Rick Evans led us in Oh Canada, Jean Girgenti offered Grace, and we toasted the Queen and Canada.

President Larry introduced the Head Table - to introduce our speaker, Betty-Lou Souter; GSE Team Leader from the Philippines, Maria Antonia G. Canave; President, Larry Iggulden; Sergeant-at-arms, Henry Becker; Rotarian in the Spotlight, Rick Merritt; Registrar, Pat Hoggan

Rotarian in the Spotlight - Another week, another banker - this week it's Rick Merritt, married to the lovely Carol, and father of two sons and proud grandfather of two grandsons. Rick joined Rotary in 1997 and has served on many committees but will always be known as our Chief Pig, having been the founding chairman of Ribfest. Rick has been involved with several community organizations including the Business Education Council, United Way and Chamber of Commerce. Most importantly he is our Club's President-Elect.

Birthdays - Sept 26 - Jim Denham

Jim Denham

Announcements

George Irvine announced a meeting of the Gala Dinner committee after today's meeting.

Sam Walters came forward to do his weekly cheerleading for the Auction Canvas. He had a story about a teacher and the world's greatest man. If you need to get into the Auction warehouse, see Dave Stevenson.

Sam Walters

Happy Dollars

The Bird-man, John Bird carried the basket. John spoke about a Rotary Park on the river in his home-town of Port Hope, with a plaque which listed all the previous Club presidents including his Dad, president in 1936-37.

Brian St. Hilaire spoke about Barb Wright.

Elizabeth Forsyth is happy to have had four years in our Club, but sadly is leaving us as her company moves to Kitchener/Waterloo.

Mark Zammitt is happy to have ridden through Rotary Park with 1400 other cyclists.

Foster Zanutto is happy to be on the number one Auction Team.

Dutch Erling is happy that today is his birthday even if he wasn't listed in the program. That prompted an extemporaneous round of Happy Birthday.

Peggy Davidson is happy to be off to Virginia to golf.

DG Art Wing is happy to be able to attend a meeting at his own club.

Jean Armitage is happy to be with the GSE Team.

Bill Finley is happy to have had two weeks in Ireland.

George Park is willing to forgive Bill for being Irish.

George Doty had this week's zinger - about a snowstorm and a widow.

Coach Denham is happy to have had five minutes of sleep with his young family.

Debbie Sevenpiper is happy to have the hospital announcement.

Pat Rooney is happy to have enjoyed a coffee courtesy of Graham Kennedy.

Jagdish Mehta is happy to have been introduced to Rotary by Bill Finley.

Norm Kreger is still looking for trail-builder volunteers.

Betty-Lou is happy for all the support for Community Care during the Wine Festival parade.

Pat Hoggan is happy to have completed her TV Auction canvas so now she can go to Florida.

Team DG

50/50 - Lezlie Murch drew a card, but not the right card.

Program
Group Study Exchange - Team from the Philippines

Team DGBL

Team Leader Maria Antonia G Canave, Fr. Reynaldo R. Rebebes, Annalyn C. Lopez, Dr. Yvonne T. Seriano, and Michael Camilo G. Datario

Betty-Lou introduced the GSE team from District 3790. GSE began in 1965 between Japan and the US. She outlined that a team is composed of four young people between 25 and 40 years of age who travel to another Rotary District somewhere in the World. Jean Armitage took a team from our District to the Philippines, and today we have the opportunity to reciprocate.

The GSE Team was introduced by team-leader "Tennete" who began by exchanging banners with President Larry. She is a past-President of the Rotary Club of Bauang La Union.

Tennete

Each team member came forward - one a lawyer, one an obstetrician-gynecologist, one a priest and prison chaplain, and one an executive secretary in the real-estate business.

District 3790 has 92 clubs and 2,973 members. Michael spoke to us about the Phillipines - capital Manila, and a country composed of three island groups. There is no winter, only a dry season and a wet season. In 1945 after the war, the Philippines was granted independence from the United States.

The Philippines has a population of 84 million, and the major religion is Catholicism. We saw slides of festivals, the geography, the animals, their foods and their natural wonders.

Harold Nash thanked our speakers and President Larry added his thanks.

Next Week - Salvation Army and their Response to Disasters

Our Accessible Garden - Gardening can sometimes be difficult for seniors. The Seniors Committee recently provided an elevated flowerbed that makes wheelchair access possible for the residents of Versa Care on Scott Street.

Accessible Garden