First and foremost, Happy New Year to each of you and my very best wishes for the latter half of this Rotary year. As for me, I’m just getting my stride and it is so exhilarating. If I were running in a marathon with the baton for the final lap, I’d have enough reserved energy to go another lap, maybe two, but in Rotary, that’s not possible. DGE Frank will be taking the baton for the last lap and I couldn’t be prouder. By the time you read this article, DGE Frank and Judy will have either gone to San Diego for the International Assembly or have just returned.
WOW! On January 1, 2020, we began the decade of the twenties and I can only imagine what Rotary will look like come 2030. But first, let’s take a walk down memory Lane. A quick flashback, I remember the year Sputnik was launched, October 4, 1957 @ 1928 hrs. I was 15 years old in the 11th grade thinking in 2000 I'll be 58 years old. That sounds so long ago and here we are 20 years past that date.
Let’s look back to the decade of the tweens to those District Governor who paved the way and carried us on their back:
2010/11 Karen Oakes (Wolf) the RC of Delhi - Building Communities Bridging Continents
2011/12 John Heise (Sandy) the RC of Holley - Reach Within to Embrace Humanity
2012/13 Rick Sterne (Jeanette) the RC of Brantford – Peace through Service
2013/14 Kevin Crouse (Rebecca) the RC of Brantford Sunrise – Engage Rotary Change Lives
2014/15 Jack Amico (Sam) the RC of West Seneca – Light Up Rotary
2015/16 Kevin Crosby (Nancy) the RC of Buffalo Sunrise - Be a gift to the World
2016/17 Marlee Diehl (Bill) the RC of Albion – Rotary Serving Humanity
2017/18 Reg Madison (Loretta) the RC of Brantford – Make a Difference
2018/19 Melisa Schrock (John) the RC of Akron – Be the Inspiration
We thank each of you and appreciate your dedication.
Entering the decade of the twenties, I am hopeful we would have eradicated polio from the face of the earth. What an accomplishment if in 2030 there was a quick flashback to the year 2020 and they could say, "WE DID THE IMPOSSIBLE". But for now, here’s an incredible woman, Thie Coventry, a passionate person about Polio eradication. So passionate that in 2010 she attempted to swim 52 miles across Lake Ontario to raise funds, but had to abort the swim due to swift currents. Thie believes so much in the cause that she issued a challenge; to match all Rotarians on a one-to-one basis up to $25K if the donation was made before December 31, 2019. This shows tremendous dedication to the cause.
This is the month for us to consider Rotary’s core values – and our own actions – influence public perceptions of Rotary. Rotary’s strategic plan outlines five core values that define and guide us as we chart a course into this decade of Service Above Self.
Service is our first value, as it should be. The focus of service is reflected in our primary motto, Service Above Self. We have the potential to create better, safer, and healthier communities, one project at a time.
Fellowshipis the reason Rotary was founded over 100+ years ago. The friendship, the camaraderie, and the wonderful sense of doing something good together is what keeps us all looking forward to our Rotary meetings week after week or whenever your club meets.
Diversityis an aspect of Rotary that becomes more important with every passing year. Let us embrace diversity in gender, ethnicity, culture, and religion.
Integrity is fundamental to the organization’s identity. Every Rotarian is a guardian of the reputation that generations of Rotarians have worked to build. When we maintain the highest ethical standards in all of our dealings, we strengthen the trust that allows us to serve more effectively.
Leadership, the fifth, and final, core value. Each of us must remember, with our every action, that we are Rotarians. When we are chosen to become Rotarians, and when we choose to accept that honor, we take it upon ourselves to become representatives of the entire organization.
When we are known as Rotarians, then everything we do reflects upon all of us. Living by our core values and committing to Service Above Self, we build a stronger Rotary and a better world for all.
Now more about our CONNECTIONS: Richard Boyington, RC of Brantford Sunrise - please read more.
“Congratulations” to all who helped in meeting the challenge offered by District 7090 Honorary Rotarian Thie Convery. As you will recall, Thie offered to donate $25,000 to the Polio Plus campaign if District 7090 could raise the same dollar donation by 12/31/19. We did it and on very short notice. Thanks to all who met the challenge. Donations were made by clubs and individuals. Individual donations were given by Rotarians, non-Rotarians, former Rotarians, and guest speakers. What a tremendous effort!
