Welcome to the Home of Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium
I have known Ralph for more than 34 years. We met at Rotary.
He was the last remaining active Charter Member of the Club.
He was a member of the first Board of Directors and, in those early days, served in various leadership roles, including Club President in 1996-97, and later as Assistant District Governor for a couple years. In those early years, he championed several fund raisers including a huge Garage sale, a motorcycle raffle and a Dream Home lottery. (We decided we didn't like selling tickets). Ralph is the reason we have been running a Ribfest since 1998. He played golf with a customer from Burlington where he learned about the Burlington Ribfest (it and London were the only two) and he brought back the idea to our club. We became the third Ribfest in Ontario and 28 years later its still happening and Ralph has been a sponsor since day one.
His dedication to the Club and Rotary is reflected in his awards. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, A Peter Moore Vocational Services Award recipient and a recipient of the District Avenues of Service Citation. During his term as Assistant District Governor, Ralph chaired the group instrumental in the formation of the Guelph South Club.
Ralph was also a strong supporter of The Rotary Foundation. He is a Major Donor and Benefactor. His legacy will be there benefiting those in need in perpetuity.
Ralph was always thinking about the growth of the club and brought in many prospective new members. For example, one of our newest members, Ranjit, was sponsored by Ralph. And his grandson, Nick, will hopefully be joining us in the near future.
It is perhaps fitting that Ralph was taken in the middle of his pet event - the annual golf tournament that he organized - which I think we should rename the Ralph Marziano Memorial Golf Tournament in his honour.
He will be dearly missed by many of us.
The 2026 version of Ribfest begins at 4:00 pm of Friday, August 28th and runs through until 8:00 pm on Sunday, August 30th.
Ribs, Rhythm and Rotary means great food, not just ribs, great music to suit all tastes (Friday night is country night this year) and great fun for the entire family.
On August 22, 2025, the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to Yvette Tendick in recognition to her longtime advocacy for safe and accessible walking and cycling infrastructure in Guelph. The presentation took place during the opening ceremonies of Ribfest 2025.
The Paul Harris Fellowship Award is the highest honour a Rotary Club can bestow upon a person. Recipients receive this Award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the community, exemplifying the Rotary ideal of “SERVICE ABOVE SELF.” Yvette Tendick is one of those people who works tirelessly to make our community a better place of everyone.
In 2012, disappointment about a lack of funding for a new Guelph Cycling Master Plan sparked the creation of Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation (GCAT}, a local advocacy group that has since become a powerful force for cycling infrastructure in Guelph. Yvette was one of the driving forces behind the creation of GCAT, and became the founding President. The mission of GCAT is to increase active transportation by making walking, biking, and rolling an equitable, safe, enjoyable, and preferred way to get around our community, for a healthier, more sustainable, and connected Guelph.
GCAT’s first big project was to push for the Woodlawn Road Multi-Use Path; and which benefits cyclist, walkers and transit users to stay safe along that busy road. Working collaboratively with the City and numerous other partners has led to more cycling infrastructure and bridges, and many more still in the works. Most recently, Yvette was one of the early champions of the soon to be opened Emma Street to Earl Street active transportation bridge.
In 2019 Yvette and GCAT responded to a request from Rotary Guelph Trillium to help make Ribfest a more bike friendly event, by starting a Bike Valet bike parking service. Since that time GCAT has parked thousands of bikes safely and securely while their owners enjoy Ribfest. GCAT became an important partner in putting on Ribfest.
Yvette Tendick is a tireless advocate for safe and enjoyable cycling and walking in Guelph – and truly exemplifies Service above Self.
L-R President Jon Macklin, Sidney Ndreau, Donna Buchan, Peter Smith
Maureen Smith was a beloved member of the Rotary Club Guelph Trillium for many years until her death in January 2023. As Chair of the club’s Sunshine Committee, she provided leadership to the care of and compassion for club members. Proud of her 45 career as a nurse, she was a tireless volunteer for many charities and her community.
Through the generous donation of Maureen’s family, represented by her husband Peter, our club will give out a scholarship every year to a high school student embarking on a career in nursing (either RPN or RN program).
This spring local high schools had the opportunity to nominate graduating students and our selection committee of Peter, his daughter Laura, Anne, Laurie, Dan and I reviewed the nominations.
We reviewed the nominations and based our selection on the following criteria, all characteristics that Maureen had and shared:
How the student has contributed to the community and their school through volunteering
How they have demonstrated a positive attitude and caring for others
And
How they demonstrate the ability to form connections with those in need of help and support.
How the student has contributed to the community and their school through volunteering
How they have demonstrated a positive attitude and caring for others
And
How they demonstrate the ability to form connections with those in need of help and support.
