Classy Bobby Ghirra (Feb 16, 2022)

Miscellaneous

Repeat from last week or until no longer relevant or until I delete it:

The external Paul Harris Dinner is now scheduled for June 15th and tickets will be $75 each.

Coldest night of the Year is February 26th and will now be virtual so sign up or donate at Coldest Night of the Year 2022 - Richmond (cnoy.org) Debbie T. will send an email with details about where and when the walk might take place. Apparently there is still some issue about the after party? Coffee or a Pub???

The Hanging Basket Sale will be going on line again from March 8th to 26th. Sam will be our techie and preparing a brochure and the shopify site. So if you have any photos of the baskets send them to Sam for consideration for the brochure.

Zoom Meeting Rules

THE LINK TO OUR THURSDAY MEETINGS WILL NO LONGER BE EMAILED BUT ACCESSED THROUGH THE LINK BELOW.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86855229058?pwd=c1pxUklLeDMwWGpCdjIrOS9Oak4wUT09

Meeting ID: 868 5522 9058
Passcode: 473892

1) Mute your microphone if you aren't already muted. Background noise is distracting.
2) If you are not engaged in the presentation, turn off your camera.
3) Chat function should only be used to address the speaker, not for Club member remarks during the presentation

4) Unmute when harassing the Sergeant at Arms or taking your turn during Sergeant at Arms.

Presidents Report and Announcements, committee and board news and other stuff.

Next meeting, February 24th will be in person where we have met in the past - the Palace!!!! Yippeee!

For the basket sales pick volunteers the Ghirra's will be providing lunch. Thanks again Guys!!

The Foundation Dinner is tentatively scheduled for April 16th and it appears we have enough members interested in attending that the Club would buy a table.

Next Auction Meeting is March 5th and we will be getting the details of entering the silent auction items shortly.

Please direct any questions to the President or a board member of your choosing and we will discuss any and all questions or concerns during our board meeting. Also please refer anyone who may be interested in attending a meeting or joining the club.

Be kind and be calm and safe...

Visitors

Hah!

sergeant At Arms Tidbits

Debbie S. thanked everyone for their condolence messages and donations in her Mom's honour.

Chris P. had to take a moment over Debbie's loss and expressed how nice it was to see everyone.

Joyce had had another busy week and was very happy to see the sun shinning.

Kal promised no more betting on football until September but did win by betting on Cincinnati with the point spread. Will not disclose what stocks he is buying.

Carolyn's daughter is back working so Carolyn is back looking after grand daughter. Thanked Bobby for taking over the accounting duties.

Dalbir enjoyed a nice meal at the Lupo Restaurante for his anniversary. Had lunch with a friend who was not allowed to see his mom because she had covid and she passed away before he was able to see her. Rules around visits to loved ones need to be changed.

Marg's brother in law passed away(sorry for your loss) and her sister is now staying with her. Both are addicted to sports and have been watching the Olympics together.

Bobby enjoyed a Super Bowl party and is thrilled to be able to open the banquet halls again.

Belinda expressed her sorrow for the recent family losses. Her mother is still alive and drops an implied Fbomb if someone suggests she clean up a part of the house.

Belinda has started her own consulting business and is busy training staff. If your kids went to Sylvan learning they will waive the assessment fee for your grandchildren for being a loyal customer. A case where the fine print is in the consumer's favour.

Mary Lou was actually in her office today so no visit from our youngest member ever Oscar. But it is Oscars birthday and he will have his cake graced with a candle in the shape of a digger. Now everyone wants one - and not just for grand sons. Mary Lou survived the District membership meeting.

Gordon became a grand dad for the first time 14 years ago yesterday and finds it hard to believe. Will be grateful for in person meetings and the end of zooming over and out.

Garth watched the Women win the hockey gold. Off to Whistler where the crowds because of Family Day in BC and Alberta and President's day in the US will keep him off the slopes. The consolation prize is fixing things like the stove.

Dick commented on how those occupying Ottawa are not standing on guard for thee like the lyrics say in O'Canada!

Judy watches the grandson's play hockey after helping some of them on with their gear. The boys will waive at her to make sure she is watching. Grandson, Caleb drew a picture with googly eyes and explained it was Grandpa watching over her. Almost a year since Ralph passed away.

Danny is happy with the better weather as he can take photos of insects, mushrooms and plants to enter into competitions. A true polymath!

Micheal went to a hockey game and was very impressed with the music and visuals. Went to the Black and Blue for Anniversary??? Maybe? Thrilled with the opening of the banquet halls with no capacity limits. The phone is ringing off the hook. Netflix is currently done as his TV may be done. In any event Costco is very sorry and offered to replace the TV with a new one of his choice among three. An offer he couldn't refuse.

