“Gratitude is the fairest blossom that springs from the soul”, is a quote I came across as I began to write this week’s Grapevine. Indeed, an attitude of gratitude seems to have pervaded today’s Virtual Meeting on this snowy, blustery, Wintry day. After joining Pres. Bruce in saying The Pledge, we listened as Albie fervently expressed thanks for being able to be together, and to attend Meetings. He urged us to “love all creation without measure”, which truly aligns with our “Service Above Self”. There were 20 Members at this noon’s Zoom Meeting, but no guests. Pres. Bruce provided an inspirational Program and Tom gave the Rotary Moment.

Here is a summary of this morning’s Board Meeting:

• The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports were approved.
• Plans will be finalized with the new owners of Reservoir Creek to have a District-Wide Golf Tournament in May.
• We may possibly sponsor a team for this year’s Spelling Bee, once we receive more information from the Literacy Volunteers of Ontario Yates.
• We plan to split our Venmo Account, and Pres. Bruce will help Laurie with this.
• We viewed a video entitled “Project Stove Team” (from Janet Tenreiro) which told about helping needy families in Latin America acquire stoves. It was agreed that we would make a one-time donation of $100 to help this cause.
• Tom noted that next week’s Program will be devoted to the 2022 Plan for the Grape Fest. The Board approved that we reimburse Tom for the purchase of a software tool known as “Survey Monkey”, which he used in creating the recent (Grape Fest) Survey. Tom will share those results with us at the next Meeting.
• A suggestion was made that a committee be formed to develop coordination and structure between fund-raising events. Further discussion is to follow.
• Plans will be underway for the Trout Derby of 2022. Some changes will be incorporated into this planning, and Sherry will get in touch with Micah and Chris.

Tom gave an update on next week’s Program, which will be about the Grape Fest of 2022. “It will be the official kick-off for 2022!" exclaimed Tom. This is the plan for the presentation: Tom will give an overview and share the Survey results, Jo Anne will expound on the details, and Lisa will talk about the Gala Event specifics.

Rose noted that although she was unable to line up a Program about Animal Rescue and Shelter, at this time, one could still donate to an Animal Rescue Shelter of his/her choice in honor of Betty White. Betty would have turned 100 today, and though she fell short of that goal by just a couple of weeks, we are encouraged to honor her legacy of loving and caring for animals.

President Bruce stepped up to the plate today, as he gave an engaging Program that encouraged us to reflect upon our lives, to become more resilient when changes occur, and to acquire an attitude of gratitude, even when things don’t go according to plan.

In the first of his Four-Part Program, Bruce, “The Airstream Dreamer”, talked about how sometimes, life’s plans collide with what actually happens. “Though you don’t always get what you want, you continue to try, and it’s important to have a passion that you continue to follow,” he said. For Bruce, teaching was an Epiphany for him, and it was this turning point that led him to think about life differently.

Entitled “My Toastmasters Journey”, Part Two of Bruce’s Presentation focused on how changes can lead to more innovation and creativity. He had planned to travel from East to West in his Airstream, with Sandy beside him, and then Covid hit! Would that “curve ball” have made him abandon his dream? Certainly not! There was another way, and that was to “go virtual”! Passion, purpose, and technology enabled him to continue with his Podcasts, and he was able to narrate, record, edit, and sing!

Part Three, “The Wild Audacious Ride”, as Bruce called it, touched upon the “ups and downs” of life. There is a map of uncertainty and fear woven into the lives of each of us, this “double-sided coin”, as Bruce called it, can lead to extraordinary things and unanticipated thrill, and it’s important to maintain joy, and stick with your passion.

“Ultimate Freedom”, as Part Four was called, stressed how important it is to choose one’s way despite despair. Bruce shared a story of a young woman, who amid great crises in her life, found joy in the branch of a chestnut tree. “It’s important to be cheerful and grateful, for each passing year of life presents new mysteries!” Pres. Bruce added. He concluded by sharing that the four Attitudes of Enduring Wonder are Gratitude, Cheerfulness, Curiosity, and Awe, and we can create that Enduring Wonder throughout our lives!

Bruce concluded his presentation by asking the question, “When has life turned out different from your expectations?” John gladly added that for him, the detour was Match.Com in meeting Sherry, and Brew and Brats, of course! Tom said the turning point for him was when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 12 years ago. Since then, he’s felt that he has gained so much insight into life, and he celebrates life!

The second question, “What are you grateful for?” became the springboard for the Happy Bills. We truly seem to be a grateful club, as there are many things that we appreciate in our lives. The Program, living in Naples, companionship, humor, Brew and Brats, good beer, and Hospeace House are among some of our major reasons for today’s gratefulness, not to mention all those wonderful plow operators on a day like today!!

Tom did the Rotary Moment. Having had Covid recently, he emphasized how important it was to be vaccinated if one was health-compromised, such as he is. He talked about the wonderful caregivers at Thompson Hospital, and he added that Thompson should be on our list of reasons to be grateful. To complete his Rotary Moment, He showed us a short video that focused on the stance that Rotary is taking on Covid.

Thank you, Pres. Bruce for helping us to focus on positivity and gratitude today. I think we must all be feeling grateful to be inside our warm, cozy homes on a night such as this, don’t you think? 😊