Home Page | Rotary Club of Simcoe

A Virtual Presentation $1,000 to Lynndale Heights Public School

Rotary "Making a Difference" continues. Seen here, Rotarian Rick Honcharsky is passing a virtual $1,000 through the screen to Megan Allen. Megan is Chair of the Lynndale Heights Public School Parents' Council.

Megan acknowledges receipt of the actual funds used towards the purchase of furniture for the “Learning Commons Project” (see picture in Megan's background) in the school. The school board is converting libraries into learning centres. The room and a grant were provided. When Megan is not working at First Ontario Credit Union, she and other parents were busy raising $20,000 to buy the furniture. Institutional furniture, computer work stations and the like are not cheap. The school provided 10 laptop computers, the grant 10 laptops and Rotary funds are being used to acquire more. Within the school some students have laptops at home; others may never have seen one. It’s a great leveller. In the learning centre the internet is free to the students.

COVID presents unusual circumstances. But when things get back to normal the parent council hopes that they will be allowed to rent the space out (such as Saturday) to community groups or companies needing extra meeting space.

Rotarians now Zoom their meeting

New - yet entertaining - our Rotary work continues.

Vince Lombardi Quotation

Rotary Day of Action Revisited

Cabin Fever

2020 Rotary Golf Tournament Postponed

Rotary Meetings Cancelled

The health and safety of our Rotarian members and our families is of utmost importance and given the current COVID-19 pandemic necessitates cancellation of our meeting activities in the short term. We need to do our part to support social distancing and thereby the efforts of medical personnel to limit the spread of coronavirus.

After consulting with AG Bob Stevenson and given cancellations related to schools, county facilities (libraries, museums and arenas until April 5) and community activities as well as those of Rotary District 7090 (details copied for your information below), I am cancelling the Rotary Club of Simcoe club meetings until April 20th. This effectively cancels scheduled meetings on March 16, 23, and 30 as well as April 6. No meeting was scheduled for April 13th due to the Easter holiday. I will be following up with specific Rotarians to ensure that our meeting arrangements at the Legion and our speaker engagements are cancelled.

As time evolves we may need to make further decisions with regard to Club activities. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy and feel free to be touch with me as needed.

Yours in Rotary,

Margaret Bancroft
President 2019-2020

We Have Moved

The Rotary Club of Simcoe meets at 12:00 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 79), 200 West Street, Simcoe, Ontario N3Y 4K3 (downstairs). Please use the Metcalfe Street Clubrooms entrance. Metcalfe Street is one way from West to Chapel Street. Also this Legion along with many others requests that anyone entering remove their head wear in respect to fallen comrades.

Quotation-Let's See What Happens

Harold Shanz Memorial Rotary Golf Tournament

Last year, our Rotarian Harold Shantz died. The Club recognized his contribution and exceptional service by renaming the Rotary Charity Golf Tournament to the Harold Shantz Memorial Rotary Golf Tournament.

Harold Shantz 1939-2019

The 2020 golf tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13th, 2020 at Greens At Renton with a rain date of Wednesday, May 20th, 2020. Should the COVID-19 viral outbreak persist into May, members of the golf committee will contact golfers who have registered and submitted information in which to contact them. Also this website will contain information on the status of the COVID-19 and its effect on the scheduling of the golf tournament.

We thank our sponsors, the many golfers and the volunteers who support The Rotary Club of Simcoe. This event remains a major fundraiser and source of funds for our community and international projects such as ending Polio in the world.

Now to register for the golf tournament, you can complete a paper copy and mail it to The Rotary Club, P.O. 1, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4K8. Or you can download the PDF version of the brochure/registration form from this link https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000000306/en-ca/files/homepage/2020-harold-shantz-rotary-memorial-golf-tourn/Golf_Brochure_2020-Fimal_0310-.pdf

Fill out the Golfers registration part by placing your cursor in the pale blue (yellow the image below) highlighted area:

Then fill out the part with the title, Registration Form, place your cursor over the pale blue (again yellow in the image below) highlighted area and fill in the applicable parts:

Click on the Submit button and it is e-mailed to the Club.

It is recommended that you rename the file and save it to your hard drive for your records.

Don't forget to complete your cheque or bring your credit card to the tournament on May 13th, 2020. Yes, we do accept cash especially American currency at par

To be able to fill out the forms, you must have Adobe Reader installed on your device. It is always a good idea to check that your version of Adobe Reader is up-to-date.

