South Mouth September 14

 
Humanitarian Matt Taylor was this week's Who's Who presenter.
 

President Paul called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m.

National Anthem: Greg McDonald 
  
Toast to the Queen & Canada: Roseanne Morissette 
 
Invocation: Matt Taylor 
  
ROTARY MINUTE 
 
See related story.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND VISITING ROTARIANS  

Norris Brown introduced Mr. George Darte from the St. Catharines Downtown Club. 
  
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

Brian Radford as sergeant-at-arms:

Fined: 

Norris Brown,Greg McDonald, Jim Hooper, and Paul Monaghan for wearing ties.

Rob Welch for giving Matt Taylor the speaker's mug.

Happy dollars were accepted from:

Jim Hooper  for expecting their second child;

Bob McKay for the Argonauts defeating the Tiger Cats;

Ed Telenko for the Tiger Cats defeating the Argonauts;

Dan Toppari - his family has increased by three in size;he cycled 100 miles and is still alive to tell the tale; offered a fine as the booked speaker did not arrive;

Ron Kozub - spent two wonderful weeks at Lake Huron and is looking forward to splitting the 50/50 winnings with Bob MacKay.
 
WHO'S WHO: Matt Taylor

Matt was born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan. He spent his early life on the family farm during the Great Depression. Although his family was poor, they were much better off than most.

Matt attended 18 schools during his educational years, graduating from Grade 12 at Choiceland, Saskatchewan. He worked for two years with the CPR then the CNR and was accepted at the University of Alberta for dentistry.

After graduating, Matt spent three-and-a-half years as a dental officer with the military within Saskatoon and Moose Jaw; one year in Soest, Germany; and six months at Trenton.

Matt related a great story about flying once with the Canadian Aerobatic team. Needless to say, it was his first and last experience with flying planes.

Following his release from the military, Matt moved to St. Catharines to be near his two children from his first marriage. He associated his practice with Dr. Wertman for one year and then moved to the Pen Centre to start his own practice in 1967. At 42 years, Matt is one of the longest-standing tenants of the Pen Centre.

Matt met Georgette in 1969 and they were married in 1970. He and Georgette have three children and seven grandchildren and another grand child is on the way.

Matt reported that one of the highlights of his life in St. Catharines is his 41 years with The Rotary Club of St. Catharines South. He still works two-and-a-half days per week with Dr. Julie Michalko.

Georgette and Matt have been RI volunteers for nine years, traveling six times to Guatemala; once to Mexico; twice to Africa; and, most recently, to India. They are leaving for Guatemala in October 2009.

President Paul congratulated Matt for his exemplary service to our club and to RI.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Board Meeting - Thursday, September 17th- 5:30 at George Darte Funeral Home.

Rotary Club of Batavia is hosting their annual October Brew Fest September 19th at Batavia Downs Gamming, Batavia, NY - more info and tickets available on line.

September 21st our guest speaker is Debbie Zimmerman from the Ontario Grape Growers. Encourage spouses and prospective members to attend.

Club Assembly - Monday, September 28 at 5;30- location to be announced- budget to be passed.

District Conference at the Millennium Hotel in Buffalo, New York, October 16-18. 

Cathy Henry: Showed a thank you poster card drawn by the children of Walkers Wood-Jamaica to be scanned and kept in archives. Cathy also announced the annual car rally for Gillians Place on October 4th. Pledge sheets were distributed to those who wanted to participate. Spoke of the gala and requested full club support to meet our goals by either attending, buying a ticket, pledging a donation, sponsoring a course, placing an ad in the evening program or buying a ticket on the necklace to be raffled off the night of the event. She reminded everyone about the support that had been given to raise funds for Hospice and read the dedication insert in the Hospice Newsletter thanking both clubs for their forward thinking and support. She asked for the same support to be shown for the Take it to Heart initiative to raise funds for the Cardiac Catheterization Lab of the new Niagara Health System.  

Jim Hooper requested assistance with the Group Exchange visitor from Belize. Our club needs to assist in driving or billeting for October 13-15.

Laetitia de Witt thanked Public Relations for the GSE newspaper article and read a thank you letter from Fog Quest. Our donation is helping one family in Guatemala.

Roseanne announced that there is a Foundation Dinner on October 17th at the Millennium Hotel in Buffalo, New York, starting at 6:30 p.m. If other members are interested in attending, a car pool will be organized. Roseanne advised that the deadline had passed for nominations for the Paul Harris Fellow Award, however, the committee is still seeking nominations this week.

The Children's Centre is holding their annual dinner/dance at Club Roma on Saturday, September 25th. Tickets are $100.00 per couple.
 
BIRTHDAYS

Belated: Debi Garneau, August 18 and Dan Toppari, August 27. 
 
50/50 DRAW

Matt Taylor had the winning ticket, but drew the six of Spades.
 
EARLY LEAVERS

George Fitzpatrick
 
ATTENDANCE REPORT

Ron Kozub reported 20 members and seven make-ups for 84 per cent.
 
ADJOURNMENT

As there was no further business for the good of Rotary, President Paul adjourned the meeting at 1:20 p.m.