The Rotary Club of High River is doing a Polio fundraiser this year, and it is as simple as going for a walk. We got to thinking that there are lots of our community that have not yet gone out to enjoy the High River urban forest pathways system, so we thought that it would be a great place to go for a stroll and maybe raise some money that would work towards Polio eradication.
Everyone is welcome and please bring your friends and family. You don't have to sign up, just share the link and pledge some money if you can. If you don't live in the area, and would still like to contribute, feel free. All are welcome to help us eradicate Polio world-wide.
There will be two guided walks, one 30-40 minutes, and a longer walk that will go farther into the urban forested area. Saturday, Oct. 21st 9:30 AM start Meet at the concession stand at George Lane Park.
The 2023 High River Gun, Knife & Antique Arms show will be happening September 9 & 10 at the High River Memorial Centre. Admission is $10 per day, with children 12 & under free when accompanied by an adult. Opening hours are 0930-1700 Saturday the 9th, and 0930-1500 Sunday the 10th.
If you are interested in reserving a table ($35 for both days) please contact Brian at 587-215-2498.
We invite you to join us for the 36th Annual Rotary Club of High River Golf Tournament 15 July2023. With your generous support of this annual event you are helping Rotary support many worthwhile projects. This year we will be working to raise money for the Salvation Army’s food bank and Christmas Toy drive projects.
This is an excellent way to help High River Rotary help us help others in High River and surrounding area. Not only do you get a great day on the golf course with cart but you also receive a BBQ lunch, dinner with a first tee gift and the chance to win lots of great prizes.
The High River Pump Track has received tremendous support and construction and completion of the project is projected to be done before the end of the summer
On Nov. 20, the Rotary Club of High River donated $30,000 towards the project.
Rotary Club President Damian Boyle says Rotary fundraisers have been tough to come by because of COVID, but they made a goal to donate to the High River Pump Track two years ago and they are glad that they can finally help with this donation.
“Last year we lost our two biggest fundraisers in our golf tournament and our lobster boil,” he said.
“That’s why it’s taken us so long to get to this point.”
“This is a great project for the children in our community and we are very pleased we are able to help out.”
The Rotary Club of High River and the Rotary Club of Okotoks have recently partnered up to start the Rotary Employment Partnership. This partnership sees Rotarians helping developmentally disabled peoples to find employment in our community. For more information please contact: Kathy Johnstone
Rotary Canadian Flags 2024. Would you like to give a flag as a gift to neighbour, family or friend? We will drop off a card to your home address (NOT the recipient's address) so that you can gift it personally to your recipient. Then in May 2024 your gift recipient will automatically receive the first of their three flags. Register for a 2024 Canadian Flag
The Rotary Club of High River's Canadian flag program is off and running again for 2020. In 2019 we had over 100 subscribers and this year we're hoping to turn High River into Canada's most patriotic town again. Being careful to maintain healthy distances, the club will install a large flag on a 10 foot pole on your front lawn over three long weekends this summer. For a donation of $50, we'll put the flag in the week before Victoria Day, Canada Day, and Labour Day, and remove it the week after. All funds raised from this campaign will go towards those affected by Covid-19 and the economic downturn in High River and area. To directly order your flag click here, or the flag poster on this page, or you can email rotaryhighriver@gmail.com. You can pay by credit card, E-Transfer, cheque, or cash. Thank you for your support.
Due to the COVID-19 risk to our members all physical meetings of the RCHR have been cancelled for the indefinite future however we continue to hold our meetings via Zoom.
High River's Dance Tech Kicked off the evening with a great rendition of the Grease Mega-Mix.
A whole lot of fun Saturday, November 9 at the Highwood Memorial Centre for first annual Rotary Club Lip Sync Battle.
Nanton's David Gale and Amanda Bustard were the big winners with their version of the Sloan classic "Money City Maniacs."
They won a thousand dollars, and another thousand to donate, and Gale says that money will stay right here in the Foothills.
