April 14, 2009

Chair - Catherine Rankin skipped her mini-classification talk because she chaired a few weeks ago.

Singsong - With the help of Gabe Chaisson on the piano, Derek Key (and Mayor Basil Stewart) led the singing of Red River Valley and Happy Birthday to Bill & Ted.

Makeups - Peter Brown at R.I. Headquarters in Chicago on March 17^th, and two other meetings in the Chicago area on the 18^th and 19^th.

Visiting Rotarians - Fred Kitson.

Guests -Tim Hawkin, guest of Dale Craig.

Queen of Hearts Draw - Katie Irwin handled the duties. The jackpot continues to grow since John McCarthy drew the joker and had to pay $5.

Attendance - Ron Gallant reported an attendance of 89%. Excellent!

International Toast - Ron Casey toasted the Rotary Club of Montreal. Bruin-hunting season starts this Thursday. Go Habs Go!!

Rotary Minute - Atanu Chaudhuri talked about Rotary International facts and some of the scholarships awarded annually.

Sunshine Reports

Heather Matheson reported that after surviving two years of tryouts and cuts, her daughter was chosen for the 2009 PEI Canada Games softball team. Cathy Gallant's 79-year old father did well at a bodybuilding contest in Moncton over the weekend.  He received two standing ovations and an award. John Griffin vacationed in New Zealand and Australia.  While there he had the opportunity to have dinner with both Julia and Luke, former exchange students of our Club.  Both are doing well and say hello.

Committee Reports

Karly Flynn reported that the Tim Horton's Easter Seals tour will take place in Prince County this Thursday, the 16^th and next Wednesday, the 22^nd.   Anyone interested in accompanying the Ambassador on the tour can let Karla know. Blair Dunn reported that the golf tournament committee will start meeting next week.  Anyone interested in this committee can let him know. Gerald Arsenault is looking for billets for the GSE team from Japan who will be here on May 17^th and 18^th. Steve Cudmore talked about the Rotary Celebration Garden and thanked the Mayor for the City's donation of the park benches. He also thanked Cathy Gallant for having made signs for each table and visiting Rotarian Fred Kitson for taking some brochures with him.  Catherine Rankin still needs a spot to be filled at this weekend's trade show (at the Celebration Garden 's display). She also reported mulch tickets are available for sale.

Guest Speaker

David Poirier introduced His Worship, Mayor Basil Stewart.  Mayor Stewart was born in O'Leary.  He graduated from the Police Academy in 1971 and worked for the City of Summerside Police Department until 1984.  He has been mayor of the city since 1985.  He and his wife, Gail, have two children and six grandchildren.  Mayor Stewart gave an overview of the 2009 budget recently passed by Council.  He also talked of new projects and recent improvements to the City's infrastructure.  Mayor Stewart was thanked by Vance Bridges.

President's Report

President Sandy Rundle thanked the Mayor for his talk to the Club and also for the park benches donated to the Celebration Garden fundraiser. He also reminded of the District Conference at St. F.X. University the weekend of May 7-9.  Anyone interested in attending can let Sandy know before the end of the week.  A few resolutions forwarded to the Club for consideration and discussion.  The next executive meeting will be Thursday April 24 at the Western School Board. Next week, Estefy will be making her presentation to the Club.

Sargeant at Arms  

Sgt-at-Arms Les Chipperfield first thanked Vance and the Mayor for the City's financial support to the Legion.  He also said he recently had a visitor from Edmonton who was quite impressed with Credit Union Place .  The Sgt-at-Arms paid $2 for his comments before he proceeded to fines.  John Griffin was fined for being late for the meeting (everyone take note, it wasn't me!!).  Nelson Snow was fined for not standing during the toast to the Montreal Rotary Club (I think that deserves a $100 fine... or I suppose Montreal beating Boston would be good payback too). Steve Cudmore was fined for having made a "short joke" when he followed Gerald Arsenault to the microphone.  Finally, anyone who cleared snow on the weekend was fined a dollar for not truly believing that spring is here.