MINUTES OF MEETING: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Editor: Tess Pierce with help from Dave Andrews and Robbie Larocque
Meeting Called to Order at 6:30 PM: by Vice President Tess
Grace: Larry H.
Toast to the KING: Linda P.
Land Acknowledgement: Vice President Tess
We respectfully acknowledge that the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood is meeting on the traditional territory of the Mississauga’s 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 L.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests:
Barbara Suen & Steven Suen – our speakers
Rebecca Suen & Connie Dixon – guests of Kim T.
Rotary spouses Esther Trotter & Sharron Morrison
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Birthday to
Jan Penney February 20
Ted Morrison Feb 23
Announcements
Dave P: Happy to report that Pat Dyck is improving. She does not like to go out in bad weather. We will see her soon. Also, Robert Kipling is home and doing well.
SGT AT ARMS: Tess Pierce
The pot is over $400 — 30 cards left.
Dave A. had the ticket but drew the Jack of Diamonds. The pot grows.
Happy Bucks!
Only 30 Days Until Spring!
Thanks to Dave A for his help with Happy Bucks tonight.
- Ted M: Remembered something then forgot what he remembered. Called Kim Tan up to receive her replacement Paul Harris pin.
- Esther T: Happy to be here and Happy New Year! Their granddaughter is playing in an international hockey tournament with120 teams from 21 countries. So far granddaughter’s team is undefeated.
- Larry H: Looking for something red to wear for Valentine’s Day, Larry found his old Olympic 2010 Vancouver hockey jersey. Since he’s been wearing it, Canada has started to win more medals (GOLD!). He even wore it to a Generals game, and they won. Guess he better leave it on.
- Shashi: Always happy to be with her Rotary family and especially to learn about Chinese New Year. She will be missing a few meetings because of her trip to India. She also was happy to see Peter H back at a meeting. His speaker Thank You is legendary.
- Robbie: described his snow-shoeing experience at the cottage. The snowshoes worked well. His poles not so well. They sunk down to over his hips. The two trips he made exhausted him.
- Peter H: Happy to return. His business has made a huge pivot, and he is now working with the big food brokers. He even went to the Food Broker of North America meeting. His heart is always with Rotary. He also thanked us for the hospitality his girls received at the Christmas party.
- Kim: shared some tidbits on how to make the new year better. One tip was to avoid washing your hair for the first 3 days. You do not want to wash away your prosperity. She will leave soon for her big trip to Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The Visa registrations were a pain, but she is now all set.
Happy New Year! The Year of the Horse
Thanks to Robbie for helping with notetaking for Tess.
Kim Tan provided a background for us. Chinese New Year this year is from February 17 to March 8. The Chinese Zodiac is a 12-year cycle with each year represented by an animal. The horse symbolizes momentum, strength, and forward motion. This is the year to move with purpose, clear goals, and make confident decisions with bold energy.
She introduced our two guests, Barbara and Steven Suen. Steven has resided in Oshawa for more than 30 years. He is a retired Special Education teacher. Barbara’s family came to Canada in the 1800’s. She is a professional visual artist and recently retired from Durham College.
Barbara Suen Steven Suen
In the image above, Barbara is holding one of the placemats that each of us received tonight. Chinese astrologers believe that your birth year and the corresponding animal signs play a large role in your characteristics and traits. She introduced a beautiful video that her daughter, Elizabeth, produced that tells the story of how the animals were chosen for the calendar. From the clever rat to the sleepy pig, each animal’s story helps people understand their zodiac personalities. Barbara also shared the Chinese sign language for Happy New Year. (Right hand fist. Place left hand over right. Move hands from left to right.) Steven is an experienced calligrapher and shared two banners that people display each new year. Peter received the banner for business prosperity, and Tess received the Happy New Year banner. After some interesting comments and questions from the group, Peter Hernandez thanked our speakers. We ended our dinner with a sweet piece of cake thanks to Kim Tan.
Enjoy these pics Rotarian Dave A. took of our meeting.
Vice President Tess closed the meeting at 7:50 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.