
Stories
![]() Bill Reid, a KPDSB teacher and leader of the Hockey Canada Dryden Skills Academy shared the history and goals of the program. |
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![]() Harry Funk, Capital Coordinator, for Bridge Roads Development (BRD) described the progress he and his company are making to bring Dryden its first new seniors housing development in over thirty-five years. |
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![]() During the past year, Dryden born and bred resident Kendra Saville accepted an invitation from Rotarian Susan Reany-Iskra, a co-worker at the Dryden Fire Management Centre, to attend the Rotary-sponsored Mudmen concert. |
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![]() At its March 1st, meeting The Rotary Club of Dryden members approved the giving out of $53,480 to various projects in the communities of Northwestern Ontario. |
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![]() Cynthia was born in Dryden, the oldest of two girls of Brian & Fatima Davidson. Being raised in a family with a stay at home Mom, she learned the importance of saving at an early age. |
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![]() According to Cynthia Seitz, a director with Dryden’s Second Chance Pet Network, the organisation now takes in dogs and cats from an expanded region including 50 First Nation reserves, Northern Manitoba, and Nunavut |
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![]() During her 20 seasons dealing with forest fire emergencies, Kendra Saville (left) witnessed first hand the devastation, turmoil and upheaval caused by wildfires across Canada. |
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![]() Jack Harrison, the forestlands manager at Domtar, gave us an update on the woodlands component of Dryden’s pulp mill. |
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![]() Mike Sveinson, a former Rotarian provided a brief background on the Ice Dogs Hockey Club and the upcoming Dudley Hewitt Cup. |
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![]() Dryden Rotary’s online auction will take place in 2018 from April 10th to 17th. Rotarian and Past Club president, Brian Braid will chair the 2018 fundraising event. |
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![]() The ‘New Year,’ wasn’t the only reason Dryden Rotarians had to celebrate, as 2018 began. January 2018 will stand out in the history of the Club, as the year it reached parity between men and women. |
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![]() Another story of a Rotarian from “Away”, takes a short-term job in Dryden and then stays. That’s a common theme of many residents of this town and it’s part of LeeAnne Benson’s vocational story too. |
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![]() For the past decade, Dryden Rotarians have been delivering Meals on Wheels on weekends as a service to the community. |
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![]() Louise Fisher of Dryden’s Lutheran Church shared with Dryden Rotarians a new program the church is about to start for the caregivers of people with dementia. |
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![]() The Rotary Club of Dryden has seen excellent growth in both the number of pages viewed and the number of visitors during 2017. |
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![]() Executive Director Terri Fedorchuk, brought us an update on the changes taking place at Dryden’s crisis shelter for abused women and their children. |
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![]() ClubRunner, the platform on which DrydenRotary.org runs, has announced that the ClubRunner Mobile App is available for download! |
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![]() Each year Dryden Rotary sponsors a public speaking contest. Each school in the Dryden area from both the Keewatin-Patricia DSB and the Northwest CDSB participate. Rotarians act as the judges. |
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![]() With Remembrance Day 2017 approaching, club Rotarians shared their family connections to our past and current military. |
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![]() Each year, The Rotary Club of The Pas organizes a trip to Churchill Manitoba for Rotary Youth Exchange students to see polar bears in the wild. But this year has been exceptionally hard. |
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![]() This month as we do each year, we celebrated Remembrance Day on November 11th. It is appropriate on such days to remind all Rotarians that “Rotary is dedicated to six areas of focus to build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever.” |
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![]() As has become customary at the Paul Harris Fellowship evening, the winning students of the annual Dryden Royal Conservatory piano competition and sponsored by Dryden Rotary, played their winning numbers for members of the club. |
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![]() ShelterBox, a supplier of crisis shelter tents, and an official partner of Rotary International is richer by 2 ShelterBoxes after Dryden Rotary’s concert staring The Mudmen, a Celtic rock band featuring none other than two bagpipers. |
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![]() Among the highest tribute, Rotarians can pay a non-Rotarian resident of a community is with a Paul Harris Fellowship. At its meeting on October 25th, Dryden Rotary honoured Willene Moffat and Jim Shearer. The award honours those who exemplify the Rotarian motto “Service Above Self”. |
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![]() On the evening of October 25th six of our Rotarians Jeannie McMaster, Patricia Rigey, Patricia Vann, Pam Brown, Clare Thompson, & John Carlucci, were also awarded Paul Harris Fellowships having contributed $1000 to The Rotary Foundation. |
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![]() Jeannie McMaster and Mardie Plomp were guests on the CKDR Morning Show Friday to announce that all proceeds from the Mudman concert will support their 'Shelter Box' program. |
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![]() Two Dryden High School students, Abbey Taylor and Sarah Becker were the first Dryden students to take part in a new Rotary District 5550 program called “Rotary Adventures in Human Rights” (RAHR). |
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![]() During a new members’ first few months, they are required to provide club members with a brief account of their life and work. Here are a couple of excerpts from the vocational speech by Rotarian Leanna Bullock. |
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![]() Rotary Club of Dryden presents Mudmen – Canada’s Rock Warriors fundraising in support of Hurricane Relief through Shelter Box. |
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![]() Club Rotarian, John Borst has arranged for the Canadian singer Jon Brooks to appear at The Midtown Stage on the evening of November 9, 2017, as he tours Western Canada. |
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![]() William (Bill) Beatty, age 90 years, passed away surrounded by his family on September 19thafter a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. A Memorial Funeral service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held Monday, September 25th at 11:00 a.m. in the First United Church with Rev. Erin McIntyre and Alice Bloomfield officiating. Interment will follow in the Dryden Cemetery. |
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![]() On September 9, 2017, nineteen Rotarians and friends volunteered their time helping the City of Dryden with its Household Hazardous Waste Day event. |
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![]() Varja Lindström gave us a little insight as to who she is, her family and where she lives. Varja means “Wolf”. |
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![]() Dryden High School student, Sarah Wood, during 2016-17 did a year long Rotary sponsored student exchange in João Pessoa, the capital of the state of Paraíba in Brazil. |
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![]() Club Rotarian, John Borst provided a brief updated vocational as part of President Ed’s "Spotlight" Program. Although the idea was to speak for only 3 minutes, in the absence of the planned speaker, Borst was encouraged by the chair, to speak a little longer. |
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![]() This slide share from the RI Atlanta Convention provides a comparison of data for Club Collaborator, DACdb, Roster on Wheels and ClubRunner |
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![]() “The finish line is in sight!” says R.I., V.P. Jennifer Jones in this TED Talk – PurdueU video. Watch this 15 minute talk to learn how Rotary got into the business of the eradication of polio, the sheer magnitude of organizational effort required to save millions of lives, and how threats and violence have been responded to by those doing the immunization in the three countries that remain. |
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![]() Approximately 100 Rotarians and guests converged on The Centre in Dryden on April 22nd for the celebration of 75 years of Rotary in Dryden. |
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![]() The quality of any community is measured by the educational opportunities available to its citizens. Forty-two years ago Dryden became the second Northwestern Ontario community to establish a satellite campus of Thunder Bay’s Confederation College which had been established just eight years earlier. |
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![]() April 19th saw the induction of two new Dryden Rotarians: Leanna Bullock and Lee Ann Benson. |
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![]() 2020 is the year the Treasury Metals Gold and Silver mine is projected to go into production mine Vice-President Norm Bush told the Dryden Rotary club at the April 12th meeting. |
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![]() Al Skene, President of Skene Transfer and Supply, using video shared the story of what hauling freight across ice roads in North Western Ontario is really like |
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![]() by Corrine Gregory Last week I asked my Rotary newsletter members this intriguing question. The answers I received were very interesting, particularly since everyone seemed to have a very passionate opinion about why "of course it HAS to be Question X!" |
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![]() Guest speaker Roy Napish, shared an oral history of his culture, comments on the role of treaties and his experience with residential schools. |
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![]() Jim Blight, General Manager of local Domtar mill, provided the club with an overview of the current Domtar operations and their future plans to transition to local operations. |
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![]() Clare Thompson, the Club’s only Past District Governor, shared interesting and humourous insights on the history of Dryden Rotary over the past 40 years ago.
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![]() MP Robert Nault was here to bring us an update on activities in Ottawa, but first he wished the Rotary club a Happy 75th birthday and then mentioned Canada’s 150th anniversary.
