President's Chat
As we reach the festive season I realise just how quickly my year as President is going. It has been very enjoyable to date.
This is a time of year for celebration and I am looking
forward to our Christmas Party night when traditional Christmas fare
will be enjoyed accompanied with a glass of wine or two or
three thanks to the diligence of the Sargeant(s) at
Arms. Our dinner will be followed by musical entertainment by some very
talented musicians. I do hope you and your guests enjoy the evening.
This is also a time for remembering those less fortunate than ourselves. It is also a time to look forward to a New Year. In terms of Rotary it brings new opportunities for service and participation in Club activities. We can also look forward to the fellowship and fun to be had.
It is also the time when we appoint the President Elect, The Senior Vice President and the Junior Vice President team and I know you will support those appointed. I wish them every success.
May I conclude by wishing you and your family a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year.
John
Editorial
The inputs for Chatters this month have been varied. Not fitting the normal categories, they are presented in a somewhat eclectic fashion. Given time and resources no doubt a coherent story could be assembled, but it wouldn't be the same, would it??
Black Dyke Band
Don't forget the Black Dyke Band concert
in March! Make sure that you book early as tickets are selling fast. Note that there is no block booking for our Club.
Book soon to be sure of a place. Click here for details.
Perth Moncrief Inner Wheel
Last month the need for new members for our Club was much discussed. It seems that we are not alone.
This young Club was formed as an alternative for those who find it more convenient to meet in the evening. The Club meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month in the Royal George Hotel at 7.15 pm.
Secretary Ann Delgaty would be delighted to hear from any one interested in coming along to the Club. Ann can be contacted by telephone on: 01738 629112 or by email ad@georged.go-plus.net
The new Visitor's Host Badge
From Janet
Introducing the new Visitor's Host Badge, designed and manufactured by Julia Robertson, from an idea by Frank Muirden. --- Thank you Julia.
I know that there is a badge in one of the boxes but it seems to get lost amongst the papers and other paraphernalia and seldom sees the light of day. I shall put this one in the box at the door.
If it is your turn to provide the bottle and be visitor's host please try to arrive about 5:45 and wear the badge, then any visitors will know that the drinks are on you!
Some Dates for your Diary ( also from Janet)
|
18 December 2007 |
Christmas Party (numbers by 11 December please as Eddie's diary is very full that day) |
|
25 December 2007 and 1 January 2008 |
No meetings |
|
8 January 2008 |
Topic to be advised. Meeting followed by Council meeting |
Peter's Points
Weight Watching
Peter is continuing his innovative weight loss programme. He started on 1st July this year. He has now lost four and a half kilogrammes. No big deal? Peter does not eat any less than he did before. He does not take any more exercise than before. He still has three normal meals a day. He still has an alcoholic drink every evening to unwind.
Wine Making
We now have about 80 litres of red wine nearing drinkable condition, though, except for some experimental consumption for those who don't want to wait any longer, I suggest it is left for a few more months at least for intermingling of flavours and a much more rounded taste.
Concerning the higher strength product that I suggested earlier from a secondary fermentation, further investigation shows that the basic material is worthy of normal wine production, though of a lesser 'spec'. This should give another wine, probably of a lighter colour, a few more months away - about 50 litres.
Features
The Three Rotaries' Ceilidh
Perth St John's were the organisers this year but Perth Kinnoull were much to the fore. In all, forty-eight of us with guests. It was a fun evening; good food, good wine and good company! The dancing was varied from the Eightsome Reel to simple waltzes. An evening to be remembered.
Didn't make it? Make sure that next year you reserve the date!
Look what I've got!
Harry reflecting on Life - and maybe even the Universe!
I wonder if I can down it in one?
John and Friends
Nice hat Iain!
On the Floor!
News Items
Nov 14th - The Past-President's Dinner
From Douglas Barr
This was a first time event, as we (Kinnoull Rotary Club) have enough Past Presidents to justify a meeting/social gathering someplace. We also have four ex-Presidents who are no longer in Rotary and it seemed a good idea to Douglas Sinclair and myself to get everyone we could get hold of to come to something. Three Past Presidents who are no longer in Rotary managed to come. The decision was to have a meal somewhere, and Cafe Tabou was picked as being central to everyone.
The Past Presidents in full swing!: picture Frank Muirden
The end of the Evening: picture Frank Muirden
The event was firmly scheduled to be totally Non-Rotary, just a social get together. In the final event we had 14 people who came, 12 ex-Presidents out of a possible 14 max, plus the current incumbent John and PDG Donald McDonald who helped start the Club off in the first place in his role of PDG, so he was asked under the heading of Merit. A very enjoyable evening was had by all, and next years reunion is scheduled for Wednesday 12th November 2008.
A different venue this next time and to be held in the Royal Perth Golf Club courtesy of PDG Donald McDonald. When we will have the pleasure of asking 17 people to attend, as we will be including the new President at that time - Harry Cooper.
Nov 20th - Allan MacLaughlan - Africa
Allan, who is an Assistant Governor of District 1020, gave an illuminating talk on his visits to Africa and to Zimbabwe in particular. District 1020 has taken an active approach to donations, not simply giving the funds and letting them go, but by teaming up with Rotarians in Africa to identify projects and to provide the means that ensure the efficient running of these projects. He made the point that it was meaningless to send expensive equipment if the expertise or the resources needed to use and maintain the equipment were not available locally. By teaming with the locals, thus gaining local knowledge, more suitable aid projects could be identifed and offered. His talk illustrated the success of this approach in a number of regions.
