Home Page | Rotary Club of Sackville

Welcome to Sackville Rotary

Service Above Self

We meet Thursdays at 07:15 AM
Joey's Pizza & Pasta Restaurant

16 YorkStreet
Sackville, NB E4L 4R2
Canada

Email:

rotaryclubofsackville@gmail.com

Rotary Club of Sackville

P.O. Box 6331

Sackville, New Brunswick

E4L 1G6

MORE GOLD MINE WINNERS IN 2018

Posted by Wayne Harper on Mar 16, 2018

Charities for 2018

Sackville Assistance Centre (Food Bank)

Tantramar Heritage Trust Inc.

Sackville Community Association

Tantramar Family Resource Centre

Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation

Tantramar Regional High School

Sackville Minor Hockey

Dorchester Consolidated School

Struts Gallery Inc.

Sackville Swim Club

Open Sky Cooperative

Sackville Early Music Festival

Dorchester Food Bank

Places to Play

Middle Sackville Variety

Sackville ESSO

Foodland

Patterson's Family Restaurant

Ultramar Gas Bar

Rose's Independent Grocer

Jean Coutu

Guardian Drugs

Gitpu Gas Bar

GET A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT WHO THE WEEKLY WINNERS ARE! Click READ MORE

GOLD MINE WINNERS 2018

Posted by Wayne Harper on Dec 15, 2017

Charities for 2018

Sackville Assistance Centre (Food Bank)

Tantramar Heritage Trust Inc.

Sackville Community Association

Tantramar Family Resource Centre

Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation

Tantramar Regional High School

Sackville Minor Hockey

Dorchester Consolidated School

Struts Gallery Inc.

Sackville Swim Club

Open Sky Cooperative

Sackville Early Music Festival

Dorchester Food Bank

Places to Play

Middle Sackville Variety

Sackville ESSO

Foodland

Patterson's Family Restaurant

Ultramar Gas Bar

Rose's Independant Grocer

Jean Coutu

Guardian Drugs

Gitpu Gas Bar

GET A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT WHO THE WEEKLY WINNERS ARE! Click READ MORE

MORE GOLD MINE WINNERS IN 2018

Posted by Wayne Harper on Mar 16, 2018

Charities for 2018

Sackville Assistance Centre (Food Bank)

Tantramar Heritage Trust Inc.

Sackville Community Association

Tantramar Family Resource Centre

Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation

Tantramar Regional High School

Sackville Minor Hockey

Dorchester Consolidated School

Struts Gallery Inc.

Sackville Swim Club

Open Sky Cooperative

Sackville Early Music Festival

Dorchester Food Bank

Places to Play

Middle Sackville Variety

Sackville ESSO

Foodland

Patterson's Family Restaurant

Ultramar Gas Bar

Rose's Independent Grocer

Jean Coutu

Guardian Drugs

Gitpu Gas Bar

GET A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT WHO THE WEEKLY WINNERS ARE! Click READ MORE

Sunday Sleigh Ride

Posted by Wayne Harper on Mar 07, 2018

The second of our "alternative" weekly meetings occurred last Sunday (March 4th) when 26 club members and their families trekked to North East Nova Scotia for a sleigh ride in the bush.

Sue and David wait to board their wagon. With the lack of snow, wagons were used instead of sleighs.

In the parking lot, Wayne discusses the state of the world's tensions while waiting to board his wagon.

Sandy can be seen talking to the driver and Bill can be seen cuddling up to Dianne.

Arriving at the camp, Doug & Gayle Key and Dale check out the surroundings.

Once everyone was inside the building, the horses turned around for the journey home later on.

While it wasn't too cold, members enjoyed hot coffee once inside. For a half hour or so the group mixed and mingled followed by the call to dinner. The meal was scrumptious and included pancakes, sausage, beans, rolls, cake and cheesecake plus tea and coffee. Some of us even managed a second plate.

Following the meal, some members went outside to enjoy fellowship around a roaring fire.

Still others stayed inside and played Left, Right & Center. Josh and Stacey were the big winners.

Soon it was time to say goodbye and we began the trip down the hill.

