Stories

Find us at Trinity United Church Hall, 33 Main St. E., Huntsville, on Canada Day 2017!

... Shaped Their Vision of Service Abroad.  

Late last fall these two Rotarians from the Huntsville noon-hour club came to tell us about their “Dream Team” fundraising plans to hike to the base camp of Mount Everest in support of SOS Children’s Villages and Dreams Take Flight charities.  Finally, after months of planning and fundraising, they arrived in Nepal on April 25^th – the earthquake struck the country on April 26^th. 

Kelly and Brandy shared a moving and thought-provoking slide show outlining their experiences over the next five days – it has to be seen to be believed - and even then it is hard to fathom.  The devastation, the death, and the near misses, along with stories of survival and rebuilding were riveting and humbling.

A detailed, striking slideshow helped us measure what they meant by devastating event. 

Brandy Van Gelder and Kelly Hammond sharing their experience 

Last Monday night a team of Rotarians set on a special Culinary mission:  Provide hot, nutritious, lunches to the local hungry students.

By the end of the night kilos and pounds of sweet potatoes, onions, carrots, beans, tomatoes, squash, celery, meat.... and more were cut and prepped for cooking, packaging and freezing.

On Thursday, frozen squash soup, chowder and chili were picked up from Soul Sistas kitchen along with a extra "still-warm-just-out-of-the-oven" batch of biscuits by the HHS students.  
 

The team is already planning to work on a carrot soup and a tomato soup, and of course some more biscuits to have ready for early next week.  
 

This are the people and businesses who support the Santa Claus Parade and make it possible.

Thank you!

 

                                                                

​

We are so happy to welcome Estelle Laville, Egle Yarascavitch, Karin and Fred Maynard in our club and the Rotary family.  :)

We were there to help :)

Alison, Marc and Ecle waiting for the crowd and ready to help people find perfect parking so they can be with the music :)

... good food...

Always a pleasure to have Ron's visit! And we actually got to understand how the District Grants actually work :)

Awesome BBQ at Robinson's Independent Grocer, great treats and happy Rotarians to serve you!

It was the most fantastic team working for the community unloading the truck for the local Food Bank!
Rotarians Lorraine, Brian, Harry, Catherine and a dynamic team from Cairn Camp gmi.ilovecamp.org 

Our first Winner John Litchfield, Congratulation John and Bon Appetit! Enjoy the $200 certificate in one of our best local restaurant! :)

Still some tickets left! Get one today here: info@RotaryHuntsvilleLoB.com

Nothing like a classification on a sunny day!  Rotarian Mark delighted us with the story of his life and his dedication to make the world a better place.  :)

Lorraine Van Luit from Motivations Fitness (www.motivationsfiness.com) told us about the benefits of exercising for health and quality of life...

...and got us all through flexibility, cardiovascular and strenghth fitness exercises and evaluations. It was quite something!!!  :)

And we had a Birthday boy at our table !! Happy Birthday Brian!!

Our committees at work, planning and crafting the good work for next year...

Service committee

Youth Committee

Membership Committee

and the New Polio Moose has arrived...

Three brand new Rotarians inducted in the Rotary Family!  Marc, Lynne and Brian.  Welcome!! :)

And Classification speech from one of our newest Rotarian Brian Gilmer

It has been a long time coming but it finally happened Nick has made this classification for us this morning.

and we got to see he's always been that feisty, just came that way :D

Earth Day Cleaning rain or shine we make the world a better place!

Gave us the opportunity to review the club's projects and bring a final touch the committees organization for next year.  

Lots of work and fun ahead!!! 

You enjoyed this article, register and receive our monthly club bulletin

Today we welcomed Barbary White from the Junior Achievement Program as our speaker.

We've learned about the benefits of that program. The core pillars of Junior Achievement are: Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship and Work Readiness. 
The Financial Literacy program provides important life skills that fit nicely with promoting youth volunteering.
The program is dependent on local business professionals to deliver the various programs. It is important that the children receive the programs from those who have hands-on experience in the various fields and can relate their life experiences to the class. 

