Our guest speaker today was Michelle Balch, Volunteer Coordinator at Squamish Helping Hands Society. She gave us an overview of all the programs and services run by the Squamish Helping Hands Society and the Under One Roof facility.
After her presentation, the club presented Michelle with a cheque for $5,000 which are funds raised at a Bingo night and a personal donation. This will be added to the amount raised by the club at the Coldest Night of the Year event and will bring our total to over $23,000 for this very worthy cause.
Sea to Sky Community Services Society, helps thousands of children, youth and adults through more than 40 community services and programs in BC’s Sea to Sky corridor. It has replaced the condemned Youth Resource Centre in Squamish with a new $2.2 million, 5,000 sq ft youth centre where young people aged 12-24 can access mental health, primary care, substance use intervention, peer support, and social services, all under one roof. The Rotary Club of Squamish provided $30,000.00 in funding to furnish the Squamish Youth Hub at the centre, providing technology equipment, a pool table, and other recreational equipment including a $10,000 District Grant from The Rotary Foundation.
Editor Jennifer Thuncher and Publisher Sarah Strother from The Squamish Chief joined us to talk about the challenges facing local news media. Some of the main comments were:
• the Squamish Chief has a great team of dedicated and hard-working staff.
• readership is the key; readership drives advertising which is almost 100% of the paper's revenue.
• the paper version Chief went free to expand readership.
• currently 5500-6000 copies are printed weekly and distributed around town.
• most of the readership is now online with 350,000 articles viewed per month.
• the Meta ban on Canadian news has meant even more effort is being made to drive readership to the Squamish Chief website.
• the daily newsletter email has been very successful in keeping people up to date with what's happening in our community.
At the live auction during last October's Gala, the Sea to Sky Gondola bid $5,000 and won the original painting by local artist Andy Anissimoff.
On Feb 13th, representatives from the the Sea to Sea Gondola donated the painting to Hilltop House. We thank everyone at the Sea to Sky Gondola for your generosity and community spirit.
Proceeds from the October Gala will support several projects that the Rotary Club of Squamish is working on this year, including the Playground at the Oceanfront Park, the John Gullo Home for Children in Mexico, and the Centre of Hope in the Philippines.
S2S Gondola donates Andy Anissimoff Painting to Hilltop House
At our regular meeting on February 1st, Squamish Rotary presented a $5,000 grant to Squamish CAN for projects in the next stage of development at the Downtown School Farm.
One of these will be the construction of a "Kids Zone", which will be a gathering space for younger children featuring opportunities to explore the environment using all the senses.
Krystle tenBrink, Executive Director of Squamish CAN accepted the grant from President Kevin Haberl and Eddie Carter, Commumiity Service Chair.
Squamish Rotary has supported the Farm with a past grant and also in-kind donations and some volunteer labour.
What would you do if you didn't have a warm place to go home to tonight? What if you didn't have enough food to fuel your body and were cold all of the time?
On February 24, 2024 the community of Squamish will be walking to raise money for Squamish Helping Hands in our first Coldest Night of the Year event.
The Rotary Club of Squamish is participating as team Captains, walkers & fundraisers.
We are asking for you to join us and help those less fortunate in our community.
It was a fun evening at Howe Sound Inn on Thursday December 21st for our annual Christmas party. Delicious food was accompanied my laughter, fellowship and good cheer, followed by some lively games. Thank you to Lynda for organising everything and to Howe Sound for hosting us.
We send a big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who helped prepare and deliver 375+ hampers for Squamish Community Christmas Care on December 19th. By coming together, over 1000 people in our community will be supported this holiday season which will make the occasion so much more meaningful and enjoyable for them and their families.
As the dawn broke over Stan Clarke Park last Saturday, a jolly band of Rotary Pumpkineers joined Squamish BIA members and a crew from Sea to Sky Couriers to create the Pumpkin Patch in the Park.
500 pumpkins were spread around the park, tents were erected, games were set up, and the BBQ was lit.
All was ready for 10am when the kids and adults arrived, many in costume, to select their pumpkin(s) by donation, have faces painted, dance to the music, go on the trick-or-treat adventure, do some Halloween crafts and play the games.
And for the hungry, the hot dog crew was busy cooking and serving up the Rotary Dog-in-a-Bun.
The proceeds will be going to the Squamish Welcome Centre and the Rotary Club of Squamish’s Oceanfront Playground fund.
On Saturday evening, over 90 Rotarians and guests braved the wind and rain to celebrate Rotary and fundraise for three projects. With over $20K in auction items, there was something available to bid on for everyone......
Please read Lynda Rocha's perspective of the evening HERE.
Ross Dickson writes:
It was a full house at the golf club Saturday night as Squamish Rotarians, friends and family members enjoyed a gala evening in support of our three local and international projects. The food was delicious and the bidding came fast and furious as guests bid on a variety of items, all donated to help raise funds for the worthy causes. It was also an opportunity for people to break out their best outfits and shake off the covid blues on the dance floor while visiting with colleagues and friends. Many thanks to our generous supporters for donating so many prizes and congratulations to all the organisers, and to the participants for their attendance.
Although the final tally is still to come, it is anticipated that the funds raised will exceed expectations.
'Cocktails and Canapés for a Cause' GALA & AUCTION - a Huge Success!
Carlos Zavarce, member and Mathews West Development Manager, gave us the opportunity to visit the Sp’akw’us Feather Park, part of the Squamish Oceanfront project. He led us on a tour of the plaza, the beach frontages, and the site of the future playground. Then we had the opportunity to go inside the Presentation Centre and Brew Pub which is an all mass timber building currently under construction. As a teaser, Carlos showed us the area which could be the future home for Rotary meetings. It was exciting to see the progress finally being made on this huge project after so many years in the planning and negotiation stages.
Serving more than 65 villages (over 35,000 rural villagers), AAVIL provides support with family water filters, permanent water supplies, water tanks, taps and pipe, schools, toilets, sanitation & hygiene, student support and so much more for its residents, with new projects being announced each year.
In the photo, Steven is demonstrating the water filter that has been distributed to hundreds of families to provide safe, clean drinking water. The filters are made locally in Laos and each can service a family of 8 for many years.
If you would like to donate a water filter please see this BROCHURE; the cost is only C$125.
The three Rotary Districts in BC most affected by the raging wildfires have released an announcement outlining ways in which support and relief can be provided to first responders, evacuees, or those suffering from loss of homes or loved ones.
This week we were at Backcountry Brewing for our lunch meeting. General Manager Stefan Hebert took us on an interesting and engaging tour of the brewery and gave us some insights into the craft beer scene in Squamish. The food and the service was exceptional. If you haven't been, it would be an enjoyable visit with friends and family.
Once again our Rotary Beef BBQ 2023 was held during the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival on August 5th & 6th 2023. This is our club's signature event and we have been doing it every year since the club formed in 1966.
Over the two days we slow roasted 1600 lbs of Canada Grade AAA beef over a bed of alder, and served over 2600 beef-in-a-bun sandwiches (including 275 lbs of fried onions). We sold out on both days!
Many thanks to our members, fellow Rotarians, friends, family, and colleagues for volunteering your time and energy to make the event run smoothly and such great fun!
On a very warm evening, some of us gathered at the driving range at Squamish Valley Golf Club to practise our golf swing and demonstrate our skills. The results were mixed!
After the range, we joined more members & friends in the pleasant air-conditioned restaurant for a cold drink and something to eat.
Many thanks to Scott Wengi for organising & hosting us.
Rotary International President Gordon McInally is passionate about mental health and helping remove the stigma that sometimes prevents people from getting quality care.
During this year, 2023-24, Gordon will focus on three initiatives that Create Hope in the World:
We kicked off the new Rotary year with some old-fashioned fun at a family picnic in Rose Park. We had games, like 3-legged races, marble-on-spoon races, water balloon toss, and Timberrr.
There were a couple of BBQs to cook up some smokies and burgers to go along with the salads and watermelon. It was great to see the kids (and grown-ups) having such a good time.
On Wednesday June 21st, at Centrepoint in downtown Squamish, Kevin Haberl was installed as President of the Rotary Club of Squamish for the 2023-24 Rotary Year.
Kevin will take office on July 1st, along with his new executive team.
A long-time resident of Squamish, Kevin has had a career in the forestry industry.
He joined Rotary in 2009 and has held several executive positions, most recently as Chair of the club’s Rotary Foundation committee which supports the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International whose mission is “to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty”.
During his talk to the assembled members and guests, Kevin remarked “despite the recent challenges, our club here in Squamish has been weathering the changes very well; we are a strong club, and we are in a really good position to grow and lead into the future in our community. This strength is largely due to the leadership of the many Past Presidents that have each contributed to the foundation that our club rests on”.
On Saturday, July 1st, Rotary members and friends had a fun time looking after the Kids Zone at the Canada Day - Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Squamish Together celebrations.
Junction Park was full of families all day enjoying the music, food trucks, vendor stalls, and just hanging out and having fun.
Many thanks past President Lynda and Kerry Neal of the Downtown Squamish BIA for organising a great event.
President Kevin & AG Liz New members Tony Adamson & Henry Marsden (on left)
Our Executive Team for the 2023-24 Rotary Year
Brian (PR), Tania (programs), Victoria (treasurer), Kevin (President), Kyla (secretary), Eddie (community), Anna (international), Liz (AG), Glen (membership), Jack (Foundation), Ross (Youth)
On Wednesday evening, June 21st, at Centrepoint in downtown Squamish, we celebrated the solstice as Assistant Governor Liz Scroggins installed incoming President Kevin Haberl and our Executive Team for the new 2023-24 Rotary year.
In addition, we inducted two new members; Tony Adamson sponsored by Kyla Paine, and Henry Marsden sponsored by Mike Nasu.
Other presentations included a Paul Harris award to Barry Wetter for his service on the International committee over many years; a thank you to Bob Fast for offering his office space for some of our meetings & events and storing our paraphernalia; and a special gift from Lynda Rocha to Kevin & Vicki of an art poster depicting the Four Way Test in the Haisla pictorial language.
The dinner menu was prepared by Left Coast Catering and served by new residents from Syria.
On Thursday June 8th, we joined SquamishCAN for a visit to the Downtown School Farm.
Krystle tenBrink, Executive Director, gave an introduction and background to the farm and the curriculum that has been developed for the senior and elementary schools. The program provides an introduction to food literacy, sustainability, and opportunities in the food industry.
Farm manager Sasha Wilmott then led us on a tour around the field and through the greenhouse, explaining what has been planted, by who, and plans for harvesting.
The goals of the School Farm include:
► To provide fresh, nutritious, sustainably-grown and culturally appropriate food for families, community members, and nearby schools.
► To increase food literacy in students through hands-on learning, connection to land, and various course integrations.
We supported the School Farm with a $8,000 grant in 2022, and this year built some garden beds.
At the May 24th awards evening at Howe Sound Secondary School, club President Lynda Rocha presented the two $1000 Rotary Club of Squamish scholarships to this year's recipients:
- Katarina Terry
- Lucy Perkins
The scholarships are awarded each year to two graduating students who are active in the community with volunteer work, have satisfactory standing in Grade 12 subjects; and are going on to a Canadian post-secondary institution.
The Bike Safety Rodeo returned to the Squamish Elementary Schools on May 16, 17. & 18, 2023.
This event is sponsored by the local RCMP, Squamish Rotary Club, and the school teachers. This year it was held at Brackendale, Garibaldi Highlands, Squamish, and Mamquam. Hundreds of schoolkids participated.
The kids bring their bikes to school and class by class, they have their bikes and helmets checked. Then they are challenged to a number of skill tests under the direction and watchful eyes of the RCMP officers and Rotarians - ride a straight line, navigate a slalom course, do a figure eight, and safely cross at an intersection.
This event has been a feature of the May school calendar for over 45 years as illustrated in the June 3, 1976 and June 3, 1980 editions of the Squamish Times.
During this week of May 1-7, Tim Hortons chocolate chunk cookies will transform into something incredibly special: Smile Cookies - hand-decorated treats that raise money for local charities across the country.
100% of the proceeds from these special cookies will be donated to local charities in the areas where the restaurants operate.
This year, we’re very proud that the Rotary Club of Squamish has been selected as a recipient of this fundraiser for all Tim Hortons locations in the Sea to Sky corridor.
We will use the funds to support the Recycle Bicycle program to ensure that everyone in Squamish who wants a bike can have a bike and a proper helmet.
When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.
Through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change.
At our meeting on Feb 23rd, Vicki Haberl introduced our guests Christine Strub & Kathy Wolfe, both volunteers with Squamish Search & Rescue.
Kathy gave a overview of SSAR's organisation, operations, training, and what happens during a call where a response is required.
Christine followed with an interactive talk about being prepared before and during an outdoor adventure to ensure we get home safely. She also talked about what to do if we are lost or injured and need to be rescued, including how to hunker down while waiting for help.
Our guest speaker on Thursday, Feb 9 was Courtney Smaha, who gave an interesting presentation about the the Marine Stewardship Initiative (MSI). The Initiative has created a centralized interactive map that pulls together information about Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound’s ocean and freshwater aquatic environment. The vision of MSI is to bring communities together to achieve net positive outcomes for current and future generations of life in Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound.
Squamish Rotary Club recently awarded grants to the Squamish Food Bank Society and the Squamish Seniors Centre Society.
The $10,000 grant to the Food Bank will provide support to families with young children who are struggling to make ends meet. The funds will go towards diapers, baby wipes, formula, and baby food.
The Seniors grant of $9,000 will contribute to the restoration of the Eaglewinds lawn bowling facility by replacing the grass with artificial turf. The bowling green has become derelict due to the high cost of maintenance.
Emma Cox and Abi Watson of the Squamish Food Bank Society received the grant from President Lynda Rocha.
Herbert Veseley on behalf on the Seniors Centre Society, accepted the donation from Kyla Paine, Community Service chair, and Ross Dickson, club Grant Committee.
Shaun Swerdfeger, Deputy Chief - Squamish Fire Rescue was our guest speaker today and gave a very interesting presentation about the organisation and all the amazing work these people do to keep our community safe.
Did you know that of the 985 calls in 2022, only 7% of the responses were for fires? Medical emergencies accounted for 31% of responses.
We had a full house for our weekly meeting at the Howe Sound Inn.
Our guests included the Mayor and three Councillors of the District of Squamish, which provided an opportunity to meet and chat with these recently elected members of the Council.
The program also included:
► an overview of recent club activities and projects.
► the presentation of project funding grants to several recipients:
Thursday Dec 15th was Squamish Community Christmas Care hamper delivery. Rotarians were among the many volunteers who delivered hampers of food and toys to about 400 families in Squamish.
Reverend Karen Millard commented to the Squamish Chief. "What I want to say is how much we appreciate the community for being so generous because all of what we give is costing more this year, This is a real community effort. Tons of volunteers, tons of donations. We can't do it without our community. We like to say one of our tag lines is community caring for community. And that's exactly what we experienced."
This year we partnered with the Rotary Club of Manila Supreme 198 in the Philippines to develop the Garden of Hope, This is a food sustainability project at the Centre of Hope, a refuge for girls rescued from the sex trade. It provides training and income for the girls, and food for the facility.
This is the second project that we have done at the Centre of Hope. The first was the establishment of a small chicken farm, again to provide training, and food and income for the girls.
At a private ceremony and celebration at his home, Randy Scott was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Award for his 34 years of volunteer service as a coach for Special Olympics Alpine Skiing. Coaching took Randy all over the world, attending seven World Games. He was also named Special Olympics Coach of the Year by Special Olympics BC several years ago. Randy’s knowledge and empathetic approach to coaching was to be admired and now retired, he will be dearly missed by Special Olympics. He has also been a member of the Executive of Vancouver Ski Foundation for over 25 years.
Randy is the husband of Liz Scott, Past President (2007-8) of the Rotary Club of Squamish. They now live in a beautiful country location about 40km south of Kamloops.
A Paul Harris Fellow is one of the highest awards that a Rotary club can make to a person in recognition of their service in the community.
Kirsten (2nd from left) was inducted into our club at the meeting on Thursday, November 17, 2022. Her sponsor is Jessie Cameron.
Kirsten grew up in a small town in Ontario and completed her law degree at the University of Ottawa before moving to the West Coast. She initially made Whistler home and started her career as a litigation lawyer with Race & Company LLP in 2016. In 2020, Kirsten and her partner decided to make the move to Squamish and now live in the community of Ring Creek. She works as a Legal Counsel and Negotiator with the Health Employers Association of British Columbia in the Physician Services department. Outside of work, she enjoys all the amazing activities Squamish has to offer - mountain biking, kiteboarding, hiking, and the rest.
The annual Squamish Remembrance Day Royal Canadian Legion ceremony was held on Friday, Nov. 11, at the cenotaph in Stan Clarke Park, with a few Rotary members in attendance.
To mark World Polio Day, Rotarians were out to raise awareness about Rotary's campaign to eradicate polio forever. It is our number ONE humanitarian priority.
The recent emergence of the polio virus in New York, London, and Israel starkly demonstrates that if polio exists anywhere, it is a threat to people everywhere.
Rotary and our partners have made tremendous progress in our campaign to eradicate polio from the world forever. Polio cases have been reduced by 99.9% since 1985 and it is now endemic in only two countries. An estimated 20 million people are walking today who would otherwise have been paralyzed by polio.
But we can’t stop now. If we do, we could see 200,000 children per year contracting polio within ten years. To finish the job, we need continued support & funding until polio is finally eradicated.
It was great fun to be at the Pumpkin Patch in the Park on Saturday. Lots of families came out, many dressed up in their Halloween finest.
Rotarian volunteers helped out with unloading the pumpkins and setting up the pumpkin patch, hosting at the Rotary welcome tent and collecting donations, and feeding the visitors with hotdogs.
Pumpkin Patch in the Park returns on Saturday, October 22nd, 10am-2pm at Stan Clarke Park in Downtown Squamish.
From face painting to live music, Halloween crafts to a bake sale, spooky stories to a trick or treat, to a hot dog BBQ, there is something for everyone in your family to enjoy.
You can choose your Halloween pumpkin by donation.
Squamish Rivers Day was held at McNaughton Park with booths, displays, and activities. The event was sponsored by the Squamish River Watershed Society and was an opportunity to learn about and celebrate our local waterways.
We put on a BBQ serving hot dogs and hamburgers. Many thanks to Kyla Paine for organising the BBQ and for the volunteers who came out to set up and then to cook and serve the burgers.
Many thanks to all who participated in the Squamish Thanksgiving Food Drive last week.
We don't yet have the total amount of food donated but judging by the activity at Under One Roof on Saturday, Squamish has been very generous this year.
In the photo, Geraldine Guilfoyle, one of the event organizers, receives the donations collected at an apartment building by one Rotary volunteer.
When you buy smile cookies at a Tim Hortons restaurant in the Sea to Sky during September 19-25th, the proceeds will go to the Rotary Club of Squamish, the nominated beneficiary this year.
Every smile cookie that you buy means that we can do more good work in the community.
On Saturday, July 9th we celebrated the installation of President Lynda and her executive team for 2022-23. The formalities were performed by District Governor John Barry, supported by Assistant Governor S2S Liz Scroggins.
President Vicki highlighted some if the major events during a very successful year in 2021-22 and thanked everyone for their support.
In addition:
►Judy Fowler was made an Honorary Member of the club.
►Paul Harris Fellow awards were presented to Judy Fowler, Michael Kanka, Laurie Vanzella, Ann Gawley, Brian Finley, Nancy Edwards & Bob Fast.
►Lynda presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Michael Kanka who will soon be moving to Courtenay/Comox.
►Ross Dickson, a returning Rotarian, was welcomed as a new member of our club.
Michael Kanka took some great photos. You can view them HERE,
On Thursday June 23rd, the Rotary Club of Squamish presented Maureen Mackell with a Paul Harris Fellow award for her service to the Squamish community. Maureen has been the Executive Director of the Squamish Helping Hands Society since 2010 and is the inspiration and driving force for the development of the Under One Roof facility in downtown Squamish. Under One Roof is an integrated hub providing safe and secure food and shelter for homeless and at-risk communities and building pathways to independence for vulnerable people.
There are many non-Rotarians who share Rotary priorities for service to the community. While not members, they work to support our community and make it a better place to live so that no-one is left behind. One way in which the Club can recognize such individuals is by making them a Paul Harris Fellow - the highest award that a Rotary Club can bestow on members of the community.
The Paul Harris Fellow, named after one of Rotary’s founders, has been awarded to people from all around the world, including US President Jimmy Carter, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, polio vaccine developer Jonas Salk. and Mother Teresa.
The Rotary Club of Squamish has supported the new Foundry Sea to Sky with a donation of $30,000 for the Youth Hub.
On June 9th, we had a tour of the facility hosted by Sea to Sky Community Services. Although the construction is somewhat behind schedule, thanks to the presentation by SSCS staff and the tour, we were able to get a very good understanding of the facility and how it will serve the youth of our community.
The Foundry is located on the ground floor of the new 76-unit affordable housing complex on Buckley Avenue. The facility will be 5,000 square feet of newly built space for free youth counselling, mental health services, and primary care. Opening is planned for the fall 2022.
