February 19, 2015 April 30, 2015 Our sponsor this month is SUSAN PILATZKE - LHIN Thank you Rotarian Susan Pilatzke Susan talked about the new McKellar Place Retirement Living centre that offers Assisted Living Retirement Suites tailored to the needs of elderly persons who require some daily assistance, but still enjoy an President-Elect Volker is poised to bell the meeting to order and keep us all independent, active life. Where once a hospital stood, the McKellar on track while President Ken is away…while our Shrimp Fest mascot Place complex now provides a contemporary residence of spacious Sammy reminds us that Shrimp Fest is just two weeks away now studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom accommodations in a friendly residential and historical downtown neighbourhood. Another new development is the Hogarth Riverview Manor site on North Lillie Street, the Centre of Excellence for Integrated Seniors' Services is a President Ken’s theme for our Club this year… model in the provision of integrated services for better seniors' health “LIGHT UP ROTARY” care. OUR FAMILY OF ROTARY IN THUNDER BAY A delightful spring morning for our meeting with 20 Lakehead Celebrating birthdays this month Rotarians on hand; Sheila’s guest and prospective new member ??? Emily Bosma, Administrator of Grandview Lodge; and our special guest Dave Shannon ON THE DOOR IN 2014/15: Richard was on the door today but we are still looking for someone to take the meetings in May. The sign-up sheet for our 2014/15 year is out now…so pick a month, help your Club, and welcome Rotarians and guests. JULY Mo Papich JANUARY Mo Papich AUGUST Richard Kehrig FEBRUARY Karl Ratz SEPTEMBER Graham Stewart MARCH Karl Ratz OCTOBER Karl Ratz APRIL And celebrating anniversaries this month NOVEMBER Volker Kromm MAY Gail & Brian Brescia DECEMBER Allan Kozlo JUNE Clint Kuschak CALENDAR – MEETINGS & EVENTS: SPONSORSHIP: MAY If you can help your Club and wish to promote your business or MAY 5 BOARD MEETING – 5:15 P.M. community interests through a month sponsorship, please contact MAY 6 – 9 DISTRICT CONFERENCE - DULUTH Sergeant Bill or Clint. Here is the sponsorship line-up for 14/15…all MAY 7 LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY – 50TH ANNIVERSARY st months sponsored. THANK YOU ROTARIANS!!! MAY 8 LAKEHEAD ROTARY’S 31 ANNIVERSARY MAY 14 MEETING CANCELLED MAY 15 SHRIMP FEST – RFDA JULY Sunset Memorial Gardens JANUARY RFDA MAY 19 VICTORIA DAY AUGUST Ken Boshcoff Inc. FEBRUARY Beaux Daddy’s MAY 21 BUSINESS MEETING SEPTEMBER Valhalla Inn MARCH Blair Schoales MAY 21 CLUB PLANNING SESSION – RFDA @ 4:00 p.m. OCTOBER MS Society APRIL Susan Pilatzke MAY 28 CYNTHIA WESLEY-ESQUIMAUX NOVEMBER Investors Group MAY Salvation Army LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY DECEMBER NOSM JUNE 5 Star Rotarians VICE-PROVOST [ABORIGINAL INITIATIVES] MAY 28 CANADA CLUB MEETING – SCANDIA JUNE – ROTARY FELLOWSHIP MONTH Great Walleye/Pickerel, "World Class" Smallmouth Bass and JUN 2 BOARD MEETING – 5:15 P.M. Northern Pike fishing awaits you as soon as you step on the dock. JUN 4 OPEN Fishing off the dock is a major attraction for guests as many fish have JUN 6-9 ROTARY CONVENTION – SAO PAOLO, BRAZIL JUN 11 SHEILA CLARK been caught here. Fishing on lower, middle or upper Lake JUN 18 MORNING MEETING CANCELLED Shebandowan continues to offer a wide assortment of fish. HAGI is JUN 18 PRESIDENT’S BBQ – VALHALLA INN happy to work within all budgets, package deals are available and JUN 25 BUSINESS MEETING the qualified staff is happy to assist you. Wilderness Discovery and HAGI have been in the news lately over the Provincial Government’s JULY ROTARY’S NEW YEAR BEGINS plan to see the property at Shebandowan. The Board of Directors of JUL 1 CANADA DAY the Wilderness Discovery Family Camp have issued a statement JUL 2 OPEN regarding the future of the facility: JUL 7 DIRECTORS MEETING WITH DG LOUGHERY JUL 9 DG LOUGHERY OFFICIAL VISIT JUL 16 BUSINESS MEETING In a decision by the Board of Directors, HAGI Community Services JUL 23 OPEN for Independence has decided that there is no other option than to JUL 30 OPEN stop operating the Wilderness Discovery Family Camp and Resort JUL 30 CANADA CLUB MEETING [TENTATIVE] unless there is a significant change in the financial picture. The current cost to operate the barrier free resort is approximately PRESENTATION: $200,000 per year and the Board has decided to direct its resources Dave Shannon, Executive Director of HAGI, paid a visit to update us to alternative recreation and arts programming for people with a on HAGI’s plans with regard to their Wilderness Discovery camp at disability. Lake Shebandowan. HAGI has always operated the camp with a combination of fundraising and summer rentals. HAGI will immediately start fundraising and planning for a new program that will be similar to the Make-A-Wish foundation and provide opportunities to attend cultural, recreational and sporting events. “We will build on partnerships with existing disability arts and recreation