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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
by Ray Taylor
President David Chatson welcomed us to our first February meeting at the Crown Plaza KW.
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BELL RINGER
by Ray Taylor
President Dave named Hubert Singh, Cheryl Ewing, and Ross Newkirk, who have just returned from the Caborca National Immunization Day, as our bell ringers. Further details and a possible project will be shared in the coming weeks.
Wine Quiz
by Ray Taylor
Getting a bit technical (the last few weeks were quite easy), Dave Chatson noted that in order to change a by-law, there were two requirements. First, the Board must approve it. Second…?
The general membership must approve it with a two-thirds majority.
50:50 Draw
Martin Jones, Cheryl Ewing and John Webster left the $301 for next week’s draw.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
by Ray Taylor
James Brown announced that he and his wife will be hosting In Vino and Carrots at their home announced that he and his wife are again filling a wheelbarrow with wine for the In Vino Caritas fundraiser, and will be on Sunday March 25, from 2 to 6. Admission will be one (or two, or three, or…) bottles of wine to be placed in a wheelbarrow to serve as a draw at the In Vino event. Last year this venture raised about $2,000.
Karen Redman noted that Waldo is in need of cheering up – and would welcome additional silent auction items. This will also make Mary Rielly happy, since she soon has to leave. the warmth of Mexico
Martin Jones announced that the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), a week long camp focusing on entrepreneurial training, will take place in Orangeville towards the end of April. Our Foundation supports this, and is looking for a candidate (ages 18 – 25)
SARGENT-AT-ARMS
by Ray Taylor
Bill Proctor introduced three guests – guest speaker and our exchange student Jess Moat, Bryn Jones (a guest of Ed Fowler) and our outbound exchange student Elyse Varney.
HAPPY JAR
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Howard Pell updated us on his sister-in-law, who has now moved from the hospital (where she has been since October) to a convalescent home.
Karen Redman was pleased to mention that Louise Gardiner dropped by a gift card for the In Vino silent auction. More importantly, Louise advised that after many setbacks Graham was able to get around with a walker, but has quickly progressed to a cane.
Ernie Ginsler noted that his oldest daughter is becoming a Rotaractor in Stratford.
Dave Chatson advised at all good things start with Rotary. Thanks to Tara buying Raptor tickets on the On-Line Auction, they attended the game yesterday (Raptors won). They went to a great Mexican restaurant before, where Tara enjoyed her favourite Margaritas. At the game, three members of the Canadian hockey team were introduced. As they were only sitting a few rows in front of them, Tara managed to get a selfie with them. She also managed to catch a tee shirt blasted out of the “gun”. Watch out for Tara at the silent auction at In Vino.
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BIRTHDAYS
Audrey Wipper (although I should not say – the impressive 90) and Dave Smith are birthday celebrants this week.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
by Ray Taylor
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Past president John Webster first confirmed that our outbound exchange student Elyse Varney, will be going to Finland in late summer to begin her year-long adventure. He then introduced Jess Moat, who will be with us until next January.
Jess is from Auckland New Zealand, which has a population of about 1.5 million of New Zealand’s 4.8 million inhabitants.
She lives with her mother (a former exchange student to Norway) and her older sister (a former exchange student to France, and currently a student). Jess noted that the family visited France and met her sister’s host families, and also traveled to Norway to meet with her mother’s host families). One wonders how Jess ever learned about the Rotary exchange program.
Jess will miss her family’s beach house (about 1.5 hours from Auckland), where they spend vacation and special holiday time. They manage to spend a lot of outdoor time while there.
Jess then introduced us to some of her favourite New Zealand animals, and foliage. She completed his high school education last fall, where she studied many of the sciences, and took a special interest in Drama (will we see her in the next KCI production.
Her Canadian wish list include Niagara Falls, Toronto, an “ice” hockey game, and…. She also has a wish list of wild animals to see (but no polar bear riding).
With her interest in animals, it is no surprise that her plans, when she returns to New Zealand is to enroll in a veterinarian sciences program.
When responding to questions, she noted that the government covers the first year of university tuition. She also agreed to provide one of her "Pavlova" creations for the annual “pie auction”.