"So, we're going to give that actually to the Lions Club. We just moved to the Foothills area, so we decided to give it to the Lions Club, because they really stand for what we stand for, which is giving back to the community."
Nanton's David Gale and Amanda Bustard collect their cheques at the end of the night following their big win in the first annual High River Rotary Club Lip Sync Battle.
Gale says he was surprised with the win, considering some of his group had to cancel last minute, forcing him to recruit out of the audience for help.
"We thought, well, you know what? Let's just get the crowd involved. So we asked somebody from the crowd to come in and be our drummer and asked a few more people if they'd come and blow some air through our hair. Because we're a rock band! We did a little Sloan and we wanted to make it look like a real rock show. And the only way you can do that is by having air blown through your hair. So we gave them leaf blowers and had a lot of fun with it."
Bustard, actually made a couple of appearances on stage during the night.
"We were kind of filling in. We had another band that needed to cancel last minute and we wanted to make sure the show went on. So, I filled in. We have a lot of fun doing this. We do this for our company. We do it helping to raise money. So, yeah, we love doing this kind of stuff."
A few hundred people turned up for the event which saw 10 acts compete.
Rock & Roll Forever! As Lip Sync Battle A Huge Success
The Rotary Club of High River will soon have a "new to them" building to help store their equipment. High River Town Council approved a new lease on a barn, which when added to the quonset the club is already using on the same property on the southside of town, will give the group the storage space they need for all their events. But they need to raise the roof on the building to make it all work. Rotary member and Parade Chair Hank Leeferink says they're "over the moon happy" with the arrangement. "The quonset is big enough for the Santa Claus float and the fire truck but then we still have some other parts that have to go outside." The Province gave the Town the property which included a quonset and a barn and the Rotary club leased the quonset in May but they had to wait a while longer for the pig barn, which was never used for pigs, was cleaned up and safety concerns were remediated. In order to use the barn on the property they needed to raise the roof to make it workable. The club has a $17,000 Community Facilities Enhancement Program grant in place and Council approved adding $17,000 in matching funds to make the project possible. Leeferink says these are assets the whole town enjoys with the Christmas lights and the parade floats. "We can't have the Christmas lights display sitting outside, you can't have Santa's sled outside or the 47 fire truck."
Rotary Club's Canadian flags, painting the town red!
This past Labour Day long weekend marked the end of the Rotary Club's Canadian Flag Fundraiser. The Rotary Club of High River hand made flag poles, and for a fee of $50 would come to your address and install the flag pole hanging a Canadian Flag on your front lawn for three long weekends between May and September. Rotary Club President Elect Damian Boyle says he and his group were unsure at the beginning but the fundraiser far exceeded their expectations. "To be perfectly honest, we were a little bit wary of the whole project because we weren't sure how it would be received in the community." Boyle says "What surprised us was how quickly people in the community embraced it! What was happening is, as we were putting flags in people were coming out of their houses to buy more flags." The club actually ran out of Flag poles over the May long weekend, and were becoming leery about selling too many flags as the poles are hand made and welded by one of their members. Boyle called it a business man's worst nightmare, and dream at the same time. Thankfully, Boyle says they'll be ready for next year and they're even considering some improvements and changes! "Well now we have an idea of how well people receive the project, and when we pulled the flags out yesterday, for the last time this year, people were coming out of their houses now to tell us how happy they were to have the flag, and how sorry they were to see it removed" Boyle says there's a tremendous amount of patriotism in High River, and this program will give residents a way to express it while supporting initiatives in the community. "As we expand this project next year, we'll advertise it better and we'll grow it into other parts of the town, where people will see the flags pop up and it can only grow exponentially." According to Boyle, the club is now looking at how they can serve businesses down town where the pavement and sidewalk prohibits putting a stake into the ground. Some businesses have suggested they could buy a flag and line the roads coming in and out of High River instead. Boyle believes they raised about $2500 after taking away the upfront ordering and material costs. The two communities to have the most flags were Riverside with 27 flags and Highview with 25.
