Seasons Greetings fellow Rotarians, as we close in on the end of 2020 and hopefully soon, the scourge of COVID-19. I hope that my American Rotarians had a safe, but Happy Thanksgiving.
President Holger Knaack announced today that the Rotary International Board had made the tough decision to cancel all Youth Exchanges, short or long term until the end of June 2021. Jill Norton, and her team hope that with an effective vaccine that it may be possible to have a short-term exchange by next Summer. As well, just maybe we will be able to host RYLA as well.
Plans are well in hand for our District Conference. Please mark Saturday, March 20, 2021, in your calendars. We are planning on a hybrid conference. Even if the border remains shut I hope to be able to host the Canadian Rotarians at the NOTL Community Center and utilize the Zoom platform for those who cannot attend in person. The team co-chaired by DGN Lisa Bishop and IPDG Melisa Schrock are pulling things together. We have asked RIPN Jennifer Jones to be a keynote speaker either in person or via Zoom. Please read the article in the December issue of the Rotary magazine starting on page 30 entitled Network Anchor – The Hungry Lady, a story about Dr. Elaine Hernandez. I was touched by all the good she has done over the past 50 years since being the Rotary Club of Brantford’s first Youth Exchange student. She is presently the President of the RC of Mission, Texas. I messengered her to ask if she would be a speaker at the Conference and within 30 minutes she had phoned me to accept my invitation and she wants to attend in person if at all possible. Her focus has been on hunger, health, and youth.
What an unusual year and now to cap it all off - a holiday season like no other!
If you want to look at the negative, it “sucks” right now. Families could not get together with their extended family during the American Thanksgiving. Now we enter a season full of holiday traditions for so many of different faiths and the special gatherings are not on!
However, those who know me well - know that I am a “half glass full” kind of person. It is why the Rotary spirit is so appealing as it surrounds me with others who have a “can do’ attitude.
So this holiday season, I am grateful for:
Holiday music that you can sing at whatever volume you like and not risk being heard by more than your immediate family as few others are entering your home this season
Rotary meetings where you can interact and chat in breakout rooms and otherwise with people that lift your spirits with their willingness to help
Having a family that I adore so being confined is not a chore. This includes my wonderful husband Gabriel Sedran and my two sons Carmichael (23 years old) and Alistair (21 years old).
Finally, I will share with you that I firmly believe in Santa Claus to this day. I just hope his low-contact lifestyle for most of the year leaves him COVID free and ready to travel.
Here is to you and your Rotary club. May you find the service above self spirit and large amounts of hope that comes from doing good in the world.
All the best this season to you and yours!
Anne Bermingham
YOUR 7090 Governor-Elect
Proud Member of the Rotary Club of Hamilton AM
MORE 2019-20 AWARDS
Due to COVID - 19, many RI staffers have been working remotely and a few reports from them have been delayed. Therefore, please join me in recognizing President Gerry Aggus of the Rotary Club of Waterdown in achieving the Presidential Citation, Silver level. Thank you president Gerry for your leadership.
Many of you have been waiting to hear the exciting Lighthouse Award news. The tally is completed for those clubs that went beyond the Presidential Citation to earn this prestigious award. I am very pleased to announce the following distinguished clubs but first the drum roll:
1. Brantford Sunrise
2. Fonthill
3. Grand Island
4. Lockport
5. Niagara Falls AM
6. St. Catharines Lakeshore
To each president, I congratulate you and your club for an outstanding year. You rejected COVID-19 and made your dreams come true. This is truly an amazing accomplishment!!
Please stay tuned because one of these six clubs will receive the Governor's Trophy at Governor Frank's District Conference.
Bob Artis
Governor 2019-20
Rotary Connects the World
Posted by Sandi Chard
WE MADE IT!
We made it! Our clubs met the “Will your Rotary Club step up to the challenge?”
Just like the eradication of polio we were so close to completing the challenge by our passionate Polio Plus supporter Thie Convery.....drum roll please. Of course, once again the clubs of D7090 stepped up and we made it two weeks plus in advance of the December 15 deadline.
Thank you again to Thie for challenging all clubs to contribute $1500 USD to the Polio Plus. Thie will be matching the first 25 clubs and together with Gates Foundation, you can see your club's $1500 become $9000 for the eradication of Polio. Thank you to the 25 clubs whose money has arrived in time at the Rotary Foundation!!!!
