ALVIN MERVIN BRACKEN

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our husband, father and grandfather, Alvin Mervin Bracken, at Selkirk and District General Hospital on March 6, 2013. Alvin is survived by his wife, Mabel of 54 years; daughters, Linda (Harry) and Wendy (Garry); grandchildren, Pamela (Adam), Blair (Bonnie), Rosalyn (Patrick), and Gordon; brothers, Ted, Edwin, Gerald, Allan, Ken; and sisters, Florence, Leora, Mayme and Mabel. He was predeceased by his son, Blair, granddaughter, Catherine, brothers, Howard, John and Earle, and sister Viola. Alvin was born to Manford and Violet Bracken on April 17, 1935 along with his twin brother, Allan, in Tessier, SK.

His family moved to Marchand, MB in 1935 to a dairy farm and later moved to the farm in Clandeboye, MB in 1944. Alvin attended the University of Manitoba and obtained his diploma course in Agriculture. In 1957 Alvin met Mabel Speer and they were married in 1958. They raised their family on Brackendale Farm, along with his brother, Gerald and sister-in-law, Evelyn and their children Cheryl, Marilyn, Gordon and Brenda, sharing the farmhouse until 1966 when Alvin and Mabel built their home north of the farm yard.

Alvin was actively involved in the work and life of the Clandeboye 4-H Club, the Clandeboye United Church, the Clandeboye Community Club, the Clandeboye Skating Club, the Clandeboye Fire Department, International Agricultural Exchange Program, and was a life member of the Selkirk Rotary Club. He believed that giving back to the community was important and encouraged his family to do so also.

Alvin's love and dedication to Mabel truly warmed hearts of those around them. His love for his girls and his grandchildren was also evident. Although a man of few words, his actions always told us that he loved us very much. Losing Blair was truly a difficult time for him but Alvin's strong determination and faith enabled him to carry on. Alvin was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1997. He was able to continue living a full life until the last few years as the disease progressed, slowly taking from him small bits of his mobility and independence. He never once complained. He was strong in his fight and accepted each setback as the disease progressed.

Alvin and Mabel moved from Clandeboye into Mapleton Lane in St. Andrews and enjoyed making new friends and settling into town living. Funeral services were held on Monday, March 11, 2013 at at Selkirk United Church, 202 McLean Avenue, Selkirk, MB. Pallbearers were Garry Church, Gordon Church, Harry Hawes, Blair Hawes, Gordon Bracken and Ian Grieve. Honorary pallbearers were Cheryl Bracken, Marilyn Wilkinson and Brenda Harris.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alvin's memory to the Palliative Care at Selkirk and District General Hospital, Clandeboye United Church or Selkirk United Church. 

Editor’s Note: The following opinion piece is by K J Dell’Antonia from a special issue of the RGHF Rotary Foundation newsletter.

Too often, the news leaves me speechless. Stops me in my tracks, occupies my mind, won’t let me go. Hearing, on N.P.R., that masked Taliban gunmen gunned down a 14-year-old girl for publicly speaking out about her desire for an education, had that effect. I was outraged, infuriated, saddened, helpless! Nothing I do will change what happened to Malala Yousafzai. I’ve little chance of even helping others like her.

But hearing her story shook me. It made me think about the value of my education, and the daily trips to school my daughter takes for granted. It reminded me that those who would insist on different rights for people with different genders, skin, beliefs or culture are still powerful and in some cases ruthless.

I see a value in being shaken in just that way. A few weeks ago, at a party, I had a casual conversation with a man who declared that he refused to listen to the news, and in particular, N.P.R., anymore. “It’s just one story about the downtrodden after another,” he insisted. “And we just listen and pat ourselves on the back for our sensitivity and nothing happens, and the next day it’s yet another story.”

In his essay “Unreal” in his book “The Thing Itself: On the Search for Authenticity,” Richard Todd said much the same thing. “You have to keep a cool eye on yourself when you are outraged over something that remains secondary to your life,” he wrote. He described his reactions when the evening news showed pictures of soldiers killed in action — looking up from his kitchen cutting board, respectfully not sipping his wine, shaking his head sadly. “And then I began to realize that there was something about this ritual that had nothing to do with pain on my part, something that was indeed shamefully self enhancing.”

How “meta” are Mr. Todd and my acquaintance, so carefully examining their reactions to the news and pushing me to do the same? How clever to question our own responses to the outrages and horrors that are “secondary” to our lives only through accidents of birth or geography or fortune. And how convenient to conclude that unearned emotion is an indulgence, because that’s the only conclusion that would allow us to look away from Malala’s story, or any front-page outrages: the doctor who considers drugs the only hope for children in failing schools; the Syrian refugee crisis.

Maybe it’s a valid worry, that our emotional reaction to a news story gives us the comforting illusion of having taken action, thus freeing us from the burden of taking to the streets in protest, collecting donations or even voting. But is it a worry that we can afford? Would we be better off with silenced radios and folded newspapers?

