Repeat from last week or until no longer relevant or until I delete it:
Amanda Gala Update (recopied from last week as a reminder):
Get your basket items in. You can either contribute small individual items or put together a full basket yourself. Give the completed baskets to Amanda, but the items to Marg.
Bring two bottles of wine to a morning meeting.
Lawrence has a contact offering a discount on liquor, so if you want your cash to go a bit further let him know, he’ll do a bulk order next weekend (March 22)
Amanda will send out another email about the best basket items.
We need someone to lead the volunteers for the 2026 Auction.
We need sponsors for some remaining categories.
Gift certificates go to Debbie S. when she returns.
April 7 is basket making at the Funeral Home at 6 p.m. A signup sheet will be coming.
Cutoff for all entries into the Givergy database is April 3. Get your items in as soon as possible.
Let Sandra know about your tables/ticket sales and let Debbie M. know if you need a table for 12.
Live Auction Items – we currently have 8, but need 10, so if you have another idea, please let Amanda know. Experiences are very attractive.
Hours are the same for the gala as in previous years – 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Menu will be slightly changed, with appetizers: tempura prawns, chicken bites, bruschetta, caprese salad skewers – all being served before sitting. Dinner is: salads green and pasta, prime rib, mushroom pasta, cilantro fish, a chicken dish? roasted vegetables, assortment of breads and balsamic on the table, mini cannoli and cheesecakes for dessert.
Games will be 50/50, Heads and Tails, and a Balloon Game.
If you don’t have time to buy items for the auction, you can let Chris know, and she’ll shop for you.
OUR THURSDAY BREAKFAST MEETING IS ACCESSED THROUGH THE LINK BELOW.
Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
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)Cease your firing!
Please direct any questions to the President or a board member of yourchoosing and we will discuss any and all questions or concerns during our board meeting. Also please refer anyone who may be interested in attending a meeting or joining the club.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
From Debbie M. c/o Brian Cole: “Sometimes the greatest wisdom comes from silence.”
VISITORS
Hoodo? You do!
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND
CLUB BUSINESS
Board Meeting next week after the regular meeting
District convention April 25-27 at the River Rock
President’s Dinner confirmed, tell Pat if you’re coming
Pathways Fundraiser evening is May 1, the night before our auction. Mary Lou is organizing a table. Three spots left at the table.
Speaker
It was an interactive re-classification, 24 years after the first! Chris brought notes to help her stay on track but veered into stories from the soul.
An American and an only child, her parents were from Pennsylvania. A dad in the navy, a mom who volunteered, but also worked part time in the men’s department of the local store (and measured all the young guys in town – not sure if that made it harder or easier for Chris to get a date), she mostly grew up in Long Beach. She began her teaching career there, in the late 60s and taught in the inner-city Carmelita’s projects, where children lived in long buildings, WW2 housing, with only a door and its number to distinguish them from each other. Thus began her life’s work supporting kids with the most challenges.
With a master’s degree in reading, but designated as a math specialist, she moved to Rochester New York, to Number 3 inner city school (the inner-city schools only had numbers), having eliminated all other candidates and interviewing in clothes purchased moments before, as her gear was still in Kansas. This was the early 70s with segregation and bussing, but parents were afraid of missing the bus, so they established a completely black school of 300 students, with 2 Caucasian teachers and one Caucasian family. Those were the days of prisoner rights movements, bomb threats at school, and coal-burning fireplaces and Chris learned about segregation, all the while delighting in southern dishes like grits, okra, black eyed peas, sweet potato pie, served at the local church, her in a mini skirt and long black boots. She learned to sing the black national anthem (Lift Every Voice and Sing) at the assemblies, not the star-spangled banner, but had to write the words on her arm. Her Gr 6 students wore caps and gowns to their grad as it might be their only one.
In Huntington Beach, she met Malcolm, who was practising law, and she came to Canada with a one-way ticket with the intent of being able to leave ASAP, but we’re not sure what Malcolm’s impression was. After finishing her teaching contract, she moved to Canada and stayed and got married. Thankfully she had met Judy and Ralph (friends of Malcom’s) in 1976, so that helped with the transition to being Canadian, which we all know would have quite an adjustment, including how to use a knife and fork, adding a U to spelling, saying the Lords’ Prayer, learning that USSR didn’t mean Russia, and having to be polite.
After an offer as a secretary, the Richmond School Board finally recognized her expertise and hired her. She is well admired for her work with Station Stretch where she supported kids to the point of calling them to wake them up, and giving tips like ‘put your phone in a pie tin so it will wake you up when it rings’. To make it on time, she would pick them up, and in return, when needed, those kids would protect her, too (“She’s with us”). In 1995 she started the Autism team as outreach services and had a pager for kids to call day or night. These kids were intelligent (and smartass) and hated having teachers tell them what to do.
