I can still recall the meeting in January 1995, when Lee Caines, Diane Squires and myself all announced we were expecting in either late June or early July. It was my intention at the time to resign as President-elect, but the incoming board convinced me to stay on.
I would like to thank Cam Skipper, Ralph Marziano, Fiona McCrea, Larry Henderson, Ash Kapur, Bruce Macpherson, Nancy Shoemaker, Ken Boyd and Kerry Hillis for their support and dedication. I was very fortunate to have such a wonderful group of people as my Board of Directors.
I began my year on a beautiful Canada Day, selling ice cream and watching in awe as Virginia Robinson and Jack Tacoma mesmerized the crowd with glow in the dark yo-yos. Thirteen days later, my first child Jayson, was born. It was quite chaotic being a new mom and President of a Rotary Club.
I recall that my address to the Club was quite emotional. I’m not sure if it was “post partum” related or the realization of what was in store for the year ahead. At our September 13th meeting, our guests included three two month olds. Hasn’t Rotary changed in the last few years!
Our first community project for the year was the planting of Marianne Park. What better way to spend a Saturday morning in September than to dig in, get dirty, work together and create a beautiful memorial.
Now being a relatively young club, we were still looking for “our project”. After a trip to Thunder Bay, Betty Kashur was very excited about the “Dream Home” concept. With the help of the late Orin Reid and some very dedicated Rotarians, this huge undertaking began.
On October 3rd, our final payment for the orphanage was wired to Nepal. Jim Thompson’s vision had been completed. Thank you for allowing our club to be part of such a special project.
Bingo at the Ellington continued to be a huge success, although I’m not sure who enjoyed it more, the seniors or us. The Christmas potluck at Westwood Church was lots of fun. The gifts for our “family” were wonderful and greatly appreciated.
Then there was our change of venue from Carden Place to the Cutten Club. After a few too many mornings where we were uncertain about breakfast, we knew it was time to relocate our meetings.
I can honestly say that the “Dream Home” really pulled us together as a Club. From weekly early morning strategy meetings, shifts at the house, building a deck, and countless other details, we spent a lot of time together. We all worked very hard, but, without the dedication and “help” of a few, we would never have been able to make the “Dream” a reality. There were many anxious moments but I always felt extremely proud that 35 people were undertaking such a huge project.
My year at times seemed like a blur. Torn between work, being a mom and President was difficult at times. Without the support of my mom and husband, Rob, I would not have been able to do it.
Spring brought a lively Group Study Exchange from Argentina and the seeds were planted for our future involvement with RYLA.
We had our President’s Night at Virginia Robinson’s home. It was a relaxing ending to a very busy year. I do recall I was also a little emotional at that meeting too.
At the end of June, as I wrote to each of the members thanking them for their help and support, I felt I was writing to good friends. I feel this was a pivotal year for us as a club. We had come a long way and we had done it together.
