"Imagine, a world that deserves our best where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference."
2022-23 RI President Jennifer Jones
Canadian Jennifer Jones, Rotary International’s first female president, is the perfect leader to spread the word about the good Rotary does in the world, and inspire its members to keep going. Read all about Jennifer Jones here.
Photo: Jones leads attendees in Danville, California, in a rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine” in honor of Ukraine.
For easy access to all RCL social media, use this LINK...
MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - August 9, 2022
Registrar Andy Fluit welcomed 8 Lincoln Rotarians to Rotary Park.
Area 5 Assistant Governor Sue Foster & President-Elect Joanne Serkeyn were on hand to lead the enthusiastic group in discussion and Rotarian Anna Murre had the good fortune to make a new friend who took a shine to her while passing by with his master.
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION were far ranging...
Current Plight of Air Travellers
- Andy shared the story of a woman who missed a wedding because of a flight delay. Gayle spoke of her daughter's loss of vacation days because of last minute airline scheduling changes.
Municipal election - October 24, 2022
- Anna has thrown her hat in the ring and is running for Town of Lincoln Councillor in Ward 3
Life as a Soccer Dad
- Paul has been adopted as a "Soccer Dad" by 13-year old Abdullah, who arrived with his sister, Souad, and their parents as refugees from Syria about 3 years ago. The family lives in St Catharines. Paul is kept busy transporting Abdullah to and from his soccer practices (2 per week) and games (1 per week) and is looking forward to cheering Abdullah on at his upcoming soccer tournament. Paul explained that soccer equipment for young players is in high demand so, he would be pleased to hear from anyone willing to donate gently used cleats and/or shin guards.
Tour de Guelph - https://tourdeguelph.ca/
- Joanne spoke glowingly of her experience as one of the 500 cyclists who participated in the recent bike tour organized by the Rotary Clubs of Guelph South and Guelph Trillium. The $134,000 in proceeds from the 2022 tour will help Guelph General Hospital purchase three new ultrasound machines in addition to supporting many local groups aimed at youth development, family support, and community building.
For her Point of Pride, Sue spoke of her outstanding experience at the opening ceremony of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games at the Meridian Centre (St Catharines) on Saturday, August 6. She was thrilled to see firsthand the parade of teams of young athletes waving their provincial/territorial flags, posing for selfies and generally having a great time.
Read an article about the “electrifying opening ceremony” here.
For the full program of sports events and livestreams - https://niagara2022games.ca/
St. Catharines native and Olympic gold medalist Kirsten Kit lights the opening ceremonies cauldron at Meridian Centre.
Editor's Note: It's been an ACTION-PACKED few weeks for Lincoln Rotary. For better or worse, reporting through The Grindstone has been on hiatus since late May 2022. In my intent to maintain a systematic archive of all that our club is about, I offer the following compilation of significant happenings during this hiatus.
READ ON & BE PROUD!!!
Going forward, please weigh in with your comments on what you would like to see featured in The Grindstone. Thank you! I look forward to your word.
Registration: 8 Lincoln Rotarians + Grimsby Rotarian Mat Miller
Guest Speaker: Mat Miller, Principal, West Niagara Secondary School (WNSS)
Topic: West Niagara Secondary School Development
Construction of the new WNSS is well underway on Regional Road 81 just west of Durham Road in the Town of Lincoln. Located on 20 acres, it is a state of the art design and 100% accessible with bright modern classrooms, synthetic turf field + 8-lane rubberized track, two double gyms, a fitness centre, 750-seat theatre, greenhouse, and specialized tech shops with industrial quality equipment. With a very broad range of programming options, students attending from all three municipalities in West Niagara will also have a plethora of learning and extra-curricular opportunities in athletics, music, drama, leadership development, etc. The facility will also be open and available for public events. organized by community members. Rentals are very reasonably priced, cased on the type of group (profit/non-profit).
A campaign to raise the $2.6 million contribution required for the 750-seat theatre is an undertaking of Friends of the Arts in West Niagara. To date, $150,000 has been raised through community donations with an additional $200,000 contribution from the Town of Lincoln.
Online contributions can be made @ www.westniagara.dsbn.org/fundraiser for which you'll receive a charitable receipt for tax purposes.
President Brenda Kell-Kotwa welcomed reports from several committee chairs and project leads who updated members on a variety of items including the Sunset Music Series (John Maynard); Paul Harris Awards (Terry Kotwa); Fundraising & Youth Services (Brenda on behalf of David Fisk); Lamplighter Tour (Martha Kralt); Rotary Foundation & Golf Tournament (Rob Foster).
