Looking At South Africa & Planning The Future But Keeping Our Eyes On Today

LOOKING AT SOUTH AFRICA
Our first meeting of September was another great one. This time featuring our own fellow Rotarian Peter Woods giving a talk on South Africa in general and Cape Town in particular. We were treated to some humorous slides of South African life. My favourite was the major hazard in the road where you had to go to the right to avoid it but the sign said "keep well left". Peter then explained that "keep well left" is a very popular South African phrase for advising people to avoid anything in life.

Another great photo Peter shared with us was a sign next to a scene near a hospital that we would all like to avoid. LOL

One of the most fantastic aspects of Peter's talk was the joined up Rotary being practised by the Rotary Club of Melkbos with a Rotary Club in Alaska of all places! They were able to raise quite a substantial sum of money to by a mini bus for the Emanuel Care Centre whose work includes helping the young, disadvantaged and disabled person. I would imagine there is some specialist equipment on the mini bus as well.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Peter suggested that we may want to look at a joined up Rotary project next year with Melkbos to raise substantial sums to help them with other needs for their centre. It was pleasing the positive reception this idea got from Club members and we look forward to an update from Peter in the Spring. 

It is also heartening that even at this early stage planning is in motion for SVP Geoff's year in July 2014. The Rotary Club of Church Wilne is such a vibrant club whose members are passionate about all it does and willing to work hard in planning for its future, short, medium and long term.


KEEPING OUR EYES ON TODAY - MANNA RESCUE HOME, UGANDA
One thing we can't do is stop thinking and working towards our goals we set out for our Foundation/International project for this Rotary year: Manna Rescue Home in Uganda. We have raise a very good sum of money for it from the balloon race but there is much more to do and I know every member of the Club will work hard to attain our goals with this project.

Don't forget about our fundraising concert for this project to be held on Saturday, 9th November 2013, 7:30pm at Ockbrook School, Ockbrook, Derbyshire DE72 3RJ. I will be performing in the 1st half and then my jazz quartet (Greg Maskalick & The Midlands Express) will be performing in the 2nd half. You can listen and join my jazz quartet by going to: Greg Maskalick & The Midlands Express Facebook page. It's going to be a fantastic evening of entertainment so I hope to see you there.

PRESIDENTIAL MOMENT

Our 7th President of the USA - Andrew Jackson - went to fellow Rotarian Quentin as much of Jackson's personality and line of work completely matched Quentin's. 

Jackson was a general in the US Army and beat the British in the Battle of New Orleans. This news went over like a lead balloon with Club members. I don't know why. LOL

CHARITY HORSE RIDE

Our annual Charity Horse Ride is this Sunday and it's not too late to saddle up and join the 200+ riders that will be on the 12 mile course through some of the best countryside in the UK - Derbyshire. We are so fortunate that several landowners have opened up their property to us for this very worthwhile fundraising activity for the benefit of Derbyshire Air Ambulance. 

I can't thank Rotarian Roger and the whole Horse Ride Committee for their incredible work to make this event a success before it even starts. Let's just keep our fingers crossed for the weather to hold. Personally, I can't wait for Sunday. Giddy-up!!!