Rigby was delighted with the successful first Mayor's Marché August 27 in the Marketplace.

Jurgen Knof was happy to have the use of the Boardroom at Sullivan Mahoney's offices.

Nancy Hostick

Nancy Hostick was happy to have enjoyed 3 days at Cross Creek Resort.

Art Weaver was $3 happy to have survived a race in the Adirondacks that was 32.5 MILES long (took 9 hours to complete); to celebrate his 30 th wedding anniversary; and to announce that the “Not your Usual 5K” all terrain 5K will be run on October 17 out of Malcomson Park. Proceeds go to Hospice Niagara. For more information call Art Weaver at 934-9090.

Larry Ross was happy to have completed his canoe and camping vacation with his daughter.

Art Wing was very happy to report that he had just returned form a seminar at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island where he met the incoming President of Rotary International. During this meeting Art had the pleasure of hearing a children's choir from Nicaragua who are among 1,700 students at a school sponsored by a Rotary Club in Texas. This school sponsorship came about because a Rotarian, while on a trip to Nicaragua, learned of these children who lived in the local dump where they slept, ate and recycled to sustain themselves. A week Sunday Art will be going to Alaska on Rotary business.

George Doty promised to pay $.20 per inch of rainfall that his son's hometown received last week. Apparently they got 10” of rain in the span of 10 hours (that comes to $2.00 George).

The Program
The Grape and Wine Festival and its Economic Impact

John Potts, a volunteer on the Festival Board for the past 8 years, introduced our Guest Speaker, Gerry Ginsberg. Our Festival now includes the Ice Wine Festival in January and the New Vintage Festival in June. Gerry came to us from London's Parks & Recreations Department 10 years ago and he has proven to be a real catalyst for our Festival.

Gerry Ginsberg reminded us that the City of St. Catharines and the Grape Growers Association of Ontario started the Niagara Wine Festival in 1952 as the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. He explained that the economic impact of the Festival on Niagara has been estimated by the Enigma Research Corporation as a part of a study done for the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation of the Government of Ontario of the 25 major events in Ontario. Our festival enjoys the following statistics:

• It attracted 519,000 attendees in 2003, 54% of whom were non-local.
• The average visitor spent $402 in Niagara. The average local attendee spent $139 in Niagara on products and services.
• Almost $39,000,000 in new spending occurred in the Region as the direct result of the Niagara Wine Festival in 2003.
• 1,038 full-time year-round jobs were created as a result of this new spending.
• 87% of those surveyed said that the Niagara Wine Festival enhances the image of Niagara.
• 81% of hose surveyed said tha tourists would find this to be a world class event.
• It is tied with Oktoberfest for recognition following behind the CNE and Pride Toronto.

The Festival has enjoyed growth due to excellence in product, programming and marketing. This year the Wine Festival Parade will be on September 25. Montebello Park will open on September 17 and will host 35 wineries presenting 80 wines and 18 restaurants as well as seminars, cooking shows and arts & crafts shows.

Look for the Niagara Wine Festival brochure shown above for a complete listing of events.

Liz Palmieri Thanked Gerry by referring to his remarkable memory of facts about and sponsors of the Festival. She told us that her kids, while working in Banff, flew home at heir own expense to attend the Grape and Wine Festival. Liz loves the Parade.

John Potts, Gerry Ginsberg and Larry Iggulden