Debbie T. will dedicate her next ride to conquer cancer to Debbie S' Mom. Trip to Ucluelet was great staying at the Blackrock Resort. Dogs and Drew loved it. The resort left out some treats for the dogs. Drew is better. Coldest night of the year team has raised $1,025.

Peter found the anarchists in Ottawa scary particularly as some are being trained by paramilitary. They have become dictators in the streets.

Elena is looking forward to meeting in person as she is feeling zoomed out as well. She has cleaned up her yard to get it ready for gardening. Neighbour's house sold for $200,000 over asking price.

Rocko told Michael about the new drug lord who is a combination of Rambo and Rocky. Also attended community meeting to discuss the possibility of incorporating Okanagan Falls and surrounding area into a municipality. Sadly very few people showed up for the meeting.

Bill would like to get a digger candle for Jake as he was fascinated by them as well. Ran with his running group and made a personal best time that has stood for 3 decades. Niece Julia in a day switched her 30 minute wedding in Chilliwack into an event for 50 people with dinner and photos. I think Bill said he was still only going for 30 minutes - but he was speaking so fast I didn't catch it all.

Debbie M. is still busy at work, went to a hockey game for the first time in awhile. Had a nice meal at Arivas and Miles is still back and forth to PG. Another order for a digger candle please. And if anyone wants to see a digger in action Miles would be happy to oblige.

Pat who is always nice to everyone was navigating her damaged vehicle through photos, estimates and at some stage repairs. Has played golf and took a putting clinic.

Christine M. is meeting with Givergy next week as this weeks meeting was postponed due to a fire alarm and not covid. Will be providing us with details on how to input our silent auction items later this month.

speaKER

Bobby Ghirra presented his Classification speech today. His father immigrated to Canada as a refugee in 1972 and was granted immigrant status and eventually citizenship. Bobby and his brothers immigrated in 1974. All of them worked hard picking berries in Yarrow from 1975 - 1982. The income was important enough to the family they would miss school during the berry harvest season. They all worked hard and put in long hours. He bought his first home in East Vancouver near Commercial Drive. He did not have much but he had his family. They moved to Richmond and Bobby went to McRoberts and graduated from McNair. They made some profit on the sale of some properties and in 1986 Dalbir became their business accountant. Dalbir convinced(some apparently would say bullied) Bobby into pursuing a business degree which Bobby earned at KPU. He also earned his CGA while at KPMG. He married his wife in 1993 in an arranged marriage and has three wonderful children. He worked as General Manager for a logging contractor for three years in Port Mellon. He settled with his family in Vancouver and settled into the family business with the Riverside Halls. His friend Jason convinced him to work out and Bobby got into running and eventually worked up to running a half marathon. His children have now graduated from University and he had a wonderful 50th Birthday celebration at the banquet hall. Bobby is a great place in his life right now with good work/life/community balance. He illustrated his Classification speech with a great power point and wonderful pictures of his family when he was young and his wife and children.

Meanderings

Pink Shirt Day is next Wednesday. Ever wonder about its origins. While this is what I found.

Now a movement celebrated across the globe, Pink Shirt Day has humble beginnings. Inspired by an act of kindness in small-town Nova Scotia, CKNW Kids' Fund, working with partners Boys & Girls Clubs and 980 CKNW, was inspired to raise funds to support anti-bullying programs. Here is a snippet of an article detailing the original incident:

“David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school. ‘I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,’ says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’ So Mr. Shepherd and some other headed off to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag. As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. ‘It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,’ Mr. Price recalled. The bullies were never heard from again.”

After David and Travis’ act of kindness in 2007, CKNW was inspired to help other youth affected by bullying, with many staff members wearing pink shirts and collecting funds to support Boys and Girls Clubs. Since then, the idea has only grown each year, with worldwide support and participation. Countries across the globe are now organizing anti-bullying fundraisers of their own, including Japan, New Zealand, China, Panama, and numerous others. In fact, last year alone, people in almost 180 countries shared their support of Pink Shirt Day through social media posts and donations.

Pink Shirt Day falls on the last Wednesday of February every year so the next Pink Shirt Day is February 23rd, 2022 iintended to create a more kind, inclusive world by raising awareness and funds for anti-bullying initiatives.

Upcoming Events

March 8th is the next board meeting.

External Paul Harris June 15th, 2022.

Please note the date for the Auction

Friday May 6th 2022 Auction Fundraiser with final details to be determined but anticipating live and in person.

TODAYS CHUCKLEs

🥸

Here is a couple from the lexophile file:

I got some batteries that were given out free of charge.

A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.

Then just in case you needed reminding we are all getting older (except Sam), from Christine M.

When I say, "The other day," I could be referring to any time between yesterday and 15 years ago.

I remember being able to get up without making sound effects.