SARGEANT-AT-ARMS REPORT: BOB KOSKI
Bob Koski conducted a Quiz this week:
Who said - “Even if I didn’t have a gun, I would have gone in”
Who was the Leader, then Out of the Party, then Resigned, and then Back in here in Ontario this week?
The winners:
Mugs given to Sandy and Jan who had the right answers
Stanley thought he said the answer so Jan gave her mug to him
ACE OF SPADES DRAW
Jacqueline Smith-Jordan, our visiting Rotarian from the Rotary Club of North Scarborough drew 574147 – Robert won – and he drew Queen of Hearts
HAPPY BUCKS:
Linda – Went to the Rotary Club of York's Chinese New Year Celebration with Kris and Jan had a fabulous time! 10 courses
Dave – Happy Linda gets to go to Rotary International Headquarters in Evanston Illinois – use all of the training and information be an even better President for our group
Sandy and Kim – Ontario Community Newspaper Committee – got to select a winner of an amazing award (student) going to the TD Tower for the presentation and lunch on the roof top of Canoe and then a Queens Park Tour – the student helped raise funds and donated them the $10,000 collected to Grandview Kids
Robert and Caroline – went to Peru – the crime rate has gone up – we did not get robbed! - Would you recommend Peru? No!
Sonya – was with both kids and my son's girlfriend at my condo it was a Fabulous time!
Jan – Jacqueline glad you are here I hope you consider our club – gave my mug to Stanley
Bob - saw the movie the Post thought of the girls at Oshawa Express
GUEST SPEAKER:
Garth Johns. Executive Director of the Downtown Oshawa BIA who was introduced by Kim Boatman
Garth is an effective and highly respected senior leader, manager, consultant and author. He is also a presenter and speaker on topics relating to leadership, management and human resources. Garth has a passion for educating, mentoring and developing
Garth is very excited to be the Executive Director of the Downtown BIA. His three words that he reviews each and every day: “Attitude - Gratitude - Action”
43rd Wedding Anniversary last week. Pleasing everyone is not effective management, organization is the key.
Our downtown Oshawa has had a lot of exciting events last year and many more to come this year. We know this will take time and we are willing to do whatever it takes to make our downtown vibrant. Oshawa is rapidly becoming a destination location. With an emerging music culture, Oshawa has something happening every day. Both the Tribute Communities Centre and The Regent Theatre host a variety of concerts and other events throughout the year. The Oshawa Music Hall, The Moustache Club, and other venues bring in a variety of local and national bands.
The BIA hosts four annual signature events:
Show and Shine
Bikes on Bond
Kars on King
Oshawa Wine Tasting Festival
All of these free events are family friendly and accessible– allowing everyone the opportunity to enjoy these occasions. Our downtown merchants assist with the events by supporting the Blue W, enabling anyone to come in and get water whether it be for their animals or themselves.
In recent years, a number of new events have been held in the downtown BIA. The BIA and DurhamVeg (a local community group) have partnered to host the Hot Roots Soup festival in February. This week-long event celebrates Black History Month and provides education to participants about healthy vegetarian and vegan eating.1500 People Attend. For the past 2 years, the BIA and local eatery, Buster Rhino’s have joined forces to bring the Durham Craft Beer Fest to Downtown Oshawa. Over 1500 people attend this weekend beer festival where they sample a variety of local craft beers and delicious food from local restaurants.
The changes to downtown Oshawa over the past two years have spurred a new focus on Oshawa and the downtown. Recently voted the top place in Canada to find employment, there is a renewed interest in investing in our downtown. Oshawa has over $120 million being invested in the downtown. Our downtown core boasts two new fully accessible hotels, a future convention centre, the historic Genosha Hotel is currently being converted to residential units while maintaining its original glory.
The Downtown Oshawa BIA was first formed in 1974 to help beautify and promote the downtown. Throughout the years, we have worked with the City and other stakeholders to beautify, promote and advocate for the downtown. Represented by a Board of Management, the Downtown Oshawa BIA is designated under a municipal by-law and legislated by the province of Ontario. It is designed to be a self-help mechanism that provides the tools and resources necessary to promote and beautify Oshawa’s Downtown.
The BIA also provides a significant contribution to the Downtown by acting as an advocate for its members and by promoting new programs and changes that will assist them. This ranges from who to contact about an issue in the downtown , to working with the City on their initiatives – such as bringing the Pan Am Games and Roger’s Hometown Hockey to Oshawa. The BIA’s commitment to its members, the City and the residents of Oshawa will ensure the downtown continues to offer a positive experience for everyone.
Please visit our website to see what’s happening www.downtownoshawa.ca
REMINDER TO OUR SILENT AUCTION PRIZE COLLECTORS:
CONCENTRATE ON EXPERIENCES RATHER THAN PHYSICAL ITEMS
Here is just a partial list of ideas and our Rotarians who have volunteered to get these high-end items for the Silent Auction;
Premium Membership with CAA – Janice to call
Local Radio Station – Value of $500 of Advertising – Janice to call
Hair Salons - $100 Gift Certificates – Janice to call
Four massages from a day spa – Sonya to call
Dine Around Oshawa – multiple gift certificates from the Oshawa Area that we can package together – Jan to call (and everyone can help Jan get thses gift certificates)
Local caterer – to prepare and serve dinner for eight in your home – Dave Penney to call (perhaps Kevin)
Gift Certificate from local car wash for 20 car washes – Kim to call
Contact local golf pro for two free golf lessons – Mikeand Dave A to call
Ask a local plumber to donate a new toilet with installation – any volunteer to get this item ?
Lunch with the Mayor of Oshawa – Sonya to call
Local Car dealer to provide 5 oil changes – Kim to call
Lunch with the Police Chief and a tour of the Station – Sonya / Stanley
Regent tickets – Sandy to provide
Tribute Centre – Box at a Generals Hockey game – Dave and Sonya to connect with them
Sports Tickets – Raptors/Leaf tickets - Sonya to call
North End Bowl – Birthday party for 10 youngsters – Larry H / Sue to call
Local Lawyer to donate a will – Sue to call
Books – trio of books – Sandy to provide
Toronto Zoo – Family pass with a behind the scenes tour – Sue to call
Package of Movie nights / Refreshments (from Landmark & from Odeon Cineplex) – any volunteers to get this package?
YMCA Membership for 1 year – DONE
Holiday Inn Express – accommodation and dinner – Sonya to call
Port Hope Theatre – Fiddler on the Roof $39 each and a restaurant - any volunteers to get this package ?
Ride in Police Helicopter OR Marine Boat – Stanley to call
Automotive Lover's package – Tour for a family of 4 - of Parkwood, Automotive Museum & GM - any volunteers to get this package ?
Bank – Safety Deposit Box for a year – any volunteers to get this package ?
Flowers a bouquet once a month for one year delivered – Janice confirmed DMP Florist
Churchills / Melanie Lyn – package gift certificates together – Janice will acquire
Limo company – Marquis Limo and a Hotel in Toronto and dinner for a night – Janice to call
Jeweller – would like to get a really nice item for a possible draw
Winery Tour - Janice
We will all continue to think of prospects to connect with. Everyone in the club needs to participate and contribute a silent auction item for our evening.
We may be able to set up a Facebook Page with some of the major items, which will also entice the public to purchase tickets for the evening.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, MAKE UP : Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Robbie Larocque, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.