Having a problem completing the registration, e-mail us at simcoe.rotary.club@gmail.com with your information and it will be transmitted to our Rotarian in charge of registrations. The Club acknowledges the receipt of all electronically transmitted registrations.

Rotarian Tim Making A Difference

A Thank You From St. Joseph's School, Simcoe, On

Fortune Cookie No. 8

MINORI, IN HER OWN WORDS

From The District 7090 February Newsletter

Norfolk Sunrise News

Posted by Mary Mercato

MINORI, IN HER OWN WORDS

Minori Kubode, 2019-2020 Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Kaga, Japan

When I was a junior high school student, I wasn’t interested in exchange. I did like learning about the cultures of other countries but in Japan, we have to pass an exam to enter high school, so I was just studying for the exam. I have to pass the exam to enter university and the competition is very severe. I studied all the time and I thought it was normal. Being a high school student was a little bit boring for me. I wanted to do something different and special. I also didn’t think it was good to grow up without knowing about the world. When I was 16, we hosted two students from Russia just for 2 days. Then I used my English to have a conversation for the first time and it was so difficult and exciting. I decided I wanted to know about the culture of other countries by myself, through my English. At the same time, I knew about this exchange program through Rotary because my Grandfather was a Rotarian.

I was so excited to be accepted as an exchange student and I chose to come to Canada. I didn’t think about what it would be like to leave my family and my friends for a whole year. So many people came to the airport to say goodbye to me. I suddenly realized how much I loved them all. It was still very exciting though.

When I arrived in Canada I was stuck in immigration because of problems with my visa and I couldn’t speak good enough English to work it all out. This was very hard for me and I was crying. After that, I met my host family but I don’t remember very well because I was so nervous. Everything in Canada seemed so big and I saw lots of beautiful nature with many animals like little chipmunks, cows, and horses in the fields and everything was so flat with no mountains.

At first, it was very hard for me to find how to spend time with people because I didn’t speak very good English and I couldn’t understand what was going on around me. I was also very homesick and it was hard for me to talk to my family and friends back at home. I was lonely and I didn’t know how to spend my free time because it was something I never had in Japan.

When I started school in Simcoe it was difficult for me to make friends because of the language problem. It was harder because I took classes with students who were younger than me. As my English got better I was able to talk more with the students and teachers and the teachers especially helped me a lot. In Japan, we do not have a friendly relationship with our teachers but the teachers in Canada were so friendly and that really helped me to feel better at school.

Now I have been in Canada for 6 months and my English has got a lot better. I have made friends at school and now I am teaching Japanese to a friend. I have found that there are many people from all around the world in Canada and I have learned about all their cultures as well. I have many exchange student friends from different countries and we have the same experience all being away from our homes. We are interested in each other because we all want to learn about the world together. Now I have friends who are from all over the world which is so exciting for me.

A huge portion of my experience in Canada has been about food. It is very, very different! Of course in Japan, we eat a lot of rice and fish but here there is a lot of meat and junk food and Tim Hortons which is my favorite. At the restaurants, the portions are very big but we can take left overs home which we don’t do in Japan. I am working with chef Tracy on cooking Japanese dinners for Rotarians and their friends. We have such a good time learning about cooking each other’s foods. I am learning about cooking Canadian foods and foods from other countries as well which I love.

I have had lots of exciting new experiences since arriving here. I have been to Niagara Falls, skating, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, hot tubbing and up to a cottage in Muskoka. I like walking in the woods and on the trails in Simcoe and Waterford. Christmas was very different for me because it was big with many gifts and a lot of parties. The food was good with turkey and many desserts. I am going to miss Christmas in Canada.

I still have lots of things that I want to see and do in Canada especially when the weather is warmer. I am so excited for all the new experiences and I am very thankful for the wonderful opportunity that this exchange has given me. I am spending wonderful times with my lovely host families and thank you so much.

