Miscellaneous
Repeat from last week or until no longer relevant or until I delete it:
June 24th President Debbie S. Roast! Can't wait!
Saturday June 26, 2021 at 6:30 Zoom meeting with dinner lasting 1 hr. Dinner will be provided by the Ghirra’s. Pick up will be from 4:00 – 4:30 pm. More details will follow. Pay attention because this may change with the changing rules.
The District Conference is coming up and you can attend on line. Our club has a Don Evans Award nominee. For those of you who don't know the criteria for such an award - like me - here it is.
The Don Evans People of Action Awards are presented to Rotarians in District 5040 who take action to create lasting change in their communities and the world. The nominee must have demonstrated an extra ordinary level of service, with an emphasis on personal leadership and active involvement, that resulted in specific action being taken that helped others through Rotary. This award may reflect an ongoing service or it may relate to a one time set of exceptional circumstances.
There is a virtual student exchange this year with Brazil. If you know someone who might be interested between 15 - 17.9 please have them put in an application by June 10th. The exchange will start in early August.
Zoom Meeting Rules
THE LINK TO OUR THURSDAY MEETINGS WILL NO LONGER BE EMAILED BUT ACCESSED THROUGH THE LINK BELOW.
Meeting ID: 868 5522 9058
Passcode: 473892
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.
Presidents Report
All meetings will be by zoom until further notice.
Please direct any questions to me or a board member of your choosing 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.
Be kind and be calm and safe...
Send in your volunteer hours to Sandra
Announcements
Gospel Oh Canada - WOW
Our flower basket fundraiser presentation was not accepted for showing at the District Conference.
Payment for the President's dinner will be directly to the Ghirra's. Details to follow.
The Rotary year ends next month so if you want to donate to the Foundation this year do so before the end of June.
Gardening puts your hands in the dirt, your head in the sun and feeds your soul.
Visitors
Walter Weevil
sergeant At Arms Tidbits
Debbie M. is busy at work, helped Judy celebrate her birthday (sounds like a month long project) and has joined weight watchers. Did Miles ask if there was a family rate?
Amanda had a good week, has been vaccinated and relies on Rotary to remind her of the date of her anniversary. Keeps Graham off the hook too.
Brian's Mexican curling team will likely be going to a World Curling event as the competition has folded. Peter says he plans to put a team together to challenge Brian's. Brian's work place will allow employees to work from home on a permanent basis if they choose to do so.
Micheal is thrilled that his business can open up June 15 and the calls went from 2 - 3 per day to 25 after the announcement on Tuesday. They have been making booking after booking now. Now watching Queen of the South about a female who takes over a drug cartel. A new family business Micheal?
Debbie T. finished watched the second season of Who Killed Sarah? Loved it. Spoiler alert - there will be a third season. Plans for camping cancelled by extension of covid rules and Drew. Trial camping run in driveway did not go so well as neighbours intervened for safety reasons. Drew in exchange for an RV? Hmmm no offer from me.
Carolyn's daughter still has a pinched neck so Nana duties carry on. Going to the gym but looking into a group rate for Weight Watchers. What ever you do, do not stop the donut reward after your work outs. You deserve it. 🍩
Lady Katheryn of Springmont had some family time, went to Whistler and is looking after a Grand Kitty - as long as it has been declawed.
Garth may be having out door rehearsals at the end of June. Is looking forward to booking some time with the kids. Has to go to the office to sign cheques.
Danny went hiking on Grouse but it was not enough of a grind so he will be looking for something more difficult next week.
Susan was off to work and had forgotten it was Thursday and set her alarm for 7. AM or PM? Anyway missed the wonderful Oh Canada. Had great take out dinner outside with Mom on the terrace. Golden Coin if you are interested.
Chris B. is swimming in her pool because the water is now warm thanks to a new pool heater that takes only hours to warm the pool instead of days. Had the house painted but kept the blinds closed with all the painters around.
