Thank You to Christine M. who took the notes at this weeks meetings as the BE is away in Kitchener visiting relatives.
Welcome to our guest Susan Tarrant, originally from Quebec, who is living in New Westminster and moving to Richmond. She recently started with Gateway Theatre as Fund Development Manager. The theatre celebrated its 40th anniversary. Doors will be opening soon after two years, with a full season. The holiday musical this year will be “Anne of Green Gables”. In August, they will have “Songs of Summer”, then a Hallowe’en feature, then a focus on Viola Desmond whose civil rights story will be coming to the theatre in February 2023.
Garth, having messed up the lyrics to O Canada, excuses himself as he was thinking about golf.
Melinda absolutely loved the District Conference and encourages us to book for next year as it is in Vancouver. She congratulates Gord on his award and was honoured to witness him receiving his award. She was amazed by the speaker at the conference, a polio survivor who was so impactful. One of Rotary’s future focus will be to combat ovarian cancer. Tonight she is going to the Aspire Richmond dinner.
Sandra, wearing lots of bling, was impressed by Story Walk last week. They celebrated Kyle’s 33rd birthday at The Victor and also went to the Story Café by Costco. Feels great to get out and about again.
Michael is thankful to be acknowledged, by any name. He has had an easy week, playing with the little kids. They cleaned up the garage, where there is a hoarder’s collection of children’s stuff – the little kids are playing with the older kids’ toys. He has been listening to the news and is so sad to hear about the recent shooting in America at the school and about the fire in the Senegal hospital where many newborns were killed. He is off to Mexico next week with his wife – Hola!
Sam feels better. Justin is away in Ottawa and Moose is at the family house, so Sam is alone – maybe that’s why he’s feeling better. He has spent time with friends and had his photo taken holding yesterday’s newspaper – just for proof!
Bill says happy birthday to the May people and congratulations to Gordon. Jake’s wedding is on Sunday. This one is much more stressful than Sam and Justin’s wedding.
Kal missed the conference as he spent the weekend with 1000s of his closest relatives. He figured out which channel Netflix is on so will be joining Michael.(Ed. note wasn't Micheal watching shows about Kal on Netflix?)
Debbie M. has a regatta coming up on Saturday, so has been practicing. She’ll be racing in 10 races, then going out for dinner afterwards and will be under the table after one drink. She is proud of Gordon. She unfortunately set off the fire alarm in her building, when she was cooking with parchment paper in the oven, opened the oven door, opened the hall door and set off the building alarm. But the silver lining was that, of the firefighters who arrived, 2 out of 3 were cute and they said her dinner smelled good.
Judy congratulates Gordon and her jet lag is getting better. She had a great cruise, loved Croatia and the Greek Islands, toughest day being at sea, but was with good people and had lots of fun. She had just over an hour between flights coming back, but someone didn’t show up for the flight and the whole plane had to be unloaded. They left an hour late, and thought they wouldn’t make the connecting flight, and raced through the airport, not knowing that their flight was being held. Champagne on board, once they got there, was very welcome – and she didn’t ditch her travel buddy. Great job, Judy! Yesterday was the twin’s birthday, and Judy is still celebrating her birthday, even into June.(Ed. note why stop there).
Marg says Story Walk was amazing and encourages us to see the current book by Roy Henry Vickers. Marg was principal at Hamilton, and the kids thought she was there when the school was built. Her sister is still with them, yes! Ben’s on his second soccer practice, but his company is moving to Cloverdale and he’ll lose his job.
Debbie S. spent 10 days in Palm Springs with Dad and two sisters, having to beat the heat. They took the aerial tram, went through the national park and spent time in the car and by the pool – trying to keep cool. Her Dad’s sister will be 90 and they are going to the Netherlands to celebrate.
Blair is honoured to be sitting next to Gord and is rethinking joining the club as we meet weekly so early in the morning. He will be joining our club, but only passing out 5$ bills, not the $10 that Susan gave us!
Gord hadn’t packed a bag to travel for 3 years! Had beautiful weather in Prince George. The lifetime achievement award was unexpected, and he wonders what else he has left to do!
Chris M. is playing golf straight but not hard and just learned that you can keep score!
Carolyn congratulates Gord and admits to not being successful in retirement as she is working too hard for KPU, having had to cancel golf. She is working hard to get everything organized in order to hand over the treasurers job to Bobby and thanks Dalbir for his support.
Dalbir welcomes Susan. He thought the conference was wonderful, with themes of water and First Nations. They are working towards making affordable water available. One of Dalbir’s first projects in Rotary was one for water in Pakistan. He encourages us to attend next year’s conference in Vancouver at the Pinnacle – staying at the hotel gives you the full experience.
Belinda welcomes Susan and Blair and congratulates Gordon on the length and breadth of things he does for rotary. She was at the Pathways dinner, where they raised over $100 000 in donations. The support of the room was palpable. She is going to Aspire tonight. This weekend they went to the Tree walk in the botanical gardens at UBC, where she saw over 500 kinds of rhododendrons – you walk on the overhead pathways – not for anyone with a fear of heights.
Mary Lou welcomes Susan and Blair and congratulates Gordon. She attended the Van Dusen English car show on the weekend. Alan has Covid so Mary Lou is staying in a hotel downtown and at the office. Lyndsay is visiting and being booked into a hotel this weekend. Her aunt’s memorial is this weekend.
Dick predicts we will all get Covid at one time. He congratulates Gordon. Dick is happy to have been sent home from the hospital. He celebrated his 87th birthday by getting his 4th shot!
Danny congratulates Gordon and says happy birthday. He just returned from the Philippines where he was disgusted with the presidential election. He watched the southeast Asian games and is happy to return to Canada. He is afraid that in the future the Philippines may become another war zone in Asia.
Amanda is still hiding and congratulates Gordon.. She had a great two weeks, and thanks voters for her competition support, where she is in first place. Funds go to Lady Gaga’s charity. She is going to Vancouver Island as the chauffeur for her dad who is doing his first half iron man.
Debbie T. has been to hell and back with Covid and was very sick, lying in bed for days, with two sheepdogs running around and wrestling. She is recovered, but still coughing. Her mother-in-law, at 90, has been diagnosed with bone cancer and passed away yesterday. School Board meeting last night passed the budget after a 5 ½ hour long meeting, trying to preserve positions and maintain classroom integrity. After Covid, she is glad to be on this side of the dirt with no ventilator.
Pat is still recovering from Covid, but coughing less and still feeling a bit tired. She will leave for the US on June 3rd. She drove to Prince George for the conference and drove into Logan Lake where her son had played hockey when he was young. She saw the copper mine and was late getting home. Thanks to Dalbir for representing our club as the peace facilitator.