The programs offered include: 

• Grade 8 program called Economics for Success; 
• Grade 3, Needs, Jobs and Tools where they discuss the community and how money moves around in the community; 
• Grade 5 program entitled, Our Business World where students learn to run a business which includes deciding on a product, building a business plan, developing a budget, costing materials and labour, and putting together an advertisement to promote their product; 
• there is also Dollars and Sense, a Grade 7 program focusing on money management, smart consumerism, fraud, credit card use, budgeting, and investing. 

President Rob giving giving our club's participation to support great groups and projects in our community 

Kim Williams and Steve Spiers, Huntsville High School

 Family, Youth and Child Services of Muskoka

 Jo Walton, Ontario Early Years Program

 

Breakfast with MP Tony Clement this morning made for an interesting conversation over coffee and healthy food :)

And I mean good food :)

Our latest contributions, Rotarian Amber and Club President Rob presenting $500 in contribution to the Ontario Early Years program for nutrition initiatives.

and another $500 to the Huntsville High School representatives for the secondary school's daily breakfast program...  :)

What is media teaching out children?... and is it what we want our children to learn this is the crux of the Man Up! project Rotarian Kim Rixon from Bracebridge Muskoka Lake came to present this morning.

Preparing the room for our guests:

And it all starts by welcoming our guests with beautiful music performed by the Huntsville Suzuki School of Music and all the details explained by our Masters of Ceremony Alison and Christopher!

A pretty full house...

Happy guests...

Fascinating speakers...

The Sponsors without whom we could not have done it...

Check the YUMMIES on the Gala Menu

and make your reservations

reserve your tickets here

Come celebrate a decade of Service and Fellowship with us! 

There are few tickets left...

To reserve your ticket right away click here

President Rob took the opportunity of the first dinner meeting and the mid point of the year to recap the many successes of the past 6 months, and encourage everyone to keep going with our coming projects namely the 10th year anniversary gala coming up on February 22nd and that promises to be quite an event!!  

THERE ARE A FEW TICKETS LEFT - GET YOURS HERE

Good food, good wine, intense conversation makes for an interesting evening :)

Don't our Scotts look great on the ice?!!  :-)

Some people in our community have enjoyed great food in some of the best restaurants in Huntsville - Lake of Bays

For $5 they have won a $200 gift certificate in one of six restaurants: 3 Guys and a Stove, On the docks Pub, Tall Trees, The Norsemen, Blackburn's Steakhouse or Momiji Japanese Restaurant.

Our Winners: 

   Christina Locke branch

  Scott Aitchison receives his gift certificate from John Davis

   Susan Billingsley give her gift certificate to Janice Hay

  Nick Paroschy gives his gift certificate to Barry Bowers

Community Support has been fantastic!!! 

Santa Claus Parade Sponsors:

Thanks to everybody effort and participation, Santa was here this year again for everybody's joy!  :)

Soul Sistas Restaurant Santa's Parade headquarters.  

It is 7am, and like every thursday morning for the past few weeks we are all on the edge of our sits listening to Nick and checking what are the next steps in the organisation of the Huntsville Santa Claus Parade.

We can be proud of our representation at the District Conference, it seems though it was not a difficult commitment. Because every body came back delighted by the speakers, the fellowship here is a testimonial which I found was share by all the participants:

"I loved the conference, it was only my second time attending a conference and my feelings at the end are the same this time. I came away feeling very motivated and very blessed to be part of such a great oranization and friend to so many wonderful giving people. I enjoy very much meeting the exchange students and spending time with them at the Gala on Saturday night.  One thing I remember, top of my head, the guest speakers were awesome!!!"

Forget about Ocean's Eleven, we have Wilding's Six!!!

Exchange Students

Parade of Flags

Terry Gill dedicates his paintings to the healing of our environment. As he sees it is crucial that we honour the earth as sacred and protect our air and water; our lands, forests, and oceans; our wildlife; our children's future; and our planet's climate. He tries to express that love of nature in his "Impressions of Nature" These paintings reflect the many facets of nature one can find and enjoy in the natural forests of Canada. In Ontario, the Georgian Bay in the area of Parry Sound and the lakes of Muskoka has been a particular inspiration.

For more awe inspiring painting, check his website impressions of nature

Summer camp can mean fun, friendship and fresh air, but some children are left out.

Rob Wilding, president of the Rotary Club of Huntsville-Lake of Bays, said his service club wants to help change that.

