President Krysta Logozzo-Daniele welcomed 36 Rotarians and guests today. Guests included Bill and Jan Dickerson and their Dana who was our Guest Speaker, Paul DeBakker, Mal Balachandran and Mary Durward (Rotary District 5580 Youth Exchange lead from Minnesota).
 
Zoom Co-hosts: Warren Philp, Bob Tomlinson, Kevin Holloway. Thanks, Gents.
 
President Krysta commenced with a respectful land acknowledgement after O Canada was played – thanks Bob Tomlinson.
 
FEATURED PRESENTATION No. 1:
 
Kevin Holloway played the Dew Drop Inn video, a small masterpiece created by Kevin Holloway and a host of Rotarians showing how prep is done by our cheerful club members in the current Covid-19 environment with screens, PPE and “take out” style lunch. 
 
Kevin Holloway was M.C. of the show and our Fort Severn FN community member, Chief Paul Burke joined in as well as Past President Vonnie Cheng and Rotarian Brian Walmark and others.  Lots of fun!
  
 
Port Arthur Rotary has served at this site for 25 years.  Our Club is a well-oiled machine here with consistent good spirits.  Thanks go out to the large number who made this video possible.
 
FEATURED PRESENTATION No. 2
 
Back in 2005-2006, Dana Dickerson was chosen by the District to be our Club’s Rotary Outbound Exchange Student to France.  Today she recapped “A Year in (not Provence) Romans” which was an exhilarating experience in three host homes in southeastern France in the foothills of the Alps.
 
Dana was introduced by a former and veteran Thunder Bay host parent for inbound students, Past President Warren Philp.  Rotarian Doug Shanks, another former host, provided a summary of our involvement in this program.  The first Rotary Exchange Intern in Rotary generally was in 1929.  Our Club’s first Exchange Student were in 1979 and it remains a vitally important program. These young people have been great ambassadors in promoting world peace and understanding, and Dana was and is great example.
Dana went to a beautiful area and immersed herself in the language and culture. She even learned Spanish. Her language skills have been an asset ever since.  She gave a fine overview of her education and entry into the business world.  She currently holds an enviable position in the diplomatic service with the British Consulate in Toronto with a diverse range of activities supporting trade and investment between Canada and the UK, primarily supporting UK exports to Canada.
 
 
Dana spoke highly of the Youth Exchange Program, with its strong vetting policy and support for assimilation in foreign life such as techniques to avoid homesickness. She is clearly a fine and dynamic example of how everyone can benefit from this very important program. Dana hopes many students will experience a Rotary Outbound Exchange in the years to come.  Warren Philp wished her well and thanked her.  We will keep the door open for further updates from her down the line.
 
ANNOUNCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
 
Members have received a detailed summary of all upcoming events by email just prior to this meeting.
 
Of further note:
 
We extend sincere condolences to the family of the late John Litt, former Port Arthur Rotarian.
Bill Green was pleased with the 94% attendance rate and returns this past weekend at the Salvation Army kettles.
Dave Silliman anticipates a great Rotary Carol Sing this coming Sunday by live stream.   Rotarian Gil Adams founded this event in 1978.
Rotarian Brian Walmark is enthused about early Rotary Radio Family Day returns on ad sales. Some 17 one-hour spots are already sold and a about 250 ads have been sold so far.
The RFDA’s “Culinary Adventures with Celebrity Chefs Sandi Krasowski and Volker Kromm” for all local Rotary Clubs is still set for Wednesday December 16th.  Sign up ahead for $20 each. Yum!
 
 
#RFDA, #SandiKrasowski, #VolkerKromm, #PortArthurRotary, #DanaDickerson