For those of you that were unable to attend the Sailabration District conference and did not have anyone from your club attend, you likely have not heard what an amazing adventure we had. The conference was a huge success in many ways; financially, educationally, camaraderie but most importantly we were able to have a Rotary in Action day in St. Maarten and a Discovery Mission in Puerto Rico.  See the group picture on the left.  They are ready for the Rotary Action Day in St. Maarten.

 

The Rotary Action day in St. Maarten was co-ordinated by Lezlie Murch a former VTT Leader to the same island.  We visited a school that was destroyed by Hurricane Irma and saw a presentation about how our district was part of a Global Grant for $345,000US for its reconstruction.  Then we visited the school where the children are temporarily being educated.  The absolutely electrical joint Rotary meeting for lunch was followed by an afternoon of interaction with the Players, a development program for youth at risk.  All attendees felt this was a highlight of the conference week. 

 

The team for the discovery mission in Puerto Rico included Rotary International President Representative Bob Menconi and his wife Monica, District Governor Bob Artis, Past District Governor Robb McLeod and his significant other Donna, Past District Governor Rick Sterne, Jennifer Schoenhals, and her significant other Chris.  This team was met by members of the Rotary Club of San Juan, President Gerry Cupiano, Armand Pique and Past District Governor Juanita Valentin-Morris.

 

The local club picked us up at the dock and whisked us to Loiza, a small coastal community that was ravaged by Hurricanes Irma and then Maria.  The group had the pleasure of meeting the current mayor of Loiza, Julia Nazario Fuentes and her assistant Luis Daniel.  After a short meeting to discuss the issues surrounding the citizens, we had a brief tour.

 

What we have learned about Loiza is that the community was born out of the arrival of slaves many years ago.  It still has the highest Black population on the island, with the highest rate of unemployment and poor economic development.  The inability of its residents to produce deeds to their properties has hindered their capability to obtain grants from FEMA.  Therefore, over 800 people are still living under blue tarps from the fall of 2017 when the two massive Hurricanes touched the island. Loiza relies heavily on tourism, both local and international due to the proximity to the beach.  However, the conditions of the city are less than desirable and the impact of the lack of visitors has left it without the funds to rebuild. Pictured right is PDG Robb pointing to a house that still has a blue tarp on it.

 

Our tour took us to a facility that gave PDG Robb a great idea and he pledged $5000 for an initial project that we hope will be a program to help this community regenerate.   A plan and a group gathered to begin working feverishly to create a small team to go in March for the first of a multi-phased program. 

 

However, Mother Nature had other plans.  An earthquake that hit the closer to the southwestern part of the island left Puerto Rico without power.  This meant we were unable to communicate with our team there.  Further, the most immediate demands have taken the focus away from the community of Loiza to others in more immediate need.

 

Although Robb and Jennifer have had to rethink the timing of the initial plan, we are determined to make a difference.  We are looking for a small group of people willing to get their hands dirty, paint, clean and do some small jobs to prepare a small school that can be used as a community center and shelter in the event of future flooding.  This group will travel to Puerto Rico sometime in late April or early May.  Pictured left is the discovery team meeting in the mayor's office.

 

If you are looking to participate in a hands-on Rotary project and Make a Difference, we want to hear from you.  Send an email of interest to sailebrationdistrict7090@gmail.com or find us on Facebook @sailabration7090 and leave a message.   This opportunity is not a District grant or club sponsored event, but one born out of the passion generated by the discovery team's visit to Loiza.  The team will consider Rotarians and non-Rotarians.  

 

If you want to see some of the pictures of the cruise follow us on Facebook, or if your club would like to hear about the District Conference Cruise, send an email. Jennifer would love to come and speak to your club.

 

 

Those of us who are involved in the Rotary Youth Exchange program know what an impact we have on the lives of the young people involved. Often times the program is credited with changing lives forever. Our ROTEX goes on to accomplish amazing things as a result. I’m happy to introduce you to one of those individuals. Dr. Elaine Hernandez was selected by the Rotary International Board of Directors and The Rotary Foundation Trustees to receive the 2019-20 Rotary Alumni Global Service Award. This award is given each year to a Rotary alumnus whose achievements have enriched his or her profession and whose service to humanity exemplifies the spirit of Rotary. This is the highest honor our organization gives to its alumni. 

