Pat Baker was for many years a teacher at Parkside Collegiate Institute in St. Thomas, and in fifteen of those years took students on trips to Europe. A seasoned traveller, Pat took us on a whirlwind tour of points of interest in Germany and Austria, aided by pictures from the Internet, posters, maps, and her own vast store of knowledge. First up were three castles built by mad King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the 19th century: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, and Herrenchiemsee. Wanting to outdo Louis XIV of France, he ordered a replica of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles that is even longer.

 

Pat also took us to the Eagle`s Next, Hitler`s mountain retreat near Berchtesgaden which is reached by a treacherously steep and winding road. (Proceeds from visitors are directed to various charities.) Other highlights included a tour of a Salzburg salt mine where visitors dress in miners` clothes and make a long slide (the students loved this!) into the mine; the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, part of the Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg UNESCO World Heritage Site; the restorative mineral waters of Baden-Baden; the Lorelei rocks on the Rhine River; the Crystal factory just outside Innsbruck; the Black Forest near the Rhine in Southwest Germany; and Goethe House, home of "The German Shakespeare."

 

The "travel bug" so often noted among Rotary Exchange students was much in evidence among the assembled Rotarians and guests in attendance today. Will

Pat one day have the mad idea to organize such a trip for adults?

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY TO BE HERE.…President Nancy welcomed guests Gerry Janssen, Brad Wallace¸ Kathy Willson, and Maggie Horn to the meeting, and welcomed back Mike Moore after his recent illness….October 24 is World Polio Day which just happens to fall on our Monday meeting day. At 11 a.m., we will meet on the steps of St. Thomas City Hall and as soon as possible thereafter, the End Polio Now flag (seen at left) will be raised. If you have your own End Polio Now or Rotary T-shirt, please wear it; if you have a purple crocus (floral symbol of the End Polio Now campaign) from last year, bring that too. Crocuses will be given to invited guests. When we conclude our business downtown, it`s on to the Wayside for our regular noon Club meeting and Area 4 Polio Plus Co-Chair Joan Fisher.

 

On October 31, Community Safety Officer Constable Jeff DeLeeuw from the St. Thomas Police Service will be speaking on Internet security and identity theft. On November 7, it`s the Club Foundation Annual General Meeting (followed by a Club Board meeting). And on November 14, it`s the Fall edition of the presentation of student Service Above Self awards to four St. Thomas high school students. Gerry Janssen mentioned at dinner that in the course of their 16-year stay in Ottawa, he and his wife had in two years hosted students in the Adventure in Citizenship program sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ottawa. The Rotary Club of St. Thomas has participated in the program for many years. It is a great experience for students all across Canada.

 

With the Tour of Homes set for November 11-13, Committee members are in high gear. Ed Willson greeted members with bundles of tickets to sell, sell, sell in the days and weeks ahead. Ed noted that some of the outlets with Tour tickets have already made sales. Suzanne Ferguson included four complimentary tickets to the Tour in this week`s Business After Five event prize. Stew Shouldice had posters for distribution and there were many takers. The Committee stresses that you should check that the addresses you want to target haven`t already been visited.

 

Melody McKinnon had sign-up sheets for volunteer duty at Tour house doors, and, while there were many volunteers, there were still some spaces left. She will send the list electronically, giving members another chance to volunteer. Continue to bring Trudy auction items for the Tour of Homes. Please include a business card from the business, a piece of paper or sticker with your name on it, and a rough estimate of the value. If you would like to help Trudy with labeling the items, please let her know.

 

President Nancy was happy to report that Brenda Merrifield and Ron Somerville will be attending the Foundation Training Seminar at the BMO London Optimist Centre (295 Rectory Street) on October 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Club will thus be able to send the two people needed in order to be eligible to access Rotary Foundation grants. However, if you would like to attend too, you can; just contact President Nancy.

 

Another reminder that Fabiana Baltazar and Adrian Zamfir are to be married on Thursday, October 27 at 6 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church (55 Hincks Street), with the reception to follow at the CASO Station. Her gift registry is at the Bay. All Club members are invited as she numbers Rotarians among her friends in St. Thomas, but please contact Malcolm Rust if you wish to attend. Malcolm, Nancy, Adriana and Trudy (who is also catering) will be there. Fabiana plans to return to the Club after November 5.

 

President Nancy was winner of today’s 50/50 draw; she was immediately fined an extra ducat by Sergeant-at-Arms Ed Willson for winning the 50/50 too many times in a row. Nancy`s defence of mistaken identity regrettably fell on deaf ears. Pat Martyn was Fine Master. She noted that October was Vocational Service Month in Rotary. Vocational Service is one of Rotary`s ``Avenues of Service`` and calls on every Rotarian to aspire to high ethical standards in their occupation; recognize the worthiness of all useful occupations; and contribute their vocational talents to the problems and needs of society. (www.rotaryroom711.org).

 

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 Darwin Lowe, a member of the club.

 

Trish Shouldice (2) – For Pat’s presentation; for seeing Mike back at Rotary in good health.
Gerry Janssen (1) – For the good medical test results his wife received.
Malcolm Rust (1) – To welcome back President Nancy from her China trip. Nine years ago, the Club welcomed an exchange student from the Black Forest, Alex Tibi, who gave Malcolm a cuckoo clock.
Pat Martyn (4) – For the birthdays of her grandson, her son-in-law and herself; for the great presentation made by Pat Baker today.
Ron Somerville (1) – The electrical system was replaced in one of their houses; for having Brad, Gerry, Kathy and Maggie at today`s meeting.
Trudy Kanellis (3) – Her brother-in-law is out of the hospital and doing well; Trudy has a birthday this Wednesday; for all the gifts she has received from her fellow Rotarians.
Bill Horn (1) – He and Maggie have a lot of things to be thankful for.
Nancy Lovelock (2) – For a wonderful trip to China; to welcome all our guests: it was a great turnout today for our meeting.
Kathy Willson (1) – This Thursday is Ed and Kathy`s 65th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, they are having an open house at the Wayside (bar area) on Saturday, November 5, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All Rotarians and partners are invited, as Rotary has been a big part of their lives. ``No gifts please, but donations to the Caring Cupboard are welcome.``
Ed Willson (1) – He and Kathy have had a wonderful life together.

 

 

 

Photos: Trudy Kanellis

PEB