Mary Lou says Oscar is at kindergarten orientation this morning, and she is back and doesn’t have to run out early. She will be leaving again and back July 2 in person. She is going to Toronto, to transition clients, pre-retirement, then will see Dalbir at a conference, go to a Blue Jay’s game and then fly back to Kamloops for the car run with Alan, for 10 days, then camping and cabin. She has 3 bags packed – and is warned not to mix them up. (our very own energizer bunny.)
Chris M. has two cool things. First one: tonight at 6 p.m. they get the keys to the new old house next door and a new phase begins. Last night they watched a DVD from 1990 when the kids were little, the pool still existed, and we were allowed to have a backyard fire. Second one: her daughter, son-in-law and the baby are going to Europe with Matt’s Dad, sister and brother-in-law, and they just found out that Max will come down from Germany to spend the week with them in Nimes, France.
John’s son-in-law was a beneficiary of KidSport, ended up swimming, on scholarship, went to two Olympics, met their daughter in Beijing and now has teacher superpowers. Grandson Malcom has an older brother in French immersion, Malcolm and would spew something out saying it means ‘I want to eat’. With a high fly ball, his granddaughter held out her glove and the ball fell into it.
Dalbir was sitting next to Chris at another gala (the Speaker, not Chris the member – although he was sitting with Chris the member at breakfast and Chris the speaker.) and forgot he was a mining CEO, once they got talking about KidSport. We have had KidSport as an ASK before, and it felt natural to invite him. Growing up similar circumstances to Chris’, Dalbir says thank you for the work being done.
Marg is going to the Aspire gala. We want a table at the KidSport February auction. The strawberry jam season starts now, and she is ready.
Judy had 4 grandsons overnight on the weekend, ages 9-16, such a delight, as they have their pizza and ice cream bars routines. She was at UBC to watch her granddaughter play soccer. Judy is fighting a cold and having trouble sleeping, then her sister started texting from Tuscany. She should have shut off her phone but received the photos of the villa and the pool and the restaurants. She is going to California with Chris B. for a few days.
Debbie M. knows the value of sports and was involved her whole life. It is her 50th grad reunion on Saturday and she is still in touch with girls on her sports teams. She looked forward to going to school because she could practise a sport.
Chris B. is not an athlete but loves watching. Her grandchildren are all athletes. She is just finishing 3 weeks of practicum with 5 schools and 8 students, a hard act, but with good results as most will become EAs. She is going to California with Judy, but not near LA where the riots are terrible, and her sisters are worried they will come to their area. The fight is between the governor of California and the president.
Brian is celebrating his 50th birthday this week, not his 50th high school graduation like Debbie. He was camping last week with kids and friends and families and had a riot (not the LA kind). Sitting around a campfire listening to kids, now as adults, with drinks and gummies, and lots of over-sharing in conversations. He is going back camping this week, missing president’s dinner. He met a camper online and she is coming to Cultus for paddling and hiking – either great or stupid. (Brian – not the date – no argument there.)
Chewy went to the McRoberts graduation to present our scholarship, and was on stage the whole time, with 243 students – his first time exposed to what high school was like (since high school). This year’s grads were in Grade 8 during Covid. Our scholarship went to the valedictorian.
Maryam went to the McMath 3.5-hour ceremony, with all the talks, principal, vice-principal, poet, valedictorian, school trustees, etc. and was there from 5 – 10 p.m. Jason was there and he is coordinating the Rotaract installation dinner on June 27 at Empire Seafood – let Maryam know if you want to go - tickets are $60. The RI dinner is on the June 17th, and she will bring the banner. She is also going to a convocation on Friday and Saturday, then two more, giving out Richmond Community Foundation grants. This year she is only going to 5 instead of all of them like last year. It is great to hear about the students, knowing how much they are involved in so many activities, and seeing parents and kids so proud. But the shoes! - all the shoes are beautiful!
