Miscellaneous
Repeat from last week:
Your criminal record checks are due by the end of this month so please get it done. If you are having difficulty contact Chris P. or Gordon.
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
All meetings will be by zoom until further notice.
Please direct any questions to me 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...
Announcements
Unwrap each day with gratitude
The Christmas/Foundation event raised $2,600 for the Foundation. Well done.
Thanks to the Social Committee for organizing a fun and engaging event. Special thanks to Amanda, Mary Lou and Debbie S. The meal from Riverside Banquet Hall was excellent. Thank you Michael and Bobby.
The Victor Ghirra Toy Drive raised $6,000 cash and over 2,000 toys which are being distributed this week.
Meetings cancelled on December 24 and 31 2020 goodbye!🥳🥳
Next meeting January 7th 2021
Oh and you can get hair dryers at Canadian Tire.
Visitors
Elizabeth Specht and Howard Blank
sergeant At Arms Tidbits
Bill's 81 year old aunt has sadly died of Covid. On another note if Jagr is still playing hockey at 48 - Bill says he can play at 58? I don't know I think we should ask Sam!
Mary Lou our master AV and IT person reminded us that no more meetings for the rest of the year.
Peter waited two months for a two week delivery of a pellet stove and on delivery the installers forgot a tool. Return trip to Princeton for the tool. So at least the stove is in the cabin.
Kal(Lavina) lamented the loss of a young woman who saved her children but did not lament the loss of 2020. Bring on 2021.
Judy had fun at our Christmas Party but will miss the full family get together at Christmas and sadly cannot see Ralph.
Bobby got a root canal for Christmas (must have been naughty) no doubt because he also got a speeding ticket - the first in over 30 years.
Marg's programs are starting in January, but her ground floor kitchen may not. Renos ongoing.
Chris P. is very busy at work and reported that our exchange student Mayela Duque has been accepted for a residency in Neonatal - Perinatal at U Illinois - Chicago.
Gordon after congratulations and thankyous all around zoomed away.
Garth is busy at work but his 37 year old son in law had emergency heart surgery and is fortunately doing okay but no one can visit. Hope he recovers quickly. Chor Leoni concert is cancelled but plans to reschedule in North Vancouver.
Sandra baking cookies after deciding not to and discovers that Bob's employees are actually nice. Sandra's sister raised money on the island for donations to help the vulnerable and seniors.
Dalbir's life is perfect and delivered the external Paul Harris to Surjit Dhinjal.
Chris B. loved the zoom party and reported that Bob(like his employee is nice) bought her drinks when they saw each other from afar at a restaurant. Bob, Chris wants a warning next time so she can order more drinks.
Bob at least acts as old as Bill as he is listening to iPods (aka pod casts) helps him concentrate on his workouts. Don't buy Nespresso too good smells good and drinks too much coffee! Maybe that's why the workouts are so much more intense! Caffeine high!
Mercury explained how he is much faster in a jock strap in the cold but had trouble beating the UBC football trainer in a 40 yard dash in 1974. Won by a small body part. No not that body part.
Brian's Mother had eye surgery and his Dad prostate surgery and both are in good shape and he is enjoying having them at home while they recover. Dupuis Langen is running a fundraising campaign for the Richmond Food bank. Go to The Dupuis Langen Group if you want to participate.
Sam will be sending out profiles for members to fill out for the Clubs Face Book Page. Don't worry Face Book Policy will post a warning for any fake news. Justin received roller blades sans knee, elbow pads, and helmet. None of which would protect him from Covid but maybe a concussion or scraps and bruises.
Amanda thanked everyone for their help in putting together the Christmas Party and was so happy how it went she broke her toe.
Susan went back and forth to Princeton to get a tool for the pellet stove installers but could only find her cell phone so phew! she could join us from the costco parking lot.
Saw Heather who wished us all well.
Melinda is busy with Turkey season. John's 91 year old aunt has survived covid. go figure. Missing friends and family across the border.
Kathy apparently has a second nickname "The Incredible Bulk" whom does not appear when she gets angry but when she bakes! 👩🏼🍳 Apparently Don does not see all the baking.
Pat gave thanks and congratulations all around and reminded everyone of the projects meeting immediately after the morning meeting and not to be late.
Carolyn asks everyone to respond to her email about dues. Her sister works in advance care and had an outbreak in their facility. working 16 hour days. Please thank her from us all!!!!! Son in law now has a full time teaching position. Will be playing golf with Joyce on what turned into a very nice day.
