Brooks Rotary Club Tree Project in Honor of Canada’s 150th.jpg)
A lot of anxiety preceded this event, which included, would the preparation that was promised be complete, would any members actually show up to help, would the trees fit the site, and would the end product be as we had imagined?
First things, first. In planning for our event, our Brooks President, Leona Ferguson mentioned that our Rotary International Australian President, Ian Riseley has challenged all Rotarians throughout the world to each plant a tree. Given that many of our members thought it was a good idea (at least we didn’t hear any grumbling or mumbling) we put it on our to do list.
It was suggested that our Brooks Communities in Bloom might assist us with ideas for celebrating Canada’s 150th. They came up with three ideas, a Peace Park, trees and signage. We discussed and debated, kept the idea of the trees, and we reworked the ideas which then became benches in our parks and along pathways. The benches were more popular and well received by our members.
The next hurdle was to put together a plan and a budget for a Foundation Grant, by April 1 deadline which we did with some definitely required computer support. The budget for 30 trees (one tree per Rotary member) ended up at $3,300, and benches at $6,700 for a total of $10,000. Our club would, of course, be required to support $2,500, while Rotary Foundation support was $7,500. Letter of support from the City of Brooks was also obtained. Our project was approved, and so we move forward!Next steps were crucial to the success of the project. Organizing with our Brooks Parks Manager, and a local worker to auger holes in the cement-like dirt, (yes, the pin in the auger broke at least once), ordering of appropriate trees (spaces between campers were tight, so columnar species were ordered), cooperation of the weather (warm and dry, please), water for the new trees, (arrived with the water truck) and attendance by our Brooks Club Rotarians (many reminders and emails were required). It is somewhat of a relief to report that all went like clockwork! Even the weather cooperated, and most importantly, the picnic lunch from the Heritage where we normally eat arrived just as the last tree was tamped in.
We have a picture of 11 happy Brooks Rotarians in our group picture, along with City of Brooks Parks workers. We had one even happier Rotarian who arrived to a completed project and just in time for lunch.
The Spirit of the Day: Sun, Sweat and Fun
 Our bossy Summer President Inge Ellefson puts on her gardening best and cracks the whip! |  Mohammed Idris finds it rather back breaking. Thank goodness we were done in record time! He still had time to work up a real sweat! |  Nobody loves working harder than John Petrie! He always has such fun. |
 Of course, the women of Brooks Rotary are keeners, as women often are.  |  The old Ellefson farm truck gets loaded with top soil and peat moss and Richard Gette digs into the action!  Everyone pitches in, including George Edmonds, one of our “younger” members, and Norm Gerestein, our City Councillor. And, yes, our City Councillors are very hard workers! |  Norm moves dirt brought by the City truck, while Reg is moving top soil brought by our farm truck to mix for an improved chance for the trees to thrive and flourish.  George is our official foot tamper as he walked around the base of each tree to firm the soil. |
With all this activity, it is important to clarify who really needs much of the credit for our success. It was the City of Brooks Parks crew. Thanks, guys and gals, your efforts are much appreciated. We are truly thankful for all your efforts at making our job much, much, much easier! You might spot some of their orange apparel in other photos, as we work, toil and slave side by side.