December 19, 2019: Christmas Program, Jeff McIntyre and St Michael’s Jazz band.
Head Table: Our President Brent Shackleton, invites, Elizabeth Gaffney, Dave Hunt, Basil Hurst, Dan Kane and John Kechnie, to join him at the head table.
Today at Rotary: Another excellent turnout for today’s meeting that featured the return of Guy Chadsey as a fill- in for our sergeant-at-arms. Attempts were made to get him to provide some details from his recent two week honeymoon but alas—Guy was able to deflect queries as only he can do! Today’s Rotary Foundation draw was won by Bruce McLaren.
.JPG)
Guest speaker Shane Carthy speaking on Performing Arts lodge. Introduced by Guy Chadsey.
Prior to our speaker, Nic A. and Peter R. presented Paul Harris awards to Susan Melkert and Nancy Farr, who are the face of our Rotary Respite House. They both gave us a very heart-warming thank you— it was a proud moment to be a member of the Stratford Rotary Club.
Our guest speaker was Shane Carty who was introduced by Guy Chadsey and thanked by Michael Fox. Shane, a former actor, spoke on the Performing Arts Lodge( PAL ). PAL is a Canadian charitable organization that works at providing affordable housing for the retired professional performing community over the age of 55. The Stratford unit was actually spearheaded by Tom Patterson back in 1999, and modelled after the Toronto PAL. Most artists do not make serious money, and many are in need of support in order to live independently and securely once their careers have ended. Working with PAL is a volunteer group here in Stratford known as SUPPORTING CAST, that offers assistance in dealing with social and community agencies, companionship, rides to appointments, and organizing group activities including weekly coffee sessions.
The Stratford PAL has an historic home on Brunswick Street that services a number of artists. Presently PAL has only one annual fund raiser event— a variety show at the Festival Theatre. A few Rotarians in the Q&A session offered some thoughts re potential fundraisers.
Shane certainly opened our eyes into another facet of society that needs and deserves local support. Thank you Shane.
Scribe: Wilhelm Zitrone
Paul Harris Fellow awarded to Susan Melkert from Rotary Respite House.
Paul Harris Fellow awarded to Nancy Farr from Rotary Respite House.
Team Picture with New Paul Harris Fellows bestowed the award for their years of dedication the Rotary Respite House and its occupants. Also in picture Nick Aroutzidis and Peter Roach the founding fathers of the Home and visionaries. The Home has given Respite Care to many families in Stratford and area.
Guests: We welcomed today, Kelly Brooks, Jennifer Lewingfon and George Pearson.
Foundation Draw: The prize donated today by Anonymous (Gift Certificate for Canadian Tire) and won by Bruce McLaren.
Make-ups: David Hunt, November 26 and December 10 at the FCRC, Katherine Hahn and Rhonda Lee Stephenson-Read visited 5 times several RC in South Africa (Pretoria East, Haenertsburg, Middelburg Christmas, Middelburg Satellite).
Katherine Hahn presenting banners from many clubs in South Africa that she and Rhonda Lee Stephenson-Read visited.
Please, if you do a make-up, please send me an email at naroutzidis@naeng.com.
December’s Attendance Committee: Ollie Henry (I/C), Fritz Steigmeier, Guy Bellehumeur, Geza Wordofa, Mark Smith, Wendy Wilkinson, Amy Mullock.
