Rotary Club Highlights - February 04 2016 - #28
Posted by Graham Kennedy
on Feb 10, 2016
Cindy Mewhinney , as president welcomed us all, and called on George Darte to say Grace, which he ably did. The Club sang ‘O Canada’,
(led by Rick Evans), and toasted Queen Elizabeth, (and the people of Canada).
Head Table:
Head Table:
Patricia Vanstone and Emily Oriold (Foster Festival Speakers), Cindy Mewhinney (President), Peter Mahoney (SAA), Robert De Wolfe (Rotary Story) and Andrew Adamyk, who welcomed today’s guest, Rosemary Hale (Jean Armitage) .
Birthdays:
Birthdays:
Harold Nash (J31), and Glen Sparks (F6).
Anniversaries: Ron Fast (5 years), sponsored by Eugene Gillies.
Rotary Story:
Anniversaries: Ron Fast (5 years), sponsored by Eugene Gillies.
Rotary Story:
Robert De Wolfe told us how he was made welcome as a visitor to a regular Sydney Rotary Club meeting (membership at 19!).
Here, he was able to share stories of our local fund raising efforts, while hearing of the Sydney lobster-fest dinners.
The warmth of the welcome awaiting any of us at Rotary meetings anywhere in the world speaks highly of the experience of family at Rotary,
The warmth of the welcome awaiting any of us at Rotary meetings anywhere in the world speaks highly of the experience of family at Rotary,
which is ours both to share and to enjoy even at Rotary meetings far from our home site.
Chris Blake introduced our speakers, Patricia Vanstone and Emily Oriold, staff members of the newly organized Foster Festival in St. Catharines.
Both Patricia and Emily have experience as actresses in theatrical productions, as well as business expertise which will serve them well in both performance and the operation of a new theatre company in St. Catharines (somewhere between Stratford and Shaw), which Chris characterized as having emanated from two deceased Englishmen.
Program:
Program:
Patricia and Emily evidenced their passion for the theatre, and the considerable composition work of Canadian playwright
Norm Foster (author of some 60 plays, including The Melville Boys). They are excited about starting a new Acting company in St. Catharines,
promising three plays this summer over a nine week period: On a First Name Basis (June 15-July 2, Here on the Flight Path (July 13 --30, and
Halfway to the North Pole (August 10 --27). Special thanks were given to sponsors Meridian and the Trillium Foundation, and both speakers praised the wonder of our new facilities in the Centre for Performing Arts.
Anne Atkinson offered Patricia and Emily our appreciation for their earnest and animated presentation.
Announcements:
Cindy Mewhinney informed us of two activities taking place on February 20: Trivia Night at the Lakeshore Club, and Start Me Up Niagara’s ‘celebration walk’ for the coldest night of the year. Rotarian involvement would be welcomed on behalf of the homeless people of our city.
Announcements:
Cindy Mewhinney informed us of two activities taking place on February 20: Trivia Night at the Lakeshore Club, and Start Me Up Niagara’s ‘celebration walk’ for the coldest night of the year. Rotarian involvement would be welcomed on behalf of the homeless people of our city.
Steven Tenyenhuis informed today’s speakers of our Club’s experience in home-grown theatre in the creative genius of John Crossingham ‘s productions (Club members offered various commentary) and asked for help in recruiting just the right young persons who could benefit from the RYLA convention upcoming this spring (Application deadline of April 1) .
Jansin Ozkur told us the story of his visit to Istanbul’s Rotary Club (Club membership is 30), where meetings regularly are held monthly or whenever people are able to attend. Jansin was invited to join on the spot!
Mark Zammit invited skiers to congregate at Ellicottville on February 12, 2016, while Peter Kudreikis encouraged us to buy tickets for a meal together, and attend an Ice Dogs hockey game on March 10 at the Meridian Centre.
Happy Dollars:
Larry Kent led us into Happy dollars without a joke (on short notice), and gave special recognition to Rosemary Hale who was visiting our Club today.
