Port Hope Rotary Beacon for October 16 2023

 

Co-President Drina welcomed all to this evening's meeting. We were joined by several guests on this occasion: Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky, Port Hope Police Chief Tim Farquharson, Marg Tait, Bob Moorcroft, Melissa Halford, Norm Reynolds, Beverly Sydenham, Olga Chernuck and husband, Town Councillor Chris Collins, Rob Boycott, Paul Binkley, Haylee Jolicoeur and Wesley Jolicoeur, Miranda Lukaniuk, Aldona Tallo, and Robert Fishlock.

 

 

         Mellissa Halford, Norm Reynolds, Sandra Hicks and Beverley Sydenham

 

      Olga Chernuck and her husband, Councillor Chris Collins

 

                                 Miranda Lukaniuk and Bree Nixon   

 

Co-President Drina raised a club toast and Lisa Graham said Grace.  A delicious Greek dinner was served.  After dinner we watched a short video regarding polio and a polio free world.  All Rotary members are encouraged to make donations towards eradicating polio. Bob Wallace informed us that polio eradication started in 1985 and since then twenty million children are alive today due to our Rotarian efforts. 

 

 

 

Kevin Moore introduced this evening's guest speakers, Police Chief Tim Farquharson and Mayor Olena Hankivsky.  The mayor talked the plan to reopen the walk-in clinic on Toronto Road.  She mentioned the generous support of the Port Hope and District Health Care Foundation, the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland, Community Health Centres of Northumberland, the West Northumberland Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee and the participation of the Rotary Club of Port Hope.  Steve and Drina Tallo, Jim Millington, Bob Gibson, Bob Wallace and Ron Tuttle have attended the walk-in clinic meetings.   We are in a good position to open the doors to the walk-in clinic in November since most of the funding is in place, ten doctors have committed to working at the walk-in clinic and a triage nurse is ready to start working.

 

 

Mayor Olena announced Kandice White as the new Chief Executive Officer for the Town.  She is the first female in that executive position for Port Hope and brings with her much experience. 

 

Another area which is being developed by the Town is a youth wellness hub for young people between the ages of 12 and 25 who may require assistance with drug addictions and housing so that they do not fall through the cracks.  The Town has 25 partners in place to help with this hub. 

 

Police Chief Tim Farquharson described his long and rocky road to becoming a police officer.  He started his career in 1986 in Peterborough and worked there for 37 years.  He has held many positions, one of which was the chair of Ontario's Association of Chiefs of Police.  He has primary interests in youth and the prevention of drugs, assistance with mental health issues, and other youth related issues.  Tim believes that it is very important to be engaged in the community with visibility and timely responses to emergency calls.  Part of his job involves sitting on various boards such as Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre.

 

Following their presentations, the Mayor and Police Chief answered questions, and both were very informative with their responses.  Lisa Graham thanked both of our speakers for their care and commitment to the community. 

 

 

Co-President Steve made several announcements. This weekend the District 7070 Conference will be held in Oshawa.  At our next meeting on October 30, there will be a Club Assembly.  QAs well, Graeme Bakker, will give his classification talk and Paul Tait will talk about Rotary Foundation.  Co-Presidents Drina and Steve Tallo will cater an Italian dinner.

 

Susan Rafuse reported that plans for the Christmas Market were proceeding well. 

 

 

 

Ken O'Neill shared his Rotary Moment. Ken feels that membership is one of the most important aspects of Rotary and brought his sponsor, Bob Moorcroft, to join us at our club meeting tonight.  Ken has been a Rotarian for 44 years and seven months.  Former Rotarian Bob Moorcroft commented on how proud he is of Rotary's commitment to Port Hope. 

 

 

Ron Tuttle reported on service projects.  Once again this year, our Club will sponsor the ROLLS Bus for the month of December for anyone with mobility issues. The Christmas Light Tour for retirement homes will again be sponsored by the Club.  Mayor Olena commented how appreciative the town and citizens are for our sponsorship of the bus.  The latest development at the Rotary Centennial Riverview Park is the installation of 3 new benches. 

 

Haylee and Wesley Jolicoeur

 

Our club will rejoin the Youth Exchange Program after it stopped at the start of the pandemic.  Ron introduced Haylee Jolicoeur and her father Wesley Jolicoeur.  Haylee is very interested in being an Outbound Youth Exchange Student.  She would leave on the year-long exchange next summer. Kevin Moore will be our club’s Youth Exchange Officer this year with Ron Tuttle for support.  Jan Boycott and Sandra Hicks will be the Youth Exchange Counsellors for our new Inbound student who will arrive in Port Hope next summer.  Kevin and Ron will host information sessions for other interested Youth Exchange candidates who live in Port Hope at Port Hope High School, St. Mary’s Secondary School and Cobourg Collegiate Institute.  Then they will interview the students to select our club’s Outbound Student.

 

The meeting concluded with the singing of O’ Canada.

 

 

Club members are encouraged to dress in costume for our Hallowe'n meeting on October 30.  Graeme Bakker will give his classification talk. A motion regarding a donation from the trust funds for the Walk-in Clinic will be put forward.

 

Kevin Moore is on door duty.  Ken O'Neill will thank the speaker. Riley Coleman will collect Happy Bucks.  Ron Tuttle is the scribe and Beacon editor.

 

 

   On October 15th our club participated in the Rotary Foundation Walk. A great day of fun and fellowship while raising money for the Foundation.