Miscellaneous

Repeat from last week or until no longer relevant or until I delete it or it bears repeating:

On March 16, 6:00, PM there is a club Fireside at the Palace and all are welcome.

OUR THURSDAY BREAKFAST MEETING IS ACCESSED THROUGH THE LINK BELOW.

Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87015409995?pwd=jmQDQAVbzSnDMp8WDrSXeBDA8xZPma.1

Zoom Meeting Rules

1) Mute your microphone if you aren't already muted. Background noise is distracting.
2) If you are not engaged in the presentation, turn off your camera.
3) Chat function should only be used to address the speaker, not for Club member remarks during the presentation

4) Unmute when harassing the Sergeant at Arms or taking your turn during Sergeant at Arms.

5) Is this a leap year?

Please direct any questions or concerns to the President or a board member of your choosing and the board will discuss any and all questions or concerns during a board meeting. Also please refer to the members committee anyone who may be interested in attending a meeting or joining the club.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. Anonymous via Pat.

VISITORS

Tova Wolinski from Heartwood.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND

CLUB BUSINESS

The coldest night of the year team will meet at the food bank around 4 and then after the walk meeting at Steveston Built with the University Women's Club team. But not the Marg's church team who is going somewhere else. You can make a donation on line to Rotary Rocks and Debbie S. claims she is going to resend the email with the donation link.

Pancake breakfast at Grauer this Tuesday let Marg know if you can make it.

Thanks to Pat for the great cinnamon buns. Betcha can't eat just one! Hopefully you took some.

Speaker

💛 Rotary Spotlight: Heartwood House

At a recent meeting, we were pleased to welcome back Tova Wolinski from Heartwood House, who shared an inspiring and heartfelt update on how Rotary’s support is making a meaningful difference in the lives of women in recovery.

Thanks to the funds raised at our gala—more than $16,000—Heartwood was able to completely transform an underused “serenity room” into a warm, intentional, and culturally meaningful space now called the Cedar Room. With comfortable furniture, Indigenous artwork, and traditional medicines, the room has become a safe place for reflection, healing, and family visits. One new client shared that, for the first time in treatment, she truly felt seen and respected. Moments like that show just how powerful our support can be.

Tova reminded us that it’s often the small things that matter most. Our shoebox gifts, cozy new pajamas, warm socks, underwear, and other comfort items bring dignity and joy to women rebuilding their lives. Heartwood distributes them on Christmas morning to recreate the simple experience of opening presents—something many haven’t felt in years. Even something as simple as brand-new pajamas can make someone feel cared for and valued again.

She also shared several moving stories:

An 83-year-old grandmother who arrived frail and dependent completed 90 days of treatment, regained her strength, got her hair done, and returned home healthier and confident.
A 75-year-old retired teacher chose recovery later in life and reclaimed her independence.
A young woman finally diagnosed with ADHD said she could “be still in her body” for the first time.

These stories are powerful reminders that change is possible at any age.

Heartwood provides much more than addiction treatment. With 24/7 nursing care, addiction physicians, and psychiatric support, they deliver full healthcare—managing chronic illnesses, wounds, and complex medical needs for women who often haven’t had consistent care for years. Their philosophy is compassionate and practical: success isn’t simply abstinence, but any step toward better health, stability, and dignity.

While the staff’s dedication is extraordinary, the facility itself is aging and in constant need of basics like sturdy furniture, comfort items, and reliable transportation. These everyday necessities may seem small, but they make an immediate and tangible difference.

Tova’s message was clear: Rotary’s support doesn’t just fund programs—it helps create spaces where women feel safe, respected, and hopeful again.

Heartwood House may not have the fanciest building, but it has something even more important: a whole lot of heart.

Here is a link to their full services Heartwood Centre for Women | BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services

SERGEANT At Arms Tidbits

Garth – Laying low this week. Fighting off a cold and mostly bed-bound, but finally upright again. Quiet now… before concerts and a time trial ramp things back up next week.

Marg – Caught a production of Dial M for Murder (well done but slow burn), then balanced it out with a nice dinner. Solid week all around.

Kal – Birthday lunch with his uncle turned into a fascinating design lesson about the Seattle Seahawks logo and its Indigenous roots. Also gave props to Variety Village for a huge $1M donation. Feeling grateful and community-minded.

Debbie S. – Back from England with a souvenir cold (apparently colder inside the houses than here!). Off to Palm Springs soon. Currently obsessed with the The New York Times “Connections” puzzle and recommends it as brain gym for all of us.

Judy (puzzle edition) – Does Connections daily with her grandson. Strategy: stare at it, give up, walk away, magically solve later. Relatable.

Bobby – Snowy Cypress ski night with his son, cinnamon bun appreciation, juggling events, missing Coldest Night, helping with a funeral, and rallying folks to fill a Richmond gala table. Also accepting cash for library donations and celebrating a $7,500 gala gift from Dalbir. Busy is an understatement.

Brian – More Cypress skiing and sunsets… plus an epic saga helping his dad fight a mystery phone bill while learning how to use his camera (accidental selfies included). Equal parts love and tech support.

Sandra – Morning routine = Wordle + Mini + Connections + Strands. Took Miller on a bus adventure to Steveston for fish & chips. Kid crushed the whole fish. Also discovered modern buses are more complicated than they remember.

Bill – Sam’s off running a Pride Cup hockey event. Bill’s heading to South America for three weeks. Casual globe-trotting.

Chris M. – Nursing the tail end of a cold at home and mourning the loss of cinnamon buns. Promoted the March 7 luncheon fundraiser at Richmond Golf & Country Club supporting the Women’s Resource Centre.

Marylou – Battling snow-melt allergies but otherwise doing okay. Winter: 1, Marylou: still standing.

Susan – Executive training, kids’ sport gala, Lunar New Year gala… calendar packed with good stuff.

Joyce – Flat tire, no phone, early-morning rescue, dealership visit… and still cheerful. Rotary impact stories from Mexico were huge and heartwarming.

Pat – Luncheons with friends and family, plus Palm Springs calling. Also recommends the Sandbar at Granville Island.

John – Big emotions: son getting married (visa timing urgency!) and celebrating 48 years of marriage, but also worried about his sister in ICU. A real mix of happy and heavy this week.

Chris P. – Celebrated the big 7-0 (that's what i heard too) in Tofino with friends, storms, waves, and an Airbnb getaway. Also offering an extra ticket to “Silk Road” at Gateway Theatre. Rotary: where you go for community and last-minute culture plans.

Judy (reno edition) – Still locked in renovation limbo with contractors and insurance. Lawyer consulted, patience tested. Escaping to Birch Bay for sanity and a comfy couch. Everyone collectively rooting for her.

Debbie T. – Helped a Mexican Rotary leader get accepted to training (visa didn’t come through in time). Shared concern for friends in Mexico after unrest near Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Ending on hope and empathy.

Overall vibe:
Colds, puzzles, skiing, travel, galas, family milestones, a little chaos, and a lot of heart. Classic Rotary week.

MEANDERINGS

This last week on February 23rd, 1954, mass polio vaccinations started. If you chose to read any more because you have nothing else to do at the moment you can glance through the wikipedia page by following this link. Polio vaccine - Wikipedia

UPCOMING EVENTS

Third Thursday of every month will be a projects meeting.

Friday, May 1st, 2026; Rotary Gala.

TODAY'S CHUCKLEs

I went to a child psychologist; she was only 10 years old, but apparently she was qualified.

I like to practice my ballet skills; it keeps me on my toes

I broke my leg in two places, so I won't be going to either of those again.