Rotarian celebrates renovated business

Rotary's weekly meeting on Tuesday was held in a different location. We met at the recently-renovated McDonald's on Sixth Street. Co-franchisee Tim Jenish is a Rotarian, and he invited us to have our meeting at his restaurant. Tim explained why the renovation was needed, the changes that have taken place on both the interior and the exterior of the building, and the benefits of the renovation. He also discussed the new McCafe product line that the local McDonald's boasts. Grand opening activities started on October 27, and they will continue until October 30.

Golf cart winner announced.

The Rotary Club of Estevan would like to congratulate Karen Beselt, who is the winner of our golf cart raffle. Karen's name was drawn during the first intermission of the October 14 junior hockey game between the Estevan Bruins and the Humboldt Broncos.
A total of 83 tickets were sold on the golf cart draw. We needed to sell 50 to break even, so the raffle should result in a decent profit for the club.
Rotary would like to thank everyone who purchased a ticket for the raffle.

Rotary supports the United Way

(L-R) Tim Schroh, Norm Nicol and Judy Krall were among the Rotarians who volunteered at the United Way of Estevan's Telethon on October 14 and 15. Tim, Norm and Judy answered phones during the first hour of the telethon. Other members of the club showed their support by answering phones, preparing meals, operating cameras, hosting and helping out in other capacities.

October 18, 2011

Good afternoon all:

We had a very good meeting on Tuesday with Terri giving her vocation(s) speech.  If you missed it, ask Terri what she wants to list on her name badge as her vocation. 

Bill F announced that Bienfait is holding their annual dinner theatre again this year.  In past years, we have used this as our Christmas party and enjoyed dinner and entertainment by local talent.  The event will be on Friday, November 25 starting at 6:00.  They are holding tickets for us and Bill needs to let them know how many tickets we need.  Please email him at wfonstad@sasktel.net and reserve your spot.

Art B is still looking for volunteers to help out with the bingos on Tuesday night.  Contact him if you are interested in helping out.

Dennis M announced that we will be doing Meals on Wheels again this year.  Please help out and deliver meals to the folks that need them.  It takes approximately 45 minutes out of your lunch break to lend a hand.  Contact him for exact dates and details.

Until next week...

District Governor visits Estevan Rotarians

Rotary Club of Estevan members received an update on district and international goals when district governor Eva Vida attended a meeting earlier this month.
Membership is her top priority for this year. She would like to see each club increase by at least one member this year; she applauded the local club for its desire to grow by at least two.
“While membership month for Rotary may be designated as August, membership really is a full-time job, and we continue to focus on opportunities for us to bring on more people who are like-minded, who want to serve the world and the local community,” said Vida.
Other goals are to encourage support for the Rotary Foundation, and to further polio eradication efforts. Each Rotarian is urged to donate $100 each year to the Rotary Foundation; she lauded members of the local club for their average support of more than $200.
As for polio, four countries remain endemic: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. Nigeria has seen a 50 per cent reduction in the number of cases, while India hasn't had a new reported case since January of this year.
Vida's district encompasses most of Saskatchewan, all of Manitoba and part of northwest Ontario.

Originally from Hungary, her family immigrated to Canada when she was a teenager. Her theme for this year: “Peace, the Power of One.”
This year's Rotary International president, Kalyan Banerjee, has tremendous energy, Vida said, and he wants Rotarians to be introspective, to see what they have to offer to world peace and the betterment of humanity. The theme is "Reach Within to Embrace Humanity."
“He further talked about the theme, or described the theme, as an opportunity for us to look within, to understand that all of humanity has similar dreams, similar hopes, the same aspirations and similar problems,” said Vida.
Three areas of focus this year are family, continuity and change. Banerjee believes that the core of every family is a mother and a child, and a good family is the building block of a good community, country and world. But it's hard to have a good family when you can't afford food or medication.Banerjee has encouraged projects that consider basic human rights and improving the well-being of others.Vida encouraged the local club to meet the continuity goal by continuing with what they have been doing well.“Your club has been around for a while,” said Vida. “It is growing and vibrant. It was wonderful to have an opportunity to meet with your board to review some of the things that you have been involved with in the support of your community.”Change is inevitable, she said, and the club has to be prepared to change that which isn't working.
Vida hopes to see as many people from the local Rotary club as possible at the district convention in Winnipeg from June 7 to 10, 2012.
Also during her visit, she met with local executive members to find out what the local club is doing in Estevan, presented a district governor's banner to our president, Tyler Knibbs, and handed over a 30-year perfect attendance pin to Eric Pullam.

Captions:
1) District governor Eva Vida spoke at a Rotary Club meeting recently.
2) President Tyler Knibbs accepted a district governor's banner from Eva Vida.
3) Eva Vida presented a 30-year perfect attendance pin to Eric Pullam.

Showcase was a big success

The Rotary Club of Estevan, the Estevan Lions Club and the Estevan and District Board of Tourism, Trade and Commerce organized a very successful Showcase business expo this year. Nearly 3,000 people attended this year's Showcase, which was held from September 23 to 25 at Spectra Place. It marked the first time that Showcase has been held inside the new events centre.
There were 1,045 people who attended on September 23, 1,314 on September 24 and 613 on September 25, for total attendance of 2,975.
A total of 85 exhibitors were part of Showcase this year. They brought kitchen supplies, home furnishings, showers, electronics, agriculture implements, toys, food, jewelry and clothes to Showcase. Other exhibitors were selling real estate, telecommunication services and healthy living ideas.
Most of the exhibitors were located on the arena's floor. A protective covering was placed atop Spectra Place's ice surface. There were also a few outdoor exhibitors in front of the Souris Valley Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
Spectra Place can accommodate even more exhibitors.

Rotarians found several ways to be involved at Showcase. Some worked security during the overnight hours. Others volunteered took admission at the front entrance. And other Rotarians had booths at Showcase.

Captions (from top picture to the bottom):
1) Art Beselt and Rev. Eric Pullam flank a Rotary Shelterbox tent that was on display at Showcase.
2) Paul Kwan from Family's Great Gifts flew a toy helicopter.

3) Jaycee Neff enjoyed sitting in a John Deere Tractor.

4) Rotarian Bill Fonstad (right) learned more about Walker's Water Systems while at Showcase.

Rotary supports the new Estevan Regional Nursing Home

The Rotary Club of Estevan and the Estevan Rotary Foundation have each committed $50,000 towards the drive to build a new nursing home in Estevan, for a total commitment of $100,000.
Rotary Club of Estevan president Tyler Knibbs presented the first $10,000 to Hearthstone Community Campaign members Don Kindopp and Vern Buck during a recent Rotary meeting. The club and the foundation will each make donations of $10,000 over the next five years.
The Hearthstone Community Campaign is the committee that is fundraising for the new nursing home. Buck said that they recently received an anonymous $500,000 donation from an individual who wants to see a new nursing home constructed in Estevan.
The campaign needs to collect $8 million before the provincial government will give the project the green light. The estimated cost of a new nursing home is $40 million.

Photo caption: Hearthstone Community Campaign administration chair Don Kindopp and campaign chair Vern Buck accept a cheque for $10,000 from Rotary Club of Estevan president Tyler Knibbs.