Exciting News from Area 1 - Rotary Celebrates Community Service.The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) and The Rotary Club of Simcoe (RCS) are honouring four outstanding community volunteers with Paul Harris Fellowships. This honour is the highest recognition awarded by a Rotary Club.
When: Thursday October 24, 2024 @ 6pm
Where: The Lighthouse Festival Theatre, Port Dover, ON
Order Tickets at $25 each, contact details at the poster. Special extra - hors d'oeuvres prepared by Chef Tracy Winkworth - value-added for the price of your ticket!
Congratulations to all our honourees! Come and celebrate with us!
G'Day Mate!
This morning, we were delighted to welcome a visitor from 'down-under'.
Brooke Bannister, of the Rotary Club of Lane Cove (in the Sydney, Australia area), was visiting her family in Norfolk and used the opportunity to speak to us about her background and current circumstances in Australia.
Most interesting that Brooke began her worldly wanderings from Norfolk County as a Rotary Exchange Student sent off to Belgium. That experience led to other life experiences in Mexico, Chile, Spain and finally Australia where she has been settled for 14 years. Another RI Youth Development success story!
As she concluded, and with all of her international experiences, Brooke couldn't help but remark her gratitude for the Rotary start we had offered her as well as on the natural beauty we are blessed with in Norfolk - we all agreed!
On Tuesday morning, 01 Oct '24, Co-Pres Ross Gowan welcomed our guest speakers from the Norfolk-Haldimand Community Hospice - Maureen Russell (Programs Coordinator) and Shannon Porter (Board Member). At our hybrid (ie live attendance at R83 with zoom remote attendance) session, they spoke to us about the current status and projected future of the Hospice. Maureen described her role as a proponent for the initiative as well as she noted her work with those in need of this community service; in particular with the affected children. Shannon provided his knowledge of the design and funding aspects of the proposed 10-bed facility. Together, we were left with a very strong and positive message about the future of this initiative. The project is indeed in good hands.More information about the Community Hospice may be found by clicking here.
Following a question period, Keith Jones thanked our speakers for their passionate approach to addressing this important community need. Co-Pres Ross offered several related remarks concerning our Club's past support of this project was well as our potential interest in its future.
Winner, Winner! The elusive Ace of Spades has been caught for the eighth time.After 35 weeks of anticipation, The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise is thrilled to announce the winner of their 8th lottery licence is Ed Phillips of Port Dover. Ed picked lucky envelope #45 holding the Ace of Spades. As the weekly winner, Ed pocketed $500, but as the lottery winner, Ed took home $26,250. Not bad for a Friday night at the Port Dover Legion. Many thanks to all that have purchased tickets and to all that come out to support RCNS and the Port Dover Legion on Friday nights. Between now and the next licence, RCNS will be spending the proceeds on local initiatives, charities and good works.
Shown in the photo (l to r) are Judy Buck (Legion), Karissa Hammond (Special Olympics), Ed Phillips (the big winner!) and Gail Bouw (RCNS).
See you next time for Lic. #9!
On Tuesday morning September 17, our RCNS Chair of Youth Services, Rudi Atkinson spoke of the Rotary work in support of youth leadership and development; more particularly, of the ongoing service our Club provides. She focused on the recently concluded, one-year, international exchange which saw us hosting Macarena Gimeno from Spain, and at the same time, dispatching Norfolk student Sophie Mummery to Sweden.Sophie then gave us an accounting of her year in Sweden. She focussed on her host families, her foreign schooling, her local Swedish travels and wider European tours. Interesting comments on cultural differences and lessons learned highlighted her entertaining presentation. Clearly, she benefitted from an extraordinary year in her life.
Rudi offered our Club appreciation to Sophie for representing Rotary and Canada so well as for her interesting presentation.
Our 
RCNS has just completed a $103,000 Rotary Global Grant called Prevention of Retinopathy for Premature Babies in Moradabad India. The project provides the funding for a Bolero van housing equipment for a specialised mobile clinic and includes an Alcon Purepoint Laser for treatment and a compact, portable, and easy-to-use wide-field digital imaging system is used for the photo documentation of pediatric ocular diseases that manifest in an infant’s eyes. The mobile clinic allows medical staff to travel to hospitals that provide screening and care to premature babies. Premature babies need to be screened for Retinopathy within two weeks of birth so that they can be treated. Untreated premature babies with the condition can go blind.
Jim Dawson of RCNS said that “this project has been in the works for a couple of years and we are grateful of the support from RC Brantford Sunrise and RC Simcoe who have been long time supporters of Operation Eyesight projects”. The project, which is led by Rotary Club of Moradabad East, is now complete with the van in place, the equipment installed in the van and is now being used to screen and treat patients.