The Recycle Bicycle program was re-launched on June 4 by Squamish Helping Hands and the Rotary Club of Squamish with a Kids Bike Drive. Approximately 20 volunteers came out to collect, repair, and distribute bikes to kids and families in Squamish. Of the roughly 80 bikes donated, around 40 bikes went home with happy new owners, including several new Canadian families from Syria and Ukraine.
At the Rotary District 5040 Conference in Prince George over the weekend, the Rotary Club of Squamish received the award for the Outstanding Rotary Club during 2021-22 of the 48 clubs in the District.
We thank everyone for your hard work and support in helping us to make a difference.
This the second time since 2006-07 that we have received this prestigious recognition. The first was in 2007-08 under the Presidency of Liz Scott.
President Vicki Haberl (right) of Squamish Rotary presents the grant cheque to Constance Cope of Squamish CAN, and then they met up again at the School Farm.
Things are starting to happen at the Howe Sound School Farm next to the high school in Squamish.
Vegetables and plants are already beginning to grow in the new soil to be harvested later in the summer.
Today we had an update from Constance Cope, the School Farm Manager with Squamish CAN, on the background, vision, and implementation of this new venture.
Squamish Rotary awarded a grant of $8,000 to support the School Farm. The funds will be used to retrofit and equip the on-site container which will be used for storage and office space,
The Howe Sound School Farm project is a partnership between the Squamish Climate Action Network and the school. The 1,114-square-metre (12,000-square-foot) farm will include garden beds, a 30-metre (100-foot) greenhouse, a smaller seed-starting greenhouse, a SeaCan for storage and office space, a wash-up station and gathering space.
The Bike Safety Rodeo returned to the elementary schools this week after a 2-year hiatus.
Squamish Rotary and 5 schools organised the events with support from the local RCMP. During the rodeo the kids' bikes and helmets are checked, and then they are challenged to ride a straight line, a slalom course. a figure-8, and finally to safely cross a road.
On Monday evening, April 25, members of the Rotary Club of Squamish visited the Garibaldi Volunteer Fire Department (GVFD) at Black Tusk Village.
They presented the GVFD Society with a grant cheque of $6,000 for the purchase of a reconnaissance drone with a thermal imaging camera. It can be used to search less accessible places up to 10km, for wildfire assessment, identifying hotspots, and locating lost persons.
While there, they were invited to watch the fire team during their bi-weekly practice session. more photos: HERE.
On Saturday evening members and friends of the four Sea-to-Sky Rotary Clubs gathered in homes throughout the corridor and cooked a very tasty Asian inspired Risotto and chocolate cake under the directions of an online chef. All the fresh ingredients were sourced locally and the wine was from Fort Berens Estate. It was a really great event with lots of laughter and enjoyment with friends.
The proceeds of the FUNdraiser will support the new El Cardonal Children’s Home in Baja, Mexico. The home will provide temporary care for children whose primary caregiver(s) are unable to care for them due to a variety of unfortunate circumstances.
On April 1st 2022, Don Patrick marks 50 years of service as a member of the Rotary Club of Squamish. He was recognised at the weekly meeting with a certificate, a cake, and of course a bottle of wine!
Don joined the club on April 1st, 1972. He served as Club President in 1975-76 and has held most other executive positions, including Secretary, Treasurer, and Foundation Chair.
Don started the Club 200 lottery fundraiser and has been the chair for most of its 43 years, raising $10,000/year for the Squamish Community. In addition he has been the driving force of the Rotary Bike Safety Rodeos - an annual event in the Squamish Elementary Schools.
He started his career as a travelling mechanic for the PGE Railway. Then after graduating from university, as a systems engineer in the aircraft manufacturing industry. and later an insurance broker and business owner.
Don has also been very active in the Squamish community and was President of the Curling Club in the 1980s, and is a long time member of the Squamish Flying Club.
On April 2nd, let's have some fun - invite friends to join you for a dinner party in your home. Online Chef Marika Richoz will lead us through cooking a delicious meal (using local produce where possible) of an Asian-influenced Risotto followed by a flourless chocolate cake. Optionally, this can be accompanied by a wine pairing from Fort Berens Wines and bidding in the Silent Auction.
This is a joint major fundraiser of the Sea to Sky Rotary Clubs for the El Cardonal Children's Home in Baja Mexico (near Los Barriles).
All funds will go to equip a kitchen and laundry for the soon-to-be-built children’s home .
A site has been donated and plans have been drawn up, but much help is needed to construct the new facility and make it a reality for the children who inspired it.
In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, The Rotary Foundation has created an official channel for Rotary members around the world to contribute funds to support the relief efforts underway by Rotary districts.
Donations to the Disaster Response Fund can be used to provide relief to refugees or other victims of the crisis including items such as water, food, shelter, medicine and clothing.
If you would like to donate through this Rotary channel please READ MORE
TWO. That’s the number of polio cases reported so far this year around the world. From 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries in 1988 the two latest cases come from reports of one each in Afghanistan and Pakistan during January.
That was the positive message by Michael McGovern, Chair of the Rotary International's PolioPlus Committee when he spoke at our meeting today in advance of World Polio Day on October 24th.
Mike started his talk by thanking the Canadian Government and Canadian Rotarians for our support and commitment to the polio eradication campaign. Canada continues to be one of the foremost countries which have been steadfast contributors to the polio initiative.
He went on to describe the progress in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the last two countries where the wild polio virus is still circulating. With only 2 cases of wild polio infections confirmed in 2021, and fewer samples of the wild polio virus detected in the water and sewage, there is cautious optimism that with continued perseverance, now may be our opportunity to defeat the wild polio virus in its last strongholds.
We were at the Pumpkin Stall today at the Squamish Farmers' Market with Downtown Squamish BIA. Pumpkins were donated by Save-On-Foods, sold by donation, and all proceeds are going to Squamish Search and Rescue.
On September 30th, we welcomed 5 new members to the Rotary Club of Squamish.
During our meeting at the Squamish Golf Club, they were inducted by District Governor Lorne Calder and joined by their sponsoring Rotarian. We look forward to them joining us for our social, community and humanitarian activities.
On Saturday, September 18th, we once again put on the Rotary Beef BBQ at the Loggers Sports Festival. The festival, which normally takes place over the August long weekend, was cancelled in 2020 and postponed in 2021 due to the pandemic.
It was so much fun to be back again for this one day show and serving up your Rotary Beef on a Bun. Thank you to the 30+ Rotarians and friends who all volunteered to make it another successful event,
We are looking forward to seeing you again on the August 2022 long weekend.
On Thursday, September 9th, we gathered to celebrate 55 years since the founding of the Rotary Club of Squamish.
It was a beautiful evening and 36 Rotarians and guests enjoyed delicious food and drinks, sharing stories, and reminiscing about the innumerable projects that have had such positive impact on our community and the world.
We send a huge shout-out and thanks to Lynda Rocha, our party queen, who had obviously been missing the opportunity to plan and execute a great party over the past 18 months. She did so with her usual flare, and everyone had a great time! Thanks also to Ann, and Marianna, who also helped in the preparations.
The Rotary Club of Squamish was chartered on September 12th 1966, with 22 local business men including John Drenka, Dr Laverne Kindree, and Don Ross.
The first President was Bob Bishop, the first women were admitted in 1991, and the first woman President was Linda Carney in 1998.
The Rotary Club of Squamish recently made a donation to the Howe Sound Women's Centre for their facility on Third Avenue that is currently undergoing extensive renovations.
These funds were used to purchase equipment & furnishings for a children’s counselling room, including a couch, table, bookshelves, books, toys & games.
The "flatpack" furniture arrived this week and we have been busy assembling the pieces and getting them into their proper locations.
The centre should be back up and running in the near future.
At today's meeting, Linda Eastman, director of Casa Colibri, provided an update on the medical clinic in rural northwest Guatemala and how its staff and people have coped during the pandemic.
The Rotary Club of Squamish has supported this facility, its staff and volunteers for many years.
Casa Colibrí is a not-for-profit humanitarian organisation committed to helping the Mayan people of northwest Guatemala improve their lives through programs in health, education, and related infrastructure. The organisation was founded in 2006 and the Guatemalan clinic was officially opened in October 2008.
The installation of the solar panels has been completed at the New Creation Kids Home in La Paz, Baja, Mexico. The home serves as a refuge for children whose parents are unable to properly care for them for a variety of reasons, and helps to keep them safe, fed, schooled, and off the streets.
Squamish Rotary has donated funds to assist in the purchase and installation of the solar panels which provide a more reliable and economical electrical supply at the facility.
At 1:00pm on August 2nd 2021, almost 1000 rubber ducks tumbled out of a truck into the birling pond at the Loggers Sports grounds in Squamish, and the winning ducks were plucked from the pond.
1st prize of $5000 went to Jack Fowler who had duck #0444, shown in the photo being congratulated by Vicki Haberl, president of the Rotary Club of Squamish,
2nd prize, $2500, duck 0596, Debra Quercetti
3rd prize, $1500, duck 0728, Karin Chard
4th prize, $500, duck 0682, Linda Morris.
Close to $10,000 has been raised which will all go to support the new Squamish Youth Hub and the purchase of technology equipment, furnishings, a pool table, and recreational equipment.
The Foundry Sea to Sky will be 5,000 square feet of newly built space for youth counselling, mental health services, and primary care along with the integrated Youth Hub - a hang-out and recreational space that will be freely open to all youth.
Each year, Rotary helps us to go further, support more people, and access areas that would otherwise be impossible to reach. This past Rotary year we have been able to deliver aid to families recovering after disaster in India, Honduras, Philippines, Tanzania, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ethiopia. The partnership between ShelterBox and Rotary is serving to change lives.
Your club's contribution has allowed us to improve the lives of families affected by disaster and conflict. Without your support these families would remain in over-crowded schools, evacuation centres or without a home to return to after disaster. But because of you, more families can begin to rebuild and recover.
Thank you again for sharing your kindness and passion for action.
Vicki Haberl was installed as President of the Rotary Club of Squamish for 2021-2022 along with her Executive team on July 25th at the Squamish Valley Golf Club.
The official part of the proceedings was conducted by Murray Wood, past Area Governor for the Sea to Sky.
We have limited funding available to support organisations who need funds for community projects. Grants may be awarded to projects that benefit the community of Squamish and possibly elsewhere in BC.
If you are a non-profit or charitable organisation who would like support for a project or activity, please refer to the tab on the top menu for guidelines and an application form.
On June 24, we had out final meeting of the year during which we reviewed the year that was - certainly a different year but we rose to the challenge thanks to all our members coming together.
The 'Duck in a Truck' Fundraiser is back! You could win $5000 cash plus 3 more cash prizes, The Rotary Club of Squamish will use the funds to support the new Squamish Youth Hub which is scheduled to open in Spring 2022. You can secure your lucky tickets by purchasing yours today for only $20 each +p&p.
The Rotary Club of Squamish is delighted to announce that Kanika Jhanji and Andrew Van Brummelen have been awarded the two Rotary scholarships for 2021.
The scholarships, each for $1,000, are awarded annually to graduating students of Howe Sound Secondary School to continue their education at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
We congratulate Kanika and Andrew and wish them success in their academic careers.
Rotary Scholarships awarded to Howe Sound Students.
In the glorious morning sunshine on June 1st, a group of Rotarians were at the Community Garden at Mamquam and Hwy99.
They were weeding and pruning and generally tidying up the section devoted to perennials as a butterfly and pollinator garden.
This Community Garden was originally developed around 1980 as a community project by the Rotary Club of Squamish. Squamish CAN has now taken over the management and administration. Garden plots are adopted by gardeners on an annual basis, with renewal each new year.
The Squamish Rotary Club is honoured to be able to support the After School Art Program put on by the Squamish Arts Council at Don Ross School. Our donated funds were used to purchase art-making equipment and supplies for watercolour, print making, and button making.
The After School Art Program is a new initiative that is developed to bring free-of-charge, high-quality arts education to Squamish Youth.
On Friday evening, Squamish Rotarians & friends had a virtual wine & cheese tasting in support of the Rotary Foundation.
In the afternoon, the tasting samples were delivered to our doors and then at 7pm sommelier Michael Kompass took us on a journey through Spain, New Zealand, France, & Argentina, with 7 wines & 4 cheeses with plenty of discussion, laughs & even some Wine Jeopardy.
Join us for this fun event - a virtual Wine & Cheese tasting in support of the Rotary Foundation.
Sommelier Michael Kompass will lead us in exploring some spring & summer seasonal wines geared toward refreshment, patio time, and barbeques. Current plans indicate we will be experiencing 2 whites, 2 rosés, and 3 reds.
What to expect during the event:
- Led by Michael, we will taste and discuss each wine one at a time
- 7 different wines to taste and explore, and pairings will be discussed.
- Great conversation, lots of fun & some exciting wine trivia!.
- There will be opportunities for discounted purchases of wines you enjoy.
If yes, RI President Holger Knaack has a proposition for you:-
"Because COVID vaccination is provided free of charge, vaccinated individuals are encouraged to donate the cost of what this vaccine would have cost – approximately $25 – to PolioPlus. This has a dual benefit: you are protected from COVID and contributing to the global response, and you are ensuring children are also protected against polio."
On April 24th, Squamish Rotarians were out in downtown Squamish picking up litter and rubbish. This was part of the annual Pitch-In week April 19-26. It is a great opportunity for residents, students, and community groups to get together and clean up our community.
PITCH-IN is the largest environmental improvement campaign in Canada. It is a partnership between municipalities, the media, industry and the public. In total, 1,000,000+ Canadians participated in the program annually cleaning up over 5 million pounds of litter.
We are partnering with other organizations to support the New Creation Kids Orphanage (Nueva Creaçion Niñas Albergue) in La Paz, Mexico.
New Creation Kids is a home for up to 30 children who are under legal guardianship in the home at any given time. Their parents are unable or unfit to take care of them for a myriad of reasons.
The current project we are supporting is the purchase and installation of solar panels.
Our guest at the meeting on Thursday April 8 was Dieter Schneider, a fellow Rotarian living in Würzburg, Germany. He shared his story of wanderlust after his son committed suicide due to depression. From 2015 to early 2020 he travelled over 120,000 kms around the world on his motorcycle, seeking adventure but also raising awareness of depression and advocating for suicide prevention. "You don't always have to search - sometimes, you should just let yourself be found."
The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: Supporting the Environment.
Supporting the Environment becomes Rotary's seventh area of focus, which are categories of service activities supported by global grants. It joins peacebuilding and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and community economic development.
The Rotary Foundation will enable our members and their community allies to take action to help protect our planet.
The Rotary Club of Squamish has donated $2,000 to the Howe Sound Women's Centre for their facility on Third Avenue that is currently undergoing extensive renovations.
These funds will be used to purchase equipment & furnishings for a children’s counselling room, including a couch, bookshelves and books, and art supplies.
The $2000 donation from Squamish Rotary will be matched by the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation. These additional funds will enable HSWC to purchase an arts and crafts table, desk, toys, and games.
Squamish Rotary is a proud supporter of the 2021 Howe Sound Music Festival which runs from March 15-March 20.
About 100 students from Lions Bay to Darcy will be showcasing their talents at the festival which is being held at St. John the Divine Anglican Church.
The Festival posted this message of appreciation on their Facebook page:
"The Festival would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and community.
Today, we’d like to thank one our biggest supporters and a Silver Sponsor this year - the Rotary Club of Squamish."
The grand piano being used during the festival was purchased in 1997 by the Howe Sound Performing Arts Association from Tom Lee Music in Vancouver.
The funds to purchase the piano included $23,000 from a joint HSPAA/Squamish Rotary fundraiser.
2020 Festival - Student Luna Kamata and adjudicator Yvette Rowledge | Courtesy SAM
Squamish Rotary Sponsors Howe Sound Music Festival
Are you a young adult interested in serving your community and developing your leadership skills?
You can join the Sea-to-Sky Rotaract Club and the global movement of young leaders who are developing innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18 and older to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service.
In communities worldwide, Rotary and Rotaract members work side by side to take action through service. From big cities to rural villages, Rotaract is changing communities around the world.
Just doing as our motto says.... Squamish Rotarians have been delivering hampers every Friday to households where residents are unable to go to the Food Bank in person.
On November 26, we had a joint meeting with our Sister Club in Manila, Philippines. In addition to meeting fellow Rotarians, we had a live video tour of the Center of Hope, a refuge for girls rescued from human and sex trafficking, where we have been funding projects to support the Center and the girls. The girls gave two wonderful singing and dancing performances to say thank you.
Together the four Sea to Sky clubs have raised $17,375 for PolioPlus ($15,635 online and $1,740 offline).
After the funds are tripled by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this could purchase over 66,000 doses of the oral polo vaccine or 40,000 vaccine carriers to keep the polio vaccine cool during transport.
A wonderful event with the four clubs joining forces for a great cause.
Every Tuesday and Friday for the past 4 months during the pandemic, members of the Rotary Club of Squamish have been delivering Food Bank hampers to families in our community.
Hamper deliveries have now ended as the Food Bank transitions to the new Under One Roof facility at 3rd Avenue and Main in downtown Squamish. The Food Bank will operate in "THE MARKET" on the ground floor starting on September 1st.
A huge THANK YOU to all the volunteers who signed up and helped out. The Food Bank and Helping Hands are truly grateful.
The Sea to Sky Rotary Clubs are joining forces to raise funds to help END POLIO.
The polio eradication program has to get back on track when it is safe to do so and needs our help.
Hundreds of millions of children around the globe will have missed being vaccinated against polio and other diseases due to immunization campaigns being postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants and teams can register on the link below and then pedal, run, or walk during August 29 - September 6. Sign up and get your supporters to donate so we can finish the job and END POLIO for good.
The Rotary Club of Squamish held our first in-person event since the start of the COVID pandemic. Today some of our members gathered for a picnic supper at the Rotary Pavilion in the Legacy Sports Park with each person bringing their own meal and beverage. Great opportunity to catch up with friends in a safe outdoor environment.
We welcome Abby Majendie, our newest member who joined us this week.
She arrived in Squamish in 2016 after 25 years living and working around the world. She is the Director of Advancement at Quest University and also serves on the Board of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce.
Abby is sponsored by Bianca Peters and was inducted by Membership Chair Lynda Rocha and President Dorothy van der Ree.
The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: Supporting the Environment.
Supporting the environment becomes Rotary's seventh area of focus, which are categories of service activities supported by the Rotary Foundation and global grants. It joins:
The installation of incoming President Dorothy van der Ree and her executive team for 2020-21 was held on June 14, 2020. It was an online gathering via ZOOM and had a full program including bagpipes, an English Tea Party, a club video reviewing the past year, a thank you to Mark Goodwin our outgoing President, and a memorial tribute to Bill McNeney.
The installation ceremony was conducted by District Governor Elect Dave Hamilton.
The Rotary Club of Squamish is delighted to announce that Jon Gill and Ellie Tiliakou have been awarded the two Rotary scholarships for 2020.
The scholarships, each for $1,000, are awarded annually to graduating students of Howe Sound Secondary School to continue their education at a Canadian post-secondary institution. The criteria for the award include community service participation, and satisfactory academic achievement. Active involvement in the school's Interact Club is considered an asset.
We congratulate Jon and Ellie and wish them success in their academic careers.
Squamish Rotarians have been busy again and recently prepared and delivered 2,000 packets of toiletries to organisations in Squamish and the Sea to Sky corridor including Squamish Helping Hands, Howe Sound Women's Centre, Whistler Community Services, and Pemberton Food Bank.
Volunteers safely got together for several work parties to make up the individual packets of shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, shower gel, and bar soap.
The project was coordinated by Liz Scott with the supplies generously donated by Hunter Amenities in Ontario.
Rotarians Deliver Personal Care Packets in Our Communities
In a new music video montage, the Sea-to Sky community including renowned local artists, musicians and members from Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton have teamed up to record how we are coming together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Three years ago the Rotary Club of Squamish introduced a new community Valentines event to Squamish – Rotary Hearts; a Celebration of Love. Now these Hearts have a new lease on life. Rotarians have been busy refurbishing them with new messages of hope, encouragement and thanks.
Over 50 hearts have all found new homes along some popular local trails:- Estuary/Swan Trail, Smoke Bluffs, Jack's Trail, Golf Course/Spawning Channels, Ray Peters Trail, and Loggers Creek Nature Trail.
We hope you enjoy your walk or ride and take joy from the messages of inspiration.
On April 26, in recognition of World Immunization Week and Rotary's global campaign to eradicate polio, BC Place, Telus Science World, and Vancouver City Hall were illuminated in Rotary colours.
Squamish Rotary is partnering with Helping Hands to deliver hampers from the Food Bank to families in Squamish. We will be doing this every Tuesday and Friday until the Food Bank transitions to the new Under One Roof facility in downtown Squamish.
Instead of going to the food bank location, starting April 20, 2020, FREE weekly Food Hampers will be delivered to those in need by community volunteers. Hampers will contain both perishable and non-perishable food items and supplies.
As a precaution against the spread of the CORVID-19 virus, the Rotary Club of Squamish is holding its weekly club meetings on Thursdays at noon, on ZOOM, until further notice. To join the weekly meeting as a member or guest, please email meetings@squamishrotary.com. When conditions improve to allow the safe gathering of our members and guests, we will announce the return of our weekly in person club meetings at the Howe Sound Brew Pub.
While we wait for a COVID-19 vaccine, Rotary thanks our community workers and celebrates World Immunization Week 24-30 April.
Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Please keep your families to their regular vaccination schedule.
Thank you frontline workers and essential businesses & services.
Swing Set 2016 New Table & Bench South end New Table & Bench North end
In 2016 the local community started a project to improve the Willow Park playground. Phase 1 included improved landscaping, the installation of a new large climbing apparatus, and our club funded a new swing set. The project then stalled when the lead person moved away but we still had funds allocated to the project. Late in 2019, a new community leader stepped up and we funded the purchase of two picnic tables and two benches which this week have been installed by the District parks department. Our part of the project is now COMPLETE having provided $7,250 in funding
With generous donations from our community, the Squamish Hospital Foundation has purchased a new Glidescope for use at Squamish General Hospital. The Glidescope will be an important tool for our healthcare teams in our fight against Covid-19. The Glidescope assists in difficult airway management facilitating for smoother intubation yet allowing the healthcare teams to visualize the airway with greater physical distancing than traditional intubation techniques, thus providing some protection for our frontline healthcare workers. Once our community has made it through this current crisis, the Glidescope will be of continued use in emergency situations requiring intubation.
The Squamish Hospital Foundation would like to specifically thank 100 Women Who Care Squamish, Rotary Club of Squamish, and the Squamish General Hospital Auxiliary Society for their quick contributions to the purchase of the Glidescope in these difficult times.
Community DONATIONS make PURCHASE possible for Squamish General Hospital
In response to the COVID-19 corona virus pandemic, Squamish Helping Hands and the Squamish Food Bank are preparing for an unprecedented demand in those experiencing food insecurity in Squamish.
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation has committed to match any donations to the Squamish Food Bank/Squamish Helping Hands up to $15,000. A CanadaHelps fund has been set up to collect your donations and all funds raised will be shared by Squamish Food and Squamish Helping Hands as we work together to ensure the food needs of community members are met.
Our community needs your support- please give generously and will will get through this together. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
The Rotary Club of Squamish has suspended our weekly meetings until at least the end of April due to the continuing corona virus pandemic.
This decision has not been taken lightly. With the guidance from Rotary International and our local health authorities we want to do all we can to protect our members and our wider community.
We hope that by implementing such 'social distancing' and other personal strategies, the spread of the virus will be interrupted, and normal life can resume soon.
For current local information and updates please visit the squamish/covid19 webpage.
We are very grateful to the Rotary Club of Squamish, for drafting Taylor Mitchell from Whistler at the recent National Games. During the Games, held in Thunder Bay, Ont. from Feb. 25 to 29, the 29-year-old alpine skier earned bronze in the advanced giant slalom before taking fourth in the advanced slalom and the advanced super-G. On earning a medal in his first trip, Mitchell said it felt "cool" to stand on the podium with athletes from Quebec and Ontario. For many Special Olympics Team BC 2020 athletes, competing at National Games in Thunder Bay was an empowering, life-changing experience. Thank you for your donation to Special Olympics BC.
Today was the Grand Final draw of the 43rd Squamish Rotary Club 200 lottery fundraiser. The four winners were:-
$200 - Ticket #147, Skai Edwards sold by Nancy Edwards.
$1000 - Ticket #80, Audrey Fraser sold by Bob Fast.
$1000 - Ticket #191, Marilyn Caldwell sold by Kevin/Vicky Haberl.
$2000 - Ticket # 158, Jack Fowler, sold by Judy Fowler.
Don Patrick was recognised with a thank you and cake for organising and running this event for all its 43-year history. Each year the lottery raises $10,000 for causes and organisations in the Squamish Community.
Carlos Zavarce (2nd from left) is our newest member of the Rotary Club of Squamish. He is the Development Manager with Mathews West Ltd and actively involved in the Squamish Oceanfront project. Carlos is sponsored by Kathleen van der Ree.
Toastmasters and Rotary partner to help members with personal development and make a difference in their communities.
Rotary International and Toastmasters International have formed an alliance and are working together to provide members of both organisations with more opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Members of both Toastmasters and Rotary will enhance their skills, broaden their networks and increase their positive impact in communities through the new collaboration.
This year's club Christmas party was held at the home of Rose & Bob Fast on Dec 19th. Organised by Lynda Rocha, Vicki Haberl, & team, it was a fun festive evening for sure. photos by Michael Kanka.
Our guest speaker this week was Ashley Oakes, Executive Director of the Howe Sound Women's Centre. Ashley gave a brief history of the HSWC since it opened in 1981, an overview of the amazing work they are doing in supporting our community, and the plans they have to enhance the programs over the next 5 years. Learn more at www.hswc.ca.
photo: Ashley (centre) receives a token of appreciation from Vicki Haberl and Mark Goodwin.
On Feb. 21, the New Generation Artistic director, Daniel Wnukowski will perform for the public at the Anglican church in Squamish and conduct a private workshop to local piano students. Wnukowski is an accomplished Polish-Canadian pianist who has performed at Carnegie Hall and works with various orchestras performing throughout Europe, North America, South America and Asia.
In 1997, the highly esteemed pianist and original program founder Janina Fialkowska teamed up with the Howe Sound Performing Arts Association and the Rotary Club of Squamish to host a fundraising gala that raised $23,000 toward a $46,000 grand piano.
Our guests today were Nicole Carothers and Dr Judith Fothergill from the Squamish Hospice Society. Judith gave us an update on the new Sea to Sky Community Hospice* while Nicole gave an overview of the expanding Hospice programming. These are two people making a real difference in our community. Judith was also presented with Rotary's Paul Harris Fellow recognition for her outstanding contributions and exemplifying the highest ideal in Rotary in placing “SERVICE ABOVE SELF”.
*The four Rotary clubs in the Sea to Sky corridor donated $100,000 towards the new Sea to Sly Community Hospice.
Dr Lori Broker gave us an update on the Squamish Schools Breakfast Program at our meeting today. Lori has been the driving force behind the Breakfast Program for years. From baking muffins in the beginning, it has now grown to serve a nutritious breakfast to over 100 kids per day, 5 days a week in 7 Squamish schools. Our club is proud to be a major supporter of the Breakfast Program, both financially and with volunteers.
We are delighted to welcome Erik Hansen as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Squamish. He is the proprietor of Good 2 Go Tirecraft - a full service, repair, & tire auto centre in Squamish. Erik received the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Squamish Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards In May 2019. L to R: Tyler Ovington - Erik's sponsor, Erik Hansen, Lynda Rocha - membership chair, Mark Goodwin - president.
We were out and about this weekend to raise awareness and ask Squamish folks to help us to End Polio.. We raised C$2,041 - funds to buy the vaccine to immunise about 2600 children.
World Polio Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate the progress we have made and to rally the world around the fight to eradicate polio forever. Since 1988 polio cases have dropped from 1000 per day in 125 countries to fewer than 100 per year in just 2 countries - Pakistan & Afghanistan.
We are closer than ever to ending polio but we need your help. All donations are matched 2 to 1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, You can donate at www.endpolio.org.
The District of Squamish has proclaimed October 24th as World Polio Day in the District. Rotarians will be in the community on October 26th *& 27th with information about the polio campaign and the opportunity to donate.
There was a huge crowd at Stan Clarke Park in Downtown Squamish on Oct 19th as families came out to enjoy the 4th annual Pumpkin Patch in the Park. This commumity event was organized by the Downtown Squamish BIA and supported by Save-on-Foods who supplied the pumpkins. Ellis Moving & Storage provided the transport, and Rotary Club of Squamish volunteers ran the events and games.
500 pumpkins were in the patch and available for picking by donation. All were "sold" with the proceeds going to Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue - Squamish.
On Saturday, October 19 from 10 am- 2 pm, Stan Clarke Park will be transformed into a pumpkin patch ripe for the picking!
Pumpkins will be sold for a minimum donation of $5 with funds from sales going directly to Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue. Come pick a pumpkin and take part in kids' pumpkin games, munch on yummy treats, listen to music and get your face painted in a spooktacular design.
Alexis Tone from Howe Sound Secondary spent a year in Brazil as our Rotary Youth Exchange Student. She shared her experience at our regular club meeting today. Some of the things that made it an amazing year included:- learning a new culture and a new language, making new friends, hugging a sloth in the Amazon, swimming with dolphins, attending school, living with Brazilian families A life changing experience - that is for sure!
Rotary Youth Exchange is a study-abroad opportunity for young people to spend anywhere from a few weeks to a full year as an international student hosted by local Rotary clubs. By sharing your own culture & embracing a new one, you help foster global understanding - & learn a great deal about yourself & your country in the process.
Even on a rainy, wet Sunday, we had great fun at the Squamish Rivers Day in McNaughton Park - meeting everyone while serving up veggie burgers and hot dogs.
The Squamish River Watershed Society says "Thank you so much for helping make Squamish Rivers Day such a huge success! Until next year...".
On Saturday, we were at the Brackendale Fall Fair with a Rotary booth and the Duck Race Game.
It was "Go-Go-Go" all day at the Duck races and with the "count the candy" contest and the flower draw, it was a busy day. Many thanks to Kate and Lynda for organising and to all who came out to help.
It is with deep sadness that we announce that our friend and fellow Rotarian, Bill McNeney, passed away peacefully on August 26th. Bill was an active member of Squamish Rotary for over 42 years and served as President in 1984-85. His leadership and contributions to our club and community are huge. He set an example for us all and he will be sorely missed. Our condolences to his wife Pauline, his family, and his many friends.
The Celebration of Life will be held on September 29th,, 12:00noon, at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park.
We started at 5:00am on Saturday August 3rd with loads of alder firewood, 1600 pounds of Canada Grade AAA beef, 250 dozen brioche buns, 150 pounds of onions, liters of horseradish and other condiments.
By 4:00pm on Sunday, we had served up nearly 3000 famous "Rotary Beef on a Bun" sandwiches to hungry patrons.
We hoped everyone had fun and enjoyed your meal. We certainly had fun serving you.
We had a great time participating in Canada Day 2019 - joining the parade and having a booth promoting Rotary and the "Duck in a Truck" lottery fundraiser.
On June 12th, 2019 at the Squamish Valley Golf Club, the new Board and Executive of the Rotary Club of Squamish for 2019-20 was installed. President Mark Goodwin and his team will take office on July 1st 2019. Don Patrick controlled the event as the MC, while Murray Wood, Area Governor handled the formalities.
On May 21st, Denise Rittberg of the Rotary Club of Squamish (Youth Services committee) presented the two annual Rotary scholarships to students during the Howe Sound Secondary Scholarship Night. Denise is pictured with the recipients - Callum MacDonald (left), and Sukhdeep Sidhu (right).
The Rotary Scholarships recognize the students’ achievements in service in the community through extensive volunteer work, along with earning excellent academic achievement.
"We would like to thank the Rotary Club of Squamish for contributing the Rotary Club of Squamish Scholarships to the students of Howe Sound Secondary School. This generosity will help our young people pursue their desired careers, and in some cases make the difference in their ability to continue on to post-secondary education." HSSS Staff
On May 21-23, 2019, Squamish Rotarians with help from school staff, held the annual Bike Safety Rodeo at 5 elementary schools. Students from kindergarten to grade 7 had their bikes checked, went through a series of skill challenges, and learned how to safely cross a road intersection. This is an annual event helping kids to be aware and ride more safely.
Today the four Sea-to-Sky Rotary clubs; Squamish, Whistler, Whistler Millennium and Pemberton, proudly presented a cheque for $100,000 to the Squamish Hospice Society for the new Sea to Sky Community Hospice facility.. In recognition, one of the hospice rooms will be named the Rotary Room.
Accepting the presentation from the Rotary representatives, on the right, are Dr Judith Fothergill, and Mark MacKenzie from the Squamish Hospice Society.
In the background is the new Hospice facility under construction, which is planned to open within a few months.
Squamish Rotary joined others to take part in Pitch-In Week, Canada's largest environmental improvement campaign. Pitch-In Week is a great opportunity for residents, students, and community groups to get together and clean up our community..
We cleaned up the area between Save-on-Foods and the railway tracks, and the trails near the elementary and high schools.
In advance of Earth Day, we visited GFL Environmental and had a tour of the recycling facility. Hosts Denise Imbeau and Michael Baylis explained what happens to the contents of our curbside recycle tote. There are things we can do to improve our recycling and reduce contamination such as rinsing containers and removing the lids. Also glass, styrofoam, plastic bags and overwrap/film are not part of the curbside recycling program. These can be taken to the GFL facility.
Loading the container in Coquitlam. Container arrives in Chile.
The 15,000 residents of Pozo Almonte, a small community in northern Chile, are most grateful for a shipping container loaded with 284 items of needed medical and dental equipment and supplies. It was sent from Vancouver by Rotary World Help (RWH) in February. RWH is a non-religious, non-political charity run by 45 Rotary clubs mainly in BC.
This container was the 395th shipped to 62 countries on five continents since RWH was founded in 1993.. This brings the estimated total of people helped to almost 12 million around the world, at a total estimated value of goods shipped of $138 million.
Earlier this year, Rotary clubs in General Santos, the southernmost city in the Philippines on the island of Mindanao, received medical and dental equipment, plus books and student desks for needy communities in the region,
The Rotary Club of Whistler hosted its annual ski day on April 2nd. This year it was a scavenger hunt on Whistler Mountain from 10:00 to 2:30. There were 30 items - landmarks, carvings, people - that we had to find and take a group photos. 6 teams and about 40 skiers participated.. Apres at Blacks Pub afterwards. Prizes were awarded for costumes and total number of items correctly identified.. Great fun by all!
The Interact Club of Howe Sound Secondary held its Global Awareness Dinner on March 14. This year the event was in support of Shelterbox, the organization that provides emergency disaster relief to families around the world who have been made homeless by natural disaster and conflict.
The evening included a delicious 3-couse meal, silent auction, and a presentation about Shelterbox by Rotarian Chris Loat.
On behalf of Rotary International President (2017-18) Ian Riseley, District 5040 Governor (2017-18) Don Evans presented the Rotary Citation to the club on March 7th, 2019 for developing sustainable service projects, building awareness of Rotary in the community, growing membership and giving to the international Rotary Foundation during 2017-18.
Squamish Rotary was also recognized for its financial contribution to the campaign to End Polio Now.
In the photo L to R:: Don Evans, District Governor 2017-18; Judy McQuinn, Club President 2017-18: Liz Scott, Assistant Governor 2017-18: Kathleen van der Ree, Club President 2018-19; Brian Finley PolioPlus Chair.
On March 7th, Don Patrick drew the four lucky winners of the Club 200 Lottery final draw for the 42nd (2018-2019) series:
#122 for $200 went to Basil Milne.
#4 for $1,000 went to Tonny Mortensen.
#131 for $1,000 went to Tom Maleseski.
and the major prize of $2,000 went to #39 Jim Harvey.
Each year the Rotary Club 200 lottery raises $10,000 which goes to support organizations in the Squamish Community that need a little help for their causes.
Club member Liz Scott is off to the Philippines with other Rotarians on a 3-week Rotary Friendship Exchange to District 3810.
They arrive in Manila and in addition to visiting several Rotary clubs, and various cultural and tourist destinations, they will assist the Caring Hearts Dentistry Society by distributing food and dental/hygiene kits on three occasions. Several dental offices in Squamish, including Drs. Laurie and Lino Vanzella, donated toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental products that they are taking with them.
During the exchange, the visitors are home hosted by local Rotarians.
Liz Scott Joins the Rotary Friendship Exchange to the Philippines
"Whenever I go doing my work in Africa, The Rotarians have been there before me. It Is very humbling thing to discover just exactly what "Service Above Self" adds up to when you see it in practice in the field" ~ Bono
For every $1 Rotary receives in donations from our members and friends towards Polio eradication the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gives Rotary $2 to spend in ridding the world of polio. Thanks to the generosity of Rotarians and others over the past year the Gates Foundation transferred $100 million to Rotary for its End Polio Now campaign. Thank you to all Rotarians near and far and to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Gates Foundation gives $100 million to fight polio.
Welcome Tyler Ovington! Tyler is a property developer and the newest member of the Rotary Club of Squamish. He is sponsored by Bob Fast and was inducted at our meeting on December 13th.
Bryan Couture was made a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Squamish. The award recognises Bryan's contributions to the Squamish Community over many years and especially for his leadership of our signature event - the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival. We all thank you Bryan.
The presentation was made by Don Patrick, club Foundation Chair.
At the Rotary Club meeting on October 25th, Maureen Mackell (left) of the Squamish Helping Hands Society was presented with a cheque for $3,010, the funds raised at the Pumpkin Patch in the Park event on October 20th. Doing the presentation was Mike Young (Vice President) and Anne Kadwell (Executive Director) of the Downtown BIA, and Inis LeBlanc (right) of the Rotary Club of Squamish.
"From all of us here at Helping Hands we cannot thank you enough for your generous donation of $3,010.00. Thank you for supporting us and the work we do. We owe you a debt of gratitude." - Maureen Mackell.
Great fun was had by all at the "Pumpkin Patch in the Park" - pumpkins, games, treats, and more.
All donations are going to the Squamish Helping Hands Society and the Under One Roof project to support the homeless and less fortunate in our community.
The Rotary Club of Squamish was a sponsor of the event along with Save-on-Foods .and the Downtown Business Association.
The District of Squamish has proclaimed World Polio Day on October 24th and encourages all citizens to join the Rotary Club in the fight for a polio-free world.
After launching the global campaign to rid the world of polio 30 years ago, Rotary International has been on the forefront of governments, foundations and global health organizations, in reducing the number of cases worldwide from 350,000 in 1988 to 22 in 2017, sparing millions of children over that time from this paralyzing and deadly disease.
But there is still much more work to do to finally reach our goal of of a polio-free world.
On October 24th, the "End Polio Now" flag will fly over Municipal Hall and the Rotary Club will have polio booths at Save-on-Foods in the Chieftain Mall and at Black Tusk Realty in Garibaldi Village, providing information and the opportunity to give donations. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will triple all donations.
On a rainy Thursday afternoon a group of Squamish Rotarians collected 550 lbs of apples from a HUGE tree to remove attractants and make the area "Bear Safe".
The apples went to Northyards Cider Company to make a "Squamish Special" cider which should be ready about January.
September 23rd:
We were serving up burgers & hot dogs at Squamish Rivers Day 2018.
The Rotary Club of Squamish fundraiser in support of the Sea to Sky Community Hospice raised $30.000 for this new facility.. The four-room Community Hospice will be located between Hilltop House and Squamish General Hospital and will welcome Sea to Sky Corridor residents from all backgrounds, faiths, and income levels. Construction is due to begin in 2019. Winners below....
On August 4&5 , 2018, we held another successful Rotary Beef BBQ during the Squamish Days/Loggers Sports Festival. We've been doing this for over 50 years and it is always a crowd favourite.
1600 lbs of prime Canadian beef is slow roasted over an alder fire, The Rotary Beef on a Bun is then served on a brioche bun with fried onions and condiments. Sooo GOOD!
Over 3000 sandwiches were served up over the weekend with all proceeds going towards projects in our community.
We will again be at the Squamish Street Market on Sunday, July 15th, manning our "Duck in a Truck" lottery tickets sales table, running the Rubber Duck Race, selling stuffies for charity, at the Market welcome table, and assisting with traffic.
The Rotary Club of Squamish participated in the celebration of Canada Day in Downtown Squamish.
We joined the parade, had a "rubber duck race" for the kids, sold lottery tickets in support of the Sea-to-Sky Community Hospice, and also sold stuffies for charity.
At the club meeting on June 28th, the Rotary Club of Squamish distributed $15,000 in gaming grant funds to local community organizations.
This year’s awards went to: Junior Olympic Archery Program; Sea-to-Sky Nordics Biathlon Bears; Squamish Skating Club; Squamish Schools Breakfast Program; Big Brothers/Big Sisters Teen Mentoring Program, Seniors Friday Dinners; Squamish Youth Centre; Pathways Mental Illness Society; Camp Summit; and Rotary Youth Programs.
Presenting the cheques were President Judy McQuinn and Assistant Governor (Sea to Sky) Liz Scott.
The Rotary Club of Squamish has applied for and received provincial gaming grant funds for the past 12 years and has distributed $190,000 to community programs.
Rotary Club of Squamish Distributes $15,000 to Local Organisations
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, was presented with Rotary’s Polio Eradication Champion Award in recognition of Canada’s contributions to polio eradication. Trudeau accepted the award at the Rotary International Convention in Toronto from RI President Ian H.S. Riseley and International Polio Plus Committee Chairman Michael McGovern.
You can watch the video of PM Trudeau's address to the RI Convention HERE.
Kathleen van der Ree was installed as President of the Rotary Club of Squamish for 2018-19, along with her executive team at a Hawaiin-themed evening at the soon to open Northyards Cider Co. Assistant Governor Liz Scott conducted the formalities while Doug Race performed as MC. It was a great evening of fun, friendship and good food.
On a beautiful sunny Sunday, Rotarians were “pitching-in” to help give our community a spring cleaning by removing garbage and litter from urban, rural and wilderness areas. Pitch-In Week, Canada’s largest environmental improvement campaign, runs from April 22-29, 2018.
Squamish athlete Alex Cairns has been chosen to join Canada’s para-alpine ski team at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. He’s expected to be competing in the giant slalom and slalom events. In 2013, the Rotary Club of Squamish helped to fund a sit-ski for Alex. Just look at him now.
