President's Message   

 

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A returning Pres. Ken had solved a security issue that had been omitted from last week’s notes and he opened the meeting on time but with one of the most brutal renditions of O Canada ever heard at the Legion. 27 members were present in person and Christine joined by Zoom. Past President Ted Nash was the first in a series of Charter Members who will be presenting a twentieth anniversary Classification Speech. He gave a fascinating account of his experiences in Wellington with particular reference to how these had intersected with Rotary for the last two decades.

Ted began by giving a brief family history that included generations of Nashes, Coles and Greers which attested to how deep his roots run in the County and, particular, Wellington. Born in the ‘old’ ‘old’ Picton hospital, he attended what was then known as the Wellington Consolidated School which included all the grades that then existed (no kindergarten). At this time (in the 70’s) the local economy was still heavily focused on agricultural produce and the canning industry which gradually fell away as the millennium approached. There were large families and the schools were full. Ted attended the high school in Picton when there were around 1,400 students. There were plenty of employment opportunities including with big companies like GM, Defasco and Stelco which came recruiting to the County. Ted went off to university to, what was then, Ryerson, and is now Toronto Metropolitan. It was quite a contrast from what he had been accustomed to at home! There he studied Landscape Architecture. In the Fall of 1980, en route to Vancouver, he ended up in Calgary and, for romantic reasons, never got any farther west. He worked in Alberta for a very large landscaping corporation and gained tremendous experience, in the field, from some very large-scale projects. However, family and the County drew him back to become involved in the business that they had owned since 1905. He has been instrumental in the success of the enterprise which is now a local icon. Married to Donna for 39 years, with children Evan and Kristen plus unspecified grandchildren, Ted has also given untold support to his community especially the Wellington Rotary Club since inte inception in 2002.

Ted took up the story from when he returned to live in Wellington in 1982. The family business was cemented by buying the other pre-existing hardware store (Home Hardware) in 1988. At around this time, although there were recessions and the canning industry was disappearing, other enterprises were starting up, particularly grape growing (at first) followed by wineries and other similar craft-type businesses. A very significant turning-point occurred in 2013 with the opening of the Drake Devonshire Hotel in Wellington. There has since been an explosion of interest in the County both from tourists and those wanting to live here. Although the residential property boom was slow in starting (Wellington on the Lake was originally planned, in the 90s, for 385 homes over 4 years) it has exploded over the last few years.

Ted then went on to focus on our Rotary Club and gave details of how the decision was made to charter a new club, the other clubs and individuals who supported, joined and led the club. In November 2002, there were 21 members and Ted became the second president after less than a year of operation in July of 2003. John Inwood, Dawn Cutler and Bill Mitchell are the other charter members still active in the Club. From the first, the Wellington Club was more informal than many of its older counterparts but this worked very well with tremendous enthusiasm for events and activities like barn dances, volleyball, wine and beer fests, live music etc. Rapidly, the Club gained a very positive image in the community with many local causes and constructive involvements, including the Rotary Beach to name just one. Other activities included Texas Hold-em Tournaments, Diners & Duffers, the Spelling Bee, Parade involvement, Pumpkin Fest, the Rotary international Exchange Program (in which Ted’s children participated in Sweden & Japan, respectively). The Club was the first agency to plan the Wellington Beach area, at all, and as well as hiring professional planners and preparing a model, the Club built the boardwalk and other structures still in use today. For some years after the railroad tracks were removed for scrap in the 90s, the trail bed languished in abandonment until the idea for the Millennium Trail fired up members of the Club, particularly Barry Davidson, and led to what we have today.

In conclusion, Ted emphasized the need for communication both within the Club and with the outside community so that people know where their donations are going. The bottle depot continues to be a strong source of revenue and has facilitated our ability to take on big projects like the Back the Build donation. We have also been able to work with other clubs such as the Lions on the Wellington Gazebo. Ted was thanked by David Smith, Lyn and the entire Club.

In Club Business, Bottle depot volunteer needs were met and Barry announced that the On-line auction will be accessible from the 1st to 15th October. Those soliciting items need to start collecting if they have not already done so. The dinner/dance on the 15th will cost $75 each. Some golf prizes have already been donated and registration of players almost full. There are also hole sponsorships coming in.

Christine was wished a speedy recovery and return to normality. Volunteers were solicited to assist with the weighing at Pumpkinfest - also on October 15th. Ted was welcoming assistance with Storyboard painting. Bill had members sign up to attend the Brighton Rotary BBQ on Monday 15th.

 

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How Did Wellington Rotary Beach Get Its Name?

Click HERE to view the letter from the County of Prince Edward informing the club, after approval of the Recreation, Parks and Culture Committee and then by County Council, that "Wellington Rotary Beach" and the Rotary Wheel may be used on Beach signage. Dated April 28, 2008.

 

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