Together with the Pedal for Polio ride/walk/etc. on Polio Day October 24th, Rotary clubs in District 7090 have achieved incredible $$$$$ and excellent recognition for the work of Rotary in eliminating Polio. Thank you Rotarians for promoting this effort to your friends and community.
Now - a word about the ANNUAL FUND. Many of you are already aware of and give generously to the Annual Fund. Some give as part of their annual Every Rotarian Every Year gift and are working toward a Paul Harris Fellow (or 2,3,4,5 or 6). This is a reminder that the Annual Fund is the key to our DDF District Designated Funds. 50% of everything donated to the Annual Fund comes back to the District every 3 years so that we can use it on District Grants (club community and global grants), for Vocational Training Teams, and for Scholarships. So don't forget to log in to https://my.rotary.org/en/donate and make your annual tax-deductible gift before December 31st.
Western New York and Rotary lost a champion on November 18, 2020, when Phil Haberstro lost his brief battle with cancer. Phil joined the Rotary Club of Buffalo Sunrise in 2010 and served as its President in 2015-16. In 2019, Phil became a Charter Member of the Rotary Satellite Club of Kenmore – Tonawandas. Phil was the Founder and Executive Director of the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo & WNY. He "walked the walk of service", personally leading wellness walks in the city year-round. He led, or was actively involved in, a wide variety of activities to promote good health and a clean, safe environment throughout our region. He was a passionate leader in the Rotary-Greenway partnership in WNY and was the inspiration for our district’s Healthy Communities initiative. Phil embraced Rotary, lived its values with grace and humility, and promoted Rotary and its mission at every opportunity.
Garry Flood has been named the 2020 Flamborough Senior Volunteer of the Year by Flamborough Connects. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Flood was honoured with the third annual award during a virtual event on October 22.
A longtime member of the Rotary Club of Waterdown, Flood has been a club president, director of community services, entertainment manager for Waterdown Oh Canada Ribfest, and liaison with the city for the Waterdown Skating Loop. He was nominated due to his support of numerous Rotary and community projects, and events all over Flamborough.
The Rotary Club of Jamestown recently welcomed Betsy Morando, President of Borsari Food Company, as its speaker. Morando and her husband, Adolph, own and manage the herbal salts and Bloody Mary mix company they founded in 2001. The company is located on Institute Street in Jamestown, New York, and employs 20 people. Their products are stocked at Whole Foods, Wegman’s, and many other national specialty stores throughout the country.
The original company product was a seasoning brought from Emilia, Italy by Adolph’s grandmother. Originally, the business was just a small operation that the Morandos ran from their home, one order at a time. Borsari is Adolph’s mother’s maiden name. The A.A. in the name of the product is for Adolph, Betsy’s husband and Adelasia, his grandmother – thus “A.A.” Borsari.
There may be nothing “really” special about a new baby ... but this one, born on the 25th of November ... comes with a definite Rotary heritage.
Everleigh Lori Elesia Turner is the first daughter of Rotarian Ryan Turner and his Rotarian wife, Nicole Turner. She is also the first granddaughter of Lori King and Russell King, also both Rotarians. And ... Everleigh is the first great-granddaughter of Canon Robert Morrow, currently the Coordinator of Assistant Governors in District 7090. All are members of the Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise.
The members of the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls were so impressed to see Rotarian John Beyer and wife Linda cycle in the Pedal for Polio last month in honour of Dr. Ron Mergl. Ron and his wife June have been dedicated members of the Niagara Falls Club and both traveled to Varanasi, India and to Benin, West Africa 18 months later to vaccinate children against polio. Rotarian June Mergl walked the route on the Canadian side in memory of her husband. Dr. Ron Mergl was a dedicated member, who donated his time and money to the Rotary International goal of eliminating poliovirus from the face of this earth and saving many children from being crippled or dying. He is missed dearly!
Michael Jacques is a young author in Fonthill who recently had his second book published for distribution. This is an incredible feat for many authors but considering that Michael can neither read nor write, it is truly astonishing. In the past, Michael spoke to the Rotary Club of Fonthill about his first book “Can’t Read, Can’t Write, Here’s my Book”.
