January 6th, 2016
The Fortarian
Rotary Club of Thunder Bay, (Fort William)
2015/2016 Board of Directors
President:
Bev Knutson
Treasurer:
Boris Cham
Secretary:
Joan Krisko
President Elect:
Bob Hookham
Past President:
Jodi Phillips
Meets: 3rd Tuesday of each month,
WSP Inc, 1269 Premier Way, 6.30pm.
Allocations Committee
Committee
Chair: Peter Stetsko
Meets: 2nd Tuesday of each month,
Weiler Maloney Nelson Board Room 12 noon.
Weekly Dinner Meetings
Website
Directors:
www.fwrotary.ca
Bruce Nugent
Robert Moore
Sant Sottile
Stephen Margarit
Ben Hettrick
Fhara Pottinger
Rotary House Lottery
Committee
Chair: Bob Hookham
Meets: 1st Tuesday of each month,
Weiler Maloney Nelson, 12 noon.
Mailing Address
Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Airlane Hotel and Conference Centre
698 W. Arthur St. Thunder Bay, ON
Thunder Bay, ON
P.O. Box 10061
Canada P7B 6T6
Newsletter Editors
Erle Wheatley & Brian Phillips
Meeting of January 6th
Special Guests in attendance included:
Erin Osesky, Ted Osesky’s daughter who is an honourary Rotarian.
Sargent at Arms - Boris
President Bev called the meeting to order.
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Toast to Canada
The Toast to Canada was given by Sharon Badanai
Guest Speaker
President Bev introduced our guest speaker for our meeting, Donald Wilson, Cruise and
Vacation Consultant with Expedia Cruiseshipcentres, Thunder Bay.
Donald Wilson has been in the travel business for 18 months and has achieved over $145,000
in sales during that time. He is a retired mining professional with over 40 years of experience
in both Canada and Kazakhstan. Donald’s experience in working in various locations stoked
his love for travel to destinations rich in history and culture. Donald applies that passion along
with his experiences in project planning and management to help him plan “once in a lifetime”
vacations for clients. While perusing the Globe and Mail in 2014, Donald spotted an ad by the
Vimy Foundation and the Canadian Government who were inviting all Canadians to visit Vimy
Ridge to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge on April 9, 2017. An
idea for a tour was planted and this is the subject of Donald’s presentation to the Fort William
Rotary on Wednesday, January 6.
The Vimy Ridge Centennial Tour will be taking place on April 2 to 16 2017 and will include
tours of key WW 1 and WW 2 battlefields.
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Day 1
Paris - The Tour begins on April 3 in Paris. The first day provides an opportunity to meet
fellow travellers and the tour guide at a welcome dinner.
Day 2
Paris – the second day features sightseeing of the major attractions in Paris including the Eiffel
Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Day 3.
The tour departs the bustle of Paris to head northwest to the coast. Along the way tour
members will see the stunning gardens at Giverny, the Memorial for Peace, Chateaux de Caen
and the town of Bayeux, the first town liberated following the allied landings on D-Day.
Day 4
Attractions along the way include the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, the Juno Beach Memorial
Centre and the Ardenne Abby where 20 Canadian soldiers were executed by members of the
SS.
Day 5.
A trip to the village of Beuvron-en-Auge will provide the participants with the opportunity to
see what is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in France. A taste of Normand
Calvados, an apple brandy, is included in a visit to a local distiller. Other sights include the
strategic Pegasus Bridge, the location where Champlain left France for Quebec and Dieppe
where the tour will include the beach and the Canadian cemetery.
Day 6
The tour continues to Amiens to see the Jubilee Centre, the Medieval Amiens Cathedral and
the Memorial to Allied Forces. This part of the tour also includes a visit to Beaumont-Hamel,
dedicated to the Dominion of Newfoundland whose members were killed in WW 1.
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Day 7
Vimy Ridge and the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge is the focus for this day.
Opportunities will be available to attend the ceremonies and tour the memorial and
interpretive centre.
Day 8
The tour heads to Belgium on Day 8 with a visit to Ypres. Important stops on this day include
the Cloth Hall in Flanders Field Museum, the Essex Farm Cemetery, Passchendaele, the
Canadian Memorial and the daily evening ceremony at the Menin Gate.
Day 9
Back to Paris for a chance to visit the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles or a Moulin Rouge
dinner.
Day 10.
This day sees the tour boarding a high speed Eurostar Train for a first class trip to London,
England.
Day 11.
Sightseeing in London includes the House of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St.
Paul’s Cathedral and Churchill War Rooms.
Day 12.
A day trip to Portsmouth and to Orpington will allow the participants to learn about the Ontario
Hospital built during the First World 1. A local connection at the “Canadian Corner” will also be
highlighted.
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Day 13.
Participants will be invited to explore London at their own leisure.
Day 14
The tour ends.
President Bev thanked Donald for an extremely interesting presentation.
Paul Harris Presentations
Stephen Margarit was presented with his First Paul Harris Pin. He thanked Joan Krisko for her
assistance in obtaining the pin.
Arun Dighe was presented with a Paul Harris + 1.
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Fines
Bob Hookham was the new Sherriff in town and was in good spirits as he kicked in 5 happy
dollars to mark a great Christmas and for missing the New Years Gala.
Gordie, Stephen and Dave also threw in happy dollars.
KS was fined for his numerous “suspect” appearances with a certain member of the newly
elected federal government.
Fines by Sherriff Bob were issued for not attending or participating at the New Year’s Event,
Children’s Xmas party or the Carol Sing.
Correspondence
Christmas greetings were received from the Discovery Resort and St. John’s Ambulance.
A thank you was also received from the organizers of the Christmas Cheer Stuff A Bus initiative
for the $5,000 donation made by our club.
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine also sent a letter of thanks and to commemorate 10
years in operation.
Rotary Anniversary Dinner
Joan provided an update for the Anniversary Dinner. The annual Rotary Dinner will be held on
Friday, February 26 at the Italian Hall. Symposium is at 6 p.m. and dinner is at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $30 per person. Debit and credit will be accepted at the Hall. All proceeds will go
to Polio Plus.
Three to 5 gift baskets are needed. There will be Chinese auctions, 50/50 and Fellowship
Fines by club.
A number of tasks were assigned to members.
Shelter House Update
Solade provided an update on Shelter House Dinners.
Thanks and kudos went out to Andy Morrow and the numerous volunteers who helped serve
the Christmas Dinner to 125 people at Shelter House on Monday, December 21.
In 2015, Fort William Rotarians and members of the Satellite Club served 1,700 dinners
between January and December! Talk about Service Above Self!
House Lottery Update
A meeting was to occur following the Club meeting.
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Construction on the house is on schedule.
Waiting for the license for the ticket sales.
President Thanks
President Bev thanked the members for their hard work over the past two months.
Upcoming Survey
President Bev informed the Club that a Survey Monkey Survey will be sent to members in the
coming months to get feedback on Club issues like the Sing Song and the Toast.
Lighter Side
Solade shared a bible related story…..the rest of us looked to the heavens for lightning bolts….
50/50
Sante was the lucky winner of the 50/50 draw, however his luck did not extend to the search
for the elusive Queen of Hearts. The pot stands at $176.
President Bev then concluded the meeting.
Selfies at the New Year’s Gala
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Editor – Brian Phillips
Scribe – Bruce Nugent
Photos – Irene and Sante Sottile
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