President Kevin Smoke gave the Land Acknowledgment and POD members assisted with other opening exercises. Kevin inducted new member Keley Akwiwu and he was welcomed by those in attendance.

The speaker for the evening was Rotarian Rick Ludwig who was introduced by Rotarian Kim Piper. Rick spoke about the people behind the family run Kitching, Steepe and Ludwig funeral home which he owns. He gave the history of the funeral home which was originally started by John Kitching who was the town undertaker in addition to his main occupation as a tin smith. Funerals then were held in the home of the deceased. Once John built the original house on Mill Street for his family, people began requesting that the funeral visitation be held there. His son Merv followed in his footsteps and took over after the untimely death of John due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Merv's son Gord was to take over, but he was electrocuted while working in town. Merv's 2 daughters worked as assistants in the funeral home. Ron Steepe became a partner and the funeral home was expanded. Keith Waller from Strabane also worked there for many years. Rick got into the business when he began dating his wife Denise and her father was a funeral director. He worked part time at the funeral home while pursuing his education and teaching career. He eventually changed career paths and worked as a funeral director for 9 years before buying the funeral home. Rick and Denise raised their 3 children above the funeral home on Mill Street. Rick also talked about his current staff and how many decide to pursue a career in the funeral business due to life experiences with grief and loss and feeling called to help others with the process.