Stephen Poloz: Author of “The Next Age of Uncertainty” – Live in Summerside!
 
What does the future hold for Canada’s economy? What challenges — and opportunities — lie ahead?
 
Stephen Poloz has been exploring these very questions in his award-winning book, The Next Age of Uncertainty. Now, he’s bringing those insights directly to Summerside’s business community.
 
Hear firsthand:
📘 How disruptive forces like aging populations, climate change, and debt are reshaping our future
📘 What business leaders can do to prepare and adapt
📘 Why local innovation and resilience matter more than ever
This is your invitation to be part of a high-impact discussion that blends global economics with local relevance.
🎟️ Book your spot for July 11 – and bring a friend who loves to learn!
🎓 Thank You, STRIVE Students!
 
This past Tuesday, we had the pleasure of hosting the 2025 STRIVE students.
 
The 2025 cohort was the largest group of STRIVE students yet.
 
This Tuesday was a memorable occasion as we closed our STRIVE for 2025.
Over the course of the year, these students participated in workshops and sessions focused on public speaking, résumé building, and interview skills — equipping them with valuable tools for their future success.
 
In recognition of their hard work and growth, the club proudly awarded a total of $9,000 in scholarships to support these remarkable students as they take their next steps. 🌟
 
To the STRIVE students — thank you for being part of our Rotary journey. Your dedication and drive are truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see all you will achieve!
 
Special thanks to the STRIVE committee, and a shout out to the STRIVE chair, Tara Maddix, for all your hard work throughout the year.
👋 You’ve seen our signs. You’ve heard our name. Now come discover what we’re all about.

The Rotary Club of Summerside is a network of local leaders and volunteers committed to service — both here at home and around the world.

Join us for Discover Rotary
🗓 Wednesday, June 12
🕕 6–9 PM
The Oval, Summerside

Whether you're curious, ready to volunteer, or just want to learn more — this relaxed info evening is for you!

#SummersideRotary #CommunityLeadership #DiscoverRotary #RotaryPEI 
From Easter Seals: This evening, we take a moment to salute Dr. Scott Mollins, a Rotarian and a member of our Easter Seals PEI Provincial Committee, who is encouraging Islanders to join us to celebrate Red Shirt Day® on Wednesday, May 28th! By wearing a red shirt tomorrow you are helping enhance accessibility in our community! Scott recently retired from his dental practice in Summerside, and judging from his smile, we know he is taking time to enjoy his favourite activities such as trout fishing and being on ATV trails! Thanks, Scott for all that you do!
 
Today marked one of our most anticipated guest speaking events of the year — hearing from our Rotary Youth Exchange student.
This year, we've had the pleasure of hosting Yoshihiro “Yoshi” Hachijo, who joined us all the way from Japan.
This morning, Yoshi shared his inspiring journey and reflections with the club — from his life in Japan to the memories he's made here in Summerside.
His story was a powerful reminder of the value of cultural exchange and the lifelong connections it creates.
As we approach the end of his exchange, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to Yoshi for bringing curiosity, warmth, and positivity to our community.
It has been a true honour to host him, and we’re proud to have played a part in his adventure.
Thank you, Yoshi — your Summerside Rotary family will always be cheering you on! 🌍💙
 
🌱 Summerside Rotary in Action! 🌳
This past Saturday, over 50 volunteers, including many enthusiastic children, came together to plant 500 trees on a beautiful 9.3-acre site generously donated by Rotarian Donna MacKay, President of Enterprise Venture Group.
Donna has been integral for the growth and development of the Rotary Friendship Park over the last decade, and we are so grateful.
This incredible green space will continue to grow as we work to infill the entire donated area. We're currently navigating some tree sourcing challenges, but plans are underway with the City and local nurseries to keep the momentum going!
This is what community looks like—people coming together to make a lasting impact.
Stay tuned for our drone footage of this amazing day 👀
The Summerside Rotary Club extends our sincerest thanks to Sheryl, Executive Director of JAPEI, for joining us as our guest speaker at today’s Rotary meeting.

Sheryl shared the remarkable work JAPEI is leading across Prince Edward Island, with a special spotlight on the dynamic programs right here in Summerside.

Her presentation underscored the vital role youth play in shaping the future of our local economy — and how essential it is for our community to equip them with skills in financial literacy, business planning, and career readiness.

