We Have Moved
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.
Rev. Bryan Robertson, D.C.
Posted on Oct 01, 2019
Rev. Bryan Robertson and Rotarian Thor Olsen
 
Rev. Bryan Robertson, September 16, 2019 speaker with Rotarian Thor Olsen who presented a card with a donation to the Gord Watts Scholarship Fund in his name.
 
A "civilian" solder, a chemistry teacher and now a Anglican minister. Rev. Robertson's story is a fascinating mixture of achievement, dedication and service. These are things that Rotarians can relate to when we say "Service Above Serve".
Rotary Day of Action
Posted on Sep 29, 2019
Rotary Day of Action
 

Rotary Day of Action, Saturday, September 28, 2019, Planting Daffodil Bulbs, Northern Simcoe, Ontario

The morning of Saturday, September 28th found about 50 members of the Norfolk Sunrise, Delhi, Rotary Club of Simcoe and Rotaract planting daffodils along side the Norfolk Sunrise Walking Trail. Andy Kooistra loosened the soil with a hydraulic auger and 3,900 daffodil bulbs in plots of 75 were planted to beautify the trail and the environment. Daffodils were chosen as they are not eaten by animals.
 
Daffodils
Rotary At Beerstock
Posted on Sep 29, 2019
rotary At Beer Stock
 

Rotary at Beerstock, Port Dover, Ontario, Saturday, September 28, 2019

Murray Porteus, Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program
Posted on Sep 12, 2019
Murray Porteous
 
On September 9, 2019, Murray Porteous spoke to Simcoe Rotary about the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program.
 
In Norfolk County, we know when spring has come when the Whistling Swans arrive, the snowbirds return from Florida and we see the Seasonal Agricultural Workers, primarily from the Caribbean and Mexico shopping at the local supermarkets. The program has been in existence for 52 years. With the aid of a very informative video, the importance of the program to the agricultural industry and to the seasonal workers was explained.  For some of the workers, it is the only way they can feed and shelter their families. 
Pull Up Your Socks
Posted on Sep 12, 2019
District Governor Bob Artis and his wife Corine
 
District Governor Bob Artis and his wife Corine (Photograph from the District 7090 website)
 
On August 26 , 2019, District Governor Bob Artis and his wife Corine visited Simcoe Rotary.
My hearing isn't as good as it used to be. But I believe, I heard District Governor Bob tell Assistant District Governor Bob Stevenson (and Simcoe Rotarian) to pull up his pants. And surprise, surprise; District Governor Bob also pulled up his pant leg to display along with Assistant District Bob, the "Best of Friends" Rotary Theme socks.
Best of Friends ThemeSsocks
 
Simcoe Rotarians who are style setters can purchase a pair of the socks from this link for $ 16.00.
Changeover Meeting, June 18, 2019
Posted on Sep 12, 2019
Changeover Meeting, June 18, 2019
 
Simcoe Rotary, Changeover Meeting, Culver Barn, Walsh, Ontario, June 18, 2019
 
Prior to June 30th of every year, the Club recognizes the service and contribution of the outgoing executive and the new President introduces the membership to future priorities and initiatives. This year Margaret Bancroft becomes President and Dave King joins a large group of Simcoe Rotarians as a Past-President.
 
Welcome To Canada Minori
Welcome To canada Minori
Canada_Japan Flags
 
Host Mother_Connie_Forsythe_Minori_Kubode
 
Host Mother and Rotarian Connie Forsythe and Minori Kubode, 2019-2020 Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Kaga, Japan
 
This young lady will be ordering take-out pizza from her cell-phone in no time.
Rotary Supports Community Art
Posted by Timothy FitzGerald on Aug 19, 2019
 
 
Rotarian Mike Cobb presented Roberta Grosland, Curator of the Norfolk Arts Centre (Lynnwood Avenue, Simcoe, ON), with $1,000 to aid in their programmes.
 
"The arts centre is a public gallery, dedicated to the learning, preservation and nurturing of creativity, enjoyment and appreciation of the arts throughout Norfolk County".
 
This presentation to Roberta also coincided with the award, today, of our Gord Watts (Art) Scholarship to Chloe Shippey. Roberta explained that art programming in schools has been subject to provincial funding cutbacks. Gifts such as ours helps them procure materials, paint brushes and media to drop off at the local high schools. Not every graduate from these programmes goes on to an art career. However, in addition to appreciation of the arts, perhaps for some, students benefit from therapeutic aspects of lowering stress and blood pressure (that could be precursors to other medical conditions).
 