RCNS has just completed a $103,000 Rotary Global Grant called Prevention of Retinopathy for Premature Babies in Moradabad India. The project provides the funding for a Bolero van housing equipment for a specialised mobile clinic and includes an Alcon Purepoint Laser for treatment and a compact, portable, and easy-to-use wide-field digital imaging system is used for the photo documentation of pediatric ocular diseases that manifest in an infant’s eyes. The mobile clinic allows medical staff to travel to hospitals that provide screening and care to premature babies. Premature babies need to be screened for Retinopathy within two weeks of birth so that they can be treated. Untreated premature babies with the condition can go blind.Jim Dawson of RCNS said that “this project has been in the works for a couple of years and we are grateful of the support from RC Brantford Sunrise and RC Simcoe who have been long time supporters of Operation Eyesight projects”. The project, which is led by Rotary Club of Moradabad East, is now complete with the van in place, the equipment installed in the van and is now being used to screen and treat patients.
BZ to all concerned - more Service above Self.
Were back - and we're rarin' to go!
On Tuesday evening, and after a great summer break, the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) members, family and friends, gathered at the Waterford Legion for social reconnection and to conduct some overdue business at hand.
Details of the business conducted is given at the 'Read more ...' tab along with a variety of supporting photos.
Of particular note, Past-President John Wallace informed us all that we had been awarded the 2023-2024 Rotary Citation by Past-President Gordon R McInally. To earn the citation, Rotary clubs need to set goals for more than half of the available RI goals and achieve them. So, last year, we set ambitious goals, we met them and we were recognized by the highest level for our achievement. This award is a feather in the cap of our Club and its leadership team; in particular for our Past-President John Wallace. BZ John.A more complete array of photographs from the evening is available at our Club Runner Photo Album.
Now, back to community work ...
One of the three ways that a Paul Harris Fellowship may be awarded is for the parent club to use its Foundation contribution points to nominate a particular member of its own club or the community at large. At our 20 August 2024, Summer BBQ at the Waterford Legion, we took the opportunity to recognize three people connected with our Club, each of whom have distinguished themselves in exactly the light that Paul Harris had envisaged. 
First, and as sponsored by Past-President Gail Catherwood, we celebrated Rudi Atkinson who has many years of leadership in our club. She is a Past President and has led several of our committees over the years. With that strong background, Rudi's real passion has been in support of our Youth programs, where she has contributed such excellent leadership. 
Secondly, and as sponsored by Past-President Louise Schebesch, we recognized Tina & Roddy Millea for their volunteerism; both as a couple and as individuals. Roddy & Tina have been active leaders in any number of water sports (swimming, sailing), have hosted/sponsored many of our international exchange students, have selflessly gifted to causes near to our hearts and have been wonderful leaders within our Club and in their community.
By going to the 'Read more ...' tab, you can read more detail in respect of the contributions these three volunteers have made to their communities.
We are so proud of our selfless & generous leaders such as Rudi, Tina and Roddy - they exemplify the RI credo of 'Service above Self'.
At our summer BBQ, we welcomed a new Business Member into our Club.Introduced/sponsored by Membership Chair Gail Catherwood and inducted by President Ross Gowan, the Club welcomes the Norfolk General Hospital Foundation as our newest business member. The Foundation will be represented by Emma Rogers (Rotarian), Sarah Muntz-Flowerday (Proxy) and Beth Mansley (Alternate)(regrets at the BBQ) - please see the accompanying photo for the special moment. Go to the 'Read more ..' tab to learn more about the Foundation.
These three additions to our Club have already proven their interest in, and value to, our community-minded group - we wish the Foundation and its three representatives, a long and satisfying business membership within their new-found Rotary family.
Welcome onboard, Emma, Sarah and Beth.
There are several ways one can be honoured with a Paul Harris Award - but what happens when the recipient(s) have excelled to the extent where the Paul Harris criteria are insufficient to recognize the contributions being made??Such is the case with our own Jim and Marjorie Dawson - if ever there was a community-minded 'power-couple', surely Jim and Marjorie qualify. They are so active, so effective and so selfless in our communities that one can scarcely keep up. See the 'Read more ...' tab for a glimpse into their busy volunteer lives.
With no suitable Paul Harris token available, it was left for Past-President John Wallace to eloquently recognize them within their Rotary peer group, for the example that they set for all of us, as well as for the ever-continuing volunteerism that reflects on us all and is so appreciated by the individuals they support.
Well done Jim and Marjorie - you are indeed 'People of Action' and wonderful proponents of our motto - 'Service above Self'.
On Saturday, 22 June, the Rotary Club of Welland Park hosted and District 7090 celebrated a changeover of District leadership to Dave Alexander from Scott Marcin.Sunrisers attended in strength (Ross Gowan, Mary Mercato, Lisa Bishop, Wolf Lindemann & Dave Nicolle with local Friends-of-our-Club Bob Kowtaluk and Lionel Ulrich) and participated in a most enjoyable event in the life of our parent District.
