President Jim opened the meeting. Jared did the 4 Way test and Paul T. said the Innvocation.

 

SAA Jim Johnson  said there were 23 1/2 members present. Guests were Kaitlin McIntyre, Karen Koeling, Kim Gagne, Randy Borne and Bridget Jensen. The last three being spousal equivalents.

 No Health and Good Cheer.

Ben Jeffries is a new dad for the second time. He appears very happy and excited inspite of the sleep deprivation etc.

Larry Brokenshire had another birthday. Larry has two birthdays every year.

Dean Barreca said that he and his wife had a lovely vacation in darkest Peru. They visited Machu Picu.

Jokester is here but preparing for his cameo appearance later in the meeting.

 

Marcia Renner did her Rotary Minute: She has now been in Rotary for 11 years, brought into the fold by George S. She is happy to be in Rotary and leading a busy life. She has been doing Seniors Home Care ( Isn't there and Angel in the somewhere?) for a number of years and now also doing Real Estate for the last 3 years.

She has two older sons. She is here today with here partner Randy Borne.

Jim McPherson reminded us of our tree planting escapade this Sunday at Rare and now the time is 10 am and I think we park at the Slit Barn on Blair Road. Kaylee has organized this. Bring a spade  or shovel and wear appropriate clothing. We have to plant a tree for every Rotarian. The trees are getting nervous.

Also Jim reminded us of the 3 club social next week at Beer Town next Thursday. It's at 5 pm.

Linda B. said that the Veterans Golf Fundraiser on May 14th is now sold out for participating golfers. But there is a waiting list so please complete your registration on line.

 

Jim also reminded Board Members of the meeting next Tuesday at 82 Rosslin Rd. I did not get the start time.

So Paul McMenemy did his ' Who am I '.  This is a long one folks so go to the fridge for another beer or grab a coffee. Also do a pit stop. I will try to shorten it  but Paul has lived a lot. Maybe he should have two birthdays per year too.

 

He first came to Rotary when Erica was President.

He came to Canada on a boat in 1966 when he was six years old. He came with his mom and 4 sibs. His dad was already over here working and figured a boat was the cheapest way to get his family over here. ( I had a dad like that too)

They landed in Quebec city and thought the boat had made a wrong turn due to the foreign language.  A Scotsman with a Burrr  complaining that he can't he can't understand  what is said?????

His dad met them and they took the train to Galt.

Paul said that coming to Canada was the best decision that his family made.

As he grew up Paul went to a whole bunch of schools with names starting in ' St'. such as St Peters , St Ambrose, St Benedicts and then St Jerome.  St Jeromes because he wanted to box and wrestle. Marcia went to some of the same schools but did not want to date him.

He joined the Canadian Military after High School. He was initially in the Infantry but then made it through the difficult training of being in the Special Forces.

He did some UN Peace Keeping missions in Cyprus and the Balkans.  One day they got caught between the Turks and the Greek Cypriots. Unfriendly fire from two sides. UN soldiers wear blue helmets so they are easier to see. He also did some stuff he cannot tell us about.

He had a hard time being a civilian once out of the forces. There was a lack of routine and structure.

His dad and brother were both Paratroopers in the British Army so there is a strong family history of military service.

He has two kids by his first marriage. His daughter shows the McMenemy spirit by going on the get 2 University degrees and raise four kids , all after being through a devastating cerebral aneurysm.

He has had several job careers...the hockey card business, 16 years in the Blind and Drapery Business ( somehow I can't picture Paul selling draperies).  Too make a long story short he now works for our Pres. at Keystone Fitness Equipment after they went on a sketchy trip to Las Vegas.

He finds Rotary very rewarding and he and his wife Suzanne are very active in our club. The Veterans Golf fundraiser is of special interest.

 

He finished with his ' piece de resistance'  , his famous ' posse ' joke. Things have come full circle.

He was thanked by Mike Thomas.