 

Elaine Hernandez was the first outbound youth exchange student for the Brantford Rotary Club from 1970-1971under the leadership of Al Spence, and hosted by the Rotary Club of Hermosillo in Mexico. Her maiden name was Elaine Dove and because of that last name (she was born on November 11which happens to be Mexico’s Revolution Day as well as Veterans’ Day in the US and Remembrance Day in Canada), she always felt destined to promote world peace and understanding...and Rotary provided just that opportunity. After her exchange, she returned to Canada to study Spanish at Guelph University. Five years later, in 1976, she went back to Mexico to marry a dairy farmer from Aguascalientes, whom she had met at university. That year, she also started a school for 28 children living on the farm who had never attended school before which started her career in international development. Elaine is grateful for District 7090 and 4100 and the powerful impact of the Youth Exchange Program on her personal and professional life. In addition to her involvement in youth exchange, she is a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to Guatemala in 2000, and was a Team Leader for a Rotary International Group Study Exchange program to India in 2002. She has received numerous awards for both her local and international community service.

 

Elaine is currently the Regional Director in South Texas for the Baylor University's Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty. She is responsible for building sustainable public-private partnerships to address food insecurity at the border, especially in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Starr Counties. Currently, she is putting together a proposal for Rotary to invest $2M in economic and community development to address the humanitarian crisis of out-migration of unaccompanied children and families from Central America. Elaine is a member of the Rotary Cadre of Technical Advisors and will be traveling this month back to Sonora, Mexico to review a project for the Foundation.

 

Congratulations to Elaine on her many accomplishments and for this great Rotary honor.

 

Did you know that most Rotarians who resign do so in the first two years of their membership? Perhaps one of the reasons for these early departures is the failure to understand and get connected to the bigger world of Rotary beyond one’s own club. It’s like going to Disney World and staying in your hotel room. Sure, the room is comfortable, and you might be hanging out with friends or family. But, holy cow, you’re missing out on a whole lot of exciting and gratifying experiences!

 

How long were you in Rotary before you felt like you had a basic understanding of our history, how our clubs are organized into AG Areas, a district and a zone? When did you learn about our great variety of inspiring youth programs, how our Rotary Foundation works and how our donations support district and global grants and Rotary Peace Centers? How about the wealth of resources available on the RI and district websites, all of the available training programs like RLI, District Assembly, and PETS, and the myriad of special-interest programs that can enrich your Rotary experience, like fellowships, friendship exchanges, and Vocational Training Teams? (What’s that? You still don’t know about all of these??)

 

On January 28, 22 new Rotarians from the four clubs of Area 10 (the Rotary clubs of Buffalo, Buffalo Sunrise, BNMC, and Kenmore - including the satellite club of the Tonawandas) came together for appetizers, a cash bar, and two hours of learning about the great big world of Rotary from a team of passionate presenters who covered all of the topics mentioned in the paragraph above.

 

Why not try this inspiring experience in your Area? To do so, contact Kevin Crosby for more information.

 

Members from the Rotary Club of Grimsby participated in the 66^th Annual Can/Am Curling Bonspiel Jan 16^th to 18^th in Guelph, Ontario.  Two club teams were entered and one team advanced winning the D Event.  Not only did they defeat the opposition with their curling skills, but they likely overwhelmed them with their colourful presence on the ice. 

 

Pictured right are Grimsby Curling Rotarians (L to R) Sharon Rizzuto, Rich Hueston, Bill Hughes, and Charles Daley.

 

It was a happy evening on February 6, 2020, at the Grimsby Museum when Rotarians presented the proceeds from one of their major fundraisers' Fantasy of Trees.  The Mayor of Grimsby Jeff Jordan, Rotarians, Community Charitable Representatives, and special guests were in attendance as monetary donations were given to 11 charitable organizations within the Grimsby area from the club's raffle proceeds of $17,000.00

 

Appreciation was expressed to Rotarian Marilyn Cornwell, Chair for the second year of the Fantasy of Trees and the team of volunteers for increasing attendance and proceeds during the annual 3-week event.  Rotarian Jim Noordermeer, 2020 FOT Chair was introduced and he is already working with Marilyn planning for the November event.

 

Pictured left (L to R)   Rotarians and Representatives of Charitable Organizations at Grimsby Museum: Jim Howden, Jim Noordermeer, Amanda Pyper, Martha Kralt, Alan Smith, Margaret Andrewes, Dave Vandersteen, Sue Shipley, Jodi Healey, France Vaillancourt, Marilyn Cornwell, Nicole Regehr, Big Sister Erica Martinello with Little Sister, Barbara Jackson, Marie McNiven, Werner Unger, Sherry Cain, Colleen Laverdiere, Wally Wyshniowsky, Janet Oaks, and Bill Thompson.

