Our guests included our two speakers, Gail Richardson and Lisa McCormick from Bethlehem Housing Projects of Niagara; Visiting Rotarian Caroline Latham from Nago, Okinawa , Japan ; and, Karl Vanderkuip, guest of Rotarian Rick Vanderkuip.

Birthdays:

September 17: Ross MacDonald
September 19: Bill Orr
September 23: Angus Adams

Announcements:

President Tom announced that Bob Dunn's wife passed away.
INFORMATION NIGHT for, "EarlyAct…Community Service for Kids”. If you're a Rotarian, Principal, Teacher or Parent Advisor you are invited to come and learn more about this dynamic club for K – 8. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, at 6:30pm at the REAL CANADIAN SUPERSTORE in the Community Room located at 361 South Service Road, Grimsby, Ontario; Casablanca Exit QEW. RSVP: Chris Lowes, c.lowes@sympatico.ca or 905-892-9792.
Check out the District 7090 Electronic Newsletter: September is Youth Month and stories include:
- District Recognized by Zone 27-28
- More about Eastern Cities Dinner
- Friendship Exchange Committee Looking for Couples
- Meet your AGs
- Caring and Sharing – Clarence, Delhi , Dundas , Dundas Valley Sunrise , Dunkirk
- Short Takes and more……

The direct link for September's District Newsletter is: http://www.rotary7090.org/pdfs/districtnews/DN0709.pdf

Caroline Latham, our visitor from Okinawa brought raw cane sugar candies for all to sample and a banner from her home club for President Tom. She remarked that her area is famous for having the first cherry blossoms in Japan each year; they bloom in late December and early January!
John Potts announced that the new badges will be ready in November and that our deadline for information to Dave Feasby is September 30. He also announced that next week our meeting would be an attendance meeting. We will have assigned seating and each table will be required to advance a table representative to recount, ”When they first became a Rotarian as opposed to when they became a member of a Rotary Club”. Think about it and be ready to discuss your experience at your table next week.
Art Wing told us about a recent meeting in Halifax for our Rotary Zone (all Canada , parts of Russia etc.). He remarked that at present the President of RI, the President of the Rotary Foundation and the President of Polio Plus are all Canadians! Art went on to recognize community service by members through the Rib Fest. Those receiving certificates included the following:
- Earl Alton
- Tom Arkell
- Chris Bangham
- Judith Barker
- John Burroughs
- Jacqueline Clark
- Rachel Delaney
- Oraine DeRosa
- Ron Dubcek
- Dave Feasby
- Terry Keller
- John Lehnen
- Rick Merritt
- Liz Palmieri
- John Potts
- Pat Rooney
- Wade Stayzer
- John Travers
- Rick Vanderkuip
- Ross Burns
- Art Weaver
- Mark Zammitt

Norma Medulun announced that Team Eight is in the lead having brought in over $5,000 in auction items to date. So far we have 109 items in and 1,000 to come! Better get crackin'! Norma also announced that Meridian would buy lunch for every member of the team bringing in the highest retail value. Anyone who has not picked up their auction canvass kit please do so.
President Tom announced that the Board approved a leave of absence for Judith Barker.

50/50 Draw: Brian St. Hillaire had the winning ticket but drew the 5 Diamonds. The pot is now $971.

Happy Dollars: Wade Stayzer

Wade told a story about a young first nations boy. This boy told an elder that he had two wolves fighting in his heart; one was mean and fierce and the other was compassionate and gentle. The elder asked which one would win? The boy said the one he feeds would win.
Terry Wilkes was happy to announce that his grandson won his age group's Canadian Championship in karting. He will go on to Las Vegas in October to represent Canada .
Graham Kennedy was happy to relate a positive personal experience with the St. Catharines General Hospital .
John Potts paid for the cheap advertising mention he got (imagine: leaving your BMO credit card at the sign in desk just to get some airtime – oops and some print time too!). He was also happy to note that the 56 th Annual Wine Festival will get started tomorrow and for the first time they will be going in glass. Here's the web link: http://www.niagarawinefestival.com/
Peggy Davidson reported there is a sale at the Book Depot. For $30 they give you a carton and send you off to fill it with as many books as you can cram in. Peggy picked up a few and then filled the carton with children's books that she plans to bring to our Literacy Book Drive next month.
Oraine DeRosa was happy to report meeting our guest from Okinawa at a make-up with Lewiston-Niagara-on-the-Lake and asked her to visit our club too.
Tim Rigby was happy to report that he and Ginny had a wonderful trip on an Algoma lake boat from Lock 7 to Quebec City and back. Great experience.
Angus Adams was happy to report the he and his wife celebrated their 65 th wedding anniversary, his wife celebrated her 34 th birthday and that after consulting his daybook he realizes he will be celebrating his own birthday on September 23. In addition, he was happy to see another sunrise this morning.
Dave Edwards was happy to report many things: The Rankin Run donated $100,000 to Wellspring and $200,000 to the new Cancer Centre (WOW!!); his daughter made the Dean's Honour List in 4 th year; his son will be receiving his Master's in History next week in Ottawa; and, contrary to his earlier Happy $ that he and Maryanne have been married for 31 years, he is happy to correct himself – they have 32 years.
Art Wing was happy to note that many years ago, Ray Bukovec was in charge of replacing all of the badges – Ray sold you your old badge and raised a bunch of $ for the Club.
Kelly Buckley announced that she would buy a bottle for the team member on her own Auction Team who brings in the highest Retail. (Will the bottle be a bottle of Buckley's Mixture or will it be something that pleases the palate?)

