Today’s meeting was hosted by Kevin Holloway with Bob Tomlinson and Mary-Anne Mackett co-hosting.
President Krysta Logozzo-Daniele acknowledged our place on 1850 Robinson Superior Treaty Lands, and welcomed 35 members on the Zoom platform. Guests included today’s speakers Jeff Gibson and Ryleigh Dupuis as well as Linda Penner all of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Rotarian Bill Bartley of Canmore Alberta and Dr. Paul de Bakker.
Kevin Holloway shared an outstanding version of O Canada by The Tenors, formerly known as The Canadian Tenors. Truly uplifting!
Announcements:
Bill Green reported on the successful Salvation Army Kettle drive participation. Contact Salvation Army directly as they could use more volunteers in this last week.
David Silliman reported on the success of the wonderful Virtual Carol Night. Some 352 people tuned in and money was raised for the Christmas Cheer Fund. Access the presentation on Vimeo at will; it will also be aired on Shaw Cable and on Rotary Radio Family Day! Terrific exposure. David noted Diana Hannaford-Wilcox’s dedication to the production of this event with many fine local musicians and personnel creating excellent content. Great work by musicians and well put together by Kevin Holloway!
Mark Tilbury reported on the Global District Scholarship grant – who won it and how. A Masters student from Fargo, N Dakota will head to Edinburgh to her degree Occupational Therapy with District and national funds of up to $50,000.
Warren Philp stepped in for Brian Walmark whose mother recently passed away to report on Rotary Radio Family Day ad sales: 15 of over 40 members have sold 300+ ads. We need more participation so we are exhorted to help tackle some 450 past prospects and our own immediate networks to seek support. Bill Everitt has tips on getting out there and challenged us all to even give $100 personally to support this effort. Think of how much we have saved paring down all our typical social activities during the Pandemic… Good point, Bill!
Reminder: Re Volker & Sandi Culinary Adventures cooking demo this Wednesday at 7 pm: see Website for details.
Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (TBSO)
Guest presenters Ryleigh Dupuis (GM and Executive Director) and Jeff Gibson (retiring Comptroller and former principal horn) were introduced by Mary-Anne Mackett. Their joint presentation was spirited, frank and encouraging. Covid-19 required a big shift from live to virtual performances and interestingly enough the virtual offerings meant not only significant local viewing but audiences from across Canada and as far away as Chile and Switzerland. Our orchestra has the highest level of support from the community of any orchestra in Canada; other orchestras rely more on ticket sales and government support. The Hilldale Church and Magnus theatre are strong partners as well. Great to hear!
See link for this interview: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/kJUlZ8lib4Cnm4VIFALVaIWO-ojpzArN_8TpwdGd6EOfvZetyXuzLSYZwtDQKc3H.qCrZz8DMyajKj4wW passcode: M3LaQ%pB
Rotarians were then privileged to view the premiere of an outstanding Christmas video ‘Imagine the Town of Bethlehem’ arranged by TBSO resident conductor Maria Fuller. Musicians played in the Hilldale Church and the choir sang in outdoor venues throughout the city. Beautiful, inspiring, moving - it was all of those things. There was a lively Q&A before Mary-Anne Mackett thanked them both for their talk to our Club on relatively short notice.
Warren Philp made a pitch for happy dollars and members responded: shout-outs to the TBSO and Covid vaccine roll out getting started.
President Krysta reminded us tomorrow is the Holiday Event Cooking with Volker, next week is a social Zoom meeting with a White Elephant gift exchange and music. There is a break after that with no meeting on December 29th.
Upcoming events/reminders:
- Wed Dec 16th, 7 to 8 pm – NEW DATE Rotary Holiday Event Virtual Cooking Class "Adventures in Cooking with Volker and Friends" Volker Kromm and Sandi Krasowski will prepare a European Christmas dinner. Cost $20, all proceeds to RFDA, recipes sent out after.
- Fri Dec 18th NEW DATE to leave gifts on porch – for the Dec 22nd Holiday Meeting White Elephant Gift Exchange - LAST CHANCE to join in - michael.nitz@td.com.
- Dec 29th Meeting cancelled.
- PA Rotary CENTENNIAL - Its hard to believe that our club's 100 year anniversary is around the corner! At this week's meeting Warren will tell us about a committee that is forming and will be looking for Rotarians to get involved.
- Rotaract Holiday Drive - Our local Rotaractors are hosting a Gift Drive in support of Adult and Teen Challenge Thunder Bay. Items can be dropped off until Dec 20th, 2020. Details included on the attached photo.
- Deck Your Biz - Thunder Bay Rotary Clubs and Rotaract are hosting "Deck Your Biz" a Festive Business Window decoration contest! We are asking local businesses to decorate their storefronts and submit a picture. The winning business window will win $1000 dollars to the charity of their choice. This also comes with bragging rights! Details included on the attached photo.
- Radio Day Family Day - 2 weeks left before 2020 pricing ends! Please email campaign Chair Brian Walmark if you have any questions bwalmark@tbaytel.net.