 

 

The Rotary Club of Welland hosted its 3^rd Annual Curling Social on January 28, 2020. Seventy people attended, many of which were not directly related to a Rotary family. There were participants from age 16 to 93 (of course that was Fred Farnham).

 

14 rinks faced off in a round-robin set of games. The Welland Curling Club provided instruction for the many participants who were first-time curlers. One rink of Fonthill Rotarians, two Special Olympic rinks and 3 rinks of Elementary School teachers and principals joined in the fun.

 

After curling, everyone retired to the lounge for wings, pizza, drinks and socializing. From all accounts, everyone enjoyed their experience. The new tradition will continue in 2021!

On Wednesday, February 5, 2020, the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, New York hosted an international event sponsored by the Merani Group at Four Points Sheraton. Rotary clubs from both southern Ontario and western New York along with residents of the City of Niagara Falls, New York area assembled to hear guest speaker the Honorable Robert “Bob” Restaino, newly elected Mayor of Niagara Falls, New York.  

 

Mayor Restaino challenged the Rotary club to join in working to make Niagara Falls better. “I’m not asking for 4 million dollars” he stated, “I’m asking you to do little things in your neighborhood, cleaning up, making this place as respectable as we want it to be. We are stronger together.”

 

The Rotary District 7090 leadership team headed by Bob Artis, District Governor, Frank Adamson, District Governor Elect, Kevin Crosby, Past District Governor and Past Director of Membership, Bob Morrow, District Assistant Governor Coordinator, and Area 9 Assistant Governor Patrick “Pat” Sullivan spoke on the local and community interactions of Rotary as well as membership.

 

Patrick Whalen, a member of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, sponsored the club’s newest member, Kurt Amico, who was inducted during the meeting. Kurt is the President and owner of MidCity Office Furniture.

 

The Speaker’s Meetings, hosted by Rotary Club of Niagara Falls NY, are sponsored by TReC – Niagara Global Institute, 616 Niagara Street. The 3rd Wednesday of every month starting at 5:30 PM, local and regional persons of interest will speak on a variety of community topics. Keep updated on who is speaking by following the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, NY on Facebook.

 

Pictured (L to R) are Mayor Robert “Bob” Restaino and induction ceremony of Member Kurt Amico featuring left to right; Ron Anderluh, Patrick “Pat” Whalen, Kurt Amico and Kevin Crosby.

 

 

 

 

The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville representatives included John Hamels, Ph.D., Club President; Sue Hammond, Club Public Relations Chair; and James Wakeman, former Club Foundation Chair and District Grant Chair. The three developed the grant concept after consulting with WMH officials. Hammond and Wakeman co-authored the Rotary District 7090 Grant to help fund the purchase of the items. The total value of the gifts to AHN/WMH is $1,882.99. Providing items to aid in the early detection of breast cancer is priceless.

 

Officials of AHN/WMH who were present to officially receive the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville donations were Karen Surkala, AHN/WMH President; Lara Whitesell, WMH Radiology Supervisor; and Patricia Gaughan DiPalma, WMH Foundation Executive Director. Initial discussions about what items were needed by the hospital and those which the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville and the Rotary District 7090 grant could support first began in December of 2018 with the late Valarie Jackson when she served as AHN/WMH President.

 

Upon receiving the BSE gifts to the hospital, current AHN/WMH President Karen Surkala stated, “The Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club is always looking for ways to improve the health of the community, and this is a great example of how partnerships can improve early detection and survivorship. Our hospital is grateful for all of the support and generosity of this club.”

 

"I, too, am very grateful to the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club, which has been a great friend to the hospital foundation throughout the hospital’s 78-year history,” said WMHF Executive Director Patricia Gaughan DiPalma. “Rotarians, along with members of the community, led the charge to open the hospital’s doors in 1942, and they have been helping the hospital and the community ever since. For this, in addition to the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club’s many other welcomed gifts to the hospital foundation, we will always remain grateful,” continued DiPalma.

               

"My staff and I are extremely thankful to the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club for donating funds to our community hospital via the WMH Foundation,” said Lara Whitesell, WMH Radiology Supervisor. “This kind and generous gift allowed the WMH Radiology Department to purchase educational materials for our patients throughout the hospital’s 14 service areas. Our patients (the true benefactors of this grant) will now be provided with instruction on how to better perform self-breast exams,” explained Whitesell.  She continued, “According to the American Cancer Society, the goal of screening tests for breast cancer is to find it before it causes symptoms (like a lump that can be felt). Screening refers to tests and exams used to find a disease in people who don’t have any symptoms. Early detection means finding and diagnosing a disease earlier than if one waited for symptoms to start.”

