The Rotary Club of
St Thomas
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23Dec20Christmas and Paul Harris Fellows
Michael Moore received Paul Harris Fellow award
Michael was with the club from 2005-2019. He was the treasurer for that time and digitized the financial reports. We wish he and Jodie best wishes. Mike wished for a better 2021 and was glad to see us. See Malcolm and President Gerry presenting below:
 
Suzanne Ferguson receives Paul Harris Fellow +2 award
Pat Martyn spoke about Suzanne Ferguson who joined the club in 2005 after her father passed (E. Frank Sanders was a founding member of our club). She chaired the membership committee and was secretary, and was active with the food trailer, TOH, and the park in December. Pat recalls that she became a member after Suzanne invited her to a noon lunch meeting. Please see Pat and Suzanne in the screenshot below:
 
Trish introduced Catharine Janssen. Catharine joined this year. She helped previous years with making Christmas goodie bags, as cashier for the Food Trailer, TOH, and Music Festival Registrations. She says "This club rocks!" because of working together. See screenshot below:
 
Pat Martyn received Paul Harris +6 which comes with a Ruby on the pin. See below:
 
Barbara got Paul Harris +2, see pic below:
 
Gerry got Paul Harris +1, sorry no pic but you are in so many already because you're a special President. The following is a screenshot Gerry took of a toast to our club by Ron Somerville, as we celebrate the 70th year of our club:
 

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

For the academic year 1960-1961 we lived near Zurich, Switzerland.  High German was the language for government, courts and church.  But otherwise people just spoke Swiss German.  Walking to or from the village, shopping, using public transport or greeting people we met we learned to say Gruezi (Hello) or if there were two people, or a man and his dog, you would say Gruezi mitenand (Hello to you both).
That 60 year old memory surfaced when I read an article in January issue of Maclean’s. This COVID-19 year we have all missed those special birthday and other celebrations, those welcome visits and meals with grandchildren and family members.
But the writer of the Maclean’s article (Amil Niazi)  pointed out that we have also missed the casual and occasional contacts with people.  We have not had the luxury of running of running into people by chance. The things that had become highlights of our day. Spontaneity disappeared. The new routine was to register first, then be screened, use hand sanitizer, wear a mask and have your temperature taken.  Impromptu meetings became an impossible fantasy.
So this year we have lost not only the planned events but also the spontaneous moments of camaraderie that brightened our day.  The smiles, the humour, and the passing comment with people we don’t know or hardly know– they too have been lost during this pandemic and it’s not been good for our mental health.  Those small relationships made us happier and less isolated. They too, added quality to life.
As we prepare for a bumpy road ahead, those casual, spontaneous casual relationships may be the last to return.  But when they do we will know that life has returned to normal, whatever that means now.

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

Read more...
 
Web site of the Rotary Club of St Thomas  http://rotarystthomas.org
Upcoming Events
Jennifer Jones - President Nominee
Dec 09, 2020
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Conversation with David Elliot
Dec 16, 2020
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
 
Christmas Meeting
Dec 23, 2020
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
 
History in Rotary - Malcolm Rust
Jan 06, 2021
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
 
History in Rotary - Bill Horn
Jan 20, 2021
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
 
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