Deb M. enjoyed the meeting last Thursday and the Party Sunday but complained that she only received a meal for one. Miles (The Incredible Bulk 2.0 - Yes I said it!) got to it before she did.
Deb S. reported that she has a long time friend from Australia who came here to help her mother move into assisted living and contracted Covid along with her mother. Both recovered except both have lost their sense of smell. Friend finally back in Australia in quarantine in a hotel for two weeks. No booze, no friends and no going anywhere until after Christmas. Is Pot legal in Australia? Just asking. Anyway President Debbie and friends will Zoom Christmas greetings to her on Christmas day. Wished every one a Happy New Year and gratefully turns the page on 2020.
speaKER
Our speakers were Elizabeth Specht and Howard Blank who told us about the Cerebral Palsy Association of BC starting with the point that there is not a lot of public knowledge about the condition. It is not a disease nor is it genetic but arises from a injury to the brain that causes a loss of muscle control creating involuntary movement and weakness. It is not contagious, not preventable, will not worsen but can be treated. Young people with CP can access treatment and equipment that was not available a generation ago. There is no cognitive impairment and it is important to assume competence. There are an estimated 50 million people with CP, 1 in 3 infants with low birth weight will have it, 50,000 Canadians and 10,000 in BC have CP. It is now considered a spectrum disorder. Covid although initially creating a challenge and still does, has allowed the association through zoom to provide services and supports to remote areas and are now serving more people with more services. Additionally there are new connections with hub models increasing and growing. They are now unable to gather and connect but the virtual hubs allow them to educate and provide services throughout the province. Elizabeth got involved with CP BC to help establish stable funding as there had been no permanent funding. Howard explained that they intend to tour the Province with BC for CP Champions initiative not only to create the opportunity to donate but also for connecting and educating about CP. Weekly or daily physical therapy is the most important treatment for those with CP and the cost is not covered by medicare. They hope to increase the funding through the 2021 BC for CP road show in a motorhome and also to raise the awareness of CP. They are hoping to have Rotary Clubs through out the Province host them. The purpose is to fund therapies educate about CP and the Association, job skills program and a mentorship program. They want to work with local communities and Rotary Clubs, to communicate and connect. Elizabeth said she is big on collaboration and is reaching out to other disability groups to work together and efficiently to get funding where it is needed. If you want to learn more about the Association or Donate here is the website. Donate to Support Life Without Limits – Cerebral Palsy Association of BC (bccerebralpalsy.com)
Meanderings
Santa was not always the jolly old elf. St. Nicholas before the 20th century meted out punishment as well as gifts and presided over drunken bacchanalian English Festivals. In Germany children trembled before Weihnachtsmann carrying gifts for good children and birch twigs to punish the naughty ones. He might be accompanied by the child gobbler a specialist in biting off heads(watch out Bobby G.). Santa Claus comes from the Dutch Sinter Klaus the fourth century bishop of Myra in Turkey and patron Saint of children. In Austria St. Nicholas was accompanied by the Krampus a big hairy beast with horns and a red tongue. In France he was joined by Pere Fouettard a monk who spanked bad children. In England Old Christmas was created in the 17th century to represent the spirit of Christmas in an effort to outlaw midwinter feasting and drunkenness. He was revived in Victorian England and looked like a besotted reveler with glassy eyes and a leering grin. Our views of Santa today are shaped by Clement Moore's The Night Before Christmas published in 1823 and Coca Cola Claus in the 1930's and 40's for Coke ads. We have also of course been greatly influenced by the commercialism now associated with Christmas. (all from a Vancouver Sun article Sandy cut out in December 1994 and saved until now).
Hope you have a good Christmas and stay safe. 2021 promises to be better. 🤞
Remember eat cookies, the covid comfort food of choice. 🍪
Or was it donuts?🍩 Or maybe it was popcorn?🍿Or? 🍫
Upcoming Events
All meetings by Zoom until further notice but not until the New Year now.
Please note the new date for the Auction
Friday September 24, 2021 Auction Fundraiser with final details to be determined but anticipating live and in person.
Committee (and other) Updates
The Rotary Club of Sydney Sunrise (Nova Scotia) is putting together a Global Grant for the expansion of Maternity facility in Armenia.
International Committee recommended and the Board approved the sum of $3,000 (Cdn) towards Global Grant # 2117645 for the expansion of Maternity Services at the MARTUNI MATERNITY HOSPITAL MARTUNI, ARMENIA.
TODAYS CHUCKLEs
What nationality is Santa Claus? North Polish.
What do you call an obnoxious reindeer? Rude-olph.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!! Or in Spanish
Fleas noma Dad!!!🤣
And
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