Here Dale and Darrell are at the back of the line for their wagon. By all accounts we all had a good time, the food was great and the fellowship even better.

Peace Conference in England

Posted by Wayne Harper on Feb 25, 2018

Rotarian Pam Harrison has ditched the bikini weather of Portugal to visit the Rotary Peace Conference now taking place in England.

Friday, her first day of the visit, she visited the 676-year-old Coventry Cathedral. These images represent the only part of the Cathedral not bombed in WWII

The main historical fact is a stage where William Shakespeare performed 7 times. Pam is standing in front of that stage with the Lord Mayor of Coventry.

Come Sunday, Pam attended the 90th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Stratford on Avon. Shakespeare worshipped there and is buried inside.

Pam is seen with Club President Ian Reid.

Here she points to a plaque commemorating Shakespeare's grave. Pam noted a highlight of the event was the singing of the Rotary Hymn, which was penned by our own Charlie Scobie. Kinda brings a tear to one's eye!

No SSH In This Library

Posted by Charlie Scobie on Feb 13, 2018

In most cases, our weekly meeting speaker come to our meeting for their presentations. This week we did the opposite.

Immediately after breakfast, members adjourned to Salem Elementary School and met in the school library.

Tammy introduced School Librarian Glenda Thornton who obviously loves making connections between books and children. Yes, although the internet is increasingly used as a source of information, children still read books!

The Librarian outlined what happens after our book donations are handed in to the school. The Dewey Decimal system is used for classification. Each book is identified by a bar code, and each pupil has a 10-digit number so everything is done by computer. New pupils are automatically entered into the system. The books are processed with the help of volunteers. Every book is strengthened with adhesive transparent plastic. Each book is initially put on a display panel.

The school has about 370 pupils in 19 classes. Each class gets a half-hour Library period per week. Grades 2 to 4 browse the shelves themselves to select books; Kindergarten and Grade 1 pick from books laid out on tables for them. Books are taken out for one week at a time. The school has a Library Club so that pupils can help with basic library tasks.

One box of books illustrated what can happen to books at home: they get chewed by the dog, damaged by water, scribbled on, or just plain lost. One book lost at the end of December was discovered the following November: it had been put away in the box with the Christmas lights.

The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew are still popular, and so are Rocks, Dinosaurs, Star Wars and Lego.

The Librarian expressed thanks to Rotary for their book donation program. Most needed at the moment are low-level French books, and books on First Nations (Canadian/local if possible).

Darrell expressed thanks for a most interesting and informative talk and noted that this was the one occasion when the speaker got to keep the book.

Glenda accepted from Stacey a Gold Mine cheque for $625 on behalf of Salem Elementary School.

Rotaract Coat Drive

Posted by Susan Fisher on Dec 20, 2017

The Mount Allison Rotaract and Sackville Rotary Club’s have joined forces in support of many local causes this past fall. One of their many collaborations supported the Tantramar Family Resource Centre (TFRC) in their annual winter coat drive. Coats were collected on campus and presented to the representatives from TFRC who were thrilled with the response from the Mount Allison community. Rotaract students also just completed a fundraiser during Moonlight Madness to raise funds for Autumn House. Additionally, Mount Allison students contributed over 100 volunteer hours to one-time events and weekly programs in the Sackville community. In collaboration with the Sackville Rotary Club, Rotaract was also able to donate $900 to local organizations making a difference in the greater community.

Rotary is a world wide organization which values: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. Rotaract is the youth club open to all ages between 17 and 30. This community focused student group will continue their collaboration with the Sackville Rotary club this winter through initiatives including the breakfast program at Marshview Middle School, Dorchester School homework program, Family Literacy Day, Chili sales at the Sackville Winter Carnival and other community events. Additionally, the group will be welcoming other groups from across New Brunswick and Nova Scotia for a Maritime Rotaract Forum in January 2018.

Both groups strive to serve the community by volunteering their time and fundraising efforts, while collaborating with one another to strengthen the relationship between Mount Allison students and Sackville residents.

Rotaract Students are shown delivering coats to Tantramar Family Resource Center's Executive Director Tracey Rose.

Rotaract students are shown presenting a cheque to Heather Patterson, representing Autumn House.