Minori Kubode, 2019-2020 Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Kaga, Japan

Kids Need Playgrounds

Posted by Timothy FitzGerald on Mar 09, 2020

Rotarian Rick Honcharsky provides Meaghan Nadwodny with a cheque for $1,000 toward new playground equipment for St. Bernard Clairvaun School in Waterford. Where did the old equipment go? After 40 years or so original equipment becomes unsafe/not up to school board standards - the inspectors said it has to be removed/upgraded - so are the times! Repair/upgrading old equipment was judged a very poor investment in light of changing standards - better to put $10,000 toward new equipment. So what are they giving up now - six swings in a muddy lot for 245 students - each student is allocated only twenty-five swings then has to give it to another student. Interestingly an increase in bullying was noted since they lost their playground equipment! Kids need an outlet!

Meaghan searched online for federal government grants - none found. It seems playgrounds are not funded by the Ministry of Education. So Meaghan found herself pursuing fundraising. The parent council advised that they can only have one fund raiser per year. The original concept was quoted as $85,000. The project was revised to $65,000. Modern playgrounds are expensive and more than just a few swings. Rather, site preparation, drainage, accessible walkways (as required), grades of mulch to current standards

, round posts ... . Action so far - $15,000 raised from businesses, now campaigning services clubs, a ladies comedy night is upcoming. We wish Meaghan and the parents well. There are 600 new homes planned for Waterford. So the equipment will be used.

Rotarian George Making A Difference

Rotary Club of Simcoe donates $1,000 to library "Reading Garden"

Posted by Tim FitzGerald on Mar 02, 2020

Dolf Wynia holds the current picture of Port Dover Library entrance. Heather King (Chair Friends of the Library) and Marion Dowds (Project Manager) hold the design drawing of the "Reading Garden". The project is $50,000; and our Rick Honcharsky, Director -Community Concerns presented them with a $1,000 cheque towards their campaign.

Why? Heather King recounted how most of us, if not all, in the room today had access to a library growing up, in school, careers, ongoing ... and as a community space. Libraries are great levelers. But literacy in Norfolk County is lagging. There are many possible reasons; but, perhaps there are those who have never experienced a library!

A decade or such ago, the PD Library moved from main street into space leased from the Grand Erie District School Board. Its a good interior space but the current picture above leaves much to be desired and thus great opportunity. The library deploys many unique and valuable resources inside. The goal is to make the entrance "reading garden" inviting to first time visitors and a place of community to everyone.

Careers Heart Felt in Norfolk County

Craig Hunter stepped up, impromptu, as our speaker today. Craig spent 30 years with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs advising farmers on crop diseases, pesticides and fertilizers. Post retirement he worked with the The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association. Always on the front line, he has seen the joys of successful treatments and harvests but also experienced "heart felt" the devastation that crop failure reaps onto farm and families in our area.

Its no coincidence that today is the 115th anniversary year of the founding of Rotary by Paul Harris in 1905.

Sergeant at Arms, John Valley had taken us through the Four Way Test. But it struck me that Craig (unwittingly) was speaking directly to those elements. "Is It the Truth", "Is it Fair to

all Concerned", ... .

"Memories from my career - different than yours - but similar!" (cont'd below)

Rotarian, Tom O'Neill keeps on giving!

Posted by Timothy FitzGerald on Dec 10, 2019

Simcoe Rotary has recognized Tom O'Neill for his many efforts within our Club. Tom is also being recognized within his industry. Congrats Tom!

(reprinted from OPMA - Tom pictured on the right)

The OPMA Outstanding Achievement Award, which is presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the produce industry through their efforts to improve the quality and distribution of fruits and vegetables marketed within or outside the province of Ontario, was awarded to Tom O’Neill from the Norfolk Fruit Growers Association. Over the years, Tom has dedicated countless hours of his personal time to bettering the industry through his involvement in organizations like Ontario Apple Marketing Commission, Ontario Apple Growers and the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association. Tom has also served as the Canadian representative to the U.S. Apple Association and on numerous committees including CPMA (CTAC) and the OPMA Member Advisory Committee. OPMA - Ontario Produce Marketing Association

OPMA - Ontario Produce Marketing Association

Norfolk Inn Housing Conversion

Posted on Oct 01, 2019

President-Elect Ron Baker thanking Leah Logan of Indwell for speaking to the Club.

On September 30th, 2019, Leah Logan of Indwell Community spoke to the Club about Indwell organization, the completed Hambleton Hall housing project and the conversion of the Norfolk Inn into a $ 8.5 million dollar housing project in downtown Simcoe. The organization is asking the community to donate $ 1 million of the total cost. This will be one of the largest investments in the downtown which has seen better days over the years.

