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Welcome to the Rotary Club of Simcoe which is located about 11.5 kilometers from the north shore of Lake Erie in the Town of Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. The Club was chartered in 1925 and serves Simcoe, Norfolk County and the world-wide community.

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Amber McKnight - Our Newest Member

June 10, 2024

Story by C. Richard Campbell

Photograph by David Ferris

It is now official, The Rotary Club of Simcoe has a new member, Amber McKnight and a piper. Try to match that District 7090. It is going to become pretty lively around her on Robbie Burns day. If she needs reinforcements, she has the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band (including her husband) to back her up.

Dr. McKnight was busy presenting her classification talk, being officially inducting into the Club and receiving her handsome framed membership certificate. Her classification is Optometrist. The Port Dover area resident is a partner in the Simcoe Optometric Clinic. One of her responsibilities is to Chair/Administrator of the Dr. Gord Watts Fine Arts Scholarship. The Scholarship established in 2012 can award $ 1,500.00 scholarships annually. Like many of our Rotarians she has a strong sense of volunteerism, with involvement in community and and international service. The only downside to this story is that she now becomes a valuable addition to the Hadley Jackson Port Dover booster group which keeps promoting Port Dover as the centre of Norfolk County.

President-Elect Ton O'Neill presenting a Membership Certificate to Amber McKnight.

Dave Seely, Simcoe, Ontario Paul Harris Fellow Award

Story by C. Richard Campbell with Gerry Goddard's notes

Photographs: Unsure of origin

Changeover Meeting

Capital 33, Delhi, On.

June 18, 2024

Your first impression of Dave Seeley is that, this is a steel company executive. On closer examination, you notice a twinkle in his eye. But this man possesses an invaluable ability at fundraising. An ability recognized in Ontario, Canada and the northern Unites states. As a Rotarian, you recognize the strong sense of volunteering and dedication to community service. He is also one of the most well-informed men that I know about community events.

Dave Seely's Life as a Steel-making Executive and Service

Raised in Montreal, an Graduate of Concordia University, he joined Stelco, Montreal in 1957. In 1960, he transferred to Stelco, Hamilton as an assistant Sales Manager then to the Production Planning Department.

Along the way, Dave and Joyce his wife, had 3 children. By 1986, Dave had worked in all production units in Hamilton including IT Management.

It was in Hamilton when Dave was noticed for his fundraising abilities. His first fundraiser was for handicapped children at the Dundas Golf Club, he then became active in the Canadian Cancer Society and held the title of President for the whole lower city of

Hamilton.

Mark Stephens, Paul Harris Fellow Award

May 29, 2024,

The Greens At Renton,

Harold Shantz Memorial Rotary Golf Tournament

The Rotary Club of Simcoe recognized the support and contribution to Rotary and the Norfolk community of Mark Stephens, owner/partner of Roulston's Pharmacy. He was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Award. This is the highest recognition of an individual by Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. Mark along with the other owners of Roulston's, a community orientated business have put the pieces together and get involved in the Norfolk community.

Mark Stephens becomes the second member of the family to be awarded a Paul Harris fellow. He joins his father Jim Stephens a Past President of a Rotary Club.

Craig Hunter, Chair of the Harold Shantz Memorial Rotary Golf Tournament, Mark Stephens, The Rotary Club of Simcoe Newest Paul Harris Fellow Recipient and Bobbi Ann Brady, MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk

April 22, 2024 - Jennifer Carrier, Norfolk County Public Library spoke to the Club about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The Norfolk County Library is an affiliate of the program. Once a child under 5 years is registered, the child is mailed a book every month. The cost is $ 50.00 a ear per child. Reading to a young child and encouraging the child to read is so important for their development. If you want more information email jennifer.carrier@ncpl.ca

March 18, 2024 - Kim Shippley, Executive Director of the Lynnwood Arts Centre in Simcoe updated the Club on upcoming exhibits, programs and events for children, the addition of an artist in residence, with a brief history of the National Historic Site of Canada building. Lynnwood Arts Centre is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

March 11, 2024 - Ian McFadden and Murray McKnight spoke to the Club about a new pipe and drum band to be based in Port Dover. The Rotary Club of Simcoe made a donation towards the purchase of equipment for the band. See you at the July 1st parade in Port Dover.