The Rotary Club of
Toronto
*New* Voice Extra
 
Chartered 1913
E-Bulletin #4 November 15, 2019
 
 
Peter Naylor's Legacy November 15, 2019
Join us Friday in the Imperial Room of the Fairmont Royal York.
 
We will be honouring one of our greats and highlighting his donation of $260,000 to help young people, a passion of his.
 
These funds have given Atorkor Vocational Technical Institute in Ghana the ability to disconnect from an unreliable electric system. They can successfully run power equipment in the classrooms, have evening classes and expand the services to youth.  It is also assisting with electricity at the local hospital.
 
What You Missed November 1, 2019
 
by Maureen Bird
 
Today we were at the Albany Club. Harold Hetherington’s son Neil, who has spoken to our club several times about his charity involvements, regaled us with a very different theme this time. Neil and three others set out last June on a trans-Atlantic sail in Boundless, a 38-foot yacht.
 
Because he had the presence of mind to pack a waterproof grab bag for his computer and cameras we were able to see live video of some of the adventures.  Yes, the Atlantic is a rough place, -2 degrees and sleet as they set out from Baddeck NS.  There were great views of whales and dolphins.  Then there were the 30-foot waves. At dusk on June 13th as the Raptors were winning the championship the yacht was struck by a rogue wave – over 40 feet.  It snapped the rudder, leaving them at the mercy of the sea.
 
A mayday was sent out at 20:24 – with dusk the worst time to be seen against the sea.  Fortunately a tanker, Ardmore Sealifter, was able to reach them in two hours. Captain Wendell Hendricks has never docked his ship (there was always a tug) and it was quite a feat to hold the moving ship against the yacht while the four members of the crew worked their way 45 feet up a wooden ladder thrown over the side.
 
A hot shower was followed by a check-up by the medical officer on board – who was also the cook!  They did enjoy some great Indian food before they finally docked in New York.  The best they could give them then were firm handshakes but Neil did catch up with the tanker crew in Houston where he presented them with special t-shirts and pounds of great coffee.
 
James Statham won the wine in the 50/50 draw and was off to check on his sailboat after a night of vicious winds in Toronto.
 
Proud father Harold Hetherington with our speaker Neil
President Kevin receiving a special gift from a Peruvian Rotarian
Christmas Time is almost here!  See the snow!
Sunday, December 1 - our famous Children's Christmas Party - a tradition for a century.  Karl Kremer will be in touch seeking assistance. Cash donations would help us fill the gift bags for the children.
 
Friday, December 6, Seniors Christmas Lunch.  
Take a Senior to Lunch - we will be collecting lunch tickets on November 22 and 29 or call Belli in the office to charge.
James Braithwaite is chair. Help is needed that day - contact Annelise Taylor or John Platts. There is lots to do.
 
Friday, December 13 - our special Christmas Buffet.  This is an opportunity to bring a guest to see our great club. Donations of items to silent auction table would be appreciated.  Contact Jackie Davies.
 
 
Our Remembrance Day Head table
John Fortney, Harold Hetherington, Dr. Eric McGeer, Kevin Power, Don Bell, Jack Robertson, John Andras, Sylvia Geist and Jackie Davies
 
 
ROTARY VOICE REPORT—NOVEMBER 8, 2019 MEETING
By Robert O’Brien
 
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.  Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.  At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.   
 
These words from the Ode of Remembrance formed part of President Kevin Power’s moving invocation and framed the theme of today’s annual Remembrance Day.  The Governor General’s Military Band Quintet inspired us with nostalgic music before and during lunch and led us in a rousing O Canada after the heart piercing Last Post and Reveille were trumpeted by Paul Taylor from the balcony of the National Club.  
 
Our head table was graced by the presence of last year’s speaker Jack Robertson and President Kevin recognized five veteran members of our Club—Jack Robertson, Jim Bell, John Austin, Harry Figov and Saleem Kassum as well as the one veteran we lost in the past year Elgin Coutts.    Past President Don Bell served as Monitor and welcomed the six visiting Rotarians and guests.   Sylvia Geist eloquently expressed appreciation for the courage, bravery and sacrifice of soldiers but she also spoke of the current plight of 3000 to 5000 soldiers who leave service each year and many of whom may suffer from transitional issues and “Release Trauma”.  A special committee under Sylvia’s leadership is hosting a special forum on November 26 to explore the issue of Release Trauma and veterans  are invited to come and share their stories and experiences.  
 
Harold Hetherington introduced our keynote speaker today:  author, historian and educator Eric McGeer PhD.  Dr. McGeer transported us back in time to the 22-month period between July 1943 and May 1945 when 93,000 Canadians served in driving the Germans out Italy.  The Italian front has often and sadly been overshadowed by the D-Day invasion in June 1944 and the campaign to retake France and Holland.  The term “D-Day Dodgers” for the Canadians fighting in Italy is a complete misnomer for what in reality was Canada’s baptism of fire fighting in Sicily and making their way through Ortona in December 1943, the near impregnable Hitler line outside Rome May 1944-- all before Allied troops landed at Normandy. The brave and obdurate Canadians who fought in this campaign were facing a fierce enemy as well as rugged and treacherous terrain.  
 
Mr. McGeer told the story of the Canadians piercing of the Gothic Line in Northern Italy—the Germans last economic supply line-- and the heavy German resistance accompanied by the devastating casualty rate.  November 1944, Mr. McGeer told us, was the highest casualty month in the entire War.   Our speaker reminded us that we need to remember the sacrifices of Canadians during that bloody and brutal campaign and how critical the Canadian role was in the war effort and particularly in the sometimes overlooked Italian war theatre.    
 
There were two draws today—first the Ace of Clubs continues to elude us but Jayson Phelps was the fortunate winner of one of Mr. McGeer’s books while Tony Postesio  took home the wine. We all departed today’s Remembrance Day meeting inspired and YES - We Will Remember Them.   
        
 
Governor General's Military Guard Band
Our speaker Eric McGeer
November Birthdays
 
3          Terry Wray
8          Harvey Sullivan
9          Blair Spinney
11         Michele Guy
13         Bill Gleed
20         Jayson Phelps
 
 
23         Vigen Ghazaria
24         John Platts
            Kevin Power
29         Valerie Clarke
30         Kim Hunter
            Robert O’Brien
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