The club donated $1,500 to Family, Youth and Child Services for its summer camp program on Sept. 18. The donation is half of the club’s commitment to sending at least 10 children to camp next summer.

“Without support from groups like Rotary, our program wouldn’t happen,” said camp co-ordinator Jocelyn Suddaby.

Suddaby said the agency sends about 40 kids to camp every year. The kids eligible for the program are either children in care or are connected with children’s mental health programs.

The agency works with a variety of day camps and overnight camps in the region to help give a camp experience to children between the ages of four and 16.

Suddaby said it costs the agency about $300 for one week of overnight camp, which is a substantial discount in most cases since some camps can cost more than $1,000 per week regularly.

And some camps provide spaces for free, she said.

“The camps have been great,” she said.

She said she sometimes drives kids to camp if the families are unable to get them there, which is when she gets to hear them talk excitedly about the experiences they had during the week.

She said there is an endless stream of chatter at the end of the week about new friends, inspiring camp counsellors, swimming lessons and other activities the kids may otherwise not have had access to.

Wilding smiled as he and his fellow club members presented the donation.

“This is why we raise money,” he said. “It’s great to be able to help kids.”

...and told us all about this morning.  I was fascinating!

And there is nothing like getting a presentation from somebody who had been there and met the people, including some precious time with local Rotarians.

 Beautiful Social event on the Beach!!!

Fist we do it to raise fund for the community and it turns out to be real fun on a hot summer day!!!

I can get her in the water?

 Dunkers recruiting team...

 I can SO get her in the water? :) 

 ...the Fantastic Dunkees!

Packed program today: First a warm visit from our District Governor Marilyn Hanson, who shared with us her inspiring Rotary life and accomplishments.

Then we welcomed a new Rotarian in our family, Lorraine Morin who has been feeding us fantastic breakfasts at her restaurant, Soul Sistas, for the last few weeks has officially joined the Rotary World family. Welcome aboard!

The sight of happy Treasurer Amber and happy President-elect Alison, announcing our last fundraising event raised over $1300 to make the local and global world a better place.  Yess!!  :)

We have Super Bears, they save children.

For $15 you can take a Super Bear home and save 30 children from Polio.

Rob Wilding our new president had a full house this morning.

Perfect opportunity to check the proceeds made with our Dunk Tank at the Huntsville Bathtub Derby Event last Saturday, and start organizing all our coming projects to make the world and our community a better place!

And when we get inspired there is always a little bit of magic in the air :)

 Great attendance!

 Beautiful gift!

President Catherine handing the gavel to President-Elect Rob...

and win a $200 gift certificate to dine in The Norsemen Lake Side Bistro, Spencer's Tall Trees Restaurant, Three Guys and a Stove, On the Docks Pub, Mimoji...

NEXT DRAW NEXT THURSDAY, JUNE 27TH!!!! 

... and it's beautiful :)

Picking up winters remain on Huntville's trails...

A fantastic breakfast, Rotarian Carole and Morris delighted us with a fantastic breakfast this morning!

Doesn't it look yummy?!

The best way to start the day!

At the beginning of our Rotary year Sakuji Tanaka, Rotary International President, has brought forward the theme of Peace through Service. At the end of his speech he asked us "to understand that peace, in all of the ways that we can understand it, is a real goal and a realistic goal for Rotary. Peace is not something that can only be achieved through treaties, by governments, or through heroic struggles. It is something that we can find and that we can achieve, every day and in many simple ways."

I want to put forward that the warmth of Fellowship in our club is also part of that Peace we can bring in the world. This has been the intend of the event on February 3rd, to share Peace and Fellowship with Rotarians, friends and family.

Start with warmth...

...add good company...

 and some more good company...

 good drinks...

and good food to finish...

Alison Brownlee

Reporter 'humbled' with Rotarian of the Year honour

by Mandi Hargrave/Huntsville Forester

Service club has place in family history

HUNTSVILLE - Many Rotarians have good leadership skills, but as a "born leader" it wasn't too surprising that one of the newest members of the Rotary Club of Huntsville/Lake of Bays was awarded the Rotarian of the Year honour.

"She's very ambitious and she's also very caring," said John Davis, past-president of the club. "She's always happy to come out and be involved in fundraisers and things that we do. She's a born leader."

