The Rotary Club of Winnipeg – Charleswood held our annual Christmas dinner tonight at Breezy Bend Country Club. We gathered in the main dinning hall for fellowship, refreshments and appetizers prior to a wonderful turkey dinner. President Mandy Kwasnica opened the evening events by asking Dave Morris to hit the first note of O Canada, we all joined in quickly after that. President Mandy then advised that Dave Morris and John Inglis sponsored the wonderful music group that had been playing during the fellowship time. Click the image at right for photos.
President Mandy introduced our distinguished guests. Present tonight to enjoy the dinner were the following individuals and groups; Myrna Driedger (MLA and Speaker of the House), Marty Morantz (MP), Dan Sutton (Rotary Assistant District Governor). Present as well were invited guests from Urban Stable, Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce representative, James Favel - Bear Clan, Cheryl McCombe - Westgrove School Principal, Hambira family, Eduardo da Costa and family (Rotary Peace Fellow Alumnus), Isadora and husband (past exchange student)… Rotarians, family and guests.
The Sarge, Mike Dudar, went around the room allowing each table group to introduce themselves.
Jim Forestell recited a thoughtful Grace prior to the service of dinner.
Rotary Year Highlights
President Mandy had a list of the Charleswood Rotary Club accomplishments over the past year;
Westgrove School support – athletic shoes, financial donations, food donations. The 108 athletic shoes were arranged through Canadian Footwear and New Balance (Jack Wilson connections).
Urban Stable – Funding through golf tournament (with Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce and Winnipeg – West Rotary) $5,000 and $1,000 from club directly.
STARS – At the District Conference their exposure raised notoriety and raised $3,500. Of note is that one helicopter run costs $5,000
Glenda Werbowski – Knitting neck warmers and mitts for Westgrove students by the Parkway residents.
Adventures in Agriculture – high school students travel to Regina.
Adventure in Citizenship – high school students travel to Ottawa.
Trivia Contest presented by Eira Braun-Labossiere with assistance from Martin Labossiere.
President Mandy thanked all Rotarians for their support and guidance over the past year, additional recognition and thanks to / for the following;
We are once again helping out the Salvation Army with their annual Christmas Kettle Campaign. We will be manning the kettle at center court, Grant Park Shopping Center each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.. If you'd like to help by filling one of the available spots, or be put on the spares list, please contact Ed Toews. Please contact Ed for changes to and the latest schedule.
President Mandy asked P.D.G. Jim Forestell and P.D.G. Ed Thompson to come forward to make Paul Harris Fellowship presentations. Jim advised that the Rotary Foundation was founded over 100 years ago and has raised $4 billion over that time. Through the Foundation, $1 can immunize a child against polio, $50 can help provide clean water, $500 will help provide an anti-bullying program. Support for the Rotary Foundation is partially provided by Paul Harris Fellowships that are awarded after a US$1000.00 donation by, or on behalf of, the recipient.
Jack Wilson, an individual that truly lives by the motto, “service above self”, in order to improve the community. A voice of community service. He has made connections with many organizations including Urban Stable, STARS, IRCOM and Westgrove School. At Westgrove School, Jack arranged to have 75 pairs of athletic shoes donated to the students. Jack is always there when things need to get done. The word ‘NO’ seems to not be in his vocabulary. Jim Forestell presented a Second Level Paul Harris Fellowship to Jack Wilson (Rotarian).
Jim Forestell advised that when asked what he might like for a Christmas present, Jack stated that he needed nothing. Please make a donation to Rotary Foundation instead of giving him anything. Jim has recently received a note from Kris Wilson with a donation directed to the Rotary Foundation.
Myrna Driedger, MLA / Speaker, has been an MLA in Manitoba for 25 years. She has been an Honorary Member of the Charleswood Rotary Club for 20 years. If you should ever attend one of her Charleswood Legion luncheons, you will hear her mention support of the Charleswood Rotary Club. Myrna Driedger has always supported the annual LobsterFest with a tableful of guests. Jim Forestell stated that he was proud to present a Paul Harris Fellowship to Myrna Driedger MLA / Speaker.
P.D.G. Ed Thompson then took over the lectern and stated that Rotary started in 1905 when a group of businessmen began meeting in their offices on a rotating basis. That is where the name ‘Rotary’ came from. The first Rotary project was to provide public urinals in downtown Chicago. Ed Thompson then called Mr. James Favel to come forward.
iii. James Favel lives in the north end of Winnipeg. His chosen vocation was driving trucks, and actually owns his own truck. He saw illegal activities increasing in the community. The final incident that made him feel that he must act was the finding of Tina Fontaine’s body in 2014. At the time he said, “something more needs to be done”. In 2015 the Bear Clan returned. There are 1,500 volunteers in Winnipeg. They patrol various neighborhoods around Winnipeg depending on the day and time. James describes the Bear Clan as Goodwill Ambassadors. There are now 48 communities across Canada that have Bear Clan groups patrolling. Ed Thompson presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to James Favel. Ed Thompson also announced that the Rotary Club of Charleswood had a donation cheque to present to Mr. Favel for the Bear Clan.
Cheryl McCombe is the Principal of Westgrove School. She stated that she feels like she is in the right place at Westgrove. She presented a 6-minute video of activities at the school. This included Terry Fox Day, monthly assemblies, athletic shoe presentation, Halloween / costume day, Remembrance Day, Westgrove sings at MTS Centre, Cop Shop Day, Pow Wow program, Bauer hockey program.
