The sign over the main door says “St. Thomas Public Library” but a visitor may think, after a close inspection of the premises, that the word “Library” is too limiting. To be sure, there are still books, but, as Dana Vanzanten, the Library’s new Manager of Advocacy and Community Development outlined, there is much more. Assuming increasing importance is “digital literacy,” defined by the Cornell University Lab as “the ability to find, evaluate, utilize, share, and create content using information technologies and the Internet.” It’s what kids (and adults) need to succeed.

 

A glance at STaPLe, the Library’s events publication, shows all the no or low cost opportunities there are to become digitally and technologically literate. You can learn how to use the Library’s 3D Printer, for example, and to create and edit video and audio clips. The recording studio has a popular electronic drum kit. A partnership with Renaissance Robotics at St. Joseph’s High School (familiar to Rotary Club members) brings teen volunteers to teach children at the Library. And there are several scheduled computer workshops and tech help sessions.

 

Partnerships are important in other aspects of programming. One with the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre (STEPAC) and the Ontario Early Years Centre brings the Centre’s Summer Fun Mobile to children in various housing projects in the city. Another with STEPAC saw writer-artist Scott Chantler (nephew of DG Diane) get local schoolchildren started in creating their own graphic novels. Other existing or about-to-be-renewed partnerships are with organizations like the Elgin Children’s Network and the St. Thomas-Elgin Local Immigration Partnership. Volunteers, such as those for the Home Library Service, also expand the Library’s capacity to serve the community.

 

The St. Thomas Rotary Club donated funds to provide a “Rotary Lounge” in the Library’s 2011 renovation and Dana assures us that it is “almost always full.” Rotary, “in the people business,” wrote the book on community service.

 

BRIGHT SPIRITS….On the day following the first significant snowfall of the year, President Nancy welcomed Maggie Horn, wife of Bill, and Gerald Vreman to today’s meeting, and announced that Gerald has decided to become a member of Rotary. Congratulations, Gerald! Gerald will join Jennifer Babcock, Gerry Janssen, and Dave Rock in a Rotary induction ceremony next week (December 19). Also next week, the Reverend Margaret Bell will deliver the annual Christmas Message. There will be no meeting on December 26 (Boxing Day), but we will meet on Monday, January 2, 2017, at the Wayside at noon.

 

President Nancy thanked Trudy Kanellis for hosting two special meetings of the Club in the past two weeks: the All Service Club Breakfast on November 28 and the Club’s Christmas party on December 5. There will be a follow-up meeting of service club representatives in January to coordinate evening planning and to establish club identities on the City’s website….Nancy has also undertaken to deliver the hats, scarves and mitts donated by the Club to the Talbot Teen Centre….Malcolm Rust stated that he was going that afternoon to the Women’s Shelter with books he was donating to the women and children there. The Shelter encourages such donations and will accept them at any time….A Christmas card has been received from MPP (and former Club President) Jeff Yurek.

 

Dave Payler announced that the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettles are on target to meet their goal in St. Thomas, but could still use some volunteers. Would Rotary help by standing at the kettle at the Superstore on Thursday, December 22? They would, as Dave’s sign-up sheet was quickly filled. One of those volunteering was Dave Rock who recounted that in his thirty-year association with the fire department, he had always admired the assistance given in all weathers by the Salvation Army to fire victims and appreciated the coffee and donuts given to firemen at fire scenes. Because of their outstanding service to the community, he vowed in retirement to give them whatever volunteer help he could. Dave Payler observed that the $3600 offering made at the Carol Sing at the Old St. Thomas Church a week ago Sunday had been donated to the Salvation Army.

 

Ron Somerville reminded us that the closing date for the receipt of registrations for the Rotary Music Festival is December 15. Barring a late development, the likelihood of a Rotary Choir this year appears dim. Ron would like to set up a meeting of the Music Festival Committee and the Club Foundation Board for early in the new year (as a Music Festival meeting)….Fine Master Dave Rock levied a loonie on everyone who forgot to wear their new name badge – and everyone who didn’t forget. Jennifer Babcock was winner of the 50/50 draw.

 

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.

 

Maggie Horn (1) – Happy to report that, as of 9:15 a.m. last Wednesday, she has got her permanent residency status in Canada. Congratulations, Maggie!
Bill Horn (1) – Ditto the above!
Ron Somerville (2) – For the two newest members of our Club!
Gerry Janssen (1) – Thanks for the weekly Rotaserver.
Malcolm Rust (1) – Thanks for the Epistle according to Paul.
Pat Martyn (6) – For Dana’s excellent advocacy presentation today; for the amazing reports from everyone she’s met regarding the Tour of Homes; for her grandson’s 6th birthday; for a great trip on the Mississippi, including stops in Memphis, Graceland and New Orleans; for the December 4 Carol Sing at the Old St.Thomas Church (the Salvation Army Band was marvelous!); thanks to Stew Shouldice for setting up the computer to project the name of today’s Fine Master.
Nancy Lovelock (2) – Thanks to Dana for her interesting talk today; Nancy’s daughter has relocated and she didn’t have to help with the move.
Jennifer Babcock (2) – Thank you for last week’s program at the Christmas party. Singing is one of her passions and she would have liked to have sung even more! For her son: “He just makes it all better.”

 

 

 

Photo: Trudy Kanellis
PEB