This year we are proud to give out the scholarship to Sidney Ndreau from Guelph CVI. Sidney will be taking her Bachelor of Nursing Science at University 0f Western Ontario this fall.
L-R Charlotte Canary, Bishop Mac; Blake Lancaster, John F Ross; Alex Arneill, Centennial; Drhuv Pawa, College Heights; Dakota Couling, St James; Alexis Mehry, GCVI; Bekah Landsborough, Our Lady of Lourdes; Taya Garcia, John Bosco.
This year, the club had over $37,000 available to support community organizations. There were 38 applicants seeking over $81,000 and the club was able to support 23 of them. Grants ranged from several hundred dollars to $3,000. These grants are in addition to scholarships awarded annually to worthy students to pursue post secondary studies.
Name of Organization | Summary of Request |
Enabling Gardens | Purchase A good quality headset microphone that can be tied into our existing sound system. Along with a cable to protector to prevent a tripping hazard |
Wyndham House | Becoming a Fueling Futures, Food Security Partner which funds food security to youth experiencing homelessness with enhanced health and daily well-being with a food security grant. This will ensure our healthy eating and life skills programs continue with proper daily access to nutritional food. |
Chalmers | Purchase carts to transport food from the kitchen to the portable |
Children’s Reading Room | We aim to establish a culturally relevant reading program that empowers Indigenous children to embrace literacy and celebrate their heritage. |
Michael House | Purchase a number of kitchen small appliances to help the moms with efficient and healthy meal prep |
Guelph Wish Fund | Secure funding for specific wish-related needs, such as specialized equipment or unique experiences. This allows us to meet the immediate, tangible needs of children and their families in our local community, ensuring that each wish is meaningful and life-changing. |
Autism Dog Services | Assist us to deliver professional service dog in training sessions and puppy raiser outings in the Guelph area |
Action Read | To increase support for Indigenous Individuals |
Guelph Children’s Foundation | Help cover costs of Keep kids fed at home program |
Guelph Food Bank | Purchase a food vacuum sealer, which will be used to portion food that is purchased in bulk. |
North End Harvest Market | Cover the cost of providing fresh produce to those in need |
SEED | Purchase of carts and dollies to assist when delivering food |
Hope House | Funding will cover capital equipment for planting, field maintenance, and activities including planting, harvesting, irrigation setup/removal, mulching, etc. The food grown at the farm is distributed to local agencies. |
Community Of Hearts | Purchase equipment and Furniture to expand their Learning Day Program |
Hopewell Support Services | Cover cost of assistive technology and adaptive to help staff and volunteers who face barriers |
Alzhiemers Society | Help cover the costs of recreational programs for individuals living with Dementia |
Stonehenge Therapeutic | Funds would support the essential resources that will provide the greatest impact on the well-being of residents |
Sanguen Health | Purchase of snacks, food and personal hygiene products that can be used on the van to be distributed to their clients |
Crief Hill | Purchase an iPad to expand their market. Proceeds from market support their retreat |
Guelph Dance | Cover cost to send 5 kids to camp |
Guelph Guild of Storytellers | Cover costs of hosting 14 storytelling events |
Nightingale Centre | Funds will be used to help cover the cost of The Grief in Common. Project will support community engagement events including 2 memorial events and a month of community awareness activities for Grieving Children Awareness Day |
The 2025 recipient is Laurie Lantaigne
Laurie’s Classification is Charity Fundraising. She is Financial Director for the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington. She provides leadership to the financial administrative and fundraising areas of the organization. Laurie shares her passion and commitment to enhancing the well-being of children and youth by connecting them to experiences and supports that contribute to their sense of belonging and help them reach their full potential. She shares opportunities for others to help meet those goals by promoting participation in programs such as Trees for Tots, Keep Kids Fed and other fundraising initiatives. Her efforts have ensured that the Children’s Foundation has a solid presence, contributing to Ribfest. With 18 years tenure, she mentors new staff and volunteers behind the scenes in a quiet unassuming manner.
In the Club, she has served many years as the Youth Director and most recently as the Membership Director. She also organizes all of our fellowship events and is our Member Cares Chair, making sure our members receive support in bad and good times. She has a kind heart and is always thinking of others.
Our drive for warm winter wear - new or lightly used - is well on its way with nearly 100 coats donated so far.
Anne and Tessa deliver the latest batch to The Clothes Closet on Victoria St. North.
Clothing is free of charge from The Clothes Closet and seasonal items move very quickly.
When you bring a group of newcomers to Canada together, and language could be a barrier, what do you?
The Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium found some solutions at their recent Family Fun event on September 28.
