IT WAS GRAND!

It was indeed grand. Actually almost 20 times grand! That was the final figure for funds raised from three performances of "Sidney—The Nutcracker". To be more precise, the amount was $19,554.73.

On January 10th, we took the opportunity to recognize the efforts and talents of Peter and Anne Marie Brimacombe. They were the sparks that got everyone ignited and excited about becoming involved in this great production. SBS Rotary deeply appreciates the community spirit that brought them to seek us out as partners for this production. It may have been a bit challenging at times as we learned all the ins and outs of mounting a production like this, but the effort was worth it. These funds take us one step closer to making a children's water spray park a reality here in Sidney. (The TOTAL raised so far for this project is a whopping $101,104.07!)


Peter and Anne Marie were only able to briefly drop in to our meeting, but it was time enough for us to give them a certificate of thanks and a standing ovation. They in turn presented President Peter with a cheque for the $19,544.73.


But recognition was due to a couple of other key players in the production: Kenny Podmore and Clive Tanner. Still in dancing mode, they made their way to the podium, executing perfect pliés at the front of the room.

President Peter presented them each with a certificate of appreciation for their participation in the show, and their willingness to contribute to the community through their rather unorthodox, tutu-toting performances.

But President Peter wasn't finished yet. Kenny and Peter will be forever known as "Sugar" and "Plum" respectively...and they have the Rotary name tags to prove it!

A HUG OF HARRISES

You all know about collective nouns, yes? A gaggle of geese, a murder of crows? Well, SBS Rotarians have one to add to the list: a hug of Harrises. Paul Harris Fellowships, that is. And it was indeed a hug-fest on the morning of January 3, 2008 as several fine folks received either their first or multiple Paul Harris recognition. Beryl Hastings did the honours of announcing the latest recipients.

Beryl Hastings was so impressed with the club's support of the Rotary Foundation that he brought TWO hats to tip to our Paul Harris recipients.

First up was Denise Currie, who was honoured with a Paul Harris by her husband Noel — a very big surprise for her.

Denise waggles her finger at Noel, letting him know that this doesn't get him 'off the hook' for any misdemeanors — past, present or future....

Noel does the honours with Denise's Paul Harris pin.

Peter exercises his presidential prerogative of hugging our Paul Harris recipients.

President Peter pins Noel — who also received a Paul Harris Fellowship — but deems it wise to forego a Harris Hug with him....

Marie Rosko gets set to get pinned by Peter, in recognition of her Paul Harris Fellowship.

Marie prepares to be hugged!

John Bardsley gets a little lovin' from Peter in recognition of his next level of Paul Harris Fellowship.

Peter praises Beryl, Don Bateman and John for their dedication to Rotary and to the club's success.

CHRISTMAS DINNER

Thanks to Bert and Marolyn for all their hard work in making our annual Christmas Dinner evening such a wonderful event. We'll certainly miss having Theo's banquet hall for events in the future. We were reminded that SBS Rotary's charter night was held in that very same room. Beryl did the honours as Emcee, and President Peter presided over the more 'official' parts of the evening.

We took advantage of the night's festivities to induct an impressively attired Duncan Cameron into the club.

Duncan was sponsored by Kenny, who did the pinning honours.

And there were more celebrations to come. Bert presented Marolyn with a Paul Harris fellowship...

...and Judy was presented with her third Paul Harris. Very impressive!

Bert had arranged some great entertainment for us, in the person of Eric Roberts. Eric has an uncanny knack of impersonating the singing voices of such legends as Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. He even threw in a little bit of Don Ho — singing "Tiny Bubbles" while Marilyn fluttered about the room blowing bubbles to add to the song's ambience (below).

CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST

Full House!

Happy fellas...

Bell ringer...

Guerra Gals

Santa and Sophie

Fraser needs a tailor...

Hilda begins her clown apprenticeship...

Happiness is...a kid at Christmas!

HITCHING KAREN AND TIM

Judy provided these salient details:

• Married Dec 5 Abkhazi Gardens, in the house


• Beautiful sunny day


• Tim's kids—Elliott and Jory


• Karen's girls—Kate and Maude


• Served champagne and wonderful appies


• Honeymooned at the Aerie and The Pier Hotel

FOUNDATION FUNRAISER

In speaking with attendees and observing the interactions over the evening, the Foundation Fundraiser held at the Batemans on November 23rd seems to have been an unqualified success. People freely circulated through the house and had a good time in conversation with fellow Rotarians and their spouses. Having appetizers and desserts as finger food, as opposed to a sit-down meal, seemed to promote such interaction, as did having it in the homey, comfortable and relaxed environment of the Bateman's house. This appears to be a good formula for some social events. Several members have already volunteered the use of their home for similar future endeavours.

Thirty-seven members and spouses attended, and $1195 was raised. These monies will be a separate line item in our budget, and will act as seed money for next year's World Community Service project for which we will apply for matching grants from our District and RI. The newly formed WCS Committee of Bruce Burns, Jinny Hambly, Stuart Lang and I will keep you posted on our progress in this new venture.

This endeavour could not have taken place had it not been for the Club's enthusiastic and generous support. Many thanks are due to the Batemans for opening their home to us, to the Smiths for supplying a great selection and quantity of wine, to the participants for not only coming out, but also supplying a rich variety of delicious desserts and appetizers, and to the four generous members who did not attend, but still contributed $50 or more to the fundraiser. The WCS Committee is gratefied by the Club's response.

Cheers, John Bardsley

_____________

Peter Bradley fired up his digital camera and captured a few moments from the get-together:

Party Princess...

Stuart holds court in the kitchen...

Cozy kitchen conversation klatches

Lady in Red...

The boys caught in the the act with the appies...

BLOOMIN' WONDERFUL!

Jinny sends along the following about our poinsettia sales fundraising efforts:

A huge thank you to our members who helped with the success of the poinsettias this year—taking orders, managing the orders, our auditors, sorters, and deliverers (in particular, spouses). It is getting to be a rather large undertaking for one day. We delivered 945 poinsettias on Thursday!! That means we made about $3,800 dollars for our efforts [UPDATE: ACTUAL FINAL TOTAL: $4,100] . Marie has additional orders for the other 2 Peninsula Rotary Clubs and the Airport, many thanks Marie. Congratulations for a fund raising job well done, we couldn't have done it without you.