Go to the 'Read more ...' tab for some additional information; reflections from Wolf Lindemann including his comments related to a memorial honouring Karen Oakes as well as a note on the return of lost Rotary bell.
A little wind and rain didn’t have a chance of dampening the energy for 24 DragonBoat teams (over 500 paddlers) brought to the Dragon Boat Festival in Waterford, Sunday 23 June 2024. Sponsored once again by the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) and the Cancer Resource Support Program (CSRP), this annual event is a major fundraiser for both organizations. Over 35 volunteers were onsite including Sunrisers, CSRP members, family, friends and students.On Race Day, the races started at 8:45am and finished up around 5:15pm. A couple of rain delays, a boat snagged on a log and a rescue boat that required rescuing left everyone with a few good stories to tell. Spirits ran high throughout the park with many moving to the great music provided and the cheering as race times and winners were announced. Everyone was kept nourished with the local food vendors onsite and entertained by a live DJ playing music all day long. New to the event this year were formal team pictures taken behind the wooden dragon boat and paddles made by Abel Enterprises.
For a complete reckoning of the event along with participant, race results and photos, please visit our Invasion of the Dragons website.For stories and connected photos/videos, feel welcomed to visit our Club website and/or our RCNS FaceBook site.
Go to the 'Read more ...' tab for more on this story, the participating teams, notes of our appreciation, our connection to the CSRP and more.
Until next year - Paddles Up! (or maybe down for a wee rest)
Following the 2024-2025 activity year, it was time for the Sunrisers to enjoy ourselves at the Waterford Legion and to conclude some essential Club business before our summer break. It was planned as a social moment to reflect on that which we have accomplished, to recognize our most recent Paul Harris recipients (see two accompanying stories), to induct our new Board Directors for 2024-2025, to offer our thanks and respect to our Outgoing President John Wallace and to welcome in our Incoming Co-Presidents Ross Gowan & Mary MercatoGo to the 'Read more ...' tab to read more and/or to see selected photos from each of these aims. Click on this link to see a compilation of all of the photos of this event as kept on Club Runner.
Our thanks go out to our Club Services Chair, Gail Bouw for organizing the evening, to the Waterford Legion for the wonderful meal and facility, and to Lisa Bishop who provided emcee guidance through all of this.
Now, for a short summer break - we look forward to several social get-togethers to keep us going until a very challenging fall schedule of business & fun begins!
Let the 'Magic of Rotary' continue.
On a not so warm morning the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise set out to plant approximately 170 trees along the Norfolk Sunrise Trail on April 13. Approximately 30 people showed up with spades in hand prepared to plant. We had club members, family and friends and one previous member made an appearance to the delight of everyone (thanks Yuliia!!) After the 2 ½ hours of digging holes, planting trees, and laying down mulch the group found time to chat, eat cookies (thanks as always to Gail Catherwood) and admire not only the new plantings but the previous plantings as well as the daffodils. These have come on early this year so don’t miss out, be sure to get down there to check it all out. Prior to the day of planting we had a crew who dug out approximately 70 trees from President John Wallace’s property. Another 100 trees were sold to us by Norfolk County at an approximate cost of $10/tree and the mulch and flags were supplied by the County. Kudos go out to Paul Zorad on the smaller auger and Andy Kooistra on the larger one. Great work by both of them. We had a front end loader and bucket from Malo farms as well as Abe Klassen helping out on the loader. There were a lot of wheels in motion that day and everyone worked great together ensuring all the tasks were covered. Thanks to Steve Malo for orchestrating the day. You can see more pictures by clicking on Read More.
Following eight, 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, plans to restart the contest in early 2025; this to be our ninth licence - it will conclude once the Ace of Spade is finally drawn.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.
'How are you?...REALLY'!?In a recent webinar to the Rotary community, RI President Gordon McInally, expressed his lead perspective on the need to address mental health issues in our communities. As a result, it is not a surprise that our current-year, Rotary theme of "Create Hope in the World" has a clear focus on mental health issues. The webinar sought to provide early information on the proposed Rotary approach to this objective and may be accessed by clicking here.
An early initiative to advance this priority was to create a focal point at the RI level to co-ordinate information and/or action - the 'Mental Health Initiatives; Rotary Action Group' was born. The work of this group can be found by clicking on this link - it is a trove of great ideas.
At our own District 7090 level, District Governor Scott Marcin has communicated his views on this topic; a summary of which may be found at this link.
Clearly, there is a lot of work to accomplish but if you're looking for a very simple thing to do, the next time you meet someone in need, try opening the conversation with; 'How are you? ... REALLY'.
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