JAPEI’s initiatives are opening doors for young people to explore entrepreneurship, develop real-world business skills, and gain a strong foundation in managing finances.

These programs encourage youth to think big, plan strategically, and dream about their futures right here on PEI.

By exposing students to local career opportunities, they help ensure that the next generation sees a future for themselves in our community — a critical step for building a strong, sustainable economy in Summerside.

This is why we partner with the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, to fundraise for this worthy cause.

Join Us for the Rotary & Chamber Lobster Luncheon, raising funds for JAPEI
🗓️ Date: July 11th at 11:30
📍 Location: Credit Union Place

Celebrate community leadership and invest in our future by joining local Rotarians, Chamber members, and guests for a delicious lobster luncheon, networking, and community building.

This signature event is a chance to support the ongoing work of organizations like JAPEI and honour the spirit of collaboration that keeps Summerside thriving.

🎟️ Tickets are selling fast!
Reserve yours here: https://app.glueup.com/.../summerside-rotary-chamber.../...

Let’s come together to celebrate the power of youth, leadership, and community!

Continuing our amazing Tuesday at Summerside Rotary… we’re celebrating the newest addition to our club – welcome, Chris Rushton! 🎉

Chris is no stranger to Rotary. Previously a long-standing Rotarian in Moncton, Chris recently moved to the Summerside area.

Thanks to a connection with our good friend and fellow Rotarian Keith Tanton, Chris found his way to our club – and we couldn’t be more pleased.

We’re grateful to have Chris’s experience and energy joining us in Summerside. We look forward to seeing the great things he’ll do in our community and in Rotary

Wow, WHAT a morning!
 
This Tuesday was a special one at Summerside Rotary – so much so, we’ll need two posts to cover it all!
 
First up, we were thrilled to welcome some of our incredible STRIVE students as guest speakers.
 
A big thank you to Rotarian, Tara Maddix, for continuing to head the STRIVE committee and for organizing this inspiring session.
 
tara invited the students to share how the STRIVE program has impacted them so far – and their exciting plans for the future.
 
While not all could attend due to a school trip, we were honoured to hear from Aster, Sophie, Isabelle, Tyishia, Malak, and Sophie.
 
Their stories, ambition, and drive were nothing short of inspiring. Hearing their dreams and goals reminded us why investing in youth matters so much.
 
A huge thank you to the STRIVE group today for coming out.
 
This presentation filled the room with hope for the future and made us proud to support such bright, motivated young leaders. 🌟
 
Stay tuned for part two of this morning’s highlights…
 
Drum rolllllll.....
 
Easter Seals PEI School Tour Raises $61,125!
We’re thrilled to share the incredible success of the 2025 Tim Hortons Easter Seals PEI Ambassador School Tour, which raised an amazing $61,125—a full $13,000 more than last year!
 
Led by this year’s inspiring Ambassador, Remi, the tour visited 62 schools across the Island, spreading awareness about disabilities and showcasing the true spirit of generosity in our youth. A special shoutout to Ellerslie Elementary School, where Remi is a student—201 students helped raise an astounding $6,000!
Huge thanks to Remi and her family, and to all the students, teachers, and staff who made this year’s tour unforgettable.
 
....And of course, thank you to our incredible sponsors: Tim Hortons, PEI Coach Atlantic/Maritime Bus, Ocean 100, and Hot 105.5.
 
Proudly supported by the Rotary Club of Charlottetown, Rotary Club of Montague and Eastern PEI, and Rotary Club of Summerside. Easter Seals PEI continues its mission to enhance the lives of Islanders with disabilities.
 
Huge Shout out to Dr Scott Mollins who chairs the Easter Seals committee on behalf of the Summerside Rotary. Your amazing work does not go unnoticed!
 
💬 Remi’s motto says it all: “Always remember you can do hard things.”
 
 
A great morning to hear about the amazing support that the Family Place provides our growing families in Summerside.

We want to send a heartfelt thank you to Carol Hyndman, for joining us at today’s Rotary meeting and sharing her incredible journey and work with Family Place in Summerside.

From her years of experience supporting families through the Ontario Early Years Program and Social Services, to her current role coordinating the Full Circle Family Doula Program, Carol’s dedication to children and families is truly inspiring. We’re grateful she came out of retirement to bring her warmth, knowledge, and passion back to the Summerside community — and to us today.