Program: Bethlehem Housing Projects of Niagara.

Patricia Rooney introduced our guests, Gail Richardson and Lisa McCormick. Gail has been involved for 18 years of BP's 20-year history and most of it as a volunteer. She is now employed by BP as a Housing Support Worker. Lisa is a former resident of Bethlehem Place .

Gail began by explaining that BP is a provider of transitional housing where people can find refuge and counseling for up to one year. They now have two Early Years Centres where caregivers can go with their children to allow the children an opportunity to socialize and the parent to network. The children learn how to play with others and the parents learn how to discipline their children among other things. BP now has two houses on Welland Avenue in St. Catharines ; one has two apartments and the second has 4 apartments. Gail remarked that the Mayor and many dignitaries attended the opening of one of these and how sad it was that this was the first opening of an affordable housing facility in St. Catharines in 10 years! As a result of their experiences and successes, BP created a seminar package titled, “Skills for Success for Women”. This DVD along with the printed support materials is available commercially now and is used at many similar centres around Ontario . Through support from Mayor Rigby, the CAW Local 199 and $1.2M in fund raising, BP recently completed a 40-apartment building called Genesis Court in St. Catharines . They are now working on a similar building in Niagara Falls.

Lisa is a recovering addict. She grew up in an abusive environment and did not believe in anyone including herself. She eventually lost custody of her children, turned to drugs and “prayed for death”. In 2005 she moved into a BP apartment and signed a contract with BP. At the beginning she was haunted by the same demons, broke all of the rules and faced expulsion. BP did not judge her; they stated the two options before her and allowed her to decide which path to follow. This was her turning point. She began to participate in BP's programs, attended the Early Learning Centres with her children and started to believe in herself. She now knows that “there can be light at the end of the tunnel and that hope can spring eternal.” Lisa is now clean and sober and is involved with the BP Alumnae. She has a future and wants to continue her education. She said she would be, “forever grateful to BP for being loved back to life.”

The Club gave Lisa a standing ovation.

Gail wrapped up by explaining that the Niagara Falls project will be located on Kalar Road and that the property will have to be rezoned. They will be required to fund raise $500,000. The facility will be very similar to Genesis Court and will have 20 affordable apartments for singles and 20 for families.

Thanks to the Speaker: Blair Pollard

Blair thanked Gail and Lisa. He was proud that both his Rotary Club and his company (Canadian Tire Corporation) have supported BP in the past. He thanked Lisa for her courage in speaking to us today so candidly about her own life experiences with BP.

President Tom thanked our speakers and presented them with a dictionary that is being donated in the name of Bethlehem Housing Projects of Niagara to a local elementary school.

Next Week:

Membership Committee

Other Announcements:

• The Rotary District 7090 EarlyAct Committee is hosting an information night on "EarlyAct......Community Service for Kids"on September 24th at 6:30 pm at the Real Canadian SuperStore in the Community Room. If you plan on attending please RSVP to c.lowes@sympatico.ca, in order to allow us to provide adequate supplies.

• The 9th annual FACS Fall Gala is being held at White Oaks on Friday October 12th. For more info, or to book tickets, call 905 937-7731 ext 3304

• Niagara Suicide Prevention Coalition, Community Solutions Conference, Four Points Sheraton, Schmon Parkway, Thorold, ON. Evening of November 6 and all day November 7, 2007.

Rotary Theme
2007-2008