Program by Barbara:
Our special guest was Santa. He reminded us all of when we did silly things and complimented us on our club involvement. We heard and saw the Broadway singers of London because we gave up singing as a club years ago. Thanks Barbara for making our Christmas festivities so happy and joyous! We enjoyed your various hats.
Year end message from President Gerry:
COVID made 2020 difficult for us, but we adapted as a club better than most. We cancelled the Tour of Homes and Chocolate Extravaganza; who would have thought! April 1 saw our first Zoom meeting. We were saddened at the passing of member Ed Willson. We met outside and inside at the Wayside with social distancing, but the traffic there was not enough for our hosts to continue, so the Wayside closed; we did not hurry to find a new location. We met by Zoom with the District and the RCRC and helped them install Christmas lights at the Splash Pad. We distributed supplies at the YWCA and gave to several groups in the city and world wide. President Gerry is planning a survey for members to complete regarding a 5 year vision. He wants us to seriously consider financial support for the Elgin Hospice that will be built next year.
Looking back @ COVID-19 year 2020 – Malcolm Rust
T’was a Month Before Christmas 2020
By: Shawna Hickling, Calgary, AB
T’was a month before Christmas,
And all through the town,
People wore masks,
That covered their frown.
The frown had begun
Way back in the Spring,
When a global pandemic
Changed everything.
They called it Corona,
But unlike the beer,
It didn’t bring good times,
It didn’t bring cheer.
Contagious and deadly,
This virus spread fast,
Like a wildfire that starts
When fueled by gas.
Airplanes were grounded,
Travel was banned.
Borders were closed
Across air, sea and land.
As the world entered lockdown
To flatten the curve,
The economy halted,
And folks lost their verve.
From March to July
We rode the first wave,
People stayed home,
They tried to behave.
When summer emerged
The lockdown was lifted.
But away from caution,
Many folks drifted.
Now it’s November
And cases are spiking,
Wave two has arrived,
Much to our disliking.
Frontline workers,
Doctors and nurses,
Try to save people,
From riding in hearses.
This virus is awful,
This COVID-19.
There isn’t a cure.
There is no vaccine.
It’s true that this year
Has had sadness a plenty,
We’ll never forget
The year 2020.
And just ‘round the corner -
The holiday season,
But why be merry?
Is there even one reason?
To decorate the house
And put up the tree,
When no one will see it,
No-one but me.
But outside my window
The snow gently falls,
And I think to myself,
Let’s deck the halls!
So, I gather the ribbon,
The garland and bows,
As I play those old carols,
My happiness grows.
Christmas ain’t cancelled
And neither is hope.
If we lean on each other,
I know we can cope.
District Governor returned again with apologies for missing the Paul Harris Fellow tributes. I have not known a District Governor to show such interest in our club by meeting on several meetings with us since September!
Announcements
Andrew from the Interact club completed his first semester at Western Engineering. Adriana wished us Merry Christmas (Feliz Navidad in Spanish).
Our District Governor for 2023 will be Sonja Glass, President of Meaford Club. She has done work for Tanzania.
President Gerry updated our registration with the Chamber of Commerce. We need to support our local businesses.
The next meeting will be 6Jan21 when Malcolm will present his "History in Rotary".
Merry Christmas