Thank you, Carol, for the meaningful work you do and for spending your morning with us!
A huge thank you to Minerva Gamble-Hardy for joining us as a guest speaker at this week's Rotary meeting! 📖

As a dedicated leader with the Provincial Library Service, Minerva plays a key role in running incredible programs right here at the Summerside Rotary Inspire Learning Centre.

In 2024 alone, over 46,000 people attended library programs across the province— and over 600 room bookings in Summerside alone, for community programs and meetings.

Minerva also commented about the 20 - 25 students that volunteer on an annual basis here in Summerside with amazing programs such as a senior tech mentorship program!

These numbers are a testament to the meaningful work being done in our very own Summerside Rotary Library!

We’re grateful for Minerva’s insights, passion for literacy, and her ongoing contributions to lifelong learning in Summerside.

Interested in learning more about the amazing programs at the the Library? Check out the upcoming lineup here: https://inspirelearning.libcal.com/calendar?cid=7149&t=d...
A big thank you to Sam Sanderson, Executive Director of the Construction Association of Prince Edward Island, for being our guest speaker at the club this Tuesday!

Sam delivered a timely and insightful presentation on the state of the construction industry across Prince Edward Island.

With the backdrop of a challenging political and economic climate; rising costs, labour shortages, and the growing demand for infrastructure - his remarks sparked thoughtful discussion among our members.

He highlighted the vital role the Construction Association of PEI plays in advocating for its members and collaborating with government and stakeholders to drive positive change during this pivotal time.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to hear from someone so closely involved in one of the Island’s most impactful sectors.

Sam, your passion and dedication to the industry and Island was apparent. Thank you for your candor, clarity, and commitment to PEI’s future!
Yesterday we announced the winners of the Mardi Gras Bonspiel... and yes the curling was impressive. But let’s talk about the real competition—the costumes!

This year’s Best Dressed Team at the Summerside Mardi Gras Bonspiel brought style, flair, and just the right amount of “What on earth are they wearing?!”

HUGE congrats to Gene Murrays team who won the "Best Dressed" (and they maybe blinded a few opponents along the way).

Who knew curling could be this fashionable?

Thank you for the fun.

#SummersideMardiGrasBonspiel
Official Announcement of the Champions of the Summerside Mardi Gras Bonspiel!
A huge shoutout to—Mitch Rowley, Brent Woodside, Jen Gaudet, and Ashley Praught—for taking home the win at this year’s Summerside Mardi Gras Bonspiel! 🥌
The competition was fierce, the costumes were festive, and the curling was top-notch!
Thank you to all the teams, volunteers, and fans who made this event such a success.
.... Who knows, this could be YOU next year!
📷: Winning team with Sponsor Neil MacLean, The Bridges Family, and Mardi Gras Lead - Paul Power.
What a great morning with the SETS Team!
Today, our Rotary Club had the pleasure of welcoming Tanner and Cory from Sport Entertainment Tourism Summerside (SETS) for an engaging and informative presentation about the exciting work they are doing in our community.
SETS plays a vital role in establishing Summerside as a premier destination for sports, entertainment, and tourism, drawing major events, tournaments, and cultural attractions to our city.
SETS doesn't just focus on flashy events high profile events. They also focus on the local economy and what they can do to bring people to enjoy our city; booking hotels, filling our restaurants, and shopping in our local community.
Tanner and Corey explained their community first mindset. The reason they have success with volunteers and attendance is that they put community at the centre of everything that they do.
Their efforts bring visitors from across the country, boost our hospitality sector, and strengthen Summerside’s reputation as a vibrant, event-friendly community.
We are incredibly grateful for Tanner and Cory’s time today, as they shared their vision and initiatives that will continue to put Summerside on the map! Thank you, SETS, for your dedication to making our city an exciting place to live, work, and visit.
UPDATE: Post From Easter Seals PEI

Easter Seals PEI has announced today the recipients of its 2024 Provincial Grants awarded to registered PEI charities that provide programs and services to Islanders living with disabilities.
 