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![]() It was the club’s first spaghetti dinner evening. Rtn. Chuck Schmitt presented a preview of the next fundraising drive at the hospital for a new CT Scanner as well as an update at the hospital’s hirings.
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![]() Rtn. Joanne Bunny presented President Carl Eisner with a $1000.00 donation from Walter’s Auto Body in memory of past Rotarian Walter Denzler, the founder of Walter’s Auto Body.
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![]() Rotarian “Carm” Fyfe as her “vocational” talk shared her family history with the club on February 8th.
Carmela was born in Italy and came over to Canada with her parents and three sisters. They first settled in Molson MB. One was later born in Ontario after her father transferred to Wabigoon.
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![]() Everyone is invited to a Rotary Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 11th, 2017 at the Dryden Regional Cultural and Training Centre. For $20.00 you can experience Carm's delicious home-made pasta dinner, plus salad, garlic bread, and dessert.
Tickets are available at the Centre or by calling 220-1105 or 223-4345
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![]() Jim Shearer of the Dryden Mission brought us an update on the progress of his “mission”. He last presented in 2012.
The Mission is now a registered charity existing to help families and individuals find a relationship with Jesus Christ through “Serving One Another with Love".
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![]() Wednesday’s guest speaker was Tom Ball of MAG Logistics. Ball provided background on MAG Logistics’ September 8, 2016, agreement with Discovery Air to buy DA’s Fire Services business. Final details and regulatory filings are expected shortly to finalize the deal.
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![]() Mardi Plomp is now a regional Information Referral Coordinator with the Ministry of Attorney General who helps people experiencing a family break-up access the right information they need.
Her new job is part of a “Better Justice Together” program put out by the Ministry of Attorney General to ensure that access to the court system is cheaper, easier to navigate, faster and brings an integrated feel to it allowing justice partners to share and access information.
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![]() Jakeob Gouliquer and Devon Carr, the 2016 Adventures in Agriculture students from DHS reported on their involvement in Adventures in Agriculture Program, November 23 - 27, 2016 in Regina.
Their PowerPoint provided pictures of equipment - the first being a John Deere tractor that costs about $850,000.
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![]() Editor’s note: the following article was first published at the World Economic Forum
By John Hewko, General Secretary Rotary International
We are close to eradicating a human disease for only the second time in history. A global public-private partnership has reduced the poliovirus caseload by 99.9% over the last 30 years, but there’s still plenty of work to do.
Even before we reach that milestone, the knowledge and infrastructure built to fight polio is being repurposed to take on other global challenges.
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![]() It is with deep regret that The Rotary Club of Dryden shares with you the loss of a brother Rotarian, Walter Denzler. Walter joined Rotary on October 24, 1969, and just retired from the club on December 1, 2016, a run of 47 years. We will remember him as the person who led us each week in the singing of O' Canada. His obituary follows:
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![]() For our final meeting of 2016, Dryden Rotarians visited Princess Court to share lunch with Rtn. Walter Denzler who has been a Rotarian since October 24th 1969 and retired this month.
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![]() Rotarian, Kim Anderson-Fuerst, the club’s organizer of our contribution to the Dryden Meals on Wheels (MOW) program. Kim brought us up-to-date on the programs growing need as well as refreshed our memories on the way the program is delivered.
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![]() Rtns Jeannie and Jack McMaster provided an update on the Tri-Club northern literacy project.
The three Rotary clubs in Northwestern Ontario namely Dryden, Kenora and Sioux Lookout have agreed to jointly fund a literacy initiative to provide books to the school at Sandy Lake First Nation.
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![]() At the Nov. 30th meeting Rtn. Mel Fisher provided an update on the 22 unit Pine Ridge Seniors housing project planned for the lot across from 330 Van Horne.
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![]() For the first time in many years, Dryden Rotary’s Performing Arts Evening was not held at The Centre, Dryden’s performing arts venue.
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![]() Michelle Teeple of the OPP startled Dryden Rotary with some eye-opening statistics on drinking and driving in the Dryden area.
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![]() After a preliminary outline of the origins of Remembrance Day, Rtn. Will Vermeer gave us an indoor “Spirit Walk”, that is a story about a veteran buried in the Dryden cemetery.
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![]() In 1992 a group of far sighted Rotarians saw the need for members of Rotary clubs to better train future leaders. In that year a grassroots coalition of Rotary districts implementing a leadership development program for "potential" leaders of Rotary clubs. It is called the Rotary Leadership Institute of RLI for short.
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![]() On Tuesday, November 8th, 2016 MPP Bill Mauro, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, was in Dryden to present a cheque from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for $124,000.00 to Gary Nichol of the Dryden Soccer Association.
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![]() Dressed in a black burqa under a blazing sun with temperatures topping 100 degrees, Hina is going from house to house, knocking on doors. Plastered against the walls of the mud-brick homes, neat rows of hand-patted dung cakes dry in the sun to be used for cooking fuel. Open sewers stagnate beside the uneven dirt roads where children play.
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![]() Henry Wall, our guest speaker and CAO of the Kenora District Services Board spoke on the mandate of the Board (KDSB).
Wall began with a brief history of KDSB and its origins in the District Social Services Administration Boards Act of 1998. Its mission is “Dedicated to Improving Lives”.
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![]() By Kalyan Banerjee, Foundation Trustee Chair 2016 - 17
Back in 1956, the Rotary International Board of Directors designated a week in November urging all clubs “to devote a programme to The Rotary Foundation.” In 1982, the Board determined that the entire month of November should be dedicated to the Foundation.
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![]() By John F Germ, President, Rotary International
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![]() What does it mean to be human?By Misaki Otani, member of Interact in District 5170 (California, USA)
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![]() The second 2016–17 RI Board of Directors meeting was held from 19–22 September, 2016. At this meeting the Board reviewed 12 committee reports and recorded 64 decisions.
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![]() The guest speaker at the October 26th meeting was Jack Nesbitt of the Dryden Go-Getters.
Jack, a retired teacher of 34 years, is a former resident of the City of Dryden who left in 1959 and returned in 2014.
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![]() Norman Sanders, manager of the Dryden Regional Airport (DRA) spoke to the club about the future of our municipal airport.
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![]() Katherine Campbell, Director, Planning, Integration and Service Quality at the Dryden Regional Health Centre (DRHC) introduced three medical students from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) Virginia McEwan, Krista Dowhos, and Lauren Turner.
All three are third-year students and provided the club with a background story on their journey on the road to becoming a doctor. Although all are our speakers are women about 40 percent of the NOSM students are men.
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![]() Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) students, Mitch Turcotte, Sarah Urquhart, Jenna Stuart, and Jailla Stuart of Dryden shared videos they made at this year’s RYLA camp.
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![]() At its 2016 Business Excellence Awards gala on September 17th, members of the local Chamber of Commerce voted to award the Rotary Club of Dryden its "Business Celebrating Youth" award for its support of area youth projects.
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![]() Dryden Rotarian, Brian Kenny is part of a study at McMaster University on the effects of aging.
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![]() 2016-17 District Governor (DG), Rod Riopel has been a Rotarian since 1996. Besides having been President of the Kenora Club he has held other positions in the club as well.
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![]() [The Dryden club was in receipt of this letter of thanks from Barbara Melara, President, Amarok Society Board of Directors]
Dear Rotary Club of Dryden
We are really pleased to introduce you to Rahima, the mother/student you are sponsoring!
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![]() Local artist, Willene Moffatt spoke to Rotary about her work as an artist.
Moffatt has gone through various forms of art from pottery to painting and is now working mostly with stained glass.
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![]() Dryden's new police chief Doug Palson was our feature speaker at our June 8th meeting.
Chief Palson was raised in the Interlake area in Manitoba, is of Metis descent, and is a graduate of the University of Manitoba and Brandon University.
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![]() Sandra gave us a wonderful oral and pictorial history of her time in Canada.
Her presentation alternated between showing PowerPoint pictures and telling stories of her experience.
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![]() Sarah Campbell our MPP was here to describe the challenges and rewards of being a provincial member of parliament.
One such reward is seeing one of your private member’s Bill passed such as her most recent an item on tracking progress on the twinning of Highway 17 between Kenora and the Manitoba border.
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![]() Sarah Campbell our MPP was here to describe the challenges and rewards of being a provincial member of parliament.