In lieu of our regular meeting, Squamish Rotarians enjoyed a social evening and a traditional Japanese meal at the Oryzea Japanese restaurant in downtown Squamish.
At the conclusion of the Rotary Peacebuilding Conference in Vancouver, Rotary International President Ian Riseley planted a Ginkgo tree in the VanDusen Garden. This tree is a descendant of a ginkgo tree that survived the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 - a message of peace and hope for a nuclear-free world.
2017 saw significant progress in our campaign to eradicate polio from the world forever. We saw the fewest cases in history caused by the wild polio virus, Only 22 cases were confirmed worldwide in only two countries - Pakistan with 8, and Afghanistan with 14.
2018 will be a critical year for the polio eradication programme, and we will be strengthening efforts to reach all the vulnerable children and to find the places that the polio virus still lurks in the environment.
Polio Eradication remains Rotary's number one humanitarian priority, You can read the latest Polio Newsletter HERE.
At our meeting on February 1st, Rotary member Max Saenger described what it takes to prepare a venue for the Olympic Biathlon. Max is the Course Technical Expert for the Biathlon at the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics. He was also the Venue Director for the biathlon at the 2010 Olympics in Whistler.
At the same meeting, the Squamish Rotary club received a cheque for $10,000 as a District Grant from the Rotary Foundation. This will go towards the new Squamish Hospice facility.
Rotarian Max Saenger is off to the PyeongChang Olympics
We were delighted to have Krystle tenBrink and Michalina Hunter from Squamish CAN as our speakers today. They updated us on their activities and specifically about the Mamquam Edible Schoolyard Project (MESY). This wonderful project is now starting phase 2. See http://squamishcan.net/mesy/.
Make your own Christmas Centrepiece or Swag. Rotary Club of Squamish in support of Squamish Hospice Society. Sunday, December 17, 1:00pm. Greg Gardner GM, 40310 Government Road. RSVP to lyndarocha@live.com or text 250-639-6054.
Bring your favourite centrepiece container (some available for a fee).
All greenery, ribbons, ornaments, and tools supplied.
Hot beverages and sweets.
Santa’s elves around to assist.
Ready-made centrepieces available for purchase.
$20 minimum donation.
All proceeds will go to the new Squamish Hospice Palliative Care Centre.
Christmas Fundraiser to support the Hospice Society
Our speakers this week were Judith Knapp and Wolfgang Pauli from the Eagle Watch Program. They gave a fascinating presentation on the bald eagles that come to the Squamish River every winter to feed on the spawning salmon. The program does an amazing job promoting eagle tourism, and environmental sustainability. Like many volunteer organisations, they are short of resources. If you would like to help by sponsoring the Eagle Watch Program, contact Judith Knapp.
Sachi Komura Rummmel was our guest at our recent meeting and shared her story. She was eight years old and living with her family in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945 when the atomic bomb “Little Boy” was dropped. Her father, aunt, and later mother died as a result. She is now an advocate for peace. You can watch a short youtube video HERE.
At our meeting on October 26th, we presented donations to support three organisations in Squamish.
The Squamish Skating Club for its Annual Christmas Show. More information atsquamishskatingclub.ca.
Cutting Barriers provides culinary training for individuals with barriers to employment. It is partnering with the Squamish Helping Hands Society and the Squamish Food Bank in the planned Under One Roof facility. More information at cuttingbarriers.org.
The Squamish Youth Resource Centre for equipment for its media room.
The Youth Centre provides Squamish youth with a safe place to drop in and hang out, daily activities, advocacy & support, someone to talk to confidentially. More information at squamishyouthcentre.
We are so close to achieving a polio-free world. For over 30 years Rotary and our partners have been leading the campaign to eradicate this terrible disease. Since 1985, the number of cases has dropped from 350,000 per year to less than 40 in 2016, and only 12 so far this year - in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Learn more at www.endpolio.org.
Squamish Rotary was a major sponsor of the annual Pumpkin Patch. The pumpkins were donated by Save-on-Foods and Rotarians & Interactors set up and ran the patch. Visitors could buy their pumpkins and join in games & activities. The proceeds go to Community Christmas Cares.
Jada Hurford from Howe Sound Secondary will be in Belgium for a year-long exchange. We welcome Charles Deome from Belgium as our in-bound exchange student.
Rotary Youth Exchange is a study-abroad opportunity for young people who spend anywhere from a few weeks to a full year as an international student hosted by local Rotary clubs.
An exchange is the opportunity of a lifetime for the more than 8,000 students who participate each year. By sharing your own culture & embracing a new one, you help foster global understanding—& learn a great deal about yourself & your country in the process. For more information click HERE.
Once again, we will be serving up the world famous Rotary Beef-on-a-Bun during the Logger Sports show on Saturday & Sunday, August 5th & 6th.
The Rotary Beef BBQ has been a tradition at Loggers Sports for over 50 years. Canada AAA beef is slowly roasted over a bed of alders and served on a brioche bun with fried onions. Serving starts at 12 noon. It is always a crowd favourite - soooo good!!
The Rotary Beef BBQ at Squamish Days/Loggers Sports
Jada Hurford from Howe Sound Secondary was presented with her blazer today by Denise Rittberg, Youth Services Chair. Jada is heading off in mid-August for a year's adventure as a Rotary Youth Exchange student, She is going to the Wallonia (french-speaking) part of Belgium - new culture, new language, new friends, new experiences! We wish you a great time Jada.
THIS FUND FOR THE 2017 BC WILDFIRES IS NOW CLOSED -
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
Rotary District 5040 is pleased to announce that the Rotary BC Wildfire Recovery Fund is now established and accepting donations. These funds will be made available to Rotary clubs for restoration projects for the victims of the wildfires currently burning in the Cariboo region of the British Columbia.
Once the situation with the fires has ended, a Rotary team will work with the local clubs to allocate funds to Rotary projects in the affected areas to assist with the recovery and rebuild in their communities.
Judy McQuinn is the new President of the Rotary Club of Squamish for 2017-18. We are looking forward to another great year with Judy and her Executive team (listed on the right), serving our communities locally and around the world.
The Rotary Club of Squamish is proud to support Ride Away Stigma, and the work to raise awareness about mental health and provide support for those with mental health issues.
$20,000 was raised at this year's event which will go to Sea to Sky Community Services to support mental heath programs in the corridor.
At our meeting today, Squamish Rotary distributed $20,000 in Gaming Grants to community organisations in support of their programs. The focus was on Youth, Seniors, Health, and Safety programs.
On May 9 & 10, 2017, Squamish Rotarians with help from school staff, held the annual Bike Safety Rodeo at 5 elementary schools. Students from kindergarten to grade 7 had their bikes checked, went through a series of skill challenges, and learned how to safely cross a road intersection. MORE
On March 14th 2017, the four Sea to Sky clubs convened on Whistler Mountain for Fresh Tracks breakfast and a morning of group skiing. Then we reconvened in Black's Pub for appies and fellowship as well as for some prize giving. More photos HERE.
Rotary Hearts are SOLD OUTfor 2017...orders for the 2018 'Rotary Hearts in Downtown Squamish' will begin around mid-January 2018. In the meantime, check out all the wonderful messages of love in shop windows all along Cleveland Avenue! And while you there, when you shop in any of the stores that are showcasing a Rotary Heart, put your name into our draw for a Valentine Basket which is valued at $500. Draw will take place on February 14th.
Our annual Christmas party was held at the home of Ann & Owen Carney. In keeping with the theme "Christmas in the Quebec countryside", G-Van Catering served up a French Canadian menu including Tourtiere, beans, and sugar pudding. Thanks to Rose Fast for organizing the evening and all the games and prizes. It was a great evening of fun and fellowship.
Squamish Rotarians joined other volunteers to deliver Community Christmas Cares hampers to the less fortunate in our community. When all the hampers were delivered, we met at the Shady Tree for lunch.
District Governor Lyn Stroshin visited our club on Dec 8th. She shared a cake celebrating the 100th year of the Rotary Foundation. presented Paul Harris Fellow awards, and gave an inspiring talk on the work of Rotary and what Rotary means to her.
Jeanette Levett, Clint Levett, and Chris Humphrey received Paul Harris Fellow awards for their support of the club with upgrades at the Beef BBQ hut. Lloyd Ingraham was presented with his PHF+4 recognition for his support of the Rotary Foundation. Garry Shearer (L) and Don Patrick (R) did the honours.
At our meeting this week, member Lynda Rocha talked about her vocation as an event planner. Do you need help in planning a wedding or other event? Contact Lynda.
At the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11th, Ryoma Mori, our youth exchange student from Japan, laid the Rotary wreath at the cenotaph in honour of our veterans and all the men & women who have served our country.
The Rotary Club of Squamish was a major sponsor of Pumpkin Patch in the Park, a community event to celebrate Halloween and raise money for Community Christmas Care.
Rotary will be at the "Pumpkin Patch in the Park" on October 22nd at Stan Clark Park in downtown Squamish. Visit our stand to learn more about Rotary's promise to eradicate Polio from the world forever.
On September 8th, the Rotary Club of Squamish celebrated its 50th anniversary with a dinner at the Squamish Valley Golf Club. Our special guests were RI Director Dean Rohrs and Rhino, District Governor Lyn Stroshin and Alex, District Governor-elect Don Evans, MLA Jordan Sturdy, and Mayor Patricia Heintzman,
After the reception and dinner, several members were called to the podium to highlight some of the events and happenings that occurred over the 50 years.
District Governor Lyn Stroshin presented co-Presidents Ian Davis and Pat Taylor with a special message from RI President John Germ.
The Rotary Club of Squamish was chartered in September 1966. On September 8, 2016 we are celebrating 50 Years of Service. You are invited to join us. For tickets contact Ray Brickell, brickell@telus.net, 604-898-4572.
The Beef BBQ at Loggers Sports is coming up. Have you signed up on the volunteer sheet yet? Contact Barry Wetter (barrywetter@gmail.com) to get on the list.
The Rotary Beef BBQ has been a tradition at Loggers Sports for over 50 years. Canada AAA beef is slowly roasted over a bed of alders and served on a brioche bun with fried onions. It is always a crowd favourite - soooo good!!
Squamish Rotary participated in the annual Squamish Canada Day Parade. Young and no-so-young joined other community groups on the route to the flag raising ceremony and the start of the festivities.
This was Anne's last meeting as President, A big THANK YOU to Anne for your leadership and inspiration. Our co-Presidents for 2016-17 are Pat Taylor and Ian Davis. It was cupcakes all around!
Daniel Nduati visited us from Nairobi and gave us an update on his amazing work with the Emmanual Boyz Rescue Centre and the National Youth Empowerment Centre - both dedicated to destitute youth. Squamish Rotary has supported Daniel over many years.
John Harvey talked bout the plans for the Mamquam River Campsite; a not-for-profit initiative to provide facilities for recreational campers.
The Squamish Rotary Club partnered with Sea to Sky Community Services to enhance the area around the Youth Centre.
The project included building 5 cedar garden boxes, and constructing a small pavilion. It was a fun community project with Rotary providing funding and volunteer labour.
On completion of the project, we received a thank you note from the Youth Centre staff. Click "Read More".
On the day of the last Test of Metal, we once again held the Linda Carney Rotary Cares Challenge ride. Following the ToM riders out from the start, our riders, who had collected pledges, road up to the top of Perth to our finish where refreshments and fun awaited. The event raises funds to help Squamish residents with medical expenses not covered by insurance or other means. This year we raised over $8,000.
The Installation of the new Executive, Directors, & Committee Chairs for 2016-17 was held at the home of Greg & Lila Gardner. Pat Taylor & Ian Davis will serve as co-Presidents for the coming Rotary year.
District Governor-elect Lyn Stroshin did the honours for us.
In addition, we welcomed Vicki Haberl as a new member, Denise Imbeau received her Paul Harris Award. and President Anne recapped her year (and what a year it was!).
May 15, 2016 was the Official Opening of the Rotary Pavilion at the Squamish Legacy Sports Park. The project was funded by the Rotary Club of Squamish, a District 5040 grant from the Rotary Foundation, and the Sea to Sky Nordics Club. Thank you to our partners, volunteers, and donors who helped make the vision a reality.
Rotary Pavilion at the Squamish Legacy Sports Park.
Pope Francis thanks Rotary for its efforts to end polio and urges Rotary members to continue vaccination campaigns.
Rotary International President K.R. Ravindran is greeted by Pope Francis following the Jubilee Audience at the Vatican in St. Peter’s Square on April 30, 2016. Photo courtesy of the Vatican.
Vatican City (30 April 2016) — Nearly 9,000 members of Rotary from across the globe attended the Jubilee Audience at the Vatican in St. Peter’s Square on 30 April 2016 at the invitation of Pope Francis.
At the end of the Audience, a delegation of Rotary members - led by Rotary International President K.R. (Ravi) Ravindran - met Pope Francis where he emphasized the importance of vaccinations against polio and urged Rotary to continue.
Rotary Squamish will team with the youth and Sea-to-Sky Community Services to improve the outdoor space around the Youth Centre. Work will include landscaping, garden beds, a small pavilion, and lighting. To kick off the project Inis LeBlanc presented a cheque to Alex Anderson, the Manager of Outreach Services for Sea to Sky Community Services.
The four lucky winners of the Club 200 Lottery final draw for the 2015-2016 series were #63 $200 Stewart Kerr sold by Glen McEachran, #135 $1000 Alison Hopkins sold by Ian Davis, #162 $1000 Jayden Kanka sold by Michael Kanka, and the big winner #155 $2000 Cathy Scott sold by daughter-in-law Liz Scott. Congratulations to the winners, the non-winners and the sellers for a great job allowing the Rotary Club to distribute $10,000 to those groups in Squamish that need a little extra help.
At our meeting this week, Shana Murray from the Howe Sound Women's Centre spoke about the Centre's Camp for young girls. The club presented a cheque to Shana to support the camp. Other guests were Hilda Rizun and Karen Smith from Hilltop House. We donated funds to them for the Friday night family dinners.
Jim Chu, former Chief of the Vancouver Police Department shared his knowledge on the safety and challenges of aboriginal women on the downtown eastside. He spoke about the joint efforts being made by the local community and police working together.
With the upcoming International Women’s Day on March 8th, we are arranging a Speaker Series beginning with “The Safety of Aboriginal Women on the Downtown Eastside” on February 25th, and “Howe Sound Woman's Centre Girls Camps” on March 3rdt. Other meetings during March will focus on women and women’s issues.
Despite making up 50% of the world’s population, presently only 22 per cent of all national parliamentarians are female. Women in most countries earn on average only 60 to 75 per cent of men’s wages and violence against women and girls continues to exist throughout the world.
We invite you to join us at our Thursday 12 noon meetings in considering women’s place in Rotary, our society, and the world as we discuss gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights.
February 25th at the Sea-to-Sky Hotel.
All other meetings at the Howe Sound Brew Pub.
A lunch charge will apply.
Jan 21, 2016: Kevin Haberl spoke about the emerging state of Provincial relations with aboriginal peoples, the changing legal landscape that is driving those relations, and the historical roots that underpin today’s challenges. Kevin remains optimistic about the future state of these relationships, without understating the enormous challenges facing both aboriginal peoples and BC’s society at large. Kevin is with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, & Natural Resources and is involved with First Nations relations.
Jan 28th, 2016: This was the Monthly Evening Meeting and Pizza Nite. Many guests came along as did a bunch of Rotaractors. We all got to know each other by doing a bit of Speed Dating. It was a fun evening!
On Jan 8th, the Squamish Reporter published an article about the Rotary Club of Squamish. The article gives a brief history about the club, and highlights the club's plans for 2016, in both our local and international communities.
December 17th was a great day- full of service and fellowship. It started at 9am with joining other volunteers from Community Christmas Cares to collect and deliver Christmas hampers.
Then lunch at the Shady Tree. And followed by a jovial and fun Christmas party hosted by Bruce and Sonja Lebans.
District Governor John Anderson and his wife Claire were welcome visitors on December 10th. John gave an inspirational talk on what's happening in Rotary District 5040, and had many personal anecdotes on what Rotary has meant for him. He also presented several awards to members of the Squamish Rotary Club.
During November, President Anne set a goal to have fun, learn and share information about Rotary, and to build goodwill and better friendships.
The club was divided into 4 teams - Truth, Fair, Friendship, and Beneficial. Teams earned points in fun competitions and challenges, attendance, and guest invitations. The winning team would receive $200 to be donated to one
of the club’s programs, or charities. (funded by the November fines). Lunch meetings featured guests from our Rotaract Club who challenged us with Rotary Trivia, Tanya Hall with a look into RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), and Don Evans with a presentation on the Rotary Foundation.
A group of Rotarians were out on the estuary trails participating in the annual Shoreline Cleanup. We were actually surprised by how little rubbish we collected. Kudos to Squamish folks for keeping our community
September 27th: Rivers Day
Squamish Rotarians joined the Squamish River Watershed Society for Rivers Day at the estuary restoration project of the old Westbarr logsort site. Rotary provided a BBQ and refreshments.
October 16th: Rotary on Ice
A group of Squamish Rotarians travelled to the Pacific Coliseum to join more Rotarians for "Rotary on Ice" where the Vancouver Giants played the Tri-Cities Americans in a WHL hockey game. The event was in aid of Rotary’s campaign to end polio and a portion of the ticket proceeds went to PolioPlus.
October 23rd: Polio Day
Squamish Rotarians had several booths around town to raise awareness about polio and Rotary's commitment to End Polio Now.
We were joined by a local resident and polio survivor who told us how important Rotary's work is, and how Rotary helped her as a young girl.
October 22nd: A Special Rotary Evening
At this special meeting chaired by President Anne and emcee'd by Doug Race, we honored local citizens, long serving members, and a very special Rotarian - Lloyd Ingraham on his 99th birthday.
October 31st: Rotary Pavilion
The Rotary Pavilion at the Squamish Legacy Sports Park is nearing completion. We hope to have the grand opening soon!
The last few months have been busy for Squamish Rotary.
1500lbs of prime Alberta beef slow roasted over an alder fire. We hope you enjoyed your Rotary beef-in-a-bun! It's been a tradition at the Loggers Sports Festival for over 50 years. See you again next year!
Streaming out after the main Test-of-Metal riders, Rotarians and friends rode the short course in support of the Linda Carney fund to help folks with medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Riders and supporters at the finish of the Linda Carney ride.
In support of the Rotary Foundation, a group of Rotarians boarded Pat & Gary's boat for a cruise to Gambier Island for an afternoon of games, swimming, orchard golf, and of course a superb dockside BBQ.
Susan was inducted into the Rotary Club of Squamish on May 28th 2015. She is a massage therapist and the founder of Squamish Integrated Health. She has spent many years practicing post surgical therapies and working with cancer patients. Susan is also an avid climber, skier and mountain biker, and currently serves as a District Councillor.
with President Brian Finley, Susan, proposer Ian Davis, and Assistant District Governor Liz Scott .
Purchase fresh, local Fraser Valley Strawberries (washed, sliced and ready to enjoy) from Squamish Rotary, and support our International project in Mexico.
Purchase fresh, local Fraser Valley Strawberries (washed, sliced and ready to enjoy) from Squamish Rotary, and support our International project in Mexico.
At the District 5040 Conference the Rotary Club of Squamish was awarded the Presidential Citation 2014-15 for achieving the membership, service, and engagement goals set by Rotary International President Gary Huang.
May 2nd 2015 at the Squamish Valley Rod & Gun Club.
We had a great evening of fun, games, food, dancing, and friendship, Thanks to everyone for coming and parting with your dollars in support of our Rotary projects:-
- the special education school for the deaf in San Miguel, Mexico
- the Pavilion at the Squamish Legacy Sports Park.
Squamish Rotary truly appreciates your support.
The Rotary Club of Squamish donated $15,000 in gaming funds to community groups on April 16. From left: Pat Taylor (Rotary), Liz Scott (Rotary), Geoff Park (Camp Summit), Christine Buttkus (Suicide Prevention Group), John Howe (Squamish Search & Rescue), Ann Marie McKenzie (Big Brothers Big Sisters), Rick Smith (Sea to Sky Nordics Biathlon Bears), Lori Broker (Elementary School Breakfast Program), Don Patrick (Rotary).
Rotary shares out funds to the Squamish Community.
March 12, 2015: District Governor Ken Wilson presented the club with Rotary International recognition for the club's contribution to Polio Plus during the 2013-2014 Rotary Year. Pictured is current President Brian Finley, President Elect Anne Carney, and accepting the certificate is Past President Mike Nasu.
March 3rd was the 4th annual Rotary Sea-to-Sky Ski Day & Challenge Race hosted by the Whistler club. A great day of skiing & fun with the 4 Rotary clubs.
Steve Julien is the newest member of Squamish Rotary. He is sponsored by Mike Nasu and was inducted by District Governor-elect John Anderson on Feb 12, 2015.
The Rotary Club of Squamish is proud to have sponsored the play “maladjusted”, which was performed by Theatre for Living in Squamish on Jan 27th 2015, the 1st of 28 performances in BC and Alberta communities. The play asks provocative questions about mental health and the systems that we have to give and receive care; and seeks a dialogue towards a new understanding about mental health and a more humanized approach to mental health care. Proceeds will benefit the Sea to Sky Suicide Awareness and Prevention Working Group.
