Tags
Curling, Rotary clubs, Rotary District 5370, Rotary District Governor, Sociables!, Vermilion Alberta
We have all heard the talk about putting Fun in Rotary. Many clubs look for activities that keep their members engaged socially or add a twist to meetings to bring out the laughter. Let me tell you that for decades the FUN in Rotary has been alive and well in a group of energetic, creative, slightly batty, highly irreverent exhibitionists called Rotary curlers.
Every year District 5370 and its partner District 5360 get together and host a District Bonspiel. 
Did you know that these two Districts used to be one? The District Governor had just over 60 clubs to visit in an area that stretched the length of our district and extended all the way south to the Alberta/ USA border. No cell phones, no email, no SKYPE, just snail mail and open roads.
When Rotary International decided to split us into two districts, a pact was made to continue the long held tradition of the District bonspiel that included both districts. Each year the bonspiel is hosted by either the north or the south. Any community can bid on it, all you need is a few sheets of ice, and a sense of adventure to welcome the friendliest people in Rotary!
There is a price to pay if you hog the rock!
Most of you know what curling is. I suspect many of you have seen a few highlight reels of our exceptional curling representatives at the national or world level. That is not Rotary curling. Not to say that we didn’t see some great shot making and strategy but the focus is different.
Rotary curling is a true Fellowship. It brings together men and women from all walks of life, from different parts of our geographically immense district, and for one weekend there is intense camaraderie, side splitting laughter, renewed friendships, and the good natured competition of curling. Rocks are thrown, drinks are passed ’round, and it’s handshakes at the end of the day.
After years of absence, District Governor Tim was thrilled to throw the opening rock of the District 5370/5360 curling bonspiel.
An avid curler himself, Tim told his fellow participants that this is the best Rotary Fellowship he has had the pleasure of participating in. He was thrilled to be invited to curl with Rotarians of the Stony Plain club and only hoped he wouldn’t disgrace 
their team. This from the guy who has his name on the A event and B event trophies and has curled since high school.
Our host club, the Rotary Club of Vermilion, put on a great show. We stayed in clean friendly hotels and the ice at the Vermilion curling club was exceptional. We were welcomed whole heartedly by the community. Several restaurants generously sponsored the bonspiel and were thrilled when we would all roll up to spend money in their establishments. 
Boston Pizza donated our lunch on Friday with unlimited pizza and salad. It was a true testament to the service this Vermilion club provides for its community that so many are excited to give back when they can.
lining up for instructions and the opening ceremony. True Rotary organized chaos.
While the focus is on curling and competing in the main events, there is also alot of opportunity for fellowship. The bar is always open, with drinks that include something for everyone including the designated driver, and the tables are always full of friends.
Throughout the weekend it did not matter where I sat, I was amongst friends…some I hadn’t even met yet.
Vermilion Rotary hosted two wonderful evenings of entertainment and fine dining. Friday night was chili and Karaoke and Saturday was a delicious dinner and hypnotist. As you might imagine, the entertainment was provided by the Rotarians themselves and they did not disappoint. One fellow remarked that his abs and cheeks were so sore from laughing. Isn’t that the best medicine!?
This weekend Tim and I are excited to attend the Rotary World Curling championships hosted in Grande Prairie. That’s right….Worlds! Winner of the A event is eligible to represent Team Canada at the Rotary Worlds. We couldn’t be more proud of our curling friends and we are looking forward to enjoying more laughter and friendship with Rotarians from far and away. Maybe even watch a bit of curling while we’re at it! Come Join Us!
I remember writing it, Tim remembers my multitude of questions, we remember reading it and choosing the photos, we both remember what a wonderful day it was, but it has disappeared from by blog posts! Gentle reader, please indulge me while I reminisce of kinder, gentler days spent at a lunch buffet table straining under the weight of delicious Ukranian dishes provided by those heavenly beings, “the ladies of Mundare”.
We were immediately struck by the number of women in the room. For an organization that is yearning to attract more women to Rotary, our international friends should look no further than this club. The ratio of men to women is 30:70. Makes no difference really, they all roll up their sleeves at the same time and get down to the business of serving their community.