The Arts Centre dedicates 1,000 sq. ft. (90 square metres) to the display local talent - please visit then http://norfolkartscentre.ca 
 
 
 
2019 Gord Watts Fine Arts Scholarship Winner
Posted by C. Richard Campbell on Aug 19, 2019
Rotarian Mike Cobb and Chloe Shippey
 
Rotarian Mike Cobb presenting Chloe Shippey with the 2019 Gord Watts Arts Scholarship
 
" ...I am incredibly honoured to receive the Rotary Club of Simcoe Gord Watts Scholarship. Art is a universal form of communication. It is like a language that allows both the artist and the observer to express their emotions and ideas, while engaging both the mind and the body.
 
Art has a transformational effect, and it is clearly evident in Norfolk County, as it continues to bring individuals together, while fostering a stronger community. From the Norfolk Arts Centre where I had my first gallery showing, to the annual Studio Tour, to the art exhibit and school showings at the Norfolk County Fair, to the Norfolk Potters Guild, we are incredibly fortunate to live in a County that encourages, supports and celebrates artists of all ages.
 
Art is my passion and passion has no limits. I am excited to be heading to Sheridan College, in just a few weeks, to study Animation. With this scholarship, named in the memory of Gord watts, a community-minded volunteer and artist, you are ensuring that my dreams are turning into reality. On behalf of myself, and all the aspiring artists in our community, thank you for ensuring that the arts continues to be alive and vibrant in Norfolk County."
Chloe Shippey, 2019 Gord Watts Arts Scholarship Winner
 
 
The Gord Watts Arts Scholarship has been expanded from interdiscipline fine arts to include visual arts, graphics, art history, film, photography, animation, and web design.
 
Be The Change We Want To See 
Big Brothers Big Sisters Grand Erie
Posted by Timothy FitzGerald on Jul 22, 2019
Melisa Pollard is the Executive Director in our area. Melissa was inspired by an article of a mother whose three daughters grew to become a Physician of Pediatrics at San Jose, a CEO at 23andMe, and a CEO at You Tube.
Quite a success story! As a parent, how did she engender such success?
  1. Teach kids to care!
  2. The importance of community!
  3. The American ideal is all wrong (chasing personal wealth ...)!
  4. Prioritize service and purpose!
So given these elements "Be The Change You Want To See" (in the world). Be a mentor!
 
Most of us remember a person in our lives who was there when we needed it most. Who listened to us. Who gave us the inner well being and peace to keep moving forward.
 
But what would could have happened if you had no siblings/neighbours/parent who would listen to you or had time to do so? Could this  compound into loneliness, anxiety or lack of purpose? The future social outcomes would probably be quite different simply because there was no such person at hand.
 
Big Brothers Big Sisters is an agency that recruits volunteers to act as that mentoring person (since 1904). Not onerous, perhaps just two hours a week, to be with the little brother/sister and listen to them.
 
Melissa is vivacious and inspirational. She mentored a little brother, age 8, along with her fiance. The "little brother" attended her wedding ten years later. Another slide in her presentation showed a man, age 70, who was a "little brother" who kept in touch with his big brother the rest of his life.
 
The Grand Erie chapter is a lean organization. 6 paid staff members, 130 volunteers and 313 little brothers/sisters. But there are still 200 more little brothers/sisters on a waiting list.
 
While the agency relies upon volunteers, as lean as it is, it takes $1,200 in costs to sponsor a child for a year. The Rotary Club of Simcoe is proud to do so. Rotarian Capt. (Salvation Army) Rick Honcharsky (Community Service) thanked Christine (staff and volunteers) for their good work and sponsored a little brother/sister for a year with our cheque of $1,200.
 
Melissa has 15 years of private sector experience in start ups and large corporations. Effective at organization, agile innovation, there are plans to rebrand BigBrothers BigSisters and colours in its logo. Watch for this in September. Plans mission/values are being examined to ensure they are reaching our to each of the diverse communities of the Grand Erie District (Norfolk/Haldimand/Brant inclusive of Six Nations).
Youth and Skate Park Waterford
Posted by Timothy FitzGerald on Jul 19, 2019
"Why Not Waterford" (kids need a place to go) That's what Marlene McCulligh and Kerry Bockenholt (Kerry's St. James St. Eatery) thought when kids started doing projects about the hamlet.
 
There's no graffiti on these projects because the kids themselves planned and implemented them and took ownership of the projects. it was wonderful to see a diverse group of kids walk into a room, help each other out and become knit into one being.  (Our Rotarian John Featherstone, on the left thanking Marlene and Kerry, and joking that he grew up in Waterford and there was no place to go!) 
 