Pakistani soldiers carry wounded Malala Yousufzai, from a military helicopter to a military hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan

Without the media trying to show us what’s happening in the Swat Valley in Pakistan, where Malala Yousafzai lived and where, in 2009, the Taliban forced the closure of her school, Malala Yousafzai would not have had the opportunity to blog about her experience, or been the focus of documentaries for The New York Times and other media outlets. Her story would never have generated outrage or interest on the part of the public — or the Taliban. But it’s also possible that had her story, and others, never been told, the Taliban would simply control Ms. Yousafzai’s world. And it’s certain that the Taliban did not want Malala Yousafzai’s voice to be heard.

What will you do with what you now know about Malala Yousafzai’s fight? What will you do with your anger at those who are proud to have struck her down, temporarily or permanently (she is now in critical condition after surgery)? I don’t have easy answers to those questions. What will I do? I will vote. I will tell my daughters her story. I will look for ways to contribute to education for women in parts of the world that still long to leash and muzzle half their population. I will think of Anne Frank, and how clear the most complex situations can appear in hindsight. I will stay outraged.

And I will keep listening to, reading, and reacting to the news.

K J Dell’Antonia is a writer for the New York Times. This article was first published October 10, 2012 at the blog “Motherlode: Adventures in Parenting“

Paul Harris Fellow award honourees Doug Chorney, Al Hares, Edward Hotchkiss, and Dan Thorsteinson pose for a photo at the Rotary Club of Selkirk’s 75th anniversary gala dinner held in Lockport Nov. 17. (BROOK JONES/SELKIRK JOURNAL/QMI AGENCY)

Rotary President Andrew Glassco, Selkirk Major Larry Johannson, St.Andrews Councilor Kurtiss Krasnesky and Gillian Smith from E.J. Smith Memorials unveiled the Rotary Club of Selkirk's 75th Commemorative Anniversary Granite Bench dedicated to the Citizens of Selkirk and celebrating 75 years of service to our community on Oct.14, 2012. The bench was also placed in Queen's Park in support of the Trans-Canada Trails Red River North.

Story by Amanda Lefley, The Selkirk Journal

The Rotary Club of Selkirk is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and the party has already begun.

The Club is hosting several events to commemorate its 75 years in the community, with the first taking place Oct. 14. John Martyniw, club secretary, Andrew Glassco, club president, City of Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson, councilor for St. Andrews Kurtiss Krasnesky, as well as Gillian Smith from E.J. Smith Memorials were on hand at Queen’s Park in Selkirk to unveil a granite bench dedicated to the citizens of the area.

“This is our 75th year of service both internationally and at home in our community of Selkirk and the joining communities of St. Andrews and St. Clements,” said Glassco.

The granite bench unveiled last Sunday not only commemorates the Club’s anniversary but also marks one of the first to be installed along the Trans Canada Trail.

“I would like to congratulate the Rotary on their 75th anniversary and I’d also like to congratulate them on being part of putting something like this, not only to recognize yourself but also to recognize the Trans Canada Trail and especially Red River North Trails Association,” said Krasnesky, adding the bench looks awesome.

The Rotary Club of Selkirk was chartered on April 19, 1937 at the Merchants Hotel in Selkirk. Glassco explained the Club raised money through fundraisers, and then in turn donates that money to various causes within the community.

“We sponsor a lot of local community projects and we want to be very active in the community. A lot of the funds that we generate in the community are spent in the community, turned around and generated in the community,” explained Glassco.

“Rotary is an international organization that believes in service above self.”

Glassco explained the Club raises money through events such as book sales as well as a lobster night. He said funds from those events have gone towards a number of projects, including the Selkirk Skate Park as well as dialysis units at the hospital.

“It’s what you can give back, it’s what you can do for others

One of three events commemorating the Club’s 75th anniversary was the unveiling of a granite bench in Queen’s Park along the Trans Canada Trail. The second event is set to take place Nov. 17, where the Club will be hosting a Gala Dinner at Gaffers with key note speaker Mr. David G. Newman Q.C.. The dinner will also feature local citizens being presented with awards for their contribution to the community.

For the Club’s third event they will be sponsoring a Canadian Olympic athlete to speak to students in the Lord Selkirk School Division, however the details of the event are not finalized as of yet.

“We are hoping that many of our youth will take this message and be inspired to dreams of their own either athletically or academically,” reads a Rotary press release. 

For the best view click on full screen in right hand corner

The Rotary Club of Selkirk plans a 75^th Anniversary Gala Dinner, Bench Unveiling in Queen’s Park and Olympic Athletic Speaker for Youth in our School Division to celebrate their 75^th Anniversary this Rotary Year.

The Rotary Club of Selkirk is proudly celebrating its 75 Years of service and projects in the City of Selkirk and surrounding communities. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Winnipeg, the club was chartered on Monday April 19^th 1937 at the Merchants Hotel in Selkirk. To mark this very special 75^th Anniversary Year Selkirk Rotary is planning the three following events.

