Kentville Rotary: Back to Paddy’s meeting
Chairperson: Randall Bishop
O Canada led by Sue
Randall welcomed everyone to the meeting including two guest Rotarians: Brian Smith (Dartmouth) and Roger Sevigny (Saint Pierre et Miquelon) and guest speaker Susan Harvey.
This was a special meeting as it marked the first official face-to-face since the Pandemic began and we were forced to “stay the blazes home”. With special rules and protocols for COVID-19 in place, we can safely return. Modern technology also allows for the continuance of ZOOM and Facebook live stream. Rotarians now have three ways to join our meetings!
Happy $$
Sue is happy for all the fun she has had this summer in the RV and the most recent 8-day adventure in PEI. She is also happy for the in-person meeting today.
John is happy to be part of the Grand Opening of the Hospice. The event consisted of a small in-person gathering and a FaceBook live stream (to accommodate COVID restrictions). He also congratulated Mayor Sandra Snow upon be acclaimed Mayor of Kentville for another term.
Roger is happy to see new faces (outside his COVID bubble). He is also happy to have a great team working on the re-districting of 7820 and 7810, with special kudos to Garth for all his support and leadership.
Brian is happy to be filling the interim position as CAO with the town of Kentville enabling more visits to Kentville Rotary. He is also happy to have new hearing aids making the world sound clearer!!!
Ellen is happy that she too was able to attend the Hospice grand opening. She also is happy to have hiked Cape Blomidon on the weekend.
Bill is happy to welcome both the in-person Rotarians and “Zoomers”; thanking Rick for the technology to do so!!!
President's Report: 
Bill reported four members from Kentville attended the virtual district training on Saturday. Also the District has released more information about the up-coming conference. There is a link on the district site and we will soon have the link on our website.
The Khatibs are doing well. Khayriye is working on a fund raiser to help support the Baptist Church who are sponsoring another family member to come to NS. Details have been given to our Community Services committee. We should be proud that in successfully bringing the Khatibs to Kentville we are directly responsible for two other families coming to this area. It is a pleasure to see how well they have integrated into the community.
Finally, many “Thanks” to Shelley Fleckenstein (and her husband) for hosting a wonderful event last Wednesday evening. Watch for a separate story, with pictures, to be posted on our Website! It was a beautiful summer evening. Thank you, Shelley.
Secretary’s Report: Rick first mentioned how happy he was to be meeting face-to-face. Thanks to Paddy’s for their flexibility and willingness to host us. Please help us help Paddy’s by letting Rick know you are attending (assists with meal requirement estimates). A reminder that masks are required at all times once you enter Paddy's except when you are seated at the table for your meal. This is part of the new world we live in and we want to help Paddy’s comply with these protocols.
Illnesses: None to report
Guest Speaker: Susan Harvey (Ryan’s Park)
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Susan began by thanking the club for the opportunity to talk about Ryan and Ryan’s Park.
Susan shared Ryan’s story and the challenges both she and he face. Ryan is a special person with severe autism. When we speak of accessibility, it is not just wheelchair accessibility. Susan is very passionate that every individual has a right to accessible housing, considerate of the individuals’ special needs.
Susan would like to see society depart from institutions. She views institutions as a place of shunning or labelling different people. Her dream and goals are to have a housing community with accessibility for all. Much to her credit, Susan took on lobbying Governments about her idea and was eventually introduced to a developer from Enqore Developments who bought into her vision.
Ryan’s pocket is a set of interconnected town houses. Within Ryan’s Pocket is a house specially designed for Ryan. A place he can feel safe and that accommodates his special needs. It is located on the old KCA property. Ryan’s Park will have two phases. The first is Ryan’s Pocket (about 22 interconnected town houses and common spaces) and the second phase will include three apartment buildings with about 120 units each.
Ellen thanked Susan for sharing her story. We are delighted she was able to expand on the teaser we received earlier in the summer when Mayor Sandra Snow spoke of the interesting projects happening in Kentville.
Committee Reports:
Tulip Coordinator (Phil): The Polio Tulips are on their way and should arrive in the next couple weeks. Please take pictures of your tulip planting! And take more pictures in the spring when these beautiful flowers adorn your gardens! Let’s fill our Facebook page with these photos as a reminder of Rotary’s roll in eradicating Polio. As you know Oct 24 is End Polio Day. Phil would like to have a get together to brainstorm activities we can do for this day. The Gates Foundation is once again going to match Rotary dollars so any funds we raise will be doubled!
Valley Faces of Business (Rod): About $110,000 in contracts received and response has been good. This translates to about $55,000 in club revenue. Let’s use this week to clean up our sales.
Programs (Ellen): Paddys meetings have moved to 12 noon. There will be a committee meeting Friday at 8am via Zoom.
For the Month of September
Birthday Wishes go out to: Bryon Crossman, Elva Heyge and Craig MacMullen
Anniversary Wishes to: Linda & Greg Trefry; Sandra & Randall Bishop, Jan & Peter Clarke, Kimberley & Ross Monet, and Caroline and Trevor Archibald
Chase the Ace – The lucky ticket belonged to Phil. He drew the 8 of Clubs --- It’s a Roll-Over.
Our meeting ended with the Singing of God Save the Queen led by Sue .... Join us at noon on Monday September 21 at Paddy’s (or Zoom or Facebook Live) for our monthly Business Meeting. Hope to see you then.
