This Rotor can also be found on the FRONT PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE,
on the right side (where it used to be).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Feb.1 - ZOOM meeting conversation and feedback on Regina Eastview's future fundraising focus - please come and share your ideas and expand on the observations of others;
President George Carson informed us that until advised otherwise, parking in the Delta parkade for our joint meetings members should take their ticket to the front desk where it will be validated and you will be able to get your vehicle out of the parkade.
Feb. 5 - An in-person meeting at the Delta with the Regina Club serving as the 'Host'. The main Guest Speaker will be Evan Bray, former Chief Regina Police Service, who will get to the meeting at 12:45 P.M., so remember the meeting will not conclude until something close to 1:30 P.M. You will want to be there;
As Feb 5th is also the Regina Club's day to focus on The Rotary Foundation, so the pre - Main Speaker will be shared by Ian Yeates and Peter Peters sharing the podium to speak about PolioPlus and The Rotary Foundation respectively (I was rather hoping you would not want to miss this component either);
May 10 & 11, 2024 - District Conference - Earlier this week we all received an e-mail from DG Sonja, inviting us to mark our calendars for these days as the District 5550 District Conference will be held in Moose Jaw. If you have never been to a District Conference, please consider taking in this event. If you are a District Conference attender you will simply want to go. Look forward to seeing you there.
In his invitation to join in today's Rotary Club gathering, President Al Hoeft observed - "Bring on the haggis, 'The Great Chieftain of the pudding race'." Did everyone know haggis was a 'pudding', and that there was a race which resulted in haggis becoming the 'Great Chieftain’? Yet another learning from our shared meetings with our "Elder" Rotary Club and our Club President who speaks about having a close connection with the Scottish community.
In preparation for the unfolding of The Robbie Burns Celebration, the meeting got underway with Acting President Pat Dell calling the meeting to order, followed by the Club's Land Acknowledgement shared by Peter Peters and the singing of Canada.
The way it played out from this point was Pat Dell in the President role shared the podium responsibilities with Past President of the Regina Club, Al Goudie. Meanwhile, current Regina Club President George Carson, directed traffic ensuring the Haggis was appropriately carried in, keeping in time with the Marching Bagpiper, Protocol requires that the Official Toast are undertaken in correct fashion. To the untrained eye it appeared perfect.
The youthful Bagpiper was not a participant in the drinking of Scotch Whiskey, and no one thought of replacing this with "a wee Sprite" for the boy. Ray Smith read and recited from a well-worn book of poetry, which one assumes was authored by today's namesake. Ray did a fine job, albeit a bit frightening wiith the arm waving and yes, the knife. Once the Haggis was stabbed, the Chef, hoisted the tray with the stabbed Haggis and retreated from the room.
At this point Al Goudie was called on to say Grace, and in keeping with this day shared the known Selkirk Grace, which Burns was known to oft quote, to the extent that some thought it was his creation. Al shared the grace is worthy of note:
Some Folk hae meat that canna eat,
And some can eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
So let the Lord be Thanket!
Today's Meeting Flags Are Bond Together to "Create Hope in the World"
The meal was appreciated, although the main course may have had an Irish stew flavour which was identified by a Scottish palette.
Following the meal Al Goudie shared an Eleven Item Scottish Quiz, which required each attendee to track their correctness. Ian Yeates won with having 8 of the 11 items correct.
Ray Smith, A Proud Scotsman
It was a great joint meeting, thanks to the teamwork which made it happen.
Thank you all.
The Family of Rotary
Birthdays for Jack Wozniak, Ann Grahame (January 13), and Barry Strohan (January 30th) were acknowledged, but sadly our rejoicing was not conveyed in song.
Rotary Anniversaries were also acknowledged and congratulations were extended to Peter Neufeldt and Leif Riesach on achieving 45 years of Service through Rotary. It would be appropriate to present the Pins to the Celebrants at the next in-person meeting Hosted by Regina Eastview;
Allen Hillsden, with cane in hand, led us in O' Canada, and it was good - nice to have you back, Allen
Jeff Barber is on holidays for the next month – however, he is confident Regina's Libraries will remain open.
17 Year Old Gus Meerholz
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Ray Smith's reading of appropriate Robbie Burns poetry was a highlight - "appropriate" was my word for some words were not understood by the untrained ear;
It was partially understood until Ray fumbling in the podium found the sought after knife which he waved about get more charismatic with each sentence until he walked over to the haggis and exchanged his short blade for this large butcher knife and with a might thrust stabbed the defenseless Scottish delicacy.
Ann Grahame has a new cat, and admits to becoming normal, which was enhanced by a wonderful Christmas celebration in Regina.
Others observed great holiday celebrations in the cold and/or in warmer places;
Pat Dell was special pleased on this Robbie Burns day, because it was on this day some decades ago that her daughter was born - Pat is confident that "mothering" has come to an end - is this not a dream?;
Have a wonderful winter week - look forward to seeing you on ZOOM next Thursday.
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"Be happy while you are living. You are dead a long time"
Scottish Proverb
Today's guests
Our in-person guests today included Ray Smith, and the youthful Bagpiper Gus Meerholz, and visitors joining us by ZOOM were Bob Durston (RC of Neepawa) and Doug Keam (RC of Regina). Good to have you all in our joint meeting with the Rotary Club of Regina
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