Attached is a photo of the Non-Profit Winners for the 2012 Triple ‘S’ Fair and Rodeo Parade.  Congratulations on the Rotary Club of Selkirk’s second place win in the Non-Profit category! Vice-President Michele Polinuk is accepting our award on the club's behalf. 

RI President: Through service, we can bring peace

RI President Sakuji Tanaka

By Sakuji Tanaka, 

It’s a great honor to serve as your 2012-13 RI president and represent you in Rotary. Since joining this organization in 1975, it has changed my life and given me more than I ever anticipated. I look forward to sharing some of that with you.

Through Rotary, I learned the purpose of my life wasn’t to earn more, but to help others. Through our service, we learn that the problems that may seem large to us are really very small.

I also learned that through Rotary, we could build peace. As part of the first generation to grow up in Japan after World War II, I understand the importance of peace and its connection to our well-being.

Peace can mean many things for many people, but however we understand peace, Rotary can help us achieve it. Rotary helps us meet the basic needs of health care, sanitation, food, and education. These can bring peace. In addition, we need peace as well for vaccinators to go into countries such as Afghanistan to prevent children from getting polio. It is through our work as Rotarians that we help to build the foundation for a more peaceful world.

Through service, we can bring peace. This is why our 2012-12 Rotary theme is Peace Through Service.

During my year as your president, I look forward to hearing from you on LinkedIn and when I post on the blog. I also hope to see you at one of my three Rotary Global Peace Forums.

HARVEY HANSON August 22, 1936 - June 4, 2012 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Harvey Hanson on June 4, 2012. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Sunday, June 10, 3:00 p.m. at the Grace Bible Church, 1910 Mountain Rd., Dauphin, MB. If friends wish, donations may be made to the Rotary Foundation Polio Plus, c/o Dauphin Rotary Club.

Harvey Hanson was born and raised on a dairy farm in Southern Saskatchewan where he attended elementary school and high school. He started working at the local Co-Op store proceeding on to manage stores in a number of small towns in Saskatchewan. For a number of years he was in the investment and insurance business as a salesman and area manager for Federated Investments And Seaboard Life in southern Saskatchewan. Harvey moved to Thompson, Manitoba in the early 70's. He received his Real Estate Brokers license and became the owner Manager of Byron’s Real Estate Thompson Man. Harvey was a real-estate broker / salesman for over 35 years. He served three (3) terms on City Council for the city of Thompson, Manitoba. While on council he served on many different committees. He was a director for Norman Regional Development Board and was its president for two years. He sat on the Port Churchill Development Board and served as its president for one year. He was the founding President of the North of The 53 Tourist association and continued in that role for three more years. He also served as the Federal Governments representative for four years on the Port Churchill Advisory Board After moving to Dauphin Harvey was the city’s representative on the Parkland Tourist Association and was its president for one year. Harvey joined Rotary in 1973 in Thompson, Manitoba. When he moved to Dauphin he joined the Rotary Club of Dauphin. Harvey has been very active inRotary at the Club and District level. He is a past president of the Rotary Club of Dauphin and served as an Assistant District Governor for five years. Harvey is married to Lorraine who is also a Rotarian. They have three (3) grown children (one boy and two girls) who are all married. Harvey and Lorraine havefour (4) grandkids, which they enjoy very much. Since his retirement from real estate Harvey has been busy with woodworking, camping, and Rotary.

What Rotary is doing to combat one of the most pressing humanitarian crises facing us today: hunger? It is, I think, common knowledge that when we talk about food shortages, the problems we face are nearly always local. There is more than enough food produced in our world to feed everyone in it. The problem is getting the food where it is needed, and helping people in the poorest regions achieve food security.

Key to Literacy EN from Rotary International on Vimeo.

My dear brothers and sisters in Rotary,

In the first message I wrote for this magazine, last July, I quoted Mohandas K. Gandhi, who said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” And in the months since, I have had incredible opportunities to travel the Rotary world and see how Rotarians everywhere are bringing those words to life.

Creating positive change means, at its simplest, using our knowledge and resources to solve a problem. But when we are talking about solving humanitarian problems in a real and lasting way, knowledge and ideas and resources are not enough to ensure results. We have to remember something else that is no less important: sustainability.

A sustainable solution is one that will continue to work even after the Rotarians who proposed and facilitated it are gone. This means that even though the project might have come from Rotary originally, the community will take ownership of it. That, of course, means that when a part breaks on a water pump, there will be a process in place to repair it and to keep that pump functional – carried out by the community, and without further recourse to Rotary.

The members of the Rotary Club of Selkirk extend a warm welcome and invite you to take an active part in the club's service and fellowship activities.

The United States was in the grip of the Great Depression when Herbert J. Taylor, the newly appointed president of a nearly bankrupt Chicago cookware company, penned what became known as The Four-Way Test. Today, the simple test serves as an ethical compass for Rotarians everywhere.

In 1932, Herbert J. Taylor, believing his employees were in need of an "ethical yardstick," wrote four questions on a small, white piece of paper:  Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?