Barbara started the meeting with the gong and the singing of O Canada. Our guest, PDG David Elliott led us in reciting the 4-way Test. 13 members and one guest enjoyed the Seniors’ Centre lunch.
Paul Harris quote read by Barbara. “Rotary is good for you my friends. ….. Rotary prolongs the life of hundreds of thousands of people. Rotary makes for health and happiness.”
Dues: please let the treasurer know if you are not signing up to be a member in the next year. Otherwise, members have until July 31st to remit either $100 for the half year or $200 for the full year. Payment can be made by e-transfer to the account at Libro (talk to Mary), by cheque or through the Rotary Club of St. Thomas website (note the $7 additional charge with the payment by email invoice).
Bill made an announcement that he and Maggie live in the Lynhurst – St. George area and he has been a member of their community association for years. There are few remaining members who helped raise money and put in playgrounds etc. so the group is now closed. They are bequeathing $500 to this club for a future youth project. Motion on behalf of Board to accept this bequest. A quorum of the Board was present, and the motion passed unanimously.
Mark announced that Nostalgia Nite will be held on Talbot Street on Saturday, July 15. Rotary will help park cars from 2:30 to 4 p.m., then have a booth to sell Discovery Tour tickets there. Mark passed around a sign-up list. More volunteers are needed for this event. Contact Mark. Vendor tables will be in the lot on the corner of Talbot and Ross.
Gerry gave a tribute to Barbara about her 32 -year involvement in Rotary beginning in 1991 with the Rotary Club of Aylmer which started in 1931 and unfortunately needed to lay down its charter in 2018. The Changeover Meeting of our club in Aylmer in 2021 at the Rotary Park introduced Barbara’s presidency and was Gerry’s last meeting as president. At that event, Mark was also inducted as a new member. And next week Mark will become our new President. At that 2021 meeting the commemorative stone for the Rotary Club of Aylmer was also placed in Rotary Park. In preceding years, the Rotary Club of Aylmer was known for Easter Seals involvement, the skateboard park, dictionary projects and the Tundra Swan project as well as Rotary Park. Barbara spent several years as President of the Aylmer Club.
See pic of Barbara as she received a Paul Harris fellow and was "pinned" by David Elliott
Under Barbara’s presidency in St. Thomas, we have enjoyed socials at her home, our donation to Hospice, East Coast Kitchen Party succeeded by the Ranch Party and then Rock Around the Clock. In addition, we enjoyed the connection with the Aylmer Community Theatre and links through the churches. Barbara has remarkable flexibility; once, when a speaker did not attend a meeting, Barbara had all members talk about their favourite kind of pizza. Barbara initiated the project in which many members became benefactors of the Rotary Foundation (Canada). Barbara was thanked by Gerry who stated that she undoubtedly did many other things that we may not have seen or known about.
David Elliott, PDG and currently the Chair of the District Foundation spoke about our club. This was his first in-person meeting as Chair. Others have been on Zoom. David recalled that, in 2015 G. Wang, the RI President recognized our club as a 100% PH club and now again this Rotary year, that status has been achieved. David presented the +3 Paul Harris pin to Barbara. Barbara’s farewell address will be published at a later date.
This week Sherry Graham has been chosen as the new Chair of the St. Thomas Music Festival by the organizing committee. She has served as Secretary for several years and has earned the trust and respect of her committee members. Frank Exley was thanked for his years of service as President.
50/50 drawn by Barbara and won by Maggie.
Nancy’s announcements
Thank you notes from STEGH staff were read aloud. In particular, the Office of the President of STEGH said “thanks for hosting a special lunch for us today”. See pics from the Hero's Lunch
Thank you notes from STEGH staff were read aloud. In particular, the Office of the President of STEGH said “thanks for hosting a special lunch for us today”. See pics from the Hero's Lunch
Happy Finns
Maggie – winning 50/50 and kudos to Barbara “we love you”
Bill – Barbara for what she has done here and Aylmer and support to District, Mark as incoming president, 9th great grandchild visit over the weekend
Ron – Barbara and many years of service, David for being present, Ron enjoyed the Windsor Rotary Park last week, daughter in law surgery this Friday for tumour removal
Mary – sister's birthday, granddaughter’s graduation, son’s birthday (all of them in St. John) and Barbara
Nancy – Barbara for her service, Mark as the incoming president who will be awesome, Rosey Rhubarb festival successful (she baked 50 pies), going to cottage
Trudy – Barbara for her service, glamping on the Bruce Peninsula in a yurt
Pat – Barbara and service for 2 years, for being present here
Mark – leadership of Barbara for two years and during Covid
Trish – Barbara for her service and Stew for his organization of their moves over the past 8 weeks
Barbara – for David’s presence today, the 50th class reunion which was fabulous, next week she will be enjoying a Christmas present from her daughters by seeing Shania Twain at Budweiser, working with the club members over the past two years
David Elliot – thanks for the invite, congrats to Barbara
Gerry – David being present, Barbara’s presidency
Catharine – goddaughter opening “Tansy’s Bridal Shop” in Woodstock, sister turning 70 this weekend, Braca shirts one of 15 finalists in Canada Post’s Tails of Triumph for small business contest (you can still vote for Braca shirts with the link Catharine sent if you have not done so yet), Catharine delivering Education Series on “Healing Strong” and works with Breast Cancer US, and is also doing fundraising for the Moffitt Cancer Centre in Sun City Centre, Florida
Trudy announced that this Saturday, June 17th the Interactors are doing a car wash west side at Mr. Lube clinic starting at 9 a.m.
Maggie – winning 50/50 and kudos to Barbara “we love you”
Bill – Barbara for what she has done here and Aylmer and support to District, Mark as incoming president, 9th great grandchild visit over the weekend
Ron – Barbara and many years of service, David for being present, Ron enjoyed the Windsor Rotary Park last week, daughter in law surgery this Friday for tumour removal
Mary – sister's birthday, granddaughter’s graduation, son’s birthday (all of them in St. John) and Barbara
Nancy – Barbara for her service, Mark as the incoming president who will be awesome, Rosey Rhubarb festival successful (she baked 50 pies), going to cottage
Trudy – Barbara for her service, glamping on the Bruce Peninsula in a yurt
Pat – Barbara and service for 2 years, for being present here
Mark – leadership of Barbara for two years and during Covid
Trish – Barbara for her service and Stew for his organization of their moves over the past 8 weeks
Barbara – for David’s presence today, the 50th class reunion which was fabulous, next week she will be enjoying a Christmas present from her daughters by seeing Shania Twain at Budweiser, working with the club members over the past two years
David Elliot – thanks for the invite, congrats to Barbara
Gerry – David being present, Barbara’s presidency
Catharine – goddaughter opening “Tansy’s Bridal Shop” in Woodstock, sister turning 70 this weekend, Braca shirts one of 15 finalists in Canada Post’s Tails of Triumph for small business contest (you can still vote for Braca shirts with the link Catharine sent if you have not done so yet), Catharine delivering Education Series on “Healing Strong” and works with Breast Cancer US, and is also doing fundraising for the Moffitt Cancer Centre in Sun City Centre, Florida
Trudy announced that this Saturday, June 17th the Interactors are doing a car wash west side at Mr. Lube clinic starting at 9 a.m.
Discovery Tour –Gerry handed out business cards to give out to everyone, registration is available now online, sponsorship package will go to all members; printed tickets will be available soon.
Barbara closed the meeting and her presidency with the Gong.