Davis said the vote this year for the honour was an interesting one as originally it was a three-way tie between himself, Brownlee and Debi Davis. Much to her own shock, Brownlee came out on top in the second round of voting.

"In a sense it's humbling because you go into Rotary as a volunteer, you're volunteering your time because you want to give back to the community and you believe in what the organization does locally and internationally, and then when you're given an award like this you're humbled because you don't really feel like you deserve it, you don't feel like you've done anything spectacular over and above what your other club members have done," said Brownlee. "But to be recognized by them, by those amazing people, it's really special and it makes you smile, but it also makes you feel like you need to work harder so you deserve those accolades they're giving you."

"Growing up, Rotary was an organization my grandfather always wanted to belong to," she said. "When he got in it was such a privilege as far as he was concerned."

"I was so honoured even to be asked to join this organization that I know is so important around the world and has such a great impact on the community that I jumped at the opportunity," she said. "It's an organization that I respect and one that I'm glad to be a part of and any opportunity I could take to join it, absolutely."

   In keeping with the Foundation Theme of the month DG Brian Menton had been invited a few months back to present Two New Paul Harris Fellowships to John and Debi Davis. Luck would have it that Brian would have the opportunity to participate in a larger Paul Harris Ceremony as William Corrigan had donated to the End Polio Campaign making him a Paul Harris Fellow Plus Two recipient, a very prestigious honour to him and his family as well as to the Club and a great example to all in attendance.

We were also fortunate to have a great new member awaiting induction into our Rotary Family. A brand new ceremony to our club was used to Induct Amber McNair to the Rotary Club of Huntsville Lake of Bays. This new ceremony allowed for the participation of more members of the executive as well as the sponsor in the ceremony itself. I hope Amber felt the warmth and the support that this ceremony was intended to give her and that she is more than just a member of a Rotary Club she is a Rotarian and will be seen as such around the world. I think both of these ceremonies went well if only from my biased view. DG Menton finished off the meeting by sharing with us a few of his many visual memories in his visits across this great District of 7010. Brian mentioned that each club was different in its make up and its way of raising funds or even delivery of Rotary's message. What he did say was that the message was always the same "Service Above Self" and that we should all be proud of what we had accomplished as individual clubs, as a District and in our Global efforts for Peace, Education and Compassion.

November as many of you know is Polio month so what better way to start off the month than with a visit from the District Chair of End Polio Now, Janet Stead. Janet's passion for Rotary in general and Polio in particular was evidenced in the power point presentation she had compiled for us. It is very hard for my mind and I am sure others to comprehend in this new world of miracle drugs and daily research breakthroughs of advancement in HIV, cancer, heart disease and others that an old disease such as polio should still have such a dabilitating hold on such a large segment of the world's population. Janet's message certainly grounded me and I know others to the importance we must continue to place on the eradication of this disaease. We can take great pride in how far Rotary has come in it's fight to eliminate Polio and the many partners we have attracted to assist, but we must not rest, for Polio won't and any decline in our efforts will certainly see an increase in Polio cases around the world. How fortuative it was to have Dianne Litchfield a victim of polio herself give us a testimonial of just how frightning this disease was and still is. Certainly an eye openner for us all and I believe we are more determined than ever in our efforts to sell our Moose and contribute to what one hopes will be the last and greatest victory in this war against Polio.   

October was a month of reflecting on what we saw and heard at District Conference. A time to look within to embrace humanity, not just for today but into the future and not just within ourselves but our communities and our club as well. The benefit of writing this article later affords me the opportunity to say that we looked inside our club and we have learned very well as will be evidenced in future stories. 

Thursday morning as ten of our club members prepare for the Annual District Conference we had the privilege of meeting and hearing from our sister clubs exchange student. Viktor Ozec is a student from Croatia in fact the very first Rotary Exchange student from his country. Viktor's command of the English language is truly exceptional which will make his stay in Huntsville even more memorable for him and for his host families. Viktor told us about his country and his education system which is quite different from ours, at home he would be studying 16 different subjects where as here he will only study 4 each semester. School in his homeland begins at 8 in the morning and finishes at 2 with all extra curricular activities such as sports or music etc are carried on after school is excused for the day. Viktor is a master saxophonist and is already part of four different bands in the school, the one difference he articulated between the two countries was that at home his music is mostly theory with little practicum  and here he gets to play a great deal in class and out. Viktor is also an accomplished athlete in Handball and Volleyball so he has become a welcome addition to Huntsville Highs Volleyball roster. I am sure with Viktors fine manners and out going personality that he will add much to the local scene and take many fond memories home to Croatia.

