Members of the Rotary Clubs of Hamilton, Hamilton East-Wentworth, and Stoney Creek came together for a fun Rotary family picnic at Fifty Point Conservation Area in Winona, Ontario.

 

Oodles of trash were removed from the beach by a small but mighty group of Rotarians prior to settling down to a picnic lunch and fellowship.

 

The culmination of the day was the cheering in of Hamilton Rotarian (and head of Empowerment Squared), Leo Johnson, who finished his fundraising bike ride at the event. Leo left Hamilton Friday June 14th, heading for Toronto. He made the return trip on Saturday and finished his ride at Fifty Point at about 3:30 in the afternoon.

 

Francis Flamingo was a big help, overseeing the beach trash clean-up and squawking cheerfully as Leo crossed the finish line.

 

On May 30, 2019 a Citizenship Court was held for the swearing in of 29 of Canada’s newest citizens in Niagara.

 

The ceremony was held at Rotary Park with the three Rotary Clubs of St. Catharines working together to host 110 new citizens, their families, local dignitaries, Rotarians ( Pink Flamingo too!) and the neighbours of Rotary Park.

 

The formal ceremony was conducted by a Citizenship Immigration Judge from Refugees and Citizenship Canada / Government of Canada. The judge’s comments were warm and welcoming. There was a luncheon provided for all afterwards.  A GOOD DAY.

 

 

 

The annual Rotary Club of Grand Island’s Shred It Event was a huge success on Saturday, June 15 as over two tons of documents were shredded and more than $3,000 was raised for the club to use for youth programs in the town.  Shred It was held in the Tops plaza adjacent to Key Bank on Grand Island Blvd.

 

Event Chair and Sponsor Christine Learman said, “Despite the wind and rain, we had a steady stream of vehicles from our Grand Island neighbors and so many expressed how excited they were to purge and shred their paperwork, knowing it was for the good causes supported by our Rotary Club.”

 

Ms. Learman also credited the number of Rotary members who volunteered for the event, adding “Many hands, make light work.”

 

A portion of the proceeds will be used to support the Rotary Club of Grand Island’s 10-year commitment to support the Miracle League.  This is the club’s eighth year of financial support to the league which maintains a handicapped accessible ball field and playground on Grand Island.

 

Meet the Fellowship Committee who worked together to create a very successful presidential year end closing party.  Pictured from left to right are Randi Dyck, Bob Miller and Joy Flegg.

 

This year’s event was held outdoors on the beautiful grounds at Club Roma in St. Catharines. 36 members and guests gathered to show their appreciation to outgoing President Ellen Wodchis for all of her hard work and dedication throughout the year. The pink flamingo theme was evident throughout the décor.

 

The club also recognized Else Weeks with a Paul Harris Fellow.  Else is not a Rotarian, yet she attends most of the club's fundraising events rolling up her sleeves and lending a hand everywhere she can.  She has also worked tirelessly at Hospice Niagara for almost 15 years. Congratulations Else!

 

Finally, our year end party wouldn’t be the same without member, Phil Horner’s closing poem. He didn’t disappoint.

The Rotary Club of St. Catharines-Lakeshore was honoured to bestow a Paul Harris Fellowship on local Community member and charity Socks for Change founder Sam Baio. Socks for Change provides warm, wool socks and other warm winter gear to those less fortunate in the Niagara community.

 

As per the organization’s website, “over 76,000 Niagara residents live below the poverty line. Our goal is to raise funds and awareness about this growing epidemic in our community, and provide as many socks as possible to those in need in Niagara before the winter season. The socks we donate are 70% wool; they absorb a high amount of moisture, wicking wetness away from the body to ensure dry, warm feet. Wool also keeps its insulating properties even when wet, unlike cotton, and dries twice as fast. Not only are we providing warmth to the less fortunate, we are also creating jobs in our community, through our knitting partner, McMormack Textiles”.

 

 

The Batavia Rotary Club celebrated its 100^th year Anniversary on May 10.   The Batavia Club was originally sponsored by the Rotary Club of Rochester in 1919.  Then in 1940, Batavia sponsored the LeRoy Rotary Club. 

