Submitted by Will Arscott

 

 

The meeting was held back at the Bessborough. The meeting was presided by President Mark Gryba.

 

Greeter - Peter Zakreski

Cashier - Joanne Fisher, Mavis Hardy

Visitors and Guests - Were announced by Rotarians at the Tables

Set-up - Al Morton

Grace - John Davies

???? - Wayne Storozuk had a part but I can’t remember what it was

(Hint - it involved a red and white suite and black boots.)

 

The Bessborough provided a wonderful Christmas luncheon well beyond what we usually have. The hotel needs to be complemented on how well they prepared for and executed this event.

 

O Canada was led by Wayne McGillivray. The piano accompaniment perked it up and turned the singing up a notch.

 

Grace - John Davies reminded us that all the great religions celebrate their history and founding. Christians celebrate Christmas as the time when God came down to earth as man. Christmas is a time to remember our call to service in our lives and through Rotary.

 

Visitors and Guests - A Rotarian from each club introduced the guests at their table. As has become usual, the Byers / Giesbrecht clan were well represented. There were guests from as far away as Australia Wayne M seemed to be enjoying his guests from so far away and standing up well under the pressure of entertaining grandchildren on an intensive basis. The introductions were followed by the Hello Song with the club members standing and singing with great pleasure as Betty Ann kept us rolling on the piano.

 

 

Before we went into the Christmas portion of the program President Mark briefly reviewed the plans for the first few meetings of 2018:

 

8^th - Hope for Malawi update with Peter and Elaine Zakreski

 

15^th - Rotary Club amalgamation in Saskatoon what it would mean for our club and do we want to participate (this could really change the face of Rotary in Saskatoon so we would like to get input from as many as or members as possible).

 

29^th - Our club is scheduled to serve breakfast and lunch at the Friendship Inn. The sign-up sheets will be out at the first meeting in January.

 

There was also an announcement that our club had received a $1,000 grant from the Federated Co-op in honour of Heather Clysdale’s commitment to community service. It is the editor’s understanding that this money will be available to support a local project. Congratulations to Heather - this recognition is well deserved!

 

There was also an announcement about stoves for Westmount School. Wiring was being prepared for new stoves in the kitchen area of the school. We had committed to providing one stove but two are required. It would make sense to do the project in one stage. The cost of the second stove would be in the range of $4,000. Out board will vote on this proposal by email before Christmas.

 

 

As our members will know, our club provides money to Bethany Homes in honour of our guest speakers over the course of the year. Bethany Homes is a charity run by the Salvation Army for young women. The Salvation Army was presented at our meeting by Shanda Pollard who received our cheque. As well members contributed toiletries and other appropriate items, these were taken back for the women. The editor would like to make a special thank you to Wayne McGillivray for making sure our commitment to Bethany Homes was honoured.

 

 

Wayne M and Betty Ann led our assembled guests in a selection of traditional Christmas songs covering both aspects of Christmas. We celebrated Christmas as a winter festival with songs such as Frosty and Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells. We celebrated Christmas as a religious celebration with O Come All Ye Faithful and Silent Night. This makes Christmas a very special time to spend with our friends. This editor and, I am sure most club members, consider their Rotary friends among the very best friends they have.

 

 

The carolling ended with Here Comes Santa Claus and then the big man himself arrived. Out club is always very honoured the Santa Claus is able to take time out of his busy schedule a week before Christmas to visit our club.

 

The look on the kids faces as Santa strode in with his regular Ho Ho Ho was worth the price of admission. If only the world could be that wondrous for adults. The children present were invited up to sit on Santa’s knee and receive a little something in advance of the big day.

 

Santa was challenged to answer some very difficult Reindeer questions which he did admirably.

He had even brought a bottle of fermented grape juice for Betty Ann Arscott as our appreciation for her piano skills once again this Christmas.

 

There was a thank you to all from President Mark and a special thank you to Wayne McGillivray.

 

By the time you are reading this Christmas 2017 is in the past. Here’s hoping Christmas was a loving peaceful time in all your lives. May 2018 be a great year for you.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!