The meeting was opened on time by PP Trudy, who was standing-in for Pres. Ken this week. There were 27 members present for the usual formalities including “God Save the King & Canada”, the Rotary Song and O Canada. On member health, Lana brought the Club up-to-date on how Sharon Campbell is doing. For those members who would like to reach out to her with well-wishes, the best form of contact is by text to this # 613 921-2224.

 

Today’s program was the fourth in the Founder Series of presentations from original members of the Club and Dawn Cutler was introduced, by David Smith, as twice-former president as well as first lady president, and having a life-long commitment to providing medical care in many roles throughout her career(s).

 

Dawn began her speech by referring to her early childood as the daughter of a serviceman in Fort Churchill, Manitoba, with a subsequent move, first to Toronto and then, at age 6, to the County, where she has lived ever since. Attending and graduating from PECI followed by Loyalist College, and becoming a fully-qualified nurse and, after marrying in 1977, raised two sons and is now helping raise grandsons too. In a kind of career change in 1999, Dawn opened a retirement home in Wellington which she ran successfully for 14 years. She returned to Quinte Health Care but still maintained her very involved lifestyle, giving to the wider community in many ways: hospital and library governor; fifty years of involvement with the Ontario College of Nurses; being an active Rotarian for twenty years; studying as a mature student and gaining her B.A. in Religious Studies. She is currently working full-time as Charge Nurse at the KGH-run dialysis unit at Picton Memorial Hospital as well as looking after a farm at home where she has trained and shown Arabian horses. On top of all this, she has continued to contribute to Rotary activities such as the Bottle Depot and Duffers & Diners as well as being a nurse for over 46 years.

 

As well as some interesting anecdotes and thoughts on aspects of our health system, Dawn shared a fascinating explanation of the function of dialysis in cleansing the blood of toxins. Given warm applause which showed the members’ appreciation, Dawn was thanked by Dave Robinet.

 

In Club Business, Bill’s two vacancies for this week were filled. Members and Friends of Rotary are requested to try to find time and sign up for shifts in advance. Howard spoke about Pumpkinfest on October 15th with the required volunteers in place for two shifts of pumpkin weighers. October 15th is also the night of the Fall Fundraiser. 151 tickets have already been sold or ordered and it would be desirable to sell a further 100. Tickets should be sold by October 7th. Plans for the Club’s Anniversary Party are going ahead and it will be held on November 22nd at the Highline Hall, Lehigh Centre.

 

After congratulating Lyn on her birthday, happy dollars, the 50/50 draw and the Four Way Test, the meeting closed at 8.10.

 

 

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: David MacKinnon, Phyo Kyi, Dave Robinet, Howard Ziedenberg

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.:  Trudy Brown, William Mulholland, Dawn Cutler
Needed: 1 Sorter/Receiver