Fall is officially here.
If you belong to my generation, you will remember the Canadian musician Bryan Adams and his song – The Summer of ’69. It is a song of youth, playing in the band, love and drive-ins.
“Those were the best days of my life Back in the summer of ‘69” |
The summer of 2018 is no match for being young in 1969. By the way whatever happened to the Drive-Ins? This summer The Rotary Club of Simcoe had some fun, raised money, volunteered for community projects, and embarked upon a number of off-site meetings with outdoor dining and local craft beer.
Here are some of the highlights of the summer of ’18.
June 15th, 2015
Valleyridge Farms
2017-2018 Rotary International President Ian Riseley asked each club to plant a tree for every Rotary member. That would be about 1.2 million trees world-wide. Simcoe Rotary teamed up with ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services) and our own Rotarian Larry Kormos to plant over 100 trees.
June 23rd to 26th, 2018
Toronto, Ontario, Rotary International Convention
President-Elect Dave King attended the convention as the club’s official delegate. He was joined by about 4 other Rotarians. Each conveyed their experience with club.
July 1st, 2018
This is the start of the Rotary New Year with a fresh executive with a new leader in President Dave King. Of the 9 Board members, six are new.
J
uly 7th, 2018
Off-Site Meeting. Memorial Park, Rotary Bridge, Lynn Valley Trail
Rotarians such as the late Christopher Lee were instrumental in converting this abandoned railway right-of-way into a trail from Simcoe to Port Dover. Other Rotarians were generous contributors to the start-up funding and the “Club” adopted one of the railway bridges.
July 13th, 2018
Port Dover, Friday The 13th, Lion’s Silver Lake Park, The Rotary Pancake Booth
Simcoe Rotary was there along with over 200,000 bikers and visitors.
August 4 to 6, 2018
Civic Holiday Weekend Lynn River Arts and Music Festival
On Sunday, we were serving Rotary beer and all through the weekend staffing the Rotary Pancake Booth.
August 13, 2018
Rotary President Dave King presents a cheque to Deb Madill of the Simcoe Caring Cupboard for a food preparation table.
August 23rd, 2018
King’s Flower and Garden “Day of Action”
Simcoe, Delhi, Norfolk-Sunrise Rotary Clubs, the Norfolk Rotaract Club and volunteers assembled about 175 floral arrangements and delivered them to 12 Norfolk nursing and retirement homes.
Those with alternative skills refurbished the Fantasy Castle display from the Simcoe Panorama. District Governor Melissa Schrock attended. Approximately 70 participated in the Day of Action and it ended with dinner and fellowship.
August 30th, 2018
Off Site Meeting, Charlotteville Brewing Company (west of Walsh, Ontario)
This brand-new brewery built to resemble plank-clad barns produces ales because of the hard-natural water. The water should be pretty good situated next to the Carrollian forest. Apparently, lagers require a softer water. Didn’t know that. As well as brewing craft beer, they are also hop farmers.
| “Being nestled in the Carolinian forest, we are surrounded by a lush, ecological habitat that is home to unique flora and fauna such as: the tulip tree, pawpaw, and the rare southern flying squirrel. This makes the local area very special and one that we feel needs to be respected, protected, and celebrated.” Quote from the website. |
Melanie Doerksen who has a culinary background in Italian food is heavily involved in the brewing process and development of the Brewery. She and her husband have future plans to build an Italian style pizza oven and enlarged dining and entertaining space which should be well received. The food was a delight and many Rotarians and guests returned for seconds. This observer tasted two ales, one called Fancy Pants and the other 519 (local Bell Telephone area code). It is a toss-up which ale to favour. Needs much more investigation.
September 13, 2018
Salvation Army Luncheon
A number of Rotarians assisted the Salvation army in serving lunch to those in need of help. They prepared, served and cleaned up. From the photographs, they appear to be enjoying themselves way too much. Before departing, President King presented a cheque for $ 1,400 to the local Salvation Army.