Opening/Chair: Ed MacDonald was chair for the day and lead the group in the singing of O Canada and in a moment of personal reflection.

 

By way of self introduction, Ed told the group he is from Cape Breton (as if we didn't know!) and that after a career with the federal civil service in Ottawa he returned to NS to buy a business which is now run by his son Andrew. He also announced that his daughter will be married in Cape Breton in two weeks so he has come full circle.

 

Happy Mug: There were a number of happy Rotarians: Judy Nicholson for a great Hospice event at the Glengarry with the Mellowtones; Wayne Gillis for a recent 5 week vacation that had him sea Kayaking around Anticosti Island; Dave Mills for a family wedding (his niece married Truro Rotarian David Eisenor). 

 

Attendance:  53% (with makeups)

 

Visitors/Guests: No visitors or guests

 

Member Health:  Jim Goit noted that he recently met David MacNaughton and reported he looked well and had had a good summer.  A question was asked about Sharon Quinlan and it was reported that while recovering she is still in NL until at least the middle of Oct.

 

It was noted that former club member Dennis Wright had recently died. Dennis was famous (or infamous) in the club and the community for his fundraising skills. Some remembered his lobster eating habits.

 

Committee Reports: Mark reported on the search for a new coordinator for the Christmas Index program. Some applications have been received but Mark is actively soliciting more. If Rotarians know of anyone they should be encouraged to apply using the website http://ca.indeed.com and seach for the position Christmas Index Program Coordinator. 

 

Secretary's Report: Ryan reported that the club had received two thank you cards - one from the NS Provincial Exhibition and the other from Big Brothers Big Sisters Colchester.

 

President's Report: None this week.

 

50/50:  Jim Goit drew the lucky ticket (after a last minute trade with Ken MacDonald) and wouldn't you know it, he found the joker for the second week in a row.  The pot was a meager $8 after last weeks win but Jim noted that it was already spent (and then some) as his recent donation to the RI Foundation's Annual fund was in US dollars and needed to be topped up.

 

Speaker:  This weeks speaker was Kathy Brush from the Truro Head Start Preschool

 

Truro Head Start started in 1967 by two teachers who saw the need for early intervention for children. The program moved to the NSCC campus (Originally the Teachers College) about 45 years ago where it remains.

The Truro Head Start School Society is licensed and inspected by the Department of Community Services and operates under their guidelines and provides preschool education programs for children between the ages of 3 and 5 years. 

Children are grouped into classes of 15. Classes run for two hours twice a week. There are currently 60 students, 9 of which are defined as special needs. The majority come from Truro but there are students from all over Colchester county.

Kathy stated that inclusiveness is a priority of the program and then explained some of the programs that the children enjoyed most. The Story Stones and the Jolly Phonics programs were two of the ones they liked best.

 

 

The program could not operate without the support of volunteers and community organizations. Kathy thanked the Rotary Club of Truro for their 35 years of support - one of their longest standing supporters.  

Rotarian Ken MacDonald thanked Kathy for her presentation. 

 

 

 

Closing: 1:00 pm