Viktor was accompanied on his visit to our club by Rob Saunders member of the Huntsville Rotary Club and at present Host Family to Viktor. Rob took a few minutes to make are club aware of the benefits of hosting an exchange student as well as some of the draw backs, some of the great joys a host family can experience as well as the obligations they undertake in bringing a stranger into their home. He talked about the life time friendships that have developed over the years with students who have come to Huntsville and how they have returned with their parents and siblings honoured to introduce them to their extended families. I can tell you from my own experience of sending a child to a foreign country and taking one in from somewhere else that the experience is well worth the effort and perhaps our club in the near future will participate in this adventure.   

Our Guest speaker for September 22, 2011 was Ellen Frood, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Muskoka. Two of the biggest issues facing residents of Huntsville are poor wages and poor housing. Ellen was here to share her knowledge on how we could help with the two builds in Huntsville in 2012 by Habitat.

During the course of her presentation Ellen answered many of the questions involved with a project of this magnitude, from acquiring land, materials, financing and man power. She informed us how Habitat is the builder, the banker, the insurer and the friend. She explained how members of our club can participate not just financially but we can swing hammers and saw boards as well. She also explained some of the other positions that are required for a successful building, these include project manager, materials acquisition and volunteer co-ordinator just to mention a few. The selection process for a family to own a home was also very interesting and we were informed about the number of hours a family must give to their own home in order to receive one. Members of Habitat teach them how to budget their money first in order to qualify and secondly how to keep up their payments and how to maintain their new home so as to build equity in it for their family. How to keep their property neat and clean and properly cared for so as to contribute their part in their new community.

It was a very informative meeting with some great questions afterwards, like can these families sell their house, who gets first choice of it and any other restrictions? Knowing Habitat gets first choice means some other deserving family may also receive a home. One very important point is these homes are not given to the people but are paid for by the fortunate chosen family. Cost however are kept very reasonable by the many subsidized items that Habitat gets including some materials and labour.

I felt good about having Ellen in our midst and Habitat in our community. I hope we can give some time and energy to this project as well as a little money. 

Pictured with Ellen is our Chair of Administration and Co-ordinator of our Guest Speakers Dan Duke. Ellen was one of the first to purchase a Polar Bear for Polio Eradication for just $15.00. Thanks Ellen. 

Our first social of this Rotary year was hosted by Rotarian Rob Wilding and his wife Nancy at their home on Brunel Road. Although this was to be an evening at and in the water the weather man had a different thought so it was moved to the farm house which didn't diminish the good times one bit. Everyone arrived with a special dish in hand be it desert or salad there was plenty for all and with Rob and Nancy supplying the corn and burgers you knew no one was going home hungry except maybe Debi who was on a restrictive diet, having unfortunately made an appointment for a medical procedure the next day which did not allow for anything other than liquids.

Many of the Rotarians brought along guest which was one of the purposes of the evening as this event was organized by the Membership Committee and it's Chair Jim Schiedel and members Susan Billingsley, Rob Wilding and Darlene Hunka. Those who were fortunate enough to bring a guest had their names put in a hat for an opportunity to win a new jacket embossed with our Huntsville Lake of Bays Rotary Club Logo on it, this was a highly sot after prize which was won by Past President Morris Eccles. The true winners of the evening were those in attendance, for they had the opportunity for some fun and fellowship not just with Club Members but their significant others and the perspective new Rotarians that were are guests. I hope we will see most of these guest at our next regular meeting of September 1, 2011 when we will have an excellent Guest Speaker in Ms. Heather Moore from the District of Muskoka. 

The evening ended with some exceptional fireworks put on by Mother Nature. Thanks to all who attended it was a great evening and I for one look forward to doing it again soon, perhaps with a little less food. As they say at the Zoo "please don't feed the animals, especially the over weight ones". I will have pictures of this event and the Dunk tank if I can get them out of the camera (technical stuff) and into my computer.

