Bulletin - January 19, 2016 = #26
Posted by Chris Bangham on Jan 24, 2017
President George opened the meeting.
Grace was said by Graham Kennedy
O Canada lead by Rick Evans
A toast to the Queen and Canada
The head table was introduced:
Doug Geddie (Past President of Rotary Club of St. Catharines1997-98) to introduce our speaker
Chelsea Carey our speaker
George Darte President
Jean Armitage Sergeant-at-Arms
Ted Usick member
Anne Atkinson to introduce our guests.
Guests:
Jennifer Douglas - from City of St. Catharines - guest of Doug Geddie
Gloria Campbell - guest of Doug Geddie
Marilyn Bodogh - guest of Doug Geddie
Keith Shaver - guest of Doug Geddie
Daniel frans - guest of Doug Geddie
Rotary Story:
Margaret Jarrell gave us an update on the Centennial Committee, of which she is now chair. Pursuant to their meeting last night, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to a significant project – a social development investment in St Catharines to alleviate poverty, reflecting Rotary values. Use will be made of leveraged Club Funds, as well as dormant or under-utilized resources in the city. This project is expected to be both a St Catharines and Rotary success story, with the scope and size unfolding as the committee continues its work.
Speakers:
Doug Geddie told us about the Scotties Tournament of Hearts which this year is being hosted in St Catharines at the Meridian Centre. Some of his main points:
• 15 teams will compete from the provinces, territories and Team Canada – champions from last year.
• 8 days of competition will begin on Feb 18.
• Wonderful for the city – potential $9million impact.
• Great PR – 160 hours of national television
• Entertainment is part of the ticket price with lunch, dinner and live bands every night, at the Golf Club
• 3,635 tickets will be given to local children for the morning games
• Big names – the PM, Minister of Fitness and Sport, Premier and local dignitaries are all invited to the opening ceremonies.
• Tickets are available on-line and from the Meridian Box Office.
Doug than introduced Chelsea Carey captain of Team Canada who had flown in from Alberta yesterday to be with us. Chelsea has curled on the national stage since 2010. As captain she lead the Alberta women’s champion team to victory in Scotties 2016.
Chelsea gave us great insights into the ups and downs of high level sport. She learned to love curling in 1992 at 7 years old when she watched her father at the provincial championships, and then the Brier, which his rink won. She saw many seasons, some victorious and some not so much, before getting the Scotties bronze medal in 2014. Then 2016 saw her winning it.
Chelsea replied to several questions:
From Marilyn Bodogh – do you have superstitions? Yes, sort of, like sitting in the same places in the car. But one team member insisted on occupying the same parking space in spite of it being further away.
From Rara Asaro – do you have rituals before going on the ice? Chelsea always listens to the same song.
From Jean Armitage – tell us about your team-mates – which Chelsea dutifully did.
From Mark Zammitt – will men and women play together or in the same league in the future? Chelsea thinks no – the difference being primarily in the sweeping strength of the men – perhaps something that we did not know.
Stuart Butler warmly thanked the speaker.
School in Uganda – Update
Jackie Van Lankveld gave us an update of her project – help with the construction of a school for orphans in Entebbe, Uganda. Much has happened, including attracting paying students (42) as well as the orphans (98) with 60 of the orphans having solid sponsors. Probably the most important and exciting news is that the school now owns 4 acres of vacant land on which the new school can be built, avoiding the problems of construction on the same spot, and the difficulties that can bring. Jackie has also completed 15 presentations to other Rotary clubs in our district, and raised $41,000, as well as partnering with the Niagara Duty-Free shop which is giving her a break in the $US exchange rate.
RibFest results:
Joel Chatterton made some delightful comparisons between curling teamwork and the Ribfest teamwork before presenting President George with a cheque for $90,000. Well done Ribfest! He then announced that Ron Fast will be Ribfest chair in 2017, and the incoming vice-chair will be Serge Paquin.
Announcements:
• The only birthday was John Potts, and there were no anniversaries.
• President George then asked that we keep Melissa Sparks, wife of Glen in mind, as she is still recovering from major surgery.
• The recipient of this year’s Ted Lancaster bursary (which was started by this club in 1996) wrote a letter of thanks.
Happy Dollars:
Trevor Van Nest carried the basket, and announced he would intersperse each dollar with a one-line pun ( listed at the end of Happy$ is what I had a chance to write down)
Jim Hanson thanked the club for their support during and after the loss of his grandchild.
Lisa Gerrie told the story of her daughter seeking a lifeguard’s job, and confessing she wasn’t a very strong swimmer, but she got it anyway.
Larry Kent gave us the story of an immigrant family he had been helping to sponsor, and the horrific time they had reaching a Canadian Consulate in Beirut.
Jackie Van Lankveld was happy about her 25th anniversary with the Children’s Centre
Cindy Mewhinney was grateful to the Ribfest team
Rick Evans was happy his global grant application had been accepted, and that the two exchange students he and Jayne had sponsored in 1995 had now become involved in Rotary and the community in Finland.
Ken Taylor asked us to think about Joyce going through cataract surgery since he himself had the same surgery one week ago
Trevor’s one-line puns:
Two silkworms in a race ended up in a tie.
A butcher backed into his meat-slicer and got a little behind with the orders
Something about a grenade in France??
Something else about fruit flies?
A nudist camp with a hole in the wall?
I was thinking about a baseball and then it hit me.
Cannot remember the last two – anyone else want this job?
50/50:
Stuart Butler was unable to draw an ace.
Tickets were also drawn for seats at the Scottie’s tournament, generously donated by Doug Geddie et al - the winners were Ted Usick and Anne Atkinson
President George closed the meeting