At the Club meeting on January 15th 2015, 12 members were recognized with Paul Harris awards for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation.
Sheri Davis and Ian Davis (centre) receive Rotary Foundation Major Donor recognition. With District Governor Designate Don Evans, Club Foundation Chair Don Patrick, and Club President Brian Finley.
More photos of the awards and the meeting are in the Photo Album (scroll down on the left).
On October 23rd, 2014 Mark Goodwin and Simon Hudson joined the Rotary Club of Squamish. They were inducted by District Governor Ken Wilson. Mark is sponsored by Bianca Peters.
Welcome Mark and Simon!
President Brian Finley, Mark Goodwin, Simon Hudson, Bianca Peters, Ken Wilson.
For more pictures of the Beef BBQ 2014, scroll down to the photo album list on the left side of this page.
The Rotary Club of Squamish once again put on the Rotary Beef BBQ at Squamish Days Loggers Sports on Aug 3-4 2014. 1500 lbs of Canadian Prime Beef were roasted over an alder fire and served in sandwiches to the hungry crowd. This was the 57th annual Loggers Sports Show and the Rotary Club has been there from the beginning.
One of the competitors, Jens Johansen from the Rotary Club of Store-Heddinge Denmark, exchanges banners with President Brian Finley.
On April 17, 2014, Patrick Sweeney became the newest member of the Rotary Club of Squamish. He was proposed by President Mike Nasu and inducted by Past-President Greg Gardner.
Patrick is a pilot with Air Canada, but so far hasn't offered any free rides!
The Rotary Club of Whistler hosted a club social Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton Rotarians to a "Ski Day" up Whistler on March 4, 2014. It began with a early load for a Fresh Tracks breakfast up Whistler Mountain, out for some fresh corderoy skiing, over to Blackcomb Race Centre, for the club challenge. Apres Ski and awards were presented at Black's Pub where our team recieved Bronze status for our team race challenge despite not having our "A" team. We look forward to next year when we can attempt to win back the Golden Boot award.
On 28 November 2013, John Bywater was inducted by Don Patrick into the Rotary Club of Squamish. John is originally from Australia and we all welcome him and his family to Squamish.
Squamish celebrated its first Purple Polio Day October 24, 2013, which also marks World Polio Day. Many local businesses as well as elementary schools and the Montessori preschool participated by wearing purple and collecting coins. The District of Squamish held a Wear Purple Day and donated $5. Squamish Rotary accomplished our goal of raising awareness about this devastating disease as well as raising funds towards Polio Eradication. Pictured are President Mike and Rotarians Ann and Carl raising awareness and collecting donations outside Squamish SaveOn Foods. To donate, go to www.endpolio.org, scroll down and click on the donate button.
A fun filled day centring around Rose Park (opposite the Adventure Centre). The day included native trees and shrub planting along the Loggers Lane Trail riparian zone; weed pulls in Rose Park; Interpretive Signage unveiling in Squamish Estuary; Welcome ceremony by Squamish Nation; and a lunch time barbecue by the Rotary Club in Rose Park. Events ran from 10:00 - 3:00 at Rose Park.
Squamish Rotarians at the District Conference 2013 in Quesnel.
All four Rotary clubs of the Sea to Sky Corridor were awarded with Presidential Citations at the District Conference. Congratulations to all of our club members for demonstrating excellence.
On Saturday, June 23, 2012, the Real Rotarians of Squamish held their annual Installation Ceremony at the Cornerstone Penthouse in downtown Squamish. Outgoing President Ron Anderson recapped the achievements of the previous year followed by Denise Imbeau being sworn in as President by Assistant Governor Ross Harlow. President Imbeau then swore in her new Executive. Don Partick was recognized for his 40 years with the Rotary Club of Squamish. Congratulations to Ian Davis and Sheri Davis for recieving their Paul Harris Level 7 & 8. $600 was raised towards Polio Plus during the inaugral auctioning of the Dr. Laverne Kindree Immunization Tie. To view photos of the event. entitled The Real Rotarians of Squamish please visit the Rotary Club of Squamish facebook page or click here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150905989995920.411869.96770330919&type=3
Celebrating Rotary: 2012-2013 Pesident & Board Sworn In June 23, 2012
James and Audrey Boyd (08), Tom and Vivi Bruusgaard (08), Lino and Trish Vanzella (05), Colin and Doreen Ransom (14), George and Mildred McKenzie (20), Michael and Monika Kanka (19)
Squamish Rotarians won the Golden Ski-Boot trophy at the Rotary Club of Whistler's annual ski day on March 13th. The four Sea-to-Sky clubs participated in the Rotary Club Challenge Race on the GMC course. Our top four skiers - Michael Hutchison, Ian Davis, Greg Gardner, and Glen McEachran, recorded the best combined times to come out on top.
March 4 - Ian and Sheri Davis, Carl and Anna Ingraham, March 08 - Juliana and Julio Cha, March 17 - Mark and Kirsten Stephens, March 25 - Ed and Donna Scott
President Pat Taylor accepts a $10,000 donation for the new Pharmacy at the Squamish General Hospital from Board members of the Auxiliary (left to right) Astrid Anderson, Madeleine Ringham and Beth Fitzpatrick.The new Pharmacy will support the Chemotherapy program in the Corridor.The total raised by Squamish Rotary is now just over $190,000.The new Pharmacy layout is on display in the Women's Auxiliary shop.
Giving to the Foundation ―Some think that there is competition in Rotary between supporting local projects and giving to The Rotary Foundation. In fact, the more we emphasize what Rotary does for people through The Rotary Foundation, the more it increases our overall spirit of giving. When a club emphasizes giving to The Rotary Foundation, most often the club will discover increases in giving to local scholarship foundations, contributions to local community service, and greater participation in local hands-on projects because a club that gets into the habit of giving will give more to all causes.‖ — Rotarian Ronn Kerr
When: Thursday June 2, 2011 Where: Big Sky Golf and Country Club, Pemberton Time: 11:00 AM Shotgun Cost: $125 per golfer including tax Entry Fee Includes:
Power Cart
Great Draw Prizes
Dinner
Auction
Non-golfers? Come out and support the community by joining us for dinner and staying for the silent auction. Dinner only - $45 including tax
For more information contact info@pembertonchamber.com. Register as a team or an individual by June 1, 2011
Proceeds from tournament go to: The Pemberton District Chamber of Commerce, Quilts for Africa project in Lesotho, Africa and ongoing local Rotary projects.
6th Annual Pemberton Chamber and Rotary Golf Tournament
This
fund was established by the late Linda Carney, the first female president of
Squamish Rotary.She envisioned a fund
to provide financial help to the citizens of Squamish for medical costs not
covered by other sources such as Pharmacare, MSP, etc.Since its inception, we have been able
to purchase motorized wheelchairs, hydraulic lifts, drugs, and other medical
supplies, as well as provide funding for renovations of homes to allow easier
access.
Over
the past 12 years, Rotary, with your help, has raised and distributed well over
$225,000 from this fund to our
community. This is money that is
raised in Squamish and money that stays in Squamish to help our own citizens
who have run into medical issues that require further financial aid. The Linda Carney Rotary Cares Celebrity
Challenge is our major fundraising event and we greatly appreciate your assistance
in making the 2011 Challenge a success.
The Jr. Olympic Archery Program is a non-profit society providing a
program for Squamish youth to train and compete.The program teaches life skills such as discipline,
leadership, etiquette and respect.The Squamish club has had many successes at the provincial level. Gaming
funds will be used to purchase archery targets and materials that are required
for the archery program.
Pictured are President Pat and Hawk Russell of the Archery program receiving funds in the amount of $1000
Squamish Jr. Olympic Archery Program Receives Gaming Funds
What began as chaos (intentionally) at the international airport simulation on Friday evening and ended with a wonderful gathering of young people and their parents feeling much more confident about the year of exchange ahead on Sunday morning, this year's Outbound Orientation can be deemed a roaring success. Six Rotex students shared their stories, students and parents alike were educated about the do's and dont's of exchange, and hopefully no questions were left unanswered. In addition to the "4 D's, the 6 Be's were introduced:
Be First
Be Curious
Be on Purpose
Be Grateful
Be of Service
Be Here Now
The beautiful mountain setting at Quest University showcased our town and perhaps a student or two will even return here in the future to pursue their studies.
Thanks to Michael Kanka and his wife Monika, for participating in the airport simulation, there to greet our outbound student Casey from Prince Rupert. Unfortunately, Casey's plane was delayed (actually, he was off having dinner somewhere, unbeknownst to all of us!), and also to those who baked goodies for us. The baking was a definite highlight!
Thanks also to Sheri Davis who coordinated this event for the District.
Youth Exchange Outbound Orientation A Huge Success
At our May 5th meeting, representatives from service groups in our community attended and received cheques from Rotary that had been applied for on their behalf to the Gaming Commission. Pictured is President Pat with Nancy Hamilton, Board Member of the Helping Hands Society receiving a donation of $1000 to be used for the Feeding the Hungry program.
The Feeding the Hungry program revolves around food security at the local leve. Volunteers pick up from a variety of food donors, sort and re-distribute, and then deliver to agencies and groups or individuals in need. Grocers, cafes, and growers large and small are participating because they want to be socially responsible while at the same time reducing their waste. Many recipients live on or below the poverty line and cannot do without this service.
The final event of this term for the Rotary Foundation of Canada...which for you to remember that 100% of the funds received by our charity do get to the inteded source... after three years. 50% to District 5040 and 50% to Global funds... a true International Charity and it belongs to Rotarians.
This event will be hosted by Judy McQuinn and will take place at the McQuinn Manor located at 40257 Kaloden in the Garibaldi Estates area of Squamish.
The plan is for the guests to arrive at the Manor at 10 AM on the Sunday morning of June 12th to paretake in a guided tour over to the Golf Club and down the Mamquam Dyke, west to the power line, turning right or North passing our Rotary Community Garden, and back along Diamond Head Road to the Manor.
Brunch will be served around 11 AM on our arrival.
Please reserve your spot by emailing Don Patrick at donpatrick@shaw.ca
The cost is $25/person and the cheque should be made out to the "Rotary Foundation (Canada)" and uou will receive credits towards your Paul Harris award leve.
Thank you for your participation... we have ten participants at present... let's make President Pat proud.
Martina from Sicily, Italy is our next Inbound student. She will be arriving sometime in August and we are looking for host families for about 2 1/2 months each. Please see Judy McQuinn for more information.
This year's Rotary Installation, introducing Ron Anderson as our new President effective July 1st, and his Executive, will be held Friday June 24th at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in the Roundhouse. More details to follow.
The "In" event, a fundraiser held April 30th at the West Coast Railway Roundhouse, to help build a new lab at Squamish General Hospital and keep Chemo "In" the Corridor, was a roaring success. Approximately $175,000 was raised in this one evening. The outpouring of generosity was amazing!
In the last couple of weeks I shared some unforgettable moments with my host family. I spend Easter at the McEachran´s house and we did the traditional Easter-Egg-Hunt. Let me tell you that I had a great time searching little plastic eggs filled with yummy chocolate and enjoyed being a part of their family. My host mom Toni took me at least once a week horseback riding and I loved helping her out at her barn.
Sara and I sang in the United Church Choir over two month, practicing wonderful songs for the Easter Cantata, which turned out to be a great experience for both of us. Thanks to Vicky Haberl who invited us to join the choir.
Currently I am mountain biking every Friday with my mountain bike club and trying to prepare myself physically for the “Linda Carney Rotary Care Challenge”, which I am participating.
Also I just moved to my last host family. Now I am living with my lovely host mom Denise Imbeau and her family. They made my move really easy and I feel very comfortable here, ready to spend my last three month in Canada.
Sara asked that I correct this for her but I think it is absolutely charming and perfect just as it is. I have added the names of the host families:
I want to tell you somecing about all my wonderful familys. I could
speak of things I did or link i visit, but I like to tell you what I
learned in each of them for the moment. In my first family (Pat & Gary Taylor) learned to be
more idependiente for be my first family and feel for the first time
away from my mother, also learned about hard work and effort especially
with Pat, for work for all people and her family so hard . In my second
family(Denise & Dean Imbeau) learned to trust in oneself, to be happy with yourself and a
beautiful example of mother what someday I will use on my own family, my
third family (Sheri & Ian Davis) learned what you have to work for others, no just for you,
think about who comes after, and you can always help no matter how
small is, the fourth family (Vicki & Kevin Haberl) learned that little by little every day can
accomplish great things, always the little things are what make the
Pretty of the life and you have to look at them all always. Of my fifth
family (Kelly & John Heilig) i can´t say anything for now because I can only spend a few days
but I'm sure they are wonderful. Thanks to all for be a wonderful
person!
Greetings fellow Rotarians. It was a perfect day for planting. Lots of rain, not too hot. We got it done and the park looks beautiful. I would like to thank my gardening pals who showed up on Monday and got really wet and full of mud...many thanks to Michael and Monika Kanka, and Nancy Edwards who worked cheerfully in the rain with me to get the plants into their new home.
Drop by and take a stroll. Yet to do, we are putting in an electrical and a water trench, plus some tables and benches into the area. We will also be putting a Rotary sign up somewhere in the near future.
Still needed????? During this first season, the plants will need some care including some watering and weeding. I am looking for volunteers who will committ to visiting the park during "their designated week" and making sure the plants aren't too thirsty etc. Let me know if you can spare some time to make sure the gardent establishes itself. I am thinking maybe two or three hours during the week you sign up for.
Thank you once again to those who made it happen - Carney's for the soil, Cardinal Concrete and Coast Agg. for the equipment operator time, and the gravel, Marty Hopkins who donated a half day to truck the soil and gravel, Doug Barone our equipment operator who donated a full day of his work, Home Depot for the plant discounts, Chris Rommel who will be donating the time and equipment for the electrical and water trenches. Thanks to Brian Findley who spearheaded this project.
If you are a knitter (or always wanted to be) why not knit up a baby hat or ten for the Miguta Medical Centre in Kenya. Funding was recently approved for the centre and a group of Squamish Rotarians are planning a trip this fall. They would like to take some baby hats with them for the newborns at the Centre. There is a pattern available on a link on home page under "Club Links" "Baby Hats for Charity". For more information contact Liz Scott at (604) 892-4961 or email liz_scott@shaw.ca.
Jim Mulholland (1) 35 yrs, Dave Stewart (1) 35 yrs, Laurie Vanzella (1) 25 yrs, Heather Dunham (3) 1 yr, Anne Peters (19) 3 yrs, Michael Hutchison (22) 5 yrs, Ian Davis (23) 7 yrs
Judy Fowler is our Treasurer. Judy took over the Treasurer position mid way through last Rotary year 2008, working with the previous Treasurer for many hours getting up to speed. Judy want to learn the "right way" and asks lots of good questions of the Executive with respect to our accounts, etc. As a result we are all learning from Judy!!! Judy also provided speakers that introduced a Uganda Water Project, which our Club is now assisting with funding and Making Dreams Real for many young children to have clean drinking water. Judy recognizes the importance of her position and takes it seriously. We are very luck to have Judy as our Treasurer.
Judy Fowler Receives "Making Dreams Real" Recognition from DG Bob Blacker Oct 23rd
Rotaract International is a volunteer service organization associated with Rotary International, for young adults ages of 18 and up.
Through Rotary involvement, you can be exposed to great opportunities for international exchange, professional development, volunteering within the community, and building personal and professional connections.
Squamish Rotary has applied for Provincial Gaming Grants for the past seven years. Each year we have been successful recipients of Gaming Grants of $15,000 for a total of $105,000. These funds are then distributed throughout the community as well as used by our own youth programs. Over these years we have used $7,000 towards sending five students to Rotary Adventures in Citizenship in Ottawa, $15,000 for RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp), and $4,600 for Rotaract. In addition, over these seven years, we have helped to send underprivileged children to Evans Lake Forestry Camp ($2,700), supported the local Community Garden at Mamquam Road and Hwy 99 ($2,000), beautified the gardens at Hilltop House ($4,000), supported the Squamish Food Bank ($5,800), the Squamish Helping Hands Society ($7,100), Big Brothers/Big Sisters Teen Mentoring Program ($7,500), Squamish Archery Junior Olympic Program ($3,800), Dogwood House - Mental Health Camp ($2,000), Callaghan Winter Sports - Biathlon Bears Kids Program ($4,000), and the Squamish Breakfast Program - over $21,000!!! We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia. Without the Provincial Gaming Grant funds, this would have been much more difficult to achieve.
Pictured (l-r) Mike Nasu, President, Rotary Club of Squamish, Maureen Mackell, Executive Director, Helping Hands Society, Rick McKinney, Helping Hands Society, ($2,000) John Heilig, Manager, Nordic Sport, Whister Olympic Park (accepting on behalf of Callaghan Winter Sports Club - Biathlon Bears Kids Program, ($1,000) Ann Marie McKenzie, Big Brothers/Big Sisters - Teen Mentoring Program, $2,000) Lauren Marghetti, Executive Director, Evans Lake Forestry Camp, Teri-Rose Davis, Evans Lake Forestry Camp Counselor, ($1,000) Liz Scott, Gaming Chair, Rotary Club of Squamish (not pictured) Lori Broker, School Breakfast Program ($5,000)
The Rotary Club of Squamish was the recipient of Gaming Funds in the amount of $15,000 which was distributed to local community groups at their meeting on August 1, 2013. The balance of the funds ($4,000) will be used for Rotary Youth Programs including RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camps) and Adventures in Citizenship, a four day trip to Ottawa with over 200 other high school students designed to develop their potential as leaders in their communities and in Canadian society).
Well, it's all over for a another year and another successful Rotary BBQ. Once again, the SOLD OUT sign went up at about 4pm on Sunday afternoon.
Here are the preliminary results for the weekend:-
· 1500 lbs of beef cooked
· 80 litres of gravy
· 230 doz buns
· 170 lbs of onions!!
· 16 litres of horseradish
· 28 litres of ketchup/mustard/relish
2,752 beef sandwiches made and served (including complementary and volunteers)
$15,767 in sales
The new Brioche buns and the fried onions were a real hit.
What can we say except this is what Rotary is all about - a great team effort by a great Rotary club and a great big THANK YOU to everyone who made this all happen. Also a thank you to David Vandenborn and his team at Save-on-Foods for all their help and support.
Brian Finley and Barry Wetter
Rotary Club of Squamish
p.s. from BF - it's about 4pm on Sunday, the fire is out, and I finally managed to grab a beef-on-the-bun - I think it was the last one. Boy was it good.
To view the Squamish Days: Beef Album 2013, please visit www.facebook.com/squamishrotary or click here:
The Rotary Club needs some extra hands to help serve thousands of Squamish’s famous sandwiches.
Created by forestry pioneer John Drenka 56 years ago, Squamish Rotary’s Beef-On-A-Bun is as much a part of Squamish Days Logger’s Sports as lumberjacks and chainsaws.
At last year’s two-day event, 32 volunteers aided in slow roasting 1,500 pounds of Alberta meat at the Rotary Shack at the Al McIntosh Fields – equalling approximately 3,000 beef buns.
The meat is placed on giant rotisseries at 7 a.m., with volunteers cooking two batches of roughly 32 beef roasts each day. Money raised from the event is donated to the community’s many charities.
The Rotary Club is looking for volunteers to help out on the August long weekend. People are required for Saturday, Aug. 3, and Sunday, Aug. 4, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
All Hail the Chief! The Rotary Club of Squamish bid farewell to President Denise Imbeau (2012-13) and welcomed incoming President Mike Nasu for a fabulous installation a the Squamish Valley Golf & Country Club last Saturday, June 1, 2013. Norma Kindree and Colleen Drenka were made Honorary Rotarians and the new Exectuive was sworn in by Incoming District Governor Garry Shearer. A special thanks to Greg Gardner for a great job as Master of Ceremonies. To view more photos of the event, please visit the Squamish Rotary facebook page or click here:
Left to right: Sponsor, President Denise Imbeau, new members Inis LeBlanc & Jonathan Silcock, sponsor, PR Bianca Arnold-Peters, new member Melanie Koenderman, and Jonathan's sponsor Heather Dunham. Welcome to Squamish Rotary!
The Rotary Club of Squamish held their annual Bike Safety Rodeo at Garibaldi Highlands Elementary School on Tuesday May 14th. Pictured, In-coming President Mike Nasu does the figure 8. To see more photos of the Bike Safety Rodeo, visit www.facebook.com/squamishrotary .
Rotary Bike Safety Day at Garibaldi Highlands Elementary School
All Hail the Chief! The Presidential installation of the Rotary Club of Squamish’s Mike Nasu will be held at The Squamish Golf & Country Club on Saturday June 1st, 2014. The dress is semi-formal with cocktails and mingling from 6 pm to 7 pm. A plated dinner served will be served at 7 pm with program to follow. Musical selection will be performed by local talent Gordon Durocher. For more information or to RSVP a spouse or partner, please contact Judy Fowler jackfowler@shaw.ca
Installation of President Mike Nasu: Saturday, June 1, 2013
On Tuesday, 5 March 2013, at the GMC Race Centre on WhistlerBlackcomb, the Rotary Club of Whistler captured the Golden Boot trophy from Squamish Rotary. Whistler's top four skiers pipped our skiers by over 4 seconds. The Pemberton Club came 3rd.
