President Rena opened the Rotary meeting today with only one loud clang of her bell (it usually takes 3 clangs to get things started, 25 when Paul Cody is present)

 

Vanessa did the 4 way test and Randy (live and present) read the invocation.

 

SA Nancy said 24 members were present including Todd who joined via Zoom. We all wish Todd a speedy a recovery.

2 guests were present; Melissa and Dave

The Langs Christmas dinner was held on Dec 13 and was a great success. Thank you Katie and to the all the volunteers.  Thank you also to Katie for her Triple Threat Idea - arranging to make a donation to Langs through the purchase of gift cards, using Cambridge Bingo funds, that will be donated to the city's community centres. Way to go Katie!

 

Wayne informed that group that they are encouraged to welcome anybody and everyone to a free holiday meal at The Cambridge Mill this Monday, December 8.  Please contact Wayne for more details.

 

 

 

Randy is looking for sponsors and volunteers for the upcoming Golf Tournament this spring.

 

Paul's President's Levy is the afternoon of Sunday, January 7 in the amenity room, Tower One in the Gaslight Towers at 50 Grand Ave S. This is "a chance for members to honour Paul" and/or come for the free food and entertainment.   Commercial parking is available under the towers which is actually at ground level and can be accessed either off Glebe St or Grand Ave.  Make your way to either level of the 2 level entrances of the towers and someone will be there to greet you and take you to the event space.  Remember, this is in the residents' private condo towers, NOT in the District or public event spaces.  If you get lost that day, text Jeff H at 519-580-3407 and he will send either a human or a St. Bernard to your rescue. 

 

Congratulations to Lovey as he welcomed his first born this week. 

 

Apologies for all the crazy fonts and sizes. I used an incorrect template for the bulletin and am heading to Vegas in about 6 hours (research for the gala) and don't have time to correct. 

Donations of socks for Trinity Church can still be taken to Cambridge Centre Honda 

Although Jim and Erica are competing for donation dollars in their upcoming boxing match, Jim's business non-competition clause is nearly over and his is able to sell an inventory of fitness equipment; dumbbells, exercise bikes....for a complete list, contact Jim and negotiate a deal.

 

Larry has a new Optometrist, Kaylee Wood. Nice when Rotarians help Rotarians.

 

Ivana is celebrating her father's 93rd birthday and her good genes. 

 

Rena thanked Katie and the volunteers at Langs' Holiday Dinner for bringing joy into the lives of 200 community members in attendance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim introduced our Who Am I speaker, Wayne Paddick, and highlighted Wayne's devotion to his 24-7 charitable work with the Cambridge Shelter Corporation at The Bridges.

 

After some clicker issues solved by Rena, Wayne commenced his speech with an introduction to sports, most of which I didn't quite understand as I'm more of a dancer. However, I did pick up that Wayne was once a professional Lacrosse referee and Lacrosse is a sport that has been played by First Nations peoples in Canada since the 7th century.  It was declared Canada's national game in 859. However, in 994, the Canadian Parliament passed the National Sports of Canada Act which made lacrosse the national summer sport and hocky the national winter sport.  Lacrosse is still the most popular sport in Canada during the summer and Canada hosts annual junior and senior championships  Wayne once owned a junior team and worked hard to boost confidence in the young players. In fact, Wayne only stopped playing 2 short years ago.

 

Wayne is a devoted family man who enjoys camping, travelling, watching sports, visiting Florida, raising his children and watching an unnamed family member enjoy her wine. After re-educating himself, joins a team of family nurses including his wife Melissa.  Wayne is a mental health care nurse by trade and Anne Tinker, familiar to many P-H Rotarians, recruited Wayne for the shelter where he has ascended to the role of Executive Director.  He also has begun teaching at Conestoga College.

 

Wayne has a giant heart and he works hard to get those who are motivated, off the streets.  He does point out that mental health is extremely complicated at not everyone who is street involved is ready to be housed, but he maintains a positive outlook.  Rena commented on Wayne's devotion by saying she can call Wayne at any time for an update on a family member who she worries about and Wayne always responds. 

 

Paul closed the meeting with an example of his immaturity and his love of forts.