After a very hot summer with more than its fair amount of Rotary activity; the Sunrisers are back for another year- and we're rarin' to go!
On Tuesday evening, the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) members, family, guests and friends, gathered at the Waterford Legion for games, social reconnection, presentations and to conduct some overdue business at hand.
Details of certain highlights and the business conducted is given at the 'Read more ...' tab along with a variety of supporting photos. A full album of related photos may be found at this link.
It was a terrific evening, with more than 90 joining in to celebrate. Our Co-Presidents, Mary Mercato and Ross Gowan managed the agenda and kept us on track for great way to start the next year of being People of Action.
Now, back to community work ...
General Gathering and Celebrating Those Who Served.
Co-Presidents Mary Mercato & Ross Gowan lead us through the proceedings. Past President John Wallace provided a commencment prayer, most suitable for the evening. With over 90 in attendance, we were graced by many guests joining in with Club members. Of particular note, were Past District Governor Lisa Bishop, Past-Past Area Governor Bob Stevenson, Past Area Governor Keith Jones and current Area Givernor Ken Tota. Also of note were the internationally inbound and outbound students and their sponsors/hosts as brought along by our Youth Services Chair Rudi Atkinson; all introduced and more than welcomed.
W
e are defintely getting used to the warm welcome and great food offered up by the staff and volunteers at the Waterford Legion. Once again, we thank them for their wonderful venue and hospitality. The steaks were supurb!Celebrating Those Who Organized.
As can be see in several of the table shots, we were grateful for the continuing work by Gail Bouw and the Club Services team in organizing these great social gatherings. It was suggested that there were more to follow over the course of the year and that everyone should protect their calendar for the next Club social event on 03 September at the Blue Elephant. Given the large turnout, we were also grateful for ABEL Enerprizes to have brought along a number of lawn games to entertain us and the children during the social time. We were also entertained by Co President Mary Mercato who guided us through a group game of "Never have I ever ….". In the end, the purist of us all was Craig Thompson (a guest of Jim Simpson) who won a certificate for a plate of cheeze for his honesty!
Waterford Heritage Trail Recognition.
Governor (Area 1 & 2) Ken Tota (RC of Brantford Sunrise) was a special guest in attendance and took the opportunity to regognize our Club for the support it has contributed to create and improve the Waterford Heritage Trail over the years. In particular, he praised the work of the community volunteer team responsible for the Trail and especially to our own Andy Kooistra as the key proponent for it. Here we see Ken presenting a RI medallion to Andy in regognition of his long service in support of the Waterford TrailOther Remarks.
Past President John Wallace presented the Co-Presidents with a symbolic array of flowers; yellow daisies with each one representing our active members all growing togeyther and helping to make our community a better, more pleasing place to live, along with two red flowers representing the strong co-leadership amoungst us, standing out for their commitment to Club leadership in our group and our communities. Another wondeful touch by a class act.Past Pres John also commented on the diminishing health of one of our recent Paul Harris Fellows - Vinod Ghai. Vin has done so much to support us and Rotary in general as we address ourselves to international health challenges (in particular with Operation Eyesight) and now he is struggling with his own health issues. AsPast Pres John read out his personal and supporting letter to Vin, we were left to simply hold him in our thoughts and prayers and wish him the best.
Paul Harris Award(s).
Jim Simpson introduced us to our most receent Paul Harris Award recipients, Ian and Judy-Ann Macauley for the extraordinary work they do in our communities. A separate story covers this exceptional news. Being so well-known in the community and amouunst so many of our Club members, they were enthusiastically congratulated by all in attendance. Further to the surprize nature of the presentation, it wasan additional highlight for them, as well as the rest of us, that they could be joined by the entirey of their family; daughter Laurie with husband Brendan White and children Sadie & Owen from Kincardine, as well as daughter Krista with husband Craig Thompson and son Kris from Simcoe.