GOLD MINE WINNERS 2018

Posted by Wayne Harper on Dec 15, 2017

Charities for 2018

Sackville Assistance Centre (Food Bank)

Tantramar Heritage Trust Inc.

Sackville Community Association

Tantramar Family Resource Centre

Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation

Tantramar Regional High School

Sackville Minor Hockey

Dorchester Consolidated School

Struts Gallery Inc.

Sackville Swim Club

Open Sky Cooperative

Sackville Early Music Festival

Dorchester Food Bank

Places to Play

Middle Sackville Variety

Sackville ESSO

Foodland

Patterson's Family Restaurant

Ultramar Gas Bar

Rose's Independant Grocer

Jean Coutu

Guardian Drugs

Gitpu Gas Bar

GET A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT WHO THE WEEKLY WINNERS ARE! Click READ MORE

Sister Port Elgin Gets a New Bell

Posted by Charlie Scobie on Dec 15, 2017

In 1943 the Rotary Club of Sackville sponsored the Rotary Club of Springhill and presented them with a brass Rotary Bell. In 1949 we sponsored the Rotary Club of Port Elgin, however they never received a Rotary Bell. Earlier this year the Rotary Club of Springhill agreed to disband; they also agreed to donate their Rotary bell to the Rotary Club of Port Elgin. The bell was never engraved, so our club agreed to pay for engraving it with the dates and name of Springhill, and Port Elgin's name and beginning date. The bell was presented to the Port Elgin club at their Christmas Party on 7 December.

George Trueman, president of the Rotary Club of Port Elgin receives the bell from Dwight Gallagar, last president of the Rotary Club of Springhill (holding the Rotary Bell).

Christmas Party 2017 - A Time of Fellowship

Posted by Charlie Scobie on Dec 15, 2017

Christmas Party: Thursday 7 December 2017. 34

members and their spouses joined together for the

annual Club Christmas Party.

One person wore a tie (a Christmas one)

Three Wise Men

Birthday boy George. Looks like Susan had more of a halo than usual.

The highlight of the party –

Soon had people lining up . . .

. . . then sitting down to a great meal

Sandy organized the games . . .

. . . candy canes brought people closer together

Many thanks to our hosts Sandy and Wayne for opening up their beautifully decorated home to us

Record Crowds at Fall Fair Breakfast

Posted by Wayne Harper on Sep 21, 2017

The event actually started Friday afternoon with several Rotarians descending on the Civic Center to prepare the atrium for the breakfast the next day. With all the preparatory work done on Friday afternoon, by first light on Saturday everything was –

A Record number of 445 people were served (357 last year). Below, Charlotte Purdy-Weir holds out a bowl so a Marshview student can fill it. Rotarian Trish Edwards shares a joke while a Rotaract Student takes an order from Charlotte's husband David. At times, the lineups were out-the-door.

Another busy spot (right up to 3:00 pm) was the dish washing area of the kitchen area. In the foreground is Josh Cormier, Stacey Merrigan and Susan Fisher trying to keep up with clean dishes. In the background is Jamie Smith who cooked bacon all morning.

Wayne Harper, chair of the event, credits the success to his team, and all who helped, including Marshview Middle School Students and Mount Allison University's Rotaract Club. In total, 20 Rotarians, 5 Rotaract students and 10 Marshview Middle School students insured that people were served in a timely fashion, dirty dishes were picked up and taken to the kitchen, tables were reset, fruit and juice were restocked and tea and coffee was always ready.

Bell Canada's local branch headed by Jenifer Wood, donated many give-aways, including a speaker which was raffled off along with Patterson's Restaurant who donated a cake, both netting $507. Donations of bread and apple juice were gratefully accepted from Foodland and Rose's Independant Grocer.

Sales from all sources totalled $4,054 and after expenses, should net, just over $3,000. One generous person gave a $200 donation.

Susan Fisher is shown rinsing dishes before loading the dishwasher, while the counter is lined with dirty dishes waiting to be washed.

