PACER
I Can't Believe We Made it!
According to today's regulators and bureaucrats, those of us who were kids in the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's or even the early 80's, probably shouldn't have survived.
Our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based
paint.
We had no childproof lids or locks on medicine bottles, doors,
or
cabinets,
and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets.
Not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking ...
As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air
bags.
Riding in the back of a pickup truck on a warm day was always
a special
treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.
Horrors!
We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank soda pop with
sugar in it,
but
we were never overweight because we were always outside
playing.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle,
and no one
actually died from this.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and
then rode
down
the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running
into the
bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long
as we were
back
when the street lights came on.
No one was able to reach us
all day. No
cell
phones. Unthinkable!
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo 64, X-Boxes, no video
games at
all,
no 99 channels on cable, video tape movies, surround sound,
personal cell
phones, personal computers, or Internet chat rooms.
We had friends! We went outside and found them.
We played dodge ball, and sometimes, the ball would really
hurt.
We fell out of trees, got cut and broke bones and teeth, and
there were
no
lawsuits from these accidents. They were accidents. No one was
to blame
but
us. Remember accidents?
We had fights and punched each other and got black and blue
and learned
to
get over it.
We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we
were told
it
would happen, we did not put out any eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's home and knocked on the
door, or
rang
the bell or just walked in and talked to them.
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team.
Those who
didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.
Some students weren't as smart as others, so they failed a
grade and were
held back to repeat the same grade. Horrors!
Tests were not
adjusted for
any
reason.
Our actions were our own. Consequences were expected.
The idea of parents bailing us out if we got in trouble in
school or
broke
a
law was unheard of. They actually sided with the school or the
law.
Imagine
that!
This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers,
problem
solvers,
and inventors, ever.
We had freedom, failure, success, and responsibility -- and we
learned
how
to deal with
it.
And you're one of them!
Congratulations!!!
We Made It!
George Higgs
George A. Higgs passed away Aug 16, 2003. Born 1918, George was a founding member of Dresden Rotary in 1986. He was a Chatham Rotary member in 1986. An engraved rock and a park bench will be placed in Rotary Memorial Gardens to commemorate George's life and his commitment to Rotary.
Children's Safety Village
Dresden Rotary has committed $250 per member to the Children's Safety Village sector project at the Wish Center as our Rotary Centennial Project. This is a joint venture of all Chatham-Kent Rotary Clubs (although final commitment is forth coming from a couple of clubs) to raise approximately $75000 for construction costs. In return, the entrance hall to the Education Centre would be named in honour of Rotary and a wheel will be placed at the entrance.
Bingo
A letter of intent has been sent to Bingo Country, Chatham denoting our interest in participating in their Bingo Association. The down side is that bingos at the Chatham Bing0 Country run from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. The up side is they require only 4 warm bodies per bingo.
There is also a possibility of a bingo opening up on Walpole Island.
Tiffin Building Glowing
Part 1 of 2 Tiffin Memorial Building
lighting is completed. Two vandal-proof fixtures donated by Western
Equipment and Brad Martin have been installed.
Part 2 should land before year end featuring low-voltage deck lighting
and a new ceiling in the building. This also includes updating the
existing electrical. Part 2 going forward hinges on receiving a $1500
Community Improvement Grant from the Duke Energy Foundation.
Odds and Ends
Effective immediately, dues will be increase $10 per month.
WDSS to receive $1000 for Playhouse construction.
Playhouse sales lower than expected for Western Fair.
Roadside cleanup slated for Oct 18, 2003.
Important District Dates
Foundation
Gala November
6, 2003
District
Conference 2004 June
4 -6, 2004
Rotary
Youth Leadership Award May
8-10, 2004
International
Convention- Osaka, Japan
May
23-26, 2004
Outbound
Youth Exchange Interviews:
15 November 2003
Applications
must be completed and submitted by 15
October 2003.
Applications
are available on-line or from DEN Robert Baker