RECENT CLUB NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
"A speaker at a Rotary meeting sparked an initiative that led to a valued legacy project by the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) and for our community.  In 2008 the RCNS hosted a speaker from Norfolk County’s Planning & Economic Development Department to speak about the County’s new Strategic Plan. One of the goals identified in that plan was for the County to develop a walking and cycling trail through Simcoe on the historical Lake Erie and Northern Railway line.  Following that meeting, and some discussion by the RCNS Board, we told the County “We can help with that!”  And help we did, to the betterment of our community."
See how we went about this at the 'Read more ...'  tab.
Watch the video to see how much fun we have with this task!

"Sometimes in life, a small event or item can take on a life of its own. Such is the situation with the humble Redbud and the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) in this area.  In the 1950s, my mother Marjorie Wallace went to Landon’s Nursery on Norfolk Street South Simcoe and purchased a redbud tree (officially known as the Eastern Redbud or Cercis Canadensis).  It was planted in our front lawn where its beauty could be enjoyed whenever we came home.  It had three enjoyable seasons.  In the spring, its hundreds of pink blossoms would turn the sky into an ethereal paradise of colour, the summer gave welcomed but not overpowering shade, and the fall season produced thousands of golden heart shaped leaves to again impress the viewer." Now, the reader is asked to go to the 'Read more ...' tab to find out how this story unfolds!

Jim and Marjorie Dawson are once again heading up to Pikangikum FN 500 km NW of Thunder Bay to teach canoeing and this year they have been invited to participate in a canoe trip celebration of the outdoor class completion.  With the added canoe trip gear it was more practical to drive to Red Lake (2200km) proceed 100km up the community road to "taxi bay" and get a community member to pick us up for a 25km boat ride into the community.  With luggage space (almost) unlimited, they were thrilled to hear fellow Rotary member Paul Macko's offer of an alto saxophone.  The Pikangikum youth community was very  excited to hear about the donation as they have two saxophones and some student musicians but the current instruments are aging and need repairs.
On Tuesday morning,  May 6 2025, photographer Larry Monczka treated us to a beautiful slide show of photographs from his recently published book, Tobacco Kilns of Norfolk County.  He showed us the remarkable beauty of natural deterioration, and read some of the text in the book, written by poet Amber Homeniuk.  The tobacco kiln photos were taken between 2010 and 2018, and Larry noted that now 95% of the subject kilns have been torn down. 
Please visit the website of Larry Monczka and his wife Kathleen Pickard www.RaraAvisPhotos.com for additional examples of their photo art.  They also produce cards with their photography, and Larry invited us to take our pick after the meeting.  As a thank you for Larry's talk, the Club has made a donation to Operation Eyesight to restore vision to a woman in Rwanda.  
 