Despite a school year like no other, the Grand Island High School Interact Club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Grand Island, got themselves organized and well started with a drive to collect socks, hats, gloves, plus ‘travel size’ toiletries for the homeless of the Buffalo area.
Club President Sophia Terlecki said: “Due to the upcoming winter season, we believe a hat and glove collection would greatly benefit those who are homeless or in need. Additionally, we decided to collect toiletries during this season of giving and I couldn’t be more excited to put these toiletries bags together.”
On Saturday November 7th, Welland Rotarians held their 1st Rotary Club of Welland Park clean-up.12 Rotarians and four family members participated. The City of Welland provided garbage bags, gloves, pick-up sticks and sharpie containers to keep everyone safe.
The park is the 100th Anniversary Legacy Project of the Club, in partnership with the City of Welland. The participants held a photo op in front of the first of the new signage. It was great to see ‘real’ people for a change! This will be the first of many park “encounters”.
The Rotary Club of Hamilton held a virtual fundraiser in October with proceeds supporting Food4Kids. We encouraged members to donate their lunch fee to Rotary for a tax receipt during the month of October.
The Food4Kids organization usually holds its own fundraising breakfast each fall. In the past, the Hamilton Club and its members have sponsored a table(s) and attended the event to support the great work they do. Due to COVID-19, their event has been canceled and the need is even greater. The club wanted to continue to support Food4Kids and help fight hunger. During the month of October donations to the Lunch For A Cause Campaign were given to Food4Kids Hamilton. We are very pleased to send a cheque worth $1350.00 to Food4Kids to help feed children. No child should go hungry!
Members of the Rotary Club of Waterdown accepted a cheque for $6,900 from the Flamborough Chapter of 100 Women Who Care in mid-October. The funds will be used to support the Food4Kids Program - ensuring food packages are delivered each week to students in local schools who are experiencing food insecurity. This program was started by Michael Collette and Darryl Kirkland in 2017 and over the years has supplied meals to two local grade schools – Mary Hopkins and Alan Greenleaf year-round (including the summer).
On October 31, 2020, representatives of the Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue (NCCR) in Westfield, NY received the $1,000 grand prize of the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville's Virtual Gold Rush from Helen Baran, a Westfield-Mayville Rotarian who sponsored this nonprofit's ticket. The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville raised $4,400 for its student scholarships and also service projects from its first-ever Virtual Gold Rush.
The Rotary Club of Hamburg actively supported the Rotary District 7090’s Pedal for Polio event on October 24 that united bicyclists on both sides of the Niagara River along the US-Canadian border in Western New York and Southern Ontario. The Electric Tower in downtown Buffalo was also lit in the blue and gold Rotary colors to honor the occasion. Members of the Rotary Club of Hamburg sponsored bicyclist Tom Nemmer, a neighbor of Rotarians Barb and Dale Stanley. He and his team rode a total of 65.6 miles as part of the fundraising effort that also marked World Polio Day. The Hamburg Rotarians raised a total of $1,100 for the effort.
Pictured from left are: Karen Wood, Mike Kohlhas, Tom Nemmer and Darlene Andolina. They were photographed by Kevin O'Brien, who also was a part of the team.
For the sixth year in a row, the Rotary Club of Amherst donated over 100 turkeys to the Town Square Food Pantry in Amherst and the Rich Street pantry in Buffalo to help put together 125 full Thanksgiving meals for those experiencing food insecurity. In a team effort by Catholic Charities, Amherst Rotary, Temple Beth Zion, the U.B. Newman Center, Temple Beth Tzedek, and Wegmans, the pantries distributed over 100 bags of family-sized Thanksgiving dinners.
And, as Amherst President Fiona Barretto-desouza said, “This brings the club and community together in the spirit of Rotary.”
Pictured are Darlene Serv, Pantry Coordinator and Rotarians Don Lawrence and Cindy Munschauer.
On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at the Niagara Falls, NY city council meeting. The Hon. Mayor Robert Restaino and fellow councilors recognized our Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, New York President Ron Anderluh for 50 years of continuous service to the community. The gentleman continues to exemplify our Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” We the Rotarians in the friendly District 7090 of Western NY and Southern Ontario in particular and the community of Niagara Falls, NY in general are quite proud of Ron Anderluh’s achievements to help make our beautiful city a better place to live, to do business, and to visit. Congratulations Rotarian Ron Anderluh on a very well-deserved acknowledgment and best wishes for continued success.
