Photographer: Pam Harrison
 
Marita chaired the meeting and after a rousing rendition of “O Canada” led by George recalled a Christmas family gathering with a big storm outside and no one going anywhere.  The power went out but that did not put an end to dinner.  Candles were set up in the back porch and after a wait of many hours produced a wonderful hot crock of beans.
 
 
50-50 Draw:  Tim’s number was drawn but instead of the 9 of Clubs he drew the 9 of Diamonds, so the pot of $212 carries over into the new year.
 
Makeups:  Wynn had multiple make-ups during October, November and December at the South Lake Rotary Club, Clermont, Florida.
 
Happy Dollars:  It must be the Christmas season: almost everyone was happy for one reason or another this morning.
 
 
Wynn was happy to be back even it was only for health insurance purposes; he returns to Florida tomorrow.   Dianne was happy to have heard from former RYE student from Japan Mizuki Iwanaga and shared a box of cookies which Mizuki had sent. 
 
Other happy Rotarians included Louise who is preparing to head south to a secret destination (don’t tell Mariah);  Sue who has a frostless greenhouse;  Pam who attended the Port Elgin Christmas party;  Charlie whose daughter Mary has two paintings in Janet Crawford’s Christmas show (one already sold and gone).
 
Gold Mine Presentations:  
 
 
Jason Smith was on hand to collect his winnings of $1,140 this week.
 
 
Acting Principal Heather Dixon collected a cheque for $570.00 on behalf of Salem Elementary School.
 
 
Lucy Macdonald accepted a cheque for $1,000 in support of the “Make Something Sunday” program at the Owens Art Gallery.  This arts and crafts program for the whole family has seen some 350 participants in the course of the past year.
 
Next Week:  Thursday 29 December: NO MEETING.
 
Next Meeting:  Thursday 5 January 2017.  Chair: Ove;   Greeter: Dianne;   Introducer: Wayne;   Thanker: David.
 
President’s Time:  Josh offered some seasonal reflections, thanked members for a good Rotary year so far, and wished everyone an enjoyable Christmas season.
 
Speaker:  Trish introduced Jean-Francois LeBlanc the new RCMP Community Program Officer who gave an interesting presentation on “911: A Brief History” drawing on his 13 year experience as a 911 dispatcher with RCMP.
 
 
He found this experience stressful and is glad to have moved on to his new position here in Sackville.  While Britain introduced an emergency phone service in 1937 it was only in 1974 that a 911 emergency service was adopted in Canada.  The speaker outlined the procedures followed when a 911 call is received.  The 911 operator has to keep callers calm while getting from them all the essential information. 
 
 
About 35% of the calls received are not real emergencies and they risk having real emergency calls put on hold.  The speaker offered a list of examples of misuse of the system.  In response to questions he clarified when and when not to call 911.
 
 
Darrell thanked the speaker for an interesting and informative presentation, and the meeting concluded with the Four-Way Test.
 
The following are the 13 beneficiaries of the Gold Mine Draw for 2017 approved at the 15 December 2016 meeting of the club:
 
Dorchester Consolidated School
Dorchester Food Bank
Marshview Middle School
Sackville District Assistance Centre
Sackville Community Fund Association
Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation
Sackville Swim Club
Sackville Minor Hockey Club
Salem Elementary School
Struts Gallery Inc.
Tantramar Family Resource Centre
Tantramar Heritage Trust Inc.
Tantramar Regional High School
 
 
Sponsors