Toast to the Queen, Canada & Rotary: President Gordon
Anthem: (Awaits return to our choir stalls in the future)
Attending: 17 members and two guests: Basil’s guest Dorothy Evans (recovering from eye surgery) and Suresh Agarwal recently arrived (last week) from Edmonton where he has been a Rotarian recently from 2011. He gave us an outline of his background in business, arrival in Canada in 1973 and family who now live in the Toronto area.
No Screenshot this week Sorry!.
Program Speaker: Danny Cassidy
Danny gave a great presentation and explained that normally he would be giving it as part of a pitch to support the Ride to Conquer Cancer 2021. But our club has been a great supporter of the Ride. He says that we are now getting this presentation as a “thank you”. This year’s ride will be virtual as was the 2020 ride but over the years $220 million has been raised for cancer research and facilities at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. During the presentation, Danny explains how rigorous training is required to be prepared for the over 220 km from Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake over two days. This year he has turned 70 years and will be still on the trail to raise funds to Conquer Cancer in his 71st year.
Danny’s recorded presentation link follows: (Editor : The links that did not show at the meeting have been corrected in the following link.)
Club Services group will meet next week via Zoom in the evening
Arthur was able to provide an update on the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and the incidence of blood clots caused by the vaccine. A very detailed review was made of cases where the blood clots were triggered by an immune response similar to what occurs infrequently from a blood-thinning drug called Heparin. The EMA in Europe and Britain’s regulator reported that out of 20 million vaccinations in Britain it has reported only79 instances of blood clots occurring; 51 women and 28 men, a total of 19 died. The conclusion is that this vaccine is very safe but for those sensitive to Heparin they should opt for another vaccine. Women under age 55 should avoid this vaccine and anyone using Heparin as a blood thinner. Otherwise this vaccine has been proven to be very safe for the millions of doses that have been administered.
Gordon announced that the Great Lakes Cleanup has now been postponed to occur whenever it can be arranged but before June 15th.
Barry announced that the International Service Group will meet on Tuesday at 7:30 pm by Zoom. The minutes and agenda as well as the POD for May will be sent out to all participants.
Sergeant at Arms: Alan Meredith was pressed into service to-day to replace Dave Hardy who had to leave earlier. He asked all to report good news or other news they have experienced in their lives.
Saifoo quoted Winston Churchill “We make a Living by what we Get but we make a Life by what we Give” That’s sound advice for any Rotarian.
Peter welcomed the bright sunny weather and was looking forward to getting out to enjoy it.
Basil now has to help Dorothy to shower every day since she has had her retinal surgery but that wouldn’t that have been even more fun when she was just 17?
Courtney reported how he revisited his teaching career by working with three young people for a couple or hours and he felt that it was a great breakthrough for them with some of their struggles and this also “really pumped me up” to see their response.
Barry got his “shot” on Good Friday at Sunnybrook. And Glennys is set for hers on Tuesday at Centennial where “Danny Boy” will be Greeter.
David reported that his daughter Dana and her mother are both now better after being smitten by Covid-19.
Hans was at the Centennial Centre last week for his shot but noticed how so many of the volunteers were standing for many hours. Danny agreed that it was tough on his knees and lower back from his experience.
Frank has been enjoying the nice weather and the opportunity to welcome back his feathered friends so that he can take some unique close-ups with his long lens camera to add to his feathered gallery.
Alan reported that Frank and his photos are all over their local Ballantrae magazine. Well done even the prose that Frank doesn’t like to write out. But else can you do when we are all shut down?
Arthur reported on his Zoo volunteers Zoom meeting on Friday and they have been getting reports that the lions have been catching Canada geese and have developed a taste for this god-given poultry. Every day the lions are catching them one at a time. But the Snow Leopard has been catching a wild rabbit that go inside the fencing. Several suggestions as to relocating the lions to where Canada Geese are considered nuisances.
Gordon terminated the meeting with a thanks for joining in and an invitation to join us again next week.
No Screenshot this week Sorry!.
Program Speaker: Danny Cassidy 
Announcements:
Sergeant at Arms: Alan Meredith was pressed into service to-day to replace Dave Hardy who had to leave earlier. He asked all to report good news or other news they have experienced in their lives.
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