Rotary International has been involved in efforts to eradicate polio in the world for over 30 years. It has taken longer than expected to achieve our goal because of political, geographic, and financial issues, but we are close to complete eradication. Only two countries have currently had cases of wild poliovirus, Type 1; hence the urgency to complete our task. Unfortunately, cases are still being reported in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Polio is a life-threatening and devastating disease with compounded effects in later life. Donor countries and philanthropists pledged $2.6 billion in November to complete the “last mile” of polio eradication. Polio Plus efforts include not only immunization efforts but extended efforts in surveillance, employment of local people to assist in the effort, contract tracing, microplanning, education, and attention to other co-existing diseases.
As Rotarians we made a promise to the children of the world that we would not stop until polio was eradicated and we intend to keep this promise with your continued support.
The 7090 District Gift of Life Board announces the beginning of the annual sale of chocolate hearts. This sale begins each year before Valentine’s Day and continues again for Mother’s Day in May. The hearts are solid chocolate – either dark chocolate or milk chocolate. The cost is $10.00 per heart.
It takes a contribution of $5000 to help one child obtain the surgery required. In 2009, the emphasis of GOL, bringing one child at a time to either Buffalo or Toronto for surgery, moved to the next level – empowering and training healthcare professionals and developing cardiac surgery centers in areas where they did not exist. At present, two fully developed cardiac surgery centers exist – one in El Salvador and one in Uganda. Centers currently under development include - Jamaica, Romania, The Philippines, and Bolivia. Training to local medical teams is provided by volunteer pediatric cardiac surgeons, pediatric anesthesiologists, and pediatric intensive cardiac care nurses. District 7090 helps with the development of these centers when we can raise enough money to do so. It takes a lot of money to develop these centers. Raising money to help is always a challenge. It takes a lot of hearts sold to get enough money to provide surgery for just one child. Fortunately, clubs in our district have been generous and made donations to GOL. The chocolate hearts really bring our cause to the forefront by promoting the motto of “Buy a Heart, Save a Heart.” Recently one club donated $5000 in support of surgery for one child. A few other clubs have also made significant donations. A policy of confidentiality does not permit us to release those names publicly. We are hoping that other clubs will also consider making donations as well as having individual members buy hearts. Board members are currently making visits to clubs and we hope that 2020 will be a successful year in saving more than one child’s life.
"I know! I know! We had a photo and caption in the December District 7090 Newsletter, but I couldn’t resist one more shot of our pride and joy at night," said President Paul Lehman. This photo taken by area photographer, Jeff Tracey, made a nice holiday card.
On December 21st, a landmark of Lockport, New York was dedicated at the corner of Main and Pine Streets - a pedestal clock that is just shy of the 100 years the club is celebrating. This time it has the Rotary emblem on its 4 faces in recognition of the funds the club provided as a match in raising the $38,500 the refurbishing cost.
These usually go in the opposite order! However, for the Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise, the order is appropriate. At one of the last meetings of 2019, the club inducted two new members – Elizabeth Whitton and Michael Palme. Then at the first meeting of 2020, the club inducted three new members (all shown in this photograph) – Jody Aberdeen, Alexis Wenzowski and Stacy Bennett. This brings the club membership to within five of the club’s “all-time high” number of 53, but even more important, four of the five were introduced by Gina Monaco, herself a relatively new member. A great start to the new decade for the Dundas Valley Sunrise Rotary Club.
Pictured are Shirley Molloy, Assistant Governor, Area 3, Ralph Montesanto, our three new members, super-sponsor Gina Monaco, and Kathy Starodub, President-Elect.
The Rotary Club of Hamilton East-Wentworth through funding to the Colin B. Glassco Foundation for Children sponsored Pediatric Clinic # 28 at the Lusaka Eye Hospital in Zambia.
Five children ages 6 weeks to 14 years had procedures that will hopefully give them full sight which would not have been possible without the surgery. Eye problems in the country due to dirty water, flies and generally harsh conditions in the Gwembe valley are a part of everyday life.
