Photographer: Dianne Oulton
President John welcomed members to the first meeting of the new Rotary year and Wynn led a hearty singing of “O Canada.” John declined to finish the story he started on a previous occasion but he did reveal why he signs cheques as DJM: his full name is Donald John Murchie Jnr.
50-50 Draw: With only two cards left and a pot of $500 a lot was at stake. Edna’s number was drawn by Roxanne and to her surprise she drew the right card, the Nine of Clubs ! Next week we start over again from scratch.
Gold Mine Draw: This week’s winner Doris Lorette was on hand to collect her cheque for $1,150 from Gayle.
Happy Dollars: Susan F, David and Gayle were happy to have entertained a group of Rotaractors who had lots of energy (they went down to the dyke to look at the Bay of Fundy). The two who are doing the Banff/Jasper hike will receive $250 from donations by club members, and the club will match that amount as a contribution to their expenses. Wynn travelled to Truro and Halifax on 1 July to celebrate their 50th anniversary. He was glad to see Edna win the 50/50 draw, a fitting reward for all her hard work at the front desk. Gayle was glad to have met the Rotaract group; they had been working hard in the lab and needed a break. Wayne invited people to take in a “Concert in the Park” tonight. Ove was delighted to receive a message from Mona Nilsson (RYE student from Sweden 2008-09); Mona hopes to visit Sackville for a week in August. George was happy to get his red car back from the hospital after a brake transplant; he is about to take off for a week of golfing in Michigan; and he was glad to get messages from American friends on 1 July. Louise attended the graduation on P.E.I. where her nephew and niece carried off many awards and scholarships; a proud night for the family. John is about leave for five weeks of fishing in Maine. Dianne thanked all who contributed to the successful BBQ on 29 June especially the gracious hosts John and Gemey, and chef Doug. Edna was happy to win the 50/50.
Dianne visited Sheree Fitch’s new book store “Mabel Murple's Book Shoppe Dreamery” in River John and bought a copy of If You Could Wear My Sneakers! for our visiting speaker donation to a local school library. The book is inscribed “To the students and staff of Salem Elementary School – keep reading ! Sheree Fitch 2017.” There are only 11 books left, so more donations are urgently required !
Next Week, 13 July 2017: Chair: Mary; Greeter: Jamie; Introducer: Tim; Thanker: Dale.
Rotary Foundation: David has received a full RF change jar from John and has handed out an empty one to Stacey. Members who have filled jars are urged to bring them in.
Fundraising: Dale is working on the new application form for Gold Mine grants and is glad to have received half a dozen comments on the draft application form.
Secretary Josh announced that next week we will have a visit from DG Iris Sullivan; after breakfast she will meet with the Board at Bridge Street café and all members are welcome to attend.
High School Bursaries: John announced the recipients of this year’s TRHS bursaries – Hannah Walton of Sackville who will study Nursing at St. Francis Xavier, Christy Bourque of Aulac who will study Psychology at St. Thomas, and Emily Patterson of Dorchester who will study English at St. Thomas. Picking the recipients was no easy task as there were 25 applications.
Budget: Treasurer Darrell presented the budget for the 2017-18 Rotary year. A copy has been emailed to all members of the club. A sum of $20,000 is budgeted for a legacy project (still to be determined). The budget was approved.
John had more to say about plans for the coming year but time ran out. Stay tuned.
The meeting closed with the Four-Way Test.
Gold Mine Draw: Josh accepted a cheque for $555 on behalf of the Dorchester Food Bank,
and Gayle accepted a cheque for $575 on behalf of the Sackville Food Bank.
