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Reaching Distant Goals
Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel high in the Peruvian Andes which attracts visitors from all over the world every year. In the 1980’s, Pat and George Martyn and two daughters were among them. Turn Right at Machu Picchu, by Mark Adams, is up for discussion at Pat’s September book club, and Pat brought along the book to ask Adriana Balderas for help in pronouncing some of the Spanish words found in it. Adriana put her Spanish to good use recently in following up with her Rotary contacts in Mexico where, as we learned last week, the school water project is now a go.
On Sunday, Adriana’s son, Marco Jr., heads back to school where he is studying computer gaming. Marco was a Rotary Youth Exchange student in 2013-14 in Norway and has since returned twice. Freely admitting he’s caught the travel bug, he plans to do a study exchange in Linz, Austria for six months early in the new year. Computer gaming, like Rotary, is truly international.
Adriana and Rotary are helping to bring clean water to hundreds of Mexican school children, expanding the cultural horizons of people of all ages around the world, and assisting newcomers to Canada to adapt to a new environment.
Malcolm Rust notes: “The YWCA's program, Unite for Refugees, has benefited from five BBQs in Hepburn Park on Talbot St., St. Thomas. Scotiabank matched donations dollar for dollar. The Rotary Club of St. Thomas donated $150.00 during the final BBQ.”
From left: Maria Santos, Scotiabank, Branch Manager; Dave Jeffreys, Rotary Club of Aylmer;
Adriana Balderas, Rotary Club of St. Thomas; Lynda Finlay, Scotiabank, Customer Service Rep.; Rachel LeClair, St. Thomas-Elgin Local Immigration Partnership, Project Facilitator
SEPTEMBER SORTIES.…President-Elect Trish Shouldice was in the chair today and welcomed Marco Jr., son of Adriana Balderas, as a guest. Welcome!….The Club will not meet on September 5 (Labour Day) but will return to the Wayside at noon on September 12 for a Club Assembly, followed by a meeting of the Club Board. The Club’s own September 26 meeting is cancelled; instead, it will join the London Rotary Club and other area Rotary Clubs at the London Convention Centre at 11:45 a.m. the same day to hear Rotary International President Elect (RIPE) Ian Riseley. Lunch is $25. There is underground parking if you tell them you are attending a Rotary meeting. RSVP to Trish Shouldice by September 20 by email or phone 226-235-7346 if you plan to attend. Also RSVP Trish if you intend to car pool from the Wayside at 10:45 a.m.
AND IN CONCLUSION….The Club Foundation Board meets September 8 at 7 p.m. at the St. Thomas Public Library…. Rotary Leadership Institute seminars, Parts I, II and III, have been laid on for Saturday, September 24. The seminars will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Georgian College, 1450 Eighth Street East in Owen Sound. The deadline is (on or before) September 16; contact Al Hardy at al@allanhardy.ca. The St. Thomas Rotary Club will pay the $75 fee for any of its members who wish to attend. Contact President Nancy….Ron Somerville was winner of the 50/50 draw for the second week in a row. Fine Master Stew Shouldice surveyed Rotary projects around the world as reported in the September issue of The Rotarian.
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.
Stew Shouldice (2) – Stew was happy to have survived a week of camping with the grandchildren: they had a good time; today is Trish’s birthday.
Malcolm Rust (2) – To wish Marco Jr. a third successful year at college; to thank Adriana for representing the club well at the Unite for Refugees Barbeques; her work in Mexico was outstanding.
Adriana Balderas (2) – It was her birthday yesterday, and it will be her sister’s birthday tomorrow.
Ron Somerville (2) – His brother-in-law who was so ill last year is now going to fitness classes three times a week, and it’s his birthday today.
Monday, September 5 – No Meeting (Labour Day)
Monday, September 12 – Club Assembly (followed by Club Board Meeting)
At the Wayside, 12:15 p.m.
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ASAA
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Greeter
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Fine Master
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Monday, September 5
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No Meeting (Labour Day)
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Monday, September 12
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Davey Moffatt
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Ron Somerville
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Pat Martyn
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Monday, September 19
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Stew Shouldice
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Ken Ferguson
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Suzanne Ferguson
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Photos: Trudy Kanellis & Malcolm Rust
PEB
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