When families first arrived at the event, they were asked to show on a map of the world where they were born, and from that exercise we learned that we had 17 countries represented at the event and a total of 75 people participating.
To get the children involved, we had Steph Dean from Shake it Off Studio lead them in Zumba – and some adults joined in as well. It was such fun as the children danced to the music. No language was needed, they just followed Steph’s lead.
Then there was the henna and face painting which again did not involve much conversation, more pointing at what the participants wanted.
Immigration Services, the Arab Women’s Society and the City of Guelph were involved to share resources and information to the families who were provided with an information bag. The Children’s Reading Room also gave away free books to the children there.
Refreshments were provided by Rotary member Sharron Riley Persson as well as the SEED which is also based at Shelldale where the event was held.
And to wrap it up, like all parties, the families were given goodie bags to take home, full of contents that had been donated by local companies, like Mr. Kettle Corn who gave bags of popcorn.
All told it was a great event and our thanks to all involved. It truly takes a village.
A new feature, this year, at Ribfest. On Saturday morning the Guelph Storytelling Guild will host a special event for youngsters and young at heart.
Puppet Show, Music, Story Telling.
Update: Robert Munch will be there.
Puppet Show, Music, Story Telling.
Update: Robert Munch will be there.
Thank you for a record-breaking Tour de Guelph! What an amazing year. The total registrants grew to over 780 and our fundraising total surpassed $204,000. We could not have reached these amazing milestones without the help of our riders, volunteers, sponsors and vendors. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this year the best year so far.
In addition to supporting the Guelph General Hospital, every year, many local groups aimed at youth development, family support, and community building are supported by Tour de Guelph proceeds through Rotary Club of Guelph South and Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium.
Donna B reminded us that Maureen Smith was a beloved member of the Rotary Club Guelph Trillium for many years until her death in January 2023. As Chair of the club’s Sunshine Committee, she provided leadership to the care of and compassion for club members. Proud of her 45 career as a nurse, she was a tireless volunteer for many charities and her community.
Through the generous donation of Maureen’s family, represented by her husband Peter, our club will give out a scholarship every year to a high school student embarking on a career in nursing (either RPN or RN program).
This year we are proud to give out two scholarships in honour of Maureen.
Ryl Garrido is graduating from Our Lady of Lourdes High School and has been accepted into the BScN program at Western-Fanshaw.
Ryl credits his mom, who is a nurse, for inspiring him to pursue a career in caring for others. Ryl contributed to the school community through leadership in the Athletic Council and Relay4Life Council. He maintains a job at SportChek as well as at a nursing home. His teachers let us know he is a driven student leader, who is admired by his peers for his exceptional academics, creative initiative as well as his kindness and compassion towards others – all desired qualities in a registered nurse.
Pictured with Donna and Peter are Ryl and his mother Jeryl
April Guthrie is graduating from St. John Bosco Alternative High School and will be attending the RPN program at Georgian College. April enjoys helping others and giving back to her community and has succeeded at school placements in long term facilities. She has also played a large role in caring for her grandparents for the past while. April was the school Senator last year and has represented the school at senate meetings with the Director of Education. She was a member of the school Wellness committee and volunteers both in her Brant Ave Neighbourhood Group and her dance studio. Her teachers say that April is welcoming, kind and compassionate – all attributes that will serve her well in her career as a Registered Practical Nurse.
Pictured with Donna and Peter are April and her parents Carla and Rob
Guelph Trillium is pleased to welcome two new members to Rotary.
Godfrey Moriasi joined on April 17th and Dominique O'Rourke was inducted on May 8th.
Photo courtesy Mahmud Hassain
Photo courtesy Mahmud Hassain
In the photo from left to right is Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium President Anne Day, Anne McKay(Wellington Hospice), Trevor Barton (Enabling Garden), Lawrence Lutgendoff (Alzheimer's Society), Lynda Abshoff (Brain Injury Association), Lindsay Sprague (Sanguen Health), Kevin Coghill (Royal City Mission), Leslie Fisher (Guelph Dance), Jannette TenHag (Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium Allocations Committee Co-Chair)On February 28, 2024 the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium presented donations to seven charities. While the charities serve different populations, there was a recurring theme of treating people with dignity and respect.
The Alzheimer Society received funds to support patients and caregivers attending their Mind in Motion program, while Enabling Gardens is using their funds to purchase five medical grade bariatric chairs which would better support people participating in their horticultural therapy workshops.
Royal City Mission is creating a green space in the alley way by the church which can then be enjoyed by their clients and Hospice Wellington is purchasing new linens and warming blankets to provide comfort to their residents and their families. Guelph Dance received funds to subsidize fees for families who could not afford to send their children to their creative camp programs.
