At her first regular meeting as President of the Rotary Club of St. Thomas, Trish Shouldice brought forward a motion to change the Club’s regular meeting day from Monday to Wednesday, beginning in September 2017, and to affirm the Wayside as its meeting place.

 

The motion was passed unanimously by the quorum of Club members in attendance (there were other Club members, not present, known to be in favour). Subsequent Presidential consultation with Trudy Kanellis and Davey Moffatt cleared up the issue of where and when the Club will meet in August. We will be meeting at the Wayside on Monday, August 14 at 12:15 p.m. and at “Menuha,” the home of Davey and Gwen Moffatt (47376 Southdale Line), on Monday, August 28. You may arrive at “Menuha” any time after 11 a.m. for a walkabout or time to relax. There will be lasagne for dinner at 12:15 p.m. Please bring a salad or dessert to share. President Trish stated that the meeting which might have been scheduled in the first week of September would be cancelled as it falls two days after Labour Day. The first regular club meeting in September will be Wednesday, September 13 at the Wayside.

 

President Trish reported $8386.76 in sales from the Club’s participation in the Thomas the Tank Engine event, down 20% from last year, but remarkable in view of the fact that attendance was down 35%. Net profit results await the return of Trudy who will also set a date for a Club Foundation Board meeting. Trish noted the upcoming Fire Muster, September 2 and 3, where there will need to be eight people per shift at the Food Trailer. There will be sign-up sheets and possibly an electronic means of selecting shifts on the Club’s website, www.rotarystthomas.org (where you may also see meeting updates).

 

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.

 

Gerald Vreman (1) – Happy to have won the 50/50!
Brenda Merrifield (1) – For Adriana Balderas’ son, Andrew, who worked hard and often at the Thomas the Tank Engine event.
Stew Shouldice (1) – The ClubRunner software has been praised by Microsoft and has won another innovative award.
Jennifer Babcock (2) – Her son is doing well in the water; she has an opportunity to work at another home in another six weeks. The location is under wraps but Jennifer allows that it’s an hour and a half away.
Ron Somerville (4) – It’s Ron’s 80th birthday this week! His sons are planning a birthday celebration for him very soon. But now -- there’s cake. Davey Moffatt holds the festive cupcakes while Ron basks in the glow.

Ron was also happy to have witnessed some great harness racing in Clinton where the six highest earning racers ever went head to head and hoof to hoof in the final race. Paul Farris expressed his gratitude to Ron for enabling him to do a makeup which maintained his record of perfect attendance (now approaching 45 years).
Kathy Willson (2) – Kathy was grateful for the privilege she and Ed have had of knowing Ron for a long time. She was also happy to acknowledge “this wonderful club” of amazing Rotarians. Thank you, Kathy!

 

Guests today included Kathy Willson, wife of Ed, and visiting Rotarian Paul Farris from the London East Club. Ed was Fine Master and fined everyone a loonie “for a fine day!” Gerald Vreman was winner of the 50/50 draw.