This weeks Guest Speaker was Leah Blenkinsop a past Exchange Student from Kincardine Ontario who went to South Africa. This however was not the purpose of Leah's visit, she came to tell us about her position as Project Leader for Katimavik-Huntsville. 

Leah and two of her house leaders came to tell us about their experience in Katimavik and just a few of the volunteer jobs they had taken on so far. They also reminded us that they are available to assist groups such as ours in the Community. These 17 year old individuals came from British Columbia and New Brunswick with the intent of serving as volunteers for six months in our community. It is Katimaviks policy not to place students in their home province but rather to combine English and French speaking youth together in a different Province, thus affording them an experience of culture, language, topography and weather as well as the warmth of Canadians in different regions. Did I mention various forms of mosquitoes, deer flies, black flies etc. 

They live, work, prepare their own meals, eat and sleep in their own house within the community. It is a great experience for them and for us. Anyone wishing to contact Leah her email is huntsville@katimavik.org. For more info try www.katimavik.org. 

 Three Katimavik Volunteers @ Chartwell along with Employee. 

                                                                                           Leah, John Stewart, Alexa, Nick and President John

Our meeting of August 4, 2011 saw a number of visitors to the Huntsville Lake of Bays Club. They included John Stewart from a London Rotary Club an annual summer visitor, Kim Rixon a member of the Bracebridge Muskoka Lakes Club visitor and Guest Speaker as well as Janet Stead -Past President of the Rotary Club of Washago & Area-Centennial, Chair of the Polio Plus for 7010 as well as organizer and promoter of RI International Conference 2012 in Bangkok Thailand. Special Guest Assistant DG Dan Herbert.

After opening ceremonies and breakfast we had a RI Foundation Minute from Chair Debi who pointed out some interesting things in this month's Rotarian, she also gave a date that Janet Stead will be back as our guest speaker. Jim Schiedel gave us a membership minute by reminding everyone of the up coming get together at the Cox's beach on August 24. Bring a potential member and friend to join in the fun special draws will be made. Kevin Billingsley gave us the dates for upcoming Dunk Tank events run by us as well as rentals. (see pictures further along)

At this point Miss Alison Brownlee was formally introduced and her Induction Ceremony was performed by Assistant District Governor Dan Herbert. It is always nice to have a District Officer perform some of these ceremonies so I as President can take it all in and glean something new. Dan did an excellent job of laying out the duties and responsibilities a new member has to herself and the club and finished it off with a presentation to Alison of her certificate of membership, a copy of the Four Way Test and her Rotary pin as well as this years theme pin ( reach within to embrace humanity). Alison immediately thanked the members of the club for being so warm and open to her and for making her welcome in our club. Alison stated that she not only likes the people in the club but enjoys how much everyone is involved in the community and the topics and information that is part of morning conversation.

We finished with our draw which was won by Debi who drew a card that said collect .25 from every member not here. So those of you away last week bring an extra quarter for Debi. 

Rotary Club of Huntsville Lake of Bays # 64678

Executive Committee Members

2011-2012

Past President Morris Eccles, President John K. Davis, President-Elect Catherine Cabrol Schulz,                Secretary Carole Ann Stoddard, Treasurer William Corrigan

Board of Directors Executive Board plus Committee Chairs and Sergeant-At Arms

Peter Redwood

Service Committee Chair- Steve Lavigne, Members—Kevin Billingsley, Doreen Corey, Bill Corrigan

Foundation Committee Chair -Debi Davis, Members--- Morris Eccles, Peter Gleed, Sandy Ebbs, Harry Schulz

Administration Committee Chair-Scott Conner, Members---Peter Redwood, Dan Duke, Carole Ann Stoddard

Membership Committee Chair-Jim Schiedel, Members---Susan Billingsley, Darlene Hunka, Rob Wilding

New Generations Committee Chair – Alison Brownlee, Members—Rob Wilding, John Davis

Note -President John K. Davis and President-Elect Catherine Cabrol Schulz are ex-officio members of all Committees.

Santa Claus Parade Committee Co-Chairs—Susan Billingsley and Peter Redwood

Special Events Chair—Rob Wilding

Club Business

July 21, 2011

The Meeting kicked off with Past President Morris recognizing President John and Foundation Chair Debi with their perfect Attendance pins for 2010-2011 and acknowledged Sergeant at Arms Peter Redwood for being just one meeting short. Over all a very successful year for attendance but it is our hope, to have many more members receive one of these pins.

