Guests: 23 Rotarians were joined by guests Melissa Haliwell, Jesica Cole, Tom Gallagher and exchange student GioGio Pezzotti for a potluck dinner.
Items of Interest
President Kevin Smoke opened the meeting with the Land Acknowledgement, Bob Allen led us in the 4-Way Test and O Canada, and Peter Ronalds provided the invocation.
Nick Brown, co-chair of the 2025 Oh Canada Ribfest announced the results of last year's even. Attendance was down slightly at 56,000, but the Saturday was the highest revenue day in the history of the event. Sponsorships were also the highest ever, at $363,000. The total profit for last year was $130,000, with $60,00 to be distributed to our club and the Flamborough AM club ($10,000 to be held in reserve for 2026). Nick highlighted the efforts of the volunteers and thanked former Ribfest treasurers Norm Read and Kevin Smoke.
Kevin reminded members about the Family Day Food 4 Kids breakfast at the Legion.
Youth Exchange coordinator Amber Kosubovich appealed for volunteers to pick up GioGio at Niagara Gateway on Tuesday evening (Feb. 17).
Community Service Chair Karen Matthews made a motion to the club to approve a donation of up to $3,500 to assist Flamborough Archives with upgrading their phone and internet system, which is no longer provided by the City of Hamilton. Seconded by Kevin. All in favour.
2026 Ribfest Co-chair Jeff Kleven highlighted the need for volunteers, committee members for this year's event.
Program
In lieu of a formal program, new member Melissa Haliwell was inducted to the club. Melissa had attended three introductory meetings, completed the application and fireside chat, and has already jumped into brainstorming PR ideas for Ribfest. Welcome Melissa!
President Kevin Smoke (right) and club members welcome Melissa Haliwell at the Feb. 9 meeting. Photo by Brenda Jefferies
Sgt. at Arms - Jeff Kleven
Happy $ - Birthdays/Anniversaries/Good news
Sue Collins celebrated a birthday with a family bowling party.
Michael Collette also celebrated a birthday.
Norm Read had two happy bucks: he was set to leave for Jamaica for a vacation; he's happy he wasn't going to Cuba.
Kim Piper was celebrating her new car, she was also happy to see such good turnout for the club meeting.
Darryl Kirkland was happy that daughter Sophie aced three quizzes - perfect scores!
Pete Ronalds was happy to be heading to Antigua next week.
Don't miss!
Next club meeting is Monday, March 2
Trivia Night is March 27 at the Waterdown Legion; volunteers needed and tables will be available for purchase soon!
BOARD REPORT HIGHLIGHTS - Feb. 23, 2026
Watershed Cleanup (with Flamborough and Dundas Clubs) is June 4 along Borer's Creek, social afterward (potentially at the Legion/Waterdown Museum of Hope).
Upcoming speakers: March 2 is the District Governor visit, March 23 will be Penny Deathe of Healthy Youth Network, April 13 will be a representative of Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.
Community Service co-chair Diandra Camilleri highlighted the need to establish a leadership committee for the Seniors Corn Roast.
Community Service donation to Flamborough Archives approved by the club was not needed as they raised enough money to upgrade their systems; we will look at other ways to support them with future projects.
Board approved a motion to provide a $100 gift card to exchange host family for driving GioGio to activities.
Rotary Garden Court - Unit 1 updates are complete; tenant from Unit 11 moved ito Unit 1; Unit 11 updates are almost done; interviews for new tenant set for March 12.
The Flamborough AM club is looking to rent the club room for meetings; it will be offered to them at the same rate paid by our club.
The board approved $260 expenditure to renew the club's Zooom licence.
The March 2 club meeting will be catered by Garcia's; the March 23 meeting will be a potluck (with potential updates to format).
Upcoming Events
Regular Club Meeting - With Speaker
Mar. 02, 2026 6:00 p.m.
The District Governor' will be attending and addressing the club.
