Sam
Sam is running on fumes after hosting the NHL Pride Hockey Tournament. It was the third year of the event celebrating LGBTQ hockey and this time they actually won the tournament in Seattle—with help from some NHL alumni including a Stanley Cup winner from the 2011 Boston Bruins and a former Canucks goalie. Coaching was… unconventional (the coach mostly said “you guys got this” and disappeared). The big win: the NHL donated $25,000 to the Hockey Access Fund, helping players who left the sport due to homophobia or transphobia—or those starting hockey for the first time.
Marg
Marg spent the weekend watching curling and cheering on Richmond’s own Cody. She also recommends two local cultural stops: the Steveston Museum and the Chinese Canadian Museum storytelling centre in Chinatown, which includes interactive exhibits and tea ceremonies. She also enjoyed Chinese New Year festivities and time with friends—and noted that Chrissy P. was better behaved than she was.
Judy
Judy’s home renovation saga continues. After weeks of frustration, a lawyer’s letter finally got her insurance company to pay the full amount and the restoration company agreed to cover the flooring they installed incorrectly. Unfortunately, the work hasn’t actually started yet, so she’s still living mostly in her bedroom with one patio chair as furniture. On the bright side, a dinner mix-up led to a stranger kindly paying for her untouched glass of wine when she realized she was at the wrong restaurant.
Garth
It’s concert week for Garth: rehearsals, dress rehearsal, then concerts Friday and twice on Saturday. He’s already looking forward to next week when life returns to normal.
Chris P
Chris shared how much he values being part of the club. her weekend included the Coldest Night of the Year walk and KidsSport events—things she says she wouldn’t be part of without Rotary. She also joked that the club showed no mercy in a recent 9-1 result (“maybe ease up after 5 next time!”). She also encouraged everyone to check out Garth’s upcoming a cappella concert.
Mary Lou
Mary Lou has been everywhere: the Coldest Night walk, Rotary events, lunch with friends she hadn’t seen in ages, and planning several birthday celebrations—because apparently this is her birthday month. She’s also heading to a fashion show supporting women from the Downtown Eastside, where some first-time participants are proudly modeling clothing from Dress for Success.
Larry
Larry returned from a memorable trip to Mexico, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. While political unrest was happening nearby in Mexico, their cruise carried on safely. In Vegas, Larry shocked herself by actually winning big on a slot machine—a rare event in his household. Back home, they also bought two new cars, including Steve’s dream two-door Audi A5, which works better for loading his wheelchair. Meanwhile, Steve is preparing for hernia surgery at the end of March, which brings some logistical challenges.
Jeanette
Jeanette had quite the travel adventure. After discovering one of their car license plates had disappeared, ICBC told her she had to remove the remaining one herself—tools included. After several failed attempts (and ICBC staff failing too), she ended up paying an autobody shop $35 to remove it. Later, while shopping during a layover at Narita Airport, her credit card wouldn’t work and a stranger in line kindly paid her $43 bill. Proof that good people still exist.
Blair
Blair headed to Alberta for work involving apartment projects, but a sudden foot-and-a-half snowfall delayed his plans to visit his grandkids in Edmonton. Next up: trying curling for the first time in decades—though he suspects the beverages may outweigh the athleticism.
Joyce
Joyce has had a busy week but highlighted attending a webinar about women and dementia. One key takeaway from recent research: social isolation is one of the biggest modifiable risk factors for dementia later in life—so joining groups like Rotary is actually good for brain health.
John
John received his first-ever jury summons—for a 33-day criminal trial. As a retired lawyer, he politely declined this time. On the brighter side, he’s attending his son's Danny’s wedding this weekend and will also watch another grandchild’s school choir sing the national anthem at the Giants game.
Bobby
Bobby returned from California where he attended the funeral of a relative who was almost 107 years old. Back home, he’s gearing up for a busy Rotary weekend with President-Elect training (PETS) and some travel to Toronto for a restaurant show and family visits.
Amanda
Amanda is back after some time away dealing with physio treatments but is happy to report she could sit through the whole meeting comfortably. She’s gearing up for upcoming Rotary training (and charging the household laptop for the third time this year) and is looking forward to the upcoming gala—especially the food at Eleanor’s.
Gordon
Gordon has been away dealing with hospital procedures but is glad to be back. He’s also feeling a bit old after realizing his granddaughter is now applying to universities. He reflected on how much history we sometimes forget—especially the racism that existed in Canada not that long ago—and praised the community leadership he’s seen in recent Rotary projects.
Melinda
Melinda shared heartbreaking news: John’s daughter Lori passed away at age 50. Lori was a nurse who worked with sexual assault survivors and had seen the worst of humanity, and Melinda believes the emotional toll contributed to her struggles. A recent trip to Florida provided a temporary distraction, but returning home has been difficult. Her message to the club was simple: hug your people and tell them you love them.
Debbie M
Debbie is heading to Palm Springs for the rest of March but has been battling a family bout of flu beforehand. She’s also back on the water with her dragon boat team, welcoming 10 new novice paddlers, many of whom are breast cancer survivors finding strength and community through the sport.
Debbie T
Debbie reflected on the morning’s speaker about racism in Canadian history and shared conversations with local community leaders about expanding Holocaust education in schools. She also admitted to winning a WestJet trip voucher at last year’s event—and now needs to pick a destination before it expires in May.
