banner
Stories
Page 1 - 2026-27

THE PARKWOOD JOURNAL

OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF OSHAWA-PARKWOOD

Mailing Address: 200-481 Taunton Rd W., OSHAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA L1J 0G3

2026-27 ROTARY THEME: “ CREATE LASTING CHANGE ”
 
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT:   Olayinka “Yinka” Hakeem Babalola, Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Nigeria      
 
R.I. DISTRICT 7070 GOVERNOR:    Liz Compton - Rotary Club of  Toronto-Leaside , Ontario, Canada
 
ASSISTANT DISTRICT 7070 GOVERNOR:  Don Alton – Rotary Club of Pickering , Ontario, Canada
 

 

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO:

ROTARY – People of Action

Rotary is where neighbours, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change.

 

We're made up of local business, professional, and civic leaders. 

We meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships and through that, we're able to get things done in our community. 

It's up to YOU.............Join leaders in our community

Be sure to share this with all of your friends and associates and ask them to get in touch with our Club Past President Hilda Finnigan at 905-431-4258 or our Club Membership Director Shashi Bhatia at 416-887-2953 

You are invited to our next Rotary meeting. You may wish to become a Rotarian. Dinner is on us. Isn't it time to give back to your community?.

 

THE OBJECT OF ROTARY

is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

FIRST The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

SECOND High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful

occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

THIRD The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;

FOURTH The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of

business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

 

Rotary Code of Conduct provides a framework for ethical behaviour that all Rotarians can use, together with The Four-Way Test, in their business and professional activities.

ROTARY CODE OF CONDUCT

As a Rotarian, I will

  1. Exemplify the core value of integrity in all behaviours and activities
  2. Use my vocational experience and talents to serve in Rotary
  3. Conduct all of my personal, business, and professional affairs ethically, encouraging and fostering high ethical standards as an example to others
  4. Be fair in all dealings with others and treat them with the respect due to them as fellow human beings
  5. Promote recognition and respect for all occupations which are useful to society
  6. Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my community
  7. Honour the trust that Rotary and fellow Rotarians provide and not do anything that will bring disfavour or reflect adversely on Rotary or fellow Rotarians
  8. Not seek from a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship

 

THE ROTARY FOUR-WAY TEST

of things we think, say and do:

  1. Is it the truth
  2. Is it fair to all concerned?
  3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
  4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

 

Read more...
Page 2 - Apr 21, 2026

MINUTES OF MEETING:  Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Editor: Tess Pierce

 

A blue sign with white textDescription automatically generated

WHEN: Saturday April 25 9:30 am-Noon.

WHERE: Second Marsh 555 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, ON L1H 7Y2.

WHO: Community members, Rotarians and Friends of The Second Marsh 

FOCUS: Celebrating Earth Day and the protection of the environment. 

 

On May 20, you can learn more in a special on-line presentation “Unite for Peace”– a high-energy hour of stories, music and more, showcasing the peacebuilding work of Rotary through our commitment to create lasting change that enhances international relationships, improves lives and communities, and creates a more peaceful world. REGISTER HERE.

 

Meeting Called to Order: at 6:00 PM: by President David Mankiewicz

Grace: Kim Tan

Toast to the KING: Lennis Trotter

Land Acknowledgement: President Dave

We respectfully acknowledge that the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood is meeting on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nations, within the jurisdiction of the Williams Treaties.  We are committed to our responsibility of stewardship, in these relationships and for this land on which we learn, share and live. 

Toast to CANADA: Robbie Larocque

Visiting Rotarians and Guests:

Olaleye Oluwaolorunlanke Prospective member

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday to Fahim Fikrat on April 21 & Camille Miquel Farfan on April 26

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Dave A.

  • Spring Cleanup @ Second Marsh is Saturday April 25. 9:30 – noon. Friends, family all invited to help.
  • Reverse Draw IMPORTANT: Dave needs all ticket stubs and money in ASAP. We must tell the hotel the meal count and choices by MONDAY APRIL 27.
  • Silent Auction We have over 60 items so far. Keep them coming.
  • Peace Forum is May 20. This online event includes Zone 28 & 32 and is a high-energy hour of stories, music and more, showcases peacebuilding work of Rotary. CLICK HERE to REGISTER. Advance registration required to get the ZOOM link.
  • Reminder the District Assembly is May 23. RLI Part 1 also that day. The club will cover the tuition costs for both.

Tess

  • April Social on April 28th will be at The Mandarin. Reservations are for 5:30 pm. Ask for the Rotary Table. 

SGT AT ARMS:  David Penney

ACE OF SPADES: – only 23 cards left.  Emmy held the winning ticket and drew the 3 of Spades.

