PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP AWARDS DINNER 2014

(Grapevine – May 1, 2014)

 

The Invocation was delivered by Drew Dulmage, the National Anthem O’Canada was initiated by Harry Pelissero.

 

President Wayne Fertich welcomed all present, including the Paul Harris recipients , family and friends of Rotary.

 

The audience was entertained by Michael Hahn who enlightened all about the significance of the “Paul Harris Awards” with a series of multiple choice and true or false questions. The audience selected all of the correct answers.

 

The “Paul Harris” recipients were introduced and, following their speech, were presented with the “Paul Harris Award” package along with civic and political recognition.

 

The first recipient, Rotarian Gerry Vandermolen, was introduced by former Rotarian and relative Peter Balt.

Gerry immigrated to Canada in 1953 at the age of two. And has lived and worked in Grimsby for almost all of the years since. His occupations have included being an accounting systems analyst, project manager, starting a computer business and he is currently in real estate sales.

He has served many years in Rotary and most recently as President.

Gerry thanked his family, friends and fellow Rotarians for the support he has received in Rotary.

Congratulations!!

 

The second recipient, Mrs. Wendy Watt, was introduced by Rotarian Shirley Martin.
Wendy, as she is known by all the residents of Grimsby and area, has lived all her life in the Niagara Peninsula and in Grimsby since 1971. She and husband Jack have restored four heritage homes in Grimsby since that time. She has been very active in church life, the Grimsby Historical Society, Concerned Citizens Committee, Chamber of Commerce, downtown improvement association, tourism association. Global Village, served as Alderman and on many committees for 12 years and as a volunteer for various organizations.

Wendy is an enthusiastic and tireless supporter of Grimsby, and for that we applaud her!!

 

 

 

 

 

-2-

 

Our next recipient, Rotarian Jeanette Murphy, was introduced by Rotarian Sandy Zulauf.

Jeanette encapsulates the spirit of our Rotary club as she was our first exchange student in 1978 of our newly chartered Rotary Club of Grimsby.  She is a true “Grimsbonian” who, while working for the Ministry of the Attorney General, has been involved in student exchange programs and in hosting New York kids for a two week summer vacation. Her home has welcomed dozens of students from all parts of the world and has served well to broaden the views of her two sons and given them opportunity to exchange as well.

Jeanette became a member of our Rotary Club in 2008 and has been very active on many committees and is Past President. Congratulations!!

 

Our fourth recipient, Rotarian Roger Bradley, was introduced by Rotarian Grant Schaming.

Roger came east from Saskatchewan for university and moved to Grimsby when joining Stelco Steel in 1975 as an engineer. He has since retired from Stelco and other contract opportunities and has more time to devote to Rotary and family and sport activities.

Roger joined our Rotary Club in 2002 and has been and is actively involved in many functions.

Roger and Mary Lou have been great supporters of the student exchange program and have hosted many Rotary exchange students as their own family grew older and left the nest. These exchange students often return for visits and they have had the opportunity to visit with them and their families in many countries. Congratulations!!

 

President Wayne closed the evening and thanked all for their participation!!