Major donor, Scotiabank has offered to match the receipts. If 10 Rotarians each donate $100 to the Marshview Breakfast Program that will top up the $4,000 receipts to $5,000 – which Scotiabank’s will match ! Members are invited to bring a cheque next week (made out to Rotary Club of Sackville N.B.). A great partnership ! Scotiabank staff will attend our meeting on 5 October.

AND THEN THERE WAS NONE!

Posted by Wayne Harper on Sep 03, 2017

At the end of the corn boil I observed less than 2 dozen corn left to be hand out. This would mean in excess of 940 students and town's folk stopped by to enjoy corn-on-the-cob in the joint Town of Sackville and Rotary Club annual welcome to the students. But the story does not start here. It starts Friday night when 24 fun-lovin' Rotarians and friends descended on the Civic Center to shuck the corn. And shuck they did, stripping the cover off of 960 corn in 26 minutes and 30 seconds. We will try to find out if this is a record or not. Here are the "shucking" crew taken after an exhausting 26 minutes.

Fast forward to Saturday morning and the Frosh were steered to the corn in military style formation - in other words, chaos. A dozen Rotarians and Rotaract Students along with Town Council members handed the buttered corn to student after student for a solid two hours. The result - many happy and grateful students, whose first full day in town was made just a little better.

Here are some of the photos of Rotarians and students alike.

This project has been a favorite of the Rotary Club for many years. As long as there are hungrey students, this event is expected to continue.

Amherst Club Raises The Bar

Posted by Charlie Scobie on Jul 27, 2017

Rotary Bell: Pam took her Rotary bell to the Amherst club on Monday and made her pitch for raising $150 from 10 clubs as part of the Canada 150 celebration. The 23 Rotarians present contributed $325. There’s still time to contribute to our target – let’s not let Amherst get the better of us !

Paul Harris Presentation

Posted by Charlie Scobie on Jul 14, 2017

Last Thursday Pam was in Sydney with the family of the late Viola Desmond. She presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to Viola’s youngest sister Wanda in celebration of Viola’s social justice efforts. Viola’s picture will appear on the new $10 bills to be issued next year.

Annual BBQ for 2017

Posted by Charlie Scobie on Jul 02, 2017

Photographer: Dianne Oulton

Members and friends gathered at John and Gemey’s place for the annual Rotary BBQ. The storm clouds passed by without any rain and the sun shone.

Everyone enjoyed a fabulous feast.

Some ate al fresco . . .

Others dined in style.

Edna balanced the books, while Doug cooked the steaks.

Some helped themselves to a modest helping of dessert . . . others tried to see how much chocolate cake you can get on one plate.

After the meal Dianne handed out the Rotary service awards :

Josh and Marita both joined Rotary on 1 January 2012 and so were presented with 5 year awards.

Trish joined on 13 December 2007 and received a 10 year award, while David was recognized for 35 years in Rotary having joined on 1 March 1982.

Next came the changing of the guard.

Dianne reached up to Josh to give him the Past-President’s pin . . .

while Josh in turn presented the President’s pin to the incoming/returning president John.

Josh looked back on the past year and thanked everyone who assisted him as president. He made it to every meeting and even arrived on time last week. He gave a special word of thanks to Joyce for the great job she did as secretary. A special thanks also to John for being willing to take on the presidency again.

John gets to the meetings on time even if he does not always like talking to people that early in the morning. He gave a special thanks to Dale who is stepping down as chair of the projects committee, and to Stacey who is taking over that position. Thanks also to Mary not only for the great job she did as sergeant-at-arms but also for the use of her home as the Rotary “clubhouse.” Dianne takes over as sergeant-at-arms. John looks forward to the coming year and hopes to see a legacy project come to fruition.

Thanks were also expressed to Gayle for organizing the event, to Doug the master chef, and to John and Gemey the gracious hosts of the event (according to John, Gemey did all the work).

6 New Paul Harris Recipients Honoured

Posted by Charlie Scobie on May 22, 2017

Paul Harris Evening Celebration 18 May 2017

It was a hot time in the old town tonight. Members of the Rotary Foundation Committee had been praying for good weather and look what they got – temperatures close to 30 degrees ! All present – club members, previous Paul Harris Fellows and members of the local community – certainly got a warm welcome. Everyone enjoyed finger food and drinks in the pleasant ambiance of Cranewood on Main, and a time of fellowship. The programs for the evening were much appreciated – they made excellent fans.