There are lots to celebrate and be proud of at Westgrove School. The final slide in the presentation was ‘Until Further Notice: Celebrate Everything’. The school’s teaching plan is strength based. They believe that students can do anything they want to in life. Charleswood Rotary Club is very much a part of the support group for the school and students; the club assists in building student confidence.
The donation of the athletic shoes really lifts the spirits of the students. There are a few special shoes that are very popular. The students always return the shoes at the end of the school day. The Rotary club also provides educational resources and assists in engagement – ie. knitting helps the students by being a coping strategy. The garden boxes are a fantastic addition to the school for outdoor classroom education.
Growth mindset is a focus in the school. The word ‘YET’ was seen in many slides in the presentation. This refers to what the students still want to do. They have not done it ‘YET’. They may need more opportunity, time and / or persistence. Learning styles differ for many children. Art is used by many students to express their learning.
The teachers at Westgrove will be taking part in a P.D. day soon called ‘Building a Brain’. Choose learning well, not fast. Brain training takes time.
Westgrove School moto; Be Kind / Be Respectful / Be Resilient.
The food provided by Charleswood Rotary is used for breakfast as well as lunch for top-up of some student’s lunch. Funding for these programs is being decreased over time. Good nutrition increases learning. The Rotary Club is the secondary support. The school approaches food distribution with an ‘inclusive approach’. There is a classroom cart for each class. Every student in the classroom gets fed.
The financial support from the Rotary Club is used for literacy programming. This will include all subject areas but especially English Language Arts (ELA). The purchase of books for classroom libraries as well as books for the ‘hub’ of the school – the main library. The focus will be the purchase of more lower level reading books for the main library. When you increase the reading level of a community, you also increase economic growth / increase cultural engagement / decrease crime.
Funding will also be used for the purchase of special education apps for the I-pads.
Cheryl thanked the Charleswood Rotary Club for the support past / present and future. The club truly lives up to the Rotary service mission.
President Mandy thanked Cheryl for her presentation and recalled a conversation that they had at the start of the school year. At the time Cheryl asked President Mandy what do you get out of this support that Rotary provides the school? President Mandy replied, the heart felt satisfaction of ‘service above self’.
Iain Scott told a story about his surprise birthday party on the weekend. He was celebrating his actual birthday tonight at the Rotary Christmas dinner. He asked that we not sing for him tonight.
Glenda Werbowski was happy to put $4.00 into the pot to welcome and express her love for her very good friends from the Parkway, where they all live.
Muriel Sutherland was happy that the Wilson family has finished Christmas already at their house. They are off to Calgary on the weekend.
Jim Forestell stood to announce that he and Lorraine are celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary. We did sing Happy Anniversary for them tonight.
Janet Johnson was happy that she and Bill were able to switch seats in order to sit at their desired table with friends.
Dan Sutton expressed relief and happiness that he has recently received notice his wife has arrived home. She spent at least 1.5 hours stuck in crawling traffic on Winnipeg streets.
Chuck Crocker admitted that he is a Flyers fan…he was pleased that the score was only 7 -3 for the Jets.
Margaret Hemphill was happy that the actual launch of the West of Winnipeg publication has actually happened. The magazine contains an article focused on the Rotary Club of Charleswood!
Door Prizes
Rod Delisle – dinner for two at Celebrations Dinner Theater
Glenn Campbell – dinner for two at Celebrations Dinner Theater
Lyle Miller – mystery prize
Catherine Moltzan – wrapped bottle of ?
Assistant Sarge Darvin Jasper made the 50/50 draw. #6360 was pulled and Mike Dudar held the matching stub. A win of $70.
Next dinner meeting of the Rotary Club of Charleswood will be on January 6th, 2020.
Jack Wilson, an individual that truly lives by the motto, “service above self”, in order to improve the community. A voice of community service. He has made connections with many organizations including Urban Stable, STARS, IRCOM and Westgrove School. At Westgrove School, Jack arranged to have 75 pairs of athletic shoes donated to the students. Jack is always there when things need to get done. The word ‘NO’ seems to not be in his vocabulary. Jim Forestell presented a Second Level Paul Harris Fellowship to Jack Wilson (Rotarian).
Myrna Driedger, MLA / Speaker, has been an MLA in Manitoba for 25 years. She has been an Honorary Member of the Charleswood Rotary Club for 20 years. If you should ever attend one of her Charleswood Legion luncheons, you will hear her mention support of the Charleswood Rotary Club. Myrna Driedger has always supported the annual LobsterFest with a tableful of guests. Jim Forestell stated that he was proud to present a Paul Harris Fellowship to Myrna Driedger MLA / Speaker.
James Favel lives in the north end of Winnipeg. His chosen vocation was driving trucks, and actually owns his own truck. He saw illegal activities increasing in the community. The final incident that made him feel that he must act was the finding of Tina Fontaine’s body in 2014. At the time he said, “something more needs to be done”. In 2015 the Bear Clan returned. There are 1,500 volunteers in Winnipeg. They patrol various neighborhoods around Winnipeg depending on the day and time. James describes the Bear Clan as Goodwill Ambassadors. There are now 48 communities across Canada that have Bear Clan groups patrolling. Ed Thompson presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to James Favel. Ed Thompson also announced that the Rotary Club of Charleswood had a donation cheque to present to Mr. Favel for the Bear Clan.
Cheryl McCombe is the Principal of Westgrove School. She stated that she feels like she is in the right place at Westgrove. She presented a 6-minute video of activities at the school. This included Terry Fox Day, monthly assemblies, athletic shoe presentation, Halloween / costume day, Remembrance Day, Westgrove sings at MTS Centre, Cop Shop Day, Pow Wow program, Bauer hockey program.