Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, May 29, 2025

President Jackie chaired the meeting.  

Guest Patti Ricketts was welcomed

 at 12.30 and might over run a little if necessary.

 Rotarian Kathleen introduced Justine Olfert who is a registered acupuncturist with the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and acupuncturists of Newfoundland and Labrador Council of Health Practitioners.

She practises in Corner Brook at MOCEAN Physiotherapy and Wellness.

Justine who used power point to illustrate her talk began by answering the question ‘What is acupuncture?’. 

Acupuncture has been around for more than 2500 years.

It is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to treat pain, improve overall health, and promote bringing the body energies into balance.

 Justine went on speaking about the difference between dry needling which stimulates muscles and acupuncture when the needles on and under the skin encourage the nervous system to be in balance so helping the body heal itself.

 Her next question was to consider what acupuncturists can treat which included a wide range of disorders including pain disorders, hormone imbalance, stress, digestive disorders, allergies, chronic diseases and more.

Justine continued by looking at the different treatments she has been trained to use such as fire cupping, electroacupuncture, and tuina massage and why and how they are used. 

 She finished her talk by talking about Community Acupuncture Clinics and how they are set up and the benefits to patients. This idea started in Oregon and there is one in St John’s. Justine would like to establish one in Corner Brook.  To quote Justine, “Work is the way we give our blessings back to the community.”

Justine answered several questions before being thanked for speaking to the club and the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, May 8, 2025

President Jackie chaired the meeting.  

Rotarian Gerry was warmly welcomed back to the Rotary meetings after being in the hospital since January.

Elaine informed Rotarians that 6 Rotarians had attended the Sea Cadet Corps Annual Ceremonial Review on Monday, May 5 at 6pm at the Gallipoli Armoury. 

 Rotarians were pleased to attend and watch the precise drills executed by the cadets followed by Elaine addressing the assembled cadets. Awards were handed out after which Lt(N) Cyril Coombs Commanding Officer of 184 RCSCC Curling addressed the cadets.  The evening ended with many photos being taken and a pizza party for the cadets. 

 Lobster Boil

 Rotary Program organiser Linda spoke about the Lobster Boil with suggested date June 12. This seemed to be a good date for most Rotarians so the Lobster Boil will be organised for this date.  Rotarians are asked to reserve the date and closer to the time more details will be given.

 Program Chair Karen introduced Dan Bursey who spoke about the Islaview Foundation.  Dan began his presentation by passing out the children’s book “A Town called ISLAVIEW pronounced I-La-View”. Dan had written the book and his daughter Charlotte aged 7 had drawn the pictures. He began by reading through the book and then explained the significance of the story to everyone.

 His niece Isla Short living with her parents in Deer Lake, was not well and ended up being rushed to the Janeway Children’s Hospital where she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare form of children’s cancer.  For the next 18 months her parents Sarah and Mike Short’s world was turned upside down. Their lives radically changed with the treatments and procedure’s that Isla needed. Isla passed away when she was three and a half years old. Her death resulted in the formation of the Islaview Foundation. This Foundation was formed in memory of Isla in support of all the families who battle day in and day out with the challenges that come with having a child with a life-threatening condition.  Dan, Isla’s uncle before writing the book thought about how Islaview sound like I love You which he used as a starting point for a poem which led to the writing of the children’s book. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to the Islaview Foundation.

Since 2017 Deer Lake commemorates Isla’s life by changing the name of the community to Islaview for one day.  This year Islaview Day will be May 26^th. There will be community breakfasts, and community events. This community kindness movement gives hope and understanding of the needs of families with children with life-threatening illness.

The Islaview Foundation to which donations can be given is built on hope, kindness and love. Through the foundation over 100 families from across the province have been emotionally and financially supported plus given hope for the future.

 Dan answered several questions before being thanked by Paula on behalf of the club for his informative, interesting and inspiring talk.

Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, April 24, 2025

Vice-President Olaf chaired the meeting.  