Dunk Tank

Kevin reported on the successful Firefly Festival held Friday, July 15^th where we added $752. to the bottom line.  Suggestions for future Dunk Tank events include:  wider fencing for wayward balls, better location with less traffic in line of ball throwing, water to have extra shot of chlorine or bleach.  John expressed gratitude to the dunkees and has sent a card of thanks to each participant on the wet seat.

Future dates for the dunk tank include:

Sat. August 13^th                       Water Festival/ River Mill Park                      1pm to 5pm

Sat. August 20^th                       Sidewalk Sale/Main Street Huntsville                        11am to 3pm

Sat. August 27^th                       The Pines (Bracebridge)   Private function rental.

Dunkees must be over 10 years old and tall enough that his or her head is above the water.  All participants under the age of 18 must have parent sign off.  Minimum 4 people at a time for each event  (preferably for shifts of 1 to 2 hours each).  Concern was expressed over # of dunkees required and various ideas were presented on where to obtain dunkees.  Family of Rotarians were available for the Firefly Festival.  Susan will email schedule for members to sign up.

Rainbow Bingo – Bill reported he expects final cheque due in another week.  Bill also reported there is a drop safe available for sale.

Foundation Committee– Debi has teddy bears for sale where profits go to Polio Plus.  Bears are $15.00.  Foundation meeting scheduled for next week.

Administration Meeting/Guest Speakers – we need help from all members to provide guest speakers – another thought was to move the meetings around to showcase some local businesses in the summer months. This will be discussed further when Chair Scott calls a meeting of his Committee.

Membership Committee – meeting to be held soon (memo out for Tues. July 26)

Board Meeting – scheduled for 3^rd Wednesday each month.  TBA on next Board Meeting.

Clubrunner  - John requested all members go onto the clubrunner for information or to the Rotary Club of Huntsville/Lake of Bays (no password required)

District Conference – John reported our club is involved in the home hosting either by volunteering or through donations.

Community Service Meeting – Chair Steve held an emergency meeting the week of the Firefly Festival in order to acquire and arrange individuals to assist Kevin in setting up and operating the Dunk Tank. An email went out with a list of dunkee names the very next day with many contributors.

Executive Meeting 8pm 07/21/2011

Attendance:  Debi, John, Jim, Bill, Carole, Morris, Peter

Membership was discussed with great news expected on Thursday July 28, 2011

Mentor Program
by John Davis

David Holman was our guest speaker at the meeting of July 14, 2011. We had two guests in attendance for a very informative presentation by Mr. Holman on how our club could become involved in a new initiative. This new program deals with the mentoring of individuals with disabilities in our community or even outside it. This new program is a joint venture of Provincial, Federal and Rotary participants working together in order to generate more opportunities for employment by those with mental or physical challenges. Many times the only thing holding these individuals back is a lack of confidence, lack of interview skills or even a lack of knowledge on the part of the potential employer. We have much to learn but this program is geared to teaching us and I think there was a genuine interest for a high level of participation from club members.

What a visit we had with our District Governor Brian Menton and as I said in the title Governess Dorothy. These two individuals are what Rotary is all about. They could not have driven home Ri President Kalyan Banerjee's theme more if they had written it themselves. This couple is loving of each other, their family, their Rotary family, their community and the world.

They are and will be, here for us throughout this year and I think well beyond. They are very genuine in wanting our club to grow and for each one of it's members to prosper not just in monetary wealth but in philanthropic knowledge and giving. We can and must help others in need, whether they live next door, in the next community or the next country. We must look within ourselves in order to truly embrace Humanity, I know Brian and Dorothy already have and their guidance will be a beacon to us all to emulate. It is to bad we can't have them visit every week as they are so very inspirational but they will be back for the District Conference in Rosseau so plan to attend.  

On July 1, 2011, Catherine Cabrol-Schulz was sworn in as a Canadian citizen in Orillia

• Excellent fund raising opportunity for your group.
• Great for corporate events and team building.
• Good fun for family events this summer.
• The rotary club will transport it and set it up anywhere in Muskoka including supply of water

Dunk Tank comes already insured for your event.