They worked on Rendezvous park ( clock and gazebo) and Peace Park. We visited the lovely Peace Park just as the winds picked up and it turned nasty cold outside. That didn’t stop us from admiring this large community site that is widely used throughout the year. Currently this Rotary club is looking for up to date signage for the park and to expand the shelter and create accessible paths and toilets. Last year they built a permanent BBQ structure that gives groups and families a great facility to enjoy.
to view the comfortable and serene palliative care room provided by the Rotary club of Vegreville. The room was large and homey, with a comfortable bed, sitting area and small tea making facility as well as a new tv and video player newly supplied by Rotary. The hospital staff were so pleased to show us the room and were quick to remark on how grateful they were to have Rotary involved.
f the medical staff but identified a great need for medical equipment in these hospitals. So they rolled up their sleeves, made important contacts with NGO’s working in the area and have since sent over several containers of medical supplies and equipment for hospitals. in 2014/15 this project has expanded to include sports equipment and and bedding supplies for an orphanage, school for the deaf and service to children with disabilities. Members of Edmonton South continue to visit the project areas to determine the need, with follow up visits to confirm the impact of investment. What an incredible story! What a transformative GIFT to the World!
Test speech contest. We have heard from a few clubs in Edmonton that they want to start this program, I say look to the South for inspiration. Through their relationships with local high schools and Interact, 4 students are selected to present speeches to the Club. Club members are given evaluation forms to determine their top picks. Winners receive $750, $500, or $250 prize.
to families. At every opportunity, they proudly fly the Rotary banner. This club gets excellent exposure at every event.
A lot of fun and a lot of money is raised to support local programs. One such program is the Terra Center; a non-profit organization that provides supports and services that empower teen parents to succeed. For three years now this club has donated close to $100 000 plus hands on projects to collect clothes and items, and helping host a Christmas party.
out the activities and challenges the club is involved in. This helps him tailor his presentation to each club’s needs. We were unable to coordinate that with the Edmonton Gateway club so they were kind enough to send him a written report of club activities so he could be prepared.
and some very high end auction items. Last year they welcomed major sponsors and contributors from West Jet, Edmonton Oilers, Lexus to name a few. Later in the Spring, they also host a high end wine maker’s dinner that features a visit/presentation from a high end producer. I told Tim that if he does get that District 5370 Chapter of Rotary Wine Appreciation Fellowship up and running this could be one of the events we support. Who’s with me?
Fantastic exposure for the club and a great program for local children. “Reading, Give it a Shot” is a literacy incentive program for students in Grades One to Six. Each month, after students complete their assigned reading minimum, teachers may enter the class in a draw for Oilers or Oil Kings hockey tickets. Within two weeks of opening, there were over 400 students participating with many more expected to sign on.
Along with school construction they equip students and teachers with basic school supplies. Where available they provide. technology, general maintenance, and teacher training.
rendsetting excitement, a great place to meet people, to celebrate a zest for life. This young Rotary club encompasses all this and more! They are game changers for many of the homeless and disadvantaged in their area. They are avid supporters of youth who are looking for a hand up not a hand out. They are a respectful group of Rotarians who know they can count on each other to get the job, any job, done.
Ten times this year Rotarians will join their neighbours — homeless, poor, and well-to-do, who cook, clean and eat together as part of an unorthodox dinner club near Whyte Avenue. Everyone is involved in preparing the entire meal and then they sit down together to eat and visit, and argue over who gets to do the dishes!!
ord?” and degenerated into meeting bingo….everyone got a Bingo sheet of preposterous words and phrases and we had to try to fit them into the meeting conversations. Hahahaha!
Two times a year they serve a big spaghetti dinner to families of Prince Charles elementary. These delicious dinners coincide with parent/teacher night and they encourage families to take the time to attend. If you know you don’t have to cook a meal, and there is free food, a family is more likely to take the time to go out and meet that teacher and make a small investment in their child’s education.
e of President Miles. He served us delicious pizza and had the fireplace blazing and his sweet little dog setting the perfect ambiance for a relaxed discussion about the work of their club.
a wonderful program in Gales Point Belize. Through his leadership, Riverview has supported the program with $5000 for two years and refurnished a school, built new desks , and delivered several incubators to Belize City…making headlines for the national news. Currently, 2 used ambulances are on their way to
governorstravels 