This past weekend marked the first weekend of fall. The weather couldn’t have been any better, and many took advantage of this by joining in the Rotary Foundation Walk. Against the backdrop of warm air, colourful leaves just beginning to turn, and the beauty of one of our local trails, a total of 37 individuals (20 Rotarians from the Wellington Club, one from Picton, 5 spouses, 1 grandchild and 10 friends) gathered with a common purpose: to walk together in support of the Rotary Foundation.
In addition, we were fortunate to have members from the South Shore Footpath lead the way, sharing their knowledge and expertise.A big thanks to Lesa Berec for her participation and organization. Our guides included Sheila Kuja, Matthew Christie and Cheryl Chapman. In addition to Lesa, team members Alex Bowling, Joe Dale, Greg Forbes, Marin Nicolai and Dale Smith provided further information and made sure no one was left behind.
The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International, turning contributions from members around the world into projects that make a meaningful difference. Whether it’s providing clean water, advancing education, supporting maternal and child health, or eradicating polio, the Rotary Foundation is the vehicle that transforms our goodwill into global impact. Every step taken during the Foundation Walk is a reminder that our efforts locally can ripple out into positive change worldwide.
The Foundation Walk is more than a fundraiser—it’s an opportunity to live out our values in motion. Walking together reminds us of Rotary’s spirit of fellowship. Conversations flow naturally when we’re side by side on a trail, and ideas about service projects, fundraising, and community needs seem to emerge more freely. This sense of camaraderie is part of what makes Rotary so effective: we are not just colleagues in service, but friends united in purpose.
There’s also something deeply beneficial about the walking in nature. Modern life often keeps us indoors, behind screens, or rushing from one commitment to another. A walk in nature slows us down. Studies show that time spent outdoors reduces stress, sharpens our focus, and boosts creativity. The rhythm of walking, combined with the fresh air and beauty of the natural world, has a way of clearing the mind and strengthening the body.
Fall is perhaps the perfect season for such reflection. Just as the leaves are turning and the harvest is coming in, we too are reminded of the cycles of renewal in our own work. The Rotary year is well underway, and events like the Foundation Walk encourage us to pause, take stock, and set our pace for the months ahead. Like a long hike, Rotary service is not a sprint but a steady, purposeful journey toward meaningful goals.
As Wellington Rotary took a hike this weekend, we were reminded of how lucky we are—to live in such a beautiful community, to enjoy the company of one another, and to be part of a global organization that believes in “Doing Good in the World.” The funds raised through this walk will go on to support life-changing projects far beyond our trails, but the walk itself has already given us something too: renewed energy, stronger fellowship, and the joy of sharing the first weekend of fall together.
Let’s carry that spirit into the season ahead.
Photos by Mary Robinet
Yvonne Buys President 2025/26
Thought for the week.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.’ – Robert Frost
This Week's Zoom Meeting Details:
Topic: Weekly Rotary Meeting Time: Aug 05, 2025 07:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81827939082 Meeting ID: 818 2793 9082 Passcode: rotary
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Last Week: Randy Coker
Rotary meeting minutes September 23, 2025 Notes by: Lyn McGowan
PP Trudy called the meeting to order at 7:07 with 33 members in attendance and 3 guests. The 3 guests were our guest speaker, Randy Coker from the Picton Rotary Clu,22Rob Lee also from Picton Rotary and prospective member John Hatch for his first meeting.
Trudy congratulated Chris and Yvonne on the birth of their first grandchild, Oscar Christopher Santini. Liz delivered a Land Acknowledgement, in lieu of an invocation.
Guest Speaker:
Liz introduced our guest speaker, Randy Coker, who has been a Rotarian since 2007 and transferred to the Picton Rotary Club in 2022. He retired as an investment advisor and is indigenous himself.
Randy noted that September 30, 2021 was the first national observance of Orange Shirt Day, which is in honour of the survivors of the Residential School System. Starting in 1883, indigenous children were taken from the reserves in farm trucks to residential schools, their families didn’t know where they were taken or if they would ever return. This continued into the 1990’s and was well-documented by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which ended in 2015. One variant was the “60’s Scoop” – indigenous children were taken, their birth records destroyed and they were then adopted by white families. Randy said Canadians have been manipulated and misled. He believes education is the key to reconciliation, building understanding and respect.Indigenous and western value systems are different, as he illustrated in his description of the Potlatch Ceremonies, which were common on the NW coast of BC.These ceremonies took place around significant events – births, marriages, deaths – where wealth and gifts were given away.Unlike in western culture, your standing in the indigenous community is measured not by how much you have but how much you have given. The potlatch was banned by the Canadian government from 1885 until 1951, as part of a policy to assimilate indigenous people. One of the programs Randy and his wife are involved with is the Outland Youth Employment Program, which prepares indigenous kids for life after high school. Randy was thanked by Lyn.
Club Business:
Bill M advised that the Foodbank needs boxes for Thanksgiving.
Trudy reminded everyone that the Take a Hike lecture is this evening at 7 and obtained several volunteers to do setup at 6:30.
Christine reminded everyone of the special breakfast next week from Sprigwich.
Bill noted there will be a Dinner/Dance committee meeting immediately following today’s club meeting. Ticket sales to date have been poor, partly due to competition from an event the same evening at Base 31. So far, only 19 seats have been paid for, while breakeven is approximately 60.Howard and Mike reported that there are 51 auction items so far with a FMV of $7,000.
Upcoming events:
Sun, Sep 28 – Foundation Walk. Please carpool.
Sun, Oct 5 –County Marathon
Sat, Oct 18 – Pumpkinfest Parade, Pumpkin Weighing. Gregor will do the Bee. Bill needs helpers to sell 50/50 tickets at the parade.
Fundraising Dinner/Dance/Auction
Sun, Oct. 26 – Electronic Recycling event with Picton Rotary at Picton Home Hardware
Oct 24 – 26- District Conference at Fern Resort
Tue, Nov 18- FOR Potluck Dinner. Invitations will be going out this week.
No birthdays this week. John and Janice Inwood celebrate their 44th anniversary on Sep. 25th.
Margo’s 50/50 ticket was drawn but, alas, she did not pick the ace of spades. The pot continues to build, with only 11 cards left!
PP Trudy closed the meeting with the Four Way Test at 8:29.
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50/50 Draw This Week: $1578.50
Make sure you get your ticket(s) this week!
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Bottle Depot Volunteers Schedule for This Week
Wednesday September October 1, 2025
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: John Inwood, Lana Whitteker, XXXX
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Roger Tessier, Gregor Stuart, Lari Langford (FoR),
Saturday October 4, 2025
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: XXXX, Lois Brown, XXXX
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: XXXX, Brenda and Doug Little (FoR)
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays
Dawn Cutler
(Oct 1)
Lois Brown
(Oct 6)
Anniversaries
John & Janice Inwood
(44 Years on Sept. 25)
Jacques & Janet Michaud
(36 years on Sept 30)
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Rotary Grace
Oh Lord and giver of all good We thank thee for our daily food May Rotary friends and Rotary ways Help us to serve thee all our days.
