PACER
Final Playhouse to Orangeville
The 2004 Children's playhouse was won by Donald Woodley of Orangeville. Delivery of the final Dresden Rotary Children's Playhouse was this past week thanks to Dan, Ewan and John. Thanks to Murray and Mid County Ford for the use of the tow vehicle this last summer. Mr. Woodley kindly offered to pay for the gas and made a donation to Dresden Rotary for delivery services.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodley have 3 grandchildren and 4 more on the way.
Thomas's Trip to
Toronto
.........by Thomas Gaal
It was a beautiful Friday afternoon when we left for Toronto
to spend a fantastic weekend there. We left about 6 o’clock. On the
way there we had fun with Erik. He always can make me laugh.
First night we found a Motel where we stayed at.
Next day (on Saturday) we had breakfast at the McDonald’s.
The purpose was to spend the whole day at Canada’s Wonderland. We got
in easily, without long waiting. The first ride was the Top Gun. That
was much more than scarry. I am pretty sure that this ride is the most
popular and dangerous. But I loved it.
Unfortunately Murray got a little bit sick after Top Gun so
he didn’t dare to try more rides. We separated Karen was with Brittany
and Erik, I was with Murray and Nicole. With Nicky we rode every
roller coasters. Too bad I am not encouraged enough to try the other
things. I don’t like spinning I love only the roller coasters. And
there was a lot. I especially liked the one on that I had to stand. My
God… that was awesome.
About 2 o’clock we took a little break. We went to Swiss
Chalat (I am not sure about the name) to have supper. Then we got back
to the water park. With Nicky we did only one slide at the water park.
I am sorry I was too cold to do more. So we continued to enjoy the
roller coasters. They were big fun in the evening when we could see
nothing. It was frightening but cool, eh?
We got back to the Motel tired but with many experience and
happiness.
Next day, Sunday, the best. We traveled to the downtown of
Toronto. We visited the Air Canada Center and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
In the morning it was cloudy so we couldn’t see so much of the CN
Tower. So we bought tickets to the Hockey Hall of Fame. I am not big
at hockey, but Murray tried to explain me who was great player. I only
knew Wayne Gretzky. I loved the Hall of Fame, I like watching hockey
just not good at it.
By the time we got out from there the sky was clear, no clouds. The
perfect time, to go up to the CN Tower. After a long lining up we got
our tickets. With Murray, Erik and Nicky I went to the top of the
building. On the top I was shocked (in a positive meaning). I took a
lot of pictures. We were up there for 30 minutes then we went down to
the first “store”. There was the glass floor, my favorite thing. I
dared to walk on it and took pictures. I changed Brittany’s mind and
she came on the glass floor with me.
I got know a lot of things about the building, I saw a lots
of picture about how they built the CN Tower.
After we were on the ground level again, we took a short trip
in the downtown seeking for restaurant because the whole family was
hungry. We found a very good one. After we had to get back to the car.
Of course we traveled with underground back and forth.
Then we drove back to Dresden. We were tired but richer with
many good memories. I had a great time. I still don’t know how can I
say thank you to my family for giving me this experience. This time
that is so precious to me.
.......by Thomas Gaal
Me, Thomas Gaal is a nature love person that maybe I haven’t mentioned
here in Canada. Doesn’t matter, I think Kim and Dave knew that. They
invited me go with them on a holiday to the Algonquin Park. To my mind
this is Canada’s most breathtaking park.
So with the Thompson Family and I left for the Algonquin
Park. After 6-hour drive we got there. The weather was chilli but we had
fun from the first minutes. We unpacked in our room I got my own room.
After we went to canoe and we were looking for different kind
of animals. For example beavers, loon, otters. We have seen two loons
and an otter too during the canoe trip.
We got back just in time for supper. At the restaurant we
always had fabulous food during the 4 days. I especially liked the pie.
I always ate a lot.
That night we played card games and I won sometimes. After
chatting and playing everyone went to bed.
Next day after a good breakfast we went to play tennis, one
of my favourite sports. After lunch I tried kayaking first time in my
lifetime. I wasn’t very bad. By the way I liked it better than canoeing.
After we retuned to the lodge, we had to realize that there is no power.
There was electric heating so that’s why we didn’t have heating on this
night. My God… I was cold. And everyone else was except Dave. I don’t
know how but he wasn’t cold. I was so much. But it wasn’t a matter
because I loved the area, the surroundings. Far away from the cities and
traffic. Close to a big forest on a lakeshore… At fall… It was just
gorgeous. I loved every minute.
On Sunday power came back, everyone was happy. It was a cold
day and of course a lake was cold too. That didn’t bother Megan and
Gillian. They made a bet with their parents. For twenty dollars they
jumped in the lake 3 times. I was cold outside, dry and frozen. They
were jumping in the lake and didn’t care about the cold weather. That
was amazing. They did something that I will never be able in my life.
That’s for sure. We played tennis and went canoeing. By the way we left
in perfect time. After a short distance Dave spotted a moose. It was a
doe in the water, it was having supper. Then Dave spotted a bull moose
too. It was on the shore. It could be very young because its antlers
weren’t so big. I love these animals we got close to them. I took many
pictures and a video.
It was cold, I was cold but I didn’t care because this
experience was something that I never had in my life.
How can I describe the landscape. I think it’s impossible. I
send some pictures because everyone have to see it. And some lucky
people can experience it.
On Monday at 11 we left the Algonquin Park. After four hours we stopped
at Kim’s parents house. We had supper there, and I got know some new
people. It was great.
At 9 0’clock I returned home. I was happy and experienced Canada’s
beauty.
All I can say after this: Thank you Kim and Dave!
Dresden Rotary Operation Cover Up Report
1)Background: Operation Cover Up is run by the Good Neighbours Network
which is part of the United Way. Participating cleaners in Chatham Kent
receive donated coats throughout Sept. The firefighters then pick up the
cleaned coats and deliver them to St Andrew’s Hall. There the coats are
sorted by volunteers according to size.
Coats are them available for anyone who needs a coat the week
following Thanksgiving.
2)Dresden rotary contacted 2 area businesses McKellar’s Flowers and
Jackson Seeds, who were willing to be drop off areas for coats during
the month of Sept for people who could not get coats into area cleaners.
Flyers were made up by Megan, interact president. Flyers were
distributed to schools, churches and to areas businesses. Ads were put
in the paper by Paul Weese.
Dozens of coats were picked up at Jackson’s and McKellar’s by
rotarians Kim, Sharon and Kathy and transported to the dry cleaners.
Some coats were also left at the school and at the MD office. It was
important that this was done throughout the month and taken to a variety
of cleaners so not to overwhelm any one cleaner.
3)Another flyer was made up by Megan, interact president, to then advertise the fact that if anyone in the area needed a ride to Chatham to get a coat, they were to contact Sharon at 683-2727 and transportation to Chatham would be arranged by Rotary. This was also put in the paper. Only one person contacted Sharon but that person was later able to arrange their own transportation.
EDITOR: Special thanks to Suellen Weaver for taking the lead on this task.
If anyone has any suggestions for content on our Web Site please submit to the editor.