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RAINMAKERS
Changeover Meeting at Merriview
 
Rainmakers can be defined as people who bring success to a business or other endeavour. There were many rainmakers of that description among those assembled at Merriview, the handsome Fairview Road home of Brenda and Mike Merrifield, on Monday night. Alas, the Other Rainmaker made an unwelcome intrusion and sent us home early.
 
But we could be thankful that the rain held off for most of the early evening, permitting two worthy Paul Harris Fellows to be recognized, two boards to be inducted, a great meal to be eaten (thanks to the Wayside) and lots of great fellowship to be enjoyed. For those who remembered when the property was known as Sandam, it was a return to a popular Club tradition; for others the start of a new one at Merriview, thanks to the generosity of Brenda and Mike.
 
Among those present were District Governor Diane Chantler and Bill; Assistant Governor Sue Storie and Rick; members of the Rotary Club of Aylmer including Barb Warnock, Mary Morin, Bill Kavanagh (and Ruth Ann) and of the Railway City Rotary Club including Helen and Roger Campbell, Eleanor Robson, and Ken Wilmot (and Hazel).
 
And there were many partners of current St. Thomas Rotary Club members present: Kathy Willson, Faye Ferguson, Donna Rust, Joy Somerville, Catherine Janssen, Mike Merrifield, Paul Lovelock, George Martyn, Don Ferguson, Marco Valdez and Nick Kanellis.
 
 
TWO PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS
 
It was the pleasant duty of District 6330 Governor Diane Chantler to confer recognition as Paul Harris Fellows upon two outstanding individuals, one from the wider community and one a Rotary member of long standing. DG Diane noted that being made a Paul Harris Fellow was to be the recipient of one of the most prestigious awards in Rotary. Recognition of a Paul Harris Fellow can be made by a Rotary Club or by an individual upon the donation of $1000 USD to The Rotary Foundation. Donations to TRF aid its great work around the world, change lives, and “truly create world peace and understanding.”
 
Sally Martyn

Introduced by Malcolm Rust
 
This evening, as a Rotarian, I am delighted to recognize the community service of Sally Martyn, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Central Elgin. Sally is married to John and they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Sally and John live in Sparta in the residence that belonged to Sally’s grandparents and then her parents, Helen (Nash) and Edward Smith. John & Sally farm, keep a Jersey cow, cultivate nut trees and grow cash crops.
 
I first met Sally when I came to Sparta in late 1979 (38 years ago) to serve 2 local Baptist churches. I was “blown away” by her commitment to the Sparta community, her leadership, her knowledge, her many and varied skills and interests. I had never met anyone like her before! Sally was and still is a great Ambassador for Sparta.
 
A graduate of the St. Thomas Collegiate Institute and then of Western University (BA) and their Faculty of Education, Sally taught briefly at Wellington Street and New Sarum Public Schools but for 26 years she taught hundreds of students at Sparta Public School.
 
I have heard her tell of the success she had with the young people’s debating society as a teenager at the Baptist Church, of horseback riding, her love of curling, her butter making skills, her skill at crewel embroidery (using wool), her pottery skills, weaving, dyeing and spinning wool, knitting, gardening, and food preservation. Sally is a committed conservationist, is a bee keeper, grows chestnuts and Persian walnuts and drives a Smart car! She helps with the Sparta Historical Fashion Show and the annual dinner, “Feast at the Forge”. You may have joined Sally and learned about the history of Sparta when conducted walking tours pointing out the architecture of the historical homes and other buildings. She is a painter and has helped run a summer art camp. She is an active member of the Sparta Historical Association and of the Quilters and Stitchers’ group in Sparta. They recently created an Historical Quilt to celebrate Canada’s 150 years. In recent years she promoted the Elgin County Barn Quilts Trail that tells the stories of the area’s rich heritage through beautiful quilt designs. Sally was instrumental in the establishment of the Sparta Church Museum. For several years she has explained the maple syrup process to hundreds of children at the Springwater Conservation Area. Sally is the secretary for the South Sparta cemetery.
 
Politically, she was elected Central Elgin Ward 2 councilor for 8 years, has been chair of the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority for 6 years in addition to serving on numerous other committees. Currently she is Deputy Mayor, Central Elgin and in that capacity she is on Elgin County Council. She serves on the Elgin County Museum Committee and the Elgin Accessibility Committee. It has been said, “Sally is a strong, intelligent woman and has a straightforward common sense approach to issues.” (Carol Gates, Port Stanley).
 
