Messages this week from our Club President, Tracey Curtis
It has been a whole year since the World Health Organization declared the Covid-19 outbreak a global pandemic. In President Tracey's own words:
Dear fellow Rotarians
First off... for those that joined in on the Rotary meeting today, I am very sorry for all of the technical difficulties. Dr David Hughes was "zooming" in from England and that led to some zoom challenges as well as a few other things that made it tough for us all to focus on the meeting. I would sincerely like to apologize and thank you for your patience. Dr Hughes did eventually join in and provided a wonderful presentation. We did record it and want to ensure that it gets shared with you all. We will have Dr Hughes back as we was a delight to listen to.
One year ago... where were you one year ago? Do you remember where you were when the WHO organization classified COVID-19 a global pandemic? I was in Africa with another Bracelet of Hope board member feeling helpless as I was not near my family. I left after being there for only 3 days for a long trip home in empty airports. At the time I thought those days were beyond unimaginable but it has only gotten more difficult.
We shared a moment of silence today to hold the 38 lives lost in Guelph and their families close in our hearts. We spoke about our health care workers and volunteers that are working tirelessly to get us vaccinated so that we are able to all meet and look at each other in the eyes and shake hands and maybe a hug!
We have all lost something, time with loved ones and memories not made. On this day it is important to acknowledge that. It is also critical to reach out if you need help or to talk to someone. CHMA has put out great materials to help us. They also produced this video, please take a moment to watch it. We have Hope and each other!
Wishing you the very best as we navigate this difficult time together.
Yours in Rotary,
Tracey
Print this, fill it out, and post it with a selfie on your social media to share what matters most to YOU. (For Rotarians, that would be a Service Above Selfie!)
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Many happy returns to:
Robert Eilers - March 15
John Wills - March 18
Congratulations on these Rotary anniversaries:
David Van Veen - March 17, 1989 - 32 years!
Gary Stewart - March 21, 1997 - 24 years!
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Other Announcements:
OUR CLUB 'FIRESIDES' START NEXT WEEK - HAVE YOU SIGNED UP YET?
Sign up online here, or email Terrie Jarvis and say which Fireside you'd like to attend. Each session is online and runs from 7-9pm. Your opinions matter so ALL members should aim to attend a session. If you haven't signed up yet, we'll send you an email soon with a suggested date. Zoom links will be sent out to hosts and participants in advance of each session.
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THE NEXT ROTARY PAINT NIGHT - MARCH 21 - 'DREAMING OF SPRING'
More and more people are loving Ben McCarl's online art sessions. On March 21, starting at 6pm on Zoom, Ben will provide step-by-step instructions to paint this delightful subject ... a sweet giraffe that is 'Dreaming of Spring'. Read more about our upcoming Paint Night here and REGISTER HERE. Join the fun by painting from home. Invite friends and family, too.
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FINDING THE BALANCE DURING COVID-19 - MARCH 9 RECORDING
If you missed this excellent session on March 9, you can view it here.
And if you are not already following Dr Anne-Marie's famous Facebook postings, go here.
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SHELLDALE FUNDRAISER ON MARCH 17 🍀
Michele Richardson was delighted to report that all 75 of the meals for the Shelldale St. Patrick's Day fundraiser are SOLD OUT, but the auction and entertainment opportunities are still available here.
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ROTARY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FROM OUR DISTRICT 7080
A lot of wonderful resources are available online to learn more about Rotary on your own schedule. Check the list of modules here.
Also, mark your calendar for our District Virtual Conference on May 29, 2021 from 9am to 12:30pm. Details are here.
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If you're happy and you know it, contribute your Happy Bucks on our club's GiveSome pages here. There are four topics to donate to.
Jennifer Dunsmoor's youngest child just turned 20, meaning no more teenagers in her family.
Anne MacKay is thrilled with the art lessons she is taking from fellow Rotarian Eleni Bakopoulos.
Gisella Gozzola has started a new job and says it is challenging, but in a good way.
