President Glenn opened the meeting with a land acknowledgment. David Morris lead the group in the singing of O'Canada.

Sarge Lyle introduced guests, our guest speaker Bob Cox and his wife, Lena, Len Van Roon Sr., and Karl and Monica Gompf (guests of Cathy). Ed and Elaine Thompson were on Zoom. There were no anniversaries or birthdays.

Club announcements:

Assiniboine Forest - Jack reported that the new main sign will be installed soon (Update: Installed Tuesday, 10 January). Jack wondered if the old sign could be sold by auction. The Forest Committee will focus on fundraising in the coming weeks and months. Jack also spoke with Evan Duncan new Councillor for Charleswood who has written an article about the Forest. It will be published next week.

President Glenn spoke about an email from Patty Vann, District Youth Director regarding the "Youth 2 Youth" event this March. She reminded members that applications from students in our District are due by Wednesday January 20,2023. Applications can be completed on line at www.hipy2y.com. There will be five Indigenous and five non indigenous students between ages 15 and 18 selected to represent District 5550. There is no cost to our club nor to the students selected. If you know about deserving students in that age range, please contact Cathy Skene, our club's Youth Chair.

We are also seeking applicants from students to attend the Adventures in Citizenship program in Ottawa on May 14-17 The Board of Directors approved the expenditure to sponsor a student for this exceptional program that is now in its 73rd year. Again, please contact Cathy. The deadline is the end of February.

Golf Tournament - our club is partnering with the Assiniboine Rotary Club to host a golf tournament Thursday, August 17 at Bel Acres Golf Club. Our first face to face meeting was held last week. Jim Forestell, Cathy Skene, Ed Thompson and President Glenn are on the steering committee. We hope to have at least 100 golfers and will need everyone's help to spread the word and to participate in the event.

Nancy Morris reported that Honorary member Bill Johnson is in pallative care. She spoke with Bill's wife, Janet. Our thoughts to out to Bill, Janet and family during this difficult time.

Bob Cox is President of Canada's National History Society, a national charitable organization that runs programs to promote interest in Canadian history. It publishes Canada's History magazine for adults, Kayak magazine for kids and administers the Governor General's History Awards for champions of Canadian history. See https://www.canadashistory.ca

Iain Scott introduced our guest speaker, Bob Cox. Bob comes to the role after a 40-year career in Canadian journalism, culminating in a 15-year stint as publisher of the Winnipeg Free Press, western Canada's oldest newspaper. He was chair of News Media Canada, representing newspapers across the country, for seven years. His other jobs have included national editor of the Globe and Mail, city editor of the Edmonton Journal and Parliamentary correspondent for the Canadian Press in Ottawa.

Bob circulated the latest version of Canada's History magazine, formerly the Beaver (initially published by the Hudson's Bay Company). Bob spent years with the Canadian Press in Ottawa, in the centre of political life in the Capital. He covered Jean Creatian and has memorable stories including when the PM grabbed a protester by the throat. It took time to confirm that the incident occurred. It's part of Bob's stories and the country's story.

The importance of Canada's history is highlighted in the work of the National History Society, including lesser known stories (McIntosh apples). History classes have changed over the years. The Society supports this with the Kayak magazine, lesson plans, curriculum resources and recognition of teaching excellence.

Bob asked whether we've written our memoirs. It's a shame that it is not done more often. Life stories are lost. Story Works is a new program that helps you do this. https://welcome.storyworth.com/storyteller

An article about the History of the Free Press gave Bob an opportunity to learn more about Manitoba's history, including history of indigenous peoples in Canada. It highlighted the need to challenge and learn from history that can make us uncomfortable.

Nancy Morris thanked Bob for his insightful presentation and for the work of Canada's National History Society.

Happy Bucks

• Lloyd was happy that his flight to Toronto was canceled...resulting in him being switched to a direct flight. And his baggage arrived safely.
• Len was happy to see rime frost, which is not the same as hoar frost.
• Nancy was happy that her daughter and son-in-law came for Christmas, even though it was a little after Christmas.
• Cathy was happy to have had all of her children and grandchild together for Christmas, for the first time in several years. And really happy to have bought gas at $1.429/litre, which felt like winning a lottery.
• Chuck was happy to have had a good Christmas, even though it was without his children.
• Al Roberts was happy to have spent Christmas Eve at his son's huge new home (room for everyone), and Christmas at his nephew's. There was no cooking or cleaning for Al.

The draw - Our guest Bob Cox drew Jack Wilson's ticket. He did not pull the blue marble so the 50/50 game continues.

Next week - President Glenn said that next week's guest speaker has not been confirmed. We'll try to have this included in the invitation sent to members.