MC David, chair of the Rotary Foundation Committee, welcomed all present and introduced the highlight of the evening – the recognition of five outstanding local volunteers as Paul Harris Fellows. Of special interest was the fact that this year marks the 100^th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation. It was in 1917 that Cleveland Rotarian Arch Klumph, President of Rotary International, proposed the establishment of a fund “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” Clubs may honour citizens who exemplify the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self by donating to the Foundation in their name and recognizing them as Paul Harris Fellows. President Josh participated in the following recognitions:

Alice Folkins (Westmorland Historical Society, Food Bank, Lioness club, youth work), introduced by Rotarian Darrell Harvey;

John Higham (Sackville Community Association, Tantramar Veterans Memorial Civic Centre, Tantramar Lacrosse, Tantramar Planning Commission, Town Council), introduced by Rotarian Louise MacKinnon;

Dianne Minshull (V.O.N., Meals on Wheels, Red Cross, Walking Program at Sackville Memorial Hospital), introduced by Rotarian Joyce Ferguson;

Heather Patterson (Tantramar Seniors’ College, Food Bank, Tantramar Association of Grandmothers, Autumn House, Linus Project, Sackville Refugee Response Coalition), introduced by Rotarian Gayle Key;

and Allan Pooley (55 years of service to Scouting in Sackville !), introduced by Rotarian Susan Fisher.

Three members of the club – Susan Fisher, Susan Purdy and Wynn Meldrum – who have recently donated to the Foundation were recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. Acknowledgment was also made of members recognized as Paul Harris Fellows over the past two years: John Murchie, Louise McKinnon, Dale Creelman, Ove Samuelsen, Darrell Harvey, Charlie Scobie, Dianne Oulton, Bill Evans and David McKellar.

Club members can contribute to the Foundation on behalf of others. Sharon Meldrum, introduced by Rotarian Pam Harrison, was so recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow as the result of a contribution by Wynn Meldrum. Sharon’s many community activities include Scouting, Figure Skating, Kinnette Club, and Camp Tawasi. She is a member of the Rotary Club of South Lake in Clermont, Florida.

Above: the six new Paul Harris Fellows. Left to right, Front: Alice Folkins, Sharon Meldrum; Back: Heather Patterson, Allan Pooley, John Higham, Dianne Minshull.

President Josh congratulated the new Paul Harris Fellows and thanked all who had contributed to the success of the evening.

The celebration closed with the Four-Way Test.

In keeping with tradition all Paul Harris Fellows present assembled on the steps of Cranewood for a group photo. They are, left to right: Front row: Pat Estabrooks, Marion Holder, Mary Sears, Linda Draper, Jean Scobie, Sharon Meldrum. Second row: Pam Harrison, Dianne Minshull, Sandy Harper, Barb Chisholm, Heather Patterson, Alice Folkins, George Woodburn, Ken Draper, John Higham, Wynn Meldrum, Allan Pooley, Sheila Parker, Susan Purdy. Third Row: Louise MacKinnon, David McKellar, Susan Fisher, Leslie Read, Ray Dixon, Patricia Belliveau, Charlie Scobie, Dale Creelman. Back Row : Bill Evans, John Read, Frank Chisholm, Darrell Harvey, Wayne Harper.

A New Lawyer is our Newest Member

Posted by Charlie Scobie on May 15, 2017

Our newest member just happens to be a new lawyer who will be called to the bar in June. The ceremony began with Charlie Scobie outlining some of the main features of Rotary based on the familiar Rotary Wheel emblem. Josh (acting as proposer of the new member and as President) introduced Stacey Merrigan who is a graduate of Mount A and UNB and has just passed her bar exams. Josh pinned Stacey and presented her with a Welcome to Rotary folder. Following the induction, members came forward to welcome Stacey as a member of the Sackville club and of Rotary International.

Paul Harris Community Recognition Evening

Posted by Dave McKellar on May 10, 2017

Just a reminder that our weekly meeting will be canceled on Thursday, May 18th and instead will be held that evening where we will recognize five of our community volunteers.

