Club Rotarians Celebrate their Entry into Rotary Leftover April showers crashed the May first party celebrating the over 230 years of service contributed by the 23 current members of the St. Thomas Rotary Club. Heading the list of members with most years of Rotary membership was Bill Horn (left), with 49 years. Close behind was Ken Ferguson (below) with 46 years. Ron Somerville and Ed Willson both had 27 years, Malcolm Rust, 21 years, Trudy Kanellis and Dave Payler, 15 years, and so on down the list to our newest member, Edie Delanghe, with one month, and more to come. “We are all friends here,” said President Nancy in noting how well Club members work together on Rotary projects and how much she has appreciated the mentoring she has received from all members regardless of their years of service. And what a record of service it has been over the years! President Nancy pointed to the Club’s support of youth (examples are the Splash Pad and Music Festival); its support of the Hospital and Women’s Shelter and other people in need of assistance in the community (an example would be Christmas Care); and its support of international work for the betterment of humanity (chiefly in aid of polio eradication but there are other projects, for schools and clean water and lots more). Whenever the cry of “Mayday” has been heard, whether at home or abroad, the Club has done its best to help. Monday, May 8 – John Van Laar Back to School Project in the Philippines At the Wayside, 12:15 p.m. PENNIES FROM HEAVEN….Club President Nancy welcomed Maggie Horn, wife of Bill, to today’s meeting on a very rainy May Day….Next week (May 8) we will hear from John Van Laar from the Rotary Club of Collingwood/South Georgian Bay about the Rotary Back to School project in the Philippines. On May 15, we will be meeting in the bar area of the Wayside for the Springedition of the student Service Above Self awards. Guests are most welcome to attend (as they are every week). There is no meeting on May 22 (Victoria Day), but on May 29, Serge Lavoie will be on hand to speak about the new elevated park in St. Thomas. If you have money or tickets (sold and unsold) for the Interact Club’s Pony Poopin’ Bingo event, please contact Trudy immediately. She will need your tickets in order to have the information to map the grid on the farm field where the pony is to do his work this Saturday, May 6. The number of squares in the grid will correspond to the number of tickets sold, and each will bear the name of a ticket holder. The big event takes place at From Away Farms, 43 Sunset Drive in St. Thomas. The Railway City Rotary Club Fish Fry is also set for this Saturday, May 6. Contact Trudy or go to the RCRC web site if you would like to buy tickets. They are $25 per person. The St. Thomas Rotary Club Food Trailer will be going to the Fish Fry. Dave Payler, Malcolm Rust and Ron Somerville will be at the CASO Station on Friday at noon to get the Trailer ready….And the Rotary Leadership Institute seminar Parts 1, II and III takes place, you guessed it, Saturday, May 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at King’s College in London. Brenda Merrifield and Gerry Janssen will be attending from the St. Thomas Rotary Club. To register for the District Conference (May 26-28), visit the District’s website ( www.rotary6330.org). There is no registration fee but you do need to pay for meals. Guests may be brought. This year’s Conference is hosted by the Railway City Rotary Club, with most of the events taking place at St. Anne’s Centre in St. Thomas….Gerry Janssen was winner of the 50/50 draw. As no Fine Master was forthcoming, the President declared that a fine should be imposed for not having a Fine Master. Yes, it’s like that. HAPPY FINS- Donations of $5 to The Rotary Foundation – Annual Programs Fund – credited to the donor in celebration of something good in our lives. This practice was started in this club in 1985 to raise funds for polio eradication at the suggestion of Darwen Lowe, a member of the club. Gerry Janssen (2) – For winning the 50/50 and recovering his pin money; for everyone’s birthday. Nancy Lovelock (1) – For everyone’s birthday. Bill Horn (2) – For his daughter’s birthday yesterday; for everyone’s birthday. Ron Somerville (3) – Thanks to everyone for their kindness to him last week; for Ken’s birthday and for his son’s birthday. Ken was ably serenaded by the Rotary Choir with “Happy Birthday.” Dave Payler (1) – He will soon be setting off for Jackson’s Point for the summer months. The Salvation Army operates a camp there to which children from Toronto’s inner city are invited. Dave expects to spend part of the summer, however, assisting with the Club’s Food Trailer. Trudy Kanellis (3) – For Adriana Balderas’ help with the Interact Club, part of whose recent work included cleaning animal stalls in preparation for Saturday’s Pony Poopin’ Bingo. Thanks to everyone for selling PPB tickets. The Interact Club seems assured of raising at least $3000 but would like to get closer to their goal of $4000. For the amiable Lord Bruce, in town for St. George’s Day. | ASAA | Greeter | Fine Master | Monday, May 8 | Ron Somerville | Pat Martyn | Mike Moore |
Photos: Trudy Kanellis PEB
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