Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, April 11, 2024
Vice-President Olaf chaired the meeting.
Guest Ford Neal was introduced and welcomed.
Club Business
The Toonie Quest West 50-50 draw had a winner this week. Lorraine informed everyone that the next week toonie count on Wednesday April 18 will start at noon.
Guest Speaker
Honorary Rotarian Martin introduced the guest speaker Floyd Spracklin. Floyd began by speaking of his latest book ‘Beyond Shellbird” and how he became interested in Shellbird Island. It started in the 1080’s when Floyd and his father went fishing near Shellbird Island in the Humber River at the base of the ‘Man of the Mountain. As they fished, his father spoke of the folk tale that pirates had buried treasure on this small island. At that fishing time, Floyd also walked around the little island probably hoping to find pirate treasure.
Floyd who for many years had edited books and was always writing but not published wrote his first book that was published about Shellbird Island. Since then, he has published several books with his last being ‘Beyond Shellbird”.
At the launch of this book last fall Lloyd Bartlett agreed to play at the opening. Preparing for the official book launch Lloyd wrote a song about Shellbird Island which he sang at the book launch.
Floyd continued his talk by reading a section from ‘Beyond Shellbird’ and ended by playing Lloyd’s song’ The Mystery of Shellbird Island’.
A question period followed including questions about Floyd’s experiences in Nain and Northern Coastal Labrador. Floyd spoke about his experiences in the North and how his tales from Nain will be heard on the local northern radio station and the Downhomer magazine is going to showcase three of his Labrador stories in November. Everyone enjoyed Floyd’s talk and the tales he shared from Labrador. He was thanked by Olaf on behalf of the club before the meeting was adjourned.