Chris Rommel (Squamish) won the fastest male; Marg Pallot (Whistler) was the fastest female; Gord Leidal (Whistler) was the most stylish racer; Pat Taylor and Owen Carney from Squamish got the prizes for the best ski sweaters.
It was a great day and enjoyed by all. Thanks to the Whistler Club for organizing the event.
The photo has 10 of the 11 Squamish skiers. Can you name them all? Who's missing?
Posing at the finish....
Chris and Pat enjoying some apres-ski..
Handing over the Golden Boot trophy to Jim Miller of the Whistler Club.
Squamish Rotary skiers relinquish the Golden Boot.
Happy Easter! As we travel the Rotary World this season, here is a handy way to find a Rotary meeting near you! Encourage fellowship & friendship this Easter season:
On Thursday, April 11, Rotary Club of Squamish President Denise Imbeau presented the Certificate of Organization to Squamish Rotaract's Michelle Grondin. The Rotaract of Squamish's birthday is 11 Febraury 2013 and they meet weekly at Quest University Canada. Congratulations!!!!
Rotaract Club of Squamish receives Certificate of Organization
CELEBRATION EVENTS SCHEDULE - 100 YEARS OF ROTARY IN BC
APRIL 16 TO 20, 2013
The 100 Years Celebration Events Team is pleased to update the plans for the 100 Years of Rotary in BC Celebration, planned for April 2013. Events are now open for booking - plan to participate in the greatest show of Rotary that our area has ever seen. Theme for the week - Leadership Through Service.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Vancouver Board of Trade Lunch meeting with Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka in Vancouver, all Rotarians and the Vancouver Business community are invited to attend. Book at www.boardoftrade.com , select the 04/16 event, note Rotarians and their guests get the member rate for a table or for individual seats - enter promo code RCVP2
Friday, April 19, 2013
Community Celebration Event, 5:30PM to 10:00PM at Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. This free event will celebrate Rotary and is open to everyone, the Olympic Cauldron will be lit, there will be family fun, food and great live entertainment, including the Langley Ukulele Ensemble and a feature performance by Abra Cadabra. A special VIP reception will raise funds for the Rotary Foundation.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Rotary Showcase, 12:00 PM to 4:00PM at Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. Open to all Rotary Clubs in British Columbia to showcase their projects and the good work of Rotary. All Rotarians, guests and public welcome. Free admission. Rotary Showcase, 12:00 PM to 4:00PM at Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. Open to all Rotary Clubs in British Columbia to showcase their projects and the good work of Rotary. All Rotarians, guests and public welcome. Free admission.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
100 Years of Rotary Gala, 6:00PM to Midnight, Ballrooms at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. Sumptuous four course dinner with an address by former BC Lieutenant Governor, His Honour, the Honorable Stephen Point followed by keynote speaker, celebrated humanitarian Stephen Lewis. Great live entertainment by Circle of Friends.
Gala Tickets on sale now, pricing $175 per set or $1,750 table of ten (early bird pricing to March 15). Book a table for your club now at www.rotaryvancouver.org or by phone to Jessica at 604-783-1487
Events Schedule: 100 Years of Rotary in BC Apr 16-20
Lizz Kelly of the Rotary Club of Pemberton writes:
Hi Everyone
Please join the Rotary Club of Pemberton for the signing of our Rotary Peace Community Declaration on Sat Sept 22 from 11am - 1pm. Fun for the whole family, free cake, food & refreshments as well as crafts and live entertainment!
Invitation to Rotary Club of Pemberton: Peace Project September 22
Here’s your chance to help Rotary SCORE BIG with the Vancouver Giants to raise funds for Polio Plus and Rotary Youth programs . Join Rotary Clubs from around the province by attending “The 3rd Annual Rotary On Ice”, Friday October 5 at the Pacific Coliseum. A minimum of 20 tickets must be sold per club. Tickets are $16 each with $5 of it going directly to Polio Plus. Contact Rick Lewall, PP Rotary Club of Tsawwassen, at 604-943-0469 or ricklewall@telus.net for tickets.
Vancouver, BC : The Rotary Club of Vancouver and the 100 Years Celebration Events Team is honoured to have as our keynote speaker at the Gala Dinner, celebrated humanitarian Stephen Lewis.
Stephen Lewis is the board chair of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. He is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University in Toronto, and he is co-founder and co-director of AIDS-Free World in the United States. His work with the United Nations spanned more than two decades. He was the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa from June 2001 until the end of 2006. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Lewis was Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF at the organization’s global headquarters in New York. From 1984 through 1988, he was Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations.
From 1970–1978, Mr. Lewis was leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, during which time he became leader of the Official Opposition.
Mr. Lewis is the author of the best-selling book Race Against Time. He holds 35 honorary degrees from Canadian universities, as well as honorary degrees from Dartmouth College and Johns Hopkins University in the United States
Other events will take place the weekend of April 19th – 20th and include a free event Friday night at Jack Poole Plaza beginning with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. There will be family fun, food and entertainment. Saturday afternoon is an open house at the Vancouver Convention Centre showcasing projects from Rotaries across British Columbia followed by the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening.
Gala Dinner tickets are now on sale with pricing of $175 per seat or $1,750 table of ten. Book a table for your club or group now at www.rotaryvancouver.org/Gala or by phone to Jessica at 604-783-1487.
100 Year Gala Dinner: Keynote Speaker Stephen Lewis
February 25, 2013: Squamish Rotary President, Denise Imbeau, presents a cheque for $1500 to Christine Buttkus, Outreach Coordinator-Sea to Sky for the North Shore Schizophrenia Society Services for Family, Friends and Communities. Also included in the photo are Mental Health Partners: Rob Smith, Child & Youth Mental Health; Marilyn Caldwell, School District 48; and Christine Baker, Squamish Nation. All of these organizations are part of the Suicide Awareness and Prevention Working Group.
At the Feb 14th membership lunch meeting, Acting President George McKenzie presented a cheque from Squamish Rotary for $500 to Jude Goodwin of the Griffin Squadron Air Cadets towards the purchase of a drum kit.
Drum Kits for Squamish Griffin Squadron Air Cadets
Join the Weed-Fest on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 - noon at the Railway Park. We will be weeding, whacking, trimming and planting bulbs and other things to see a nicer garden next spring. No gardening experience necessary. The fun time will be followed by an Oktoberfest style bratwurst, potato salad etc. lunch at our place. If you have some plants to bring (daffodil bulbs, and anything else that is deer proof, drought tolerant (grasses, cactus), and not a bear attractant, please do.) Now is a great time to split your perennials, (grasses, rockery plants, daisies etc.). We also need some ground cover like junipers, pines etc. Wear your gardening boots, bring a shovel, pruners, weed carrying bucket, gloves, and a good sense of humour. We will be going rain or shine. With an army of ten or fifteen we can easily get it done in a couple of hours. Spouses, dates, children and anyone else you can talk into this, will be welcome. If anybody has a good high powered weed-whacker, that would be useful. Please rsvp to me at rosefast@telus.net or 604-849-1802. There will be some gardening prizes awarded at the lunch compliments of me.
Rose Fast
Rotary Club of Squamish
Weed Fest at the Rotary Garden: Saturday, October 27
You can now pre-order your tickets for the Grey Cup party on Sunday November 25th. It is the 100th Grey Cup and also the 100th year of Rotary in BC.
Tickets are $100 each with $50 going to purchase the X-Ray unit at the new Dental Operatory at Hilltop House, a campaign spearheaded by Dr. Laurie Vanzella.
The event is at the Squamish Golf Club, 1:30-7:30 pm. Your ticket will include drinks tickets, halftime BBQ buffet, swag bag, program, $50 tax receipt, and lots of fun and fellowship. At least 4 large screen TVs will be set up for your viewing pleasure.
By ordering now, you will be assured of tickets.
Ticket requests to Don Patrick, donpatrick@shaw.ca, 604-898-5040,with the following info:
· No of tickets.
· Name and address (for tax receipt).
· Phone number and email address.
Grey Cup Party Fundraiser for Hill Top Dental Unit: Sunday, November 25
As you may already know, I'm seventeen (born on the 5th January 1995) and I'm Belgian. My parents are Belgian too, my father is from Huy (where my sponsor club is and where I go to school) and my mother is from Brussels. Because I live in the south part of Belgium, I speak French but I learned Dutch, English and Spanish at school. I live in the countryside, 20 kilometers far from the nearest city and I have a cat and a dog. I like reading, listening to music, playing games with my family and, since we came to the cabin with Sheri and Ian, Canoeing, mountain biking and fishing.
My club Sponsor is RC Huy in D1630. My father is Rotarian, as was his father and his mother's father, in RC Huy. They all were at least once president and stayed many years in the executive. My father did a court term exchange in the USA with the Rotary in the beginning of the eighties. What convinced me to do a long term exchange was seeing my older sister coming back from Australia after her exchange year. During this year we hosted two girls at home from Australia and from the USA and that also showed me how great would be a year abroad with ROTARY. My family often participated to the activities organised by the RC Huy so I know many of the Rotarian in the club.
Yesterday was my one month anniversary in Assis, Brazil. I have to say that it was a great feeling. I also have to say that it was a confusing one, how can one month possibly go by so fast? I still don't have the perfect answer but I do know the slogan "time flies when your having fun" may be a fitting one in this situation.
This past month has been filled with so much happiness that it seems boundless. I could ramble on about why I'm happy but it's of course "boundless" and would take way too long, so in an act to preserve time I will name just a few for you.
1. The food. Oh my, the food. It is constant and delicious. Throughout the morning I eat fresh papaya, oranges, and bananas. Sometimes I sneak a few chocolates in there too. I can't help myself. Then when I get home from school at 12:30 I eat a huge lunch. It always has rice, beans, potatoes, and meat involved. Some exchange students have been complaining lately about the enormous amount of beans that they get served daily. Fortunately for me I love beans and even go for seconds. I wasn't called the bean machine for nothing. Then we snack for the rest of the day on more delicious Brazilian food. They definitely aren't starving me here.
2. The people. They are all so generous. Surprisingly very few people here speak english but that never stops them from insisting that they help you as much as humanly possible. A complete stranger on the street will go out of his/her way to lend you a guiding hand. It has happened to me before. They are also so quick to welcome and call you a friend. I've never experienced anything like this in Canada. It makes my life here 100 times easier. As well the people are incredibly laid back but also know how to have a good time.
3. The cream cheese. Yes this item of food needs it's own number. Why? Because it's that delicious. I'm making amends that -no matter the cost- I'm bringing a life time supply of this stuff back to Canada with me.
4. My host family. They are all so kind. They cater to my needs and in return I attempt to be the best host daughter/sister there ever was. They have been more then patient with my Portuguese and help me whenever I ask. My Portuguese definitely needed some patience. As I said before they are definitely not starving me and have welcomed me into their home. My host family has made this whole experience very comfortable indeed.
5. My Portuguese. I went to my friends house this weekend and everyone there was so impressed with how much I understood. Although my speaking isn't as polished as my comprehension I can still get my point across and make it through the day. Knowing that there is improvement is something that brings me oh so much joy.
6. The Exchange Students. There are five in my city including me and they are way too much fun. Although I love my Brazilian friends it is so nice to have people that understand and are in the same frame of mind as you. It would simply be against our very nature not to connect with each other.
7. My Classmates. As all Brazilians seem to be, my classmates are very welcoming. Although school isn't the most anticipated part of the day, my classmates make it worth while.
8. The weather. It is sunny and warm. Exactly as it should be. I'm only slightly worried about summer though because I asked my host parents how hot it gets and instead of explaining they just rolled their eyes to the back of their heads and slumped their shoulders. Later my host sister went on to say," You'll be outside and wish clothes didn't exist." That should be a bundle of fun.
9. My city. It is the perfect size. Not big enough to be polluted and over populated but not small enough to be boring. I explained it before as a city-town and I'm sticking with that. Although a city alongside a beautiful beach wouldn't be too bad, my city-town in the middle of Brazil is just right.
10. My life. I've been told many times in Brazil that I "say thank you too often" and honestly I can't help myself. I'm just so flippin grateful for everything and everyone. This experience is so unique and wonderful and I'm absolutely loving it so far. I know I sound like such a cheese ball but again, I honestly can't help myself.
For more pictures from Erika's trip so far, please visit http://www.facebook.com/squamishrotary
The Squamish Environment Society hosted a Rotary walking tour of the Estuary Sunday morning, July 22. SES members Correy Matheson, Meg Fellowes, Carl Halvorson and Mary Livingston provided information about the history, species and vegetation of the Estuary. To see more photos of the event, please visit the Rotary Club of Squamish's facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/squamishrotary.
Walking Tour of the Estuary with the Squamish Environment Society: July 22, 2012
The first Rotary lapel pin was designed and made by New York Rotary Club member, John Frick on October 14, 1909 and worn by the club’s first president Bradford Bullock from 1909 until his premature death in 1911 (At the time, he was serving as VP of the National Association of Rotary Clubs). The forerunner of the traditional Rotary pin worn today, it features the Rotary wheel has it appeared in its earliest representation with eight spokes, no cogs, and no keyway.
Reasons for wearing a pin are varied: for publicity of Rotary, for pride, for acceptance and recognition, for the start of easy conversation with other Rotarians wherever you go.
Past RI President Bob Barth (1993-94, from the Rotary Club of Aarau, Switzerland) felt that a Rotary pin says this about the wearer: “You can rely on me, I am dependable, I am reliable, I give more than I take, and I am available.”
On Saturday October 20 2012 all Rotarians are invited to hear RI President Sakuji Tanaka speak at a lunch and to participate in an afternoon plenary session.
This event is open to all Rotarians in all districts. A large attendance from District 5020, 5040, 5050, 5060 is expected. Only 200 tickets will be sold plus the 400 registered delegates to the Rotary Institute.
Tickets are $50.00 per person if purchased before October 1 2012. After October 1st tickets will be $60.00. The lunch will be held at the Vancouver Westin Bayshore Hotel.
The institute is an annual event held at various locations in Canada and the US. This is the first time since 2000 that District 5040 has hosted this national conference. More than 36 District Governors Nominee, Governors Elect and District Governors attend the institute for training. Also Past District Governors from across Canada, eastern Russia, Northwest and Northeast USA and Bermuda will take part.
Institute 2012 Chair, PDG Penny Offer expects to welcome more than 400 delegates to the pre institute training seminars and the four day institute. For details visit: www.RotaryEvents.ca
In addition to President Tanaka there will be members of the RI Board of Directors and Trustees of The Rotary Foundation participating in presentations and seminars.
After the lunch guests with tickets for the lunch are invited to stay for the afternoon plenary session, which includes presentations by the International Agency For Prevention Of Blindness, service project highlights, South African student project, a Rotary moment, and a panel discussion by senior Rotary leaders (RI board members and trustees).
Tickets are only available online, due to commitments with the hotel there will be no tickets sales at the door.
One of the great events at the Zone 24-32 Institute in Vancouver will be the Walk for Polio on Friday, October 19. The 20 minute walk will be along the sea wall to Jack Poole plaza site of the 2010 Olympic cauldron. In the unlikely chance Vancouver has a rare warm dry rain that day all the walkers will get a polio poncho.
We started the weekend with 1500 pounds of Alberta Grade AAA beef (114 roasts), 210 dozen buns, litres of horseradish and condiments, and the secret recipe for JD's BBQ sauce. Then was added the most important ingredient: - countless hours from 40 Squamish Rotarians, family and friends (who never stopped smiling!), starting at 5am and ending at 6pm each day.
The result: We served 2500 J-DEEZ Beef-in-a-bun to locals who have been coming for years, and visitors from as far away as Colorado, San Diego, Italy, Australia and many other places around the globe. A typical reaction was "this is the best beef bun that I have ever eaten, and I've come back for another!"
Total sales for the weekend were $14,000, the proceeds from which will go to support projects and services in the Squamish community.
Thanks everyone. We will do it again next year!
Brian Finley
Rotary Club of Squamish
55th Squamish Days Logger Sports: Rotary Beef on the Bun
The Squamish Environment Society is hosting a Squamish Estuary Walking Tour for the Rotary Club of Squamish on Sunday, July 22. The walk begins at 10am at the Howe Sound Inn at 37801 Cleveland Ave. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Mary Livingston of the SES will be our guide. The cost is $5 to cover insurance and a pamphlet. The walk will run until noon ending back at the Howe Sound Inn. Everyone is welcome to stay for lunch which is optional and not covered. Please contact Judy Fowler at jackfowler@shaw.ca for more information.
Estuary Walking Tour with the Squamish Environment Society: Sunday, July 22, 2012
First of all thank you Rotary for the wonderful time and the opportunity to participate in this program and to spend time in this amazing country. During this year I have done things that people could never imagine in my town, as bungee jumping, going to RYLA, going to Hornby Island and going to Victoria, Whistler & Vancouver. Boating and fishing; taking a ride in a small airplane around Squamish and Whistler; shopping in the US; hiking the Chief and seeing animals i couldn't ever see in Italy. I have travelled a lot and I've met such amazing people as all the four host families who I stayed with. I have been through tough situations and I always knew that somebody could help if I needed it. At first I can't say that my exchange was easy- new country; new people; new culture .
That was the tough period of my life. I missed home, family and friends.
But after two months I started enjoying Canada. I made good friends, people I would never forget. In fact Jessica leas and Christie Lowe, two of my best friends are coming to my place for 20 days. My families were so good with me, changing families helped me understand the variety of Canadian culture . All of them took a little place in my heart and I will never forget how much love they could give to someone that is not even their daughter. I wish everyone could be in an exchange, just to understand that being different is not a defect but it's what makes the world wonderful.
Thanks again amazing Rotarians. See you in few years.
Ciao !!!!!!!!
With so much love,
Martina (the crazy Italian with curly hair)
Acting President Denise Imbeau recieves funds raised by Howe Sound Secondary School's Interact Club 2011-2012 at the Rotary membership lunch, Thursday, June 28, 2012. The HSSS Interact Club hosted a series of successful fundraisers throughout the year. $2900 was raised towards the Rotary Water Project and $3900 was raised for Polio Plus. Great work!
The Community Service Report for 2011-12 has been posted under the Downloads section on the right side of this page. Please refer to this to review how the Rotary Club of Squamish contributed to the community during the last Rotary year.
Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Squamish and to the Community for raising $15000 towards the Linda Carney Rotary Cares Fund for 2012. All the money raised in Squamish stays in Squamish to cover medical costs for locals who would not otherwise recieve funds from BC Medical. Pictured here is LCC winner Greg Gardner with MLA Joan McIntyre and Squamish Mayor Rob Kirkham at the Finish Line. First woman to cross the line was Heidi Drygas. Top fundraiser was Owen Carney ($2700). Way to go! For more pictures of the event, please visit the Rotary Club of Squamish facebook page or by clicking here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150899795920920.411187.96770330919&type=3#!/media/set/?set=a.10150899800210920.411188.96770330919&type=1
Linda Carney Rotary Cares Challenge: June 16, 2012
Come join the Real Rotarians of Squamish at Cleveland Avenue’s latest hotspot, The Cornerstone Penthouse. Enjoy exquisite views, sparkling candlelight, savoury appetizers, decadent desserts, and live entertainment as we celebrate the passing of the Rotarian torch from the 2011/12 executive to the 2012/13 team. Dust off your tuxedo and stiletto heels, dance the night away, and enjoy our signature rotini cocktail at a night you won’t want to miss. No host bar. Members no charge, guests $30. Please RSVP. Leave your keys at home. Pre-book your shuttle by emailing Pat Taylor at pat@carneyswaste.com
The Real Rotarians of Squamish: Saturday, June 23, 2012
Rotary sponsored grade 11 Howe Sound Secondary School International Studet Wasup Map Srithongkun who took part at the Powell River Youth Film Program this spring.
Picture above: Martina L'Ala, Rotary's Inbound Student from Sicily, Italy began the Rotary Club of Squamish Business lunch by singing the national anthem. This was later followed by the induction of new Rotary members Ray Brickell (Sponsor: Sarah Braedbrook) and Nickey Haines (Sponsor: Denise Imbeau). To view all the photos taken by Rotarian Michael Kanka visit the facebook page of the "Rotary Club of Squamish" or click here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150753678305920.400074.96770330919&type=3
Rotary Lunch & Membership Installation: May 2, 2012
A Rotary delegation announced that the CN Roundhous at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park will be the site of the 2014 Rotary District Conference. (Photo: Michael Kanka)
2014 Rotary District Conference to be held in Squamish
Pauline McNeney recieves two cheques for the Squamish Hospice Society totalling $3900 from the Rotary Club of Squamish. Present Ron Anderson presented the money to McNeney on the Club's behalf. There will be a Squamish Hospice Society climb on May 6th. Contact Rotarian Bill McNeney for more information on the Hospice fundraiser.
Squamish Rotary donates to the Squamish Hospice Society: April 19, 2012
Check out all the latest photos of the Rotary Club of Squamish in action on the Squamish Rotary facebook site. Recent uploaded photos include the latest 50/50 winner, the March 26th Happy Hour with Past President Lino Vanzella and guest speaker Greg Gardner and a Beef on the Bun farewell to founding member John Drenka. Click here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Squamish/96770330919
Photos on Facebook: Farewell to JD, Happy Hour and more.....