One such reward is seeing one of your private member’s Bill passed such as her most recent an item on tracking progress on the twinning of Highway 17 between Kenora and the Manitoba border.
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![]() Deanna Pacheco stepped forward to do her vocational talk when the meeting room was switched to the lounge. A vocational talk gives an opportunity for a new member to tell other club members a little about what you do for a living and a bit about your personal history.
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![]() Guest speakers for May 11th were Kim Vares and Chuck Schmitt from the Dryden Regional Health Centre (DRHC) who spoke on Transforming the Local Health Care System and the issue of raising funds for capital improvements.
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![]() Gem Munro was here to give us an update on the Amarok Society (AS) and their work which has been supported by funds from our Rotary club
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![]() Gord LeMaistre and John Beringer of the Kenora Rotary club were present to provide an update and a brief history of the Ripple Effect Program (REP) and our club’s involvement.
The Ripple Effect Program is committed to creating a rich learning environment, with sustainable schools and the hope for a brighter future for children in Guatemala.
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![]() Memorial Paul Harris Given in Memory of Rotarian Willie CheslockEach Year the Dryden Rotary Club celebrates the founding of Rotary International by remembering its founder Paul Harris. This year the 111th Anniversary of Rotary was no exception as a formal dinner was held at The Centre. The highlight of the evening was the awarding of 7 Paul Harris Fellowships.
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![]() Keith Grant, manager of the Dryden Food Bank provided a brief history of the Food Bank starting from the early days when some of our local churches saw a need to help a few families that were having hard times at Christmas time during the late 1980s.
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![]() The highlight of the March 30th meeting was the induction of our two newest members, Deanna Pacheco and Caryl Hron. Rotarian Will Vermeer conducted the ceremony after an introduction of the two members by their sponsor Rotarian Mardi Plomp.
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![]() Sheila Wilson, herself a young professional, was our guest speaker to talk about the Dryden Area Young Professionals Network (DAYPN)
The need to pay attention to and attract more young people to consider a business career in the Dryden area was identified by the DDDC in a 2014.survey of Dryden and area businesses.
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![]() Guest speaker, Joan Schneider’s dive into the quilting business was much like not being able to swim when all of a sudden you are thrust into the water and have to learn in a hurry.
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![]() At its meeting on March 16, 2016 The Dryden Rotary Club presented a cheque to the Dryden Area Anti-Racism Network (DAARN). The cheque was in the $2,500 to continue to improve race relations in Dryden and the surrounding area.
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![]() Ziggy Beardy, project officer with the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board (SLAAMB http://www.slaamb.on.ca/profile ) shared with Dryden Rotary a short history of the L’ll Bands Hockey Tournament that is now held in Dryden for a week each February.
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![]() Our program for Wednesday March 9th featured Tammy Rollins speaking to Rotary on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and how it applies to Patrician Gardens, its staff and volunteers.
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![]() When you are the editor of a small town weekly newspaper, people what to know what kind of guy or woman you are.
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![]() Monique Watford and Lori Russell of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Susan Traini of the Dryden Area Family Health (DAFH)Team spoke to Dryden, Rotary about dementia, and the importance of building a dementia-friendly community.
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![]() Mayor Greg Wilson began his presentation with a portion of a report which had been requested by our Member of Parliament Bob Nault. The Trudeau Liberal government was looking for “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects.
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![]() James Blasé, a Partner with, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Consulting, and who serves clients across Manitoba and Northwest Ontario was our keynote speaker at the February 10th meeting of Dryden, Rotary.
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![]() At the February 3rd Rotary luncheon, Gary Nickle gave the Rotary Club of Dryden a status update on the proposed change room facilities at the soccer fields in Rotary Park.
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![]() Ernie Remillard, a hometown boy who left Dryden and came back after many years in Southern Ontario to head up the Northern Lights Credit Union as CEO in 2012 shared with the club NLCU’s merger with the Thamesville Community Credit Union (TCU) and the formation of a new credit union to be called Nexus Community Credit Union.
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![]() From time to time a club luncheon focuses on the business of the club rather than having a guest speaker. This is called an “Assembly”.
The January 20th luncheon was such a meeting and was led by President Jack McMaster.
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![]() Izzy Harvey and Meghan Lovett were Dryden High School students visiting to tell us us bit about their time at Adventures in Agriculture, a program sponsored by the Club and District 5550.
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![]() At some point shortly after joining Rotary each new member provides the club with a brief presentation of their life story. This is called a “vocational talk”. Thus on Wednesday December 16th Rtn. James Kroeker was called upon to share his “vocational talk.”
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![]() Dryden Rotary held its annual Christmas family dinner, this year, at the Centre. As often happens Santa made his appearance much to everyone's delight.
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![]() The Dryden Syrian Refugee Committee was formed when Drydenite, Jerry Wilson contacted Dr. Ghada Ibrahim because she was the only person of the Muslim faith he knew in Dryden.
After talking her into chairing the committee and creating a loose connection with the Lutheran Church community and partnering with the Mennonite Central Committee they now have a designated family to sponsor.
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![]() by K R Ravindran RI Pesident 2015-2016
When the Canadian army liberated the Netherlands in 1945, they found the country on the brink of starvation. Seeing the suffering of so many, and especially moved by the faces of the children, four Canadian privates stationed near Apeldoorn that year decided to make that Christmas special for as many Dutch children as they could.
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![]() Asked to join The Rotary Club of Dryden in 2000 by a Rotarian member whom I respected as an individual, I had limited knowledge of the service organization. My children were young and we were involved with a business which demanded much of my time. Perhaps because of these demands; and not being born and raised in this community with a wide circle of friends, prompted me to attend a meeting and expand ‘me’ as an individual. My subsequent joining of the organization and volunteering also impacted our children in a positive way through their own volunteer efforts at Habitat for Humanity and animal shelters.
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![]() With the help of the Rotary Club of Dryden, Dryden seniors are close to achieving the first new modern apartment complex in over 35 years.
The meetings speaker, our own Rotarian Mel Fisher, had been involved in an earlier attempt to develop a co-op complex under a “life-lease” concept, a form of seniors’ development popular in Manitoba.
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![]() 2015's Dryden Rotary Performing Arts evening added more speakers and piano winners for the audience to listen to, with the result that over 70 Drydenites attended the dinner and performance of our community's youth.
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![]() Are you interested in learning a new language or meeting new people? Rotary Youth Exchange is the opportunity of a lifetime for the more than 8,000 students who participate each year. By sharing your own culture and embracing a new one, you help foster global understanding—and learn a great deal about yourself and your home country in the process.
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Leadership is an essential aspect of Rotary—and we offer both clubs and programs to help emerging leaders develop their skills. Through these groups, participants strengthen their leadership skills, serve their communities, increase their world understanding, build friendships, and more.
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![]() Rtn Roland (Rolly) Swan was a 13 year old boy when the Germans occupied his country of birth, Holland. As a Remembrance Day tribute Swan shared some memories of what it was like to live in Holland, during the World War II years.
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![]() WHAT IS ROTARY?Rotary brings together people who want to use their skills, experiences, and expertise to solve some of the world's most pressing problems — from organizing local initiatives like helping to fund new equipment at the hospital, working hazardous waste recycle day, or youth scholarships to global efforts like eradicating polio.
It all begins at the weekly club meeting, where members catch up with friends, hear what's happening in their community, and organize club activities and service projects. It's a fun way to connect with the people in your community who share your passion for doing good.
WHY SHOULD I JOIN A ROTARY CLUB?People like you join Rotary to meet new people and get involved in their communities. As a Rotary club member, you'll also have the chance to:
Learn more about the membership process and member responsibilities. Still have questions? Write to the membership chair.
MEET OUR MEMBERSRotary boasts over 1.2 million members in more than 34,000 clubs worldwide. The Dryden club has about 55 members. In nearly every corner of the world, you'll find a Rotary member who puts our motto, Service Above Self, into practice to make the world a better place.
Here are just a few Dryden Rotarians:
Patty Van manages our yearly incoming and out-going Exchange Student program. (there are over 30 stories on the Dryden Youth Exchange Link HERE and Search under Exchange)
And here are just a few from across the world:
Todd Shea delivers aid to disaster stricken communities
Razia Jan builds schools for girls in Afghanistan Bruce French helps countries struggling with food security Rajendra K. Saboo leads a medical mission for hundreds of children Neli Vazquez-Rowland offers safe haven to the homeless OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN ROTARYIf you're not ready to join a Rotary club, you can still get involved in Rotary and the work we're doing to improve lives everywhere. Here are some ideas to get you started:
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![]() The entire process — from asking about joining to becoming a member — is explained below. Explore the Rotary International website to learn more about our organization, our priorities, and the benefits of membership.