Colin’s foundation, which works out of Calgary, has provided over 600 wells, built several schools, medical clinics, an orphanage and created a co-op for milling maize which is a local staple. The schools are built when the government is ready to staff them and include them in their system. He spends time in Zambia every year to supervise the projects and fortunately can look after all of the administration costs so that 100% of a donation goes to the projects.
As a Toys for Tots sponsor for the Marines, the Rotary Club of Buffalo was contacted a day before its annual holiday party to confirm the time for the two Marines to come for dinner and to pick up the club's donation of toys. They related that a toy distributor was looking for a public event at which to donate toys and noticed that Buffalo Rotary is a sponsor of Toys for Tots. The Marines asked if the club would be willing to have the toy distributor join the event and that there would possibly be news coverage. Jason Hebert at Buffalo Toy Sale arranged the publicity. In addition to the toys collected at Larkin Commerce Center (Buffalo Rotary's office location) and from the club's Rotarians, Jason brought over 3000 more toys!!!!
Spectrum News was there to cover the event and interviewed Club President Nora Eberl and Foundation President Laurie Albertsson, the Marines about Toys for Tots, Jason Hebert, and local celebrity, singer and songwriter, Mindy Davey, who won America’s Got Talent Front of the Line Pass Contest in 2017 with 48,000 votes. This was the third year that Buffalo Toy Sale, which runs in the weeks running up to the holiday season, donates thousands of toys to local children in need through Toys for Tots, Make a Wish, Camp Good Days, Buffalo Fathers Group, Haven House, and more!
Needless to say, the club's holiday party on December 19th was phenomenal!
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, Ontario put together winter survival kits for the local community. The survival kits included hygiene items, warm socks, granola bars and more! The kits were distributed at the Salvation Army’s local shelter and Rotary also handed the packages out at the Community Soup Kitchen, where Rotarians volunteered to serve the food that day to people in need throughout the city.
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls looks forward to assembling and handing out summer survival kits next season!
The Rotary Club of Holley honored two members as Paul Harris Fellows at their recent Christmas Party at Zambistro in Medina. Past President Josh Mitchell and current President Brian McKeon received the award for their commitment and continued service to the club and the community. John Heise, a Paul Harris Fellow himself, made the presentation.
The Holley community was also rocked by a devastating fire to a multi-family apartment fire on January 5th that displaced four families in the dead of the night. The club has pledged $1,000 and manpower towards the supplies needed for an upcoming spaghetti dinner benefit being held to help these families recover after losing everything. For those interested, it will be held March 1st at the Clarendon Fire Hall Recreation Center in Clarendon, New York.
The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville proudly announces that Richard “Rick” Syper of Mayville is its newest member. The induction ceremony was led by Pete Bills, Membership Chair, and it occurred on December 17 during the club’s holiday party at Meeder’s Restaurant’s Banquet Hall in Ripley, New York. Dan Smith, Youth Services Chair, sponsored Syper’s membership into the organization. Smith stated about Syper, “Rick exemplifies Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self.’ We are fortunate to have him as a new Rotarian in our club.” After taking an oath of membership, Syper was given his Rotary member pin, badge, certificate and a folder of information. Then, Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club President John “Doc” Hamels welcomed Syper, and all club members and guests who were present congratulated him.
When asked why he chose to join Rotary, Syper said, “Rotary goes with my beliefs of community involvement. I feel that Rotary and I have the same path and goals.” Syper, who has been a resident of the Village of Mayville, NY for 30 years, is the owner of R & R Property Services & Landscaping in Mayville. He is a member of the Town of Chautauqua Zoning Board, and he is the Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Club Chairman. He lists his hobbies and interests as “work, basketball and vintage sleds (snowmobiles).” He and his partner Lynette Gloss have three children; Katherine Syper, Victoria Syper, and Richard Syper.
On December 18, 2019, some Westfield-Mayville Rotarians assisted the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging by delivering holiday gift bags to senior citizens in Westfield and Brocton in blizzard-like conditions.
Pictured left - shown braving the elements to make the deliveries are Rotarians Patty Benton and Steve Stratton. Pictured right - Rotarians Mary Swanson and John "Doc" Hamels.
