Snowbirds Commanding Officer, Major Ian McLean, centre of photo, accepts a Certificate of Recognition from Strathcona Sunrise Rotary president Chip Ross on his right, assisted by Rotarian John Challender, on his left.

April 28th 2005
Snowbirds Recognized by Rotarians for Their Support of Youth

Thursday morning provided perfect weather for the Snowbirds' last practice of their deployment to 19 Wing Comox before they embark on their 61-city tour of communities across North America. Assembled as a special audience for this final show at Comox were 80 students, teachers, parents and a few Rotarians. The Rotarians, members of the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise, had arranged for the students to attend the event as they have done for the past six years with the kind permission of the Wing Commander of 19 Wing Comox and the collaboration of the members of Canada's
431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron - The Snowbirds.

Snowbird team members signed many autographs for the visiting students.

Following the flawless show, the aircraft taxied back to the ramp and all of the members of the team. pilots and technicians, lined up for a special thank you from the Rotary club. On behalf of the Rotarians, club President Chip Ross presented the Snowbirds' Commanding Officer, Major Ian McLean, with a Certificate of Recognition for their great support of the club's project of connecting students with highly recognizable, successful Canadians. The team then mingled with the visitors, provided autographs and photo opportunities and answered questions. The students left the base at noon talking about their experiences and munching on their fresh lunches courtesy of the Rotary club.

(L-R) Dennis Hartman, Colleen Weir, Don Gulevich, Paul Vroom and Kevin Tarrant.

April 13th 2005
Five Rotarians Inducted

At our meeting this morning, five Rotarians were inducted by Master of Ceremonies, Marty Douglas. Dennis Hartman was introduced by Gino Tancon, Colleen Weir by Mike Collins, Don Gulevich by Chip Ross on behalf of Al Bergquist, Paul Vroom by John Challender and Kevin Tarrant by Jerry Feniak. Our new Rotarians received rousing applause and a warm welcome from our club.

Steve Galbraith shows Dave Klassen which branch needs to be removed from an apple tree as part of the major restorative pruning job the Cumberland Rotarians have begun in the old orchard to the west of their community as part of their "Rotary Road to Recreation".

April 3rd 2005
Cumberland Rotary Club Begins Community Project

Over the past two weekends, people driving to Comox Lake have slowed down to view the activity going on in the old orchard between Camp Road and Comox Lake Road, just to the west of Union, the historic root of the Village of Cumberland. Under the guidance of arborist Tom King, Cumberland Rotary Club Community Service Director Steve Galbraith and his work party made up of Pauline Vaillencourt, Dave Stevens, Dave Klassen, Wessel Janssen, Ray Iwaasa, Larry Rennison, Mac Fraser and Chip and Karen Ross, were hard at work on Sunday in what King described as a "major restorative pruning" of the decades-old orchard that urban legend suggests was started by miners tossing apple cores into the area on their way to their way to the mines. The fledgling Provisional Rotary Club of Cumberland Centennial, which is growing steadily, began the work as part of their vision of what Vice President Dave Stevens dubbed the "Rotary Road to Recreation". In the fullness of time the club plans to clear away much of the underbrush along the Comox Lake Road, all the way to Comox Lake, and plant attractive perennials including rhododendrons and daffodils. In addition, the club plans to help the larger community in creating a safe walking path from the Village all the way to the Lake.

The orchard is the first stage of the project. When the pruning is completed and all the broom and other underbrush is cleared away, the Rotarians will establish picnic tables in suitable areas for family picnics under the apple trees. The club encourages local families to adopt an apple tree that all members of the family could prune and care for. Interested families will be asked to pay a nominal fee and a sign will be placed near each adopted tree indicating the family and its involvement. Funds raised from the adopt-a-tree program will be used to fund the purchase of picnic tables and other features to make the area an attractive destination. Club President Mac Fraser stated that the club plans to work in concert with other community groups in restoring the area around the former China and Japan towns. Anyone interested in obtaining further information about this project or in joining the public-spirited members of the community who have started this new Rotary club are invited to contact Mac at: 336-2652.