I WANT TO JOIN
By completing the Join Rotary form, you let clubs in your community know you're interested in learning more about membership.
MATCHED WITH CLUB
You are matched because of location with the Rotary Club of Dryden. Clubs also exist in Kenora and Sioux Lookout. For all other clubs link here.
CONTACTED BY CLUB
A member of Dryden Rotary club will contact you, by email or phone, to discuss your interest in joining. You may be invited to a club meeting, social event, or even to volunteer on a service project. This way, you get to try out the club before joining.
INVITED TO JOIN
If you and your prospective club are a good fit, you will be invited to join. After you accept, your club may hold an induction ceremony to welcome you and commemorate this important event. As a new member, you may also go through orientation or be matched with a mentor. Every club has its own traditions and ways of welcoming new members.
I'M A MEMBER!
You will have a more positive experience in your new club if you take an active role. Join a committee. Lead a service project. Organize a social event.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP
The first Rotary club was founded in 1905 with the idea of inviting members from a variety of professions. It turned out to be a great way for people to connect with, and support, their communities. Clubs retain this principle today, with members representing a variety of professions.
As a member, you will be asked to:
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![]() Jill VanWalleghem, a local MNR biologist, spoke to Rotary on the growing presence of “invasive species” within the lakes around Dryden.
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![]() Local entrepreneur, Kailey Divers, former owner of the Flower Forest shared the story of her new business “Canadian Pure Wild Rice” with Dryden Rotarians. She established the firm in 2008.
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![]() On October 21, 2015 Dryden Rotarians enjoyed a vocational tour at Solomon’s courtesy of Rtn Roger Gould.
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![]() Wilmer (Willie) Cheslock became a Rotarian on January 1, 1998, having been proposed by Rtn Larry Neely. He passed away unexpectedly October 19, 2015 of a type A aortic dissection or “tear” in his aorta.
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![]() Ember McKillop of the Green Party of Canada was the fourth and final candidate in this Federal election to speak to the Dryden Rotary club members. Using a slide presentation, she said that the Green Party is "not just about the environment" and then went on to describe in some detail their full Party platform.
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![]() The Kenora Riding’s third candidate to speak to Dryden’s Rotarians is Howard Hampton, former leader the New Democratic Party (NDP) in Ontario.
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![]() Greg Rickford, our local Conservative candidate in the upcoming Federal election, provided us with a brief history of his record over the last 4 years.
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![]() For the third consecutive year Dryden residents have taken the opportunity to dispose of their hazardous waste in a safe and secure manner.
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![]() The September 9th meeting was held at the Dryden Native Friendship Centre (DNFC) where DNFC Executive Director, Sally Ledger provided us with a brief report on the result of their first strategic plan and an overview of their new 2015-2020 plan.
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![]() Dryden’s Rotary Exchange Student for 2015-2016 is Sandra Hrášková. She arrived in Dryden on August 23rd, after flights from Vienna to Toronto and Toronto-Winnipeg. I interviewed her before the meeting on September 2nd.
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![]() Dryden Rotary’s September 2nd meeting had the entire 2015-2016 Ice Dogs team plus their Director of Hockey Operations, President, Coach and Public Relations volunteer present. Each spoke briefly to the club.
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![]() Emma McDonald is a young Rotarian, currently residing in Sioux Lookout who told Dryden Rotarian, Carl Eisner her story while he was visiting that city. He invited her to share her story with the Dryden club.
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![]() Liberal Party of Canada candidate, Bob Nault was the first candidate of the Kenora Riding to speak to Dryden Rotary about his platform in this the October 2015 election.
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![]() Logan Waller gave us a brief history of his time in Denmark as a Rotary Youth Exchange student.
Waller left Canada on August 10, 2014 and returned June 30, 2015.
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![]() Sheryl Hoshizaki, a retired educator having been a teacher and principal also served as President of the Women Teachers Federation of Ontario. Once in their younger days, she even threw our President, Jack McMaster over the judo floor.
After retirement from education, Hoshizaki joined Right To Play, where she served as Deputy Director of Educational and Aboriginal Initiatives.
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![]() Past President Brian Braid attended the 5550 District Rotary Conference in Nipawin, a 12 hour ride from Dryden. Keynote speakers were Mel Duncan and Ann Frisch who talked about a “non violent peaceforce” hoping to transform the world’s response to conflict. |
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![]() Dryden’s Carly Brown has several connections to the Dryden Rotary Club. She operates Lokah Sangha Yoga, providing an original style yoga instruction in a facility next door to the Masala Restaurant where the club meets weekly. |
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![]() Outgoing President Brian Braid ends a successful year as head of Dryden Rotary. During his tenure Dryden Rotary reached the one million dollar mark in donations with well over $100,000.00 in the past year.
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![]() Sean Wood is a Grade 11 student at DHS, son of Mike and Kate Wood and is Dryden’s newest outgoing Rotary exchange student. |
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![]() At Wednesday’s meeting Alba Posas Solandes reflected back on her year in Canada while we got to celebrate her recent birthday.
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![]() Chuck Schmitt, Recruitment and Fundraising Coordinator for the DRHC and Dr. Adam Moir were on hand to receive a cheque for $30,000 for the hospital’s foundation.
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![]() Under the leadership of Rtn. Natasha Lovenuk-Markham The Rotary Club of Dryden has been reviewing its 2012 - 2015 Strategic Plan. Please review the draft 2015 - 2018 documents and make further suggests by June 1st.
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![]() Rotarian Natasha Lovenuk-Markham introduced this year’s four MUNA students: Isabelle Keefe, David Marshall, and Regan Neall, all in attendance, plus Alyssa Deschene who was not able to attend.
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![]() After a brief presentation on the role of the Amateur Radio Society of Dryden (ARSD) Dave Wessell and Bob Ernewein provided a description of their efforts to acquire a 16 foot Mobile Communications Trailer.
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![]() The Rotary year runs from July 1st to June 30th of each year. The Rotary Club of Dryden President for the 2015-16 year is Jack McMaster. To view his executive and directors
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![]() Dryden Rotarian Sally Sipos says Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village trip to build a house for a family in a developing country can be a “life changing experience”. Sally has been on 5 builds and will lead one in May of this year.
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![]() Rotary District 5550 has assigned Sandra Hrášková of Bernolakovo near Bratislava, Slovakia to the Dryden Club as its 2015-2016 Rotary Exchange student. This is the first time Dryden has had an exchange student from an East European country. |
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![]() After over eighteen months of work, it seems only fitting that Dryden Rotary’s participation in a Basic Education and Literacy Global Grant Request be submitted to Rotary International during March which in Rotary is “Literacy” month.
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![]() The film The Final Inch depicts the problems still occurring fifty years after the development of the polio vaccine. It describes areas and Countries where the polio virus is still found around the World.
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![]() The Rotary Club of Dryden held their Paul Harris Fellowship Award Dinner on February 25 which honoured three community members and five members of the Rotary club for their commitment to volunteering and making a difference in Dryden.
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![]() Each year Rotary International celebrates its founding on February 23rd. Locally, this year the Rotary Club of Dryden celebrated by holding a Rotary Day at Dryden High School (DHS).
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![]() At its meeting on February 18, 2015 The General membership approved the Dryden Rotary Charity Foundation Board's recommendations for the following local and regional disbursements:
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![]() Kieran McMonagle, the Four Directions “Grad Coach” and Jennifer McMaster, DHS, vice-principal provided an update on the “Four Directions Program” which focuses on assisting First Nations and Metis students entry into high school.
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![]() New Rotarian and club member, Pat Rigey briefly shared her life story in what Rotarians call a “vocational talk”
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![]() How to use Rotary International’s new website, the process we will use to renew the Club’s “strategic plan” and a variety of presentations have been the focus of meetings so far in 2015.
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![]() Jed Denham and Alexandra Cooper, attended our December 10th meeting and shared with us, their experiences at the Adventures in Agriculture Program from November 26 - 30, 2014 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
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![]() Mike Wood, star Master’s Marathoner and former city councilor didn’t know the adventure he was about to embark upon when in 2009 he volunteered to rejuvenate the cross country and track and field club at Dryden High School.
