Today’s meeting was primarily about exchange students with Juliette being the speaker. As is usually the case, various inbound exchange students, outbound exchange students, parents, and host families are invited.
Today’s Guest List is therefore quite large and they are as follows:
Juliette – our exchange student from France;
Noah Godin and Trista Thomas – outbound exchange students;
Charmaine Thomas – mother of Trista (above) and also a host mother;
Faustine Achte, Julie Cordasco, Debbie Chou, Margaret Hayes, Jane Logan, Jan Barta and Karen Grassick – exchange students;
Laura, Drew and Beth Ruddy – guest of Dean;
Rose Warnica – guest of Glenn
Suzanne Soto – guest of Peter Skoretz
Announcements
President Catherine thanked the members of her Board of Directors for all the work they had done in the past year. She called her year a Status Quo year.
Gerry Willard publicized Lakeside a la Carte which is being held on August 9th. Monday June 15th is the deadline for purchasing tickets to be included in the Early Bird Draw.
Peter Thoem publicized the Telling Tales Festival scheduled for Sunday September 20th at the Westfield Heritage Village in Rockton. This is actually run by one of the Hamilton Rotary Clubs but we can help out by volunteering or donating children’s book to the cause. It is a free one day Festival promoting literacy and the love of reading. Peter mentioned that some of us may no longer have access to children’s books but he suggested that maybe Garage Sales would have something suitable.
Roy Cooper gave an update on Cam Rothwell. Apparently Cam went to England but got ill on the way home and is still not well. Roy reported that Cam is hanging in there and feels he will recover.
Marie Cresswell is undergoing surgery and will be out of commission for a few weeks. Get well Marie!
Glen Warnica indicated he and Rose are having a Farewell to the exchange students at their home on June 24th. It is a “drop-in event” from 5-8 PM.
Dave Beckett publicized the Golf Tournament which is being held on Thursday July 16th. They are looking for golfers and sponsors.
Bernie Scrivner reminded us there is no morning meeting next week – the meeting will be the Induction of our new President, Bryce Leggatt at 6 PM at the golf club.
Dean Rutty made an appeal for host families – please help Dean out in this regard.
Rene is doing fundraising for Big Brothers & Little Sisters and was requesting a $20 donation from 40 Rotarians which coupled with his donation of $200 would raise $1,000.00.
Guest Speaker – Juliette
Sheila introduced Juliette and reviewed Juliette’s goals and aspirations that she recorded when applying to become an exchange student. I wasn’t able to capture all that were mentioned but it was agreed that she appeared to have achieved most of what she set out to accomplish.
Juliette started out with a slide presentation, primarily of photos with the first of these at the airport on her arrival Aug 23rd. She had a photo of herself at Tim Horton’s and said she didn’t know what the big deal was about this place but she knows now.
She talked a little about her school in France where she took 5 years of English and stated she enjoyed our school system here where she could study art and take fitness which I assume are not offered in France at the High School level. Her school friends were important to her.
She also thanked her great host parents who were the Skoretz, Rutty and Warnica families.
She enjoyed her “Holydays” (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter) as well as other special days like Halloween.
She met Katri (our previous exchange student) and the President of Rotary International.
She reviewed the highlights of “things I have done” – meeting the other exchange students, helicopter ride over Niagara Falls, Burlington Christmas Parade, CN Tower, winter playing and tubing in the snow, visit to New York, Canada’s Wonderland, tubing in the water and other water sports, she went to the High School Prom, as well as many other events. She mentioned that she had to look after a young baby one night – changing diapers and listening to the baby cry and concluded that “I won’t be a mother soon”.
About Canada – huge country – beautiful; people were nice, kind, welcoming and polite; she enjoyed the animals we have here like squirrels, beavers, etc.; the weather could be so cold and yet it can be warm.
About herself – “it changed me so much” - the difference in culture and way of thinking; she is more mature and confident; she will always remember this year; she will always remember the many people she shared time and made friends with and concluded by thanking Rotary for giving her this opportunity.
President Catherine thanked Juliette for her presentation and the Rotary Members present gave her a standing ovation.
