Box 4572, Station C, Calgary, Alberta T2T 5N3
Grey Eagle Hotel, 3777 Grey Eagle Drive (Corner of 37 St SW and Glenmore Drive)
Monday 12.00 pm - 1.00 pm
President: Linda Anderson President-Elect: Rob Rakochey
President Elect Nominee: Duncan Stanners Past President: Marlene Doherty
Foundation: Garfield Ganong Treasurer: Don Edie
Secretary: Marlene Doherty
Directors: Natalija Reljic, Chris Ritter, Kathryn Kaldestad, David Wartman, Les Morgan
Together We Are People of Action - Building Community
Jan 16 2023 Edition: 56.20 Reporter/Editor: Marie Rickard
President Linda Anderson called the in-person only meeting to order and began with the Land Acknowledgement for Tsuut’ina Nation:
“With gratitude, mutual respect and reciprocity, we acknowledge the ancestral home, culture and oral teachings of the Treaty 7 Signatories.” And then she put us to the test asking who are the treaty seven nations? The membership responded well with Siksika Nation, Piikani Nation, Kainai nation, lethka Stoney Nakoda Nation (Chiniki, Bearspaw and Good Stoney Bands) Tsuut’ina Nation. Final signatory was all of us, the Federal Government of Canada.
The club membership then sang O Canada.
Les Morgan introduced the guests in the room today. “Hail, hail the gangs all here”, broke out to welcome the guests!
President Linda presented her Rotary International Moment telling all about the District Zoom Webinar on Wednesday, See the District Calendar for details. The webinar will discuss the priority being placed on Diversity Equity and Inclusion work by Rotary International and what it means to clubs.
Linda called on David Mills to introduce our guest speaker today, John McFaul, as follows:
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John started his talk identifying the different areas with available hiking trails in Alberta: Waterton Lakes, Kananaskis Country, Yoho National Park, Mount Assiniboine, Lake O’Hara. His tour of trails led first to Waterton Lakes National Park where he identified hikes to Crypt Lake and around Cameron Lake with a view into Glacier National Park and the possibility of crossing into the USA. To get there, you can take a boat ride out of Waterton town centre. (The Westerner report, this week, has fond memories of taking the boat trip and the short hike to the International Border between the USA and Canada and performing the “Hands Across the Border” ceremony with American Rotarians at our annual Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Rotary Weekend.)
John then took us via an area map to Kananaskis Country, over 2000 square miles where he identified many hikes in all different directions and all very accessible to Calgarians. Hikes mentioned included Ptarmigan Cirque, Pickle Jar Lake, Moose Mountain out of west Bragg Creek, (made more famous there by filming of the movie Brokeback Mountain). There is upper and lower Kananaskis and many peaks and valleys to explore with a variety of wildlife and lovely wildflower displays. The peaks and valleys and lakes are too numerous to mention them all. Also mentioned were fishing lakes open for visitors, even Lily Lake where you can helicopter in to do a little fishing.
Highwood Pass is the access to the Ptarmigan Cirque and great hikes and views. Also described were unique areas where fossils and pictograms can be seen.
Mount Assiniboine is a favorite spot but to avoid the arduous trail, many take a helicopter trip into the lodge and cabins for day trips including hiking, cross country skiing or snowshoeing. The Sunshine Meadows access from top of the ski lift has a beautiful display of Indian paintbrush wildflower and worthy of a visit. There is also Sandy Glacier near Castle Mountain where fossils can be found and John had a story of someone who was carrying away some fossils, got caught and fined as a result. Lake Louise has good hiking and a teahouse to refresh yourself for the journey home. Abbott’s Pass was named after the first fatality for a hiker in the mountain area and Abbott Hut which used to be a cabin refuge has become unrepairable and has been removed by Parks Canada. Moraine Lake and Eiffel Lake and Larch Valley are all great hikes especially in the fall when the larches are turning colour. Due to its popularity and high volume of traffic and congestion mostly regarding parking, Moraine Lake Road has been closed recently, accessible only by shuttle now. Skoki Lodge is a noted Lodge with great food and a favorite destination for hikers and skiers. Visitors of note, of course, William and Catherine, now Prince and Princess of Wales. Their signatures appear in the guest book at Skoki Lodge.
Yoho Park was mentioned for the Twin Falls Chalet and the Iceline Trail. A premier spot for hiking is Lake O’Hara where access to the trails and accommodation is allocated using a lottery system. The Lodge is quite expensive perhaps because it is a much sought-after experience. There is also a great campground there. Wildlife in the area including pica, weasels, marmots, wolverine, and mountain goats.
Barbie Hames thanked the speaker and referred to the good physical and spiritual rewards from getting out in nature. John McFaul accepted a gift donation to Shelterbox which will be made by the club in his name.
Mad Minutes
Discon 2023
David Wartman announced our District 5360 Conference, Dreaming our Future, on May 5 and 6 at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge in Lethbridge, Alberta. Go to www.discon5360.ca for details.
Casinos
Bill Lawless announced that Rotary Mattamy received $74,000 from our last casino event and this was the final payment toward our commitment to support the Rotary Mattamy Greenway. Presently, we have 2 more casinos to complete. Firstly, for Habitat for Humanity Casino on January 27, and 28, four volunteers are needed. Secondly, our own Rotary Club of Calgary West Casino will happen in March.
Ukraine Family Moving to Calgary
Steve & Linda Strang have generously opened their home again to a Ukrainian refugee family coming to Calgary. Steve asks that we consider donating furniture and household items to give to the family when they acquire housing. Contact Steve with any donations.
Announcements by President Linda
- Next week is a hybrid meeting. It is also Robbie Burns Day. Sandy Paterson, from the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, is the guest speaker.
- Don’t forget to volunteer for the Habitat for Humanity Casino
- N Step Spring Plant Sale deadline is January 30. Go online to order.
- Linda and Tim Anderson - Open House Invitation on Saturday, January 21, 2023, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Please drop in for a beverage and snack and also if you are outdoor enthusiasts the ski trails are open.
- Thank you to all who supported the meeting today – greeters, AV operators, Thankers, and presenter!
Four Way Test Jingle and the Thought for the Day:
As Wednesday, January 18th is National Winnie the Pooh Day (and Linda comes from Winnipeg – Pooh Bear Headquarters.):
- “If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.”
- "Life is a journey to be experienced; not a problem to be solved."
-Winnie the Pooh (compliments of A.A. Milne)