Chris retired for the first time in 2013 but went back to work teaching EAs in 2016. She is still teaching in the REAP program full and part time classes. At least 60 adult students are graduating each year and there are still not enough EAs. She’s still in schools 14 weeks a year.
Family life with Malcom and their two children, Garret and Stephanie, (now grown with teenagers of their own), has been busy, with Malcolm on council then as mayor, and she has come to know the Richmond community well. She recently inherited her mother’s house in California, and sits on the front porch, saying hi to all neighbours just as her mom used to. She enjoys her friends and travel and, of course, Rotary!
SERGEANT At Arms Tidbits
Chris M. is trying to buy Canadian, so signed up forSkipper Otto and today will pick up candied salmon and pieces of sable fish from the drop-off at Windsor Meats. Rod’s house is almost sold, and they should know for sure by the end of the week.
Debbie S. was in Palm Springs with her kids and granddaughter, Avery, then she went to Japan for the Tokyo marathon. It was weird, as it was super well organized, in Japanese style, but they had to use the Pocari Sweat drinks provided on the course. But it was only available every 5 km, in tiny dixie cups, which ran out, so she had to drink it in her hands (her sister used a dirty cup off the ground). There was water -- also in small cups. She was super dehydrated at the end but crossed the finish line. She has now done all 6 world marathons and got fabulous medal (look for the picture on social!). She went to Mio village, part of Wakayama prefecture, where most of Steveston’s Japanese population came from. Her daughter-in-law Justine’s family came from Mio. There is a Canadian museum highlighting the connection. John brought Canada hats and books about Steveston, and worked with the curator, to find Justine’s family tree, and added her and Avery. They had lunch at the Steveston restaurant in Mio!
Dalbir says we don’t get the whole picture, but he’s seen Chris B. in action for years and supported Station Stretch because of her. But he warns, don’t lend her your car, she hits the wrong buttons, and makes the seats go up.
Lawrence says his kids have been sick and at home in various states, and his mother-in-law was there for extended stay, so on a scale of 1-10, 10 being mediocre, he’s a solid 10. He is getting wine for the auction, and a friend is willing to get a discount, so if you want to give cash to Chewy, he could make your $ go farther.
Blair gets a bleeding nose in dry weather. He was in Saskatchewan last week, and it is so dry there, that on the plane coming back, just before landing when you can’t get out of your seat, his nose started bleeding and there was blood everywhere. He went to the Dallas Stars hockey game and had to cheer for them, but it was worth it as he got us Dallas Stars swag for the auction!
Judy is busy with grandkids’ sports, a basketball gr 7 tournament, 5 hockey games, where Connor’s team won the banner, and she gets her exercise by constantly pacing. When the buzzer goes, all the kids throw sticks and gloves in air and run to the goalie. Graham was goalie, as players each take turns, none with experience. Hockey is now done. Liam’s gone to Quebec yesterday with his school, and she has the other 3 boys overnight. Then she’s going recover at the Kingfisher Spa with Lindsey.
Debbie M. is finishing courses and will now be free for 2 years. The real estate market is picking up again. She got the top producer award for her office! (Congratulations!) She spends time with her granddaughter, who loves going to gymnastics and shows off when Debbie is there. Her granddaughter told her teacher she was “so tired” as “has to go home to work on her computer.” (Wonder where she gets that from!)
Kal knows to say “hola” and “amigo” (and probably “uno mas cerveza por favor”) after his cruise out of Long Beach to Cabo, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta and has become an honorary Mexican. At breakfasts he wore his Blue Jays baseball hat. Apparently, some people on the ship are thinking of moving over the border (jumping ship?), but they’re scared to talk about it. They love Canadians. He’s happy to be back.
Bill knows how amazing it is to be running big marathons. He was in Scotland 9 years ago to discover Shelley’s origins and saw pictures of her family going back 100 years. He is going to Asia for 3 weeks starting in Hong Kong then finishing in Tokyo.
Sam is going to Italy and was just telling Justin to gather all their Canadian stuff so people know they’re not Americans. Not being steeped in the gay community (marrying Justin was all that mattered), Sam was nervous about staying in hotels in Palm Springs and fitting in during his hockey tournament. He checked his Garmin which said he had been stressed the whole time. But it went well.
Brian had a HUB conference last week and realized what a goliath HUB is. He watched curling in Kelowna. He has Cypress passes with Adam and is enjoying the last days of the season. Sad to see it end, but camping will soon start.
Larry grew up in Canada near Rochester, and Canadian money was worth more in those days. Steve is from Indiana, so they compare notes all the time. Recently Steve said he’s glad he’s living in Canada right now, even though he is usually strongly American. After many scans and MRIs and consultations, Larry found out he has a crack and holes all the way down his spine, but they can’t operate. His option is getting treatments to bubble wrap his spine, so if he falls, he will break something, but the spine will be cushioned! (do the bubbles pop if you give him a hug?)
