Next Week Monday Dec 28, 98
No Meeting - Happy Boxing Day

Next Meeting Jan 4, 1999
The Lt. Governor's Annual Address
Chair: Bob Younker
Greeter: Brain Douglas

December 21, 1998

President's Message

The song says it all, "It is the most wonderful time of the year". What makes it so wonderful is the fact people are more open and caring at Christmas then at any other time of the year. We are more like the caring people Rotarians always strive to be. Rotarians give of themselves; their time, energy and money, to foster a better community, not just for one day, week or month of the year, but every day, week and month of the year.

Christmas is a time of international focus on world peace and understanding. That is the daily focus of Rotary. We help challenged people enjoy camp in the summer, a horse back ride in the fall. We reach out to those who need special equipment, like computers, to more effectively interact with others. We bring people from other countries to live in our community and our homes, and we sponsor people from our community to go to other Rotary areas of the globe and experience their culture firsthand. We support of youth in taking on the challenges of citizenship. Through international service we reach across borders and address needs ranging from supplying water and housing to medical treatment and education.

To many people Rotary is a Santa Claus that works 365 days a year.

On behalf of Lynne and myself, I wish to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your involvement in our club and may you have a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas Signs

From a toy store: "Ho, ho, ho spoken here."
In a bridal boutique: "Marry Christmas."
Outside a church: "The original Christmas Club."
From a department store: "Big pre-Christmas sale. Come in and mangle with the crowd."
In a Texas jewellery store: "Diamond tiaras -- $70,000. Three for $200,000.
A reducing salon: "24 Shaping Days until Christmas."
In a stationery store: "For the man who has everything... a calendar to remind him when payments are due."

Bulletin Board

Birthdays

Dec 21 Bennett Carr
Dec 23 John Morrison
Dec 25 Glenda Frizzell


Many happy returns - Remember the Foundation, and don't forget to renew your drivers license.

Anniversaries

Dec 22 Gordon and Carol Tweedy
Dec 26 Paul and Barbara Jenkins
Dec 28 John and Clara Morrison
Dec 28 Ron and Maureen Hately
Jan 02 Judy and Greg McCann-Beranger

Congratulations and Best Wishes to All.

Calendar Watch
Jan 18 Island Success Story - Seamans*
Monthly Board Meeting, 5:15 p.m.
Jan 25 The Mayor of Charlottetown*
Feb 01 Millenium Bug, Chris Payne*
Feb 18 Heritage Day*
Feb 22 Island Success Story (TBA)*
April 12 Easter Seals Telethon

* Rotary Club of Charlottetown Meetings

Greeters

Jan 04 Brian Douglas
Jan 11 Carl Bagnall, Pilar Shepard
Jan 18 Bob Bateman, Bill Flemming
Jan 25 Gary Raynor, George Guimond

If you are unable to act as Greeter on your appointed day, please make arrangements with another Rotarian to take your place.

Previous Meeting

The December 14th meeting featured our club's annual Family Christmas Dinner with Pres. Moe Rodgerson chairing the evening's programme. Terry Tanner was the day's songleader.

50/50 Draw Winner: Phil bower received $69.00. The jackpot of 1638. was not won.

Main Programme: President Moe Rodgerson welcomed all, especially Rotary family and friends. Terry Tanner said the grace which was followed by Christmas dinner. In his remarks President Moe explained that fellowship is a key aspect of Rotary and that is why we have the family dinner. This evening is one of only a few occasions when our families join us for a Rotary meeting. President Moe continued by saying "we are here for some entertainment and enjoyment as well as the fellowship."

Exchange Students: Ros Hartland, who is to leave for her native Australia the first of January, spoke briefly about Christmas in her country. She explained that Christmas day begins with breakfast followed by a swim at the beach, church service and lunch. In the evening carols are sung. She said that she is hoping for a white Christmas here. She has enjoyed her year on the Island, particularly the Cross Canada tour during the summer.

Mika, our newest Exchange Student, spoke briefly about the differences in her native city Sandai, Japan and Charlottetown. Sandai receives 2 cm snowfall annually. She displayed a Japanese kimono and showed how to wear it, by modeling it on Rotarian Yvonne Cartner, chair of the Youth Exchange Committee. Mika said she was looking forward to Christmas as this would be her first.

Both students thanked their host families.

The two new outbound students were then introduced to the club and spoke briefly. They thanked our Club for sponsoring them for the exchange programme. They leave for their respective countries, as of yet not determined, next August.

The four exchange students then sang "We wish you a Merry Christmas."

April Cook, accompanied on the piano by Rotarian Betty Gay, entertained us with her beautiful hymn singing.

April, 10, has been very active in local music festivals, and has played one of the children of Avonlea, in the Confederation Centre's Summer Festival production of Anne of Green Gables.

Gifts: Charlie Downe presented gifts to two inbound exchange students. Tom DeBlois, Jr. Presented a gift to Audrey Gillis, our longtime fine pianist.

Prince Edward Home Singsong: President Moe informed that on Wednesday evening (Dec. 16) several of our club members will be there for sing-song and entertainment. Moe would like to see as many of our members as possible attend.

Terry Tanner led in singing Christmas songs and carols. Terry thanked Gaie Woodside for preparing the music sheets.

In closing, Secretary Allan McLeod spoke of the beautiful singsong, fellowship and entertainment. Allan hoped that the Youth Exchange students enjoyed the evening. On behalf of the Club he wished every one a Joyous Christmas and happiness. He reminded Rotarians wishing to bring gifts for the Exchange Students to do so next week.

Symbols of Christmas

The Poinsettia

The flame-red flower was brought to the United States more than 100 years ago by Dr. Joel Poinsett, the country's first ambassador to Mexico. It is from Mexico that the legend of the poinsettia originates.

The legend tells of a Mexican poor girl, Maria, and her little brother, Pablo. The two loved the annual Mexican Christmas festival with its large manger scene, but each year were disappointed that they had no money to buy a present for the baby Jesus.

One Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo stopped on their way to church to pick some weeds growing along the roadside to give to the baby Jesus. The other children chided them for their gift, but Maria and Pablo know their gift was from the heart, and it was all they could give. As they began to place their plants around the manger, the green-top leaves miraculously turned into bright red petals. Soon the manger was surrounded by the beautiful star-shaped flowers we see during the holidays.

Holly

Holly's significance as a Christian symbol of Christmas began with it as a pagan symbol. The Romans gave one another holly wreaths and carried them about, decorating images of Saturn with it for their celebration of the god. Centuries later, while other Romans continued their pagan worship, Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus. They decorated their homes with holly to avoid persecution. As Christian numbers increased and their customs prevailed, holly lost its pagan association and became a symbol of Christmas.

The plant has come to stand for peace and joy.