There's currently an early bird special for those looking to pre order their flags for next spring where $45 will buy you your very own Canadian flag for the 2020 May long weekend, Canada Day long weekend and Labour day weekend. To sign up you can visit their website, call 587-208-6991 or email rotaryhighriver@gmail.com.
Boyle also says to keep an eye out in the months ahead as the Rotary Club will be hosting a second paper shredding fundraiser near the end of September followed by their lip-sync battle fundraiser in November.
On Thursday 5 September the RCHR will be celebrating the club's Past-Presidents with a corn roast and BBQ at Sheppard Family Park. There have been 90 Past-Presidents in the club's history, beginning with Bob Shov, the very first President, in 1928. Our Past-Presidents were around for some of the most important days in modern history, including Colin Heseltine on VE Day 1945, and Si Simonson in 1967 when the Leafs last won the Stanley Cup. Interestingly Colin was also the only person to have been President twice, again in 1965, twenty years after his first occasion. In the club's 91 year history there has only been one female President, MaryAnn Kyllo 2016-2019, but hopes are high that we will see more in the near future.
The club was honoured to have the new District 5360 Governor visit High River on 29 August. Christine Rendell, together with her husband, Brian Carnahan, were given a tour of High River and Rotary projects by President Ev and Director Hank before a private meeting with the club executive and committee chairs. Governor Christine then had an opportunity to meet all members at the club meeting and gave a terrific speech about her own motivations towards Rotary as well as the need to move towards a fully inclusive organization. Billy MacKillop wore his best suit for the occasion, as he was hoping for a pardon from the Governor. Billy was not clear on what misdemeanour he sought to rectify, however later in the evening Sergeant-At-Arms Reg did mention a relationship between Billy and sheep-stealing.
Below: Governor Christine pins exchange student Thibault while Ev ponders how he missed that easy putt on the 15th hole.
Below: Governor Christine recognizes Sheila for her outstanding contributions to Rotary, whilst simultaneously making sure Billy doesn't steal her drink
Below: Governor Christine congratulates Lynne on her contributions to Rotary and her superb collection of hats
Below: Governor Christine recognises Joanne's contributions to High River Youth, while Joanne fumbles around looking for Christine's wallet
On 22 June members of the RCHR helped the High River Royal Canadian Legion celebrate its 90th anniversary by erecting the Rotary tent and drinking the Legion's beer. (Pictured below: members of the Rotary and Legion practice their government worker drill)
On August 20 our new Rotary Youth Exchange student arrived in Canada. Thibault Courtois (pictured below with the High River welcoming committee) is from La Louviere, Belgium, and he will be staying in High River until summer 2020, attending Highwood High School. Our own exchange student, Megan Stokke, is now in Chile, attending school there also until summer 2020.
The 34th Rotary Club of High River's Golf Tournament is coming up on 18 July. This is the club's biggest annual fundraiser and needs all the support it can get to help deliver community and international programs. See the Links Poster to the left for more details and click on it or here to register.
RCHR was treated to its triennial casino weekend on Saturday 8 June and Sunday 9 June. The casino was everything the movies make it out be, glamorous, dangerous, free food. Many thanks to all the Rotarians, their spouses and friends who volunteered to ensure that our biggest fundraiser went off smoothly. Well done to the organizer, Ev "Lucky Dynamite" Doherty,(seen below schmoozing with a few handsome Rotarians).
This past Saturday, May 4, 2019, Peter McGuigan and Hal Knox presented on our club’s international project work at the 2019 District 5360 “Building Comm-Unity” conference in Olds College, Olds, Alberta. In this photo Peter is discussing the “See-Can” project, in partnership with Canadian Vision Care, which is proposed by the Rotary Club of High River, to build and deploy a portable eye care clinic in rural Malawi, Africa. The first “See-Can” eye clinic will be named in honour of our dear friend Maurice Walsh, who passed earlier this year, and was a champion of several international aid organization around the world.
