Our sergeant-at-arms Tom Tait called our fourth meeting of the Rotary year to order. Filling in for President Rick Erven, President-Elect Eric Bennett introduced the head table, and Michael Pierson led us in singing O Canada. Our greeter Maja Starovic delivered the invocation.

 

Gord Graham delivered a heartfelt eulogy to honour the life of long-time Rotarian Bob Pogue. Through the years Bob was part of the Fat Boys dance line at several Rotary shows and was a key organizer of our big barbecues for many years. He had many friends in the club and will be greatly missed. A sympathy card for Bob's wife Mary Jane and family was circulated to be signed by the membership.

 

President Rick thanked our meeting volunteers Ralph Lundberg, Larry Martin and Bruce Millar. Club secretary Jennifer Lavier Jankovic welcomed our guests, which included two visiting Rotarians, and acknowledged the five club members celebrating birthdays this week.

 

Jennifer also asked us if we knew that there were only 41 privately owned motor vehicles in the province in 1906 when the legislature passed the first automobile act. However, our early club members included several automobile enthusiasts, including James Wheeler Davidson the "Marco Polo" of Rotary, who was also a member of the Good Roads Association. The Good Roads Association, which became the Alberta Motor Association, and Rotary worked tirelessly to promote the development of drivable roads as a means of advancing the Alberta economy,

 

David Bromwich urged us to purchase unGala tickets early, as the event is expected to sell out. He further encouraged us to invite non-Rotarians to attend this year's event.