Safety was another theme as funds were presented to the Brain Injury Association to provide bike helmets to children whose families could not afford them. Through its mobile units, Sanguen Health will provide food, clothing, hygiene products, sleeping bags to people who are homeless.
The Guelph Trillium Club received 33 applications for funding, representing a total of $73,000. After a committee review, a total of 13 agencies will be awarded funds from the club with the second cheque presentation arranged for early April. The $24,000 donated to these 13 community organizations was raised through two annual community fundraisers - Tour de Guelph and Ribfest.
Tour de Guelph, hosted in partnership with the Guelph South Rotary Club, will be held on June 23, 2024 and the main beneficiary will be the Guelph Hospital Foundation. Anyone interested in volunteering for this event visit https://tourdeguelph.ca/volunteer/
The 26th annual Guelph Ribfest will be held at Riverside Park on August 23-25, 2024. Volunteers are at the heart of Ribfest – anyone interested joining our team visit https://www.ribfestguelph.com/event-listing/guelph-ribfest-volunteer-sign-up
We thank the community for their ongoing support of these events, which makes it possible for us to give back to worthy causes and organizations in the community.
Mike Toombs announced this year’s recipient – Donna Graham.
“When your talents and the world’s needs cross – that is your vocation” Aristotle
During her 32 years in HR at J&J, Donna was frequently approached to find out more about HR as a career, always willing to listen, advise and support those wanting to enter the field, and being honest with those who were perhaps not as well-suited to that career choice, helping them explore other options. She continues to be approached by young professionals interested in exploring HR as a career. She is willing to be a mentor to all.
In 2017, when the four clubs in Guelph decided to launch Food4Kids Guelph, Donna was the obvious choice to lead and represent our club. She became one of the four founders of Food4Kids and for the past two years has been the volunteer Chair of the board. As a grass-roots organization, Donna has helped solidify its foundation and continues to lead with courage and passion to ensure that Guelph children in food insecure households receive food.
No matter her HR role, Donna always took a strong interest in people, looking beyond the work environment to what was happening at home and their involvement in the community. That attitude hasn’t changed and drives the way Donna continues to interact with people – be it at Rotary or Food4Kids, or more broadly in the community.
Congratulations, Donna.
This years Winter Clothing Drive during the month of October resulted in 87 winter coats and 3 car loads of winter clothing being donated to the Clothing Closet.
Pictured are President Anne and Mahmud delivering the donations. Thanks to everyone who contributed to its success. The coats are moving quickly off the racks.
Pictured are President Anne and Mahmud delivering the donations. Thanks to everyone who contributed to its success. The coats are moving quickly off the racks.
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium, a sincere Thank You to our community for supporting Guelph's 25th Ribfest, August 25 to 27th, 2023.
Our 25th Annual Ribfest weekend saw almost 40,000 people come through the gates from Friday to Sunday. 517 Bikes were safely parked by Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation (GCAT); thousands of pounds of BBQ ribs were consumed; over 150 classic cars participated in the 24th annual Gregg Mitchell Memorial Car Show and much more.
Congratulations to our Winner of 50/50 Draw was Kevin C of Guelph $4186
A big thank you to our sponsors, rib teams, food vendors, businesses, community partners and especially to a big thank you to our incredible volunteers.
During Ribfest 2023 over 220 friends, families, Rotarians and community members helped fill over 790 volunteer shifts, providing over 2376 volunteer hours to deliver another successful Ribfest to our community. We could not have had such a successful Ribfest without you! A special thanks to the following volunteer groups for their wonderful table and park clean up work:
Guelph Minor Hockey Association - U12 BB 2023-24
We are happy to provide these groups with a donation for their service and help them with their fundraising efforts. The net proceeds from Ribfest Guelph 2023 goes back into the local community as well as a few international projects. Just as important as the funds we raise is the incredible community engagement Ribfest brings to Guelph. We watched old friends meet each other, young children clap with glee at the midway, families congregating at the family tent, and people singing and dancing to the music.
Thank you and see you in 2024.
Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium
Ribfest Website: http://www.ribfestguelph.com
Ribfest Guelph https://www.facebook.com/ribfestguelph
Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium https://www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofguelphtrillium/
Ribfest Guelph is open. We are excited to welcome everyone this weekend Aug 25-27. Check out the band times, vendor information and FAQs on https://www.ribfestguelph.com/ to plan your visit. See you soon.
Foundation Chair, Donna Buchan presents multiple PHF pins to Donna Graham and Bruce Folkard in recognition of their continuing financial support of The Rotary Foundation
Service Above Self
Guelph, ON
Canada