In the picture from left to right are Rotarians John Ambrose Cooper, Ron Anderluh, and Don King.
Since opening in Beamsville in 2015, New Again has been a constant on the list of placements for students involved in the BDSS co-operative education program. During each school semester, Store Manager Sandra Heerema and Lead Volunteer Jerry Gerritsen and their team welcome co-op students of all levels and abilities. In New Again’s commitment to provide a safe and meaningful work experience, tasks are suited to the ability of each individual student.
This unique award was initiated in 2006 by the Rotary Club of Lincoln in partnership with Beamsville District Secondary School (BDSS) and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Its purpose is to celebrate Town of Lincoln businesses or not-for-profit organizations that demonstrate outstanding support for the BDSS Co-operative Education Program. It is presented annually in conjunction with the Chamber’s Outstanding Business Achievement Awards.
In November the proudly Bi-National Rotary Club of Lewiston, NY & Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON had a socially distanced flexibly scheduled service project.
As suggested by DG Frank, members of the club, who were able, donated blood and/or asked friends and neighbors to do so as well. However, instead of a single blood drive, the club encouraged folks to give at a location and time convenient to them. The turnout was amazing!
The public may not have money to donate in these times of COVID-19 but they still want to do good in this world.
On Halloween Day, October 31st, 2020 the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) held our annual Coats for Kids event at the First Baptist Church in Simcoe.
RCNS advertising and 'passing the word' requesting donations was very successful as approximately 425 coats and items of warm clothing were collected and dry cleaned by our key partner Peerless Cleaners; and Cathy Maxwell and her team of Langton Knitters created and donated over 325 knitted items! We were able to distribute approximately 150 coats and items of warm clothing plus lots of knitted goods to the folks who visited our event, but the number of visitors was lower than in previous years (perhaps due to COVID-19 concerns or our message didn't get out to as many folks).
Under the direction of Chair Marlene, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore is heavily involved with Food4Kids. On Wednesday, November 18, six volunteers packed food at the Food4kids warehouse. Thanks to Gary Snider, Joy, Mary, Randi, Ellen and Committee Chair Marlene for their participation.
Also, another food drive was completed during the last two weeks of November. Food4Kids requested Sidekicks or Uncle Bens Fast and Fancy Rice. As always members; friends, neighbours, and relatives responded, with 546 Sidekicks packages donated along with a variety of other miscellaneous items. The more donations we receive each time, the more children we can feed – unfortunately, a number that seems to be increasing daily.
Seasons Greetings fellow Rotarians, as we close in on the end of 2020 and hopefully soon, the scourge of COVID-19. I hope that my American Rotarians had a safe, but Happy Thanksgiving.
What an unusual year and now to cap it all off - a holiday season like no other! 
We made it! Our clubs met the “Will your Rotary Club step up to the challenge?”
Western New York and Rotary lost a champion on November 18, 2020, when Phil Haberstro lost his brief battle with cancer. Phil joined the Rotary Club of Buffalo Sunrise in 2010 and served as its President in 2015-16. In 2019, Phil became a Charter Member of the Rotary Satellite Club of Kenmore – Tonawandas. Phil was the Founder and Executive Director of the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo & WNY. He "walked the walk of service", personally leading wellness walks in the city year-round. He led, or was actively involved in, a wide variety of activities to promote good health and a clean, safe environment throughout our region. He was a passionate leader in the Rotary-Greenway partnership in WNY and was the inspiration for our district’s Healthy Communities initiative. Phil embraced Rotary, lived its values with grace and humility, and promoted Rotary and its mission at every opportunity.
Garry Flood has been named the 2020 Flamborough Senior Volunteer of the Year by Flamborough Connects. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Flood was honoured with the third annual award during a virtual event on October 22.
The Rotary Club of Jamestown recently welcomed Betsy Morando, President of Borsari Food Company, as its speaker. Morando and her husband, Adolph, own and manage the herbal salts and Bloody Mary mix company they founded in 2001. The company is located on Institute Street in Jamestown, New York, and employs 20 people. Their products are stocked at Whole Foods, Wegman’s, and many other national specialty stores throughout the country.