At our April 29 meeting, we welcomed Paul Harris Fellow Jennifer Rodger as our speaker.  Jennifer is a hands-on volunteer who supports Ukrainian families who have come to Norfolk County as refugees from the war in their country..  At first she made connections to assist one family. Then, as the number of families coming to the area and needing support grew, she reached out to the Norfolk Refugee Committee to help with administration of donations.  She has also partnered with other community groups to enable access to more children's activities.  Her energy and ability to connect with people really shone through in her talk.    A list of contact information for small businesses being run by several of the newcomers is available at "Read more"
It was a great day .... until it wasn't!
Celebrating Earth Day 2025, the RCNS undertook to add even more trees to our Sunrise Trail. So it was that ~25 Sunrisers (supported by a few 'toys for the boys'), arrived to plant trees to make our Trail better.
Before the weather turned, the group had managed to plant 120 trees along two rows of the Trail. As a result, our Sunrise Trail was visibly improved and a period of Club fellowship resulted.
A description of the details of the work and a few representative pictures are given at the 'Read more ...' tab whilst all of the available photos taken during the event are given at this link. Check it out - you may be there!
Kudos to Steve Malo and his Environmental Group within the Community Service Ctee for organizing a wonderful day on our Trail.
On Saturday, 05 April, a small convoy of Norfolk Sunrisers proceeded to the D7090 Annual Conference at the Club Italia, just outside of St Catharines. 
The Conference was a wonderful experience for all of us; a real chance to renew and make social connections, an opportunity to be updated on Rotary issues and an experience in understanding the impact we have on others around us. The theme was 'Volunteering in the 21st Century' with a sub-theme emergent to 'Just Ask'!  Clubs were invited to bring representatives of their partnering community organizations to the conference, and the organizers selected speakers from various sources who are considered leaders in their ability to engage volunteers. The Key-Note and Guest Speakers were excellent.
We had our own impact; sponsoring information tables for the RCNS, the HIP and for Polio Now. Our exchange students led the way in collecting funds to meet their travel needs. Co-President Ross remarked that "I was proud of our Club with 8 Rotarians and 3 exchange students attending, the best participation rate from our Club for several years". 
A complete summary of the events, speakers and results will be found at the District 7090 Website.
Note the Sunrisers gathered together for a group photo at the event - Front Row; local exchange students Katelyn Pilgrim (headed to Italy), Oliver Tilson (going to Finland) and Ronyn Coelho (off to Taiwan) - Back Row; Sunrisers Lisa Bishop, Keith Jones, John Wallace, Marjorie Dawson, Ross Gowan, Wolf Lindemann, Jim Dawson and Jim Simpson. A few extra photos are given at the 'Read more ...' tab below.
Congrats to District Governor Dave Alexander - you pulled it off!
There's a great initiative unfolding to finally bring a new hospice facility to our local area. For years, the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) has promoted such a development, and with the recent events (including a December 2024 donation from RCNS) we have made moral and financial commitments to the cause.
Now, the hospice organizing group is organizing a "Hike for Hospice" and our Sunrisers intend to support it by entering a team, encouraging participation and joining in with the fundraising.
So, please help us help the Norfolk Haldimand Hospice. Join our RCNS team or sponsor us - click here for details - and/or get in touch with our Club co-ordinator; Cathy Harrop.
The more the merrier!
Shown here is a picture of Scott Williams, Chair of our Community Service Committee, presenting a cheque to Executive Director Anita Hillis-Krause and President Nancy Huffman; both of the Haldemand, Norfolk Literacy Council (HNLC). The HNLC provides a variety of up-skilling and adult learning for adults in our community looking to further their education, moving toward employment. 
The donation is being directed towards the purchase of a Smartboard learning display for the HNLC classroom in Simcoe.
 

The RCNS's Community Service Ctte has approved a donation in support of certain essential upgrades necessary at the Simcoe Curling Club (SCC). At the enclosed photo, we see Jim Peters presenting a cash contribution to SCC members Sarah Nichol and Murray Uren. These funds will go a long way towards the kitchen upgrades needed to meet local standards and are destined to purchase a 3 compartment sink and faucet as part of the SCC's larger overall kitchen renovation needs.

On 21/22 June, we'll be paddling to fight cancer in Norfolk County and we want you to help out. You can just be aware of this initiative to assist those in need, you might make a donation to a great cause, or you could even assemble a team and challenge for that cause.
  • Would you like to know moreClick Here
  • Would you like to donate to a great cause? Click Here
  • Would you like to be a sponsor? Go to the 'Read more ...' tab below;
  • Would you like to register a team? Click Here
  • Do you have a general question that we might answer? Click Here
Hic sunt dracones! You go, dragons!
Following nine, successfully-concluded licences of our ever-popular Catch the Ace (CTA) fundraiser, the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, with the support of the Port Dover Legion Branch 158,  will be re-starting the game on Friday 09 May '25. This new start will be our tenth licence and it will conclude once the Ace of Spade is finally drawn later in the year.
Once a licence is concluded, a summary of the results is generated. This summary information is then shared with the local print media and can also be found on this web-site - ie see our FUNdraiser Tab at the top of this website to see the results  from our eighth completed licence.
For those who follow the CTA game on a more regular basis, the best way to stay abreast of the current results is to visit our FaceBook site. You may find an image of our FB Page as a panel on this web-page or you may wish to visit our FB Page by clicking on this link. Alternatively, the results are also posted to our weekly RCNS Bulletin (the 'Sunriser'). Normally, it is released to our members and friends on a weekly basis. If you are not a subscriber and you might wish to join the mailing list, please see the 'RCNS Bulletin Subscribe' panel as given at this website.
Upcoming Events
GUEST SPEAKERS
Kevin Kavanagh
May 27, 2025 7:00 AM
What’s All the Buzz About Gardening for Nature?
What’s All the Buzz About Gardening for Nature?
Kate Powell
Jun 03, 2025 7:00 AM
ALUS Norfolk
RCNS FACEBOOK
HOW WE GOVERN OURSELVES
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THANK YOU FROM THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
Co-Presidents Ross & Mary's Message
We are looking forward to being at the helm leading this vibrant club for the two-year period 2024-2026. With some new members, new ideas, and new strategies, our Rotary club is committed and focused on serving the needs of our Norfolk and international communities. The energy and dedication of our members is exhilarating as we work with community partners to serve a broad range of needs in communities here and abroad. This website tells the story about how we will do that.
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