Kolbo, our Spanish  exchange student, took some time to share with us information about his home and his time in Red Deer.

He is from the Galacia region in Spain, known for the end point of one of the caminos, Santiago de Compostela.  Koldo and his family live in Vigo, a city that is close to beaches, and known for fishing, ship making and an amazing Christmas market and lights.  Koldo enjoys surfing with his brothers and friends.  His family consists of his parents, 2 brothers, and his grandma. His older brother has participated in a Rotary Exchange in the United States and a cousin went to France. Both encouraged him to take the opportunity to experience a new culture.  Koldo has enjoyed his time in Canada.  He has been to Canmore and Banff and has gone golfing.  Hunting Hills High School has many international students and Koldo has gone with them on excursions around central Alberta.  He remarked that he found the weather getting very cold here as it seldom gets colder than 0 degrees C at home and it never snows.  All at the meeting agreed that the upcoming winter weather will prove to be a bit of a learning curve for him. We are happy to have Koldo here and look forward to seeing him at future meetings and activities when his schooling permits. 

Phil H. led the somewhat scrambled meeting format and Thelma, as Sarge, just followed along.  Thelma reminded us of all the things that are celebrated today. They include National Apple Day, Wild Shirt day, and  Count your Buttons Day.  While exciting, none are more important than World Polio Day which is celebrated on Thursday, October 24.  She recalled a time in which polio was talked about with fear and seeing an iron lung that was being used to keep someone alive.  Thelma encouraged all to contribute to  Polio Plus, a program  enabling Rotary members in polio-free countries to provide support to fellow members in polio-affected countries for polio eradication activities.  You can donate by selecting that option under MyRotary donations and selecting that option.  Committing to a donation of $100/year will enroll you in the Polio Plus Society. (author note:  Who knows the link between the polio vaccine and Mary Poppins?  Tell me at next weeks meeting and receive a prize!)

 

No guests at today's meeting.

 

Diane M tried to win the 50/50 draw but was not successful, despite a spirited call to recite the 4 Way Test.

 

Diane M: Shared that she had 13 buttons on today and had been to Santiago, Spain. She and Dick had recently returned from a trip to Stratford and attended a Rotary meeting, got a city tour from a Rotarian, and snagged an item for the Silent Auction at Black Tie Bingo- check it out next Tuesday.  It is called " Witches Tears".

Harvey: Visited Rotary International World Headquarters in Illinois and was excited to see the picture of Victor and Thelma receiving their Arch Klumph award hanging on the wall. L

Dean: Frustration bucks contributed as many members still have not bought their 50/50 tickets.  He remarked that he used to have hair like Jerry Passman before he took on the ticket selling job!

Ingrid: Kudos to Dagmar and her Ten Peaks conference that many members volunteered at last week. What a great opportunity for youth to learn more about the environment and their place in sustaining it. 

Lisa M: Happy to be back and enjoyed the Rebels Skate Day on Sunday with her family.  We continue to wish her well as she continues her cancer treatments.

Patricia A: Enjoyed having her husbands and grand children around on the weekend. Encouraged us to take note of Nov. 1 when the Sexual Assault Centre will have a new name, logo, and brand.

Grant: Delighted that his 5'3"  17 yr old granddaughter was named MVP at a recent Volleyball tournament in Edmonton.  Kudos also to the 6'6' grandson, a member of the U of A basketball team who was the top point getter at recent tournament in Kamloops. 

Robert M: Loved the recent symphony performance with  the Fakley sisters who are accomplished cello players.  Found the 10 Peaks Conference to be a great experience to volunteer at and interact with youth. 

Orlyn: Shared his achievement at successfully orchestrating a surprise 60th  birthday celebration for his wife. Thanked all those who volunteered to take his shift at the recent Rebels game.

Dick M: Shared that veterans have free entrance to the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and receive a $20 lunch voucher for their service.  

Dagmar: Thanked all who volunteered for 10 Peaks conference and remarked on the great questions that the youth attending had for the keynote speakers.  Will be travelling to North Battleford on the weekend to watch her son play  hockey. 

Ron M: Let all know that the Square machines are warmed up and ready to take donations or do ticket sales for BlackTie Bingo. 

Adele: Enjoyed having family home and celebrated that the leaves were still on the trees for the annual family picture.  Shared that their are 51 Summer Villages in Alberta.  Reminded all of the Nov. 18 Seniors Christmas Concert.

Dawna A: Spent Thanksgiving in Montreal for the 70 th anniversary of a dear friend, then journed on to Winnipeg to celebrate the life of her sister-in law.  Connected with her son whose namesake beer won a silver medal at a recent beer competition which he forgoed to attend the family celebration of life. Her  son also donated to our BTBingo Silent Auction!

 

Angela Gray, one of our newer members, shared her story today.  She thanks Robert Mast for introducing her to Rotary and looks forward to all that it involves.  Angela is married and has 15 and 19 year old sons.  She is currently an investment advisor for RDC Wealth Management.  Within her work she has had many opportunities to work with many non profit organizations and provide financial advice and support.  Angela has benefited from having many mentors along her journey and looks forward to "paying it forward" through club activities and connecting with others in the club. We are excited to have you in the club, Angela. 

Garth commended the 9 members of the Black Tie Bingo committee who have done a great job of planning the event and hope to see everyone there on Tuesday Oct 29.h

This week's draw winner is Merv T.  He wins a $50 taxi voucher so he won't have to worry about a parking spot for Black Tie Bingo. Next week, Dagmar has arranged for the winner to receive a decorated parking spot close to the door.  Talk about priority parking!  Make sure you have your name in the draw for having purchased tickets!

 

 

The Belize Literacy Alive project will be one of the featured sessions at the Basic Early Literacy Rotary Action Group  (BELRAG) Symposium that is taking place on June 20 right before the RI International Convention in Calgary. Lynne Paradis is one of the keynote speakers on the panel that will be talking about successful international projects.  Belizean members of the Literacy project will play a key role in the presentation.  4 other sessions that highlight the different aspects of the Belize Literacy Project have been submitted for possible inclusion in the RI International Conference itself.  

 

Victor shared information about an upcoming Zoom session that will discuss the role that Rotary is playing in the eradication of Polio.  The session takes place on Thursday, Oct 24 at noon. Registration: http://us06webzoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlc0yvpsqGtfd6VUfws3qflt83A_SLud#registration

 

Mark your social calendar :

Nov. 14: Rotary After 5 at the WOW store

Dec 2: Annual Christmas Party at Parkland Garden Centre.  There will be no meeting that day.

Dec 12: Rotary After 5. Place TBA

Dec. 16: Christmas meeting with guests

 

We are exploring another inter-club event in the new year.  Exciting plans are being made for welcoming guests at the RI Convention in June.

 

Some of the members who volunteered to support the 10 Peaks Conference last week.   

10 Peaks was a recipient of one of our Community Service grants this year. What a great opportunity to support this project as it focuses on youth and the environment. 

 

 

Share with family and friends who may wish to attend.