On January 8th the proudly binational Rotary Club of Lewiston, NY, and Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON presented their annual contribution for the promotion of Autism Services to Jana Mertz, Program Coordinator of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Center, at Oishei Children’s Hospital, who the club has previously honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship.
The club has been at the forefront of promoting services for families who have members on the Autism Spectrum in Niagara County and annually sponsors a "Pints and Polish Platter" event at Gadawski's Historic Restaurant (this year on March 21st) to raise funds to help expand those services.
Pictured (L to R) are Rotary Club President Greg Lidstone and Ms. Mertz.
On December 18th, the proudly binational Rotary Club of Lewiston NY & Niagara-on-the-Lake held it's annual Christmas Party and gave out charitable donations to worthy causes on both sides of the Niagara River.
Pictured left are Sister Beth for Heart Love and Soul Food Pantry, Matt Harris from Niagara Health Foundation, Club President Greg Lidstone, Maryann Cogdill from Mt. St. Mary's Hospital Maternity Unit, and Erin and Sherry from Care and Share Food Pantry (not Pictured are Niagara Neighbours and the Autism Center at Oishei Children's Hospital).
At the same meeting, Claire Harkness, a member of the 2019 Vocational Training Team to Brazil was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the success of that team. Pictured right are Secretary Tommy Gerbasi and Claire Harkness.
Club Past President Ellen Wodchis (far right) recently presented a cheque for $1500 to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of North & West Niagara. Pictured accepting the cheque are (left to right) Frances Lettieri, Director of Services and Dale J. Davis CEO.
We are pleased to support the organization in their mission in "helping more than 1,000 children reach their full potential each year". As per their website, "As the world becomes more complex, navigating it without hope can be devastating. We see so many youth come through ours doors who need more guidance, mentoring, and positive support. At Big Brothers Big Sisters we work hard to meet these challenges by providing solutions for young people today that are proven, effective, and life-changing. As each child is matched to a caring mentor, our community changes for the better."
The Rotary Club of Grand Island has started spreading the word about the mission of bringing convenient water to the village of Kitsaning in the Republic of the Congo - Brazzaville by speaking to surrounding groups - Rotary clubs, EarlyAct clubs and more. The Rotary Club of Fort Erie has already promised $500. Getting support at home is also important.
Pictured is project lead Major Celestin Knounkou (Salvation Army) of the G I club talking to the Kaegebein Elementary School EarlyAct Club located on Grand Island. The students could see the value of the project as they imagined carrying water several miles back home - and yes, girls and women are almost always tasked to do that heavy lifting!
Magic took place Thursday, December 12th at Cathy Wever School in Hamilton. In a long-standing tradition, the Rotary Club of Hamilton cancels its regular weekly meeting to spend the day with 700 children at Cathy Wever School. A tradition that started over 20 years ago!
The annual event is a magical day for more than 700 children. Rotarians and more than 100 community volunteers turn the gym at Cathy Wever into a magical and exciting place. All 700 children will be served a traditional turkey dinner. For some of the children, this will be their first Christmas in Canada and their first taste of holiday favourites such as cranberries. This year there will be Halal turkey for our new Canadian friends.
The children will enjoy a great line-up of entertainment from the Broadway Bound Dancers. Each child will receive a gift pack made up of a new book, pencil case, earbuds and pencil crayons. In addition, GreenByte, a program at the St. Leonard’s Society of Hamilton, will be awarding 30 families a home computer system through its computer rehabilitation program.
The Rotary Club of Hamilton has also confirmed that there will be a special visitor from the North Pole. Santa Claus is expected to visit Cathy Wever School for this special day.
KRIS KRINGLE, HONORARY ROTARIAN
It is with great pleasure that current President Heather Moroz and President-elect Alex Moroz of the Rotary Club of Hamilton announce the induction of Kris Kringle, more often referred to in the contemporary vernacular as Santa Claus, as an honorary member of Rotary.
In approving the induction of Mr. Kringle, the board of directors of the Rotary Club of Hamilton cited his commitment to serving children and adults around the world, his role as an ambassador of kindness, his gift-giving and his compassion as exemplifying the Rotary principle of ‘Service Above Self’.
