On Sep 13, 2016, 6 new members were inducted into The Rotary Club-of Fergus-Elora.  These 6 new members will meet at our satellite club that meets in the evening, The inaugural meeting of The Rotary Satellite Club of Fergus-Elora Evening will take place on Sep 28 .  Jim Waites (left), Club President, is pictured with the six new members that are from left to right Don Vallery, Dave Roberts, Angela Tamblyn, Claire Warren, Carl MacArthur, Rob Murray.  A big welcome to these new members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Ed Davis makes a presentation to Sara Wilbur, Executive Director,  and Richard Seibel, Board Member, of Grand River Conservation Foundation on behalf of the club. These funds will support the development of the new Guelph Lake Nature Centre, which supports about 1,100 students from the Centre Wellington Area each year (in 2014, thirty-one elementary classes and ten classes from Centre Wellington District High School.) Students at the Centre make essential connections with nature at a time when children no longer simply go out and play; the lessons learned there increase their interest in the outdoors, foster self-reliance and encourage our community’s young people to become our next generation of environmental ambassadors. Exposure to the outdoors helps promote physical and mental health in kids, reduces anxiety and offers young people who may not thrive in a traditional learning environment to feel good about their accomplishments.
 

 

 

In the spring of 2015, the Fergus-Elora Rotary Club approved an application for funding from Arthur Trail Group.  Rotary President, Ed Davis (on top picture) presented a donation to that group to assist with the trail development.  The official opening of the trail was held on September 26, 2015 in Arthur.  Bruce McLeish, Secretary, John Campbell, Treasurer, and Bob Grant attended the opening ceremonies (included in bottom picture)  that were held in Arthur at a kiosk on the trail.  As a continuation of the Arthur Trail work already organized, carried out and providing  local benefits, the Trails Group is looking to link the existing trail with the Upper Grand Trail Dufferin.  This Upper Grand Trail Wellington would begins at Wells Street in Arthur and extend along the old railbed between the village of Arthur and the East/West Luther townline.  The project provides multiple environmental and community benefits: natural conservation; increased volunteerism; safe, varied fitness benefits; educational opportunities.  Approximately 1000 trees planted along the trail will provide cooling, erosion control, maintenance of the water table and shelter for wildlife. All trees are native species.
Local High School students will assist in the planting. Sowing of wildflower seeds is included.  These and the majority of the trees will support the needs of all kinds of native pollinators, at a time when many of them are in decline. Members of local 4H will be building birdhouses to place along the trail.

 

 

 

Scotiabank provided generous sponsorship funds to the club in the past year.  Ed Davis and Norm Manning present the Fergus Branch Manager with an appreciation plaque.