Our noon meeting on Monday 9 March started with a warm welcome from President Milan Vujovic, followed by the singing of our national anthem.
We were delighted to have two guests: Linda Bide, wife of Dick, and guest speaker Garry Walton.
President Milan highlighted the fact that the annual Rotary Music Festival started that day. He encouraged all to invite friends and family to attend any of the daily sessions over the two weeks, as well as the Rosebowl and the Stars of the Festival.
Garry Walton, General Manager of AJ Cupboard, was then introduced by Rotarian and AJ Cupboard volunteer Alain Guerard (read more in the STORY section of this newsletter).
Program for next week, Monday 16 March: JD Gaetan will be talking about CanCarb.
ROTARY AT DISTRICT LEVEL
Members were again encouraged to register for and attend the District 5360 conference, taking place in Red Deer from 1-3 May. Treasurer Gail suggested those attending book into the same hotel, so as to be able to socialize as a group. The Holiday Inn Express on 50th was proposed.
Kitt Brand mentioned that there would be a display of Rotary intervention (projects) connected to the Ukraine at DisCon.
President Milan highlighted the dueling piano performance on the first evening of DisCon and the value of spending time in the House of Friendship in which there will be tables and booths on a range of projects and programs undertaken by Rotarians and Clubs in District 5360.
See how to register in the MINUTES in the MEETING NEWS section of this newsletter.
ROTARY AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
As we have been mentioning for some time now, the next RI Convention will be held in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, from 13-17 June 2026. Those attending should please let the Board know.
See more in the MINUTES in the MEETING NEWS section of this newsletter.
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. Construction is currently focusing on the expansion of the stage, to allow larger music events to occur. The old marquee sign will also be updated over the coming months.
Our club's Projects & Programs Committee and Board have approved doing another combined District Grant with Saamis Rotary Club, to assist with the fundraising for the replacement of the roof.
The Monarch Theatre is the recipient of a Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant to the tune of $125,000 towards the roof replacement, so the project will proceed in the summer of this year. The grant was presented to the Monarch Society on February 20th 2026, along with $10,000 from our Rotary club!
Our club will try to keep track of events on at the Monarch, and will give members a heads-up about opportunities to serve. If you are interested in volunteering at the Monarch, please let Rotarian Janessa Anderson know (403-952-1907) and she will provide details of available shifts and responsibilities.
Volunteering at a show is a great way to connect with the community and support our 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).
Garry Walton, General Manager of AJ’s Loan Cupboard here in Medicine Hat, made a great presentation on the establishment, development and current situation and challenges, of AJ’s Loan Cupboard. Assisting with the presentation was Rotarian Alain Guerard, who volunteers at AJ’s twice a week.
Alain became a volunteer at AJs after a period in his life when he had needed and been able to loan a wheelchair from AJs.
A bit of history: upon the death of Alan Joys on January 20, 2002, the Alan Joys Memorial Fund Society was established in Medicine Hat, to provide a service like one offered via a Masonic Lodge program that was based in Kingsmill’s Department Store of London, Ontario. This program had provided, free of charge, all the equipment needed by Alan and his family, for the 18 months of palliative care Alan received at home, after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.
AJ’s Loan Cupboard, a non-profit, charitable society, began operating in Medicine Hat in 2002.
We were proud to hear that the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat was key in starting the Loan Cupboard by sponsoring two equipment drives in the first four years.
The growth and development of AJ’s have been phenomenal, pointing to an increasing need in Medicine Hat and surrounding area, for medical equipment, for which there is no cost, no delays, and no qualifying criteria other than need.
In the first few years, support was provided to 10-15 families per WEEK. Today, with nearly 500 volunteer hours per month, AJ’s helps approximately 30-40 families PER DAY!
Garry shared that at the end of 2025, with 6267 pieces of equipment available, AJ’s had 5038 pieces loaned to 2,221 families.
Alain intimated that AJ’s is growing at a rate of about 9% per year regarding the number of families served. In terms of geographic coverage, this resource now supports communities as far as Oyen, Taber, Maple Creek, Brooks – and has donated equipment to the Ukraine.
AJ’s Loan Cupboard is open from Monday to Friday. Volunteers are always needed, to work at the front desk or to work with the equipment, fixing, cleaning and checking each piece.
The presentation was followed by a question and discussion time, during which many members shared happy stories about how AJ’s had come to the rescue when a particular piece of medical equipment had been needed in their home or the home of a family member or friend.
Thank you, Garry Walton and all your volunteers, for managing such a well run, indispensable resource in our community!
ATTENDANCE: The meeting was attended by 23 Rotarians. Sadly none online as there was a connectivity problem.
GUESTS:
Linda Bide (wife of Dick Bide)
Garry Walton (General Manager of AJ Cupboard)
MEETING DRAW:
The two luck winners of a box each of delicious Italian chocolates: Peter Mueller and Margie Booyens
MAKEUPS: None were mentioned.
