November 14, 2005 South Mouth

Reporter:  R. Morissette

OPENING THE MEETING

Call to Order: President Bob McKay
National Anthem: Rob Welch 
Toast to Queen and Canada: George Fitzpatrick
Invocation: Rich Cavers

GUESTS AND VISITING ROTARIANS

Doug Foss introduced the following guests and visiting Rotarians: Madia de Witt and Elzaan de Witt, daughters of Laetitia de Witt; Elizabeth de Verteuil, GSE and guest of George Fitzpatrick; Shirley Griff, guest of Laetitia de Witt; Julio Batres, guest of George Fitzpatrick; and Dennis LePage, visiting Rotarian.    

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

Bob McBride, serving as Sergeant-at-Arms, (in jest) fined:
Ian Forbes for insulting a grey-haired man!

Bob McBride, serving as Sergeant-at-Arms, gave kudos to:
Roseanne Morissette for sending him the back issues of South Mouth;
Greg McDonald for a good bingo session on November 12, 2005;
Laetitia de Witt for being such an excellent dancer...too bad her partner caused her to fall!;
Matt Taylor for defining "oxymoron" (a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction) i.e. Matt trying to help with the laptop set-up for our guest speaker;

Bob McBride, serving as Sergeant-at-Arms, accepted "Happy Dollars" from:
George Fitzpatrick for Julio Batres, who is interested in joining Rotary and for Elizabeth de Verteuil, who is part of the GSE team going to Sweden in 2006;
Elizabeth de Verteuil who expressed her gratitude for the club sponsoring her trip to Sweden;
Bob McKay for the great Hospice Niagara gala and for being the cause of Laetitia falling!;  
Laetitia de Witt for Shirley Griff, who is interested in becoming a Rotarian and for her daughters, Madia and Elzaan;
Paul Massuet for having a wonderful time at the 50th anniversary celebration for Don Fraser;
Matt Taylor for the wonderful time he and his wife, Georgette, had at the Hospice Niagara gala;
Jim Hooper for Wilfred Laurier's win against the University of Western;
Andrew Bowles for the University of Western's ulimate revenge;
Doug Foss for the success of Winter Dreams V;
Greg McDonald for Jim Hooper who joined the bingo crew and for Denis Morris highschool's defeat of St. Mike's;
June Manning in appreciation for the Hospice gala committee and the members who supported the event;
Jim Howes for the Rotary Bonspiel in November, which is sold out;
Bob McBride for Jim Hooper's 110 per cent attendance as a result of bingo;
George Fitzpatrick for the fact that Hospice Niagara surpassed the one million dollar mark in fundraising.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Bob announced the following:

The Hospice Niagara gala committee, of which June Manning, Laetitia de Witt, Jim Howes, Ian Forbes, and George Fitzpatrick were contributing members, did a fabulous job in making the evening such a memorable event - one of the best galas ever. A highlight of the evening was the announcement that the Fowler Foundation pledged $400,000 and that the Ministry of Health will contribute over $500,000 per year for operation of the facility.      

There is a board meeting November 18, 2005, 7:30 a.m. at the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club. 

District 7090 is hosting an Annual Foundation Dinner on November 18, 2005 at Salvatore's Italian Gardens Restaurant in Depew, New York. Keynote Speaker is Carolyn Jones, RI Director, and the first woman to be appointed as such in the 88 years of Foundation history. Interested Rotarians should contact Bob McKay ASAP. 

There is a Club Assembly on November 21, 2005 at the St. Catharines Club. Rob Welch is organizing. Attitude adjustment starts at 6 p.m. with dinner following at 7:00 p.m.

The President's Christmas Celebration will take place on December 9, 2005 at the Port Dalhousie Yacht Club.

The Annual Rotary Family Christmas Party is Monday, December 19, 2005, 12 Noon, at the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club. Cost is $17.50 per adult, $9.00 for children under 12, and no charge for children under six. Price includes a hot turkey dinner buffet. Those interested in attending should email Elizabeth Spaan at spaane2@tdcanadatrust.ca and confirm the number of adults and children attending. Please bring a donation of non-perishable food for Community Care.  

St. Catharines Inner Wheel Club is hosting a Starry Night Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 4, 2006 at 91 Lakeshore Road in St. Catharines. Tickets are $50. each. Proceeds to the Niagara Health System for breast cancer research and kidney dialysis. For tickets, contact Thelma 905-892-0896 or Patti 905-732-6975.
 
Other Announcements 

Laetitia de Witt announced that there is an India National Immunization Day trip in 2006. The trip will cost $2,900. Interested parties should contact Laetitia. 

Greg McDonald announced that there were 311 players at bingo on November 12, 2005. Bob McBride, Don Beard, and Jim Hooper volunteered their time to help out. A financial update will be provided at the next meeting. The next bingo session will be held Saturday, December 10, 2005. Three volunteers are needed. 

BIRTHDAYS

The following individuals were recognized for their birthdays: John Klassen, Don Beard, and Bob McBride. Happy birthday and best wishes to all!

50/50 DRAW

One of Laetitia's daughters drew the winning ticket and received the wine.

EARLY LEAVERS

Andrew Bowles, Ian Forbes, and Doug Foss expressed their regrets to our President and Guest Speaker and took early leave of the meeting. 

GUEST SPEAKER

Matt Taylor introduced our guest speakers, Suzy Hastings and Lynda Bradshaw, who are co-owners of Gardening Angels. See related story for details. 

ATTENDANCE REPORT

Tom Schulz announced 23 members, eight guests, and 11 make-ups for 103% attendance.

ADJOURNMENT

As there was no further business for the good of Rotary, President Bob adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.