 Olaf had reminded Rotarians of the invitation to attend the Sea Cadet Corps Annual Ceremonial Review on Monday, May 5 at 6pm at the Gallipoli Armoury. The Rotary Club of Corner Brook is a sponsor of the 184th Curling Sea Cadet Corps Sea Cadets. All Rotarians are invited to attend.

The Toonie Quest West draw today had no winner. Next week the winner will take home good amount of winnings. Remember to play your toonie so you could be the possible winner 

 Guest Speaker

 Rotarian Program-Chair Chris introduced the guest presenters Carol Anne Wright, Senior Director of Primary Health Care and Community Support and Paulette Morgan, Director of Hospital and Clinical Services.

 They both spoke with the aid of a visual presentation about the Senior’s Health and Wellbeing Plan that is a priority for the Newfoundland Health Services Western Zone. 

Paulette who is a registered nurse and has worked in the health system in various role for the past 27 years began by looking at the vision and values of the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, NLHS. The values she noted were care, innovation, compassion, accountability, respect, effectiveness and efficiency, health and wellbeing.  The aim is for this to apply for every person in every community. She explained in more detail how the care should be patient centred, and the goals followed so this happens. She noted when she spoke of ‘bed management’ she was talking about a holistic approach to patient care.

 Hospital admissions now include care across a continuum that includes recovery at home and being at home is part of recovery. This is a noted shift in patient, management from inpatient care only but now includes home recovery. Paulette continued by talking about appropriateness of patient care and explained what that covered as well as different services offered when a patient returns home.

Carol Anne then took over the presentation. She is a social worker and has worked in the health system in a variety of roles for the past 35 years.   She began by speaking of the NLHS priorities, the Health Accord and the present strategic plan. The focus of the plan is one province with one service. She spoke of the changing demographic in the Western Zone and the present need for more long-term beds.  She went on to consider the Health and Wellbeing of Seniors’ Plan and the support available to seniors to support healthy aging. 

There is financial help available for seniors and their caregivers which just needs to be applied for. Senior Friendly Healthcare programs in Newfoundland and Labrador, she noted, aim to improve care for older adults across the healthcare continuum, focusing on age-friendly primary healthcare, community engagement, and addressing the specific needs of seniors. These programs are designed to enhance the quality of life for older adults by promoting healthy aging, preventing isolation, and ensuring access to necessary services. 

Paulette then spoke about the new long term care unit that is being readied on the 3^rd floor of the old hospital building. This will include beds for 30 patients and on the 2^nd floor there will be beds for 15 patients who no longer require acute care but require an alternate level of care.

 Olaf thanked Carol Anne and Paulette for the most informative talk.

 The meeting was the adjourned.

 

Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, March 13, 2025

President Jackie chaired the meeting.  

 This is the meeting at which the Rotary Adventures in Citizenship speak-off is held.  Rotarian Dianna chaired this event.

The winning high school student from the speak-off will be able to attend the Rotary Adventures in Citizenship 2025 program from May 25 to 28 in Ottawa. There will be around 150 high school students from across Canada attending this program. The students will experience tours, lectures, discussions and social events designed to enhance their understanding and appreciation of Canadian citizenship.

 Rotary welcomed teacher sponsors from Corner Brook Regional High School, CBRH, Paula Grudich and from Immaculate Heart of Mary School, IMHS, Elaine King and Stephanie Lewis as well as guests Jeanette Higgins and Darren Brake.

 Two students participated in the speak-off this year. They were Savannah Burden from CBRHS and Grace Brake-Higgins from IHMS.

The judges for the speak-off were Rotarians Elaine, Olaf and Kathleen.

 Before lunch the judges interviewed each of the students.

 After lunch the students spoke about ‘What does it mean to be a Canadian.” Both students gave excellent talks.

The judges then left the room to decide which student had won the speak-off and so be sponsored by Corner Brook Rotary Club to go to Ottawa in May.

 The judges decided that the student going to the Rotary Adventures in Citizenship 2025 would be Savannah.

Both students were congratulated on their participation in the speak-off before the meeting was adjourned.

 

Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, February 27, 2025

President Jackie chaired the meeting.  Prospective Rotarian Linda Carroll was welcomed.