So Why Not a Skatepark? How do you accomplish that? Marlene and Kerry are both doers. Kerry on the right is the talkative one and said that if you involve every group in Waterford (Lyons, Chamber, Foundation, Trail Assoc., Museum, Norfolk County, the list goes on) on the Board then no one is against you.
 
A year ago it was a dream. Now they have Charitable status, a blueprint and fundraising plan. The Museum said we have land beside us. You can put the park there. The County will put up $200,000 if the group can fund raise $300,000. $70,000 is already being held in trust.
 
"Keep them occupied" , the kids are involved every step of the way. To understand the cost and design have a look at the Skate Park in Port Dover. It begins with a very large concrete pad and sculpted features and a pump track (a rider can keep moving continuously up and down rolling features of the track - sessioning again and again with friends - a good workout.
 
As we can see sports cost money. The park is free. However, the kids are participate in conception of the idea, design and fundraising. The next fundraiser is August 19th at Whistling gardens.
 
If you take youth seriously they will take care of the park/projects. "I'm proud of you" - just saying that is enough!
 
Our Joan Shirlow and the Spring Arbour Farm Dedication
Rotarian Joan Shirlow
 
In May, the Long Point Basin Land Trust dedicated the Spring Arbour Farm to its land inventory.
Rotarian Joan Shirlow donated the land to LPBLT which "...works with landowners and the local community to provide a helping hand to wild species and ecosystems in one of Ontario’s most naturally diverse regions."
Simcoe Rotary Donation to the Norfolk General Hospital
Kelly Isfan and President Dave King
 
June 10th, 2019, Rotarian and President/CEO of Norfolk General Hospital and West Haldimand Hospital in Hagersville Kelly Isfan accepts the latest installment from President Dave King of the Club's financial commitment of $ 25,000.00.
 
 
Simcoe Sign
Simcoe Sign
 
Recently the County of Norfolk replaced the "community" signs on the highways entering and exiting Simcoe. The Rotary Club of Simcoe and Norfolk-Sunrise contributed to the cost of the modern signs.
Rotarian Volunteers
rotary Volunteers
 
The for men wearing the "cute" blue hair nets and the one in the white baseball cap are Simcoe Rotarians. The ladies are associated with the Salvation Army. On July 9th, 2019, the men volunteered to assist the Simcoe Salvation Army in feeding those that need a meal. The Rotary Club of Simcoe and the local Salvation Army enjoy a relationship that spans decades. Our Rotarians volunteer for countless hours in the community for such organizations as the food bank, drivers for patients to medical appointments, blind skiers, their churches, Boy Scouts and the list goes on and on.
Rotary Builds Friendships
Tom Pidduck, George Renshaw,Jim Jackson, Harold Shantz
 
January, 2019. Rotarian Tom Pidduck, Honorary Rotarian George Renshaw, Rotarians Jim Jackson and Harold Shantz
 
When you become a Rotarian, you build friendships. Some last for decades. George Renshaw was an active member of the Rotary Club of Simcoe for over 63 years. The 102 year old Honorary Rotarian now lives in a nearby nursing home where the Rotarians in the photograph visit him frequently (but not before dining out a Simcoe restaurant).
 
Photograph: Courtesy of Harold Shantz
 
 
Highlights
2019 Holiday House Tour
Let's Do Lunch Monday
 
Join Us!
norfolk Rotary Tabloid June 19, 2018
 
Click on image to download pdf.
April 9th,1925
 
 
Canada End Polio How Stamp
 
 
Rotary Youth Exchange
Tumaini Children's Foundation
Dr. Gord Watts Scholarship
Caution - Retired
Our Resident Speaker Critic

Our Resident Speaker Critic!

Service Above Self
Follow Us On Facebook--New Link
 
 
Speakers
Alene Bradshaw
Oct 21, 2019
Alzheimer Society
Jim & Marjorie Dawson, Peter Wheatley
Oct 28, 2019
Pikangikum
Remembrance Day Meeting
Nov 04, 2019
Presented by our own Rotarians
No Meeting in lieu of Remembrance Day
Nov 11, 2019
Board Members - Committee Reports
Nov 18, 2019
Annual General Meeting
TBA
Nov 25, 2019
TBA
Dec 02, 2019
TBA
Dec 09, 2019
No Meeting in lieu of Christmas Party on Dec 17th
Dec 16, 2019
Christmas Party
Dec 17, 2019
Norfolk Golf & Country Club
View entire list...
 
Links