“The grant process is an important part of our work to give funds back to the community,” says Easter Seals PEI Campaign Chair Pat Campbell. “We are pleased to provide funding to 16 recipient organizations ranging from inclusive education programs in schools to social, employment and recreation initiatives for adults living with disabilities throughout the province.”
2024 grants have been awarded to: Autism PEI, Camp Gencheff, CNIB PEI, Community Inclusions Ltd (West), Harbourview Training Centre, Inclusions East, Joyriders, Kids West, PEI Association for Community Living, PEI Cerebral Palsy Association, Special Olympics, Spinal Cord Injury PEI, and the Inclusive Education programs at Parkdale Elementary School, Montague Intermediate School, Montague Regional High School, and École Évangéline.
 
“These grants wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of Islanders who are dedicated to supporting our various campaigns throughout the year,” adds Easter Seals PEI Executive Director Helen Chapman. “The total grant disbursement was $72,000 plus we allocated an additional $20,000 to the three rotary clubs who operate the PEI franchise that use their funds to support a giving program within their club.”
 
In the photo are PEI Provincial Committee members: Tara Maddix, Chair Pat Campbell, Lorna Ansems, Past Chair Regan Lewis
... as all eyes are on the Summerside Utility and Maritime Electric, this was definitely a timely meeting. 💡
 
The Summerside Rotary was honoured to have Scott Harper from the Wind Energy Institute of Canada for joining us as our guest speaker today!
Scott shared some great insights into the research and development happening right here in PEI and how the institute is helping improve wind energy technology.
 
With the current events with the damaged infrastructure at its Sherbrooke substation, it’s a good time to talk about how our local power system works.
Between our wind farm and solar farm, Summerside has been investing in ways to generate and store power locally. The Summerside Sunbank project, for example, helps store solar energy for when it’s needed most. (Huge thank you to that SUN that is out there today!☀️)
 
We appreciate Scott taking the time to speak with us and share his knowledge—lots to think about as energy continues to evolve in our community!
Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming District Governor Don, who shared valuable insights into Rotary’s leadership, structure, and the ways our club can thrive!

He highlighted how much the world has changed since Rotary’s founding in 1905 and emphasized the need for us to adapt and take action.

With four key priorities, he and his team are dedicated to helping clubs like ours:

> Increasing Impact through community needs assessments
> Expanding Our Reach by growing membership and diversity
> Enhancing Our Ability to Adapt to a changing world
> Strengthening Engagement within clubs

Don, we are proud to stand up as a club and pledge the 3 C’s:
✅ Continuity
✅ Consistency
✅ Collaboration

Thank you, DG Don, for your time, wisdom, and passion for Rotary!

#rotaryguestspeaker
Rotary International
.... Oh What a Night 🎵

The Rotary Club of Summerside was thrilled to host around 170 Rotarians, community partners, MLAs, and distinguished guests from across the Island at our annual Dinner with the Premier—a signature event and a true highlight of the year!

It was Summerside's turn to host, and we were thrilled to welcome everyone to the Credit Union Place as the venue for this incredible evening.

This event wouldn't have been possible without the collective effort of so many individuals and organizations—thank you for making it such a success!

A heartfelt thank you to Premier Dennis King for your time, thoughtful address, and continued dedication to collaborating with Island Chambers.

Another great reason to be a Rotarian!
This week we want to send a big THANK YOU! to Honorable Bloyce Thompson for joining us as this week’s guest speaker.

Minister Thompson shared valuable insights into his work in justice, agriculture, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing our province.... and at this critical point in time, it was wonderful to hear his approach here.

His dedication to serving Islanders and improving our communities truly shone through in both his presentation, and his contribution to the trip to the US last week.

We are grateful for your time and for engaging with us on these important topics. Together, we continue to make a difference in Summerside and beyond! 💙

#RotaryGuestSpeaker #CommunityLeadership #SummersideRotary
What a colourful morning. 🎨

Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming Kiele from Art Buds to our Rotary meeting. Her passion for fostering creativity and building connections through art truly inspired us all.

Art Buds is an incredible organization focused on promoting creative expression and community engagement through art.

They feature work exclusively from local artists, many of whom are showcasing and selling their creations for the very first time.

By supporting Art Buds, you're not only celebrating local talent but also helping first-time artists gain confidence and recognition in their creative journey.

Kiele, your dedication to empowering individuals, supporting local artists, and creating inclusive spaces through art is remarkable. Thank you for sharing your journey, the impact of Art Buds, and how art can truly transform lives.

