(a) Book/Film Appreciation Group – The first book, The Girl On the Train, along with the film were reviewed via Zoom on December 17, and the next discussion will focus on The Hate U Give. A 2017 young adult novel by Angie Thomas. It is Thomas's debut novel, expanded from a short story she wrote in college in reaction to the police shooting of Oscar Grant. There is still room for 2 or 3 more group members, and connect with Grant or Roger if interested.
(b) Walking Group - the group gets out on Monday and Friday at 11:00 am and explores different part of the Grimsby area. They walked on January 1st in the Grimsby Beach area and even had a rock skipping contest at the lake's edge. The next walk is scheduled for Monday, January 4th and park in J.J. on the Dock's parking lot. Contact Joan for more information. The group practices social distancing and wears masks, everyone is welcome.
(c) Fantasy of Wreaths - Sincere thanks to Jim Noordemeer along with his team of Jim H, Kerry V, and others for all their work in pivoting the event from the Fantasy of Trees to the Fantasy of Wreaths to an on-line virtual event that netted in the neighborhood of $3,000+. Congratulations on an excellent job in these trying times.
(d) Holiday/Christmas Card writing campaign - Jeannette did a superb job as the lead for the holiday card writing event. Cards were supplied by Giant Tiger, Thanks Andy. This project would never have happened if we didn’t have Rotarians jump on board and offer to help with the project immediately when the idea was put forward. Another big thank you to Mat Miller, who not only arranged for GSS students to help out when our numbers got so much higher then anticipated, but also contributed labels with the Rotary wheel and the GSS logo to place in the cards.
What started out as a simple 250-300 cards, turned into 912 holiday cards distributed to all seniors at Deer Park Villa, Lincoln Park, Shalom Retirement and Long Term Care, Evergreen Terraces, Maplecrest Village, Kilean Lodge and Albright Manor in Beamsville. The cards were very much appreciated by the staff and most importantly the seniors.
(e) Blood Donor Clinic - There is Blood donor clinic on January 9th, and George is leading the effort for the Rotary Club to do work as a team and give blood together. E-mail Liz or George if interested.
(f) Nominating Committee Update - Marshall reported that Bob Martin has volunteered to be president for the 21-22 year and Directors: Joan Whitson, Andy Daniels and Kathryn Drury is staying on. There are still positions open.
(g) 45th Anniversary Recognition and planning for the 50th- the board has approved recognizing 2021 as the club's 45th anniversary of receiving its Rotary charter.
As part of the planning process for the 50th and to ensure we retain as much of the club's history and background as possible for a publication in that year as well as populating the club's archives, we are calling on all present and former members to search for all photos and memorabilia they may have. We will also be interviewing members and chronically the club's history. More on how this will unfold over the next month. In the interim, start looking for your treasures and long pack-away souvenirs. Contact Liz with whatever you may have.
NEW CLUB FUNDRAISER
The board has approved planning for a new club fundraiser. A Valentine's Take-out Dinner and Silent Auction. February 13th, 2021 will be the date. There will be two options - a classic Ribfest style rib dinner. And for seafood lovers, a Lobster Roll dinner with Clam Chowder. The drive-thru will take place at J.J.'s on the docks and all orders will be taken electronically up to 5 days ahead of the event.
The cost for the meal will include all vendor costs plus a donation of $20 to Rotary causes. Pick-ups will be by pre-booked appointment times.
The silent auction items will be on the same platform as the Fantasy of Wreaths and we hope to have the support of previous FOT auction donors.
This will not need a significant volunteer contribution from a large group of Rotarians, but we will need help from about 10 individuals to organize everything. And... most importantly - we need all Rotarians to plan their Saturday, Feb 13th dinner to include this take-out and to spread the word to all their friends. Please call Liz if you are interested in helping out.
This was a Virtual ZOOM meeting w
ith many spouses joining, there was lots of lively conversation, reconnecting and reminiscing. There were 14 Grimsby Rotarians present and 6 guests.
A Roll Call was held, in order to introduce our guests. Roger and Mary Lou Bradley celebrated 50 years of marriage on Saturday.
Invocation was given by Jeannette. This is the season of light. Light from the festive glow of the Menorah, warmth from the yule log fire, radiant beams from the tender face of the babe born in Bethlehem. In this the darkest of months, we give thanks for the light You bring to humankind. We give thanks for the light this Rotary Club has shed throughout its long history on so many others, both here at home and throughout the world. We ask that we be nourished by our fellowship and reflection on our past. . . and energized to convey Your perpetual light. . . forward into the future.
Opening the evening,
Fred Cousineau, a member of the Royal City Ukulele Ensemble, singing a collection of warm hearted and funny holiday songs while accompanying himself on the ukulele. Fred has written over 100 novelty songs since the start of the pandemic and his selections can have you chuckling and shaking your heads in agreement.
The group enjoyed the 3 songs Fred sang for us, twists on holiday favorites adapted to 2020!!
- Marshmallow World
- Christmas in the Country (his own composition)
- We want to see our Grandsons for Christmas (to the tune of I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas)…, which many of us can relate to!!
Liz thanked Fred and offered the club’s wish to him for a wonderful holiday. If you are interested in hearing Fred's rendition of
We want to see our Grandsons for Christmas here is the link to his YOU TUBE video.
https://youtu.be/UU4dIVNKEIY
Holiday Happening, next up was a Trivia Contest.
Attendees were asked to choose between 4 possible answers to a variety of trivia questions. And yes, it got a little competitive.....
A sampling of the questions included:
What are two other popular names for Santa Claus on a continent other than North America?
(a) Kris Kringle and Saint Nick
(b) Father Christmas and Pere Noel
(c) Noel Baba and Saint Nicholas
(d) Swiety Mikolaj and Papai Noel
How many gifts in total were given in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song?
(a) 364 (b) 144 (c) 386 (d) 288
Which African nation became independent from Italy on Christmas Eve, 1951?
(a) Ethiopia (b) Libya (c) Morocco (d) Tunisia
Holiday Happening, next we were challenged to a Rotary and Reindeer Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Attendees were given 12 minutes to search their homes for a variety of objects under the four categories of Rotary, Reindeer, Holidays of Old and Christmas 2020.
Members were encouraged to locate 20 specific articles. Example include a Rotary Pin or Paul Harris Pin (George won since he was already wearing his): a Rotary themed cup, glass or utensil; Reindeer food; Reindeer Antlers; a vintage Christmas ornament; wrapping paper you were using this year; and a Nativity scene.
Kathryn Drury had the hardest job of the evening since she graciously agreed to serve as judge. The various items were scored and there were several categories of winners who have bragging rights. They included:
Marie as top score overall, with Jeanette a close second followed by a tie for third between Roger and Dave F., and Rich was most honest!
Rotary category winner - Both Bill and Marie - each shared their silver Scottish Quaich from their curling trip.
Reindeer category winner - Jeanette shared a childhood picture of herself with a real reindeer in the background.
Holidays of Old winner - Joan shared a book called The Christmas Angel, which was a gift to her husband's grandmother in 1910.
Christmas 2020 winner - Rich shared his Yellow Submarine Tree ornaments.
Best in Show - Joan
There were no happy bucks, but we heard many wonderful stories and reminiscences of holidays past from those in attendance. Everyone thanked Liz for a fun evening and appreciated the effort at a sad time for her family.
