Rotary Club of Sackville Bulletin December 17, 2015

  Sue F. sat in for an ailing David in the Chairperson's role today.  Sue, a Sackville native, went through some of the school system, attended a private boarding school and returned to attend Mount Allison University.  After graduating she got her CA degree and began work at the Touche Ross accounting firm in Saint John, a company her great grandfather founded.  After 20 years and countless moves,she left the bean counting where she taught at Algonquin College in Ottawa, joined Rotary and met David.  Retiring in 2013, she and David moved back to Sackville along with son Colin.

 

Sue brought the meeting to order at 7:15 am.  Following breakfast, guest Susan Lafford was introduced. Susan, the principal of TRHS, received a cheque for $472 as this weeks charity in our Gold Mine Draw.  Susan alluded to the fact that this donation may be the last amount required for the new electronic sign, partially erected at the entrance to the high school.

 

Former District Governor Pat Perry was a visiting Rotarian this morning.  Pat will be working in the area for the next few months, so we expect her to be at many of the meetings.  Pat is from Miramachi.

 

Louie had 4 makeups this past week, including 2 in Halifax. The projects committee had a meeting last night.

 

There were no birthdays this week, but Pam had two pin pal stories. Seems she dined at the Harvey's, a item she bought at the Foundation auction and while on a flight to Halifax, she met the President Elect for the Moncton Rotary Club.

 

Sue P. eventually found her 50/50 ticket, but it was for naught as she drew the King of Spades.  The Jack of Clubs would have netted her the $32 pot but she settled for the $5 consolidation prize.  

 

There were a few more happy people than last week.  Bill was happy that the local committee aimed at bring in a Syrian refugee has raised almost enough (money) to bring in the second family.........Trish was happy that Wayne came to her rescue last weekend as the PA system was giving her fits-and-starts.  Seems the real culprit was the power source in the wall..........Louie was happy that he received his fix of Belgium chocolate from home.  Did I miss it???............George was happy as he is going to visit sister June at her home in Las Vegas.  He leaves shortly.  it's questionable whether Ducky's or the Black Duck will be able to withstand his absence for a couple of weeks............Ove is off to his cottage in the wilds of the Laurentians, north of Montreal.  The big test will be surviving the grand kids and Christmas morning.........Louise is happy that her dealings with the "little people" are over for another year.  First up it was Mariah dancing in the Nutcracker for three performances.  No sooner was this over, it was time for the annual cookie making party, complete with 20 kids and parents.  On a lighter note, she thanked Darrell for being Santa in the construction of a doll closet.  I don't know about you, but I sure want to see if he can make it down the chimney without "making a clatter".........Sue P. was excited that her grand kids from Halifax are coming by train on Boxing Day.  Seems there is no train in Christmas Day........Edna was excited that she will pick up her daughter whose is arriving on Friday..........Guylaine was happy that she won't have to get up so early for the next couple of weeks.  Wait until she checks the duty roster for the next meeting.

 

There are no meeting for the next two Thursdays.  The Duty Roster for January 7th is as follows:

 

Pam urged members to buy the last $1,000 in grocery cards she had brought to the meeting.  By meetings end, she had sold them all.

Trish, on behalf of the Projects Committee, read a card from Marshview School, thanking us for our contributions this year.  Our Club plays a big part in the breakfast program.   The committee approved a list of recipients receiving funds before the year end. Darrell will be preparing the cheques.  She basically touched on a new project involving clean water in the DR.  She will detail the project in an e-mail to all members.

 

There are no planned committee meetings during the holidays (Gold Mine counters excepted).  The Board will meet on Wednesday, January 6th.

 

President Dianne concluded her first six months, all the while apparently keeping her sanity.  She wished everyone a Merry Christmas and welcomed Pat Perry to join us during her work term in the area.

 

   John introduced our guest speaker Garry Donaldson.  Garry is the Manager of Migratory Birds for the Canadian Wildlife Service, who moonlights as a ornithology expert on an annual two week migration of students to the Arctic each summer.  The expedition is called Students on Ice and this year was during the last week of July and the first week of August.  Thus far there have been seven      such expeditions, this year with 115 students    and 110 staff from around the world. 1/3 of this years students were Canadian, who cough up $12,000 for a chance to go on the trip.  The staff are high quality people from around the world, who act as teachers and resource people to the students.  Orientation occurred in Ottawa from where they left to go to Kangerlusuaq, Greenland, then on to Resolute Bay in the Arctic.  The journey was on a ship, which was a great place to return to after spending their days on the tundra,  ice flows and in Zodiacs on the water.    Even the locals get involved when the students arrive, adding to the experiences the students are receiving.  The students are now allowed any technology devices, such that they can experience life in the Arctic.  Many subjects are taught emphasising hands-on experiences.    It appeared that a couple of our members were very interested in exploring this opportunity in the coming years.

 

    Trish thanked  Garry by presenting a book in his honor to a local library.

 

 

The meeting concluded with the 4-Way test.