organizations, and build toward a very positive future”, said HAGI Executive Director David Shannon. Mr. Shannon also said, “It is with much thought and difficulty that the Board made this decision. However, with the new direction that it is taking, we believe that there will be better recreation and arts opportunities for persons with a disability in Northwestern Ontario, and we will be able to focus on the people right in our region who need us to help them access these opportunities the most. I believe that after people consider where we are going with the future of this program they will be very excited.” The Wilderness Discovery Family Resort & Conference Centre was developed in the early 1980’s, by the Handicapped Action Group Incorporated, to promote outdoor recreation for persons with a disability. Wilderness Discovery-Backgrounder HAGI’s Resort & Conference Centre is located on beautiful Lake In the 1980’s the HAGI began to focus on the development of a Shebandowan. Its own private Isle is a perfect point to experience residential camp. The organization initiated a camping program that incredible views, unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. The involved one to five day canoe trips into the wilderness matching uniqueness of the Resort makes it possible to enjoy the best of able-bodied individuals with disabled. However, the result was that Wilderness. It`s an ideal location to escape the busy work and city a majority of the individuals with severe disabilities were still unable environment. The Resort offers barrier free (handicapped to participate because of the rugged conditions. The closest accessible), modern, non- smoking, completely furnished cabins with accessible affordable residential camping program was eight extra-large decks to enjoy the view. Both Conference Centre & all hundred to a thousand miles away in Sudbury or Northwest of living spaces including kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms are Toronto. Due to the distance, cost, and the availability of accessible ergonomically designed for mobility impaired individuals. transportation; the number of disabled from Northwestern Ontario, who were able to participate, was limited. Wolf`s Den, Cougar`s Cave, Bear`s Den, Eagle`s Roost and Moose Manor are our 2 and 3 bedroom barrier free, modern, completely In 1984 the Ministry of Natural Resources entered into discussions furnished, non-smoking cabins with all the facilities necessary to with the HAGI on the leasing of waterfront property on Shebandowan make your stay as comfortable, enjoyable and pleasurable as Lake. This property previously leased by the YMCA had four cabins possible. Venue Lodge with its picturesque setting on stunning Lake and a cinder block lodge. We were successful in obtaining a land Shebandowan is a perfect place to organize any kind of event: use permit for the site by late December 1984 after negotiations with anniversary; business meetings; workshops; seminars; baby both the Ministry and the Shebandowan Campers Association. showers; family reunions, management lunches and many more... During our first year of operation, extensive renovations were done to both the buildings and property to make it accessible to persons Everyone is invited to join us for swimming, basking in the sun, with a disability. An appeal to the community resulted in a successful paddle boating, canoeing and kayaking. Extra boats/motors are furniture drive allowing us to furnish all the buildings. In August of available to rent along with canoes. Use of our paddle boat is no 1985 and again in 1986 and 1987 a summer camp program was charge. Guests may moor their own watercraft at the dock during provided, with approximately 150 disabled taking advantage of the their stay. Children can enjoy our playground and zip line. facilities. The camp was established to meet the following objectives: TV/DVD/VCR`s along with WIFI, at no charge, are offered in each cabin and Conference Centre. The games/library room offers a 1. To provide a residential facility completely barrier free in design variety of games including Wii and a full size pool table. Many books, for all persons with a disability. DVD`s and Videos are available to further enjoy your stay. 2. To provide a residential facility at affordable rates, since approximately 70% of persons with a disability are on a fixed income. 3. To provide an environment that will promote independence of HAGI began its housing program in 1978 with the construction of persons with a disability. Thunder Bay`s first wheelchair accessible barrier free apartment complex at 150 Castlegreen Drive. In late 1987, a twenty-year lease was negotiated with the Ministry and fundraising began to raise money to rebuild the cabins and lodge. A Wintario application was approved for 1988 and with support from all of the major local service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Kinsmen, and Lions), construction began to build four cabins averaging approximately 1,000 square feet each.