The winner of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz B250 is: Ticket #00610, Joan Maxner of Brantford.
Congratulations Joan and thank you to all who purchased tickets in support of the Rotary Club of Kitchener and the charities it supports, primarily KidsAbility.
Early bird prize draws:
Ticket #01614– Dennis Howard- $250 gift certificate from Swanson’s Home Hardware
Ticket #01537– Stella Cocks – Ranger Night for 4, dinner and tickets to a Kitchener Ranger hockey game.
Today's Wine Quiz: If your have already created, or are intending create, your profile on My Rotary website AND you have updated your birthday and your Skills and Interests, then please fill out a ballot!
Cheryl Ewing is happy to report the first ever year for the Starlight Youth Festival which was held last weekend. This unique festival celebrates performing arts for and by youth. The festival exceeded its financial goals. Check out their website at https://starlightpresentswr.ca/
Shawky Fahel is happy to be at today's meeting to hear John's presentation AND is happy to live in the best country in the world!
Guest Lumi Mironescu was happy that she had the opportunity to share with the Club a huge accomplishment of my son's orchestra from Waterloo Collegiate Institute.
My son, Vlad Mironescu, grade 11 at WCI, a violin player since grade 2, has been privileged to play with Waterloo Collegiate Seniors Symphony Orchestra for three years.
WCI’s Senior Orchestra won GOLD at MusicFest Nationals! And also Gold at Kiwanis Festival this year. In 2016 they performed with KW Symphony Orchestra during a Family Concert.
The link below will lead you to have examples of pieces from their concerts. And also details about these young talents who could be the future musicians of our region's orchestra.
Enclosed is a picture with my son and his creative conductors after a concert at Centre in the Square.
Also, I shared today information about my daughter, Ella Mironescu, winner of a few medals (among of them 2 Golds) at the Grand Open Ballroom competition that took place yesterday at the Sheraton Centre Toronto. W have this talented Club in Kitchener, with instructors winners of Canadian competitions. And not only. We are fortunate to have theses are here in town. Below is a link with a recording of one of their performances.
Today's pot was $416.00. Congratulations to visiting Rotarian Paul Walman with two trips to the card table and Neil Swayze with one. No luck on the draws.... the pot lives!
President John reported on behalf of Gary Parker - The In Vino Committee is working through the paperwork from the event and preparing the tax receipts. If you want to receive yours you need to fill out the stub and get it to Gary ASAP
Martin Jones announced the upcoming Youth Forum which will be at City Hall on Tuesday, May 23. We are expecting 230 students, our biggest group ever!
The program starts at 9:00 am likely in the Council Chambers at the Kitchener City Hall. The students then break up into smaller groups and present their projects to City Councillors and the other students. The program will finish by about 11:30. If you are interested in being involved please contact Martin.
Jill Melanson and Paul Rostrup reminded us that the KidsAbility Fun Day is fast approaching on June 10th. Please let Jill or Paul know if you can volunteer. This year the committee is looking for a few "all day" volunteers to work the "kitchen".
Our very own Honourary Member John English was introduced by Dave Martindale.
In his book, The Case for Impeachment, Professor Allan Lichtman predicts that Donald Trump will likely be impeached in his first term. For those of a gambling nature, odds against Donald Trump not finishing his first Presidential term are increasingly rising!
John reviewed US political history and how in the first part of the 1900's the US saw the need to get involved to improve the global situation. For the first time since, Trump has consistently demonstrated the opposite. In the global scene he is seen as unreliable, unpredictable, he promotes unilateralism and is attracted to authoritarianism.
John commented on the current manufacturing realities of China and India, and how the lower cost of goods may have reduced the overall yearly expense to the average American yet it has come with a higher cost in loss of American manufacturing jobs. Something that our own region has greatly experienced in the past 25 years.
For Canadians we now recognize the increasing differences between us and the United States. We are forced to ask, "what do we do about this President that is so unprecedented"? So far our Canadian response has been to "play nice", although PM Trudeau has been reaching out to other counties such as China to strengthen future relationships.
Possibly the truly Canadian question is, "can we stay different from the US and continue to enjoy a healthy relationship with them"? Time will tell!
Please remember to advise Bill Proctor of situations which would require some acknowledgement from the club - special anniversaries, illness, celebrations, hospitalizations etc.
You are the eyes and ears for the club and without your notification to Bill situations and circumstances will go unnoticed. Bill can be contacted at 519-570-2119 or bill.proctor@bell.net
Sandra has now officially retired! On behalf of our club she was presented with a beautiful flower arrangement and dinner gift certificate for her and Jim to enjoy! Your board is in the process of investigating the best way to replace the MANY things Sandra has done for us, often without most of even knowing!! Sandra will be formally recognized at one of our upcoming events.
Please continue to email any information or inquiries, including make-up requests to RotKit@sentex.net as it is now monitored by Dave Chatson and John Webster.
Sandra, THANK YOU! for your years of service, guidance and often times patience with our club. Best of wishes to you and Jim!!
