The Westerner for September 16, 2013

Posted by Brian F. Thompson 
on Sep 17, 2013
 

Meeting:  Chair - Duane Evans; Music - Jerome Martin; Grace - Bert Andrews

Attendance / Guests - 29 including Duart Berg & Wendy Dugas

Announcements:

  •  Sherry Holmes circulated a sign-up sheet for Read-in Week at Lansdowne Elementary School.  If you missed the sheet but would like to read to elementary school children, please contact Sherry.
  • A memorial service for long-time Rotarian George Stout will be held on Friday, September 20th at the Old Timers Cabin at 2:00 pm.
  • Ingrid Neitsch reminded all that the first new Grandview Concert of the season will be held on Tuesday, September 17th at 6:30 pm and will feature The Lazy River Quintette performing "Gentle Jazz".  This group includes our own Jerome Martin on the piano & vocals and Ed Schultz on the drums.  The performance will commence at 6:30 pm so you want to be seated prior to that.
  • Our Board of Directors will be meeting this Wednesday at 5:30 pm at the Clean Scene office (Boys & Girls Club) on 95th Street.  Any member is welcome to attend.
  • Mike Ryan announced that the fall session of RYLA will start on September 26th and our club will be sponsoring two students.  He also reminded all to purchase gift cards to support our Club fundraising.

New Member Induction - Ed Schultz introduced Duart Berg as a member of our Club.  Duart will hold the Classification of Agricultural Science.  Duart was born in Josephburg and was educated in Fort Saskatchewan.  After earning his Agricultural Degree from the U of A, he went on to have a 35 plus year career with Dow Agra Sciences & predecessor companies.  Duart keeps active with fastball, golf & curling, has travelled to places like Vietnam & Africa, and is married with children & grandchildren.  Ed told about Duart's long drive on the Par 5 13th hole at Victoria last week, followed up by another great shot which put them on the green in 2.  Ed presented Duart with 2 orange Bridgestone golf balls, which he found on the course in Sherwood Park.

President Duane formally inducted Duart, and he was welcomed into the club by all members.

Finemaster - Fred Kraft raised $41.22 from members who didn't know the answers to his questions about Canada's Agriculture industry.  Thanks Fred, we are all much wiser now.

Happy Bucks from our Mikes - Mike Henry is proud to announce that he has just learned that all the hard work he has put into earning his Doctorate Degree has paid off with success.  Mike Ryan is also proud to announce that he is the recipient of the Restoration Award from the Canadian Criminal Justice Association.  Mike will be travelling to Vancouver in early October to receive this award at the 34th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice.  The Restoration Award may be granted to victims or former offenders who have overcome the challenge of their past and made an exemplary contribution towards rehabilitation, restoration and a more humane and effective justice system.  Congratulations Mike and Dr. Mike.

50/50 Draw - Jerome Martin and Brent Birch did not match cards so whatever was in the pot carries forward to next meeting.

 

PROGRAM - GLENROSE HOSPITAL

Mike Ryan introduced Wendy Dugas as our speaker.  Wendy is the President & CEO of the Glenrose Hospital Foundation.  She was formerly at Ronald McDonald House and she is the mother of a boy who has used the Glenrose facilities.

Glenrose Hospital is the only rehabilitation hospital in Alberta.  It serves all of Alberta, the NWT, Yukon, northeastern BC and part of Saskatchewan.  The rehabilitation services are in the areas of kids, geriatric, orthopedic, brain injuries, cardiac and stroke and they are all focussed on getting people better so they can go home.  Most services are provided on an outpatient basis so they don't need a large number of beds.

We learned that some 15% of Albertans have some form of disability.  That is expected to grow because by 2031, one in five Albertans will be a senior.  Autism is another ailment that seems to be on the increase.  Now one in eighty-four children have some degree of autism.

 

Wendy spoke with passion about the Glenrose and the following projects and initiatives:

  • The Building Trades of Alberta Courage Centre
  • The Courage in Motion Centre
  • The Independent Living Suite
  • The Oil Centre Interactive Therapy Space
  • The GRH Dental Clinic
  • Pediatric Rehabilitation
  • Patient-centred Research
Wendy was thanked for her presentation by Doug Sollows