Melinda is through another ground hog week.
Gordon went for a meal out with his son. IBM offices are all closed down with everyone working remotely. He enjoyed todays Oh Canada but is looking forward to when we can sing it together again. (he might be the only one - with regard to the singing that is). Thanks the Ghirras for all their support and is very happy for them.
Ron also thanks the Ghirras and has to go outside his bubble to have a business associate sign a transparency agreement. I would call that a red flag if you need one of those. 🚩 Also happened to be in the neighbourhood of wreck beach so went for a stroll while picking up a picture frame out at UBC. Because of course there is no place to buy a frame in Richmond. Definitely kept social distancing while on the beach and his eyes on the road.
Chris M. continues to receive gifts from students with a reminder to keep the planet green, after all it is not Uranus! (The first of todays chuckles). Is enjoying the spot prawns on sale in Steveston.
Elena is enjoying her walks in the park before anyone else is there. Also hoping for the border to be reopened soon so she can visit family in Tacoma.
Dick is now as old as Ron. Goats both of them. Had a big birthday party with Barb's sister and husband. Also Zoomed with daughters in TO and Mexico. Has glaucoma in one eye.
Kal wished everyone a happy Birthday week and had dinner with a Lawyer! Who Paid??
Judy realizes she has to share her birthday month but was made to feel special by her family with a nice meal at the top of the Park Hotel. Great weekend at the Fairmont Pacific. Many toasts to Ralph. Twins birthday May 25th and the oldest grandson is now vaccinated.
Peter took his Car Top boat out to Alouette Lake for some fishing and the day was beautiful. The one fish that bit was too busy enjoying the weather to be serious about getting caught.
Pat thanked the Ghirras as well and has been golfing and gardening.
Dalbir was glad Danny did not have to save somebody on this hike. Encourages everyone to sign up for the district conference. Accused Garth of geographicalism which I think means a bias against those from East Vancouver.
I brought Walter Weevil to the meeting who was well behaved. Son Dan is having an article published in a peer reviewed journal and daughter Darcy received kudos for cleaning a front line health care workers home gratis as part of giving back.
Marg is busy with her literacy programs that end soon. Finally will be playing bridge face to face at home as opposed to on line. Is reviewing a Rotary Peace Scholarship application from an applicant from Syria.
Sandra was celebrating family birthdays both in doors and out doors.
Mary Lou is crazy busy at work. Enjoyed a walk through Van Dusen Gardens. Now also can introduce Oscar to family he has not met. Sadly had a friend in Australia pass away from cancer.
Bobby who? Geez we had already heard from one Ghirra. Okay so Bobby thanked all for their thanks. Feels like a cloud has lifted from their business. Unlike Micheal does not watch Netflix.
Debbie S. thanked Marg for reviewing the Peace Scholarship Application. Not that Debbie is competitive but her Gym lists the top five participants in various exercises. She picked plank duration as a category where she thought she could compete. Did a 4 minute 1 second plank and made it into the top five for a while. Number one has an 11 minute plank. Debbie figures she needs a 6 minute plank to get back into the top 5. Chris Brodie has agreed to coach.
speaKER
Thanks to Gordon for providing the notes for the Polio Survivor Video from last week. 🙏🏻
This week our country/city boy Peter provided us with a history of his business photos of plants and trees and some tips on gardening. Peter and Jane started their nursery business in 1987 with one tractor and advice from Kal's sister. They started by growing ornamental trees in the field. Everything has now moved to pots and flats to make more efficient use of the land. In the 1990s, with the help of Ralph May they incorporated East Richmond Nurseries Inc. better known as Erni. The mascot apparently resembles Peter but without the moustache.
