President Roger called the meeting to order at 7:08 with 28 members present and 2 guests (Liam Smith and our speaker Gillian Maloney)

Roger again circulated the signup sheet for the upcoming Christmas party/potluck.

Dave Robinet shared his Rotary Eureka Moment. He described joining the Whitby Sunrise Club in 2014 because he was impressed by the club’s activities. He got involved with helping out in a Syrian Centre, cleaning up the yard at a local Senior’s Centre. That club was also very involved in helping out in the Dominican Republic. That is also where he met Steve Rutledge, who we all know well for his dedication to providing clean drinking water to the villages in Laos. Dave said he doesn’t have just one Rotary Eureka Moment, it is ongoing – “We make a difference in the world.”

Bill Hurst introduced our guest speaker, Gillian Maloney, Chair of the Baxter Arts Centre. Gillian originally came from London, England to Canada as an au pair. She has lived in Bloomfield since 2007 and is the proprietor, with her husband Patrick, of the Pedego Electric Bike Shop.

Gillian told us the building in Bloomfield that is now the Baxter Arts Centre was originally the employee cafeteria for the Baxter Canning Factory. After the canning factory closed down the building was owned by the County. The non-profit purchased the building in 2011 and since that time has provided programming for children and adults. The summer kids’ camps and March Break camps “really shine” and are in extremely high demand. In February 2024, when the summer camp programs were posted online, they sold out in 3 minutes! Several members provided personal anecdotes regarding the high quality of the kids programming.

The building needed accessibility accommodations and there was no space for a ramp. They have, over the past 8 years, managed to shoehorn in a ramp but in the process found that the building’s foundation had to be re-done and a massive retaining wall built. All of that is complete but they now need a new automatic door which will cost $25,000 and need to pave the parking area which will cost $10,000. Gillian is hoping we will be able to donate to the cause. In response to a question from the floor, she says that “all-in” the accessibility renovations will have cost at least $200,000. Their funding comes mainly from their programming and grants. Gillian was thanked by David McKinnon.

Roger advised that the Scotland curling championship was taking place that morning at 9 am and was accessible on You Tube under “Dumfries Curling.”

Bill P reported that the final net gain from the annual dinner dance has now been computed - $13,495.

Treasurer Bill P presented a cheque to Bill H for $746, representing his winnings from the 50/50 draw last week. That amount has accumulated just since June.

There were no birthdays or anniversaries again this week. Howard’s number was drawn but he did not pick the Ace of spades and the meeting was adjourned at 8:12. Congratulations, President Roger!

The meeting concluded with the 4-way test.