Micheal was at a family wedding last week, and enjoys events not at our hall, so he can let loose. He went golfing at the tournament, and thanks everyone and Kal for the golf clubs and tips as he had never played golf in his life – apparently did well. Thanks to Dalbir, who heard his car ticking, and referred him to a mechanic who gave him an honest opinion and hasn’t even charged him yet. His kids had sports day, the first one, and his daughter is going to kindergarten in September, so he went to the pre meet. He was thinking of flying to Edmonton for the game, but his wife said we should go to the president’s dinner, and anyways after last game he’s not as motivated.
Danny hiked on an island near Port Moody with his daughter - 5.5 km with 220 elevation, for 1.5 hours back and forth. It is in a rain forest, with lots of birds, both eagles and seagulls, the beach is rocky, but good for winning photos. He went to a gem show in Abbotsford, because he is a gemologist, and bought lots of stuff.
Susan went with Glen to Lion’s Club installation with Linda Reid, whose daughter is president for a second year of the Richmond Downtown Chinatown Lions Club. She sat beside a Rotarian.
Elena says Debbie M. sent a text message about her mom having a problem with balance, so Elena brought a walker today. She had a medical store before. She was at the Rotary World board meeting last night and Joan is the secretary, and 8 of them are also going to Calgary. Her garden is going fine.
Melinda says Rory the 4-year-old graduated from preschool. OMG. There were many mosquitoes, a walk down the aisle, and over the bridge, the cutest thing. John, the car freak, bought a remote-control Jeep for Williow when she was one, then bought a John Deere, but it ran over Rory, so they need seatbelts. Now he bought Willow a go-kart that goes 13km an hour, and everyone in the neighbourhood watches out for it. Seatbelts, helmets all needed.
Sandra was looking for tiles for their daughter-in-law’s bathroom and now they are also renovating, all 3 bathrooms, but doing main one first as they’ll need at least one functioning at any given time. (So smart). She needed a tooth implant, had to drive Brian’s car who was out of town, had prescription sunglasses in her car, went to work on Monday, couldn’t find car keys, or sunglasses, and was looking everywhere, including shoes, his car, her car, in the freezer, In the after middle of night she thought of Brian’s golf bag (who took them golfing) so they are found. This weekend when cleaning house, she gave the sunglasses to Paige, who gave them back. She needed to be home for the renos, but was working from home with PEI, with jackhammers at 9:45 a.m. that finished at 5 p.m., relentless all day long. She’s losing it, but the bathrooms will look great.
Garth recalls high school grad in a hot gymnasium, playing endless loops of the grad music. It’s the last concert of the season with C4 (CCCC or is it CCP or CPC). No commitments until Sept. 3. He will be giving the inspirational quote on Saturday.
Debbie S. is thinking of her own kids in sports, who were not incredible scholars, and shone in sports, which gave them a lot of confidence, and they felt good about themselves.
Bobby likes coming to the hall, not going out, and they offer full service, and can offer pricing (hint to KidSport gala). We supported Sacha in Motion, and he is doing the kick start on Sunday in Victoria, starting his run on Monday, 100 km per day. You can follow him on Instagram, with a tracker on his progress. He is raising money for first responders’ mental health. Bobby’s family gave him a to do list. He realizes he makes some of the mess as he had to clean up. (Still home Alone!)
Pat reminds us to pay for the president’s dinner. She is submitting numbers today. She hears about rotary functions we attend, so please let her know if you attended an event where Rotary is involved, as they can count for a makeup session. Today she has Tea and Trumpets. (was it supposed to be crumpets?) She is going to Tahiti July 1, a trip which was booked a long time ago.
Amanda on Zoom sees us, but we don’t see her. The last two weeks have been a blur. She met with the neurosurgeon finally, and no surgery is recommended. She played her first round of golf and didn’t lose a single ball for the first time in her life. She’ll see us on Saturday.
Peter says his granddaughter is part of the Richmond Fusion soccer and it is banned from participating in Richmond, and the issue has gone to court. Juliana has played in Richmond since she was little and is offered a space in South Surrey. Hopefully it will get sorted out. She was athlete of the year for McNair including soccer and basketball.
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