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![]() One of the counters supplying data on www.drydenrotary.org is Statscounter. You can see the data for yourself by clicking on View My Stats at the bottom of this Home Page. However this story will provide a quick view of where people came from between Oct. 26 and Nov. 30, 2014.
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![]() Each year the Dryden Rotary Club sponsors a public speaking contest and holds a special Performing Arts Dinner so the community can listen to the best of the year’s Grade 7 or 8 students.
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![]() A number of Rotarians and guests enjoyed a sumptuous Spanish supper at the Vann-Eisener residence courtesy of Alba Posas Solandes (with a little texting to Mom in Spain) We all also learned a few Spanish words to try out over the next 6 months. GRACIAS Alba!
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![]() President Brian Braid with the assistance of Rtn. Jeannie McMaster, provided us with an overview of the International Service portfolio. McMaster is the club director responsible for the International services portfolio.
The aim of International service is to give assistance on a global basis whether be it of a physical or financial nature. It also involves local Rotarians learning from our global friends.
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![]() Kim Vares , Director of Patient and Public Relations at Dryden Regional Health Centre (DRHC) spoke to Rotary on the topic of the formation of a Patient and Family Advisory Council.
The Council is to be a Partnership of patients and family members and the healthcare team. Its purpose is to provide guidance on how to improve the patient and family experience.
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![]() Vera Kameda-Lacroix was our Remembrance Day speaker giving us the history of her grandfather Kenneth Austin who served in both the first and second world wars.
She brought with her a treasure trove of clothing, pictures, and letters relating to her grandfather’s first world war efforts
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Rotarian Mel Fisher, "The Contrarian", Encourages All Drydenites to Vote in Fall Municipal Elections![]() The following piece originally appeared in the Dryden Observer 2014 09 24 (page 4).
When you are out in a small, outboard fishing boat, you can steer the boat and operate the engine yourself, no problem. As your ship gets bigger, you need help.
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![]() Having a community Hazardous Waste Day in successive years increases the number of participants and the volume of hazardous waste gathered rather than seeing a decrease in the second year. “That is the lesson to be learned from Dryden’s 2014 very successful Hazardous Waste Day.” says Rotary organizer Roger Gould.
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![]() Rtn. Rena Madden, DRCF chair, with the assistance of other members of Dryden Rotary Charity Foundation (DRCF) executive provided a short history of the Foundation and its donations over the past 10 years.
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![]() New members to Rotary Clubs at some point do a talk on their life with a focus on their career. We call this, their “vocational” talk. Normally members give some thought to this and some are even a little anxious in the process. But not our new member Sally Sipos!
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![]() Imagine being 16 and getting a change to spend a year of your life in a Swedish town famous for its ski hills, the Whistler or Vale of that country. That is the opportunity Jessica Stuart had as a Rotary Exchange student.
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![]() Tianna Markowski is a DHS student who was sponsored on the Rotary Youth Exchange by the Rotary Club of Sioux Lookout.
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![]() Beginning in 2014 Dryden High School is piloting a new program for First Nations, Metis & Inuit (FNMI) students. FNMI is a program which provides mentorship, individual and group support for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students transitioning to and attending High School. It is the first program of its kind in Ontario.
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![]() Assistant Governor Rod Riopel of Kenora introduced our DG Pat Chernesky. Pat has been a physician for 40 years and lives in Nipawin, SK.
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Carl Eisener was born in Chandler, Quebec in 1953 Interestingly, he and Rtn. Norm Bush crossed paths when he had been on this earth for about a week and Norm was about one year of age.
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Dryden’s On-line Cloverbelt Local Food Co-op Experiences Explosive Growth in First Year of Operation![]() Jen Springett is President of the Cloverbelt Local Food Co-op (CLFC) and has been a resident of Dryden for the past few years.
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![]() Logan Waller has just completed Gr 11 at DHS and was selected as our Rotary Youth Exchange student for the 2014-2015 school year.
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![]() A Rotary year runs from July 1st to June 30th of each year. June therefore sees the installation of a new president and officers and the retirement of the outgoing president. For the past three years, Dryden Rotary’s annual installation has taken the form of a “Fish-fry” at the local flying club off Gordon Road.
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![]() Trevor and I were talking after our Rotary luncheon last Wednesday, when I took him the list of participants. We decided, since it is our last meeting before Canada Day, to make that an added theme for the dinner. We could even imagine we were participating in the FIFA World Cup tournament. (Sigh)
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![]() At its May 2014 meeting the Dryden Rotary Charity Foundation recommended to its membership the disbursement of $87,800 to a variety of local or regional causes.
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![]() The May 28th meeting of the Rotary Club of Dryden witnessed the induction of five new members. This was the culmination of the first phase of the 100 day "Get Your 'Ask' in Gear" membership drive.
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![]() Rotarian, Mardi Plomp introduced her 2014 Dream Believer team and then provided a brief the history of this now multi-year event.
The idea of raising funds for cancer research began with Mardi's personal family experience with the disease.
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![]() Gwen Kurz, Secretary-Manager at the Chamber of Commerce is presently leading a Business Retention and Expansion ( BR+E) program among Dryden area businesses.
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![]() Bonjour ! Hi everyone !
Since I had the best experience of my life as a Rotary exchange student in Dryden 4 years ago, I was looking for a way to get involved in Rotary. As I am too young to become a Rotarian, I became a Rotaractian !!!
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![]() The Model United Nations Assembly is a learning simulation of the United Nations General Assembly in its structure and proceedings.
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![]() Peter Hinz, Team Lead - Exploration and Mineral Development - Ring of Fire Secretariat had the full attention of Dryden Rotarians and their guests from City Council and the Dryden Economic Development Corporation as he described the development of the most important mineral find in Ontario’s history.
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![]() Reverend Steven Paulson, who has served as Executive Director of Teen Challenge of Central Canada for over 20 years, was our feature speaker at the April 16, luncheon.
Paulson began by asking two poignant questions: “What is the meaning of life?” And “What are you doing for your community?”
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![]() By the number of questions Rotarians had for guest speaker Doug Robertson from the Dryden Camera Club you would think they all wanted to improve their photography skills.
Robertson provided an overview with a few choice slides about what the club is and what they do at their monthly meetings.
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![]() Former Rtn Maryann Jost, the regional manager for Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) was Dryden Rotary’s feature speaker for our March 19th meeting.
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![]() On Friday April 4th, Dryden Rotarians are invited to join the Dryden Trillium Lions in an International day of friendship by joining them for lunch at the Dryden Legion from 11:00 A.M. TO 1:30 P.M.
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![]() Our speaker Dayna Debenedet came to us as chief librarian of the Dryden Public Library (DPL) from New Brunswick, however, she grew up in Fort Frances so is happy to be closer to family and friends.
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![]() Following a brief introduction to the 5th Annual Rotary online auction by chair Marg Saville, members were asked to take letters requesting a donation to the community’s various businesses. These were distributed along with a form to gather particulars such as estimated value and donor contact information etc.
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![]() Gord and Debra LeMaistre have been involved with District 5550’s officially sponsored “Literacy” initiative the Ripple Effect Program since 2009.
They are committed to creating a rich learning environment, sustainable schools, and hope for a brighter future for children of Guatemala.
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![]() January is “Rotary awareness month”. Dryden's weekly newsletter editor, Will Vermeer shared four “Rotary Minute” videos with the club. Each focused on a different way Rotary makes its motto “Service above self” into action.
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![]() Rotarian Patty provided an introduction to DAARN (Dryden Area Anti-Racism Network) a new community organization with its roots in the viewing of the CBC documentary 8TH Fire - http://www.cbc.ca/8thfire/
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![]() Spouses, children, grandchildren, and great grandchild of Rotarians were guests of Rotary at their annual Christmas party. For pictures of the event….
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![]() Each year the best of Dryden’s pianists and winners of the Dryden Rotary’s Public Speaking Contest perform at the club’s Annual Performing Arts evening. The meal was once again catered by Nancy Ross caterers.
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![]() Peggy Howard, Executive Director of Dryden’s Community Volunteer Connections (CVC) gave Dryden Rotary a brief overview of the organization at the November 13th meeting.
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![]() Domtar employees, Gwen Johnson and Bonny Skene, took many Dryden Rotarians on a voyage down memory lane as they shared the 100 year journey of the “Mill” in Dryden through pictures and commentary.
