1.  I would like to thank Arlaine Monaghan for introducing our speaker last week, Corporal Kim Mueller and providing the background and an update of the activities of the committee, Connecting with our Aboriginal Neighbours.  Thanks to Corporal Mueller, who many of us know, for her perspectives about how the RCMP supports the youth in the Paul and Enoch Bands. 

 

I look forward to the continuation of the discussion of Aboriginal youth at our Feb. 23rd meeting when Dr. Dianne McConnell, Associate Superintendent of PSD will be our speaker.  She will be talking about Parkland School Division programs that support the school success of our local Aboriginal youth.

 

2. A reminder that on March 18th there will be a First Responders Regimental Ball at the Heritage Pavilion in Stony Plain.  Any funds raised will support Aboriginal youth programming in the area.  Tickets are $75.00 and include a Military Band and a dinner by Elizabethan Catering.  This event will be the first event at the new facility.

 

 

3.  So...in December when visiting with our friend, Randy Hetherington, I mentioned that if he wanted to contribute anything to the RAP please send me a contribution.  So here it is...and I invite any member if they want to contribute something please let me know...

 

Rotary from The Columbia River Gorge

The times, they are a changin’….Bob Dylan must have been thinking about the inauguration of one Donald Trump when he sang out those immortal words…no…wait…nobody could have ever imagined that. As a rag tag fugitive Spruce Grove Rotarian here in Portland I must say that there is never a dull day in the gorge. I fully expect an executive order any day now that prohibits beer drinking by Aliens and I am officially a legal alien. I hope this doesn’t come to pass as Portland is the ultimate beervana. Even beyond the city borders the magic elixir runs free. I am heading to beautiful Astoria on the coast for the Festival of the Dark Arts February 18^th. No, this is not a medieval event where Brad could brandish a sword and Jan ride in on magnificent steed. It is a celebration of darker ales and stouts so Angus is probably the best Rotarian to send on a peace mission from our club.

 

Service wise there is much the city of Portland has to offer and our club’s world champion curlers will appreciate the only dedicated curling facility south of Seattle. The entire operation is run by volunteers. Recently we hosted the US Women’s Senior National Championships…a feather in the club’s hat for sure. Poverty is visible here…very visible. While Portland is very gentrified the social issues we face in Spruce Grove exist here and often magnified 100% or more. It is a beautiful city but certainly there is much good work for community minded Rotarians to involve themselves in.

 

So, if The RAP master John sees fit I will try to keep you all informed of the “big news” from Rose City and the land of the Donald as best I can. There will be “alternate facts” and likely an irresponsible tweet every now and then too but hopefully it will inform and when possible reform your thinking. I have to go…there is someone at the door claiming to be CIA…maybe I’m coming back…or building a section of the northern wall.