The Westerner for December 20, 2010

Posted by Brian F. Thompson 
 

Meeting:   Chair, Mike Ryan; Music, Jerome Martin; Grace, Bob Lamoureux

Attendance / Guests:   34, including Brian Andrus, Camile Berube, Peter Lloyd, Al Hendriks & Shayne LaFond

Announcements:

  • The Alex Paterson, Ann Orsini, John Blimke, Bob Lamoureux, Jerome Martin, Brian Thompson Table has committed to each bring a guest to our meeting in January.  A challenge was issued to other tables to do the same or similar (perhaps best if we don't all do it in January!)
  • Due to the heavy snowfall last Wednesday, the Board Meeting was postponed.  Club Directors were asked to stay behind at the end of the regular meeting to take care of some urgent business.
  • Mark your calendars now for two upcoming social events announced by Bob Lamoureux:
    • Friday, January 21 at the TU Gallery at 6:00 pm there will be a Wine and Tappas get-together.
    • Sunday, February 27th at Katouki Greek Restaurant on Gateway Boulevard there will be a 10 course Greek Dinner.  Cost is $25 per person including gratuity.
  • Rudy Mangold told a humorous story about taxpayers in Spain.
  • Alex Paterson gave a shameless plug for TU Gallery being open late all this week so he was expecting a big fine.  (but everyone else wasn't - Bert!)
  • The Petroleum Club will be closed on Monday, January 3rd, so our next meeting is on January 10th.
  • 50/50 Draw - No match by Lily & Don, so $250 is carried forward to our next meeting and it sounds like there will be a guaranteed win.  Better buy lots of tickets to improve your chances!
  • Brian Andrus, former Commanding Officer of 395 Air Cadet Squadron, announced that they will be having a 395 Squadron Alumni Reunion on May 27th.  Some 62 people have committed to attend already, and they are talking about setting up a scholarship to be awarded each year.  Mike Ryan confirmed that our $15,000 donation to the squadron was made recently.
  • Thanks again to Jerome Martin for purchasing the new piano for Capital Care Grandview.  The next step is to build a stage to hold the piano.
  • Mike reminded everyone that if you want your charitable donation receipt for 2010, you need to make your donation to the Rotary Foundation before December 31st.
  • Our Club will be participating in a Polio Plus Fundraiser being coordinated at the District level involving the Edmonton Oil Kings.  We want to sell out Rexall Place for the Oil Kings Saturday, February 26th game, so make plans for your family and friends to attend.  The Oil Kings are the "hottest" team in the league right now.  More details early in the new year.
  • Finemaster Bert fined everyone $5.  Does he have the Christmas spirit or what?

PROGRAM

First up on the program was a reading from Jerome Martin about a Christmas Concert.  The reading was from a W. O. Mitchell, Jake & The Kid novel.  Well done Jerome.

Second up was a Canadianized version of the 12 Days of Christmas Song.  Instead of "a Partridge in a Pear Tree", it was "a Porcupine in a Pine Tree" plus many other substitutions for the original words.  The music left something to be desired - perhaps we need more practice.

President Mike presented a Christmas basket to Shayne to thank him for his hard work at the front desk.

Our favourite waiter John was acknowledged by President Mike.  Many members made Polio Plus donations in honour of his friend.

Two Birthdays were acknowledged - Mike Ryans (58th) next week and Perry Hendricks today.