BIRTHDAYS:
Mercer, Brenda - March 1
Panabaker, Dave - March 7
Vermee, Odessa - March 14
Cooper, Terry - March 25
ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES:
Sakamoto, Stan 42 years Mar. 01 1984
Stalwick, Dave 24 years Mar. 04 2002
Christie, Mike 24 years Mar. 04 2002
Barr, Dawn 22 years Mar. 29 2004
Shepard, Robert 12 years Mar. 10 2014
Guerard, Alain 3 years Mar. 13 2023
Tuchscherer, Lesley 1 year Mar. 24 2025
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY ROSE RUNNER FOR MARCH 2026:
There is no Rose Runner for March.
NEW MINUTES AND REMINDERS:
CASINO DUTY: A reminder that our Club will be ‘staffing’ the casino on Tuesday September 22 and Wednesday September 23 . Ken Zollner will recruit volunteers in due course.
PROGRAM FOR MARCH AND HAND-ON OPPORTUNITY IN APRIL
Mar 16 CanCarb JD Gaetan
Mar 23 Spec Olympics Natalie Sauer
Mar 30 Education Carla Carrier
Saturday 11 April (organized with Dan Kammerer), those available will have a morning of volunteering at Prairie Gleaners, from 08:30 to noon.
ROTARY MUSIC FESTIVAL: Anne C spoke about the festival starting that day (9 March); the festival program selling at $10.00; and the availability of a printout she made of ‘Festival at a glance’. She asked members to return their unsold Club 1000 raffle tickets and takings, no later than Monday 16 March. Everything will need to be reconciled with the AGLC. There is much work to be done to complete the draw. Dave P reminded members that they could support the RMF by making a donation online (visit www.canadahelps.org) or sending an e-transfer to mhrotaryfestival@gmail.com or writing out a cheque to Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival Society and mailing it to Box 2498 Medicine Hat T1A 8G8
INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY: DONATION OF HYGIENE BAGS FOR SAAMIS IMMIGRATION WOMEN: Dawn Barr shared with members what a wonderful event she, Mihaela and Margie had attended at Saamis Immigration Services Association (SISA) that morning. Our club donated $400 to SISA for hygiene bags, which were put together by SISA staff and handed out by the three Rotarians during the event. Such a nice touch was that the men in attendance, handed out roses to all the women! The ED of SISA, Kristijan Kopilovic kicked off the event by welcoming all and speaking about the many roles of women in the home and community, and the appreciation of SISA for the strength and resilience of women. He thanked Rotary for the donation. This was followed by staff member Holly Hoffman who talked about International Women's Day and the fact that for some in attendance, it was a first, Women's Day having not been celebrated in their country of origin.
MEETING DOOR GREETERS NEEDED: Please talk to Dave Stalwick. Consider getting your name on the roster. Being a meeting greeter is a great way to welcome and to get to know fellow members.
THE M-FACTOR. SHREDDING THE SILENCE ON MENOPAUSE: Nadia Deenen reminded members that he M-Factor documentary will be screened at The Monarch theatre on March 26 from 7-9 pm The screening will be followed by a panel discussion. Questions will be taken from the audience. Attendance is free but you must register. Here's the QR code:
PRAIRIE GLEANERS: A club working outing is scheduled for Saturday 11 April, from 08:30 to noon. We will be lending a hand at Prairie Gleaners, sorting, washing and cutting produce. Margie B will be send round an attendance list.
2026 TOP 7 OVER 70 COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS: Margie B will be nominating Rotarian Terry Cooper for his work with project Team Freewheel. To get nominated, the 70+ year old will live in Southeast Alberta, will have started something different or new, after the age of 70, in one of the following areas: agriculture, science, literature, philanthropy, arts or sports. The focus of the awards is not on past accomplishments or lifetime achievements. Rather, individuals are nominated for new accomplishments, through which they are making an impact. If any other potential nominees come to mind, please contact Margie who is helping to market this award (margiebooyens@gmail.com).
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS: The next fast-paced, informative session - ideal not only for new members but for any Rotarian who wants to learn more about Rotary - will be held on Thursday April 23 at 7:30pm EST. Registration is available on the District website.
WHY ROTARY? The 2026 Why Rotary event will be held on April 29 in the Stampede Ballroom from 05:30pm - an event for and with all Rotary clubs in Medicine Hat. Tickets will be $20 per person this year and will include appetizers, not a full meal.
BINGO UPDATE: Next session: March 9, from 5:30pm: If every member volunteered for just 2 Bingos a year, we would be well staffed and the work would be shared throughout the year.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: PP Mike C announced that there would be a Membership Committee meeting on March 9, from 7pm, in the CORE meeting room. He invited any members interested in this facet of club functioning, to attend the meeting.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION: For those who like to venture a little further, the Rotary International Convention is in Taipei, Taiwan.
Family of Rotary:
Dr Sandy MacKay welcomes visitors to his room in Masterpiece. Nadia spent time with him recently.
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.
Our first meeting of every month is a business meeting, but all meetings are both in person and available on ZOOM. Check the club calendar, which is usually up to date for our meeting locations and program.
