Rotary Club of Sackville Bulletin August 11, 2016

Photographer: Pam Harrison

 

 

Before the meeting began Sheila Parker stopped by to collect a Gold Mine cheque for $500.50 from Bill on behalf of the Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation.

 

 

George, standing in for David, called the meeting to order.

 

50 - 50 Draw:  Dale’s number was drawn but he failed to pick the 9 of Clubs.  The pot now stands at $84.

 

 

Birthday:  Sue P as well as being the speaker also celebrated a birthday and was duly serenaded.

 

Happy Dollars:  Wynn had expected to wear a suit but a court case was settled so instead in appeared in Sockless Casual.  Wayne has been enjoying the grandkids’ visit; after trips to P.E.I. and Cape Breton they’ll be back again for next weekend.  Dianne on her last round of golf celebrated a birdie by drinking from a “Birdie Flask” (contents of flask not specified).  Trish may be heading home shortly to check on her dad who has had surgery for a perforated bowel and faces a 3 - 6 month recovery.  George’s sister arrives today; we hope to see her at Rotary next week.  Sue P had mixed feelings about her birthday, but was happy that the Cape Jourimain lighthouse has finally been moved.  Sandy was glad that she managed to get the grandkids to try playing Yahtzee; now they are hooked on the game.

 

Next Week:   Chair: Dianne,  Greeter: Louise,  Introducer: John,  Thanker: Ove,  Program: Visit by District Governor.

 

Fundraising Breakfast on 17 September: Wayne circulated a sign-up sheet.

 

Corn Boil on 3 September.  Meet on 2 September 7 p.m. at the Civic Centre for another attempt at the Olympic record for husking 1000 ears of corn.

 

District Conference:  Pam explained that each club is asked to bring a table centerpiece relating to their work for the Rotary Foundation.  Since ours relates mainly to toilets and water this poses a challenge.  Perhaps use one of the water bottles to be handed out to students ?

 

Membership:  George has checked out the AWI facility where our special meeting for prospective new members will be held on 29 September.

 

 

Speaker:  Bill called on Sue P to speak on her favourite topic.  She recalled volunteering to serve on the Board of the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre for 1 year: that was 15 years ago.  Because the building of the Confederation Bridge and the end of the ferries put many local people out of work government money became available to create work opportunities in both the P.E.I. and N.B. sides of the bridge.  The Canadian Wildlife Service gave an area from their nature preserve on the N.B. side and in 1997 government funds were transferred to the new Cape Jourimain Nature Centre Inc. 

 

 

N.B. Tourism occupied part of the reception building until this year; their withdrawal resulted in a 6% drop in attendance.  Part of the building is now rented by Strait Crossing; they use it in connection with their year-round shuttle service across the bridge.  Financing the two-building centre is a constant struggle.  The N.B. government operating grant of $100,000 per year has been cut in half.  Plans are underway to establish an endowment fund.

 

After a long struggle and the overcoming of many obstacles the Cape Jourimain lighthouse was finally moved back from the eroding shoreline (for the third time) on 3 August.  After a media mix-up the move was covered by a variety of media including the Sackville Tribune-Post.

 

 

The move alone cost $50,000.  Restoration of the structure could cost another $50,000 to $75,000.  A fund-raising Lighthouse Art Auction and Gala Evening will be held on 20 August at 7 p.m. in the Nature Centre. 

 

Sue fielded a number of questions.   Appreciation was expressed for the Centre, not least for its excellent restaurant.

 

Josh expressed the club’s thanks to Sue for her talk and for the countless volunteer hours she has devoted to the Cape Jourimain Centre.

 

The meeting closed with the Four-Way Test.