Clearly, Sally has been an outstanding leader in Sparta and in the region. She has engaged many others in the historical and environmental passions that have driven her life, as with devotion she has served others. Sally expressed her thanks for the award, acknowledging it to be a great honour.
 
 
Ron Somerville

Introduced by Tracy Kanellis
 
It is my pleasure to present to you the next recipient of Paul Harris Fellow recognition, Ron Somerville. Ron joined the St. Thomas Club in 1990 and has been a very active member since that time. He has held many positions with the Club: he has been a member of the Board of Directors; Past President; Secretary of our Foundation Board; a member of the Food Trailer committee; Secretary for the Tour of Homes; and chair of the Music Festival. He’s looked after the Fantasy of Lights display, and probably many more things that I have not listed.
 
Ron is one of those members that you can always count on when something needs to get done, whether it be building walkways for the houses on the Tour or volunteering at the Food Trailer or Music Festival. If there is a vacancy you can always count on Ron to step up and help fill that spot.
 
Ron has attended many District Assemblies and District Conferences and also International Conventions. I remember when Jo-Anne, Wayne, Ron and I were coming back from Chicago, and it was the guys’ turn to take over driving the last half of the way. Jo-Anne and I got in the back and didn’t pay any attention to Wayne’s driving; we gave them the map and off we went. After driving a little while, Ron says to Wayne, “I think we are going in the wrong direction; the sun shouldn’t be facing that way.” Sure enough, Wayne had taken a wrong turn. Thanks to Ron for being Wayne’s co-navigator!
 
Ron, for your dedication of time and commitment to “Service Above Self” we are very grateful. You have shown us the true meaning of volunteerism and have helped us to achieve the Rotary Motto this year, “Rotary Serving Humanity.” As a token of our appreciation, we wish to present you with a Multiple Paul Harris Fellowship. Congratulations. Ron is now a Paul Harris + 6 Fellow.
 
 
 
TWO CLUB BOARDS INSTALLED
 
 
DG Diane’s second happy duty was to install two club boards: that of the Rotary Club of St. Thomas and that of the St. Thomas Interact Club. The board of the Rotary Club of Aylmer, which for the past few years was installed at the same time as the two forenamed clubs, will defer its ceremony to a later date. Members of the 2017-18 Board of the St. Thomas Rotary Club are seen, from left to right: Suzanne Ferguson, Secretary; Malcolm Rust, Public Relations/Media; Nancy Lovelock, Past President; Pat Martyn, International Service; Trish Shouldice, President; Gerry Janssen, President-Elect; Adriana Balderas, International Service; Ed Willson, Sergeant-at-Arms; Trudy Kanellis, Youth Service. Not shown: Ron Somerville, Club Service; Mike Moore, Treasurer; Dave Payler, Community Service; Jennifer Babcock, Community Service.
 
The new board of the St. Thomas Interact Club was also installed this evening. From left to right: Trudy Kanellis, the Club’s advisor; Nicholas Chabot, Past President; Sarah Pepper, President; and Andrew Valdez-Balderas, Secretary and Treasurer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
THANK YOU, PRESIDENT NANCY
 
One of the casualties of the sudden downpour at 7:30 p.m. was that we did not get to hear the tribute that our new President, Trish Shouldice, intended to pay to (now) Past President Nancy Lovelock. Here is a copy of those remarks:
 
What wonderful leadership we have all experienced in the last two years with Nancy Lovelock as our President!
 
Nancy’s idea of the “All-Club Breakfast” was a smashing success. This event brought non-profit groups together and restarted our tradition of getting to know our service club partners in St. Thomas. Under Nancy’s watch the Food Trailer operation re-started and we are looking forward to a successful year this summer. The Tour of Homes continued, making a record profit in 2016. In the past two years, Nancy worked with our club where one third of the club’s members were new. She has quietly encouraged all of us to find our “fit”. Nancy listens well to what people are saying and sometimes for what we are not saying. The recitation of the Four-Way Test at the opening of our meetings helps us to focus on truth, fairness and collaboration in our decision-making.
 
Nancy, along with Adriana Balderas started the “Walk for Water” event, entitled “H2O 4 Every 1”. The effort provided the public with important education. The two annual events raised over $1100 which will support a new community water system in Pikangakum, a Northern Ontario First Nations town. Nancy has also instituted special awards applications for deserving members and has been a strong literacy advocate. Her most recent effort involved reading with children at the Northside Neighbourhood Hub.
 
