Meeting of December 4

Monthly Theme: Family. To view the photos of our recent Oak Bay Rotary Family event, go to The Rotary Club of Oak Bay Facebook Event page.

Bulletin Reporter: Rod Sim

Greeters on duty: Don O’Coffey and Jessica Van der Veen

Grace: Jessica Van der Veen 

Guests and Visiting Rotarians were introduced by Leslie Rogers-Warnock:
1. Jeff Dallin (Inovative Fitness; Oak Bay Merrython Admirer and donor); guest of the Club

2. Dave Henry (Merrython participant)

3. Dave Cowan (General Manager, Butchart Gardens and the Guest Speaker)

Health of the Club: Mary Canty says everyone is just fine!

Announcements

 

Poinsettias  

Special thanks to Don O’Coffey and others who helped deliver, and to all who purchased the lovely poinsettias.

More than 200 plants were sold.

Oak Bay Merrython: Thanks to the committee who all helped on the day: Rotarians on the committee were: Organizers Heather Aked and Leslie Rogers-Warnock (receiving a special thank-you from President Joan at right), as well as Jim Force, Ron Cooley, Tricia Timmermans, Jessica Van der Veen, and Lynne Murray. Thanks also to Peter Johannecht, Brian Lamb, Tom Croft, Claire Helm, and Mary Canty who helped out in various ways, and to those who walked or ran (Anne Sims and Joan Peggs - and her doggies).  John Jordan and David Westler helped in the International Committee display area - they also talked to people at the Community Service display area. Special thanks to all, who, along with staff at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre, put Oak Bay Rotary on the map in the Community last Sunday. The adult winner was “Oliver”, a Scandinavian student currently billeted with Leslie. And the Kids Race winner was Heather's son, Alexander, and that's him below being greeted by Sparky, as he hits the finish line. 

Socks for Our Place

Apparently Oak Bay coughed up more than 250 pairs (but no hairballs). This rates as a stellar performance; thanks to all.

Christmas Lunch at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel in the David Foster Foundation Theatre is on Tuesday December 18. Tickets are $20; guests are welcome. Heather has a sign-up sheet. 

Tuscan Dinner

Message from Joan Firkins: Don’t forget to buy that bottle of Italian wine during your Christmas shopping. Avoid the unpleasant rush of buying and donating at the end. It is scheduled for April 27, 2013. The Fundraising goal is $25,000. Last year’s achievement was over $20,000. This is another of those MJH events; please don’t miss it.

Pennies from Heaven

Message from Perry Bamji:

Pretty high finances for such a lowly denomination. Imagine if we had done “C-notes”? Time to close the campaign. Matching dollars from CIDA and The Gates Foundation. Well done and thanks to all.

Rotary Christmas Kettles

Message from Rod Sim: Bell ringers needed for Dec 7-8; Dec 14-15; Dec 18-22; and Dec 24.

Mostly 1-5 PM in front of Oak Bay Pharmasave. We raised $3,000+ last year while having fun.

Foundation Auction ReCap

Message from Tom Croft: Thanks to all who participated. There is still a chance to donate.

Contact Tom C or Neil R for more information.

Tricia Timmermans introduced the Guest Speaker, Dave Cowan (right), General Manager of The Butchart Gardens. This 100+ year-old business just keeps becoming more famous. Dave explained through a PowerPoint presentation, along with some beautiful floral images, how Jenny Butchart's vision and legacy is being upheld. The site was a quarry for three years before its beautiful transformation. Not only is it a garden, it offers a one hundred year old tradition of hospitality, where a strong work ethic is maintained. Customers are attracted the old fashioned way: through good service and word-of-mouth. It's not just a garden, it's an experience, where 600+ staff, including many with world-class horticultural expertise, keep TBG faithful to its historical vision. John Edgell thanked the Speaker on behalf of the Club.

Fines Master (Better Late Than Never) Will Carter was assisted by a pair of John’s (E & J).

This day in History included the 1891 start of the Montreal YMCA, which, according to Will, bears no relation to the Village People. 

Happy/Sad Dollars: Lorna C was happy to be back, and had a story about “Cayoo” (sp?) and her granddaughter (that’s hard to believe). Tricia T said “bye-bye”; she is leaving for parts warmer and populated with family. Guest Jeff Dallin won the “Draw” but because of a black marble not the big pot. Very well-behaved guest donated winnings back to Club with “Thanks”. Will says only 4 more black marbles to go!

God Save the Queen (sung with gusto) and that was a WRAP.

See you all next Tuesday.

Reported by Rod Sim (all errors and omissions are mine).