Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, September 28, 2023
Karen Foley, Heather Jennings, and Darlene Compagnon, from Xavier House, were welcomed.
Club Business
Fundraiser Toonie Quest West
Darlene said that there had been a soft pick-up from the Toonie Quest Boxes so that a data base could be started. The first draw will be October 5th. Xavier House will look after emptying the boxes on Wednesday so that the cards and cash can be sorted and collated on Wednesday afternoon. Rotarians and friends are asked to meet in the Boardroom, Port Office to help count and collate the monies taken in at 2pm. This will be the first draw so as many Rotarians as possible are asked to help. (Please note this time has been changed to 1pm, Wednesday Oct. 4th).
Darlene explained how the boxes are to be emptied into bank bags which will be taken to the Boardroom ready for the counting and collating crew to get busy in the afternoon.
Guest Speaker
Program - Chair Lorraine introduced the guest speaker Lloyd Hollett of the Newfoundland Insectarium. Lloyd is the owner operator of the Newfoundland Insectarium in Deer Lake, and this is the 25th Anniversary of its opening.
Lloyd began by giving his own history and how his interest in the insect world began. He was working at the Department of Forestry starting in St John’s and then Pasadena. When working in Pasadena he began an insect collection which grew. He began visiting schools to give talks about insects not only local insects but those from throughout the world. He wrote to many countries requesting insect specimens from their country. Boxes began to arrive, and the collection grew as did his visits to schools.
In 1990 he started trying to get financial help from the government but after 8 years of trying, he raised the money himself. He bought a barn in Deer Lake which was renovated to become the Newfoundland Insectarium.
He went on the discuss this tourism business and how the Insectarium is open from May – October and is a very popular venue for school groups and tourists. He spoke about the effect on the business due to covid, but the tourists’ numbers have rebounded and last year there were 29,00 visitors. This year has been an even busier one. The main attractions are butterflies then ants followed by bees.