March 16th 2005
Rotarians Organizing Awareness and Fundraising Event for ALS Society

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease and Motor Neuron Disease, kills more Canadians every year than AIDS. There are between 2,000 and 3,000 Canadians with ALS, which is a rapidly progressive fatal disease. Two to four Canadians die every day. ALS is the most common, fatal neurological disease in the country. Nerve cells degenerate, voluntary muscles die but the intellect and senses are unimpaired. The disease can strike anyone at any age but the most common age of onset is between 55 and 65. The disease frequently strikes healthy people and 90% of those afflicted die within 5 years of diagnosis. Less than 10% of cases have a family link. The disease is not contagious. Neither the cause nor the cure are known at this time. When a person is diagnosed with ALS, the burden placed on family members and loved ones is enormous on a financial, physical and emotional level. Ninety per cent of care is provided by family members and the cost of home renovations and specialized equipment required, averages a staggering $137,000.00. The Rotary Clubs of Courtenay, Comox, Strathcona Sunrise and the Provisional Rotary Club of Cumberland Centennial have decided to raise public awareness and funds in support of those suffering with this disease.

Sunrise Community Service Director, Bobbi Denton, presented Mr Albert Ruel of the CNIB with a cheque for $600.00 in support of the CNIB's new system of providing digital talking books using latest technology.

March 16th 2005
Sunrise Rotarians Support CNIB

Albert Ruel of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) spoke at the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise on Wednesday about the service provided by his organization to people on Vancouver Island who have lost their vision. Mr Ruel, who is based in Victoria, began losing his sight at the age of 21 and thirteen years later was blind. He has worked for the CNIB for 13 years promoting their major gifts and bequests program. During his presentation to the club he informed the Rotarians of an exciting new technological development that will improve the CNIB's library service for the sight impaired. For years the main way that his clients could get to listen to books and magazines was through audio tapes. He described a book on tape he had received as a gift (costing $137.00) that consisted of 28 one-hour tapes. Imagine listening to that book being read and having to keep track of the tapes, remember which tape to re-insert to continue "reading" and the amount of space the many tapes would take up. A new system using compressed MP3 technology called DAISY that produces Digital Talking Books (DTB) is replacing audio tapes for the blind. Mr Ruel stated that his gift of 28 tapes would now be placed on one compact disc, cost much less and be played using a device that would allow him to switch discs, would remember his place on any previously inserted disc by "bookmarking" where he left off and reduce the storage space needed for his audio books. All of his subscriptions to a number of monthly magazines now arrive on one CD that he can listen to using his new device. To help the CNIB acquire this new technology, the Sunrise club presented Mr Ruel with a cheque for $600.00.

Members of the Interact Club of Highland Secondary School ham it up in front of a stack of cases of bottled water being offered for donations to help the victims of the 26 December tsunami.

March 10th 2005
Highland Students Continue Tsunami Relief Effort

The Interact Club of Highland Secondary School is continuing its efforts to help the victims of the 26 December tsunami to rebuild their lives. As part of the Valley-wide "Water for Life" project made possible through the generous donation of several thousands of bottles of water by Natural Glacier Waters of Fanny Bay, the Highland Students' service club has been offering cases of 24, one-half litre bottles of water in return for a donation of $20.00 per case. All funds raised are sent to UNICEF through the CIBC. Anyone interested in helping the students complete their project, by obtaining some of the water, should contact Robyn at 339-6328 or Joanna at 339-9899. The Interact Club of Highland Secondary School was chartered in 1995 and is proudly sponsored by the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise.

(L-R) Sunrise president Chip Ross accepts a cheque for $500.00 from Garf Baxandall of Garf Baxandall Ford in support of the tsunami relief effort in the region of Chennai.

