Opening: President John opened the meeting calling for the singing of “O Canada” and Rotary Grace. He then proposed a toast to Queen and Canada.
Guests: Sgt. at Arms John Bennett announced the following guests who were warmly received: Sharron Coxon, Bruce Faulkner (Today’s speaker), Betty Fox and Ina Currie.
Humorist: Bernie scored a grand-slam with a terrific account of how a group of “know-it all” students totally exasperated their teacher!!
Duty Roster for next week, (October 26th)
Sgt. at Arms: Bert Lauwers and Erin Coons. Thanker & Fine master: Catharine Danbrook
Greeter and prize: John Hunter
Door prize donated by Anthony was won by Ron Cork.
50/50 Draw: The Pot now lives at $ 1668, as Dom Fox was not successful in his bid!!
Fine master Ian collected many happy bucks today.
Christine was happy because she was able to complete Rotary Leadership sections 1 and 2.
David Harvie made a pitch for Library week and some of its special features.
Lynda was happy because 56 participants of the Rotary Leadership Training programme graduated.
Sharon was happy because two of our participants of RYLA (from Lindsay and Fenelon Falls) have been awarded scholarship, each worth $ 1000.
Bernie was happy because he attended the last Blue jays game and will attend today’s game too!
Derek shared the news that he had to cut short an outing because of his father’s death.
Michelle was looking forward to today’s game and to spending time with her daughter.
Neil was happy that his son is now 4 years old.
Greg was happy that he reached an important birthday and also paid a return tax.
Rohan shared some Rotary celebrations: Michelle celebrated her 1st year as a Rotarian and David Harvie, his 15th. Jim & Janet Mackey celebrated their 41st anniversary, Greg & Jamie Clements, their 30th and Dennis and Mary Pitt their 61st!
Jill was happy to walk over fallen leaves while entering the building!
Ina Currie announced that next week she and Charlie will celebrate their 62nd anniversary.
Bert was happy because his wife phoned t say that their son has a permanent job, but more because his investment in his son’s 7 year post-graduate education is over!
Gary Traill put in $20 announcing that he has sold his business and with his wife Christine, will be moving to a place they bought in Mexico. They will be away until Spring next year!
Bernie Nickerson made a special presentation of a 1st Ruby Pin to Gary Traill in recognition of his contribution of $ 7000 to Rotary Foundation. (Paul Harris Fellow pin plus $ 6000).
President John Coxon made a statement about today’s “Twenty Five Year Club Member Celebration.” There are 15 members who are Rotarians for more than 25 years, 12 of whom have served as Club Presidents. Four of our members have served as District Governors. These 15 Rotarians including their spouses are:
Dennis and Mary Pitt 55 years Garnet and Joan Powell 40 years
Bruce and Lynne Faulkner 50 years Al and Betty Goard 43 years
Bill and Grace Crawford 43 years John and Pauline hunter 31 years
Dominic and Betty Fox 42 years George Trent 39 years
Bob and Lenore Puffer 34 years David and Jane Walling 28 years
Charlie and Ina Currie 36 years Bernie and Lillian Nickerson 33 years
John and Sharron Coxon 38 years James and Janet Mackey 25 years
Daniel Donaldson 28 years
Past Presidents Charlie Currie, Dominic Fox, Allan Goard, Bruce Faulkner and Bernie Nickerson who were in attendance were presented with a special pin by President John.
Today’s Speakers were Bruce Faulkner (Reflections of our Club’s history prior to 25 years ago and James Mackey (Reflections of the last 25 years).
Bruce Faulkner said that his first experience of Rotary was during his High School days in Dundas (1954/55 when the Dundas Rotary Club supported their Track & Field Team. In 1965 he was introduced to the Dundas Rotary Club by a Bank manager and so began his Rotary life. He remembers the outdoor swimming pool that was built by Lindsay Rotarians in 1951 which was later closed in 1972/73. Then he remembers how our Rotary Club along with three other service clubs built the Present Indoor Pool (105 feet X 45 feet) which is now in the Recreation Centre. Then we began our support of Crippled Children raising funds by stuffing envelopes, assisted ably by Rotary spouses. In 1965 when the Academy Theatre was in dire straits we our help helped it survive. Burger Day began with support of McDonalds. Our Youth Exchange programme began in 1972 Our first Exchange student, Gail Bowman was sent to Bolivia. We helped establish the Girls and Boys Club and in 1977 were involved with the Extension to the Public Library in 1977. Rotarians worked hard to organize and fine-tune “Ball Fall ”which today is the annual “Dream Ball.” We started Driver’s Education in Lindsay and supported Women’s Resources with a donation of $ 10,000. In 1981 we started Bingo as one of our fund raising efforts. Later we supported Bingo-Bingo in 1997. We also started Rotanza in 1987. From the very beginning our Rotary Club has continued to give substantial financial support to the ROSS memorial Hospital. On a lighter note there were several lighter efforts to raise funds by members. There was Dr. W Schwartz who would write poems and sell then to raise funds for Rotary programmes! In 1988 Polio Plus was begun by Rotary International with a goal of raising $120 Million. Soon the target grew to $ 240 Million. Bruce ended his presentation with these words: “ Rotary is the most outstanding Service Club in the world. Take ownership of it. You don’t rent it; you don’t lease it. You own it!”
Jim Mackey’s presentation was read by Sharon Coxon as Jim was indisposed. Jim is a Third Generation Rotarian (His grandfather was a Chartered member of our club). His earliest Rotary experience goes back to his Elementary School days when Rotarians regularly cleaned the outdoor Swimming pool. With his father he became part of that team. He also remembers home discussions about Polio, its crippling effects and the Rotary Polio Plus initiative. Later after working for a few years, for a civil engineer in London he returned to Lindsay to take on the family business. It is then, in 1990, he became a Rotarian when the club met at the old golf course off Angeline Street.
Jim began to help with the Rotanza Draw since 1992. Soon Jim took charge of this feature. Under his leadership the Draw has been gradually fine-tuned with available technological possibilities it is now a smooth operation requiring far less effort and personnel! Jim remembers the time when our club met at the Curling Club when selling Cash Calendars was introduced. This idea was taken on by our club in Lindsay and it has helped bring in much needed revenue as a result. When our club participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange programme Jim’s family hosted one student. Today she lives in the Hague. Berit, an architect, with her husband who is a commercial photographer, own a design studio. Jim is also our Bulletin editor. He traced the bulletin’s development from the time Peter Milner gave leadership when notes were transcribed and hand delivered to the Chamber of Commerce for publication and mailing.
Ian Crockford thanked Bruce and Jim (whose paper was read by Sharon Coxon) for their presentation saying that two donations would be made to Polio Plus in their names!
There being no other business for the good of Rotary, President John closed the meeting.
Rohan Wijesinghe (Scribe)
