President Len opened the meeting by welcoming all members and guests.  

 

A toast was made to the King, Canada, and Rotary.   

 

Guests: ADG Andrew Smellie, Jan Nyquist, Leah Leslie, Lee Hazelton; Visiting Rotarians Nick Parochy, Jim Sheidel, Natalie Little; Exchange Student Basile Hayes; Last Year’s Outbound Exchange Student Kiera Peace-Hall;  Partners in Service Nina Semper Ross, Fran Mitchell, Sandra Parrott, Lynne Strickland, Beth Saunders, Carol Gibson, Karen Pascal, Bill Rashleigh; Harry Edgar, brother of Mary Rashleigh.

 

Announcements:

President Len opened a discussion on Kiva, the micro-lending program operated in this club through the World Community Service Committee.  He asked Dolores Jardine to talk about Kiva to the group.

Dolores explained that Kiva is a non-profit, online lending program, whose mission is to expand financial access to help underserved communities to thrive.  The same money is being lent over and over again.  This club has been involved in this program since 2010 and of the $ 2,990 (U.S.) invested by us to date, we have lent out $ 22,825 (U.S.).

 

President Len then stated that the club wanted to honor Jan Nyquist for all that he has done for the club and for this community.  Nydock’s donation to our recent annual auction brought in $ 8,500.  President Len announced that the board has agreed to donate $500 to Kiva in Jan Nyquist’s name.  Mr. Nyquist immediately offered to add another $ 500 to that amount. 

 

It was discovered that, in addition to this being a time for Christmas Celebrations, it is also Inbound Student Basile's birthday. A lovely cake, created by Host Mom Lynn Doyle, was presented along with some gifts and a round of 'Happy Birthday'.

 

 

The rest of the meeting was a Christmas party, with a wonderful turkey dinner served up by the Legion ladies (and one man).

 

Leah Leslie entertained with guitar and sang one of her own compositions, “Sprucedale Hotel”.

 

Santa’s Twin Brother (STB) arrived, with gifts for certain members of the club who had been “nice” all year. He was helped by his lovely “elf”.  Nobody had been naughty, that Santa was aware of. 

 

 

 

Gord receiving his practice driver's dashboard and Fran building up her cat comb collection

  

 

Peter Van Buskirk being awarded his 'Sheriff's Badge of Honour' for great attendance and his inspirational (very dry humour) outlook on life

 

The always smiling Nick (Perogy) Paroschy deciding if he is going to abandon perogies for the chance to build a chocolate chip cookie empire!

 

Jamie Thompson wondered how, when he expressed interest in helping out with the bathtubs, Santa's Twin Brother interpreted that as a need for bath salts and an exfoliating brush??

 

R&D (or was it D&R) Construction is once again leading the set build for this year's play. STB made sure foreman Doug Fairhall would never be without a set of power tools to help with the job.

 

STB made Peter Redwood's status as CEO and future Mayor of the Town of Huntsville  official, presenting him with a full set of keys to every building, storage cabinet and washroom in Town. They even made noises, but had no colour - strange!.

 

Newer member Rick Wearing proved that when you immediately start getting involved, become Membership Chair and join the Board, you have a good chance of receiving the prestigious 

'Dive Right In' Award.

 

Receiving kudos for leading the recent successful Christmas Auction, Santa's Twin Brother correctly guessed that Bill Pritchard's true love is his yellow school bus. Now Bill can practice, with a smaller version, for hours on end picking up kids all over Town (That doesn't exactly sound right??)

 

Secretary Will, Bingo Co-Chair Will, Web Site/Facebook Will, Contractor Will and all around volunteer Will were all recognized with a presentation to the actual Will, naming him the 'Man Who Wears Many Hats'. Santa's Twin Brother immediately asked Will to return his hats but did present him with a practice putter device to assist Will in tuning his game up for the Spring.

 

Even ADG Andrew was recognized by STB. His continual travel schedule was recognized and some helpful aides were presented to allow some de-stress options after a long day (applier of massage not included)

 

Last but not least, Santa's Twin Brother recognized President Len as a true Rotarian for stepping up and taking over the role of President for this year. However STB had to acknowledge he had heard murmurings amongst the loyal club followers about 'run on sentences'; 'lengthy summations'; and comments like - 'How many times can that guy say the same thing??'. In an attempt to help Len control himself, a 3 minute timer was presented and all agreed it would be nailed to the podium. Using the 'carrot and stick' approach STB also presented both lunch co-ordinator Rick, and Len's wife Nina, with co-ownership of what was best described as a 'cattle prod'. Failing the President's attention to his new time clock, the full force of the prod was authorized, both at meetings and at home. (Nina's still smiling). In response to a question from the floor, STB acknowledged that the prod could be electrified - batteries sold separately.

 

Following STB's presentations, Christmas music was sung by the whole group, with Leah Leslie leading from the stage. 

 

A draw was held for some Moose Delaneys gift cards and the happy winners were Lynne Thompson, Jan Nyquist, and last year's outbound student Keira Peace-Hall

  

 

The Grand Prize winner was Mary's brother Edgar who gained a pair of pants but, very generously, went online shortly after the meeting and donated $100 to help with our Kiva fund.

 

 

President Len thanked a number of people:

There being no other business 'for the good of Rotary', President Len wished everyone a safe and happy holiday season and adjourned the meeting.