               

Whitesell added that about 2,900 breast exams are conducted per year at WMH. The two BSE sets each have three different single breasts, each with various kinds and sizes of tumors and various external signs indicating malignant tumors. “WMH acquires approximately 100 new patients each year.  Through the use of these BSE models, we will provide information to an estimated 2,400 patients per year,” said Whitesell.

 

Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville President John Hamels, Ph. D., stated, “The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville is proud to provide these interactive models and shower cards to our community so that we can assist medical staff with teaching women and men how to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. We strongly believe that through this Rotary District 7090 grant, we will save lives for many years to come.”

 

Hamels continued, “Rotary International has six main programs, two of which our donations today cover: ‘improving health through disease prevention and intervention’ and ‘improving the health of women and children.’ Women’s health has been identified as an underserved area in our community, and we hope this donation will go a long way to help. Breast cancer doesn’t distinguish women from men. Men should take advantage of these resources as well!”

 

According to the American Cancer Society, less than 1% of all breast cancers occur in men. However, men have a higher mortality rate than women do, mainly because males have less awareness about breast cancer. They are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause them to delay in seeking treatment.

 

About one in eight or 12% of U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer during the course of their lifetime. Breast cancer typically has no symptoms when the tumor is small and most easily treated. This is why screening is important for early detection. The most common physical sign is a painless lump. James Wakeman, former Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville Foundation Chair and District Grants Chair, served as the main author of the district grant application. After a review process by Rotary District 7090 District Grants Committee officials, the grant was approved. The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville then provided funding for the purchase of the items by making two restricted donations to the WMH Foundation.

 

Wakeman stated, “Almost all of us know, or know of, someone who has been affected by breast cancer. It is our hope and expectation that the donation of these two sets of BSE models and the 1,000 shower cards with breast health and self-examination information will make a significant impact in the early detection of and treatment for breast cancer for individuals in our area.”

 

The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville, which helped to establish the Westfield Memorial Hospital, is a proud supporter of this medical facility and the WMH Foundation. This Rotary club gratefully acknowledges all of the staff of AHN/WMH and WMH Foundation for the important work they do and for its partnership. Also, the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville is thankful to Rotary District 7090 and its Grants Committee for endorsing this district grant and the related expenditures for items to promote breast self-examination education and breast cancer early detection.

 

   

The Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore's Charles Ansell Park Committee was pleased to announce a few enhancements to the park, located at Lock One in St. Catharines along the Welland Canal, created in conjunction with the City of St. Catharines Parks and Recreation Department and the Vimy Oaks Legacy Corporation.

 

The Club has purchased 300 of these unique bulbs from rotary tulip from Veseys Seeds of PEI. Vesey’s contributes 20% of the purchase price to the Rotary Foundation and Our Parks and Recreation Department has now planted them in the park. A great display in the spring! Go to https://www.veseys.com/ca/rotary-polio-tulip-76289.html for the full story on these bulbs.

 

 

The Vimy Oaks Legacy Corporation has been planting these oaks across Canada, including Victoria Lawn Cemetery and the front lawn of the St. Catharines City Hall. Oak, protective fencing and interpretive signage (which contains the history of this effort) were all provided at no cost to the Club. For more information on Vimy Oaks, go to https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news-story/9296384-vimy-oak-to-grow-at-st-catharines-city-hall/

 

Grand Island Rotarians challenged themselves to a new service project last month – a team of 5 worked with Habitat for Humanity – Buffalo on the rehabbing of a home on Brooklyn Ave, Masten Park district of Buffalo.

 

Led by Project Chair Mike Malaney, the team installed closet and room doors, a trap door into the attic, plus finish work and painting.  Not the desk jobs some were used to, as tools were implemented different from their experience.  Of course it was a cold, damp January - though not snowy!  All-in-all it was a good experience, and the team felt feelings of accomplishment and service.  

 

Although there was a lunch break, Rotarians are People of Action, so only action photos are shown: hanging of doors, painting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Rotary Club of Fonthill's meeting held on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, President Mike Taylor and Past-President Mel Groom were joined by Kelly Sauriol representing PenFinancial Credit Union to present matching contributions to Sam Baio for Socks for Change.

 

Socks for Change has set an ambitious goal of providing more than 35,000 pairs of socks to charities, shelters, and schools in every community across Niagara.  

 

Socks for Change also donates winter accessories such as toques and scarves to more than 60 shelters and charitable organizations in Niagara, more than 150 schools, Niagara Regional Police and EMS ambulances and anywhere else they find a person who needs a pair of warm socks.

 

More information on this charity and how you can help can be found at socksforchange.ca.