The Westerner for March 1, 2010

10 Course Chinese Dinner - The Rotaract Club of Edmonton Centre is hosting a fund-raising dinner with entertainment and auctions at the Dynasty Century Palace (9700 - 105 Avenue, second floor) on Friday, March 12th.  Tickets are $50.00 per person.  If you want a ticket or have something to donate to their auction, please contact Kirsten Poon at kpoon.rotaract@gmail.com

District Conference on-line registration is now available at the District Website, which is linked to our website, which is linked to this e-bulletin.  Our Club offers a subsidy to any member who registers for this upcoming event in Drayton Valley.

Nominations for Rotary Peace Awards are being solicited.  Contact President Ben for more information.

A new Rotary Club is being chartered in Edmonton on March 10th.

If you know a non-Rotarian who would be a suitable nominee for an Integrity Award, please contact one of the 3 J's - Jim, Jerome or Joe.

We still don't know how much money we made at our last Casino, but we know that our next one will be in the July, August, September period of 2011.  Bill Buckham certainly knows how to apply for these things in a timely manner.

Mike Ryan bought a Wine Basket at the Rotary Day Dinner.  He auctioned it off to club members to raise funds for Clean Scene.  Wayne Ellis was the successful bidder at $45.00, and he promptly donated it to the Rotaract Club for their March 12th function.  Well done, Mike and Wayne.

Congratulations to Ilario Re on his recent retirement as Manager of the Edmonton Petroleum Club.  President Ben presented a gift from our Club to Ilario and his wife Annie.  We have held our meetings at the Petroleum Club for 20 of Ilario's 27 years as club manager. 

Finemaster Chris Gowers collected loonies for not attending the Rotary Day Dinner or for not registering for the District Conference.

50/50 Draw - Thanks Charlie and Bill for not matching.  The pot grows for next week.

PROGRAM - GEORGE GROVER SCHOLARSHIPS

Ron Hutchinson provided some historical background to the George Grover Scholarships.  It's pretty incredible that over the last nine years the fund set up by the family of former Edmonton West club member George Grover has disbursed $215,940 to 27 deserving university students.

The fund is jointly managed by the Rotary Club of Edmonton West and the Edmonton Realtors Association.  George had a passion for education, plus he was a believer in the Four-Way Test.  He was instrumental in establishing some of the courses for realtors which continue to the present day. 

Originally, the endowment fund was designated strictly for those studying real estate related subjects, but several years ago it was opened up to students who had demonstrated strong academic achievement coupled with leadership abilities and a financial need.

This year's George Grover Scholarship winners are Peter MacPherson, Peter Iglinski, and Peter Chung.

Peter MacPherson is now in second year Medicine, and he is determined to become a Pediatrician, specializing in childhood practice.  He attended Ross Shep High School before earning his undergraduate degree at McGill in Montreal.  Besides his studies he has started a volunteer program called "U & Me" which is modelled on Big Brothers and Big Sisters.  It involves taking students on field trips to various U of Alberta facilities.  He also makes anti-smoking presentations to schools in Edmonton.  Peter will be getting married this summer.

Peter Iglinski is now a second year Science student who hopes to go on to Medical School.  He is a Scona School graduate.  His passion is brain safety and he has been involved in a Brain Injury Awareness Youth Group since he was in Grade 11.  He has been getting progressively more involved with this group, including much interaction with brain injured patients and the promotion of the use of helmets for cycling, hockey, skiing and other sports.  He is also one of the organizers for the Mothers Day Gala for Breast Cancer, and he helps coach a high school soccer team.  His latest venture is a campaign to reduce or eliminate trans fats from food products offered at the U of A Campus.  In his spare time, he skis and golfs.

Peter Chung is 19, and is also in the Science faculty and also wishes to go on to Medical School.  Peter is a former member of the Interact Club at Ross Shep and is now a member of the Rotaract Club of Edmonton Centre.  He put in another plug for their upcoming event at the Dynasty Restaurant.  He plays the piano and teaches piano to elementary school children.  His favourite sport is rock climbing.

All three students thanked the Edmonton West Rotary Club and the Realtors Association for their scholarships.  Mike Ryan thanked these impressive students for their presentations.