 

Batavia's Centennial Celebration was at the Park Place Event Center at Batavia Downs.  More than 130 people attended, including many guests from other Rotary Clubs in our District, including some of our Canadian clubs. 

 

The group was welcomed by Batavia Club President Laurie Mastin.  Our District Governor Melisa Schrock attended and offered a brief congratulatory speech. 

 

The program included a video with footage of the several Batavia Rotarians who have been members the longest -- all 40 years or more.  They shared their favorite memories and Rotary stories of fundraisers and community service events conducted over the years.  At the conclusion of the video, booklets were distributed to attendees that provided the 100-year history of Rotary in Batavia.  

 

At the conclusion of the ceremony the Gap Mangione 14 piece band played, and the attendees danced the night away.   It was a fun night to celebrate all that the Batavia Rotary club has done in the past and will be doing in the future. 

 

The club thanks all those who traveled to Batavia to help celebrate its Centennial.

 

The Rotary Club of Buffalo has instituted a new program:  Rotarian of the Month.

 

 

This award is designed to recognize a Rotarian in the club who clearly stands out in demonstrating "Service Above Self," and principled commitment to the Four-Way Test.  A nominee will be a member who has made significant contributions to the mission and operation of the club, and to one or more avenues of Community Service or International Service. The ‘Rotarian of the Month’ award may be given to a member who exhibits “Service Above Self” in their daily activities and who promotes Rotary by their actions and involvements in the club's major activities, or by serving on several committees. This person should be highly visible in the weekly activities of the club.

 

John has been involved with Youth Exchange as a district vice chair for the past 13-14yrs.  As a vice chair, he is responsible for the inbound and the outbound students which could amount to a total of 10 to 15 kids each year.  In addition to that, the Bradley family has hosted a total of 7 inbound kids in their household and generally John develops such a connection with these kids that they end up living with the Bradley’s for an entire school year (normally its 3-4 mos).  They also helped out when a home was needed to host for a few days to a few weeks and they did that for an additional 4 inbounds.  Because John is such a big hearted guy, it was easy for the kids to develop a close father-like relationship with him and thus far 5 of the inbounds have returned to their Bradley home.  They also traveled to Australia to attend a wedding for one of their inbounds.  And we can all attest to John’s love for this program as we have seen his tears of true admiration for these kids each year at when they do their presentations to our club.

 

 

It is with great sadness that the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise said goodbye to our beloved sister, Susan Alice O’Dwyer (November 11, 1951 – April 1, 2019).  In our lifetime, it is such a blessing to know someone that is a true friend, someone with integrity, motivation, sincerity, and dedication.  Sue O’Dwyer was a vibrant soul and a champion of our Rotary club and our community.  She literally lit up the room whenever she entered.  Not only was she full of joy, she was always so eager to help out.  Our lasting memories of Sue are quite simple.  She was a hard-working, passionate figure of strength, who never waned in her support or love of her family, friends, and Rotary.  We pay tribute to her for everything she has done and especially the warmth she shared during her precious time on earth. 

 

Sue was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise.  She was fully engaged in the life and work of the club on multiple levels – a perfect example of the Rotary motto “Service Above Self”.  Sue served twice as club president and was treasurer for several years.  She championed the Rotary Spook House at the Water Pumpkinfest.  She enjoyed getting into character for this fundraising and community event and provided so much enjoyment to everyone attending as she had the marvelous quality of engaging young people. 

On two occasions, she accompanied student delegates from Norfolk County to Welshpool, Wales.  This was a Welshpool Student Exchange that she so loved and supported.  Rotarian, Lucine McKay is an avid penguin collector and fondly recalls Sue billeting with a Welshpool Rotarian (Tony Harvey), who was also a penguin collector.  She crossed the ocean to give this billet a mascot Canadian penguin.  Needless to say, the penguin exchange continued for many years and frequently Lucine McKay was the surprise recipient of a penguin. This was Sue, a thoughtful, generous woman with a wonderful sense of humor. 