Mr. Kringle or Santa Claus as he is more affectionally referred to has been a strong supporter of the Rotary Club of Hamilton for the past 103 years. He is an annual visitor to the Christmas lunch served by club members to over 700 children at Cathy Wever Elementary School. Of course, club members cherish their own childhood memories of this jovial, kind man and his Christmas eve visits.
During his visit this year to Cathy Wever School on December 12, 2019, Santa Claus was presented with his honourary recognition as a member of the Rotary Club of Hamilton in acknowledgment of his life-long meritorious and exceptional service to the spirit of Christmas, to children around the world and to humanity.
“Having had more than a passing acquaintance with the role that Mr. Kringle plays in the lives and imagination of children, I am excited to be a part of this honourary bestowal of Rotary membership upon Santa Claus. It is richly deserved”, stated Alex Moroz, President-Elect Rotary Club of Hamilton.
“More than once, admittedly a bad boy at times in my childhood, Santa Claus delivered gifts under my family Christmas tree. He was a hero in my life long before Superman or Batman were.” David Elliot, Member of the Rotary Club of Hamilton board of directors also opined.
It is with profound sadness that the Rotary Club of Hamilton announces the passing of Past President Marie Robbins on January 1, 2020.
Marie fought a very hard battle against cancer for the last 4+ years, always maintaining a positive outlook and wanted nothing to change in the way she conducted herself or continued to carry out her work and volunteer roles in the community.
Marie was an amazing Rotarian and person. She adored her husband Doug, son Mark, and daughter in law Rose. Marie was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, hosted 22 Youth Exchange Students over her 30 years as an active Rotarian. Marie was Club President in 2009-10 and currently served on the Board of Directors as Director of Programming.
We will dearly miss Marie and her contribution to Rotary and the greater community. Our thoughts are with Marie’s family and friends.
Several Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Stoney Creek, family members, and friends gathered at Hamilton Food Share in Stoney Creek on December 12, 2019, to fill 100 Christmas food bags for vulnerable seniors in the community. This is the second year the club has had the opportunity to participate and support this initiative. Additionally, President Doug McDonald and Project Service Director Sarah Brunt presented a donation of $500, pictured right.
On December 25th, 2019, members of the Rotary Club of Brantford and Rotary Club of Brantford Sunrise, along with their families and friends continued a 70-year tradition of caroling at the Brantford General Hospital. Rotarians began on the top floor and made their way through the hospital spreading Christmas cheer to staff and patients along the way before ending the morning with Christmas treats and fellowship.
GUESS WHO?
On January 11, 2020, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Brantford and Rotary Club of Brantford Sunrise participated in their annual Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner fellowship night. A handful of Rotarians hosted the evenings and welcomed fellow Rotarians for dinner and drinks. Hosts provided the main course and guests were encouraged to bring appetizers and desserts. The annual event is a great way for Rotarians to get to know each other a bit more outside of the club. A wonderful evening was had by all. Thank you to the hosts for opening up your homes!
n to the toys collected at Larkin Commerce Center (Buffalo Rotary's office location) and from the club's Rotarians, Jason brought over 3000 more toys!!!! 
ore! The kits were distributed at the Salvation Army’s local shelter and Rotary also handed the packages out at the Community Soup Kitchen, where Rotarians volunteered to serve the food that day to people in need throughout the city.
and manpower towards the supplies needed for an upcoming spaghetti dinner benefit being held to help these families recover after losing everything. For those interested, it will be held March 1st at the Clarendon Fire Hall Recreation Center in Clarendon, New York.
Maternity Unit, and Erin and Sherry from Care and Share Food Pantry (not Pictured are Niagara Neighbours and the Autism Center at Oishei Children's Hospital).
The Rotary Club of Grand Island has started spreading the word about the mission of bringing convenient water to the village of Kitsaning in the Republic of the Congo - Brazzaville by speaking to surrounding groups - Rotary clubs, EarlyAct clubs and more. The Rotary Club of Fort Erie has already promised $500. Getting support at home is also important. 
project lead Major Celestin Knounkou (Salvation Army) of the G I club talking to the Kaegebein Elementary School EarlyAct Club located on Grand Island. The students could see the value of the project as they imagined carrying water several miles back home - and yes, girls and women are almost always tasked to do that heavy lifting!
Project Service Director Sarah Brunt presented a donation of $500, pictured right.
