Our Kenyan travellers are back safe and sound in New Zealand! They are still in their 14 day self isolation, aside from being in general lockdown. I know all of them are chomping at the bit to get back to other things, including some work. We are all pleased that you are back and look forward to hearing of your travels (however shortened) at some stage. Stay safe and keep well.
Fantastic to see an article in the Timaru Herald about John Gregans initiative 'Reading Grannies in Schools'. While this is on hold now for a bit, it is an awesome idea that will work fabulously in Timaru, Waimate and elsewhere. Top job John.
Buddy Groups - It has been great to see these working so well, with a number of situations coming to light that we have also been able to help with. Thanks for doing your best to make sure everyone has someone to talk to. New groups for the upcoming week are as follows-
John Abraham, Grant Eames, Mick Laming, Sam Rooney, and Jan Dugdale
Rebecca Aitchison, Chub Fletcher, Brian Kitchen, Jim Stevenson, Harvey Wood, and Billy Boyne
Tony Alden, Raewyn Francis, Greig Moore, Paul Studholme, and Pat Collins
Janice Bayliss, John Gregan, Ryan Luckman, Ian Moore, Lil Bailey, and Calix
Jane Bell, Raymond Francis, Mike Johnson, Mark Shefford, and Natalie Moore
Peter Bell, Stuart Duncan, Alan Maitland, Bev White, and Amellia Lindsay
Mark Brown, Pauline Dore, Alan Meyer, Bridget Wilson, Kath McLean, and Reese Millar
Ken Buckingham, Raymond Francis, Robin Murphy, Dylan Murray, Gavin McKenzie, and Berwyn Arthur
David Chamberlain, Cara Gregan, Chris Paul, Jim Young, and Russell Wallace
Sharyn Cain, Peter Hughes, Ailsa McKenzie, Charles Ruddenklau, and Pat Campbell
John Coles, Paul Grigg, Jim Rayner, Matt Simonsen and Enid Sadler (Jim will do Enid)
Gary Dennison, Michael Horne, Martyn Jensen, Ewan McKenzie, and Carolyn Johns
Colin Dore, Donald Hunt, Adam Rivett, Gavin McKenzie, and Billy Parker
Seeing as we had left over bags of sausages, due to cancellation of events, I decided to pop them up on an online page for families who could use a bit of assistance. It was sad to see that 30 people put their name in the draw just for a bag of sausies. This was prior to lockdown so I dropped them off to the 4 families and I got the real warm fuzzies doing it. One younger lady raved about how much Rotary does and asked if she could volunteer with us some time, another one was in tears of gratitude, and yet another came to the door with a bag of homemade cards that she thought we would like to give out on special occaisions. It is the simple things in life sometimes.
Last Friday evening Dylan arranged an online ZOOM meeting Happy Hour. This went really well, with 16 Rotarians joining in, and even the more technologically challenged of us managed to get on board. There is another one that you will have had an email about next Friday night at 7pm. If you need a hand working out what to do, please contact an IT savvy Rotarian.
District is also having online ZOOM meetings so keep an eye out for those in your emails
ROTARIANS OUT AND ABOUT... and safe at home!!!
ROTARIAN MATT IS A MACHINE! Matt has recently (just before lockdown) completed an unassisted bike ride from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Unassisted means that the cyclist carries everything they need such as food, clothing, bedding on the bike with them. 3000km across all sorts of terrain in a maximum of 30 days is a big ask and Matt set himself a target of 27 days incase he had any whoopsies. Setting out on the 23rd Feb the legend completed it in 26 days! Well done Matt, we are super proud of you and hope that you might regal us with your tales at a zoom meeting sometime soon!
Russell or Christine (or both) have been super busy in the kitchen by the looks of things - with yummy blackcurrant jam bottled up,cheese puffs warm from the oven and red currant jelly next on the list. Hilary Barry made these cheese puffs on Facebook Live on Friday wearing a long dress and tiara... not sure if Russell followed suit but here's the recipe if you'd like to give them a go.
It seems many of our Rotarians and their families are getting busy and creative in the kitchen so I have included a couple of their recipes below. Hopefully you will also have seen that Rebecca is hosting an online cooking class on Tuesday which will be fab so don't miss out!
No Yeast Rolls - combine all the ingrediants and spoon in to greased muffin pans. Cook in preheated oven at 350 degF for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Brush tops with butter when take out of the oven. Makes 5 rolls.
Jane made this one and man did it look good!!! Plenty of drooling over Facebook by everyone. Note to self - Isolate with Jane in future!
FAMILY TIME - One real bonus out of this situation is the ability for some of our hardworking members to spend some really good quality time with their families. Adam sent through this gorgeous photo of his wee whanau. What are you and yours filling the days with?
Essential Services - some of our Rotarians are of course still hard at it and we are very grateful for the work that they do. I caught up briefly with Dylan and Harvey in the Pharmacy - appropriately distanced apart of course- and it was good to still see a smile on both their faces. Thanks to all of you, please know you are very appreciated in your communities and by all of us.
Home time - It seems that a lot of us are spending time doing pursuits that have been sidelined for a while or our challenging ourselves with new skills. I've seen photos and stories of cooking, sewing, writing, reading, fixing, man caves, puzzles, plenty of chores, and lots of online social time. This is all awesome so keep that good stuff up and don't forget to share any ideas you may have or things that you do/create.
Presidents Message
ROTARY NEVER SLEEPS
MEALS ON WHEELS - essential service.
Firstly I would like to extend a huge vote of thanks to all those wonderful volunteers who usually deliver Meals on Wheels and to Jim Young and Raewyn Francis for the amazing job they do sorting all the rosters (and much more). As we go through this lockdown period we have had to restrict the number of drivers/vehicles involved in this essential service to limit the exposure to clients, drivers, and staff/patients at Lister Home but please be assured that all the clients will continue to get their hot meals.
I would like to thank the wee crew of drivers who have offered their assistance and the staff at Lister Home for working together to keep this essential service going. We have also been offered additional support through our local Council Civil Defence team if required, which is much appreciated.
To our volunteers that are unable to assist at this time due to age or health conditions, I again offer my thanks, wish you well during this uncertain time, and look forward to seeing you all back in action hopefully in the not too distant future. Take care of you and yours!
All around the world there are Rotarians amongst the essential services that are required during these incredibly tough times, and as noted in this bulletin, our wee club is no different. Please do take the time to look after yourselves as well, and if you get any down time I know that there is always a club to check out nearly 24 hours a day doing online chats and meetings like we are. Extending a hand (well a voice) of friendship and support at this time goes a long way.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARIES - big congrats to the following on their special days
25th March - Ryan and Clare Wedding Anniversary
26th March - Bev White Birthday
27th March - Martyn Jensen Birthday
28th March - Donald and Rose Wedding Anniversary
29th March - Bridget Wilson Birthday
30th March - Allan Laurie Birthday
30th March - Mick Laming Birthday
1st April - John Coles Birthday
1st April - Bev White - 12 year Club Anniversary
Take care everyone, I am thinking of you all and am always hear if you need someone to chat with or anything else I can help with.
Warm regards,
Sharyn
KEEPING UP WITH CALIX
Recently Calix headed along to the Waimate Scout Group to talk about France and his travels. I hear it went very well with the young people enjoying spending time with Calix.
BON ANNIVERSAIRE! On the 23rd March our wee boy turned 19. I popped up to sing Happy Birthday (I'm so sorry Calix) and drop off a birthday cake and present from our club. Calix was thrilled with his whale bone necklace.