Thank you Nancy for your encouragement to all and for your hard-working ways.
A big bouquet of gratitude for taking two years to give the Rotary Club of St. Thomas your excellent service.
 
 
SOMEONE LEFT A CAKE OUT IN THE RAIN….Among the other guests in attendance were Darwen and Marie Lowe; Melody McKinnon; Andrew and Anna, Adriana Balderas’ son and niece, respectively; John and Jonathan, Sally Martyn’s husband and son, respectively; Cliff Somerville, Ron’s son; Suzanne Ferguson’s sister, Vicki; John Sanders; Kathy Lloyd; Jennifer Kirby; Catherine McKinnon; Sarah Pepper; and Nicholas Chabot. My apologies for any omissions and misspellings and other errors.
 
The Rotary Food Trailer will be at Pinafore Park on Canada Day (July 1). President Trish Shouldice again urged Club members to sign up for duty for the “Day Out with Thomas [the Tank Engine]” event July 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 behind the Memorial Arena at 80 Wilson Avenue. Help is particularly needed on afternoon shifts July 15 and 16. A gift to TRF in DG Diane’s name will be made in honour of her visit tonight.
 
There will be no meetings of the Club on July 3, 17 and 24 and August 7 and 21. The Club will meet at the Wayside at its regular time on July 10 with Malcolm Rust in the chair. For details of other summer meetings and events, be sure to check the Club’s website: www.rotarystthomas.org.... Mary Morin (Rotary Club of Aylmer) was winner of the 50/50 draw. There was no Fine Master.
 
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.
 
Diane Chantler (2) – There is an update in the amount of money raised for TRF by the Teddy Bear Auction at the recently held District Conference. It is now $9000. Thanks to Club members Nancy Lovelock and Adriana Balderas for their leadership in the Auction and to other Club members for their help at the Conference. Congratulations to the Club for adding seven new members in the last eighteen months!
 
As Diane was speaking, the rain began to fall in earnest and no other fins were collected (though an additional $5 appeared before Brenda Merrifield, its origin unknown. Perhaps the mystery of this fin will be solved before long.) Other fins that would have been offered tonight will be deferred to the next meeting of the Club.
 
Monday, July 3 – Meeting Cancelled
Monday, June 10 – Regular Club Meeting
At the Wayside, 12:15 p.m.
Note that the meal price will now be $13 (still a bargain!)
 
 

ASAA

Greeter

Fine Master

Monday, July 3

No Meeting (Canada Day weekend)

Monday, July 10

Ron Somerville

Brenda Merrifield

Adriana Balderas

Monday, July 17

No Meeting (Meeting Cancelled)

Monday, July 24

No Meeting (Meeting Cancelled)

Monday, July 31

Ron Somerville

Pat Baker

Ed Willson

Monday, August 7

No Meeting (Civic Holiday)

 
Photos: Trudy Kanellis & Malcolm Rust

PEB
Upcoming Events
Ian Chantler on Social Media Food traier following
Sep 27, 2017 12:15 PM
 
Club Assembly - Board Meeting
Wayside Dining Lounge
Oct 04, 2017 12:15 PM
 
Holiday-No Regular meeting
Oct 11, 2017
 
All Club Breakfast
Wayside Dining Lounge
Oct 18, 2017 12:15 PM
 
World Polio Day and Social Time
Oct 24, 2017 11:00 AM
 
No Regular meeting
Wayside Dining Lounge
Oct 25, 2017 12:15 PM
 
DG Martin Ward visit and Meeting with Board
Nov 01, 2017 12:15 PM
 
Kathy Knott - Therapeutic Paws, Board meeting
Wayside Dining Lounge
Nov 08, 2017 12:15 PM
 
TOH 11Nov17 9-12
Nov 11, 2017
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
No Regular meeting - follows TOH
Nov 15, 2017 12:15 PM
 
Club Information
Service Above Self
Changes to regular meetings see "Upcoming Events"
We meet Wednesdays at 12:15 PM
Wayside Dining Lounge
10680 Sunset Road
Talbotville, ON  N0L 2K0
Canada
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Rotary Club of St. Thomas
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St. Thomas ON
N5P 4H4
Club #: 2887
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