Kentville Rotary: Zoom meeting

 

Today’s meeting was available by ZOOM and Facebook live. Following a District meeting with Dr. Strang (NS Chief Medical Office) and an email from the District Governor, our in-person meetings have been suspended (seeking further clarification). Watch your emails for updates!

 

 

O Canada led by Sue

 

Bill welcomed everyone to the meeting including guest speaker Nancy Henry (Centre Stage Theatre) and guest Rotarians Rod McMahon (Calgary West) and Peter Smith (North Sydney).

 

 

Sue is happy Joe had his pick line taken out and is doing terrific.

 

Kelly is challenging committees to submit short stories (or anecdotes) about projects our club has sponsored in the past twelve months as they relate to Rotary’s February theme: Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution. She will donate $1 (up to $10) for every project brought forward. A picture would be welcome (but not essential).

 

 

Bill reported on the District Governor Ian Doyle’s email that included: set up of Polio Plus Society (memorial fund); District Fees waived; Public Image Grants (matching funds); Systemic Racism Toolkit (complete and available); 2021 International Convention will be virtual; District ZOOM meeting with Dr. Strang. Please review the DG Notes – January 2021 from Friday. They can also be accessed on the Home page of the District Site

 

Secretary’s Report:  Nothing new to report.

 

Illnesses: Joe is on the mend. Heather continues to heal and is passing the time painting water colours.

 

 

Elva introduced Nancy – a valley girl born and bred. She is a retired teacher, who now “acts out” at CentreStage Theatre. Nancy is engaged in many volunteer groups and keeps busy with her hobbies. One of which ensures her husband is up and out the door for work to support her fun!!!

 

Nancy provided a brief history of CentreStage Theatre. It began at the Cornwallis Inn Ballroom before moving to Centre Square finally settling into the old IOOF building. In 2009, they purchased the building and it is now their permanent home. CentreStage has been around for 37 years, having presented more the 350 performances and conducted 13 years of Drama camps.

 

The pandemic had a dramatic effect on Theatres as they were forced to go dark in March. CentreStage was no different having to cancel 5 shows, then their March break camp, then the next show, then the next show and so on. Because shows are one of the primary income sources, CentreStage had to rely more heavily on fundraising. If you are able and interested, you can donate directly to Centre Stage by going to https://www.centrestagetheatre.ca/ and selecting "Make a Donation". Alternatively, you can take part in a weekly 50:50 draw by clicking this link: https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/showmustgoon

 

Even with the new gathering limits for the arts, it is not helpful for community Theatre. Until the vaccine is widely distributed, CentreStage is not prepared to reopen. It is not possible to support a production without near full audiences. They have been trying to keep their audiences entertained through their Vintage Radio shows (three so far). You can check these out by going to their website or Facebook Page. You can also learn more from CST news with Mike Butler on the CentreStage Theatre Facebook page.

 

Even Bernie is anxiously awaiting the opening of CentreStage! (Photo credit - CentreStage Facebook page)

 

Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, CentreStage has been able to maintain the building. They have been recognized by the community and are proud recipients of the “Best of the Bunch” award for Best Local Theatre Group (Grapevine). CentreStage is planning to reopen when it is safe to do so and look forward to welcoming back their audiences.

 

 

Bill thanked Nancy for her presentation. The Rotary Club of Kentville has a tradition of at least one social per year at CentreStage and we very much look forward when this can resume safely.

 

 

Valley Faces of Business (Phil) Emails have been circulated to the businesses with a copy to the Rotarian contact. Please follow-up and get as many contracts signed as possible. We have received 28 back so far!

 

Rotary Friendship Exchange: Rod announced that a friendship exchange between the Rotary Clubs of Calgary West (District 5360) and Kentville (District 7820) is in the works with a planned date of Spring/summer 2022. Elva will be the lead from the Kentville club. There is a Facebook page set up open to members of both clubs. The current plan is for a five-day weekend. It is hoped, in addition to the regulars, this exchange will serve as a great introduction to Rotarians who have not yet participated in an exchange. The current thought is to have Calgary come to Kentville for Apple Blossom and Kentville go to Calgary for Stampede. Stay tuned!!!

 

Special Events: Phyllis reminded the club of our upcoming “Wine Survivor COVID Style” event happening on Feb 13^th. Please register online ASAP. The event is open to Rotarians and friends. The cost to enter is a bottle of wine and $20. Remember to indicate if you would like to host (8-10 max). You can contact a member of the committee directly or indicate in the comments section when you sign up for the event. Deadline for registration is Sunday Feb 7th at midnight.

 

Rotary Foundation Minute: (Phil) WORDS FROM A PAST ROTARY GLOBAL GRANT SCHOLAR

“During my time as a Rotary scholar, I learned to look at development differently. We often think of international aid in terms of poverty reduction, and we often see poverty reduction in terms of dollars spent and earned. The anthropology of development aims to analyze global aid in another way. We pay particular attention to how initiatives play out on the ground to determine just what local communities’ needs are and how those needs might be met sustainably and, eventually, autonomously…Rotarians understand that to have the most impact, we need to learn from other cultures. As global grant scholars, that’s what we aim to do – during our studies, and afterward.” Levi Vonk, Global Grant Scholar and Fulbright fellow to Mexico 

Learn more about Levi’s story here:  https://portal.clubrunner.ca/4124/stories/news-from-the-rotarian-1

 

Birthdays: Cyril White, Greg Tryfry and Chris Maynard

Wedding Anniversaries: Cyril and Penny White 55 Years 

Rotary Anniversaries (years in Rotary): Nat James (65), Cyril White (48), Al Mutch (36), Randall Bishop (31), Phyllis Jarvis (30), Bill Denyar (20), Karen Corey (19), Doug Hill (13), Katie MacArthur (2), Andrea VanZoost (1), 

 

Chase the Ace: None today. Because of the sudden switch to ZOOM only, time did not allow for Chase the Ace this week. A new and improved version will resume next week. When in-person meetings are allowed, the Chase the Ace team are looking for ways to include both those on ZOOM and in-person. Stay tuned!!!

 

The meeting adjourned following the Four Way Test led by Bill