Nov - Perth Chamber of Commerce Awards
Congratulations to Nick and
Kay Hine who were sucessful in winning two of the Perthshire Chamber of
Commerce Business Star Awards; the Customer Service Award and the
Business of the Year Award. See the report in Optometry Today
Nov 24th - Strathearn School Choir
Colin and captive choir!
Nov 27th - Tactran
You didn't know what it was before Eric Guthrie gave his talk but now we do. TACTRAN's aim is to integrate the Tayside And Central Scotland TRANsport systems to make the whole more efficient and integrated to prove a better service to the community. The task involves liaison and discussion with local authorities with the aim of eventually speaking with one voice in all matters transport.
Convenors Reports
From John Dickson
Perth Young Artist Awards 2007
These were presented by the Lady Provost on Friday evening, ably assisted by our Junior Vice President Janet Simpson. Perth Art Gallery and Museum organised the publicity and the winners had numerous photographs taken of them and their work. We are therefore hoping to get some good publicity out of this event and everyone seems keen for it now to become an annual competition. All those who submitted work will receive a Certificate of Commendation.
R Y L A
Along with the other two clubs we have agreed to sponsor two candidates hopefully ( one male and one female) at a cost of £410 per candidate. Letters have now gone out to the four state secondary schools in Perth and applications must be returned by 22nd February, with interviews hopefully being carried out on Sunday 9th March
From Frank Muirden
Christmas Gifts for Skinnergate
The Community Service committee clubbed together to buy some suitable Chritmas gifts for the residents of the Skinnergate centre. The gifts, in a nice "Santa Bag", were presented to Harry at the last Council meeting.
SPORTS EXTRA. ( Read all About it ) Autumn / Winter Edition.
FROM SPORTS CONVENOR. GEORGE DELGATY.
GOLF.
The Final of the Golf Ladder and Club Championship has still to be played between Alistair Anderson and Bill Smith as the date arranged had to be cancelled due to bad weather. The semi-finals were Alistair v Harry Cooper and Bill v Mike Graham.
I have in mind the Club Outing was not played for in the current golfing season and I will attempt to arrange this early next Golfing Season probably late April / early May at Strathmore Golf Centre who have just sent me details of their Golf Packages for 2008.
USA COUPLES GOLF EXCHANGE 2008.
Calling All Golfers in the Club !! In July 2008, District 1010 will host 8 couples from District 7280 Western Pennsylvania continuing an exchange which has been going for 30 years.
This exchange, which has fostered dozens of long lasting friendships across the pond, depends on the introduction of new hosts each year for the continuation. The Central area of District 1010 is seeking new Hosts for the Pennslyvania Rotarians Couples visit in July 2008.
The hosting couples will accommodate an American Couple in their homes for 5 days ( Central Area dates are Saturday 12th july to Thursday 17th July) with the Rotarian participating in 2 Golf matches while their partners visit local places of interest, coming to-gether again for various evening social events. A Farewell Dinner will be held on 25th july in Dunfermline.
Great Golfing skill is not a requirement - just a wish to make new friends and show off Scotland to our visitors.
Any Rotarian INTERESTED to find out more should contact the CENTRAL AREA
Co-ordinator, Bill Martin of Kirriemuir Rotary Club on tel no 01575 572592 or e-mail:w.g.martin@talk21.com
I have put my name forward as a friend of mine, David Paterson, Buckie Rotary Club has hosted twice in the past and went to Western Pennsylvania on the Tour with his Wife for 2 weeks this year and thoroughly enjoyed it and also hosting the American Couples who have stayed with them.
DISTRICT GAVEL CHALLENGE 2007.
Well the Gavel has come and gone for another year. We enjoyed a good night up at the Rattray Bowling Club our hosts being Balirgowrie Rotary Club who we drew with (although on comparing notes after the event, we thought we had won? ) I was disappointed that we could not raise a Team for our away game to the Perth Club and our final game was at Home to Kinross which we came a close second. My thanks to all the "Gavellers" for good Fun and Fellowship with other Rotarians from other Clubs. I think we did introduce some of our newer members to the Gavel and they all enjoyed the experience!
CURLING.
The Results so far in the Perthshire Rotary Club league are as follows :-
Win 13-2 over Kinross. Win 8-4 over Dunblane. Win 7-6 over Stirling. Lost 6-7 to Perth St. Johns.
Our game against Alloa due to be played 2nd December clashed with the Ramshead Rotary Curling and has been re-arranged for Thursday 20th December at 6pm.
Talking about the Ramshead our Rink Squad of Colin (Skip), George, Kevin, Willie and Douglas Barr qualified in the initial Bonspiel section on Sunday 25th November when we defeated our old sparring partners Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay. Then in the afternoon we defeated Oban to make the next stage on Sunday 2nd December where we defeated Perth St. Johns in a nailbiting Derby Game. A good start in the afternnon against Stirling was never given up and so we completee our Round Robin against the Perth Club of Sunday 20th January at 1.30pm to see who advances to the Ramshead Finals which will be on Tuesdays 4th and 11th March.