Newsletter December 4, 2017 (Dec 04, 2017)

President's Remarks:

President Karen Blewett welcomed everyone to the Christmas lunch, our annual get together to celebrate the season. Karen noted the great turnout and hoped that everyone would stay around after the Christmas stocking stuffing event, to socialize.

Rotary Fun Fact:

President Karen's interesting historic fact about our club this week related to the variety of service projects that the club has undertaken during the holiday period. She quoted several examples of "Christmas cheer", and mentioned that this past weekend was the 33^rd annual Salvation Army bell ringing done by the club.

Membership Update:

No new member proposals this week.

Rotary Information:

Karen advised that she and Sean were taking a family holiday in December, that President-elect Chris Perret would be running the meetings on Dec 11 and Dec 18 and she wished everyone the best of the season and safe travels wherever you venture this season. The shortbread cookies on the tables were courtesy of President Karen (and likely Cordelia helped!!)

Rotary Presentations:

No presentations this week.

Upcoming Club Events:

Rotary Happy Hour - December 6, from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Paradise Valley Golf Clubhouse.
2018 District Conference will be May 4 - 6, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Calgary.
DATE FOR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2018, at the Medicine Hat Lodge
RI Convention - Toronto, June 23 - 27, 2018. The Club has agreed to provide an incentive of $500 for new members and $200 for existing members to attend the RI Conference.
For more Club activities, to keep up with events and stay in touch, check the Club website at: www.medicinehatrotary.com

Future Programs:

If you have any future program ideas, please e-mail Heather at heather.bach@ahs.ca.

Christmas Meeting

Posted by Dave Panabaker on Dec 04, 2017

After the main portion of the meeting, the club got together and stuffed approx 220 Christmas stockings. The stockings will be delivered to Cypress View Foundation (Teeoda Lodge) at lunchtime on Monday December 18, as well as at a future date to the St Joseph's home and Carmel hospice. A great job of organizing the donations by Heather Bach, as well as President Karen and a number of other Rotarians who contributed product and cash to the activity.

Interact Club News

Posted by Dave Panabaker on Dec 04, 2017

In the past month, several great things have happened with the Medicine Hat High School Interact club, and it's nice to share them with the Rotary Club.

At the City Council meeting on Monday November 20th, the Interact club was presented with the YMCA Peacemaker of the Year award. After the presentation they were introduced at the Council meeting. A wonderful evening to celebrate the work of the Interact students, their student advisor Sue Withers and their Rotary advisor Theresa Eisenbarth.

Rotary Advisor Theresa Eisenbarth, Interact students Grace, Azin and Jaslin

A number of Rotarians were presented to witness the award and celebrate.

Also, the Interact students were invited to present at the Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary club meeting of November 29. Accompanied by their faculty advisor, Sue Withers and Rotary advisor Theresa Eisenbarth, they spoke about the club, some of their objectives for this school year and their recent project in Nicaragua.

Rotary advisor Theresa Eisenbarth, Interact students Bella, Azin and Jaslin, Faculty advisor Sue Withers and Sunrise President Les Scholly.

Club Meeting News

Posted by Dave Panabaker on Dec 04, 2017

Introduction of Guests

Many partners and spouses, thanks for coming out!
Jim and Anne White (honorary Rotarians)
Sean Blewett, Sunrise Rotary Club

Birthdays:

Dieter Brand December 10.

Club Anniversaries:

Jim White (as an honorary Rotarian) December 8, 2014 3 years. Jim was an active Rotarians in our club for 48 years prior to that!!

Weekly Draws:

Linda Rossler was the winner of the weekly draw. Linda took home a fruitcake donated by Dawn Barr.
Stan Sakamoto was not in attendance to win a free lunch in the attendance draw.

Club 500:

No draw this week, only two draws remaining this year, set for December 11 and 18.

Make Ups:

Ray Kemp at the Rotary Club of Canmore.
Theresa Eisenbarth and Karen Blewett were at the Medicine Hat Sunrise Rotary club last week, for the Interact Club presentation.

Family of Rotary:

Only update was condolences from the Club to former Club President, Bob Ferguson on the loss of his son.

Minute People:

Terry Brekko advised that Music Festival Program advertising packages will be given out on Monday December 18...with two meetings being missed over the holidays, it's important to start this early. We also are dealing with a new printer, so extra time will be a real advantage.
Dave Panabaker thanked those Rotarians who participated in the bingo on Friday evening. Terry Cooper won the guess pot, and he was not in attendance, so Dave was sure he was "so happy" to win, it was donated to the Sgt.
Dawn Barr spoke about the Rotary Happy Hour, Wednesday December 7, 5 pm - 8 pm at the Paradise Valley Clubhouse.
Theresa Eisenbarth advised the MHHS Interact students will be holding a Bake Sale Fundraiser Dec 12 to 14. The students are looking for donations of baking. Donations can be dropped off at the High School on Friday December 8th or Monday December 11. They have access to a cooler, so refrigerated items can be accommodated.
Chris Perret spoke about the sale of Club 500 tickets which are underway. If you don't have your tickets, contact Chris, Allan or Glen. Chris advised he has a list of about 50 people who need to be contacted. If you can help out, please contact Chris.This is a major fundraiser for the Music Festival, so please sell your tickets as soon as possible.
Adolf Seiler thanked all 23 Rotarians and one "friend of Rotary" who participated this year.
Dawn Barr also mentioned that a meeting of the Past Presidents of the club was to be held after the Club meeting on Monday December 11th.
Dave Stalwick will be running the next Rotary bingo, on Monday evening December 18. Sign up invitations will be coming out soon.
Dick Bide reminded the club about the Bides annual Boxing Day "come and go". Please stop by and enjoy this holiday tradition.

Christmas Project:

Heather Bach advised that the Christmas stockings will be delivered to Cypress View Lodge (Teeoda Lodge) on Monday December 18th. A group of Rotarians will be asked to go and hand out the stockings. As well, at a future date, Rotary will visit St Joseph's home to deliver Christmas cheer there as well. Watch for the information at the December 11 meeting or by email.