Indwell was created in the early 1970's as a Christian charity.

When Indwell describes housing affordability, they use the term deep affordability which means the tenants can pay their rent and have a remainder for food, transportation and expenditures that many of us take for granted.

Norfolk Inn Photograph from Indwell Website

Norfolk Inn, Downtown, Simcoe, Photograph from Indwell Website

Indwell designs their own buildings and place a priority on high quality and energy conservation.

The plan is to convert former Norfolk Inn complex into primarily 31 single bedroom units. The ground floor will have apartments, office space as well as a kitchen so that the tenants can get at least one hot meal a day.

Construction begins in November, 2019 with the projected completion date of spring 2021.

Kristen Forsyth, 2018-2019 Brazil Exchange Student

Posted on Dec 03, 2019

Bob Stevenson, Connie and Kristen Forsyth

December 2, 2019 - Rotarian Bob Stevenson, Connie (Rotarian) and Kristen Forsyth, 2018-2019 Exchange Student to Brazil.

With the help of a slick slideshow presentation, Kristen told us about in her year in Brazil. As a seasoned Rotarian, it always amazes that the Canadian exchange students are just teenagers. Kristen has also had some "seasoning" as a graduate of the Short term Exchange program with a summer in Hungary. Oh! By the way, shortly she will be visited another exchange student and friend in Mexico. Adiós.

Ontario Health System Update

Posted on Dec 03, 2019

November 25, 2019 - Rotarian Larry Kormos thanks speaker and Rotarian Kelly Isfan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Norfolk General Hospital in Simcoe and West Haldimand Hospital in Hagersville.

Kelly Isfan updated the Club on the major organization changes in the Ontario Health System. Health consumes at least a third of the Ontario government's annual budget and it is growing. The creation of the new superagency to oversee the province’s massive health-care system is expected to save taxpayers about $ 350 million a year when it’s fully operational in four years.

Fortune Cookie No. 7

Posted on Dec 03, 2019

Guy Kaiser Quotation

Posted on Dec 03, 2019

Norfolk Rotary Action Day Video

Posted on Dec 03, 2019

Rotarian John Making A Difference

Posted on Dec 03, 2019

"Curling" For kids Sake

Posted by Timothy FitzGerald on Nov 16, 2019

Today Rotarians - Garry, Jim, Mike, Dan, Craig, Dave, Tim, Marg and our exchange student Minori participated in the Curl for Kids Sake - Big Brother Big Sisters event at the Simcoe Curling Club. As the title sponsor through the New Generations Committee and with other sponsors, we contributed to the funding of 4 "Little" "Big" Partnerships!

Executive Director Melissa Pollard thanked us for supporting "Little" "Big" partnerships. Their new slogan and rebranding is unveiled it the banner behind Melissa.

Curlers can be a serious lot. To mix it up a bit in the afternoon, each end came with the opening and reading of the mystery white envelopes; new rules such as: "no sweeping this end" , "exchange scores this end", "no skips this end" and "you score two this end". But seriously again, even after mixing up the rules , our team "Rotary Simcoe #1" walked away with bragging rights until the next event being declared the bonspiel winner! A good day and also thank you to the "Little" Partners that served us lunch.

Remembrance Day is November 11th

Posted by Timothy FitzGerald on Nov 05, 2019

Our Rotarian Craig Hunter is passionate about the history and sacrifice of the brave men, women and relatives who landed and fought overseas in world wars and continue to this day in present conflicts. Craig has written books of his research and donated them to our national archives. In prior years, he has detailed these heartfelt sacrifices. This year, Craig detailed for us how, from 1939, for every airmen in the skies, soldier on the beaches, and sailors on the waves; Canada, the nation was with them training, provisioning and supplying armaments.

And, so much of this war effort was right here in our backyards across Norfolk, Oxford, Haldimand and Brant Counties. In 1939, the British Commonwealth picked Canada as the training ground for air forces. Canada was remote from prying eyes of Europe and a natural deployment to Europe. The stipulation was that air force training had to be on the Great Lakes to simulate flying over the English Channel and North Sea. Canada trained 80,000 air crew and 131,000 ground crew.

Craig and Rotarians are assembling at the Baldock Funeral Home November 11th to march in the parade to the Cenotaph. Please join them (and dress warm).