 

Sue was extremely active in the work of Youth Services for the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, recruiting youth for exchanges and leadership training, including RYLA and Slapshot.  It is impressive that she was a leader at District 7090 with both RYLA and Slapshot youth leadership training programs.  She was the chair of RYLA for several years at the District level.  Sue was the driving force behind the formation of the Norfolk Rotaract Club, which formed with the energy of a group of RYLA graduates from Norfolk.  Not surprisingly, she was the recipient of multiple Paul Harris Fellow awards.  Sue was pro-active and led our Club in numerous fundraising events, including: Toast to Spring, Spook House, Spelling Bee, Bargains Bling and Blarney, and Catch the Ace Lottery.  She was truly a beacon for the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, not only in our community, but also beyond.  Sue was a unique individual, who was admired by all having the privilege to work with her.  The reality is, Sue did so much more than anyone was aware of, so many wonderful things to advance the work of Rotary.  In retrospect, the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise has come to fully appreciate all that she did.  A candle loses nothing by lighting another and Sue certainly lit many candles.  We keep ourselves busy with the things we do, but every time we pause, we think of you.

 

Sue O’Dwyer is missed and will be remembered as the Rotarian who exemplified the following:  of the things she thought, said, or did, she considered the truth, if it was fair to all concerned, and ensured it would build goodwill, better friendships, and was beneficial to all concerned.  Continued....

 

Well, maybe inducting a new member is not, by itself, newsworthy. However, this new member is special. He is the GREAT grandson of Ken Turner who was a member of the Niagara Falls Rotary Club, Dundas Rotary Club, and a charter member of the Dundas Valley Sunrise Rotary Club.  Ryan Turner is a partner in Turner Family Funeral Homes, Ltd. He is also currently the youngest member of our club (23), and he is married to the grand-daughter of Assistant Governor Coordinator, Robert Morrow, shown here with President Barbara Busing, welcoming Ryan to the club. And, the fact that the induction took place on a special day for “Canon Robert” made this a most auspicious event.  Ryan is already working hard with the club having participated in a tree-planting event in early May, helping with the fireworks and the lobster dinner fundraisers.  The club looks forward to many productive years with Ryan Turner, our newest member.

 

During the morning of May 8, a team of ten Westfield-Mayville Rotarians helped to clean up the Westfield Cemetery in Westfield, NY, by removing debris, picking up sticks, raking leaves and trimming weeds. Participating Rotarians included Helen Baran, Patty Benton, Janese Berkhouse, Tom Berkhouse (project chair), Pete Bills, Barbara Fay, John Hamels, Sue Hammond, Doug Richmond, and Steve Stratton.

 

 

 

On May 1st, 2019, The Rotary Club of West Seneca announced that they are donating $25,000 to the public library, in particular highlighting the Children’s Room, where a plaque commemorating the donation is displayed. A Rotary themed banner in honor of the donation was also unveiled, representing the support and contributions that local Rotarians have made to the West Seneca Public Library. This is the largest gift that the West Seneca Public Library has ever received. They will be awarded $20,000 initially and then five additional annual amounts of $1,000. The donation is to help fund the future needs of the library.

 

 

 

 

Other recent Rotarian donations to the library have included scientific tools and microscopes for the Maker Space, DVDs, and books on the environment for the library collection, Children’s

Room furniture, a puppet theater, and a bookshelf in the shape of a tree.

 

They also created and have funded an honorary book collection in the Children’s area called The Speaker Series. Books are carefully chosen and individually presented to special guests that speak at the club’s regular meetings. Each book includes a personalized message from the select speaker and then made available to patrons.

 

The Rotary Club of Hamburg presented a college scholarship to Brett Hilton, a recent graduate of St. Francis High School, during the regular meeting of July 2 at JP Fitzgerald’s Restaurant. 

 

 

The club in June also awarded scholarships to graduates Jacob Kinderman, of Hamburg High School and Loren Perreault, of Frontier High School.