March 3, 2009

Chair - Wayne Thompson lives in Victoria with his wife Tara and two children, Charlotte (3) and Wyatt (5). Wayne received his schooling at Englewood and then Bluefield before completing a BBA at UPEI.  He then worked in the potato industry for 15 years and five years ago, he started Garden Isle Farms with Eric Robinson.  He also has a packaging company with his brother.  Wayne has been a Rotarian for six years.

Singsong - In the absence of Gabe Chaisson, Gerald Arsenault led a cappella versions of Michael Row the Boat Ashore and Happy Birthday (to Ron Casey).

Makeups -Wayne Carew (Charlottetown Rotary Club)

Visiting Rotarians - none.

Guests - Scott Costain's son, Alex.

Queen of Hearts Draw - Katie Irwin handled the duties. It was a brand new deck of cards this week and the jackpot of $100 was missed by Luc Van Hul (Jack of Diamonds).

Attendance - 100% of people present were asked to check off their name on the attendance sheet on their way out.

International Toast - Leo-Paul Arsenault toasted the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach in Queensland, Australia.

Rotary Minute - none.

Sunshine Reports

Les Chipperfield thanked everyone who helped with the pancake breakfast.  The 462 breakfasts that were served is the highest ever for our event.  He hopes everyone had the chance to eat and said the website is the way to go to organize events. There was a 100% return from the Club.  He is now collecting money. See more pictures on the website home page, in the photo journal http://www.clubrunner.ca/CPrg/DxJournals/journal.aspx?cid=4107&jid=15573.  Derek Key found a book in his father's collection to read during his week away.  What is interesting about the book entitled "Kennedy and Diefenbaker: The Feud that Helped Topple a Government" is that on the inside cover it says "Book belongs to Vance Bridges".  So Derek returned the book.

Committee Reports

Vance Bridges reported that the Strive Committee made up of himself, Tina Mundy, Yolande Richard, Donna MacKay, Marion Arsenault and Phil Jost, had its first meeting with the students and Three Oaks' guidance counselor, Jim Donovan, over lunch last week.  The committee will continue meeting with the students on a monthly basis. Vance also reported that his grandson was chosen for Adventures in Citizenship. Luc Van Hul reminded all of the Discover Rotary Event on March 24, starting at 6:30. Everyone is asked to invited one or two people. Luc also reported the resignation of John Arsenault who is pursuing other endeavors but hopes to join again in the future. Steve Cudmore distributed pamphlets/order forms for the Rotary Celebration Garden. The video is also being formatted to be email compatible. Wayne Thompson reported that 14 people attended the hockey night.  Ages ranged from 5 to 70 and everyone had lots of fun.     

Guest Speaker

Richard Wedge introduced Roy Ridlington who gave his classification talk.  Roy was born in England and grew up in Quebec City. Following high school, Roy joined the Canadian Army.  In addition to the Army, he also served in the Air Force and Navy.  During his service, Roy obtained a B.A. from Mount Allison University and a number of years later, he was recruited to go to law school through the Judge Advocate General.  Roy obtained his law degree from UNB and was admitted to the New Brunswick Law Society.  He is now also a member of the PEI Law Society.  After being admitted to the Bar, Roy was posted as Deputy Judge Advocate at Gagetown.  During this posting, he went around to Chatam, Moncton and Summerside to provide legal advice.  He met his wife, a native of PEI, during one of those rounds. Roy was then posted to Halifax where he remained until 1983.  In 1983, Roy accepted a position with Veterans' Affairs in Charlottetown.  He was with Veterans Affairs for 26 years and worked with the Bureau of Pension Advocates and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board.  Roy is now retired and he lives in Summerside.  He and his wife have four daughters.  The oldest is a physician in Belleville, Ontario.  His second daughter is a medical Lab Technician at the QEII in Halifax.  His third daughter has a degree in Conservation Biology from Oxford in England and she completed her thesis on an endangered monkey species in the jungle in Costa Rica. His youngest daughter is between degrees and presently living at home doing some substitute teaching.   His two youngest daughters were Rotary Exchange Students, one in Italy and the other in Switzerland.  Roy has been a Rotarian since 1988.  He was a member of the Hillsborough Club until we were lucky enough to have him transfer to ours.  Roy was thanked by Luc Van Hul.

President's Report

President Sandy Rundle thanked Roy for his classification talk. They are always an interesting part of our meetings.  He also reported that interviews are being completed for the VISION project. He wished Ron a Happy Birthday and a great trip to Vancouver for the World Junior Curling event.  President Sandy also thanked everyone for their hard work at the pancake breakfast, which was an excellent event. A big thank you to Karla Flynn and her committee.  The Easter Seals Telethon went well and over $135,000 was raised. As a reminder, the pool tournament is this Saturday at 1:00pm. President Sandy also expressed the Club's condolences to Malcolm Millar and his family.  Malcolm's father passed away. 

Sargeant at Arms  

Sgt-at-Arms David Anderson was not present. As a result no fines were levied but there was much speculation as to why he missed the opportunity to chastise those who didn't give in to his bullying at the pancake breakfast ..