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![]() NWO Rotarian in Philippines Leading One of Nine Response TeamsRotary Philippines has issued an emergency appeal to support the ShelterBox response to help families affected by Super Typhon Haiyan.
ShelterBox Canada is appealing for donations to support the relief effort. The Government of Canada will match donations made to registered charities for Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts.
CKDR 92.7 and Dryden Rotarians are appealing to all Drydenites to contribute to ShelterBox Canada as a way for this town to help their brothers and sisters in the Philippines
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![]() When local anesthesiologist John Dove retired he did not foresee adventures in Canada's High Arctic in his future. But when the called went out for locums in Nunavut, Canada's new "Territory", he and his wife Alison jumped at the chance to see the "real North"
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![]() Rotary's long term student exchange program is one of its most exciting endeavours. Each year one student from elsewhere in the world comes and lives for one year in Dryden. In return one Dryden student lives in a foreign country. Countries involved over the past five years have been Japan, Spain, Brazil, France, Finland and Denmark.
In 2012-13 Drydenite, Tyler Wood spent a year in Vargem Grande Do Sul, Brazil, a city of about 40,000 two hours north of Sao Paulo.
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![]() Rtns Peter K, Rena M, & Pam B gave us a number of different perspectives on the Youth Exchange program.
Peter provided a background on the program from the international, district, and club standpoint.
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![]() Each of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) students gave us a brief account of their impressions of their RYLA experience.
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![]() DG Ed brought us greetings from the District 5550 which covers North Western Ontario, Manitoba and most of Saskatchewan.
He outlined a number of Rotary initiatives of importance:
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![]() Hit by a “perfect storm” of never-ending bad news the citizens of Dryden are beginning to regroup. To the rescue are people like Suzanne Scherban who fostered the idea of holding a Dryden Days of Summer, a street fair aimed at attracting people to the downtown core. |
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...In appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world. |
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![]() Wonderful concerts, amazing music and talented artists... Take some strong support from the community, add some hard working volunteers and voila! The Dryden Entertainment Series.
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![]() If an emergency occurred and you had 20 minutes to leave you home, would you be ready? That question was posed to Rotarians by Joanne Matthews, a long time volunteer with Canadian Red Cross.
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![]() Rotarian John Borst provided fellow members with a quick update on the Amarok Society, which is a registered Canadian Charity operating in Asia.
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![]() Mary Anne Misner, Anna Turcott and Rotarian Will Vermeer really did their homework this time. These members of the Dryden Geneological Society spent hundreds of hours researching the history of 24 rural public schools that used to dot the landscape in the Dryden countryside.
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![]() Carol Peterson, Red Cross Community Services Coordinator, recounted how she had been helping a friend who had cancer in 2000. This friend also had some assistance from Red Cross, but some of the equipment seemed antiquated and in poor condition.
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![]() Schools Out! ..and Safe Grad is a SAFE, all-night celebration for every high school graduate and his/her guest.
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![]() Dryden Rotary’s Strategic Plan is now a year old. As Dryden Rotary’s Public Relations Director, Natasha Lovenuk Markham talked about how the 7 annual goals and 22 action items are helping to guide the agendas of current and future Rotary presidents.
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![]() Preparations for the 2013 Rotary On-line Auction are well under way. This year’s Auction chairperson is Rena Madden who used the January 30th Rotary luncheon to mobilize local Rotarians to personally deliver a letter asking local businesses to donate an article for the auction.
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![]() Dryden Ice Dogs are celebrating their 12th year in the Superior International Junior Hockey League which has seen many teams come and go.
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![]() Adventures in Agriculture is an educational program aimed at senior high school students and designed to expand the knowledge of students interested in a career in agriculture.
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![]() Path of the Paddle is a proposed canoe/kayak water route spanning over 900 kilometers from Falcon River to Pigeon River in the Heart of the Continent. It’s a water route alternative to the Trans Canada Trail and canoeing and kayaking are part of the “preferred uses” along with hiking, cycling, horseback riding, dogsledding, snowmobiling and cross country skiing.
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![]() Youth soccer dominates Rotary Park. Dryden Youth Soccer has 450 registered players along with 84 coaches. Soccer players from school programs and senior leagues push that number to 890.
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![]() Gerry Gosselin of the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion gave Dryden Rotary a brief history of the Legion
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![]() When student's who were not in the Open Roads Fine Arts program asked their teacher "What do you have for us?" she responded with an innovative program called "Explore: Endless Possibilities". |
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![]() Dryden’s newest Rotary exchange student is Xabier Lizarraga Zubeldia, and his friends call him Xabi (sabbi). Xabi hails from Pamplona, Community of Navarra, located in northern Spain.
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![]() Kathy Boone began her talk by raising her hand, announcing her name and her number, sixty-five. Any of the 2500 high school students that attended Dryden Conservation Camp since 1957 would all remember the significance of this gesture. It means be quiet and listen up.
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![]() The Thanksgiving Turkey Shoot is an annual Rotary Fundraiser designed to raise funds in support of Rotary Youth projects.
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![]() “Still Me” is a program developed by the Oncology Unit of the Dryden Regional Health Centre, “created from the concept that if a person living with cancer can be helped to look good, their improved self-image will help them to approach cancer and its treatment with greater confidence.” |
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![]() At Dryden Rotary's September 12th meeting, we were graced with the presence of the 5 students that we sponsored for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) this year.
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![]() Doug Robertson, the new manager of the DrydenFood Bank provided a brief update on the operation of their organization.
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![]() On August 8th, Jayme Gamble, the 2011-12 outbound exchange student, shared her one year Youth Exchange experience in Denmark in story and pictures.
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![]() Leah Gardner, Curator of the Dryden Museum recently spoke to Rotarians about the museum’s past twenty-five years along with the challenges and opportunities she sees for the future.
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![]() Marilyn Tinkess of the Second Chance Pet Network (SCPN) was present to give us an update on the SCPN's shelter drive at our August 1st, 2012 meeting.
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![]() Immediate Past President Rena madden introduced Margaret Saville before her vocational talk. Margaret was taken aback by how much she knew.
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![]() At the July 16th Dryden Rotary Club meeting Rotary Exchange student Gustavo provided us with a wrap up speech after more than 10 months in Canada. He recounted his times at school, with host families, with his Rotary family, and with other exchange students.
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![]() Dryden Rotarians. John Borst and Sandra Boyko 2012-13 President-Elect and President respectively provided a brief insight into their trip to Thailand and the 2012 Rotary International Convention in Bangkok.
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![]() One of our newer Rotarians, Susan Reany-Iskra provided us with her "vocational talk" at the July 4th meeting.
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![]() It was a warm and muggy night for the 2012 President's Dinner. Fortunately it was held on the shores of Lake Wabigoon at the Dryden Flying Club.
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![]() Dryden Rotary's June 20th meeting was held at the new Dryden Native Friendship Centre (DNFC) on Queen Street.
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![]() Incoming President-Elect Sandra presented her budget for the year 2012 - 13 at the June 13th meeting of the Dryden Rotary Club.
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![]() Two well known community members, Mike Wood and Chris Marchand spoke to members of Dryden Rotary about their passion for the Ghost Lake Trails Association, a volunteer organization promoting hiking and biking on about 25 kms of interconnecting trails through the Mavis and Ghost Lake area northeast of Dryden.
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![]() Adventures in Technology is a five day event for high school students aimed at enhancing each participant's awareness and understanding of "science and technology, the many ways it affects our lives, and the opportunities it holds for tomorrow". |
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![]() Using a video link via Skype from the DHS Library to the new Tierral Blanca school in El Asintal, Guatemala that the Dryden Rotary club helped build through the "Schools Building Schools" program in Dryden High School was the topic at the Clubs May 9th, meeting.
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![]() Dave Cleaveley, who is responsible for all fire operations in the North West region from Marathon in the east to the Manitoba border on the West, was Dryden Rotary's guest speaker at its May 2nd meeting.
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![]() Dryden Rotary moved their Wednesday April 25th meeting to the site of the city's newest school the controversally named "Open Roads" Public School. The name may be controversal but it is what is inside that is most exciting.
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![]() At the April 18th meeting of Dryden Rotary, Steven Patey, Megan Pinette , Leon Oombash , and Kale Greer from Dryden Youth Centre, (DYC) made a PowerPoint presentation of their trip to the National Youth Centre conference in Ottawa.
