Bulletin - February 02, 2017 - #28
Posted by Liz Palmieri on Feb 06, 2017
President George introduced the Head Table:'
- Introducing our speaker: Wade Stayzer
- Speaker: Doug Hamilton
- President: George Darte
- Sergeant at Arms: Jim Denham
- Rotary Story: Tim Rigby
- Introducing our guests, dinner and registration: Terry McDougall
GUESTS
Terry introduced our guests:
Doug Carter - - guest of Lezlie Murch
Laurene Carter - President of the Interact Club - guest of Lezlie Murch
Tim Rigby - guest of the Club
Matt Hill - guest of Doug Hamilton and the Club
Karen Natho - guest of Doug Hamilton and the Club
President George invited Sandy Holloway to say grace, which was about tolerance. Rick Evans lead in the singing of O Canada.
President George invited Wade to introduce Doug Hamilton. Doug is the chair of the Regional 2021 Bid for the Canada Summer Games. He’s a former Olympic rower, was a board member on the recent Pan Am Games hosted by Canada, grew up in St. Catharines and returned to Niagara about 8 years ago.
SPEAKER:
Doug introduced two members of the Bid team who will be assisting him with the presentation – Matt Hill and Karen Natho. Doug also acknowledged the participation of our club members on the Bid Committee: Wade Stayzer, Liz Palmieri and Tom Arkell. Matt along with local sports mascots took the final bid to Ottawa this past Tuesday. He led off sharing information that all 12 municipalities will be participating in the games, that the games are focused on young athletes and are a precursor to the Pan Am and the Olympics for athletes. Forty percent of Canadian Olympians have participated in the Canada Games. There will be 17 sports participating with 4,600 participants (more than the Pan Am Games). Economic impact will be $200 million with the federal, provincial, and regional governments contributing $30+ million. Legacy will be a key part as there will be local sports facilities in all communities that will be upgraded or built. There will be a lead-up program for the games throughout schools and sports groups across Niagara. It’s a very unique opportunity for the Region to come together. Karen spoke about the accessibility centre that will be built in conjunction with Brock. This centre will be a facility for para-sports to take place, for children through to seniors, as well as for athletes looking for more serious training opportunities. The Canada Games Bid Review Committee will be in Niagara on March 1st and we’ll hear whether we are successful at the end of March. Members of the club are encouraged to go to www.niagara2021.com and sign the online letter of support found on the front page of the website.
Tom Arkell thanked Doug for his leadership and the presentation.
Tim Rigby told the Rotary story this week and spoke about the relationship between our club and the Henley. We have purchased 3 shells over the years but most importantly we helped to fund the cost associated with the ecological benefits of the dredging that was needed in Martindale Pond in order to bring the course up to world standards. As a result, the Henley hosted the 1999 World Rowing Championships, World Masters in 2010 and the Pan Am Games in 2015.
President George wished Harold Nash a very happy birthday (Jan. 31st). He also said that Henry Becker is recovering from his stroke at home and is taking rehab at the Hotel Dieu Shaver. He is happy to have visitors at home.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
President Elect Vicki Rudachuk spoke about the K.E.R.B. (Know Every Rotarian Better) initiative and President George’s goal to have at least two more before the end of his year. These short get-togethers are opportunities to spend more time learning about club members in a more social and information atmosphere.
Happy Dollars:
Chris Blake – in a break from his tradition, Chris told a timely joke about a nun and her mother superior.
Rick Vanderkuip said that there will be a Rotary Flag raising at City Hall on March 16th at 11:00 and invited members to attend. He was also happy that his son-in-law’s song “Wake me Up’, just turned gold.
Mike Allen announced that he is the proud father of a new baby boy.
Dianne Wright thanked our speaker and then spoke with pride about being a Rotarian at the recent women’s march that she attended in Washington DC AND that in her little patch of grass she was surrounded by four other women Rotarians.
Ellis Katsoff was happy to announce that his ‘baby’ turns 25 tomorrow.
Jean Armitage reminded the club of a Rotary Flag raising that she attended in the muck and snow.
Lisa Gerrie, who announced recently that her daughter was looking for a full-time job, announced that she managed to land one with Westjet.
Kim Schwenker was happy to share her daughter’s work exchange opportunity at a winery in Australia and as the only female working with a team of men. This lead to much parental ribbing about her daughter being the only female working at a winery full of Aussie boys. Oh what fun!
Jim Denham told a story about a man downtown who appeared to be experiencing some hard times and the sheer joy he displayed when, after someone gave him a cup of coffee, rolled up the rim and won another cup of coffee.
50/50:
Unfortunately, Bob Lawler did not win this week’s pool, which is now $1,172
Next week’s program: Annette Hemerik - Classification