e-Strathconian, Sep 21, 2018 (Sep 21, 2018)

Loida Lumanlan

This past Tuesday we heard an informal talk from Loida Lumanlan, who spoke about her recent trip to the Philippines. She and her brothers and sisters all returned home to visit their mother on the occasion of her eighty eighth birthday. Her mother is still living in her own home and near to other family members.

Unfortunately, the long twelve-hour flight to Manilla in the Philippines became even longer as their flight was diverted to Cebu due to bad weather. This would then entail arranging another flight to get back to her home town near Manilla. Her plane landed near noon and her mother’s birthday was the next day, so it did not leave much time to arrange a flight, collect her luggage, take a bus to the proper terminal, go back through security and onto the next plane. Then things got really hairy when her luggage took four hours to come. Once she finally got through security they were already calling her name for the flight, so she grabbed her shoes and ran barefooted for the plane. However, she did make it home by evening and in plenty of time for the party the next day. She and one of her sisters had arranged to stay at their mother’s home in the spare bedroom. They knew they were back in the Philippines once they spotted a dead cockroach under the bed and a live lizard on the ceiling of their room.

They had a great time at the party and the food was amazing. Lots of fresh fruit, fresh fish and fresh vegetables. To cap off the trip, Loida had arranged to treat her sisters to a holiday together in Macau for a few days. No husbands, no children, no talking about money or troubles at home, just enjoy themselves, shopping, sightseeing and eating. She said they all had a wonderful time and she would recommend doing this to anyone. She said that if you have someone you love who you know can not afford this type of trip, but you can, go ahead and treat them to the trip of a lifetime. You will not regret doing it. Loida certainly does not. They all had a great time.

Our October 9th meeting will be pre-empted with a special meeting at the U of A Faculty Club on October 10th.

We hope you will join us as Rotarian prospective members, and any guests, come together with members to share a meal at the U of A Faculty Club on October 10 from 5:30 to 6:30. After dinner we’ll have an interactive session until 9:00 to reconsider the 4-way test with a few interesting “what if” questions. We’ll play a gender-circle-game to stir up a few curious brain cells and laugh together from both sides of the isle! Win a $50 cash prize in the big draw for prospective members and their Rotarian sponsors. We’ll discuss insights together about Rotarian service projects such as: building a wellbeing program for schools, STEAM considerations, end of life options, eye care in India, and membership motivation.

Let's do this membership meeting by pulling together, in our shared meal and inter-generational brainstorming session on Wed, Oct 10^th. Expect fun interactions as Rotarians and guests toss out talent for humour, designs for service opportunities in a new era, and discoveries of new approaches to serve others together in ways that benefit all.

Supported by our club members, energized by you, and facilitated by Ellen Weber, we look forward to spending a transformational evening with each of you.

See Ellen for tickets valued at $30.00 each. Members will pay for their dinners and for any additional guests who are not prospective members. The dinners can be paid on the club’s website. As stated at the Rotary meeting last week we are not fundraising here, yet we must pay U of A faculty club for all our meals, and we can only expect the club to pay for any prospective members.

Don’t hesitate to make suggestions or ask questions. And thanks for all who’ve already expressed enthusiasm to go forward by bringing in and sustaining a growing and engaged membership.

All prospective members attend for free.

If you are bringing your partner or other family members, then register them with your own registration.

Enter the names of prospective member(s) from the [GUESTS] button on the registration, but don't proceed with payment for the prospective member(s)..

For technical support, contact Hans Granholm. hgrdane@telusplanet.net 780-918-1079

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