Thank you for bringing this colourful shop to Downtown Summerside.

#ThankYou #ArtBuds #SupportLocalArtists
This past Tuesday was all about The Coldest Night of the Year🥶

We were honored to welcome the inspiring team behind the Summerside branch of the CNOY campaign to our Rotary meeting this week! 💙

The mission of the Coldest Night of the Year is to shine a light on the struggles faced by those experiencing homelessness and rally communities across Canada to step up and help.

This vision perfectly aligns with Lifehouse Summerside’s commitment to fostering compassion, connection, and care for the most vulnerable members of our community.

.... and for the Summerside area campaign, all the funds raised goes to Lifehouse!

This mission is also a natural fit with the values of Summerside Rotary. As part of a global organization, we are driven by the belief in “Service Above Self,” striving to unite as People of Action to improve lives and create lasting positive change in our community and beyond.

Supporting initiatives like this is exactly what Rotary is all about. So after the presentation on Tuesday, of course we did exactly that - 🎉 🎉 🎉

Check out the newest CNOY team

https://secure.e2rm.com/regis.../TeamFundraisingPage.aspx...

While many of our Rotarians may already be participating with their own companies or organizations (as Rotary is built on a volunteer membership filled with active working base), our team is open to all community members—not just Rotarians.

It’s a chance for Summerside to come together and raise funds for this critical cause while building connections and showing how much we care.

Join us in making this year’s Coldest Night of the Year a success and supporting the vital work of Lifehouse Summerside!

Together, we can make a difference. 💛

BGC Prince County - Summerside Club

#ColdestNightOfTheYear #LifehouseSummerside #RotarySummerside
.... What a timely presentation when we all have the ADL Eggnog in our fridge!
 
🙏 Rotary Summerside wants to extend a big "Thank You!" to Gail Ellis from ADL
 
Gail’s presentation about her impressive journey and experiences in ADL was both inspiring and insightful.
Her decades of dedication to fostering excellence in our local dairy industry and her contributions to the community truly resonate with Rotary’s values of service and leadership.
 
As Chad Mann says, ADL is a modern dairy co-op - and their impact is massive to PEIs Economy.
Thank you, Gail, for sharing your story and inspiring us with your passion and expertise.
 
We are so grateful for your time and look forward to seeing the continued impact of your work at ADL!
 
Did you see the Trishaws roll by in the Summerside Christmas Parade on December 6th? 🎄
 
The trishaws were beautifully decorated with festive lights and holiday cheer! These unique bikes are part of SAFE's "Cycling Without Age" program, designed to bring joy to seniors and those with mobility challenges by offering them scenic rides around Summerside. 🚴‍♀️
 
We loved seeing the smiles and hearing the cheers as the trishaws rolled by.
Community is what Rotary is all about.
Type caption here
Today, we had a very special guest in the hot seat : Melanie Fraser, CEO of Health PEI.

We want to extend our gratitude to Melanie for joining us as our guest speaker at today's Rotary meeting.

As we all are aware, the PCH stability is a cause that is near and dear to all of our hearts.... so this was a meeting that a lot of us Rotarians were looking forward to.

Melanie has recently stepped into the CEO role of Health PEI, 9 months ago, and it was an honour to hear about her efforts and vision in shaping the future of healthcare on Prince Edward Island.

Melanie shared valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities surrounding recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals, along with hiring statistics from 2024.

We were also inspired to learn more about the upcoming medical school and its potential to transform healthcare education and delivery across PEI, with particular benefits for Summerside.

Additionally, Melanie highlighted new processes and teams being implemented to optimize healthcare services, aiming to improve efficiency and enhance patient outcomes throughout the province.

Her innovative and forward-thinking approach left many of us optimistic for the future of healthcare on PEI, and feeling in good hands with Melanie at the helm.

Thank you, Melanie, for your dedication and for taking the time to connect with our Rotary community.

Your passion and commitment to making a difference are truly commendable.

#RotaryClub #Summerside #HealthPEI #PCH #CommunityLeadership 
 
📸 Spotlight on Our Team in Action!

In this photo, you'll see Les MacLean, our dedicated President, alongside Blair and Mike . These leaders are just a small part of the incredible community that makes up the Rotary Club of Summerside.

