The Rotary Club of St. Thomas was once again on the move, this week to Southwold Fire Station No. 1 in Shedden, where Station No. 2 Captain Russ Morningstar and Brian and Sabrina Crouch gave us a tour of the facility. To top things off, we saw the department in action when a call came in and a swift team response ensued.
As Russ explained, the term “volunteer” when applied to firefighters needs some qualification. The men who tore up to the station when summoned are paid per call. The four volunteer officers are paid a per diem per month. But make no mistake: they are professionally trained to handle a variety of emergency situations; in addition to fire, they can handle floods, hazardous materials, and traffic accidents. The room we were meeting in was the Training Room and Russ took advantage of the occasion to quiz us on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (not detectors). Brian’s daughter, Sabrina, an Interactor on a summer program at the Fire Station, showed us the 82 pounds of equipment the firefighters wear when on duty.
Volunteer Firefighter Brian Crouch and Captain Russ Morningstar, both from Southwold No. 2 Fire Station, flank picture of some Dalmatians. Why are Dalmatians associated with fire stations? In the horse-drawn wagon days, they were not afraid of horses, and kept other dogs away from horses.
KEEPING ON THE SUNNY SIDE….We were pleased to have two guests with us today. One was Pierina Brescianini Erbano, a Visiting Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Feira de Santana, in the Bahia region of northeastern Brazil; she was brought to the meeting by Suzanne Ferguson. Pierina is a medical doctor in Brazil but is now visiting Canada with her husband, Dave, who was unable to attend the meeting. The other guest was Maggie Horn, wife of Bill, both of whom were up this way for a little while before heading back to Indiana. Welcome to both guests. It was also good to see President Nancy, taking a break from the cottage.
Next week (August 15), the Club will meet for its noon meeting at the home of Davey and Gwen Moffatt, 47376 Southdale Line, which is located just west of the intersection of Hobson Road and Southdale Line, which is about a kilometer west of the Springwater Conservation Area. The main course is provided, but desserts and salads are potluck. RSVP to let Davey and Gwen know if you are coming and which dessert or salad you are bringing; please be specific so that there will be a variety of dishes. Contact Davey at davidmoffatt@live.com or telephone 519-773-8988 or 519-282-8969. You may also need to bring a lawn chair. We will be back at the Wayside for a noon meeting on August 22 for the official visit of District Governor Diane Chantler.
President Nancy announced that the Club has been invited to the grand opening of the new home for Women’s Place, Elgin’s Emergency Shelter, on Wednesday, September 7, 45 Princess Avenue in St. Thomas. The Opening Ceremony is at 1 p.m. and the Guided Tour at 2 p.m. RSVP Liz Brown by August 29 (519-633-0155 or lbrown@vawsec.on.ca). Women’s Place extends a second invitation: “to give a book that matters to you and pen in its front cover your best wishes for the women and children who will find safety there. The books will grace the bookshelves built into the fireplace that warms the center of the home and the bookshelf in the window seat of the children’s playroom.” If you wish to donate a book, please bring it or mail it to their office at 300 Talbot Street, Suite 26, St. Thomas, by August 29.
United for Refugees is conducting fundraising Charity BBQs at the Hepburn Parkette (next to the CIBC) on Talbot Street in St. Thomas from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, August 12 and Friday, August 26….The Southwold Firefighters’ Association Beef & Pork BBQ is Sunday, September 11 at the Keystone Complex in Shedden, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets for adults are $15 per person; for children 6-12, $5; children 5 and under, free. Call 764-2742….The winning 50-50 ticket was held by Brian Crouch, who donated his winnings back to the Club. Thank you, Brian!...Due to the informal nature of today’s meeting, there was neither a Fine Master nor were there Happy Fins.
Monday, August 15 – Meeting at the home of Davey and Gwen Moffatt
47376 Southdale Line, 12 p.m.
Please contact Davey to let him know if you are coming and what you will be bringing.