(You can decide for yourself but I would guess a much younger Peter.) Jane led the change to being environmentally friendly with natural slug and snail bait as the creatures can devastate the plants. They also have to spray sometimes. Also in the 1990s his son became keen on the nursery and they built some green houses. The initial plan was to sell to retail outlets but it was hard to make money so Peter changed the business model to suppling landscapers. With covid Erni adjusted from an indoor office to drive through servicing. Grandson helps with the seeding and enjoys the getting paid part. The greenhouse has a heated floor to help give the roots a head start then moved to one gallon pots. Often the pots are lifted onto trucks with cranes because they can weigh up to one ton. The annual water bill was $60,000 so a May neighbour allowed Peter to use the canal to fill a one acre pond and the water costs dropped to 20%. They grow 70% of what they sell. The process of potting starts with the potting machine filling the empty pots and drilling the hole in the soil for the plants. The machine operates at a steady pace and also removes the root ball and used to wrap it in a burlap sack with sawdust but the sawdust is not healthy for the plant. They have now moved to a mesh wrap so that when the root meets the air it grows back onto itself and makes a stronger root ball. Peter showed us a variety of plants including the Korean Sweet Gum that sends off a great smell for months. The Norway spruce has cones that look like decorations. The Red Dogwood tree is a show stopper and the Burning Bush is a show stopper in the fall. You want to plant flowers and plants that bloom at different times and that are at different heights so you have nice showing through the seasons. All plants can be kept to any size with a properly designed yearly pruning system. Felco pruning shears are the best and available at Lee Valley. Most shears tear the stems so you need sharp shears. Plants require a good soaking twice a week and weeds take water and nutrients from your plants. Peter has noticed adjustments because of climate change and mentioned changing from cedar to yew hedges because they are more drought resistant. One large order he mentioned was $60,000 worth of trees to screen out a bright yellow house. Other helpful comments included suggesting the app Plant Snap to help identify plants and possibly weeds. If you want advice on trees speak to Conrad Lum at Mandeville Garden Works. Peter promised to go to night school and will make his next presentation in Latin.
Meanderings
Covid Guidelines Effective during Step 1 May 25th from the web site courtesy of your bulletin editor.
Step 1: Starting May 25
The criteria for Step 1 is at least 60% of the 18+ population vaccinated with dose 1, along with stable case counts and COVID-19 hospitalizations.
PHO guidance
Activities
|
New things you can do
|
| Personal gatherings |
Examples of a personal gathering include having friends over to your house or meeting up with friends at a park.
|
| Organized gatherings |
Examples of an organized gathering include wedding ceremonies or funerals.
|
| Travel |
|
| Businesses |
|
| Offices and workplaces |
- Start a gradual return to workplaces
- Employers must continue to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan and daily health check in place
|
| Sports and exercise |
|
Upcoming Events
All meetings by Zoom until further notice.
Please note the new date for the Auction
Friday May 6th 2022 Auction Fundraiser with final details to be determined but anticipating live and in person.
June 24th, 2021 President's Roast so preheat the oven! 😈
Saturday June 26, 2021 at 6:30 Zoom meeting with dinner lasting 1 hr. Dinner will be provided by the Ghirra’s. Pick up will be from 4:00 – 4:30 pm. More details will follow
Committee (and other) Updates
TODAYS CHUCKLEs
🤪
I promised Roger Dangerfield, I deliver Rodney Dangerfield
I get no respect at all - When I was a kid, I lost my parents at the beach. I asked a lifeguard to help me find them. He said "I don't know kid, there are so many places they could hide".
And my sex life is nothing to crow about. At my age I'm envious of a stiff wind.
My dad told me to stop running in circles, I couldn't, so he nailed down my other foot!
I'll tell ya, I don't get no respect... The other day, I got back from a business trip. I got in a cab and said to the driver, "Hey! Take me to where the action is!" So ya know where he took me? He took me to my house!
Last one,
My parents didn't like me. For bathtub toys they gave me a blender and a transistor radio.
If that is not enough for you follow this link: http://funnycomedianquotes.com/funny-rodney-dangerfield-jokes-and-quotes.html?p=2