March 2nd 2005
Baxandall Ford Lends Support to Tsunami Relief Effort

At the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise this week, Rotarian Garf Baxandall presented a cheque for $500.00 to Rotary president Chip Ross on behalf of Garf Baxandall Ford to be used in the tsunami relief effort started by the club in January. Since the Sunrisers' began working in cooperation with its sister club, the Rotary Club of Chennai Kilpauk, located on India's east coast, $15,800.00 have been transferred to the relief effort. Baxandall's contribution will raise the total amount to $16,300.00. The funds have made it possible for the Indian Rotarians to provide shelter, clothes, blankets, food, cooking utensils and cooking stoves to many needy survivors of the devastating natural disaster that destroyed the families of so many people. Every cent transferred to the Chennai club has been put to use in the relief effort. Anyone interested in participating in this direct relief effort, please call Chip Ross at: 336-8377. Every penny counts. Visit the club's website at: http://www.strathconasunrise.bc.ca and click on the link to the Chennai Kilpauk Blog to see firsthand the results of the relief effort by the Rotary clubs.

Sunrise Rotary President Chip Ross presents the symbols of membership in the Fellowship of Paul Harris to Marianne Muir for her service to humanity. The fellowship is named after Rotary's founder, Paul Harris.

March 2nd 2005
Marianne Muir Recognized for Service

At the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise this week, Marianne Muir became a Paul Harris Fellow in a brief ceremony presided over by the club's president, Chip Ross. Ross emphasized the ways in which Muir's life has exemplified the humanitarian and educational objectives of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Rotarian Jerry Feniak designated Muir as a recipient of this recognition to underscore the contributions she has made to the community through her work with the North Island College Foundation, the Canadian Red Cross, her volunteer work with the International Red Cross, her service to the Hospice Society and her unflagging support to Rotary.

Bob Hatch, President of the Rotary Club of Comox, Marilyn Tevington, President of the Rotary Club of Courtenay, Mr Hagen and Chip Ross, President of the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise following Mr Hagen's presentation of certificates of appreciation to the Comox Valley Rotary clubs.

Feb 23rd 2005
MLA Honours Comox Valley Rotarians

The Honourable Stan Hagen, BC Minister of Children and Family Development and MLA for the Comox Valley, attended the Comox Valley Rotary Clubs' Centennial Celebrations on Wednesday and presented each of the clubs' presidents with a certificate of recognition for the service rendered by their members over the years. Mr Hagen praised the Rotarians for their dedication to the betterment of mankind and for their work in the local and world communities.

Paul Harris Fellows Duke Warren, Lawrence Burns and Cyril Burns

Feb 23rd 2005
Comox Valley Rotarians Honour Prominent Citizens

At the Rotary Centennial Celebration Gala Dinner held in the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay on Wednesday evening, all three Comox Valley Rotary clubs honoured three distinguished members of the community. The Rotary Club of Courtenay honoured Mr Lawrence Burns, the Rotary Club of Comox honoured Mr Duke Warren and the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise honoured Mr Cyril Burns. Each was named a Paul Harris Fellow and presented with the medallion, certificate and pin, identifying them as members of the fellowship. The fellowship is named after the founder of Rotary, Paul P. Harris, who, with three colleagues, met on 23 February 1905 in Chicago and began what has become a worldwide service movement of over 1.25 million men and women in 31,000 clubs in 166 countries.

Courtenay President Marilyn Tevington described Lawrence Burns' dedicated years of service to Courtenay as a firefighter and later its fire chief. In the early days of his career, he and his wife, Margaret, ensured that an ambulance service was always available to serve the needs of the community. Comox President Bob Hatch paid tribute to Duke Warren's distinguished war and peacetime service record and his involvement in many activities, particularly the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary of which he is a life member. Strathcona Sunrise President Chip Ross recounted the impact that Cyril Burns has had on the Comox Valley since his birth in Cumberland in 1903. Cyril, who is Lawrence's father, is still very active in his daily life and devotion to his church. He leads weekly Bible studies for the residents of Glacier View Lodge. The three Paul Harris Fellows received standing ovations from the more than 200 attendees at the Centennial Celebration.