This week there was no winner this week from the Toonie Quest week draw. Remember if you have a number, play your number each week by paying a Toonie as your number is entered in the draw even if you haven’t played.

 

Rotarian Elaine introduced the guest speaker Ian Stone. Ian with his wife are the innkeepers of the Gros Morne Inn, Woody Point. Ian was born and raised in St. John’s, and now is the unofficial ambassador for Bonne Bay in hospitality and tourism, He represents the region on local and provincial tourism boards. He’s an avid volunteer with the Bonne Bay Search and Rescue Team as well as the Trails Tales Tunes Festival and is a supporter of tourism development and marketing projects throughout the region. 

 He began his presentation by talking about how Sustainability is extremely important to him. He began in 2015 Tour Gros Morne with customized tours of the Bonne Bay area.  He wanted to fill a niche that was lacking for people who wanted specialized tours that provided a sustainable tourism experience combining award winning hiking, culture and culinary experiences.

 Ian wants the money earned in the area through tourism to stay in the area which he believes can happen if people work together.   Tour Gros Morne aims to give tourists as local a sustainable experience as possible and this includes food eaten.

During covid, Ian and his wife bought the Gros Morne Inn and had to totally renovate it.  Again Sustainability came into the renovation and so there was no 

wastage everything was repurposed or reused.  This attitude even changed the minds of contractors working on the renovation.  Hot tubs and saunas were built   with everything purchased in Canada. Everything was built with sustainability in mind.  Both the tour company and the Inn are certified for Sustainable Tourism which means they are audited three times a year and monitored. In 2022 the Inn was included in the list of Top New Hotels in the world.

Ian spoke about the amazing chefs from Ukraine at the inn and the dishes they prepare. He mentioned that the middle eastern dish Shakshuka can be served at breakfast.

 Ian is also teaching local people about sustainability for the whole area. He feels by working together the health of coastal communities will be protected and Gros Morne will become a leader in Sustainability.

 Ian answered several questions before being thanked by Verbon on behalf of the club. The meeting then adjourned.

 

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Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, February 13, 2025

President Jackie chaired the meeting.  Prospective Rotarian Linda Carroll was introduced and welcomed. Rotarian Gerry is doing well in the hospital and is making good progress.

This week there was a winner this week from the Toonie Quest week draw. Remember if you have a number, play each week your number by paying a Toonie as your number is entered in the draw even if you haven’t played.

Program-chair Rotarian Donna introduced the President of the Corner Brook Winter Carnival Society, Dawn King. 

Dawn began her presentation by explaining the make-up of the Board. This is the 52^nd year for the Corner Brook Winter Carnival. Each Rotarian received a Winter Carnival booklet and pen. This year the ten-day festival starts on Friday February 21 and continues until Sunday March2nd.

 The Carnival booklet lists all the activities by date.  There are activities held before February 21^st.  The Youth Chair, Lisa King approaches elementary schools in the fall for classrooms to think up a slogan for the festival. This year the winners were Mr. Hatcher’s Grade 5 class from Ecole CC Loughlin School with the slogan:  Get in the spirit, get in the Vibe for Winter Carnival 2025. 

The competition for high school students is to be chosen as social media ambassadors for the Carnival. This year 14 students tried out and Deah-Lee Robertson and Amy Dwyer were selected.

 To raise funds for the buttons and booklets, Winter Carnival buttons are sold at over 30 locations in the city. The booklet lists over 90 events with many organisations sponsoring meals and different events to raise funds and to add to the spirit of Corner Brook Winter Carnival.

Dawn spoke about the value of sponsorship of events and the different levels of sponsorship whether it be Platinum, Gold Siver or Bronze.

 She then reviewed the different events planned from the Opening Ceremonies next Friday to children’s events, adult and teen activities and family events.  There are activities for all age groups. This year there will be a Residential Snow Sculpture Contest.

Dawn finished by noting this is a big undertaking but with a wonderful Board of Directors and hard-working committee the Corner Brook Winter Carnival should be very successful and fun for everyone. 

 Donna thanked Dawn and the meeting was adjourned.