Michael has a big surprise coming, but he’s not saying and is saving up for a big story next week. [ED: Oh, the look on Bobby’s face.]
Moe saw a TikTok video of a person on a skateboard scooter going across the Granville Bridge with a kid in a backpack, and horrible as it sounds, someone commented that it was Vancouver Canucks Petterson taking Garland to the rink. His kids are on Spring Break this weekend.
Garth had Jean’s ski-instructor son from Montreal, and it was nice to ski with him for 3 days in the sun on groomed hills, the best skiing days he can recall. Then they hit the 3-hour drive home as the Lion’s Gate Bridge was closed.
John M. when he started having grandchildren, Chris B. gave him her crib, and now it is going to Debbie S. and apparently it requires swear words to put it together. His wife says it needs a new mattress, but John has the WD40 and duct tape. His daughter Jenny has 2500 subscribers, and her video has hit the next level, and she has made at least $1000. He went for an angiogram Monday and everything is fine!
Elena got back from the Philippines two days ago, so still has jet lag. It was a successful dental mission with Danny and the team saaw 2500 patients in 3 days. The container we sponsored arrived two days before she left, so she was there to meet the container. Her holiday was spent on her property that she used to visit once a year, very remote, no electricity, water from the mountains, and she spent a week there and was quiet and peaceful, hearing only birds and running water. She also visited poor people there, with so much poverty only one hour away. A reminder of how fortunate we are here. Elena will speak to us next week.
Chris P. feels like she’s in a room full of giants. She is busy in all areas of her life, but also taking care of herself, with hot yoga, painting and walking, defending her own space. In 1990 the Americans used to wear Canadian flags on their backpacks in Europe. As a mortgage broker she sees Americans wanting to come here. She recently learned about “glimmers". These are the opposite of “triggers”. Glimmers are moments in day that make you feel you, with happiness and gratitude. So, be on the lookout for moments to recognize glimmer. She went to hot yoga, and her tribe wanted her to be with them, rather than hiding in the back alone – a glimmer moment for sure.
Carolyn has the household full of sickness, too. She might have some immunity herself from teaching years. She was going to come last Thursday, but heard the call of the vomit, and was up all night cleaning up. She is also supporting her second mother, who is 98 next month and had a fall. She lives in West Van, and Carolyn is tag teaming with others, and has been putting together her binder, so when she goes, the people left have it. It’s completed, after worrying about it for years. Today Carolyn gets a tooth implant (Larry has 4 implants tomorrow). Good luck!
Debbie T. agrees we have amazing people in this club. She ran half marathons, and only 1 full marathon in Hawaii. She is trying to get back into it, but has had things happen in her life, and needs encouragement. It was interesting to hear Chris’ story, as her dad was also a navy brat, posted in Esquimalt. Chris does amazing work – with Horizons and Stretch. She had her glimmer moment from students presenting last night, talking about belonging. She has hope.
Bobby was in the UK last week for a family funeral, and his daughter is coming from Toronto next week. For his Air Canada flight, he had booked economy but wanted to upgrade at the airport for $1000, and they gave him the ‘priority’ tag, which apparently means your suitcase gets left in Vancouver so you can retrieve it a few days later. (Given Michael’s comment Bobby will not be in attendance next week. Can anyone blame him?)
Peter says his son and family are going to Spain, and upgraded to business, which was cheaper than premium (I need to meet his travel agent), but his granddaughter, the soccer player, had to ride in the back with the team.
MEANDERINGS
Meanderings gets asked often about what the fastest thing in the universe is. It is not the cheetah nor the sky diving falcon. It is not even our solar system which cruises around the Milky Way at around 240 kilometers per second. Which to put into perspective is like from here to Manning Park. There is one system in the galaxy that is travelling 541 kps and it is not alone. Another one of these hypervelocity star systems has been clocked at more than 2,000 kps! These stars systems apparently are accelerated by passing near other star systems. (Scientific American January 2025). Take that Usain Bolt!
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 3rd, 2025 Cut Off date for prizes and Baskets.
April 7th Basket Making at Richmond Life Centre.
Friday May 2, 2025 Sunrise Rotary Gala Auction
Saturday June 14, 2025; Presidents Dinner
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Richmond Country Club,
Buffet Dinner
Approximately $90.00 per person;
TODAY'S CHUCKLEs
"I used to be a scuba diving instructor. But deep down, I realized it wasn’t for me."
Sorry, I can’t make the ghost hunting party tonight; but I’ll be there in spirit."
Initially, I wasn't keen on the idea of organ donation; but then I had a change of heart.
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