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![]() The Dryden Area Cultural Partnership (DACP) has announced that the "Yours, mine and ours Cultural Fair 2012 will take place May 10th from 10 to 10 at The Centre on Casimir Avenue.
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![]() The 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Rotary Club of Dryden is being held on Saturday, April 21st at The Centre in Dryden
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![]() As a result of Dryden's new Chief of Police Services, Rob Davis' inability to be present President-Elect Sandra Boyko reported on her trip to PETS ( President-Elect Training Seminar) in Russell MB in March 2nd, and 3rd.
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![]() Dryden's new United Church minister Scott Gale was welcomed into his new ministry position on August 28th of this past year. Gale actually arrived with a Paul Harris Fellow, awarded in 2004 for his outstanding work in the community of Thunder Bay.
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![]() Robert Skene, one old guy with a backpack, briefly described his tour through parts of South America this past winter at Dryden's last meeting in March.
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![]() Pam Brown is her recent vocational talk focused on her new employer, Morgan Aviation - a division of Morgan Fuels in Sioux Lookout.
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Jim Shearer, Pastor at the Dryden Full Gospel Church applies some hard work and plenty of enthusiasm for his dream, the “Dryden Mission”. Located at the corner of Duke Street and Van Horne Avenue, the donated building has essentially become a “large garage sale” site with all items donated. |
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![]() Winners of the Royal Conservatory of Music awards and the Rotary Public Speaking contest entertained local Rotary members at the Centre for Performing Arts in Dryden.
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Founded by Rotarians, Easter Seals Ontario began in 1922 as a vision to make a better life for kids and young adults with physical disabilities. Dryden Rotarian Roger Gould explained he has been a supporter of Easter Seals for a long time and his family has benefited through the support of their son, Casey, with monies for equipment and Easter Seals Summer Camp. He then introduced Rhonda Harrison, Regional Representative of Easter Seals Ontario, based in Thunder Bay |
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The Rotary Club of Dryden grew by four members at the November 23rd meeting when Ed and Susan Reany Iskra, Scott Gale and Jack McMaster were inducted into the club. |
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At the November 16th meeting, Dryden Entertainment Series, chairperson and Rotarian Angie Bujold presented the Clubs 2011- 2012 Youth Exchange Student Gustavo de Melo Orlandi of Amparo, Brasil with two tickets to all of the remaining 2011-12 performances. |
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![]() Braid began with a brief background on his parents who shaped the person he has become. Brian was born in Calgary but family moved to Montreal while still a youngster. After completing high school, he went on to Queens University where he got a chemical engineering degree. |
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Steven's Funeral Home was the unusual location of our November 2nd, lunch meeting. ![]() Rotarians Bob Stevens and Kathy Rothlisberger, played host and hostess, while the Dryden Legion auxillary caterered our meal.
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![]() Gustavo was our feature speaker for our October 19th lunch meeting, where he made a power point presentation on his home country, Brazil
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![]() At its September 19th meeting the City of Dryden Council passed a resolution at the request of the Rotary Club of Dryden proclaiming October 24, 2011 as "World Polio Day" in keeping with Rotary International goals.
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![]() Rotarian Lisa Turcotte introduced our RYLA ( Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) students Jake Wickstrom, Abigail Tourond, Alex Urquhart, and Hannah Szmon.
Parents, Ken Wickstrom and Lois Tourond , teacher Sherry Ambridge, and KPDSB education director, Jack McMaster were also our guests. |
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![]() Dryden's 2011-12 Thanksgiving Day "Turkey Shoot" raised nearly $3000.00 for local community projects. Organized by Rotarians Willie Cheslock and Arie Hoogenboom cards with 22 numbers on them were given to each Rotarian to sell. Tickets where $3.00 per number or two for $5.00.
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The Dryden Rotary Club has agreed to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in the amount of $1500. Literacy Chairs Andi Kidd, Debbie Lang, and Rotarian Peter Keen will, over the coming year, be rolling out the program, working with Mishkeegogamang First Nation. The Imagination Library's mission is simple - to foster literacy and a love of reading, by sending every child in a given community, a free age-appropriate book every month, for five years from birth to age five. A link to the Imagination Library is below. |
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Link directly to the bidding site HERE |
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Patricia Lang, President of Confederation College centred in Thunder Bay, Ontario is on a tour of the northwest meeting community members and targeting Rotary clubs in the area. ![]() Lang was accompanied by Don Bernosky, Executive Director of Innovation and Skills Development, Janet Arinobu, assistant to Executive Director, and Angelina Anderson - director of Dryden, Sioux Lookout & Red Lake campuses. The college has also just opened a new campus in Wawa. |
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![]() Chair of the Online Auction Maryann Jost gave us an update on plans for the Rotary Online Auction which will take place from May 4-11th , 2011. |
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![]() Fifty six adults and four children attended the event. In addition another $725.00 was contributed by those who wanted to support the project but were unable to attend, an amount equivalent to another 29 attendees. G.E.M. Munro combined storytelling with a short video clips to illustrate the work being done by the Amarok Society that they founded. |
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![]() Paquette, assisted by Amanda Lupien advised Rotarians that in the Dryden area alone, the Society raised over $71,000 last year and of this amount, more than $26000 was spent on transportation for patients going for treatment to various out of town centres. Together they outlined the key fundraising events for this year including the sale of Daffodils, the Hope in the City party being organized by Rotarian Mardi Plomp, and the Relay for Life on June 3 In the District, the Cancer Society raised over $500,000 from Relays for Life in 2010 |
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![]() Brittany , Marco, & Maela gave us a short update on Schools Building Schools. They got a late start this year but will be selling bricks and doing a car wash this spring to raise money Club Approves ShelterBox to Aid Japan Homeless Istvan K. moved and it was seconded by Arie that the club purchase a ShelterBox for the Japan earthquake. The club agreed |
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Happy Buck News for the March 9th meeting
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![]() On March 2, 2011 the Rotary Club of Dryden presented honored member Joanne Misner with her third Paul Harris Fellow as recognition for the countless contributions she has made to the club and District 5550. |
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![]() On March 30, 2011 the Rotary Club of Dryden is co-sponsoring with the Retired Teachers of Dryden (District 35 of RTO/ERO) a dinner at The Centre to raise funds for a literacy project by the Canadian charity The Amarok Society’s Mothers of Intention Literacy Project. |
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![]() The process involved consultation with over 300 people and online responses from about 150 people. Dryden’s Definition of Cultureis “A sense of place. Who we are, where we come from and what we will become.” Kurz said, "The City of Dryden understands that the quality of life and economic prosperity are linked and is best built on community assets and by investing in place." "Many people," she added, "take such factors as a sense of place, local character and diversity of amenities into account when making decisions on where to live and carry on business." |
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From time to time I have posted PowerPoint presentations on the Rotary Club of Dryden and/or RI District 5550 website. ![]() I thought you might like to see how often they are viewed. The most viewed presentation is the PowerPoint on the RI StrategicPlan. It has averaged 34 views per day between January 1 and March 4th, 2011 for a total of 2,160 views. "The Tribute to Paul Harris & RI on the Occassion of its 106th Anniversary" is averaging 48 views per day over its 10 day run. |
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March is Literacy Month in Rotary International.Books![]() G.E.M.
Munro
Tangent
Books
2010
pp. 241
$20.00
x x x Wilf Wilkinson, Past President, Rotary International has
said of South Asian Adventures of the Active
Poor: “I found this book amazing and
couldn’t put it down. I salute the author and his family for their dedication
and service to these poor children and their mothers.
Enlisting and training uneducated mothers and
making them the vehicle to teach others is almost unbelievable. However, it is
happening, and that is what makes the story about this project so fascinating.”
