Rotary Weekly News - Dec 15, 2025 (Dec. 15, 2025)

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

President Milan welcomed all to the Christmas Bag 'stuffing' event at the Veiner Centre here in Medicine Hat.

He shared an update on Rotarian Marg Mazerolle (see under FAMILY) whom he and Almira visited in Strathmore over the weekend.

Members were encouraged to respond to the electronic survey constructed and emailed out by Rotarian Gwen Dirk, seeking members ratings on different aspects of the Club's Christmas Dinner, held on 1 December. Paper copies were handed out for those who preferred pen and paper.

Our last meeting of 2025, on Monday 22 December, will take the form of fellowship and sharing around festive season traditions, practises, gift-giving, food etc. A list of questions composed by Rotarian Sharon Hayward was handed out for preparation for this time of sharing and getting to know one another at a different level. With Mike Christie facilitating the discussion, it is likely to be a memorable hour! Family and friends are welcome to join in!

After these announcements, we relocated to the Bistro for lunch, followed by just over an hour of filling the piles of very colourful Christmas bags.

Tammy Poole (in charge of the Veiner Vintage Transportation program, the Volunteer program and Events) oversaw the process, starting it off with instructions about the filling of the bags, separately for men and for women.

The filling of the bags went ahead seamlessly... a total of just over 300!

The filled bags were tagged by Tammy and by Dick Bide, pink for women and blue for men!

The filled bags, ready for distribution, made a colourful line-up!

Where did the contents of the bags come from?

To whom will the Christmas bags be donated?

Meals-on-Wheels clients, Transportation clients, and any member of the Centre who does not have a support system.

When will distribution take place?

This week.

How?

The Vintage Transport Drivers and the Meals-on-Wheels drivers will do the distribution.

Tammy thanked our Club for participation in this event both last year and this year. She encouraged members to consider support of this initiative again in 2026, through cash donations and/or items to put in the bags, and again, doing the Christmas bag filling.

It was indeed a pleasure to contribute in this small way, to bringing festive caring, gifts and joy into the lives of those who may need it.

MONARCH 1911 SOCIETY

As many Rotarians will know, our club, in cooperation with the Saamis Rotary Club and the Friends of the Monarch Society, has been working on restoring both the structure and the programming at the historic Monarch movie theatre on 2nd St S.E, Medicine Hat. Some of the upcoming events are highlighted below.

To stay completely up to date, consult The Monarch website at

https://themonarchtheatre.ca

Our club will try to keep track of events on at the Monarch, to give members a heads-up that the opportunity to serve exists. If you are interested, please let Rotarian Janessa Anderson (403-952-1907) know and she can provide details of available shifts and responsibilities.

Volunteering at a show is a great way to connect with the community and support the historic local landmark.

Ideas for Future Programs

The Rotary Club's Program Committee members are Jillian Koch (jkoch@jmhca.com), Margie Booyens (margiebooyens@gmail.com), Alain Guerard (aguerard@telus.net), Sharon Hayward (sharon.hayward@medicinehatymca.ca).

Meeting Information

ATTENDANCE: 22 members plus one guest descended on the Veiner Centre this afternoon for an hour or two of Christmas Bag 'stuffing'.

GUESTS:

Diane Halderman, wife of Treasurer Gail Halderman

MEETING DRAW:

No draw

Please remember to contribute gifts for the weekly draw. If you are somewhere interesting, a small gift to the club for the draw is much appreciated!

Makeups: None were mentioned.

Birthdays:

Dieter Brand December 10
Dale Stein December 12
Gail Halderman December 16
Ken Zollner December 18
John John December 19
Kitt Brand December 28

Rotary Anniversaries:

Nadia Deenen 24 years Dec 03, 2001
Terry Cooper 18 years Dec 04, 2007
Brent Secondiak 5 years Dec 14, 2020
Linnsie Clark 4 years Dec 13, 2021
Brenda Mercer 1 year Dec 16, 2024

Gearing up for the Christmas Bag 'stuffing': Lunch at the Bistro in the Veiner Centre.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR DECEMBER 2025:

The December Rose Runner is Tarek Williams.