Please bring your partners and friends and prospective members. This is a reception and not a dinner and dress for the evening is casual.

It is important that all club members make an extra special effort to attend to demonstrate our support of of our community volunteers.

Gold Mine Draw Vendors Honoured

Posted by Charlie Scobie on Mar 24, 2017

On Wednesday 22 March 2017 our first Vendors Appreciation Night was held at The Painted Pony. Gayle, who organized the event, welcomed members of the club and representatives of the various vendors. She thanked the vendors for their generosity in allowing us to place our Gold Mine boxes in their places of business. To date the Gold Mine Draw has raised $202,215.00 with half of that going to the winners and the other half divided between local charities and Rotary projects and charities.

Louise gave an overview of the history of our Gold Mine Draw acknowledging the help given to us by the Montague, P.E.I., Rotary Club.

As an example of how profitable the draw can be she presented this week’s winner Marguerite Harvey with a cheque for $2,302 – the draw took place on Marguerite’s birthday on 20 March !

Everyone present enjoyed the fellowship, not to mention the food . .

Some of those present . . .

Sherry Bickerton and Greta Patterson.

Charles and Shelley Beaver with Susan and David

Brenda and John Long with John and Darrell

Mike Knockwood with Joyce

A great evening – with many thanks to Gayle for all her hard work in organizing it !

Long Time Rotarian Leaves Us

Posted by Wayne Harper on Feb 02, 2017

Douglas J. T. Hamm of Sackville N.B. died on January 31st, 2017. He was born in Lunenburg N.S. to the late J. Henry and Luetta G. Hamm.

Following graduation from Lunenburg Academy in 1939 Doug accepted a position with the Canadian Bank of Commerce at Bass River, N.S., transferring to Shelburne and Amherst, N.S. respectively. In 1941 he enlisted in the RCAF and following training in navigation he joined 409 "Nighthawk" Squadron at Lille Vendre-ville, France. Doug was also a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war Doug began a career with Atlantic Wholesalers Limited located in Sackville, NB. In 1962 he was appointed President, a position he held until his retirement in 1983.

A strong and proud supporter of his community, he contributed in many ways. As a member of St. Paul's Anglican Church he served as church warden, treasurer, vestryman and for 49 years as a member of the choir. He was a member of Branch 26, Royal Canadian Legion, Sackville Rotary Club, Kinsmen K40, and Sackville golf and curling clubs. He was past Master of Lebanon #28, Masonic Lodge and was awarded the William G. Quinn medallion in 2002 by Grand Lodge for dedicated service.

Doug supported the Sackville Memorial Hospital, the Heart and Stroke Foundation (N.B.) and was a former board member of the Victorian Order of Nurses, a past director of Atlantic Industries Limited and board member of Central Trust and Central Capital. In 1991, at Mount Allison University convocation ceremonies, he was presented the Board of Regents medal in recognition of his 18 years on the Executive Committee.

He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed many trips fly fishing for salmon on the Southwest Miramichi. He was also an amateur artist and did many oil paintings of scenes on the Tantramar Marsh; actively enjoyed his many years as a member of the Sackville Golf and Curling Clubs; but most of all loved his time spent at the family cottage in Murray Corner where he indulged his passion for early morning swims in the warm waters of the Northumberland Strait.

Doug was a longtime Active Member and Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Sackville.

Tulips and Freedom

Posted by Wayne Harper on Jan 23, 2017

Do you recall the special tulips from Holland which have been designated as the official tulip of Canada’s 150^thbirthday? As the above picture shows, the elegant white blooms with red flames bear an amazing resemblance to our maple leaf flag. Pam writes to tell of a special project she has for 2017: “My plan is to ‘build goodwill and better friendships’. Every time I meet someone from Holland I tell them the story of the special red and white tulips and thank their country for the special gift. Most do not know of the tulips but they sure remember the Canadian soldiers liberating their country.”

Seen here is a Dutch couple Pam has met in Portugal. She says: “George was one and a half years old and she was 4 months when the war ended. They both expressed their thanks to Canada, ‘a country of very nice people.’ "

A great way to put the Four-Way Test into practice !