In 2004-05 G.E.M. Munro, his wife
and family of 4 children travelled to Bangladesh |
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On March 30, 2011 the Rotary Club of Dryden is co-sponsoring with the Retired Teachers of Dryden (District 35 of RTO/ERO) a dinner at The Centre to raise funds for a literacy project by the Canadian charity The Amarok Society’s Mothers of Intention Literacy Project. Besides supporting local community causes, each Rotary club has a responsibility to support International programs as well. Retired Teachers of Ontario also has a program called “Program Service to Others (PSO). About 25% of the PSO projects funded support education and children in developing countries. Bangladesh, is a country about the size of Southern Ontario and has a population of 140,000,000. The country has over 9000 slums, with a population of 5,400,000. Almost all of them are in cities. Dhaka the capital has a population of 18,000,000; that is equivalent to seven cities the size of Toronto. Families who live in slums are illiterate and the children do not go to school because they are simply too poor. Tanyss and Gem Munro, the founders of the Amarok Society and creators of the Mothers of Intention Literacy project have found away to bring education to slums in Dhaka and Khulan by educating mothers who must in turn educate 5 children. For more information contact: Suzanne Borst 807 938 6903 or email sborst@drytel.net By clicking on more you can read these documents before you download them |
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THE LIGHTER SIDE for the week of February20 to February 26
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![]() The following PowerPoint was prepared for the February 23rd meeting of the Rotary Club of Dryden which coincided with the 106th anniversary of Rotary.
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The longer I live, the more I
realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than
facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than
circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or
say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will
make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a
choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot
change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain
way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the
one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10%
what happens to me and
90% how I react to it.
And so it is with you... we are
in charge of our attitudes.
Charles Swindoll |
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![]() Andi was born and raised in Winnipeg with 2 brothers and a sister. She went to public and high school in the city and was an active participant in many sports. We even got a glimpse of her first car, a VW Rabbit. After finishing high school she headed for Europe. Upon her return she ended up in Banff waitressing. |
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![]() For more info, go to: ![]() "Our success or failure will not depend upon the machinery of Rotary or its physical growth, but upon the extent to which Rotary’s ideals or objectives are translated into positive, tangible results in personal, business, community, and international life. We shall be known by our works." — Almon E. Roth, 1930-31 RI president |
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Bill Hovi, Chair of Dryden’s Youth Justice Committee, (YJC) provided a brief overview of what the committee is expected to accomplish and how it will accomplish its mission. ![]() The program offers restorative justice for accused youth between the ages of 12 - 17 by bringing together youth accused of first-time, non-violent offences, their parents, the victim(s) and victims support persons with a trained volunteer facilitator for a "community justice conference". They work together to find a way that the youth can repair the harm resulting from their actions. The YJC puts the community and those directly involved in charge of restoring justice in their community. |
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As levied by Sgt. Arie for March 16, 2011 |
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going home with Marilyn F
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Weekly updates of who drew what & amount in pot
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![]() After a period away from the classroom and staying home with her children, she went back to teaching part time as well as earning her degree. After moving to Thunder Bay, she became involved in Special Education and worked in that field until her retirement in 1998. Volunteering with the Dryden Literacy Association, Retired Teachers Association, and Communities in Bloom has kept her busy since...and now she also has Rotary where she is spearheading a Literacy project for the club. To read about John click on "more" below |
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Katrina attended Adventures in Agriculture in Regina in November 2010 ![]() |
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Greg Rickford was elected to Canada’s 40th Parliament as the Member for Kenora in the fall of 2008.
![]() Rickford first moved to the region in 1992 working as a nurse, healthcare consultant and lawyer. His background in healthcare includes working directly with First Nations people living in remote communities. Greg gave us an overview as to |
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Our January 12th speakers were Colleen Valenti and Dani Garon. Both are third year Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) Students on placement in Dryden for 8 months from September 2010 to April 2011. ![]() “NOSM is a spectacular program,” she said. “No other medical school does same amount of placements in remote locations,” she added. Dani has been in Dryden since August and received a very warm welcome both at hospital and in community. In her off time she is a runner and plays on a Dryden women’s hockey team. |
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Using a PowerPoint presentation they provided a brief history of the festival now in its second year. The event is funded by the City of Dryden and private sponsors in order to offer “free” recreational activities to citizens during Family Day weekend. The Festival begins with two events: |
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17 January 2011 from RINews service
![]() Banerjee unveiled the RI theme during the opening plenary session of the 2011 International Assembly, a training event for incoming district governors. In making the announcement he said, "In order to achieve anything in this world, a person has to use all the resources he can draw on. And the only place to start is with ourselves and within ourselves." |
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I had to do some research for a project I am working on and decided I might make a quiz out of it. There are 10 questions. Only two show on the home page, click on “more …”
to see the other 8. Based on current RI website data: 1. Clubs located within Canada exist within how many RI Districts?
7
33
23
21
2. How many RI Districts with Canadian Clubs only have Canadian Clubs?
7
23
6
10
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When Dryden Rotarian, Angela Bujold, learned from her sister who works as the religious education coordinator for the Northwest Catholic District School Board that they were binging in Holocaust Survivor and author Eva Olsson, she thought it would be an excellent opportunity for the Board to partner with the Dryden Rotary Club to hold a presentation for the community.
![]() Speaking in a soft voice, supplemented with a few well chosen graphic pictures Eva weaved together, the story of her message to school children, her own biographical experience and the lessons we must all learn from this horrifying example of "bullying" taken to its ultimate extreme. |
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District 7040 of Rotary International is made up of 67 active Rotary clubs in Nunavut, Eastern Ontario, Western Québec and Northern New York State. This video was made to commemorate Canada’s Rotary Centenary.
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Thank you to newsletter editor Wil Vermeer for the all the pictures.
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A special Christmas greeting from our house to
your house. May you have a wonderful holiday with family and friends and may
your New Year be healthy and enjoyable.
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When our 2010-11 exchange student Maela Cataldi shared her story with us unfortunately the Power Point projector did not function well. Although there is no voice over, here is the presentation prepared for that luncheon.
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Peggy Howard, Manager of Community Volunteer Connections (CVC) of which the "Christmas Cheer" is one of three components spoke first. She described how CVC was formed in 1985, under the auspices of the Dryden & District Association for Community Living. and in 1990 became incorporated as an entity onto itself.
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One of the strengths of Dryden Rotary is the mix of young and old that the club enjoys. No where is that mix more evident than in the Club's annual Christmas dinner. ![]() With nearly sixty people in attendance from ages nearly 2 and up the evening was alive with excitement as young and old alike awaited the arrival of Santa Claus and his merry reindeer. At one point President Peter Keen even had everyone go quiet and we heard their hooves as they landed on the roof of the Best Western Hotel. |
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![]() Eva Olsson was imprisoned along with her family in a ghetto and then shipped to Auschwitz in a cattle car in May 1944. Out of an extended family of 89, only she and her youngest sister survived the death camps. Olsson will discuss the power of hatred and the importance of standing up against the forces of racism, bigotry and intolerance. |
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![]() For the past month, fellow Rotarians had been out selling a chance to win a Christmas Turkey at $3.00 a shot or 2 for $5.00 decreasing the odds of winning to 1 in 11. Ninety three turkeys were placed on a huge sheet of foam board to determine who the lucky winners of an IGA turkey would be. |
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At the December 8th luncheon, Literacy chair, Rtn Suzanne Borst announced that the executive had approved her proposal to support the Amarok Society’s “Mothers of Intention” program.
![]() With a motto, “Educate a Mother; Change the World”, the Munro’s who went to Bangladesh to assist in the improvement of the State education system and discovered that due to poverty and cultural factors woman and children in the lowest economic stratum of society were among the most illiterate in the entire world, even worse off than the worse areas of sub-Sahara Africa. |
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On November 3rd, Troy Calleran was inducted as the Rotary Club of Dryden's newest member. A native of Winnipeg MB, Troy became interested in aviation at a very young age and followed his dream to become a pilot. This brought him to North Western Ontario where he worked for Bearskin Airlines for many years and met his wife, Rotarian Rita Letourneau. He is currently a pilot for WestJet Airlines.
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It was the children's turn to educate and entertain as winners of Dryden's Royal Conservatory of Music competition and Rotary's Public Speaking Contest showed why they were 2010's best.
Organized by Rtns Rita Latoureau and Trevor Szymon and MC'd by Rtn Mardi Plomp club members and their guests alternated between listening to the 3 speech winners and the two pianists. ![]() Fifty-five students entered this year's Rotary Public Speaking competition. The first person to speak was third-place winner, Teyanna Dyck, a Grade 8 student at New Prospect School. |
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Dryden Rotarians are invited to attend the inaugural ceremonies of the 2011-2014 City of Dryden Council. Come and support Rotarian Mel fisher as he continues to exemplify the Rotarian motto
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Rattle moving again as Rtn Dave A had a great granddaughter added last Thursday |