PS- wondering why Blair is wearing such a snazzy looking vest? Come on Tuesday and find out!

Curious about Rotary? Here are 5 Great Reasons to attend one of our meetings:

1️⃣ Build Community Connections: Meet inspiring local leaders and professionals who are passionate about making Summerside a better place.

2️⃣ Make an Impact: Rotary offers countless opportunities to give back through local and global initiatives.

3️⃣ Professional Growth: Gain new skills, insights, and perspectives while networking with a diverse group of individuals.

4️⃣ Inspiring Guest Speakers: Most meetings feature engaging speakers who bring fresh ideas and opportunities to the table.

5️⃣ Have Fun!: It’s not work—Rotary meetings are filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a shared sense of purpose.

📅 Why not join us for a meeting? We’d love to welcome you to the table and share the Rotary experience. Send a DM, contact a rotarian, or just drop in next Tuesday morning at 7:15 at the Slemon Park Hotel to see what it’s all about!

#SummersideRotary #PeopleOfAction #RotaryClub #MakeADifference 

The Rotary Club of Summerside extends heartfelt gratitude to Lucie Gallant for her outstanding contributions as the 2024 Easter Seals Society of PEI Ambassador. Lucie, a ten-year-old Grade 5 student at École-sur-Mer in Summerside, has been instrumental in raising awareness about neurodiversity and promoting optimism with her motto: "With a positive mind you can do extraordinary things."

We are also delighted to welcome our 2025 Ambassador, eight-year-old Remi Dean. A Grade 3 student at Ellerslie Elementary School, Remi resides in Poplar Grove with her family. Born as a micro preemie, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to her premature birth. Remi's infectious positive attitude and constant smile inspire us all.

We look forward to supporting Remi in her journey to raise awareness and support for Islanders living with disabilities in the coming year.

📷: pictured here is Summerside Rotarian and Easter Seals Supporter, Dr Scott Mollins
 
The Summerside Rotary Club had the pleasure of hosting Jeff Poirier, VP and GM at StandardAero, as our guest speaker.
During his talk, Jeff shared powerful insights into leadership and growth, giving us a glimpse into the resilience and vision required to guide such a dynamic organization forward. His commitment to excellence and strategic vision at StandardAero is truly inspiring. 
After surviving a serious accident, he has become a passionate advocate within our community.
Jeff’s dedication to inspiring others and his efforts to connect with those who have faced similar tragedies speak volumes about his character. His desire to give back and make a difference, both in business and in the lives of others, is what true leadership is all about.
 
On October 26, we came together at the Rotary Club of Summerside for our annual “Pumpkins for Polio” fundraiser. With the incredible carvings by Tara Maddix and the skillful auctioneer Dave Anderson, we are very proud to report that we raised over $15,000 for this essential cause.
Polio is a highly infectious disease that primarily impacts young children and can lead to paralysis. Since 1985, Rotary International has been a driving force in the global effort to eradicate polio through its PolioPlus program, contributing over $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to achieve a remarkable 99.9% reduction in polio cases worldwide.
If you’re inspired to learn more, feel free to reach out. Our DMs are always open!
We extend our congratulations to Holly MacDonald, the recipient of the 2024/25 Easter Seals Workplace Readiness Scholarship of $2,000, funded by Sun Life Canada. Holly, from Summerside, is a second-year student in UPEI's Bachelor of Music Education program. She was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Grade 12 and believes that her recent diagnosis is aiding her studies and plans for the future.
“I have embraced my diagnosis and am proud to say I am making wonderful progress as a musician, with hopes to one day practice music therapy as my career," says Holly.
Recently, she underwent surgeries on her Achilles tendons, a common condition associated with her diagnosis. Holly is grateful for this scholarship, as it will allow her to focus on her studies and recovery. Congratulations, Holly!
The City of Summerside Celebrates Our Acadian History with the Unveiling of a New Downtown Mural!
On Friday, October 25, a stunning new mural was unveiled in Downtown Summerside. This mural, a reproduction of Claude Picard’s artwork titled “Irony of History: England, First Nation to Salute the Acadian Flag,” commemorates the first time the Acadian flag was flown at sea in Summerside Harbour in 1884.
The mural, measuring 13x17 feet, is located on the exterior of the Summerside Seafood Supreme building and celebrates a significant moment in Acadian history.
The Summerside Rotary club wants to send a huge thank you to Peter McLaughlin, President & Managing Partner at Anne of Green Gables Chocolates, for joining the Summerside Rotary Club as a guest speaker!
 