Terry Kotwa & John Maynard presented the 2022-23 Rotary Club of Lincoln budget for consideration and approval.
MOTION: To approve the 2022-23 RCL budget as presented.
Moved by: Paul Roth; Seconded by: Debbie Klassen
APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY
As a member of the Cave Springs Camp Board of Directors, Rotarian David Wood was on hand to receive $1,000 as the 1st installment of Lincoln Rotary's 5-year pledge for a bursary to help fund camp experiences for underprivileged children.
Correspondence from The Owl Foundation expressing appreciation for a recent donation from the Rotary Club of Lincoln included two tickets - each for a free tour for four people in Fall 2022. Martha Kralt & Anna Murre won the draw for the tickets.
Gayle Lucas-Roth reported that Eve Genovese and Shamus Neville-Doyle, Beamsville District Secondary School graduates, have been selected as the 2022 Rotary Medalists. Representing Lincoln Rotary, Gayle is presenting each with a $350 bursary at the BDSS Commencement on June 29.
Subsequently, both medalists have sent notes of appreciation to Lincoln Rotary. Eve is headed to Fanshawe College in the pre-health stream with the goal of obtaining a medical radiation science diploma. Shamus is pursuing an apprenticeship in plumbing and taking courses to become a licensed plumber.
June 28 - Chestnut Hall, Vineland
ANNUAL CHANGEOVER MEETING
Ever gracious hosts Barb & George Mitges welcomed Lincoln Rotarians for fellowship, fun and a most delicious potluck dinner.
The proceedings included the induction of two new directors to the 9-member 2022-23 RCL Board - Joanne Serkeyn, President-Elect, and Katie Appleyard, Public Relations Director.
They join Brenda Kell-Kotwa, President & Membership Director; Terry Kotwa, Past President; David Fisk, Vice President; Anna Murre, Secretary; Debbie Klassen, Treasurer; Rob Foster, Rotary Foundation Director; Sue Foster, Club Administration Director.
July 12 - Kotwa's Residence, Vineland
Registration: 19 Lincoln Rotarians.
OPEN FORUM
Topic: All About Rotary
While this meeting was originally scheduled for Rotary Park in Beamsville, Brenda & Terry generously offered their home as the gathering place because of uncertain weather conditions. To start, updates were provided on community events with RCL involvement &/or leadership in the coming weeks...Canada Summer Games Torch Relay; Town of Lincoln "Havin a Time in Niagara Benchlands" at Charles Daley Park. Martha Kralt notified that Lamplighter Tour 2022 tickets are scheduled to go on sale on July 27.
President Brenda announced that Lincoln Rotary recently received a $25,000 contribution from the Fleming Foundation. The same amount was contributed by the Flemings in 2021. The extraordinary generosity of the Flemings is unprecedented and appreciated beyond words.
The "All About Rotary" discussion focused on ideas for RCL's 25th anniversary celebration event (now that COVID restrictions have lifted) and new ways to organize regular club meetings.
July 26 - Rotary Park, Beamsville
Registration: 18 Lincoln Rotarians. Martha & Katie arrived on their e-bikes!
OPEN FORUM
Topic: All About Rotary
On this beautiful summer morning, members gathered under the pavilion. Following opening exercises including happy bucks, when members shared their experiences at the many exciting community events this summer - e.g. Handmade Market, Canada Summer Games Torch Relay, Sunset Music Series, etc. along with an abundance of good news stories about family and friends in recent times.
President Brenda announced the substantial donation of $5,000 received from Jennifer and Mark Elliotson in appreciation for Lincoln Rotary's management of parking for the Handmade Market at 13th Street Winery over two weekends in June.
Margaret Andrewes announced that The Jacob Senior Living has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 Pathways to Opportunity Award to be presented at the Lincoln Chamber's Outstanding Business Achievement Awards Gala on September 15. This annual award was initiated in 2006 by the Rotary Club of Lincoln in partnership with Beamsville District Secondary School (BDSS) and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce (LCOC). Its purpose is to celebrate Town of Lincoln businesses or not-for-profit organizations that demonstrate outstanding support for the BDSS Co-operative Education Program.
Discussion focused on organization and lead up to the "Havin a Time in Niagara Benchlands" @ Charles Daley Park - August 6; Lamplighter Tour (Premier Performance - September 13 @ Providence Church; September 23-25 @ Cave Springs Camp); Golf Tournament - September 21 @ Twenty Valley. To replace the traditional Lamplighter Tour Penny Raffle a 50/50 draw is being arranged and will run for the duration of the 2022 tour.