Marva Wisdom was full of joy: she loved having her son Justin representing young entrepreneurs at last week's Finding the Covid-19 Balance webinar; her dad turned 88 and her family managed to have a Zoom gathering of all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to celebrate; her beautiful sister turned 50; her nephew turned 30. (March is a busy birthday month in her family!)
Mahmud Hassain hopes that EVERYONE reads this article in Guelph Today, here: A year of pandemic, by Dr. Anne-Marie Zajdlik
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Program this week - March 12, 2021:
The Future of Food
by Professor David Hughes (aka "Dr. Food")
Food impacts everyone on the planet, and we were truly fortunate to hear from a global expert highlighting past, present and future food trends. Due to technical difficulties in connecting through our Zoom account from overseas, the presentation was delayed but eventually took place and was recorded, to share with club members as soon as possible.
Richard Broadwith introduced his former business partner, David Hughes, outlining David's extensive academic and consulting work around the world, including a period in Guelph while supporting project work for Canada's Department of Agriculture (which also familiarized David with Guelph's famous Albion Hotel). We noticed and appreciated David's thoughtful display of a Canadian flag behind his chair!
Dr. Hughes is Emeritus Professor of Food Marketing at the Imperial College in London, UK and is often nicknamed "Dr. Food".
David's talk was extremely well prepared with many slides providing strong, visual examples of trends, and it was easy to see why David is in high international demand with his clear and easy-going style. His talk demonstrated how Covid-19 has accelerated some trends but decelerated others.
Increased "Eating Out In" by ordering home delivery of restaurant meals
Increased demand for "Fresh Meal Kits" to assemble at home
More online shopping of food, which changes marketing requirements of food retailers
Food price warfare amongst retail outlets
Increased snacking and comfort foods during Covid lockdowns
Food waste resulting from disrupted supply chains during Covid (like milk being destroyed)
Food waste in general, in wealthy countries like the US and Canada
How food guides and habits have changed in the past few decades
World populations that are both over- and under-weight
Meat and dairy alternative products, Vegan popularity, and creative branding and marketing of these alternatives
Fair trade and trackable sourcing of food procurement
Food marketing linked to supporting good causes
The growing acceptance of genome editing in food production
Increased desire for local and sustainable farming products
New products, like "sleep drinks" and other food innovations
Environmental changes such as:
Movement towards more climate- and planet-friendly diets
"Foodprints" and menu labelling to identify the climate impact of ingredients
More environment-friendly food packaging
Measuring the emotional wellbeing of animals in our food chain
Impact of deforestation caused by demand for palm oil
Regenerative agricultural practices with focus on eco-efficiency
Increasing government role in steering food consumption in healthier ways
Many more social pressures on what we shouldn't eat
David's talk was jam-packed with interesting information. He thinks thinks that many of the Covid behavioural changes will be felt for the next 20 years or so.
Tracey thanked David for his marvelous talk, his patience and understanding concerning the technical difficulties, and hopes that he will address our club again in future.
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Upcoming programs
Check our home page for upcoming speakers at our own club and also at other Rotary events. There are some wonderful talks ahead. Invite friends!
Sign up online here
More and more people are loving Ben McCarl's online art sessions. O
If you're happy and you know it, contribute your Happy Bucks on our club's GiveSome pages 
Food impacts everyone on the planet, and we were truly fortunate to hear from a global expert highlighting past, present and future food trends. Due to technical difficulties in connecting through our Zoom account from overseas, the presentation was delayed but eventually took place and was recorded, to share with club members as soon as possible. 
Richard Broadwith introduced his former business partner, David Hughes, outlining David's extensive academic and consulting work around the world, including a period in Guelph while supporting project work for Canada's Department of Agriculture (which also familiarized David with Guelph's famous Albion Hotel). We noticed and appreciated David's thoughtful display of a Canadian flag behind his chair! 
Dr. Hughes is Emeritus Professor of Food Marketing at the Imperial College in London, UK and is often nicknamed "Dr. Food". 
