Rotary Club
of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Welcome to another issue of our monthly bulletin!  Find out who our upcoming speakers are, information about upcoming volunteer opportunities and upcoming events.
 
WHAT'S GOING ON IN ROTARY AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD - September 1, 2024
 
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
 
Happy Labour Day!
 
As we round into September and the weather starts to cool down, Rotary heats up.
  • FUN: We had a terrific August, starting with an active booth at the Pumphouse Art Show and then a Rotary dance party (!) courtesy of Marlene Gallyot, with wine provided by Bella Terra.  Miss Tuesday lunch meetings at your peril!
  • FELLOWSHIP: Thanks to Cindy Grant, we have a full lineup of terrific lunch speakers for the balance of 2024.  Please block Tuesday noon in your calendar – you will get a good meal amongst friends, with very interesting presentations.  You will leave each meeting happier and better informed than when you arrive.
  • SERVICE: We have a very healthy budget – the International Services Committee is already active with contribution.  Community Services will roll up their sleeves this month.
Great events are coming up quickly – Rotary Golf Day on September 10th; Polo on September 14th, in support of the Museum, where we will have a Rotary Tent; Fashion Show on October 15th; End Polio on October 29th; and, of course, the Holiday House Tour on December 6th and 7th.  Please do TWO things: VOLUNTEER and ATTEND!
 
We are a very active Club and a fun group to be part of – the more you participate, the more you will benefit from being a Rotarian.  Let’s have a GREAT September.  Jamie
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
 
SEPTEMBER 28 - NEWARK NEIGHBOURS PORCH PICKUP
 
Thanksgiving is coming in 6 weeks so it is time to collect food for Newark Neighbours Food Bank.  Based on the success of the past several years, Rotary will once again go out and collect food off peoples' porches and deliver to Newark Neighbours.  If you can donate 3-4 hours of your time to make this effort a huge success, contact Carol Lipsett - clipsett01@gmail.com.  As with previous years, Newark Neighbours will do all the promotion for this event and collect the addresses for pickup.  Each Rotary team will get the addresses the week of the food drive, you go out and collect and deliver the food. When you drive away you have a great feeling of having done something vital for our Community.
 
Thank you to all of the Rotarians that have already signed up.
UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

Rotary Meetings:
September 3 - Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit (CVSDU) – speaker Dwayne Sawyer. This was a referral from Mike Clarke, CSC has funded this organization. From their website: “CVSDU is the only membership based, veteran led charity in Canada.  We train and provide service dogs to injured veterans, police, firefighters, paramedics, corrections officers and first responders, free of charge”. They are bringing a dog!!

September 10 - Our Fundraising Committee Chair Nancy Bailey with Event Chairs will provide highlights and details of our 2024-25 Fashion Show and HHT Events.
 
September 16 – Board Meeting – 6 pm.
 
September 17 - Club Assembly.
 
September 215th annual 'Dr. Ron Mergi'.  Participate to End Polio event at the Lions Park in St. David’s. Registration is now open for this. Joe Will has the registration details.   Here’s a link with more information. https://rotary7090.org/page/polio-plus
 
September 24Ellen Schonewille is the Senior Manager, Donor Relations of the Foundation for FACS - Family and Children’s Service Niagara. Caroline Polgrabia is the Board Chair for the Foundation. Ellen is arranging for another senior person from FACS to speak but not confirmed yet. From their website: Their mission “To protect, support, and strengthen the wellbeing of children, youth, adults, and families”.
 
 
NOTL ROTARY CLUB MEETING SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL 2024-25
MONTH     DATE     LOCATION    MEETING FORMAT     Event
Sept             3             CC         Lunch Meeting          Cdn Veteran Service Dog Unit 
                  10             CC         Lunch Meeting          Fund-Raising Event Update
                  17             CC         Club Assembly          Club Assembly
                  24             CC         Lunch Meeting          FACS Niagara
 
October Fashion Show in support of Nyanyas:
Date:    Oct 15 @ 6 p.m. 
Venue:  Royal Cambridge Ballroom (behind the Prince of Wales).
Tickets: $150 with $50 tax receipt.
Clothes by Tango (St. Catherines) with Joseph Ribkoff, Frank Lyman and others.
Welcome glass of sparkling wine and 3 course gourmet dinner.
Tickets on sale Sept 8 through Niagara Tix.
 
SPEAKERS: if you want to feature as a lunch-time speaker, please contact Cindy Grant in person, through ClubRunner or at grantcis347@gmail.com
 
We want to hear from and about our members!
 
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Tree Planting Event
Last year the Holiday House Tour partnered with Land Care Niagara as part of the HHT's ongoing efforts to 'green' the event.
 
A contribution for every ticket sold funded the purchase of trees to support their reforestation efforts.
 
On the morning of Oct 19, in coordination with the Niagara Parkway Commission, we will be planting the trees in Paradise Grove.  The exact time and location will be finalized once we hear from the Parks Commission.
 
If you are interested in helping, please contact Bill French.  Thank you.
 
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Niagara Polo:
We are looking for volunteers for various tasks at Niagara Polo on September 14, 2024 for the morning and afternoon. Please contact Janet Marecki at janet.marecki@gmail.com or Amy Klassen at AKlassen@nhsm.ca if you are available. 
 
Information about the event is below:

Experience the power and passion of Polo in Niagara-on-the-Lake!

Join us at Niagara Polo for an unforgettable day featuring players from the Toronto Polo Club.  Watch two thrilling four-chukker games on The Commons, accompanied by wine & beer, delicious food, live entertainment, traditional divot stomp with bubbly, and the Beau Chapeau best hat contest.  Enjoy artisans, pony rides, a silent auction, vintage and performance cars, prizes, and endless fun!  The must-attend event of the summer! 

Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024

Location: The Commons, NOTL

Time: 12 - 4 pm | Gates open - 11 am

General Admission: EARLY BIRD - $20: as of August 20 – $25

Ages 0-18 are FREE!

 

Visit www.niagarapolo.com for more info. Presented by Niagara on the Lake Museum

Major Sponsor: Elaine & Donald Triggs

Red Roof Retreat Car Rally
The Red Roof Retreat will be holding their second annual scavenger hunt on Saturday Sept 21.  See below for details of this exciting event.
Advertisement for Russell Hampton
Advertisement for ClubRunner
Advertisement for ClubRunner Mobile