CLUB HAPPENINGS
June 3-4 & June 10-11 - Handmade Market Service Project
Thanks to the leadership of Phil Goodwin, 17 Lincoln Rotarians and many Friends of Rotary volunteered to manage parking for the 10th edition of the Spring Handmade Market over four days at 13th Street Winery. To view the prominent recognition of RCL for its services check out https://handmademarket.ca/at-the-market
The event featured 200 curated Canadian makers & artisans across two separate weekends in June. Fine weather prevailed on both weekends and parking volunteers were kept very busy with the thousands of visitors who came from near and far to spend time at the market.
Jennifer and Mark Elliotson of Jordan Station are the visionaries/organizers behind the Handmade Market. For Lincoln Rotary's service, they have made a $5000 donation to the club. And, they've invited us to return in June 2023 to take on this project again.
While the skateboard park, pump track and playground opened to the public in 2021, the addition of the Val Fleming Butterfly Garden with pergola and many other amenities including native pollinator plantings, walking trails, irrigated lawn area with an adjacent shade structure and seating, informational signage, etc. and Lincoln Rotary's LLL (Little Lending Library), Rotary Park is now complete.
As noted by Club President Brenda Kell-Kotwa, “We are proud to support and have had the opportunity to be involved in the process and contribute to this community space that will promote well-being for people of all ages.”
June 16 - Paul Harris Awards Celebration
On this blistering evening, Lincoln Rotary hosted its Paul Harris Awards event at Rockway Vineyards. It was the best of times and the worst of times. The worst being that the venue's air conditioning system was down and, at the last minute, the gathering of some 70 guests was moved to the outside patio. The best of times came when Rotarian Anna Murre came to the rescue with a portable sound system, which she ran home to get and then set up. With former Lincoln Rotarian Ron Kielstra as emcee, the program proceeded with the participation of several guests including MPP Sam Oosterhoff, Mayor Sandra Easton and Rotarians David Alexander, Bill Wiley, Debbie Klassen, Jeanette Murphy and Margaret Andrewes, who were all there to highlight the extraordinary life and times of the four award recipients.
Gracious in their acceptance of their Paul Harris Fellowships were Ruth Smith, Sue Foster, Rob Foster and Nancy Neville.
July 5,12,19,26, 2022 - Sunset Music Series
Sunset Music Series (SMS), an annual Rotary Club of Lincoln signature project since 2010, returned to Charles Daley Park in Summer 2022 for the first time since 2019. In spite of its absence over the past 3 year, it's clear that SMS is a much loved community event as some 3,500 + people flocked to the weekly concerts over the course of its run on each Tuesday evening in July.
All hands were on deck as Lincoln Rotarians and Friends of Lincoln Rotary rallied around Rotarians John Maynard, SMS Producer, and Martha Kralt, Volunteer Coordinator, to enable the phenomenal success of the series.
For details - www.sunsetmusicseries.ca
July - Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games Torch Relay
The Canada Summer Games (CSG) torch arrived in West Niagara on July 15 - West Lincoln, July 23 - Grimsby, and July 24 - Lincoln as stops on its long journey across 21 communities from Ottawa on June 6 to its final destination in St Catharines on August 6 for the official opening of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games.
Special thanks to Lincoln Rotarians Nancy Neville & Joanne Serkeyn, who served on the torch relay organizing committees respectively in West Lincoln and Lincoln.
The Canada Summer Games (CSG) torch arrived in West Niagara on July 15 - West Lincoln, July 23 - Grimsby, and July 24 - Lincoln as stops on its long journey across 21 communities from Ottawa on June 6 to its final destination in St Catharines on August 6 for the official opening of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games.
Lincoln Rotary is ever proud of Lincoln Rotarian Terry Kotwa who was one of eight people to carry the torch through our Town. Based on the following abbreviated testimonial, Terry was a most deserving participant in the relay.
"Terry has been an active Rotarian for 12 years. He has served as Club President twice. As a resident of Lincoln for the past 26 years, he is also an avid and experienced cyclist. In 2021, Terry participated in Rotary Ride for Polio, a cycling route that crosses the Canada/United States border."
Without the collective effort of ALL club members,
the resounding success of these many HAPPENINGS would not have been possible.
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June 4 - Rotary Park Grand Opening
