Mary Lou had dinner at the Vancouver International Wine Festival at Carlino’s. Sean was in Portland, so they had Oscar at the White Spot for breakfast, had a pirate pack, and as the music was playing, Oscar broke out singing to Taylor Swift. The woman in the next booth was killing herself laughing.
John reminds us of the time his son-in-law was health officer at his school and saved a life - he received the First Responders Award first responders. John can stick his foot under the back of his new car to open the back gate and is learning the Judy May two-step. He is going to the Okanagan and has snow tires, but a warning came on, so he has to leave early to deal with that.
Dalbir thanks Kiran. He has been to a couple of hockey games. Pacific Coastal used to sponsor our gala, and his wife flies to Penticton once a month to pick up their grandchild. This time the flight was cancelled but as the company knows they fly every month; they scheduled a special flight for the regulars.
Chris M. celebrated her 24th monthaversary, or second anniversary, with her partner, Rod. 🥳They met at the running/walking group, introduced by common friends. On the day of their first meeting, Chris slipped in the mud at the back of the McMath path and did a face-plant, mud from head to toe. Rod was impressed. So, for their anniversary yesterday, he arranged to have champagne, a special gift, a table with white tablecloth and roses await them at the exact spot on the path. He invited the three couples responsible for their introduction to dinner at Ember. Chris feels very blessed to have met him.
Joyce is back from Trinidad where the family took Steve’s ashes. Larry was kind before her leaving. The trip had many ups and downs, with her sons and grandkids, but they reclaimed Trinidad and will likely go back for Carnival next year.
Peter has an opener tailgate as well, but his dance 🕺 doesn’t work, you have to go forward, only once, have to kick not sweep. His kids are in Cancun for a week, so he had to drive his granddaughter to basketball last Thursday. She arrived on time, and they drove to Kingswood, but they didn’t talk at all in the car, which Peter finds challenging.
Debbie M. is starting up again with Abreast in a Boat. She is spending time with Amalia, including taking her to dance class (she was asked to leave before), where she started chanting “Miles” when it was mentioned they’d be seeing him if only she’d stay until the end of class. A croissant was also promised.
Kal was just leaving the farm when he saw a lady honking her horn. “Sir, she said “I am lost, and I need to go to a funeral, I left Burnaby an hour ago!” Kal wrote specific instructions (turn right, four lights, crest, turn left, through tunnel, second exit over overpass). “You’re a saint”, she said. However, once through the tunnel she ended up on Hwy 17 to Victoria, having missed the casino. Kal talked to her for 38 minutes, while she was at Amazon, through to the freeway, and found the casino. She sent a message saying thanks to Kal, but the funeral was over by the time she got there, but she was able to see family. The message also said, “If you need help, you can count on me - Pauline.” Now that’s a Rotarian!
Marg was at the Boston game and at the LA Kings tonight. She went to a play at Olympic village, which was audience participation (which she hates) ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ where audience members received a slip of paper and read it out when their number called. It was interesting, about a 7-year-old girl whose mom was committing suicide, and who had to think of all the good things they appreciate.
Chris B. has moved! Then she was sick. She saw the News about pharPacare being filmed at the London drugs in Olympic village.
Gordon thanks Kiran and wisely reminds us that this is an investment, not a donation, when we give to KidsPlay. It blows away any other results you’d get by investing in companies such as IBM. He also thinks of RYLA, where we support youth.
Micheal thanks Kiran. He had a big event for 600 people last week. This weekend, as there is new snow in Whistler, he is going, (if you are looking for a Micheal story see Kal above!)
Peachy is having anxiety attacks, trying to support her brother’s brain surgery in the Philippines. Patients must pay, even if they have a doctor’s prescription, and money is needed before they will even open the OR. Peachy is dealing with the complexities of sending money.
Melinda is back from a fabulous trip in Australia, where she struggled with everything that wants to kill or bite you – snakes, spiders, and frogs? The weather was 39º and raining, with up to 75mm of rain one night, and they were sweating without AC. They visited Megan whom they met 20 years ago, when they brought her home, so she didn’t have to stay in a Vancouver hostel. One day, when ordering a flat white coffee, Melinda went to washroom, but saw the sign indicating that resident python Patricia lived here
, so she didn’t go in, although they would have taken out the frog that lives in the toilet. There were big spiders on the door and kookaburras. Perth weather was amazing. But she missed the grandbabies.
Sandra is off to the Wine Festival tonight. She will stay at a hotel which was the Stock Exchange. Unbelievably, Miller is 5 months old tomorrow.
Debbie T. reminds us that we have two students going to RYLA, although there are still missing forms. One of the girls who is a director, Monica Lopez was from Burnett Interact, and was so turned on to Rotary that she is helping out. Debbie’s son called that he was rushing home, as his baby went to urgent care – with covid! Now both parents have covid.
Debbie S. went to the Rugby Sevens on the weekend, which was incredible to watch, and the Canadian women’s team got bronze. People dress up in costumes. She tells Peter that boys, too, stop talking at 12 years old, except for Austin, her son’s friend, who would divulge everything, so she liked picking him up. In fact, Austin was the first to talk about her son’s new girlfriend.
Chris P. is always worried that she will grow out of her ‘half marathon’ shirt so she ordered a large men’s size Rotary t-shirt. Mitch is on track to fly, and only needs one more test level to have all his ratings. Maybe he’ll fly for Pacific Coastal!
Amanda was tired last week after the Madonna concert, which was epic. Madonna is the most fit mid-60-year-old, nothing but muscle. She had a good time with her sister, but many people were yawning at the end. Today she’ll be going hiking on Burnaby Mountain.
Pat didn’t know that Chris P. and Dalbir were also going to the Terrace conference, as she and Susan will also be there. Her granddaughter is a Swifty, and has been to a couple of concerts, so they have tickets for next December. She thinks Taylor is a good model for young girls and that her songs have nice words. She is going to Palm Springs for a couple of weeks, and Marg and Melinda are coming down to watch tennis.
Bobby is away next week in Whistler.
Susan says it was lovely to have Andrew at Rotary last week, so it has been a great month. She missed the Lunar New Year celebrations with the other club but did a fundraiser for Ukraine with the Tsawwassen club. She is looking forward to Terrace.
Judy had a family dinner for Ralph’s three years passing. They shared warm memories. Warren’s birthday is Friday, so they are going for lunch and shopping.
Bob welcomes Melinda back, and thanks Kiran for coming.
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