HOSPITALITY FOR 150
On Monday of the Rotary International Convention, delegates have the opportunity to venture into the community surrounding the convention and be “home hosted” by a Rotarian (and significant other) in their homes. Occasionally, the venue has been a centralized barbecue or other meal, but, for sure, being in a Rotarian’s home for a few hours, sharing Rotary stories and ideas is a wonderful way to “get away” from the hustle and bustle of the convention.
This year, District 7090, under the leadership of Anne Bermingham, hosted about 150 people for dinner on Monday, June 25th. They came by bus – and that was an adventure in itself as a bad car accident closed the Queen Elizabeth highway and changed a 1 hour trip into a 3 hour trip from Toronto to Hamilton; however, Anne quickly reorganized and we extended the stay of our guests for an extra hour or so. Pictured left is Anne Bermingham, center front, with her guests at her home in Highview.
Talk about hospitality! Rotarians stepped up from all over the area - the Rotary club of Hamilton AM, Hamilton, Hamilton After Five (Tonic), Hamilton Mountain and Dundas Valley Sunrise all got involved. Some Rotarians hosted two couple, four couples or even ten couples in their homes. The Hamilton Mountain club entertained 20 at the yacht club, the Rotary Club of Hamilton After Five (Tonic), had 18 at Rotarian Marcel Mongeon’s back yard. One Rotarian, Michael Howes, hosted the couples at his boat dockside. People were entertained on boats, in gardens and backyards and around dinner tables in Stoney Creek, Hamilton, Ancaster, Aldershot and Dundas.
It was an amazing effort by many amazing people. MANY, MANY thanks to all those who were willing to host, transport or do any of the other many roles to make this a successful evening; but special thanks to our bus monitors – David Williams, Leo Johnson, Tim McClemont, and Rotaractor, Jelaine Foster – as well as our fearless leader, Anne.
Pictured right is a photo taken by hosts Helen and Wayne Massey, Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise, at their home as the group was preparing 
to disperse having been wined (lots) and dined on Wayne’s special treatment of steak and salmon, preceded by charcuterie and salad, and then topped off with strawberry cake and rhubarb crisp and icewine. The guests are Tom and Stephanie Smith from Tsawassen, British Columbia, Karen and Ted Ellis from East Rutherford, Texas, and the hostesses with the MOSTEST, Helen Massey and Lynne Morrow.
to disperse having been wined (lots) and dined on Wayne’s special treatment of steak and salmon, preceded by charcuterie and salad, and then topped off with strawberry cake and rhubarb crisp and icewine. The guests are Tom and Stephanie Smith from Tsawassen, British Columbia, Karen and Ted Ellis from East Rutherford, Texas, and the hostesses with the MOSTEST, Helen Massey and Lynne Morrow.