Jean Armitage is on the lookout for some long underwear for Pia (our exchange student from Germany), in preparation for her upcoming trip to the
Jean Armitage is on the lookout for some long underwear for Pia (our exchange student from Germany), in preparation for her upcoming trip to the
Arctic (Temagami).
Rick Merritt, just returned from Mexico, met someone at the airport who only knew one person in St. Catharines, our very own RaRa.
RaRa said she would be looking up her Mexican friend soon, and thanked Cindy for her always friendly greeting, deeply appreciated by new comers to the Rotary family; also, Vicky Rudachuk came to her assistance when she had a transportation crisis!
Lezlie Murch told us that the volunteer reading program at Lincoln Centennial School was in high gear, with one child proudly proclaiming “I’ve read a book!”.
Graham Kennedy ran into problems at a Church educators’ convention in Chicago when the Endowment committee was prevented from performing a skit which celebrated and broadcasted the committee’s mandate with specially ordered t-shirts featuring the word ‘ENDOWED’ (they were to be worn by committee members).
Margaret Jarrell somewhat unexpectedly, but quite professionally delivered a baby boy this past week. Mother and son, Jack, are doing well! Congratulations, Margaret!
George Park and his brother both suffered recently from atrial fibrillation on the same day in England (to the wonderment of both).
Ann Godfrey encouraged us all to skate for free on Family Day, courtesy of Fax in Niagara (Check the Fax site, or Facebook for locations!)..
Tom Pekar reported on his medical/dental visit to Guatemala, where his team extracted hundreds of teeth and performed dental surgery even on
Rick Merritt, just returned from Mexico, met someone at the airport who only knew one person in St. Catharines, our very own RaRa.
RaRa said she would be looking up her Mexican friend soon, and thanked Cindy for her always friendly greeting, deeply appreciated by new comers to the Rotary family; also, Vicky Rudachuk came to her assistance when she had a transportation crisis!
Lezlie Murch told us that the volunteer reading program at Lincoln Centennial School was in high gear, with one child proudly proclaiming “I’ve read a book!”.
Graham Kennedy ran into problems at a Church educators’ convention in Chicago when the Endowment committee was prevented from performing a skit which celebrated and broadcasted the committee’s mandate with specially ordered t-shirts featuring the word ‘ENDOWED’ (they were to be worn by committee members).
Margaret Jarrell somewhat unexpectedly, but quite professionally delivered a baby boy this past week. Mother and son, Jack, are doing well! Congratulations, Margaret!
George Park and his brother both suffered recently from atrial fibrillation on the same day in England (to the wonderment of both).
Ann Godfrey encouraged us all to skate for free on Family Day, courtesy of Fax in Niagara (Check the Fax site, or Facebook for locations!)..
Tom Pekar reported on his medical/dental visit to Guatemala, where his team extracted hundreds of teeth and performed dental surgery even on
children (who had drunk Pepsi because it is cheaper than bottled water, thus choosing to have tooth problems rather than dysentery, cholera and the like). Wells of Hope helped with the operation, supplying infrastructure, contacts, and transportation to remote villages.
Rick Evans received a thank-you card from Candice Harrison Train in South Africa (hosted here as an exchange student, 1989-90). She has completed her chemo treatments for breast cancer and appreciates our thoughtfulness and best wishes.
The 50/50 draw
Rick Evans received a thank-you card from Candice Harrison Train in South Africa (hosted here as an exchange student, 1989-90). She has completed her chemo treatments for breast cancer and appreciates our thoughtfulness and best wishes.
The 50/50 draw
Was ‘won’ by Ken Taylor, but the ace failed to show!
Next week’s Program features at least a report from the World Service Committee on its mandate and performance.
In closing, Cindy Mewhinney encouraged us to search for and practice inner peace as our way to encounter and react to pressures in our world.
Terry McDougall is going to the foster Festival!!