There may be nothing “really” special about a new baby ... but this one, born on the 25th of November ... comes with a definite Rotary heritage.
The members of the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls were so impressed to see Rotarian John Beyer and wife Linda cycle in the Pedal for Polio last month in honour of Dr. Ron Mergl. Ron and his wife June have been dedicated members of the Niagara Falls Club and both traveled to Varanasi, India and to Benin, West Africa 18 months later to vaccinate children against polio. Rotarian June Mergl walked the route on the Canadian side in memory of her husband. Dr. Ron Mergl was a dedicated member, who donated his time and money to the Rotary International goal of eliminating poliovirus from the face of this earth and saving many children from being crippled or dying. He is missed dearly!
Michael Jacques is a young author in Fonthill who recently had his second book published for distribution. This is an incredible feat for many authors but considering that Michael can neither read nor write, it is truly astonishing. In the past, Michael spoke to the Rotary Club of Fonthill about his first book “Can’t Read, Can’t Write, Here’s my Book”. 
Despite a school year like no other, the Grand Island High School Interact Club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Grand Island, got themselves organized and well started with a drive to collect socks, hats, gloves, plus ‘travel size’ toiletries for the homeless of the Buffalo area. 
day November 7th, Welland Rotarians held their 1st Rotary Club of Welland Park clean-up.12 Rotarians and four family members participated. The City of Welland provided garbage bags, gloves, pick-up sticks and sharpie containers to keep everyone safe.
Members of the Rotary Club of Waterdown accepted a cheque for $6,900 from the Flamborough Chapter of 100 Women Who Care in mid-October. The funds will be used to support the Food4Kids Program - ensuring food packages are delivered each week to students in local schools who are experiencing food insecurity. This program was started by Michael Collette and Darryl Kirkland in 2017 and over the years has supplied meals to two local grade schools – Mary Hopkins and Alan Greenleaf year-round (including the summer). 
On October 31, 2020, representatives of the Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue (NCCR) in Westfield, NY received the $1,000 grand prize of the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville's Virtual Gold Rush from Helen Baran, a Westfield-Mayville Rotarian who sponsored this nonprofit's ticket. The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville raised $4,400 for its student scholarships and also service projects from its first-ever Virtual Gold Rush.
The Rotary Club of Hamburg actively supported the Rotary District 7090’s Pedal for Polio event on October 24 that united bicyclists on both sides of the Niagara River along the US-Canadian border in Western New York and Southern Ontario. The Electric Tower in downtown Buffalo was also lit in the blue and gold Rotary colors to honor the occasion. Members of the Rotary Club of Hamburg sponsored bicyclist Tom Nemmer, a neighbor of Rotarians Barb and Dale Stanley. He and his team rode a total of 65.6 miles as part of the fundraising effort that also marked World Polio Day. The Hamburg Rotarians raised a total of $1,100 for the effort.
For the sixth year in a row, the Rotary Club of Amherst donated over 100 turkeys to the Town Square Food Pantry in Amherst and the Rich Street pantry in Buffalo to help put together 125 full Thanksgiving meals for those experiencing food insecurity. In a team effort by Catholic Charities, Amherst Rotary, Temple Beth Zion, the U.B. Newman Center, Temple Beth Tzedek, and Wegmans, the pantries distributed over 100 bags of family-sized Thanksgiving dinners.
On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at the Niagara Falls, NY city council meeting. The Hon. Mayor Robert Restaino and fellow councilors recognized our Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, New York President Ron Anderluh for 50 years of continuous service to the community. The gentleman continues to exemplify our Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” We the Rotarians in the friendly District 7090 of Western NY and Southern Ontario in particular and the community of Niagara Falls, NY in general are quite proud of Ron Anderluh’s achievements to help make our beautiful city a better place to live, to do business, and to visit. Congratulations Rotarian Ron Anderluh on a very well-deserved acknowledgment and best wishes for continued success.
In November the proudly Bi-National Rotary Club of Lewiston, NY & Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON had a socially distanced flexibly scheduled service project.
Under the direction of Chair Marlene, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore is heavily involved with Food4Kids. On Wednesday, November 18, six volunteers packed food at the Food4kids warehouse. Thanks to Gary Snider, Joy, Mary, Randi, Ellen and Committee 
Chair Marlene for their participation.
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