Posted by Charlie Scobie on Nov 30, 2017
 
Photographer: Pam Harrison
 
John chaired the meeting, and opened with a Quaker blessing (silence).  This was the 6th anniversary of the death of his father who was hospitalized and declined life support.  He did survive the war (that story still to come), but not old age.
 
PinPal Stories: John read a PinPal email from Bill Edwards; he sends apologies for the party, and wishes us all a Merry Christmas.
 
 
50-50 Draw: Louise’s number was drawn but she failed to pick the 8 of Hearts.  So the pot of $204 carries forward to next week.
 
Happy Dollars:  Susan F and David are off for a tour of European Christmas markets, and will visit 4 former RYE students (they have hosted 11), including Adam Niles who is in Prague and having some problems learning Czech (it’s bad enough spelling it correctly, never mind learning the language). Members signed a card for Adam. Hot chocolate left over from the Rotaract Moonlight Madness was offered for sale.  Gayle gave a reminder of the Town v Gown hockey game at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday in aid of the Food Bank; bring non-perishable food items to help re-stock the shelves.  George’s sister is coming – in time for the party, and the birthday bash at Ducky’s on 8 December.  Trish was happy to have arrived on time.  Josh is happy that tomorrow (1 December) he can shave off his moustache.
 
 
Ducks Unlimited DinnerDale reported on the bar service at the Ducks Unlimited dinner at TRHS last Saturday.  He obviously had things well organized.
 
 
It seems that Stacey is not the only one called to the bar.  Pam and Louise joined her to act as barmaids.
 
 
Gayle sold the tickets while the others provided cheerful service to all.  The result:  $900 raised for the club !
 
Next Week: 7 December 2017 – Christmas Party at the Harpers’ at 6:00 pm.  Remember to BRING A BOOK for local school libraries.   
 
Dorchester School:  Susan F reported on a visit to the Dorchester School on Friday and thanked the Rotarians who supported the event. Dictionaries were handed out to Grade 4 students; grades 2 and 3 got cookies.  The dictionaries were much appreciated (“You mean I can take it home with me ?”). The Homework Club is a great success with 24 children last week.  More volunteers are needed.
 
 
Canada 150 – Polio Final Push:  Pam reported on her fund-raising journey begun on 13 July.  We raised $1,800 CDN.  This will be matched 2 to 1 by the Gates Foundation to make $5,400 which will provide 42,000 drops of vaccine for 21,000 children. (On 24 October in Pakistan approximately 40 million children were immunized at 2,000 portable Polio clinics).   A big thank you to all who contributed.
 
President’s Time:  John presented the following slate of office-bearers for 2018-19 which was approved nem con:  President: Louise;  Vice-President/President Elect: David;  Treasurer: Darrell;  Secretary: John.   Emails have been received from Ken Draper and Carla Newbould expressing thanks for being elected honorary members.
 
 
Speaker:  Trish introduced Agnes Koller and Leanne Laracey who gave a presentation on “Wild Wonder Sackville” which was introduced by a short video. The forest school model started in Europe and has now spread across Canada. Both speakers share a passion for nature and for getting children outdoors, and are seeking to bring the program to Sackville.  They hope to partner with various local groups.
 
A pilot program for 3 – 5 year olds has been held a Beech Hill, but to operate in this area the province requires them to be a licenced day care facility.  They have also used the Nappan Forest School site near Amherst.
 
 
The program features a variety of outdoor activities with the children themselves taking the lead. Free play is emphasized rather than structured activities.  It has been shown that a forest school improves appreciation of the environment, social skills, self-regulation, problem solving skills, fitness, co-ordination and well-being.  Young children who learn outdoors are also more ready for school academically.
 
A suitable site is being sought in the Sackville area with the necessary facilities including diversified play space, some indoor accommodation, toilets, storage, and parking. The cost per child is $10 an hour. Financial donations would help provide bursaries.
 
 
Marita thanked the speaker for an interesting and exciting presentation.
 
The meeting concluded with the Four-Way Test.
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