The service for John Drenka will be held on Wednesday March 28, 2012 at 12:00 noon at The Squamish Valley golf Club. We are looking for Rotarians to assist in our Rotary Beef B-B-Q which we will prepare at the Golf Club for the reception. A core committee is being organized a signup sheet will be circulated at the Club lunch on Thursday, March 22, 2012. Please speak to Bill McNeny for details.
With all the great snow accumulation up the mountains, here's your excuse to take a day off and go skiing this Spring Break! It's Rotary Ski Day in Whistler on Tuesday, March 12th at 7:10 am. Please contact Brian Finley, Director of Community Services at blfin@shaw.ca to get involved including car-pooling and signing up for breakfast. If you don't have a pass, Brian suggests buying one at 7-11 before you head up.
Rotary Ski Day in Whistler: Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Rose Fast is awarded for becoming a member of the Paul Harris Society by Don Patrick. The PHS recognizes Rotarians who annually contribute $1000US or more to the foundation every year. The program is a district-administered recognition program and was effective July 1, 2006
Thursday, February 2: The 200 Club early bird draw for the 2012-2013 series with Jim Miller. 3 x $100 tickets drawn from the famous Rotary Barrel
HISTORICAL FUN FACT: The Rotary Club Barrel was given to the Squamish
Rotary Club by Merv and Lorraine Barrenton-Foote, the former owners of Merv Foote Men's Wear Ltd.
Check out the photos of last Friday's Rotary Curling Event on the Squamish Rotary facebook page. Squamish Rotary hosted the Whistler and Pemberton Clubs:
Last summer, Devyn Scott participated in a STEP (summer exchange) with Margherita Pasqual from Udine, Italy, near the city of Venice. Here she is presenting the Rotary Club of Udine's club banner to President Ron Anderson.
There are still spaces available for Summer 2012 STEP exchange. If you know a young person between the ages of 15 and 19 who you believe would make a good Ambassador and exchange partner, please contact either Judi McQuinn or Liz Scott. Requests have been received from several countries including France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Mexico, Germany, Ireland, and Finland.
Brian Finley and Rose Fast of the Community Services Committee stand with President Ron Anderson as they recieve a plaque from the West Coast Railway Association for their contribution to the Rotary Garden at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park.
Rotary Happy Hour: Every other Monday (dates posted on "Speakers" section)
Time: 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm
Place: Howe Sound Inn
Cost: $10 includes a drink and appies
Goal: to increase attendance and membership opportunities while fostering fellowship in a relaxed and social atmosphere
Photo: Rotarian James Martin shares a laugh and a glass of wine at tonight's Rotary Happy Hour. Past President Denise Rittberg chaired the meeting and Rotarian Colin Ransom was the guest speaker.
Squamish Rotary will be hosting an evening of curling and fellowship this Friday, March 2 with guests from the Whistler and Pemberton Rotary Clubs at the curling rink at the Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club. The only cost is your bar tab. Please contact Judy Fowler at jackfowler@shaw.ca to sign up.
George Heintzman recieves a Squamish Rotary Flag from Rotarian Kathleen van der Ree after presenting to the club about DSEA Peru. His message was simple: quality of water is paramount to the health of people and society. For more information about DSEA Peru: www.deseaperu.org
Thursday, February 23 Guest Speaker: George Heintzman presents DSEA Peru
Thursday Lunch: February 23, 2012: Foundation Chairman Don Patrick presents Rotarian Glen McEachran with his Paul Harris + 2 pin. Glen is a Club benefactor which means he has stated his intent to donate no less than $1000.00 US to the foundation each year.
The Wael Audi Volleyball league was first started by Officer Wael Audi of the Squamish RCMP. Waels goal was to integrate the youth with the emergency services of Squamish. After his untimely death while on duty, the league was put on hold. Graham Teanby re-started the league 3 years ago. This past year with the help of the Squamish Rotary Graham was able to get a monetary donation from Telus which covered the cost of trophies, medals, t-shirts and the cost of the gym rental.
Photo: Graham Teanby of the Wael Audi Volleyball League presents a t-shirt to Acting-President Ian Davis at the Feb 23 Rotary Luncheon
The Biathlon Bears Kids Program is designed to introduce you participants to the sport of biathlon, developing cross-country skiing and rifle marksmanship skills. The program is a component of a nationally sanctions sport development system. Grant monies will be used to purchase equipment to be used by participants, insuring inexpensive access to the sport of biathlon. Note: a typical biathlon rifle costs $1000. President Pat present Biathlon Bears representative Rick Smith a cheque from Gaming for $1000
Distributes food to needy members of the community twice a month. Administered
and run by committed community volunteers. Receives donations from individuals,
businesses, service clubs, and local government. Operating since 1989, serves
more than 300 people/month. Pictured with President Pare are the Squamish Food Bank President Susan Newman and Treasurer Tina Cochrane receiving a cheque for $3000
Teen mentors from both the local high schools are screened by BBBS, and
spend one hour with a boy or girl in elementary school in a non-academic
activity, playing games and sports, doing arts and crafts, or simply hanging
out in the playground. Children in the elementary school are identified by the
teacher or referred by a parent. The program builds self-esteem and worth
through building a friendship with an older peer, giving them one caring
individual in their lives. These children tend to do better in school, make
healthier relationships, have improved decision-making skills and are less
likely to get involved in drug and alcohol abuse.. The grant monies will be
used for purchasing art and craft supplies, games, outdoor activities, bus
transportation for the teens, volunteer recognition events. Pictured with President Pat is Ann Marie McKenzie receiving a cheque for $1000.
Photo credit: Michael Kanka
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Teen Mentoring Program Receives Gaming Funds
RYLA is Rotary's Youth Leadership program. RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. Each year students aged 16 to 18 are chosen to attend this leadership camp held at Camp Jubilee in Indian Arm. The leadership skills and confidence that is instilled is amazing. Recently the excited participants reported back to Rotary about their experiences. Pictured are Howe Sound Secondary student Ben Hughes, 2011/12 Outbound Exchange student Teri-Rose Davis, and 2010/11 Inbound Student (from Germany) Nora Kleffmann. Missing is 2010/11 Inbound Student from Spain) Sara Morales. Gaming funds are used to supported this priceless program.
The newly created Seniors Lawn Bowling greens in Squamish was completed in September 2009 and over 40 seniors were introduced to the game of Lawn Bowling, however they are in need of protection from the summer heat and sun. These gaming funds will go towards providing four sunshades on the sidelines of the greens, making it more comfortable as well as safer to enjoy this sport. President Pat presents DoS employee Scott Lamont and Rotarian Janet Gugins (also representing the DoS) with a cheque for $1000.
For those of you who were unable to attend the Vital Signs town hall meeting early last week, we still want your input (and the input of your family members) on what indicators of Squamish’s community health we should be reporting on.
Please refer to your recent email "Vital Signs" for an attached series of ballots for each of the Vital Sign areas. Each ballot lists “Indicators”, which are things we can get hard data about. We need your help in deciding which Indicators are most relevant to Squamish. We ask you to do this by completing the left hand column “Rank” on each ballot by identifying your top 4 choice in order of importance to you, with “1” being the most important. We then need you to return the ballots by June 7th as instructed on the cover page. Alternatively, you can also return them to me at Rotary.
The quality of the report on Squamish depends on each of us looking at this material and participating. I am happy to field any questions about the process, as are Carl Ingraham and Kevin Haberl.
On Saturday April 16th, 2011 A Tribute to John Drenka was held at the Sea to Sky Hotel, featuring the film "The Legend of John Drenka". A packed house enjoyed this event, and many stories were shared by both old and young.
Thanks for all that you have done for our community AND Rotary JD!
Over $1200 was raised for the Log Books project.
Thanks also to Bianca Peters, President of the Squamish Historical Society, for organizing this event.
The Outbound Orientation for Youth Exchange students in District 5040 is going to be held at Quest University the weekend of May 13 - 15th.
We would like to invite you to be a part of this dynamic weekend and have an opportunity to meet the students; both this year's inbounds and next year's outbounds as well as some returned exchange students. If you would like to help to create the atmosphere of a crowded international airport arrivals area, you are invited to come to Quest University May 13th at 7 pm. The simulation will take place from 7:30 to 7:50, so it is a very minimal time commitment. We are also looking for donations of baking for this weekend. Yum!
Please see or email Sheri or Liz if you are interested in helping out.
After many long months of waiting, the Gaming Commission recently announced that our Rotary club had been awarded $7500 to be distributed to groups with both our Rotary club and our community. A week later we were awarded a further $7500 for a total of $15,000. The Gaming Committee met and their recommendations were presented at the April Executive meeting. Recipients will attend the May 5th business meeting for presentations.
At a recent meeting Lloyd Ingraham was honoured with a set of beautiful prints of Squamish by Ian Davis on behalf of the Squamish Community Foundation for Lloyd's contribution of close to $60,000. Thank you for supporting our community in such a significant way Lloyd.
The Squamish Chief February 12, 2011 story by Meagan Robertson
At age 16, Sara Galvan and Nora Kleffmann left friends, family and familiarity for the sake of experience.
"Everything is different but at the
same time is beautiful," said Galvan, a sincere smile on her face.
"After six months I'm much more comfortable and Canada is becoming more
like home."
Galvan's real home is Asturias, Spain
and Kleffmann is from Osnabrück, Germany. Both girls are attending Howe
Sound Secondary and live with host families as part of the long-term
Rotary Exchange program for one year.
I want to tell you a little about my last weekend, 11th and 12th of December. Those two days I spend with the Rotarian Inbounds in Vancouver. We met in Metrotown and went for Christmas shopping the entire noon. It was awesome to see them again. We haven´t seen each other since Halloween. Therefore it was so exciting, because every time we have new adventure to share. We also had lunch together before we went ice skating. Even though most of us couldn´t skate that good, we tried not to fall and had tons of fun. After ice skating we went to Janice Froese´s place and she prepared a lovely dinner for nine exchange students in total, three Rebounds and couple of nice Rotarians. We sang, laughed, talked, played games, made Gingerbread houses and exchanged gifts under the Christmas tree. It was amazing to have Brazil, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, Czech Republic, Spain, Germany and Canada sitting on one table. We were really glad to spend also Sunday together. And especially for me it was something wonderful to go to a "German Christmas market" in Canada. It felt like home and I was lucky to share little German tradition with my international friends. So you see I´m still enjoying my new, busy life in Canada and looking forward to the next Inbound Whistler weekend in January.
Teri-Rose Davis is very excited these days. She was selected from among six applicants for the Long Term Youth Exchange Program. Teri will be heading out on her exchange in July 2011, and although she won't know where she is going until sometime in the Spring, there is still much planning to do to prepare for this amazing adventure.
Teri is pictured second from left together with Larissa Bergeron with their Interact Club's Pennies for Polio collection, and PDG Chris Offer and DG Penny Offer.
Teri-Rose Davis Selected as Youth Exchange Student
In August of 2010, the Squamish Rotary Club was made aware that the Hospice Society had a short fall of
funding.
The
upcoming Squamish Live Music Festival was the Rotary Club's next fundraising
effort and the executive assigned a percentage of the profits from the Beef
BBQ to be donated in the name of the Squamish Hospice.The fundraiser was unsuccessful
resulting in a deficit… which in Rotary means the members pick up the
shortfall.
Rotarian
Lloyd Ingraham took up the cause and challenged his fellow Rotarians to go to
the well again to assist this important service.Fourteen Rotarians stepped up to the plate increasing the seed
money donated by Lloyd to a final total of $6,200.00
The Bank
of Nova Scotia offered a challenge that would match up the first $5,000, therefore
the Lloyd Ingraham Challenge to the Rotary Club of Squamish resulted in a total
of $11,200 towards the continuing service of the Squamish Hospice Society.
Thank you
Lloyd and your fellow Rotarians and the Bank of Nova Scotia.
Pictured are Lloyd Ingraham of the Squamish Rotary
Club, Gloria Healey on behalf of the Squamish Hospice Society, and Rob Kirkham of the Squamish Bank of Nova Scotia
A new addition of a Squamish Rotary brochure is being finalized. Liz Scott is still looking for a couple of testimonials for the brochure. If you would like to say a few words about what Rotary means to you, please see Liz or email her at liz_scott@shaw.ca. Thank you to everyone for your input.
Rotary Foundation Co-Chairs Don Patrick and Mike Nasu recently co-hosted a Foundation Dinner at Don and Lynda Patrick's home. Mike brought his culinary skills to the table and a wonderful time was had by all, in addition to monies raised for our Foundation. Don and Mike are now looking for someone willing to host the next Foundation dinner in either October or November. Please speak to either Don or Mike if you are interested. Reminder: the host receives 500 Paul Harris Credits and those attending receive a tax receipt.
The recent Golf Fundraiser at the Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club raised $8,000 for the Squamish Elementary Schools Breakfast Program. Thanks to Brian Avey for organizing, Glen McEachran for all of your work promoting, and of course to all of the golfers for participating and supporting.
Lunchtime September 23, 2010 found us at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in the newly opened CN Roundhouse and Convention Centre. Rotarian and a driving force behind the Railway Heritage Park and its future vision, including the Roundhouse, Don Evans, updated our club about the history surrounding the Roundhouse and the challenges that were faced along the way. Today we have a beautiful new facility in the Railway Park capable of hosting a crowd of up to 1200. Thanks Don, for your commitment to this amazing facility, and for sharing its history with us!
Thanks also to Greg van Hierden of G-Van Catering for a delicious lunch.
Enjoy 5 days in beautiful Guatemala, golfing, going on excursions, experiencing Guatemalan culture and supporting the great work of Casa Colibri. Contact Sheri or Pat for info.
If you'd like to know what our outbound student is up to in Mexico, read her outstanding blog. The link is on the left side of our website under "Club Links"
The District 5040 Directory has been added to the Squamish Rotary website. To access this Directory, please sign in, and click on "Admin". Then click on "View Club Documents" on the lefthand side of the screen. Click on "District 5040 Directory".
With the blessing of
PDG Gord Dalglish, Sheri has contacted all the clubs in the district in an
effort to coordinate a GSE Legacy project with the home club of the GSE leader
in the Phillipines. Clubs are being asked to donate fines/happy dollars, and
"take a child to breakfast/lunch/dinner" during the second week of July. Funds
raised will go towards the Filipino club's project at a local orphanage, which
involves a feeding program and the purchase of school supplies. The goal is to
collect approx $6700 and then write a District grant to bring the total to
$10,000.
Approximately $470 was collected in fines and happy dollars at our recent Installation in Whistler towards this legacy project.
Next Thursday, July 15th, we designated as Squamish's "take a child to lunch" day, so if you would like, we invite you to donate a lunch in a child's honour to this legacy project.
Take a few moments to review the accomplishments of our club during the 2009/10 Rotary year. You will be astounded by just how much our club does over the course of one year.
All you have to do is:
Go to www.squamishrotary.com
Login (if you have forgotten your login &/or password, see Liz Scott or email her at liz_scott@shaw.ca
Click on "Admin" at the top of the screen
Click on "View Club Documents" on the lefthand side of the screen
Click on "Accomplishments 2009/10"
Read the article and then pat yourself on the back for being part of this remarkable club!
Last year's outbound student, Michael
Duffee, has returned from Brasil. Sara Nilsson, our Inbound Student, has now returned to Sweden full of wonderful memories of Squamish and Canada.
This year's outbound student, Logan
Bennett, had many issues with his visa for India, but arrived there over a week ago and is already attending school. Abbey Heilig, our other outbound
student is will be heading off to Puebla, Mexico very soon.
Inbound students, Nora Kleffmann from
Germany, and Sara Morales from Spain, are registered at Howe Sound Secondary
and have their courses. Nora will arrive Aug 25 and will stay with the
Heilig's. Sara will stay with Pat and Gary Taylor first. We still need one more host family!!!
All seven Squamish STEP exchanges are going well.
3 students attended RYLA
Lakelse. They are Maegan Bruce, Britany Shier and Abbey Heilig.
The 3 young people we sent to the Rotary
International Convention and pre-convention Rotaract meeting in Montreal were
very inspired and are excited to get the Rotaract club going. 2 of the students
will return to school at Quest in August, and start recruiting members.
Katelemwa Cheshire Home in Uganda - final
paperwork for the matching grant has been submitted and accepted by the Rotary
Foundation. Matching grant closed.
EBRC - funds from the matching grant have
all been spent. Final paperwork will be done with the Rotary Club of Hurlingham
so that the grant can be officially closed. We recently received just over
$3300 from the Interact Club of Howe Sound from their Global Awareness Dinner.
Funds were raised for EBRC. We wired $2500US to EBRC on July 6.
Miguta Health Center in Kenya - Sheri and
George Mbugua from the Rotary Club of Nairobi Industrial are continuing their
work on the Global Grant application.
Casa Colibri - received correspondence from
Linda McGinty of Michigan. Included AGM minutes and an update of current
activities at the clinic. We have forwarded $6000 raised during Ian's year, and
have committed to another $10,000 for this year as part of a Global Grant
application. Sheri will work with Linda on this process.
September 10th marks the 13th Annual Squamish Health Care Foundation Golf Classic at the Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club. For more information go to www.squamishvalleygolf.com<Events>Golf Classic
If you are interested in becoming a website sponsor for only $50 per year, please contact Liz Scott. Your company banner will be included on the home page of the Squamish Rotary website and will be viewed by anyone who visits our website. This is great exposure for great value!
Thanks Rotarians for the incredible outpouring of support for TEAM LIZ
in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Devyn and Randy Scott rode 254 km from Vancouver
to Seattle this past weekend, battling blistering heat, headwinds so strong
that they tossed Devyn into the bushes at one point, rainstorms causing
hypothermia in many of the riders, and 9.2 million dollars for the BC Cancer
Foundation. Devyn and Randy raised $10,300!
Pictures have been posted on the Rotary Club of Squamish facebook account from the Rotary Beef BBQ July 31 & August 1. Go to www.facebook.com and enter Rotary Club of Squamish to view the pictures or enter http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Squamish/96770330919 if you are not on facebook.
By the way, can you identify the Rotarians in this photo?
A few weeks ago I travelled to Liberia. It's
taken me a while to write about it because it was the type of trip that
required some processing afterwards. While I'm still turning over much
of what I experienced in my mind, let me share a few notes with you.
Monrovia,
the capital city, is spread out along wide roads. It has the potential
to be beautiful, boasting white sandy beaches and lush green trees –
and perhaps it once was. But the scars of war are still very present.
As a tour I was taken to a five star hotel, or what had once been a
hotel; now it was an empty shell with soldiers camped out in the lobby
to prevent squatters. Street children played in the empty swimming pool
and parking lot. From the poolside I looked out all over Monrovia –
directly bellow me a massive slum pressed out on a peninsula of white
sandy beach.
Alex Cairns, accompanied by Ian Davis, rides by on Mamquam
Road during the Celebrity Challenge Saturday on his way to the finish line at
the top of Perth. Once there, he was awarded a cheque for $5,000 for a sit ski
from the Club 200 fund. Alex raised $1,700 for the Linda Carney Rotary Cares
Fund by going door to door collecting pledges. We support you, Alex!
If you have any Rotary photos from the past year, please email them to Liz Scott at liz_scott@shaw.ca to include in the slideshow for the Installation Saturday evening.
Several offspring of Rotarians are graduating from HSS this year including Glen McEachern's son, Patrick, Judy Fowler's adopted granddaughter, Andy, Matt Sousa's son, Kevin, Ian and Sheri Davis's son, Gareth, and Liz Scott's daughter, Devyn. Many awards, scholarships and bursaries were handed down and several of the students are also members of the Interact club, headed by Sheri Davis. Pictured is Devyn Scott, receiving the Allison Roberge Memorial Award from Denice and Nate Roberge.
Rotarian Laurie Vanzella presents the Dr. Luke Plunkett Memorial Award to Patrick McEachran, son of Rotarian Glen McEachran at the HSS Awards Night. Patrick received several other awards this evening as well. Congratulations Patrick!
June 10 was Awards Night at Howe Sound Secondary and there were many highlights. Among them of course, was the awarding of the Rotary Club of Squamish Scholarship. The recipient is Julianna Bourke, an active Interact member and recently chosen student to attend Adventures in Citizenship in Ottawa.
At the recent District Conference held in Prince Rupert, our own Sheri Davis was named District 5040 Rotarian of the Year. Upon Sheri's return to our club, in true humble fashion, Sheri claimed that it is impossible to name just one Rotarian of the Year as it is because of the support of the club and her husband and current club president, Ian, that she was so honoured with this distinction. Regardless, we know how many countless hours you devote to Rotary, Interact, Rotaract, as Assistant Governor for Sea to Sky, to International projects and grants; the list goes on, and our club would not enjoy the success it does without you, Sheri. Thank you for all that you do for Rotary.
Sara Nilsson recently presented to the club about her home in Linkoping, Sweden, including her family and many of the traditions. Her presentation was very interesting and informative, as well as entertaining. Well done, Sara!
