Volume 48, Number 9                                                                                   September 2, 2004

 

Rotary Club of Toronto West

 

Rotary Grace – O Lord, we stand for every race, for every creed from every place, to give our thanks and say our grace for food, for health. May peace embrace the world through Rotary?

 

Last Week – August 26, 2004

            Stephen Thiele introduced our guest speaker Mary Flynn-Guglietti, saying that Mary is a renowned municipal lawyer, and community leader. Today she was visiting us to talk about one of the community organizations that she is involved with, the Dennis Flynn Foundation.

            Briefly, the Dennis Flynn Foundation was created in 1985 by the former Mayor of the City of Etobicoke and former Metropolitan Toronto Chairman. Dennis Flynn.

            The object of this non-profit organization is to provide financial aid for the temporary care of families who have been displaced as a result of family breakdown.

            Mary started off by saying that Dennis Flynn was her father, and that he was Mayor of Etobicoke from 1972 to 1984.

            We heard that Dennis always wanted to be associated with a group such as the Boy Scouts, but his parents  couldn’t afford the uniform, so he then decided to join the Toronto Scottish Regiment, where he wouldn’t have to pay for the uniform. Unfortunately the timing was bad, it was 1938, and as soon as he became of age he was whipped overseas, and eventually became a “D-day” veteran, with a parachute battalion. He was injured twice, once very significantly, which left him with a permanent limp.

            During his term as Chairman of the former Metropolitan Toronto, a group got together to hold a dinner in Dennis’s honour, It was a fund raising effort, and Dennis was asked what they should buy with the proceeds, would a Cadillac be appropriate. Dennis didn’t think so, as he thought the money should be used for the benefit of the community, and thus the Dennis Flynn Foundation was born. To continue the foundation, each year a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon is held and the proceeds go to the foundation. Mary took the opportunity to plug the luncheon, and to invite us all to help celebrate St. Patrick’s day next March.

            Through its fund-raising activities, the foundation over the years has provided assistance to Covenant House, Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke, Youth without shelter and other charities.

            Ron Wayman thanked Mary, for a very interesting talk and he then related an amusing  meeting that he had way back in 1972, with Dennis and Mary’s mother Margaret.

           

Wine Draw:

            At one time, Bill Belier used to bring the wine in each week. Now he has changed and he takes it home each week. Congratulations Bill.

 

Visitors:

 None this week.

 

This Week:

            We are pleased to welcome Doretta Wilson, Society for Quality Education.

            The subject of Doretta’s talk will be, “Coordinating volunteers to tutor a remedial reading program for grade two and three children.”

 

Classifications:

Paint Retailing.    

Driving Instruction.

 

Birthdays & Anniversaries:

            Joined Rotary – John Cochrane – Aug. 29th.

            Wedding Anniv. – Doug & Dianne Ford - Sept. 1st.

           

Members News:

            The best news for a long while, Cynthia Thompson returns, after a very long illness. From the number of happy bucks on her return, we all hope her recuperation continues satisfactorily.

            Don Foster was proud to announce that he and his quartet  Inclination” took part in the annual  festival of music, at the Roy Thompson Hall.

            Don also told us of Margaret’s illness. We all wish her a very speedy recovery.

 

Wine Tour

            President Jagjit announced that the wine tour for Sept. 19th. is definitely a go – go situation. There are only a few tickets left.

 

Next Week-  September 9, 2004

            We will be pleased to welcome as our guest speaker, Pastor Joseph Gilyana, who will speak to us about Camp Victory.

 

Spoke Joke:

.           Bob went to a psychiatrist, “Doc” he said, ”every time I get into bed, I think there’s somebody under it. You’ve got to help me, I’m going crazy!”

            “Just put yourself in my hands, three times a week for a year and I’ll cure you,” said the shrink.

            “How much do you charge?” Bob asked.

            “A hundred dollars a visit,” the shrink replied.

            “I’ll sleep on it” said Bob.

            Six months later, the doctor ran into Bob. “Why didn’t you ever come to see me again?” he asked.

            “For a hundred bucks a visit?” laughed Bob. “Heck the bartender cured me for ten dollars.”

            “How did he do that?” the shrink asked.

            “He told me to cut the legs off the bed!”

 

Habitat for Humanity

            Bryan Pett brought us up-to-date on the Habitat for Humanity program, saying that we can now all put our picks and shovels where they will do the most good.

            Building has now started and volunteers are required, whether it be specialized or layman’s help. Hard hats are not essential but steel toed boots are, dig deep in your closet.

            The next session is from September 24th. to 26th. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.. If this isn’t convenient the next session will be Oct. 1st. to 9th.

            It is bound to be lot’s of fun, and it will certainly help a very good cause.

 

Club Assembly

            Our meeting of September 16th. will be a Club Assembly.

            Meet at the Valhalla Inn at 6:30 p.m. All members should make an effort to be in attendance.

 

Youth Impact Awards Dinner   

            Our Youth Impact Awards Dinner is being held on Friday, January 28th, 2005. at the Old Mill.

 

Centennial Project

            At the recent B of D meeting, Barbara McDowall moved that the Rotary Club of Toronto West adopt the World Youth Centre as its Centennial project.