There used to be a tavern occupying premises on 114 Confederation Drive (known by some Club members only by report). We don’t know what sort of place it was, whether, for example, it was like “Cheers” where everybody knew your name, but we would be willing to bet that if you had regular contact with the Northside Neighbourhood Hub, the current occupant, its head, Bev Fellows, would know your name. It’s a friendly place for people living in South Edgeware in the north end of the city. While the Hub has programs for people of all ages, the focus is clearly on children and families.

 

The mission statement of the Hub is “to create an inclusive & safe gathering space welcoming to individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds to foster connections within the neighbourhood and to the greater community, improving access to information, programs and services.” Bev, a Program Developer with the Ontario Early Years Centre, outlined the research that was done and the funding that was obtained to make the Hub a reality. South Edgeware was determined to be the most at-risk area of twelve in the city when considering the Social Risk Index, a high early years population, and Early Development Instrument vulnerability. Organizers are working on a financial plan to take them to the end of the year and are hopeful that funds can be found when 2018 begins.

 

Parents and children have a strong voice in determining what goes into the programs that are offered and several agencies take part in delivering them. Volunteers and community donations also play a part. The Rotary Club of St. Thomas, for example, provided funding to allow Neighbourhood children to be transported to the YMCA summer camp. Other projects have included an outdoor ice rink; working with Lockes and Monsignor Morrison schools to create wayfinding signs to worthwhile pursuits; and a little library project at the Morrison school since there is little opportunity for children to visit the St. Thomas Public Library when they have no transportation. There’s lots more that the Hub does to help children become all that they can be. Cheers!

 

FEBRUARY FROLICS….President Nancy welcomed Maggie Horn, wife of Bill, as a guest today, and welcomed back Davey Moffatt who had been travelling in Arizona and California…. Next week (February 13), our guest speaker will be Katie Payler from the YMCA; there is no meeting on February 20 (Family Day); Gerry Janssen gives his classification talk on February 27….There will be a Food Trailer meeting on Wednesday, February 8 at 7 p.m. at the Wayside. Everyone, not just Committee members, is invited to attend….Dues for those paying on the installment plan are due. Club Treasurer Mike Moore will get in touch with those who may have forgotten.

 

The 2017 World Tubing Championships will be held Saturday, February 18 (12 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Sunday, February 19 (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) at Sunset Drive and Bush Line, the same site as last year’s event. The Club will once again be food vendors, selling hot dogs and hot chocolate. The President circulated a work schedule upon which Club members could affix their names. There will be a shuttle running from the Elgin Mall to the Tubing site, leaving every half hour. Snow will be provided if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. Funds raised from the event will go towards the purchase of a new CAT scanner at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital.

 

Ron Somerville advised that new dates have been added to this year’s Rotary Music Festival. The Festival will now run on February 21, 22 and 23, with awards and scholarships being presented on the evening of February 24. Elaine Catchpole will contact you about volunteering for the Festival....If you would like to volunteer in the “Reading Buddies” program set for March at the Northside Neighbourhood Hub, please contact President Nancy.

 

Malcolm Rust reported on an email he had received from Jessica Petz who is at the London (England) School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Sponsored by the Club, Jessica had received a Rotary Global Scholarship to study at LSHTM and has now got a job as a researcher there which might last for two years. PDG Doug Burnard notes that the Global Scholarship Grant report has been completed and the grant is now closed, but adds, a propos of Jessica: “Great candidate – look for great things to come.” …February is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month in the Rotary calendar.

 

President Nancy was winner of the 50/50 draw. Fine Master Dave Payler was recently reviewing some material anent Rotary Clubs in Cornwall, Ontario, circa 2002. The morning club had a successful fundraiser in selling roses from Israel, while the other club (Dave’s) included a significant number of teachers who helped children with learning disabilities in their spare time, local businesses providing the funding.

 

 

 

THE LAST WORD….At left, Trudy Kanellis and Bill Horn stand among a group of Grade Three schoolchildren who have received dictionaries from the Rotary Club of St. Thomas. Theirs was the last class to receive dictionaries in the current Rotary year. Trudy, the project’s moving spirit, does not neglect to promote Rotary while she’s on the march with the dictionaries. Word has it she has the students look up “beneficial” when she tells them about the Four-Way Test. And – who knows? – there just might be some future Interactors among the happy faces seated in front!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Malcolm Rust (2) – For the exceptional presentation made by Bev today; for a recent holiday in Costa Rica.
Dave Payler (1) – He enjoyed hearing Bev speak today.
Adriana Balderas (3) – For her father’s 73rd birthday and her husband’s 47th; Marco Jr. is in Austria now.
Pat Martyn (4) – For the great appreciation night held Friday, January 27 to honour Rotary Tour of Homes homeowners and decorators; for today’s speaker and her presentation; she arrived home just this morning from Toronto (still no baby!); for a great movie, Hidden Figure.
Bill Horn (2) – For a brother-in-law’s birthday and for his daughter’s birthday.
Trish Shouldice (1) – For Bev’s presentation today.
Nancy Lovelock (2) – For a lovely weekend with her daughter; for today’s presentation.
Trudy Kanellis (4) – For the last delivery of dictionaries, made with Bill today; for a recent trip made to Las Vegas with her brother; for a great Superbowl party at the Ferguson’s; for the Tour of Homes wrap-up.
Jennifer Babcock (2) – For Bev’s presentation today (there’s a hub in West Elgin doing great work with seniors); she heard a great song that will be part of her presentation.
Davey Moffatt (2) – For his recent trip to Arizona and California and for the trips made by other Rotarians; for the great, courteous people he met on his trip.

 

 

	ASAA	Greeter	Fine Master
Monday, February 13	Stew Shouldice	Ron Somerville	Pat Baker
Monday, February 20	No Meeting (Family Day)
Monday, February 27	Ron Somerville	Ken Ferguson	Suzanne Ferguson
Monday, March 6	Gerry Janssen	Trudy Kanellis	Trish Shouldice
Monday, March 13	Stew Shouldice	Bill Horn	Adriana Balderas
Monday, March 20	Ron Somerville	Dave Rock	Stew Shouldice
Monday, March 27	Davey Moffatt	Ron Somerville	Bill Horn