Our weekly meeting was graced by representatives of our municipal, provincial, and federal governments who were in attendance to help us celebrate the recognition of four outstanding students who won our annual Canada Day essay competition.  The four students, pictured along with Kevin Duguay, Chair of our Canada Day Committee, are Maria Vassilakos who is in Grade 6 at St. Theresa’s, Mackenzie Lunn, a Grade 4 student at St. Patrick’s, Jodi Overwijk who is in Grade 4 at St. Patrick’s, and Claire Johnston, a Grade 6 student at Kawartha Heights Elementary School. The essay theme was: “What it means to me to be a Canadian.”  The contest was open to elementary students ages 10 to 14 in Grades 4-8. Over 100 entries were received this year from four classes. 

Our weekly meeting was the occasion of two special events.  Rick Storey, Chair of the Spelling Bee Committee presented the awards to the first, second and third place finishers in the Junior and Senior Divisions (pictured).  Two schools were tied in the special category for promoting literacy and making learning fun by having an innovative process for selecting spelling bee competitors.  Accepting the awards of $1000. each were Michele Hamel from Monsignor Jamot School and Anne Marie Dwyer from Immaculate Conception School.  For our exchange student from Belgium, Gregoire d’Harveng, the year is coming to an end and after a tour of the East Coast of Canada he will return home.  He recapped his exciting and educational year with a slide and video show and discussed the many changes in his life over the past year, including making many new friends.

Our main presentation was an update on two essential services with which we are involved. Diane Pick is a member of the Club and also Chief Executive Officer of Five Counties Children's Centre.  Diane gave a slide presentation which introduced Ryan and Cadence and how these two youths are using the Centre’s resources to overcome their challenges. The Centre was founded by Rotary about 37 years ago and Rotary continues to provide some financial support.  Diane reminded us that “our investment makes dreams come true.”  Our other presenter was Jacob Rodenberg (pictured), Executive Director of Camp Kawartha.  Rotary started the Camp for boys in 1921 to give city boys an outdoor experience.  Jacob pointed out that kids spend less time outdoors and often suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder (lack of time in a natural environment) and Ecophobia as a result of all the negative information about the environment. Last summer, 847 campers attended CK Summer Camp and 95 attended counsellor training and leadership camp. He also gave an update on the Outdoor Ed programme at the Camp through the school season. You can read about the entire meeting in the Bulletin.

Today’s speakers were Kathi Neill, Megan Bolton, and Evan Bates from the Youth Division of the John Howard Society. The speakers took turns outlining the John Howard Youth programmes including institutional support for prisoners through programs such as Rethink for Anger Management, Anti-theft workshops, and Substance Abuse. The emphasis is to shift from custodial to intervention measures using for example Extra Judicial Measures (police referrals) and Extra Judicial Sanctions which include stressing meaningful consequences.  Peterborough Rotary has pledged $50,000 towards the Children’s Playroom in the Crossroads Shelter.  Lynn Zimmer, Ex Director of the YWCA, accepted a further $5000. cheque towards that goal from President Atul Swarup (pictured). 

The Swimathon wrap-up event was held at 11:00 in the Holiday Inn. Chair Lyn Kimmett announced that this years Swimathon raised $50,300 & that Rotarian Sophie Andreou has agreed to co-chair the 2014 Swimathon. Lyn & Carl thanked the committee, Century 21 staff, sponsors & of course the participating swim teams. They then presented a cheque for $12,500 t Easter Seals rep Coralie Jacobs. Dave Di-Bella from Freedom 55 presented Dave Adams of 5 Counties with a cheque for $6000. Rick Storey thanked long distance swimmer Annalise Carr for her contribution in promoting the Swimathon especially among students, joining carl in the pool & speaking to students at Prince of wales & Crestwood.Awards were presented for best dressed teams 1st The catholic School board, 2nd the Rotary Jacque Cousteau & 3rd the McColl family. The Schhool board & McColl teams were the recipients of a 1 week gift of a hot tub from RotoSpa. St Peters High school team received an award for raising $1590 the highest of participating school teams.. Lyn on behalf of Rotary president Atul thankd everyone involved in the Swimathon then highlighted our club’s projects including $100,000 for building 5 homes with Habitat for Youth, RGWT upgrades, Camp Kawartha. Honduras mission, Polio Plus, Rotary Victoria Day Fireworks Festival, YWCA Crossroads home, the school brealfast programme at Prince of Wales &  Langley Scout Park. Atul expressed his admiration to Carl for raising $800,750 in the 27 years of the swimathon

The District 3490 GSE team from Taiwan was hosted by our club, Kawartha & BEL from Sunday April 28 to Thursday May 2 as described in this weeks bulletin & Ray’s posting on the Home Page. Wed afternoon May 1 Rick Storey led the team on a bike ride on the RGWT from our Rotary Shade shelter north of Trent to Beavermeade. Rotarians Mo Cox, Pete Macloghlin & exchange students Gregoire & Jordan Pind cycled with the group while Gord Regts & Peter Koselag transported the bikes to & from the Community bike shop (B!KE). It was an ideal day for cycling & provided an opportunity to showcase Peterborough from the RGWT. The group really enjoyed the chance to be outside & get some exercise. The photo was taken at the Rotary wheel in Rotary Park beside the London St pedestrian bridge