Changeover 20Jun18

BE THE INSPIRATION  - Rotary International’s President Barry Rassin (2018-19) chose this as the theme for his presidential year.

(Photos with captions)

4 PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIPS presented by District 6330 Governor Jim Schlatman of the RC of Hanover, who spoke of the difference made by those who donate to The Rotary Foundation.

Elaine Catchpole – introduced by Pat Martyn

I am privileged indeed tonight to have the opportunity to introduce you to Elaine Catchpole and outline her many outstanding contributions to our community and to The RC of St. T.

Elaine has been actively involved in our RC for many years – volunteering tirelessly for the Rotary Music Festival where she feels she has her father’s legacy at heart and also for the Rotary Christmas Tour of Homes; she has secured countless musicians to entertain over the years and volunteers to staff these events.   Elaine always has a warm & welcoming smile when she is approached to do yet another job.  However, I never feel guilty asking her because I know I can count on her to say “Yes, of course, I’ll give it a try and see what I can do”.

In our St Thomas community, Elaine is actively involved in the St. Thomas Christian church with husband, Roger, and New Vision Community church where she is on the Worship committee and participates in a lively discussion group – Spirit Alive.   She also volunteers at the Elgin Manor tuck shop.

Elaine is an active member of the Elgin County Railway museum on which she has served for 10 years as the Secretary and is currently a tour guide.   Likewise, she volunteers with the Day Out with Thomas event held annually in St. Thomas and acted as the volunteer coordinator for this event during its early years.

As Elaine expressed to me recently, the years pass too quickly and retirement activities begin to take over – life is ever changing - friends & family require more time, attention and energy – although --again -- this sounds just like a continued extension of her volunteering/her sharing & doing for others.  However, her interests have been and always will be in support of our community and particularly of our St Thomas Rotary Club with its goal of “Service Above Self” a motto which embodies Elaine’s giving to her community and signifies her own belief.

I am honored to present Elaine for this much deserved Paul Harris Fellow award for her dedication and support in her volunteering and helping others

 

Melody McKinnon – introduced by Trudy Kanellis

Melody is no stranger to Rotary.  For years she has arranged the volunteers needed for the Christmas Tour of Homes appointing a head hostess in every house and a volunteer in most rooms to answer questions and ensure the security of property.  Every year some are unable to fulfil their duty for some reason and Melody has to substitute and change arrangements sometimes in creative ways.  We will always remember with great affection her late husband Wayne.   Melody constantly played a supporting role in all the ways Wayne was involved in Rotary projects including all his work with the Interact Club and his gathering of items for the annual auction at the Tour of Homes.  Then they hosted Rotary Exchange students in their home, always an interesting experience with occasional challenges.  They were affectionately known not as host parents but as host grandparents.  Thank you, Melody for all you have done over the years and all we hope you will continue to do.

 

Alma Roberts – introduced by Ron Somerville

Alma has been a friend of Rotary for many years.  She was on the staff of Alma College as an educator. Now she is known and loved by many as a private music teacher.  As a member of our Rotary Music Festival committee she has spent hours working through the arrangements that have to be made and making sure there are volunteer greeters, captains, secretaries and others to support the adjudicators. The annual Christmas Tour of Homes is the club’s largest fund raiser and again Alma can be counted on in her quiet way to ensure that things go smoothly.  Each spring the club hosts a Volunteer Appreciation evening at the CASO station and of course, Alma is there.  But this occasion is a special opportunity for us to thank Alma for who she is and all she continues to do by presenting her with a Paul Harris fellowship.

Nick Kanellis – introduced by Trish Shouldice

In the summer of 2002, when Trudy Kanellis became a member of the RC of St. Thomas, Nick Kanellis became a friend of Rotary. Since that time Nick has generously donated his time, talent and funds for the welfare of the Rotary Club and the world.  Nick often works in the background but let’s think about his overwhelming contribution to Rotary.  The interactors are supported by Nick and Trudy who purchase the teens services to paint windows at Christmas.  Nick and Trudy host the Interactors at their home on occasion.  The Rotary club meets every week at the Wayside Dining Lounge and for a nominal fee we are also fed a lovely buffet lunch.  Nick gives advice and orders food and supplies when we run the Food Trailer.  Nick loans the use of vehicles for transport of these supplies. The Wayside kitchen is used to bake mini cookies to support the Home Show ticket sales. Nick’s home and business have become storage facilities for Rotary items, Teddy Bears, food, Tour of Homes auction items, Tour of Homes volunteer supplies and dictionaries. As if this isn’t enough Nick also cooked the food for a catering job for the club this year in March. Nick, tonight’s award is well-deserved. Thank you for your support over the last 16 years. 