For information and rental, please call: Kevin at 705-789-7086 

$5 to win a $200 Gift Certificate at That Little Place by The Light, On The Docks Pub, Soul Sistas Restaurant, Bo's Authentic Thai Cuisine, Muskoka On The Rocks Pub Restaurant or The Moose Cafe.  Draws start on June 26th. 2014 and will take place on the last Thursday of each months for 6 months. 

It is great for family, schools and company picnics. Who are you gone soak next? :)

This morning President Catherine walked through the Rotary International and Rotary Foundation Annual report. An opportunity to look all the major accomplishments achieved this year and the tangible results of our work and contributions.

 Jim Schiedel and Chris Watson

It was our joy and privilege to welcome Chris Watson as a new member of our club. 

Alan Patton and Rob Wilding

Alan Paton, former board member for the Table Soup Kitchen Foundation, came to our breakfast meeting and spoke with the club about the foundation's plans to relocate to a new site, which will support both the food bank and a men's shelter.

Rotary International’s 2013 convention in Portugal is fast approaching, but Rotary Club of Huntsville Lakes of Bays member Alison Brownlee is still reveling in her trip to Thailand for the 2012 convention in Bangkok this past spring.  Alison says her experience in Thailand was one of the most memorable she will ever have, not only because the country she stayed in for two weeks was stunningly beautiful, but also because the international convention opened the new Rotarian’s eyes to Rotary’s impact worldwide.

   Alison with RC Sudbury President Lisa Demers at an outdoor market in Bangkok 

The first five days of Alison’s trip were dedicated to the conference. After travelling 25 hours to Bangkok from Toronto (with a brief stopover at the Shanghai airport in China), the wearing traveller welcomed the rest afforded by sitting in a chair at the convention.
But while in that chair, Alison says she heard some of the most impassioned speakers discuss topics such as Rotary’s collaborative projects that bring water, education and health care to people in developing countries. Others spoke about youth’s increasing involvement in humanitarian leadership. And still more spoke about Rotary’s ceaseless commitment to ending polio.

 A beautiful view of the river Kwai

“Going to Thailand as a Rotarian not only gave me an opportunity to see what a diverse and influential humanitarian organization Rotary International is, but it also enabled me to experience firsthand Rotary’s purpose of building peace through international fellowship and understanding,” says Alison.
Polio eradication was in the spotlight for much of the convention. Rotary Foundation trustee John Germ told the more than 35,000 Rotarians attending the convention that Rotary had exceeded its $200 million fundraising goal to help eliminate the debilitating disease, but more help was needed.
John said the final one per cent of the disease was the hardest to treat because those affected are largely in war-torn, remote or politically unstable regions in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.  Rotary’s leaders urged members to continue the fight against polio.
“We can’t stop until the world is polio free,” said John. “That was the promise.”

    Convention main stage designed with 2011-2012 theme "Reach Within to Embrace Humanity"

Rotary International’s 2012-13 president, Sakuji Tanaka, was introduced during the convention. Tanaka spoke about his vision of peace as more than just the absence of war. But he explained Rotary also helps create peace in the simplest sense – by reducing conflict. “Peace means different things to different people. No definition is right or wrong,” said Tanaka. “No matter what peace means to us, Rotary can help us achieve it.” He then unveiled his presidential theme of Peace Through Service.

Alison, as her club’s new generations chair, attended seminars geared toward youth involvement in Rotary. Speakers discussed how important it is to instill Rotary’s message of service above self in youth in our communities as earlier as possible, whether through Interact clubs, youth exchange programs or volunteer opportunities.

The convention was also filled with cultural demonstration that included traditional dance routines, Muay Thai boxing, and musical performances.  Alison’s travels to the Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai and Kho Chiang regions in Thailand after the convention enhanced her cultural understanding of the country further.
She regaled the club with stories of visits to elephant sanctuaries, sacred Buddhist temples and national rainforest parks (it was in the parks that she discovered spiders the size of her face, she says).

Alison encouraged every Rotarian to attend an international convention not only to participate in Rotary International’s principle annual event, but to learn more about the countries in which the conventions are held.

Suzanne, John and Morris added their names as Past and present Presidents of our Club