John Challender & Marty Douglas

Feb 16th 2005
John Challender Presented with Pin for Contributions

Marty Douglas paid tribute to fellow Rotarian John Challender on Wednesday and presented a pin indicating that John has donated $5,000US to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International to help provide funding to the many international, humanitarian projects conducted by Rotarians around the world. John's new pin contains four sapphires in recognition of his contributions to the Foundation.

Sunrise President Chip Ross accepts a certificate of thanks from Kenny Shaw and James Garrett at the regular meeting of the Rotary club on Wednesday.

Feb 16th 2005
Rally in the Valley Thanks Rotarians

Rally in the Valley organizers Kenny Shaw and James Garrett attended the regular breakfast meeting of the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise on Wednesday to thank the Rotarians for their support of the event that raised more than $100,000 for tsunami relief. The Sunrise club joined with many other community groups and individuals in response to Shaw's fundraising idea. Sunrise Rotarians operated a food concession and the bar at the Filberg Conference Hall with all proceeds donated to the relief effort.

L-R Rotary Assistant Governor Layne Marshal, District Governor Dick Drew, Chip Ross, President of the Rotary CLub of Strathcona Sunrise and Mac Fraser, President of the Provisional Rotary Club of Cumberland.

Feb 15th 2005
Rotary Club in Cumberland on Step Closer to Charter

Since before Christmas, several citizens of the Village of Cumberland have been meeting to determine the feasibility of forming a Rotary club in their community. Under the guidance of the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise, Courtenay, the group has grown and has been meeting for breakfast every Tuesday morning since the beginning of the year at the Miners Cafe and Deli. At their meeting this past Tuesday morning, the group elected Cumberland's Chief Administrative Officer, Mac Fraser, as their president. Later the same evening, at an open house at the same location, Rotary District Governor Dick Drew announced that the group had sufficient members to be accorded "provisional" status. To become a chartered club, the provisional club will need to reach an initial membership of 20 people. Anyone interested in becoming a charter member of Cumberland's first Rotary club should contact Fraser for more information at 336-2662.

Sunrise President Chip Ross, Pauline Vaillancourt and Cumberland Mayor Fred Bates display a Rotary flag at Cumberland Municipal offices to mark the beginning of Rotary Month in Cumberland.

Feb 2nd 2005
Cumberland Mayor Proclaims Rotary Month

Cumberland Mayor Fred Bates proclaimed February: "Rotary Month in the Village of Cumberland" on Wednesday morning. Joining him for the proclamation were Strathcona Sunrise Rotary President, Chip Ross, Pauline Vaillancourt of Cumberland and a few Sunrise Rotarians. A Rotary flag will be displayed in the municipal building during the month. On 23 February Rotary will be celebrating its first century of service to humanity and Comox Valley Rotarians will join to celebrate the event in the Florence Filberg Centre that evening. The Rotary club of Strathcona Sunrise is currently working with a group of Cumberland business and professional leaders to establish a Rotary club in Cumberland.

Strathcona Sunrise Rotarians Provide Tsunami Relief

Jan 7th 2005
Strathcona Sunrise Rotarians Provide Tsunami Relief

At their regular weekly meeting on Wednesday, Strathcona Sunrise Rotarians decided to make personal donations that would be matched dollar for dollar by club funds. The "hat" was passed among the sixty people at the meeting and more than $3,400.00 were collected. More donations were provided later in the day and the week and the club's treasurer, Ron Weir, reported on Friday that: "a wire transfer in the amount of $8135.32 US had been initiated to the Rotary Club of Chennai representing Canadian $10,045.50".

The Rotary Club of Chennai, located on the east coast of India is one of the Sunrisers' sister clubs and is coordinating on-scene relief to many survivors of the tsunami whose homes and personal belongings were lost. The Chennai Rotarians have created a kit of basic needs to help families construct basic shelter, and have blankets, clothing, and cooking utensils. Each kit costs $12.00US so the Sunrisers' efforts will help 678 families on the road back to normalcy. For more information or if you'd like to contribute, contact Sunrise Rotary President, Chip Ross at: 336-8377.