President Doug called the meeting to order by reading the Land Acknowledgement Statement. This was followed by the members singing Oh Canada (led by Dave) and then the following words of Paul Harris in his message to the participants of the 1916 Convention held in Cincinnati, Ohio:

Thought for the Week “It would be in keeping with the tendency of the times if Rotarian activities narrow rather than broaden. The narrower the stream, the deeper and swifter the current and the more clearly defined the channel. This is a day of specialization. Perhaps Rotary will prove to be an exemplification of specialization in clubdom.”

ROTARY MOMENTS

CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY

The club’s Christmas Dinner is taking place at Breezy Bend on Monday, December 13th and besides the 35 fully vaccinated Rotarians and partners who have bought tickets, the event expects to host Myrna and Hal Driedger, Councillor Kevin Klein and wife Heather as well as DG Dan Sutton and his wife Peggy. The dinner party starts with cocktails, appetizers and fellowship from 5:30 to 6:30. Rod will also have his camera set up during that hour to take Christmas photos. The Bell will ring at 6:30pm calling all to be seated for the meal.

CHASE THE ACE, SERIES 2, WEEK 2

Eloise Lyon was the winner of the weekly jackpot ($28.00)

The Rotary Club of Winnipeg-Charleswood has hired Public City to undertake a strategic design plan for the Assiniboine Forest. The strategic design plan is the result of having carried out a site investigation, a community consultation and collaboration between Public City, the Rotary Club, and the City of Winnipeg Naturalist Services Branch. The intention is to preserve the natural qualities of the forest while also looking to improve and enhance existing facilities to serve visitors of all ages and abilities. Besides developing a new graphic design to represent the Assiniboine Forest, the main project areas include ideas on an interpretation centre, wayfinding signage, a public washroom, possible parking options, a way to recognize donors and adding to existing pathways to make them accessible to all.

Jack showed images of the new graphic design prepared to represent the Assiniboine Forest and briefly discussed the various options that the Assiniboine Forest Enhancement Committee has to deal with before making any decisions.

It was interesting to learn that there were over 200,000 person-visits that went through the Assiniboine Forest in the past year. CPAWS (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society) is quite interested in developing an education program that would involve the Forest, which in turn would involve students from all over the city and from outside Winnipeg as well.

Jack ended his presentation by inviting members to feel free to ask questions any time about what is going on in the forest or about becoming more involved with the Forest.

Acting Sarge Darvin welcomed potential new member Wendy Hales to the meeting, then asked Membership Chair PDG Ed to briefly introduce Wendy to the members. We consequently learned that Wendy has been contributing $100 monthly for the past year to the club’s Westgrove School breakfast program. She is a financial advisor with Edward Jones. Wendy also helped out the club a bit in the Forest.

HAPPY BUCKS

Acting Sarge Darvin’s call for Happy Bucks produced the following:

• Ed Toews had three Happy Bucks – one for the Bombers, one for the Jets and one for his son Colin, who has totally forgotten that he had COVID now that he’s a father.
• PDG Jim had a couple – one for the cruise they recently enjoyed and another for the cancellation of someone else’s COVID booster shot that he and Lorraine were able to get instead of having to wait until December 23rd, when the next appointment was available.
• Chuck was glad that the Flyers (Philadelphia’s NHL hockey team) have a new coach, “so it only can improve”
• PDG Ed was delighted to inform the club that the Assiniboine Forest project has just received a donation of $8000.00.

Correction: Speaking of sizable donations, President Doug explained that the $300 donation toward the Westgrove School breakfast program referred to last week came from Jeff Kulikowski & Kelly Clements.

FINES

Acting Sarge Darvin fined every member that had not had a conversation with a potential new member - Wendy Hales - this evening. Wendy’s table mates and PDG Ed were exempt from being fined.

50-50 DRAW

The ticket number drawn belonged to Ed Gramiak. The marble Ed pulled out of the bag of marbles was white, not blue. Better luck next time!

MEETING REMINDERS

1. Club Board Meeting on Tuesday, Dec 7th @4:30 pm. on Zoom.
2. Next meeting after that will be the Christmas Dinner Party on Monday, Dec 13th at Breezy Bend.