 

Happy Bucks! We were all happy for the great weather (finally)

  • Hilda is happy that the Reverse Draw is looking good.
  • Al is happy that he passed his driver’s test.
  • Bev is happy that the work on our 50th gala is coming together, and that Rotary is helping her enjoy retirement.
  • Olaleye made us laugh because he went to the wrong room tonight and that is why he was late.
  • Robbie had a sad buck for someone’s shoulder injury. But this editor could not read her own writing, and I am unable to report whose shoulder was.
  • Dale bragged about selling 25 bottles of Maple Syrup!
  • Larry reminded us that the Beer Store has an Earth Day special when returning your empties. He also told a dad joke about a country western song.
  • Shashi is happy to be with her Rotary family.
  • Kim is happy to be home after her trip to Singapore and Malaysia. Her Great Grand Nephew won a prestigious piano award. She attended 2 Rotary meetings while visiting. The meals were 74$ each! But she was treated to one, so it was not too bad.
  • Tess is very proud of her daughter Rachel who is the CEO of the largest furniture bank in Iowa.
  • Ted is happy to be home from the Dominican. It was so hot his meds disintegrated.
  • Camille is seeing the end of her semester. Just a couple exams to go.
  • Yvonne is happy her child has learned to do their own laundry. What a great life skill!

 

Special Rotary Meeting.

 

 

Thanks to Dave Andrews we were ZOOMED into this Zone training on Storytelling and using the Rotary Brand. Amy Sheller, the Public Image Coordinator for Zone 32, is a video storyteller, film maker and President of the Rotary Club of Kutztown. She provided us with important “How tos” on using the Rotary Brand when telling our Rotary stories. Some highlights included 1) examples of incorrect branding, 2) how to log into Brand Central and download images and documents, and 3) using a story-telling template to help us design and share our stories. To enhance our stories, she suggested using action photos to support each story. We are People of Action, and another good idea is to spotlight members and their Rotary work on social media channels. These ideas energize our clubs and promote membership initiatives. Joe Solway, from Bowmanville Rotary, provided additional suggestions and reminded us that each month the District newsletter (edited by our own Dave Andrews) provides new ideas. Check out this link. Finally Joe and Amy encouraged each of us to visit the Learning Centre in My Rotary and take the three courses on using the Rotary Brand.

 

President David Mankiewicz closed the meeting at 8:02 PM.                              

IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, YOU CAN 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 Executive Secretary Dave Andrews or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.

 

Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Shashi Bhatia
August 4
 
Leon Efraim
August 8
 
Irina Roudenko
August 10
 
Penelope Williams
August 25
 
Michael Jones
August 27
 
David Andrews
August 31
 
Spouse/Partner Birthdays
Irina Roudenko
August 10
 
Terri Lynn Larocque
August 23
 
Anniversaries
Larry Hurren
Kay Hurren
August 3
 
Dale Duke
Janet Duke
August 26
 
Linda Porritt
Craig
August 29
 
Speakers
Sep 08, 2026 6:00 PM
OSCC + 55 - Oshawa Senior Community Centres
Sep 15, 2026 6:00 PM
Committee updates to our Club members
Sep 22, 2026 6:00 PM
Mid Autumn Moon Festival
Sep 29, 2026 6:00 PM
50th Anniversary Dinner and party
Oct 05, 2026 11:30 AM
Her Official Visit to Our Oshawa Clubs
Oct 06, 2026 6:00 PM
Meeting Cancelled
Oct 13, 2026 6:00 PM
His Annual Address to Our Club
Oct 15, 2026 6:00 PM
World Polio Day Oct 16 at Durham College
Oct 20, 2026 6:00 PM
Annual Update and Promote Concert for Feed The Need
Oct 27, 2026 6:00 PM
Lakeridge Foundation Annual Update
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Board of Directors Meeting
Sep. 01, 2026
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
50th Anniversary Committee Meeting
Sep. 15, 2026
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Bingo - Red Barn
Sep. 19, 2026
3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Bingo - Red Barn
Sep. 24, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Rotary Foundation Walk
Sep. 27, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
50th Anniversary - Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood
Sep. 29, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Board of Directors Meeting
Oct. 06, 2026
4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
World Polio Day IN PERSON AND LIVE Broadcast
Oct. 15, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Halloween Haunt at The Kids Safety Village
Oct. 22, 2026
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
District Conference
Oct. 23, 2026 4:00 p.m. –
Oct. 25, 2026 2:00 p.m.
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
Vice President
 
Vice President
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Director - International Service
 
Director - Rotary Foundation
 
Director - Membership
 
Director - Club Administration
 
Director - Community and Vocational
 
Past President
 
Director - Public Relations
 
Executive Secretary
 
Director - Youth Services
 
Club Young Leaders Contact
 
RSS Feed
‘One simple word’
Leaders highlight the power of gratitude at The Rotary Foundation Donor Summit
 
 
Talking reading and Rotary with Dolly Parton
The entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton died 25 August 2026. This Q&A was originally published in the March 2010 issue of The Rotarian (now Rotary) magazine. Later that year, she spoke at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal, Canada.
 
 
A safe transition beyond the wire
A Rotary club in Kansas helps women break the cycle of incarceration and elude dangers on the outside
 
 
Rotary projects around the globe – August 2026
Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Thailand.
 
 
Food as medicine for TB recovery
Rediscovering a weapon against the deadliest infectious disease, TB advocates look to better nutrition