MINUTE REMINDERS

02 JANUARY 2026

A reminder that our District is invited to participate in Zone 28 new member orientation webinars:

New Member Orientation Webinars

We are excited to share the dates for this year’s New Member Orientation webinars. These fast-paced, informative sessions are ideal not only for new members but for any Rotarian who wants to learn more about our amazing organization. The first was held on October 21. Coming up:

Save the Dates (all at 7:30 pm EST):

Wednesday, January 21

Thursday, April 23

Click here to join the webinars

NEXT BINGO SESSIONS: Sunday January 4, 2026 evening; Thursday January 29, 2026 evening. Please see email sent out by Dave P, with bingo session dates up to the end of June 2026.:

2026 Rotary CLUB 1000 Raffle, in support of the Music Festival: Tarek Williams advised that he has received the AGLC licence for this years raffle. The tickets will hopefully be available for sale before Christmas.

The Rotary Club of Medicine Hat, the YMCA and Saamis Immigration Association are cooperating on a joint clothing project for winter wear.

Update from Y Treasure Thrift Store: Winter Clothing Support for Newcomers

We wanted to share the latest on our collaborative effort with Saamis Immigration and the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat to support newcomers in our community.

Thanks to Rotary’s help in promoting and sourcing donations, we’ve seen a steady flow of winter clothing coming into the Thrift Store. These contributions are making a real difference for families arriving in Medicine Hat during the coldest months. We have received plenty of winter coats, but still need boots, ski pants, mitts/gloves, toques, and scarves.

Y Treasure Thrift Store has provided Saamis Immigration with several gift cards to distribute to their participants. These cards give newcomers the flexibility to purchase winter clothing or other essential household items they need to settle comfortably.

Saamis Immigration is planning to distribute gift cards as they welcome new families this week, with more scheduled to arrive in the new year. This means the need for warm clothing and household essentials will continue to grow. Your ongoing support in securing donations is vital to ensuring these families feel welcomed and cared for.

Thank you, Rotary Club of Medicine Hat, for your commitment to this initiative and for helping us create a warm start for newcomers in our community.

RECENT CLUB CHRISTMAS GATHERING: Gwen Dirk and Margie Booyens would love to hear your feedback, suggestions and constructive criticism related to our Club Christmas Dinner Party held on 1 December. Gwen has sent out a short electronic survey. Please complete it at your earliest convenience. Hard copies of the questions were handed out during our meeting at the Veiner Centre today. Hard copies will be handed out again during our last meeting of the year - Monday 22 December - for the convenience of those who have not yet responded.

CLUBRUNNER NOVA TRAINING - Our club operating software will undergo a significant upgrade over the Christmas holidays. A webinar to help all members navigate this new environment was held on Tuesday Dec 2, 2025. It was attended by Dave Panabaker who will be taking the upgrading process forward, in consultation with President Milan. A presentation at a noon club meeting will be scheduled in the New Year, once the transition is complete.

TEAM FREEWHEEL WORKING SESSIONS: The group refurbishing bikes will now be meeting on Saturdays so as to accommodate as many volunteers as possible. One does not need bike mechanical experience since help is needed to organize part bins, and to take wheels, handle bar grips, petals, etc. off bikes being stripped for parts. Doug F, Ken Z and Peter M will be the contact people over the winter while Terry C is away.

THE ALL CLUB CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY: was held at the CYPRESS CLUB on Sunday 14 December. About 16 members of our club, wives and friends, enjoyed the company of members and friends of the Saamis Club.

Ukraine Support - There is a significant need right now for electrical generators for schools and shelters in the Ukraine, as Russia is targeting infrastructure in Ukraine. Opportunities to donate and financially support this need are now available. Please contact Kitt Brand in this regard.

SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS KETTLES - As always, the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat participated in this important festive season collection. Images taken on Tuesday 16 December at Walmart.

Family of Rotary:

No additional update on Sandy and Jane MacKay: Last week we reported that Jane is in a community bed (No. 311) in St Josephs Home. She would appreciate a text or perhaps a visit in the future. Sandy is currently in the MH Hospital (2 North - Room 100) after a fall at home. He will remain in hospital for assessment but he would enjoy a visit.
Rotarian Marg Mazerolle, now relocated to Strathmore, was visited by President Milan and Almira over this past weekend. She has settled in and is adjusting to her new lifestyle. She was delighted to receive Milan and Almira and asked all about our Club! Visits from members would be greatly appreciated! Her address is: AgeCare Sagewood, 140 Cambridge Glen Drive, Strathmore, T1P 0E6. Her room number is 3133. The phone number of AgeCare is 403-361-8252.

Please keep a Board Member informed about members health and/or any other changes, so that information can be provided to the club through the Weekly News.