Rotary Club of Huntsville Meeting Notes Dec 18, 2024
As Rotarians and guests arrived a bit of social time;
President Len opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and asked everyone to raise their glass to friends and to Christmas. President Len said grace.
Guests: ADG Andrew Smellie; Jan and Lee Nyquist; Partners in Service: Jane Audet, Joy Bridle, Eva Gibbs, Gerri Mar, Irene Redwood, Karen Pritchard, Nina Ross, Fran Mitchell and Keira, Lynne Strickland, Sandra Parrott; Calum, son of Jennifer Simpson, Cindy, guest of Liz Behrens; Chris and Deb Knobelsdorf; Debbie Kirwin; Trish Kruusmagi, Moe Kelso and Past Exchange Student Keara Pearce-Hall and friend; Jorge, our exchange student; Guests of President Len and Nina – Ann Sutherland, Fran Gower and Carmen Stark.
Jennifer Simpson informed attendees that the paper and pens on each table were for folks to create a Christmas poem during dinner. A pleasant surprise was that every table took a shot at creating the perfect poem. The table of Jennifer, Mary Rashleigh, Tony and Dolores Jardine, Trish Kruusmagi, Moe Kelso and created the poem that received the loudest applause. (see the brave readers here, read a copy of the poem below)
Before dinner, photos of Rotarians at work and at play were being shown on the big screen. After dinner, a skit performed by exchange students at the most recent District Conference was shown. Also during the evening, the performances of Rotarians at a zoom Christmas party during Covid was provided for members’ enjoyment.
Following the delicious turkey dinner, Rotarians and guests participated in a quiz on Christmas customs in both Chile and Canada. Exchange student Jorge had the most correct answers. Since he knows almost nothing about Canada this claim was highly suspect but in the tradition of Christmas Cheer, Jorge was widely applauded!!
Rob Saunders made a presentation to Val, the head person in the Legion kitchen. Val is moving away from Huntsville and she only missed cooking for two Rotary meetings in the period that the club has been attending meetings at the Legion. Rob gave praise to Val’s service to our group. Jennifer and Rob presented Val with a gift – a hand-made wooden serving tray made by our own Peter Redwood.
Peter Redwood, acting as Santa’s helper, gave hints on Rotarians who deserved gifts from Santa, and people had to guess who he was referring to, based on the characteristics of the person that Peter alluded to.
Jennifer Simpson presented gifts to some special people - Keara Pearce-Hall, a past exchange student; Jan Nyquist, for his amazing sponsorships for the club; Keira, granddaughter of Gord and Fran, for coming to the club since she was a toddler; AG Andrew for always being so helpful and present; Exchange student Jorge; President Len in appreciation from the club.
New Tradition: Jennifer set a new tradition, “Holiday Spirit Award”. The honor this year went to Rick and Sandra for the matching Christmas outfits that they were wearing. The reindeer antlers (that Jennifer made late the night before) are to be proudly displayed in the recipient’s home and to be passed on next Christmas to the newly honored recipients.
Exchange Student Jorge presented President Len with a gift of a book on Chile.
Gord Mitchell reported that the six volunteers at the LCBO last Saturday canvassing for The Salvation Army raised $ 1,192.95 and challenged the six volunteers on December 21 to exceed this amount.
Gift cards were collected to be donated to deserving organizations. It was agreed that The Door would be included as a recipient.
The two meetings in January 2025 will be January 8 and 22.
Jennifer thanked everyone for being there, and the meeting was adjourned.
The Winning Poem!!
Rotary Saves Christmas
(written by Dolores & Tony Jardine, Mary Rashleigh, Trish Kruusmagi, Moe Kelso, Dione Schumacher, and Jennifer Simpson
Santa took the 4 Way Test, In truth he was the best.
Is it fair the reindeer are on strike, No, Santa might have to ride his bike.
Never fear Rotary is here! Filled with good cheer and good will,
right here, at noon, in Huntsville.
So Santa called Len, who called his friend Rob.
“Santa needs us to do a small job”
Reindeer love Bingo, we’ll get Deb to call!
The strike will be over, beneficial to all.
Thank you to Rotary, Christmas is saved.
Santa aced the 4 way test, He truly is the best
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