Beginning this month our club is launching a new fundraiser. The Canadian Flag Program has seen great success with other clubs around the country, and we believe that High River can also be successful with this highly visible, colourful, and patriotic program.
How It Works: Subscribers contribute $50 once per year and for that the club will plant a Canadian flag on their front lawn three times per year, and leave it there for a week. This Canadian flag is 6'x3' and mounted on a 10' flagpole. It has a large Rotary wheel as a finial, serving to advertise Rotary.
Why It Works: Beyond the obvious expression of patriotism, the Rotary Canadian flags proudly show subscribers' support for local community charities, societies, and youth programs. It raises Rotary visibility within the community.
What It Needs To Work: You. The program will grow year over year but getting that initial visibility within the community depends upon all Rotarians pitching the idea to those they know, and by leading by example. The St Albert Rotary Club has only 40 members yet has 350 subscribers to the program. For some clubs this is their biggest single fundraising event.
How To Subscribe: You can click here or on the poster in Links. This will take you to our subscriptions page. You can also direct folks to our club web page, the Rotary Club of High River on Google. For more information you can talk to Bart, Hank, Duncan, Ev or Damian. Subscribers need to live within a 5 km radius of High River.
The first flag weekend is approaching soon, the May long weekend. Please help us get off to a great start
The 2019 Rotary Club of High River Lobster Boil tickets are now available but they are selling fast. The good news is that the prices are the same as last year and there is NO carbon tax!!!
Prices
$85 Lobster and Prime Rib
$75 Lobster Only
$65 Prime Rib Only
$95 Two Lobster Only
Click here or the posters to purchase tickets or call 587-208-6991 or Email: rotaryhighriver@gmail.com
RCHR welcomed two new members in February, Kevin Bibault and Gord Leigh. Kevin and Gord are looking forward to putting up Xmas lights for Ted and directing traffic for Hank.
I would like to take a moment to raise your awareness about one of the largest natural disasters that is getting very little attention. Tropical Cyclone Idai is devastating the East Coast of Africa, with millions of people displaced and many hundreds of people missing or reported dead. ShelterBox is Rotary's Partner in Disaster Relief, and are already responding to the incredible need in the Region. This can be Rotary District 5360's way to help. We have set up a District 5360 Fundraising page where Clubs, members and even other individuals can donate. Thank you for your consideration and commitment to Serve
The Rotary Club of High River raised almost $1,600 towards High River HandiBus at its annual St Paddy's Party at Highwood Golf Club on 14 March. 130 people showed up to support the cause and have a great night, including Rotarians from Calgary and Okotoks, as well as our very own Rotarians and their guests. Our audience also showed their appreciation of the dancers by generously chipping an additional $700 into the hat towards their dance school.
Many thanks to those Rotarians who helped make this a wonderful event, including Sheila, Carol, Hank, Hugh, Gerry, and Ev, as well as Laurel and Lorraine.
Did you know that our Club has a Strategic Plan? We need to review it each year to ensure that it remains relevant and in line with the direction we wish to see the Club proceed. To read it just click on the title above. If you'd like to contribute to it or change it in any way please let the Executive Committee know, as they will be making any amendments in April. Or if you're just having trouble sleeping, please feel free.
“We are also grateful to both the Western Financial Group and the Rotary Club of High River who provided a beautiful fridge and freezer to support our cause,”
The Okotoks and High River Rotary Clubs recently partnered in a project that would provide the Foothills Search and Rescue Society with a new and improved mobile command center. Paul Tarrant, President of the High River Rotary Club, says FSAR was in need of an upgrade to continue the great work they do across the Foothills....
The club celebrated Robbie Burns Day with a dinner and dancing. Mr John Fraser entertained the members and guest with his wit, while Mr Robin Templeton assailed the haggis. Pipe-Major Doug Moulton treated the club with a tune written especially in honour of the club's contributions to the community. The young dancers of the Highwood School of Highland Dance rounded the evening off by pairing off with members for a round of Scottish Folk dancing. Shelley returned home with a bottle of Scotch, while Reg had to make do with the Glayva. The haggis prepared by Sara was delicious.
