Meeting Roundup

Sergeant-at-Arms Larry stumped everyone with questions about Sept 29 (National Sports Day) and October 1 (National Seniors Day). In lieu of the latter he let the table with the most senior person (Jerry) go first then Stan’s table and our table last ‘cause we were such youngins. Larry gave a surprise presentation of a Bishop’s Falls hockey stick to President Peter in honour of his family’s hockey legacy. Peter was duly thrilled! Kel offered the invocation.

After lunch Larry passed the Pan – Trevor spoke about the highway clean-up with youth council members and thanked John & Neil for their tailgate BBQ following.

President Peter reported on a District presidents’ meeting that he came away from feeling very fortunate to have such a strong Club and Board. He suggested that the Rotaract UVic president might be a good resource if we pursue sponsoring a local club – he will pass along the information to Carol. Peter thanked Lori for preparing the gaming account summary report and application. Members were receptive to Sooke Family Resources Society invitation to hold one of our Weds lunches at CASA followed by a tour. Members would be expected to offer a donation in lieu of payment for lunch that would be donated by SFRS to United Way. United Way has sponsored several projects in the region.

Today’s speaker was John Topolniski giving his classification speech which he said is “my story, or as a politician would prefer to say, “My life as how I choose to remember it!” It is a wonderful story! Here are some highlights.

John’s family has been in Canada since his grandfather and two brothers emigrated here in 1907.  His dad was a wireless radio operator / gunner in a bomber during the war and his mum was a British war bride. John grew up in west Montreal where English predominated – so different from today he says! – but he is empathetic about the resentment that the francophones of his generation experienced and that today is felt by the Anglos even when they’re bilingual.

John took typing as his last half credit in high school, a course “that paid off in spades” when he was offered a position with Air Canada. Although it was not a huge salary he was able to fly anywhere he wanted! “This was the golden age of travel!” Later he worked in marketing then became an aeronautical draftsman mapping out the routes for the planes to fly and then producing the flight charts for the pilots. After “open skies became a reality in North America” and Air Canada expanded its routes, John eventually became responsible for all Canadian airports and he travelled from coast to coast to coast developing a great respect for our country.

John married and had two children, Valerie & Christopher. In 2001, John and his wide decided to end their relationship and he became a country bachelor for a few years until he met and married Linda living in Montreal then Ottawa and working for Navigation Canada which he described as his dream job. When he retired they decided to look for a home on the south Island and discovered Sunriver Estates right at the last minute.  They moved to Sooke in January 2008. He spent a lot of time renovating the house and garden and subsequently a lot of time at Rona. So much so that on one of his many visits they enticed him to work there – it was the employee discounts that did it he says. He continues to work in the garden centre and has now also started his own landscaping business that eats into his store time.

Meanwhile his wife Linda was setting up her fashion business and volunteering for Sooke Fine Arts. When he joined her as a volunteer, he met Bruce who sponsored him to join Rotary. “Life is good,” he says.

Card Draw: Judy’s ticket was drawn, she in turn drew the Jack of Diamonds and so the pot continues to grow!