This Rotor can also be found on the FRONT PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE,
on the right side (where it used to be).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
April 19, 2024 RC of Estevan 100th Anniversary;
April 22 – Earth Day - a global event which aims to highlight the importance of protecting the environment - 2024 theme Planet vs Plastics;
April 24-30 World Immunization Week - see below;
May 10 and 11, 2024 Rotary District 5550 Conference in Moose Jaw;
July 5, 2024 16th Annual Lyle Piett Memorial Golf Tournament - Check out John Van Koll's April 9th e-mail - need Golfers (and their friends); Hole Sponsors (and there is other stuff) - Thank you for helping make this an out standing event;
Jeanne Alexander announced that the next time we are asked to bring a friend to Rotary there will be a prize for at least one lucky member - Jeanne will keep us posted on the "when" and "what" - be ready.
President Al Hoeft welcomed the on site and ZOOM attendees and called on Allen Hillsden to lead us in O' Canada, which did in his usual patriotic with gusto manner. This was followed by President Al's selected Invocation Prayer and the in-person group headed for the buffet or dessert section, both of which were bountiful. The meal behind, President Al took us through the important preliminaries and then invited Jeanne Alexander to introduce our Guest Speaker. Here is some of what we learned.
Trevor Herriot is a naturalist, grassland conservationist, and the author of several award-winning books, including Grass, Sky, Song and the national bestseller River in a Dry Land, both of which were short-listed for the Governor General’s Award for Non-fiction. Towards a Prairie Atonement, published in October 2016, took two Saskatchewan Book Awards. His most recent book, a novel, The Economy of Sparrows, was released this fall. He is a recipient of the Kloppenberg Award for Literary Merit and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. His essays and articles have appeared in The Globe & Mail, The Narwhal, Brick, Border Crossings, Canadian Geographic, and several anthologies. For more than twenty years he has been the voice of Birdline on CBC Radio Saskatchewan's Blue Sky noon show..
He and his wife, Karen, live in Regina, and spend much of their time on a piece of Aspen Parkland prairie east of the city.
From Trevor Herriot we learned that over 80% of our natural land in of Saskatchewan has been taken over and native prairie is gone - cities have taken up much of the prairie. Around Regina, 99.7 % of the area has become farm land producing food for the world. Trevor indicated it is good to retain "representable" native grasses. He explained grassland loss is driven by; i) Subsidies from Government; ii) Government funding and investment; iii) The high price of land; iv) The privatization of grassland; and, v) Urban development.
Trevor spoke about the change in bird populations in the city and used the virtual extinction of the Burrowing Owl, who were "plentiful” in the Eastview area of Regina in the 1950s and early 60's and are no longer to be found. Similarly, plants and insects have disappeared. However, along Wascana Creek north of Regina Avenue and along to the Dog Park, a variety of native grasses and plants including "old man's beard", along with a variety of insects species, have been identified. Around the King Edward Apartments there are some acres of land which have the potential, with appropriate forethought, of being developed into a small wet lands project.
In response to the question; what can you do in your own back yard? Trevor suggested one may not be able to attract large birds or buffalo, but with planting native grasses and flowers, you will attract insects which by itself can become a "win". Simply minimizing the loss of existing and possibly even expanding natural grassland areas within city is a positive step forward. Note was made that there is work being done to "show case" areas in Regina, in what could become part of a community walking tour.
Listening to Trevor reminds us that we have so much, and we must do what we can to preserve the preciousness of these natural gifts for our common and collective good.
Thank you Trevor Herriot for your inspiring presentation and
the important role you play in educating your neighbours near and far.
Naturalist, Grassland Conservationist and Author:
Trevor Herriot
World Immunization Week
Immunization is a cornerstone of public health, saving millions of lives each year and preventing the spread of infectious diseases, like polio. Rotary International has spent over 40 years making sure children receive life-saving polio vaccines, beginning with our first immunization campaign in the Philippines in 1979.
This a week when Rotarians can share our organization's commitment to Public Health on the international stage - be proud as you share this story which is partially summarized at: https://msgfocus.rotary.org /q/12GfnhfP4H9AiRCw6sq4qMw0/wv
President Al presents Doreen Pankewich with a pin Recognizing Doreen Achieving PHF Plus 5 Status
The Family of Rotary
Today was the opportunity to recognize the significant achievements of three of our members;
Above President Al recognized Doreen Pankewich for her gifts to the Rotary Foundation and thereby, achieving Paul Harris Fellow Plus 5 Status;
Below, Ann Grahame is recognized for 20 years of Rotary service to our community and around the world
On the left Doreen Pankewich reciprocated by recognizing President Al for his gifts to the Rotary Foundation, thereby achieving Paul Harris Fellow Plus 1 Status;
Thank you Ann, Doreen and Al for personifying Rotary's Motto of, "Service Above Self";
President Al remided us that Doug Mortin's Birthday is on April 23rd.
President Al presents Ann Grahame with a pin to Recognize Ann's 20 years of service through Rotary
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Tip of the hat to the technology wise who worked successful to get Trevor Herriot's slide show onto the screen;
From the above photos it was a great Rotarian highlight day - these three members of Regina Eastview Ann Grahame, Doreen Pankewich and Al Hoeft are appreciated volunteers in the work and activities of our Club - CONGRATULATIONS, you warm our hearts;
We learned a lot about Regina from Guest Speaker Trevor whose skill set and approach is sure to see urban planners in Regina as in other large centres across the country become increasingly more open, addressing climate change challenges;
Table conversations are wonderful and brings one back to the reason many of us love Rotary - it is about fellowship, which makes Rotary come alive;
Thank you all for participating in today's Rotary journey - you made it a great day.
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"Good people are good because they've come to wisdom through failure."
William Saroyan via Doug Mortin
Today's guests
We were delighted to welcome Trevor Herriot our Guest Speaker. We appreciated the dozen Zoom attendees and were thankful for those who came to be the in-person crowd at the Delta.