DALLAS (AP) - As a tow-headed 6-year-old, Paul Alexander took apart everything, including his mother’s blender, simply to understand how it worked. His father would be close behind, putting the pieces back together.
Alexander didn’t know at that time there would be a day he wouldn’t be able to take things apart, wouldn’t be able to run around in the mud, or do other rambunctious activities the average 6-year-old could do. Paralytic polio would place him in an iron lung, a machine that forces air into his lungs with help from a pressurized system, about a week after he had checked into a Dallas hospital in 1952 and shortly after he was prematurely pronounced dead.
Reggie acquired a new weapon in his role of Sergeant to keep order and punish wrong doers; Shades. Now if Reggie is eyeing you as a potential miscreant, you’ll never know it, until your fine money hits the cup.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
-Margaret Atwood
Meet your new Rotarians
This month: Rob Whitfield
I was born in the South West of England in the country of Cornwall. I have been married to Julie for 43 years and between us we have 3 sons, 1 daughter, 9 grandchildren and 3 great granddaughters.
We moved to Canada in January 1977 with Nestle, the Swiss food manufacturer. In 1980 Nestle moved me to Calgary to run the operation out west. In 1995 I left Nestle after 28 years and went into partnership in an auto business. In 2002 I went on my own and started up my current company, Mastergard Enterprises Inc., a company that is involved in the manufacturing, distribution, etc for our Mastergard M6000 Vehicle Immobilizer. To date we have over 500,000 immobilizers protecting vehicles from being stolen and we have not one report of a vehicle being stolen.
In 2009, Julie and I moved to the Montrose subdivision of High River. We did this because we liked what we know of High River and due to us having been members of the Highwood since 1986 (We are glad we moved out of the big city). Since moving to High River I have been heavily involved in our local church where I serve as an Elder.
In September 2012 I transferred from the Rotary Club of Calgary Chinook, after 31 years, to High River. During my time at the Chinook Club I served for 18 years on the club’s International Rotary Youth Exchange Committee, most of that time as a Chairperson. I have also served as a Director, VP and in 1996 as the club President. In August of 2013 I will have completed 10 great years on the District Youth Exchange Committee and at that time I will finish my involvement on the committee.
I am so pleased to be a member of the High River Rotary Club and I thank everyone or making me so welcomed.
“Holding back is so close to stealing.”
-Neil Young
CHILDREN OF ROTARY
Some of the best things we do is support education for children in poor areas of the World.
Nathaly is far right in the front row and is in a youth mariachi band.
Our club financially supports poor High School students in the State of Colima, Mexico through Project Amigo. These students live in poor areas of this State and would probably not be able to continue with their High School education, save for this help. I have spent a volunteer week there for the last 4 years. I have arranged for one of the students, Nathaly, to visit us in Canada July 6th-20th, she will be at our Rotary meeting July 11, 2013. Nathaly just turned 18, is graduating High School this month and has applied to attend Law School at the University of Colima on a Project Amigo Scholarship
Children of Annapurna
Through the efforts of Chris Wilson, we financially support, with others, 27 to 30 students in Nepal which allows them to stay in school. Children who display desire, promise and a work ethic are handpicked by the teachers to receive this help. I think it’s one of the most enduring and best things to do. One of those students is this girl with perhaps her mother or probably her teacher. She has an expressive face and beyond the obvious intelligence and Buddhist gentleness of her tradition, I see some pride, a pride of accomplishment, which shows in the way she wears her school uniform. She may be the first of her family to have gotten this far. I also see from the direct gaze into the camera the beginnings of a confidence. Perhaps she has come to understand education is power. She wants to become a doctor. Her life in poverty stricken Nepal will have challenges we in the Western world can scarcely imagine. I wish for her a life of options.
“Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this, too, was a gift.” -Mary Oliver
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Nanton's David Gale and Amanda Bustard collect their cheques at the end of the night following their big win in the first annual High River Rotary Club Lip Sync Battle.
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