 

St. Thomas club:  Trish Shouldice-President; Gerry Janssen-President Elect; Suzanne Ferguson-secretary; Mike Moore – Treasurer; Ron Somerville-Club Service; Pat Martyn and Adriana Balderas- International Service; Trudy Kanellis – Youth; David Payler and Jennifer Babcock – Community Service;  Nancy Lovelock; Ed Willson; Stewart Shouldice.

Interact club: Carlie Jenkins and Andrew Valdez

DG Jim Schlatman -1- Glad to be in St. Thomas and to be able present 4 Paul Harris awards.  Just last evening he was inducted as the District Governor for 2018-19

Stew  Scholdice -1- Thanking Piper McKinnon for her assistance with the Rotaserver.  Her help is just another example of the greatness of this organization.

Trudy Kanellis  -4- Congratulating Nick on winning the 50/50 (Trudy had persuaded him to buy 7 tickets that were given to others); for those receiving PHFs this evening; thanking Brenda and Mike for hosting us at this ever more beautiful location; glad to have representative Interactors here tonight.

Maggie Horn -1- Thanking Trudy and Nick for a perfect steak!

Pat Martyn-4- Thanking Brenda and Mike for hosting and tending the bar; those who received PHFs this evening; George celebrated a milestone birthday on 15^th June; George now a member of that illustrious group of Octogenarians who renew their driver’s licence in a group session every 2 years!

Barbara Warnock, Aylmer -1- thankful not to be sitting at the head table this evening.

Ken Wilmot -2- Appreciated the invitation for himself and Hazel to attend this evening; extended the best wishes of the Railway City Rotary Club to the new Board.

Gerry Janssen– 2 - Congratulating those who received PHFs this evening. Looking forward to attending the International Rotary Convention in Toronto next week.

Kathy Willson 2- Ed’s recent birthday; congratulating Trish on her continuing presidency.

Elaine Catchpole -1- Expressing her thanks for the PHF given tonight.

Bill Horn -4- Glad to be here again this evening at Merriview; to remember the 87 years of fellowship and fun with the RC of Aylmer; the recipients of the PHFs; to thank Nick, Trudy and staff for another great meal.

Ron Somerville -2- Those who received PHFs were well deserved; Joy’s brother who had yet another serious surgery on Monday and is well enough to drive to Toronto with Ron tomorrow.

Marco Valdez Snr. -2- Proud of son Andrew as an Interactor; glad that George Martyn has made a good recovery and is present tonight.

Sue Storie -1- Thankful to have concluded 3 years of great service and fellowship as AG for Area 2.

Trish Shouldice -2- For the recipients of the PHFs; thrilled about the work that this small club has been able to achieve with the important help of the friends of Rotary.

Melody McKinnon -2- For everything about this club!

(Donations of $5 x 32 donors= $160 to The Rotary Foundation – Annual Programs Fund)

 

See: www.rotarystthomas.org

Volunteers still needed to staff the Rotary Food Trailer in July  – Canada Day and then the Thomas the Train weekends. Contact Trish.

Next club meeting July 11^th at The Wayside at 12.15pm

Note from Stewart Shouldice: He will keep his promise of moving the Club Historical collection to the Elgin County Museum by the end of the Rotary year of 30Jun18. Stay tuned for date for viewing event at the Museum.

 

Hosts: Rotarian Brenda and Mike of Merriview

District guests: DG Jim Schlatman; AG Nancy Lovelock and Paul; Past AG Sue and Rick Storie

Representing the Railway City RC: Ken and Hazel Wilmot

Representing the soon-to-close RC of Aylmer: Barbara Warnock and Mary Morin

Representing the Interact Club:  Carlie Jenkins & Andrew Valdez

RC of St. Thomas members: Adriana and Marco Valdez; Bill and Maggie Horn; Gerry and Catharine Janssen; Trudy and Nick Kanellis; Nancy and Paul Lovelock; Pat and George Martyn; Brenda and Mike Merrifield; Malcolm Rust; Trish and Stewart Shouldice; Ed and Kathy Willson; Suzanne and Don Ferguson; Ron and Joy Somerville.

Guests:   Rob and Melissa Smith (guests of Brenda and Mike Merrifield); Elaine & Roger Catchpole;  Maggie Horn;  John Sanders, Marco Valdez; Don Ferguson; Dave Oatman and Melody McKinnon; Faye Ferguson and John Sanders.

50/50 draw – winner was Nick Kanellis