Michael Duffee is a little behind in his reporting, but read on to catch up with his adventures:
Brazil Report #5 Michael Duffee
February is already over, school is back in full swing, and I'm already halfway through my exchange. At the beginning of this month, my whole family and I finally went on our trip to Toque-Toque, an amazing beach about 3/4ths of the way from Sao Paulo to Rio. In total, there were 12 of us (6 more later on in the vacation) fitting into a few cars, which then drove 4 hours through Sao Paulo during rush hour (which, if you have ever been there, means that we had just driven 40 or 50 kilometers!), and 3 more hours on the beautiful highway that overlooks the sea and beaches way down below! When we arrived during the nighttime, me dad, mum, uncle, granddad, grandma, 2 sisters, 4 cousins (all girls), and I unpacked our things into our beautiful rented beach house and went to the local town to get something to eat and to meet another uncle, and 2 cousins (one boy and one girl). We all ate and decided to get some sleep and wake up early for the sun and the heat (which I couldn't wait to finally get under at the beach!). The next day we all walked cown to just quickly check out the beach before breakfast and se the best place to set up campl After quickly walking along the beach (I decided to be very smart about the sun and slowly ease into a good tan by putting on sunscreen morning and afternoon for it), I made my way to near my house and for some stroke of luck, ran into a Canadian girl that I had known on my first week of Brazil! I went over and met her family and we got talking for a longg time. Unfortunately for me, when I came back to my house 3 hours later, I noticed that I was already burned and forgot to put sunscreen on my very first day. The next few days were very cool, although I was looking a little bit like a lobster, and I got to meet a lot of very nice people wanting to know where I was from (white hair at the beach full of extremely tanned people draws some attention).
The week of May 24th the Forestry GSE Team from South Carolina District 7750 visited Squamish. Forester and Rotarian Kevin Haberl arranged for a local tour for the team and they also joined us for lunch. They gave us a brief update of their travels, marveling at the scenery through the Fraser Canyon enroute to the District Conference in Prince Rupert. Of course, they were also able to witness the devastation to our forests that the pine beetle has brought.
Again the team was awed by the sights on the ferry trip back to Vancouver Island. Pictured are President Ian with Tammy Cushing, Clemson University Professor of Forest Economics and ManagementKristen Austin, South Carolina Southern Blue Ridge Project Director for The Nature Concervancy, Mary Yonce, Timber Manager for the U.S. Forest Service on the Sumter National Forest, and Michelle Christensen, an intern with the Endowment at Portland State University, with plans to become an urban planner and hopes to apply for an associate level position with a forest-conservation non-profit.
Upcoming Outbound Youth Exchange students Abbey Heilig and Logan Bennett came to Rotary to thank us for our support and the opportunity to head out on their year long exchanges. Abbey is going to Peubla, Mexico, and Logan is heading to India. We look forward to hearing about their adventures while they are away.
Bicycle Safety, held at all of the Squamish Elementary Schools, and a joint effort with the local RCMP and student volunteers from the high schools, was once again a success. This is such a highlight, especially for some of the younger students who sometimes even remove their training wheels for this "big event".
Thanks to all who came out to help, and to Don Patrick and Peter Martin for organizing.
RI President John Kenny says in his last message as president, "These
past 12 months have given me the opportunity and the privilege of
observing firsthand how our service touches the lives of others, and
how great are the needs we address."
There is a new online newspaper in town. You can find it at www.thesquamishreporter.ca. In it there is an article about Rotarian Daniel Nduati, reprinted here.
In Nairobi, a bit of Squamish
It's been five years since Squamish resident,
Julia Smith, first met Daniel Nduati, the director of the Emmanuel Boys
Rescue Center in Nairobi. Since then, members of the Squamish Rotary
Club have fundraised close to $90,000 for the centre.
Daniel Nduati was high on drugs, wandering aimlessly on the streets of Nairobi when a stranger patted him on the shoulder.Daniel Nduati was in Squamish on the invitation of Rotary Club.
"Who are you?" Nduati asked.
"I am Jesus." the man said.
Nduati looked closely. The man resembled his neighbour who used to graze sheep. Only, he was much more handsome.
To read the rest of the story, go to www.thesquamishreporter.ca.
At the April 28th, 2010 Rotary Council on Legislation, representatives approved the addition of a fifth Avenue of Service: New Generations (a slight amendment from Youth Service). New Generations joins Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service as the foundation of club activity.
The District Conference held in Prince Rupert was truly inspirational. The hospitality of the Rotary Club of Prince Rupert and the other northern clubs was outstanding. The Rotary International representative was PAST DISTRICT GOVERNOR BOB KINGS from Lakeview Oregon who gave a motivating and entertaining talk each morning. The GSE teams from the Philippines both incoming and the outgoing shared their experiences with the group. Art and Lesley ERASMUS spoke about their trip to EthIopia on a water project and later assisting with the Polio eradication project there. Shelterbox made a presentation and demonstration of the erection of the tent. At the AGM the Board of Directors was announced, as well as an update from the Rotary International meetings - where RI have added a 5th Avenue of Service being "Youth Programs". We made a trip to the local Cannery which is being refurbished where we enjoyed a wonderful halibut and salmon BBQ prepared and hosted by the Rotary Club of Prince Rupert. It was there that the District 5040 awards were given out - Sechelt received the Rotary Club of the Year - however our very own Sheri Davis received the Rotarian of the Year for all her great work both in our club and others within our District. The theme on Sunday was Peace, which began with a moving Memorial service at the water front, then followed by a brunch and ELEANOR KENDALL spoke of her Peace mission in Sri Lanka. The Rotary Club of Kitimat shared their Peace Project, there had been a presentation to Rotary International to have a Peace Program - it was very well received however due to the costs of starting a new program it could not be supported as a Rotary International project.
About 3 pm, the clouds move in and the humidity rises. I'm sitting at
my desk. Out of the window directly in front of me I watch women and
children balances buckets on their heads as they go back and forth from
the river. Through the open door to my right I can see the massive
mango tree that shades our office. The temperature directly under this
tree is always a blissful few degrees cooler than anywhere else. Now
the leaves are beginning to tremble and in a moment the whole tree is
shaking in the wind and ripe mangoes are falling like rain. Everyone is
laughing and chasing to catch the sweet fruit. Then the rain pours
down, sending everyone except the children inside. The children
continue to chase the mangoes and then begin to dance in the rain. They
are thin, except for swollen bellies, and they are getting the only
clothes they own soaked, but they are laughing and playing like
children do everywhere.
To read more, click on Julia's link on the lefthand side of home page under Club Links.
We encourage your consideration and circulation of this invitation for nominations for the 2010 Order of British Columbia. Our work between the government and non-profit sectors highlights the everyday successes and contributions of many individuals who make a huge difference in the lives of British Columbians. The OBC is the highest form of recognition that can be awarded within BC and carries significant attention to those involved in very worthy causes. Your assistance in seeking nominations is appreciated!
Government Non Profit Initiative
ORDER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Call for Nominations
Submission Deadline: June 10, 2010 5 p.m. (PST) The British Columbia Honours and Awards Secretariat is currently accepting nominations for the province's highest honour, the Order of British Columbia. Established in 1989, the Order of B.C. recognizes those people who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour that benefits the people of B.C. or elsewhere. It represents the highest form of recognition the province can extend to its citizens.
Nomination forms are available by going to www.protocol.gov.bc.ca and
following the link for the Order of British Columbia. All entries
should reach the Honours and Awards Secretariat office in Victoria by 5
p.m. on June 10, 2010.
Great
opportunity to sponsor Grade 8 to 10 students with leadership potential
for this life time experience. Submission Deadline May 30. Please see Sheri Davis if you know of a young person who may be interested in this great program.
To apply, or for more information, visit www.questu.ca/academics/adult_summer_program.php / 604.898.8039 Quest University Canada: Renew Your Quest A Summer Program for Adults (June 27-July 2) Program Description: In the week-long 'Renew Your Quest' program, you can choose from three courses of study: 'Ethics: Philsophical Perspectives on Life (and Death),' 'Debunking the Myths of the Mind: Psychology for the Real World,' and 'Myth and Memory: What is History?' Your evenings are filled with exciting excursions in the beautiful and majestic Squamish wilderness and lectures from some of the leading scholars in Astrophysics, and Arts and Humanities. Program Options: Residential - Tuition, accommodation, full meal plan and evening activities - $1200 CAD Commuter (for local residents) - Tuition, lunch plan and evening activities - $600 CAD
At the recent Rotary NAYEN (North American Youth Exchange Network) Conference held in Chicago, the District 5040 Youth Exchange committee was proud to receive the Bronze Level Award for Achievement. We can ALL be proud of this award and the commitment that each member of Youth Exchange contributes.
NAYEN is made up of Rotary Youth Exchange Districts from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, however Districts from all corners of the world were represented at the conference. Pictured are committee members Neil McDonald, Liz Scott, Chair Petrie Neave, Liz Neave, and Lyn Stroshin.
President - Pat Taylor Past President - Ian Davis President Elect - Ron Anderson Vice President - Bill McNeney Secretary - Anne Peters Treasurer - Judy Fowler Director, Rotary Foundation - Don Patrick Co-Director, Rotary Foundation - Mike Nasu Director, Community Service - Chris Rommel Co-Director, Community Service - Brian Finley Director, Public Relations - Bobbie Durno Director, Membership - Lino Vanzella Co-Director, Membership - Don Christie
Chair, Club Service - Debbie Anderson Chair, International - Janet Gugins Co-Chair, International - Sheri Davis Youth Exchange Officer - Judy McQuinn Chair, Communications/Website - Liz Scott Chair, Programs - Matt Souza Co-Chair, Programs - Bianca Peters Chair, Vocational - Ann Gawley Co-Chair, Vocational - Denise Rittberg Sergeant at Arms - Denise Imbeau Co-Sergeant at Arms - Glen McEachran
We look forward to representing you in the 2010/11 Rotary year!
A feature has been added so that Executive Meeting Minutes can be viewed securely by Squamish Rotary club members only. Simply go to the Squamish Rotary website and login. Click on "Admin Page" , click on "View Club Documents" under "My ClubRunner" on the lefthand side, and this will give you a menu of the secure members-only documents that are available for viewing. Make a selection and click on "view". Voila! Now wasn't that easy? If you encounter any problems at all, please call Liz at 604-898-4639 or send me an email at liz_scott@shaw.ca.
by Laverne Kindree
The formation of the Squamish Rotary Club was the result of the dream of one man, "Johnny Morrison". Johnny was a long time resident of Squamish and was the manager of MacKenzie's General Store.
As voted in order of priority by the attending Rotarians at the meeting of 13th August 2009.
1. Bike Safety
2. Squamish Legacy Park
3. Seniors' Centre
4. Clean-a Stream (Rivers Day, 27 Sept.)
5. Washrooms at old CofC (Arts Council) building
6. Rotary Reads
7. Homeless Dinner
8. Britannia Slough
9. Nexen Beach logs
A new link has been added to the Squamish Rotary website, enabling you to donate to local and international projects that our club supports with just a few clicks of the mouse. Tax receipts are issued each time you donate, or once a year. Go to www.squamishrotary.com and look for the link under "Club Links". Click on "Donate to Squamish Rotary's Charities", which will take you to the Canada Helps website. Type in "Squamish Rotary" and you will be led through the steps to donate. You are able to donate to the general fund, or you can specify which project you would like to donate to. This can be set up to make a one-time donation or you can request monthly deductions. Please see Sheri Davis for further information.
Randall Bamford, Director of Community Service, reminds us that packing hampers takes place on December 17th and hamper deliveries take place December 18th. You can sign up at Rotary on the sign-up sheet, or register online.
The event, held at Quest University Saturday Nov. 22nd, raised an estimated $25,000 and attracted 226 people. The funds will be distributed between the Linda Carney Rotary Cares fund, which covers uninsured medical expenses for Sea to Sky Corridor residents, and the Squamish Rotary Foundation, supporting local and international projects.
Pictured with Owen are Jeanine Bradshaw and Grant McRadu.
At the Nov 27, 2008 Rotary meeting, Bob Fast and Don Patrick were both awarded Paul Harris awards. Sheri Davis received her 3rd level Paul Harris Award. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for your many contributions to Rotary.
District 5040's nominee for the Rotary World Peace Fellow scholarship, Bryan Nykon has been selected to attend Brandford University in the UK. To read more about the scholarship and about Bryan, click on the District site link above or on the left under Club Links.
Congratulations to Assistant Governor Hans Doge, a member of the Rotary Club of Quadra, on his selection as the District Governor for District 5040 for 2011/12.
The charming and delightful Elena Bakhareva of Barnaul, (Siberia) Russia, spoke to our club on November 20th. Lena is attending BCIT in Burnaby in the Business and Economics Program on a four month Russian Ambassadorial Scholarship funded by David and Lis Ker. David is a member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver South. Lena told us about her life in Siberia, and other than the extremely cold winters (-30 to -40 degrees), we were able to see from her slideshow presentation that life is not so terribly different from here in Squamish. Lena will take her new skills that she has learned at BCIT back home with her to the city of Barnaul.
Contact
21 Twickenham Court
Bradford W. Yorkshire
BD8 7BL
julia.emmanuel@gmail.com
07531847253
First Report
Academic Activities and Progress
I have chosen the Peace Studies module at the University of Bradford and am taking the following courses: Human Rights, African Politics and Introduction to Peace Studies. I am also auditing the Conflict Resolution course. All of the courses are extremely interesting. In particular the professors teaching Human Rights and African Politics are fascinating people with a great deal of practical and academic experience they freely share with us students.
Over the years Squamish Rotary Club has hosted students from all over the globe.
These students have come from Australia, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Brazil, Russia, Czech Republic, and New Zealand. Host families have welcomed them into their homes and the students have been immersed in our local high schools as well as community life in Squamish.
When Canada was considered by Great Britain mature enough to govern itself back in 1867 it was men who elected our first Parliamentarians and Prime Minister John A. Macdonald. In fact, it was not until 1920 that Canada and the USA considered women worldly enough to give them the right to vote.
Just 40 to 50 years ago women were expected to choose vocations like teacher, nurse, office secretary, and clerk. Vocations like accountant, engineer, geologist, business owner and lawyer were mainly the domain of the so called more learned gender, men.
By Reporter Neil Judson njudson@squamishchief.com
Owen Carney has been a endless source of energy for Squamish for decades. Besides building Carney's Waste Systems from the ground up, decades of community and far-reaching contributions make Carney stand out as the next Squamish resident that deserves to be celebrated by the Squamish Rotary Club, and they're doing so at a gala fundraiser at Quest University next Saturday (Nov. 22).
Peter Gill attended the Canucks game with Rotarian Glen Nov 8th. Peter goes home January 2nd so there are only a few weeks left to enjoy his company and introduce him to your family. Peter is now staying with Mike and Andrea Beaubien and can be reached at (604) 898-2093 or by email at aussie.peter@hotmail.com. Peter will be making his presentation at Rotary on Dec 11th.
Peter Gill Attends Canucks Game with Glen McEachran Nov 8th
When I left Canada many people told me that the 3rd
month would be the hardest. I would feel homesick and get lonely. I think all things considered I'm doing pretty well! Now that I am in Thailand, I have a lot of free time on my hands. It gives me lots of time to think. Buddhist religion believes strongly that in every
situation there is always a negative and positive side. It is the choice you make that changes things. You have the option of being positive or negative towards any situation. Sometimes when you are sad and upset it is hard to brake through and think positive. I think it is
because deep down you need time and you are not ready to move forward. Anyways all this to say that I learn a lot on the beliefs of Thai people and so far I agree with them on everything.
At our Oct 23rd meeting, DG Bob Blacker inducted our newest Rotarians, Rose Fast, sponsored by Laurie Vanzella, and Chris Rommel, sponsored by Ken Newington. Rose is a former Rotarian from Sechelt, where she is the Past President as well as Past Assistant Governor for Sunshine Coast. Rose has jumped on board with the Squamish Club by assisting Doug Race with Foundation. Chris Rommel is a local Building Contractor and is already involved with the "Tribute" fundraiser. We can tell that both Rose and Chris will be active members of our club.
Randall Bamford is our Director of Service Projects. He is quite amazing. He has been a member of Rotary for just 2 years, yet his contribution seems like 20 years! During his first year he was Chair of one of our biggest "Time Commitment" events, the Rotary Beef Barbecue at our community Squamish Days, on the August long weekend. This event draws all ages to the community, and is very family oriented. He met monthly with the Squamish Days committee, as well as reporting back to our Club. As the event got closer, he organized all the food, (he is manager of our Save On Foods store)..and volunteers, clean up etc.Ã'¦the list is endless. He did such a great job we asked him organize again for this past August 2008!...Randall also took over the overall Service Projects half way through last year due to one of our members needing to concentrate on his health. Randall attended our Club Assembly last Spring, wanting to learn more of the workings of Rotary. Needless to say, he did a great job, and has continued with the Portfolio this Rotary year..and found time for he and his wife Dawn, to have baby Mitchell!. Randall is very approachable, lots of fun, and always smiling! He is a big contributor to our Club!
Randall Bamford Receives "Making Dreams Real" Recognition from DG Bob Blacker Oct 23rd
Our annual Christmas Party has been booked and it will once again be at "The Clubhouse". Owen Carney has generously offered to open up his home to us and we will descend upon him for an evening of fun and fellowship. Address: 38301 Vista Crescent Time: 7 PM Bring: Appetizer to share + a container or plate of baked goods or a box of chocolates for the Helping Hands Society to distribute to those less fortunate over the holiday season. Spirits will be provided.
Kenyan visitor learns from Canadian government and applies it to hometown
By Reporter Erica Timmerman etimmerman@squamishchief
Visiting Canada is a real eye-opener for Daniel Nduati, who says Canadians are blessed with many government services that are not offered back in his hometown of Nairobi, Kenya. "There is so much here, like health care, access to good education, it is not even hard to get a job, and means of communication are very easy compared to where I come from," said Nduati.
Daniel Nduati, founder of the Emmanuel Boyz Rescue Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, and a close friend of the Squamish Rotary Club, received a Paul Harris Award at our October 23rd Rotary meeting. DG Bob Blacker presented the prestigious award to Daniel.
Second month done and gone already! Time is truly amazing. It feels like yesterday
was my first day of school but at the same time it feels like I've been here forever. Strange.. :P
Near my home there is a bat colony. There are hundreds of bats here and I hear them late at night.
I like them because they help me get rid of the awful mosquitoes, but they still scare me!! haha
The other night I was writing emails at my computer when they decided to give me a little fright.
There is a window beside the computer desk; there was a bat that hung on the wall just outside the
window. It was so small, so cute, I was observing it when all of a sudden it flipped its head back
and look at me with its mouth open! It scared the heck out of me.
DG Bob Blacker paid a visit to our club on October 23rd. It was a busy meeting honouring many Rotarians who embraced "Service Above Self". Pictured are President Denise Rittberg and DG Bob Blacker.
Just in case you all were thinking I was only having fun here. Let me share some of my daily grind with you...
This morning I had my African Politics course - which I love. However, today's topic was ethnic conflict and revolved around the Rwandan genocide. We watched a film about how all the world powers knew what was happening but failed to intervene. Then our professor told us about how he worked for the UN during the genocide and was in Rwanda immediately before it broke out. His job was to report on the likelihood of conflict - something he reported was very likely. He then spent the three months during the genocide in South Africa, as the world watched and did nothing. On returning to Rwanda after the massacre (one million people in 100 days) his job was to advise the UN on the best ways of disposing of the thousands of dead bodies throughout the country. He said what he learnt from the experience is that the world does not care about each other... Somber thoughts for us idealist peace students.
After class I read about the links between HIV/AIDS and conflict for two hours. Once again the genocide came up in the readings which documented how rape and HIV are increasingly used as a weapon of war. I then went to a lecture of 'Surprises in History' including the very recent credit crunch... More somber thoughts for a bunch of students hoping to get well paying jobs in the non-profit sector when we graduate.
Larissa Bergeron and Sammy Butts, both now Grade 10 students at Don Ross Secondary and members of the Interact Club, attended RYLA Lakelse for 14 - 15 year olds in Terrace, BC from July 3 - 6, 2008. The following is their thank you letter to our club. (Larissa is in purple and Sammy is in red.)
Lianne McRadu and her host sister from the Normandy region of France had a whirlwind summer as they participated in the ROSE program this past summer.They took time out during their busy summer to attend a Rotary lunch in Squamish and exchange banners with President Denise.
Natalie Pereman (centre)was installed by longtime Rotarian Dave Stewart and sponsored by Rotarian Pat Taylor on October 2nd. Natalie is a born and bred "Squamolian" and a local realtor.
Many Rotarians turned out for the first annual Mad Hatter's Tea Party held at the home of Ann and Liam Gawley on August 9th. The hats were amazing, as was the food, and a good time was had by all.
This year's theme is "Making Dreams Real" to end child mortality. What better way than through the projects listed below.
On Thursday Sept 4th, our club voted on a number of worthy international projects. The results will be announced at the Sept 11th meeting and the top 2 projects will be showcased at the November 22nd Fundraiser.
Another HUGE success for the two day event. Way to go all Volunteers that made this year possible. Approximately $14 000.00 of net sales with 104 roasts cooked, approx 225 dozen buns made.
Squamish-raised Chloe Scott never expected to follow the path of people such as Scorsese, Capra and Welles, but she is well on her way to being credited along with those names, if talent and luck have anything to do with it.
This summer was an incredible experience. I learned a lot of French, a lot of the French culture, and most of all had some life experiences that I will carry with me throughout the challenges I will face. In France I stayed in the lovely countryside of Normandie in Mauves-sur-Huisne with the Suzannes and Anne Cecile, on their farm.