Peter - your insights into the world of entrepreneurship and local business success were inspiring and truly appreciated by everyone in attendance.
 
Thank you for sharing your journey and for your ongoing support of our community!
Today, we take a moment to recognize the family of the late Joel Kennedy who sadly passed away in June. We want to thank them for choosing Easter Seals PEI as the charity of choice for memorial donations in his honour.
Monique, Joel’s loving wife, told us her husband always had a special place in his heart for Easter Seals as his sister, Nella Anne Kennedy, was the 1986 Ambassador or “Tammy” as it was called back then.
“His family was everything to him and we often spoke about Nella being involved with Easter Seals,” says Monique. "That was forty years ago and every year during the ambassador school tour Joel would say how that experience helped her blossom.”
We thank Joel and his family for remembering Easter Seals.
We are incredibly grateful to have had Nancy Marie Arsenault, Executive Director of Hospice PEI, as our guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Summerside. Nancy’s insights into the compassionate care provided by Hospice PEI deeply resonated with our members, and her dedication to supporting individuals and families during life's most challenging times is truly inspiring.
Thank you, Nancy, for sharing your time, expertise, and passion with us. Your work brings comfort and support to so many, and we are honored to have learned more about the impact of Hospice PEI in our community.
For more on the essential services offered by Hospice PEI, please visit hospicepei.ca.
Meeting Chair, Rotarian Keith Tanton
Did you know ShelterBox has helped over 2.5 million people by delivering emergency shelter and supplies to families in need?
Well it was news to some of our newer Rotary members as well.
The Summerside Rotary Club would like to thank our guest speaker today - Derek Nicholson for coming up to Summerside to chat about the amazing work that the ShelterBox provides.
From earthquakes to floods, they provide life-saving tools like tents and solar lights to help rebuild communities.
This presentation was especially dear to our hearts as Rotary is a partner of the ShelterBox program, working to ensures no family is left without a home after disaster strikes.
Want to learn more about ShelterBox? head to shelterbox.org, or reach out to Derek Nicholson!
Want to catch the next Rotary meeting? Reach out to us!
Meeting Chair - Rotarian Glenna Lohnes
Yoshihiro, the Rotary Club of Summerside's youth exchange student, presented our club with a trading banner. He also had a lapel pin for each member from his home country, Japan. Thanks, Yoshihiro, for sharing a piece of your home with us!
RCS welcomes Mitch Shea, CEO of Summerside Port Corporation Inc., as our guest speaker on September 17th. Mitch serves as the Chief Executive Officer and continues to enjoy the day-to-day operations of PEI’s commercial port while working toward an even brighter future for the Corporation and Summerside Waterfront. Thanks, Mitch, for joining us. Rotarian David Anderson served as Meetings Chair.
Gotta luv this! We received an email from Ms. Lauren Ryder Key, a teacher at SIS, with an attached poster. I want to thank Hanah and Shelby Lynn, 9th grade students from SIS, for creating this amazing poster to promote The Rotary Club of Summerside's Book Sale for Literacy.
The Rotary Club of Summerside's 24th  Annual Charity Golf Classic was held on a beautiful day at the Mill River Resort, with participants eagerly gathering to compete and show their support for the Prince County Hospital Foundation. This year's winners, who demonstrated exceptional skill and sportsmanship with a score of 54, are Collin Rayner, Jamie Rayner, Kenny Fraser and Tyson Gavin, representing Kildare Fisheries LTD. The "Earl Cannon Award" was sponsored by Key Murray Law. 
Congratulations!! 
We are thrilled to announce that the book-sorting process is now complete. The Rotary Club of Summerside's Book Sale for Literacy will be held from Thursday, September 19th to the 21st at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club in Summerside. We would like to extend a huge thank-you to everyone who generously donated books over the past few days. We have received a substantial number of books. We also want to express our deep appreciation to the volunteers who helped us with sorting the books. This event is a vital fundraiser for Literacy in our area and has become an annual community event that is eagerly anticipated and well-supported.
On Tuesday, September 10th, Lisa Vanduinkerken chaired the meeting. We were honoured to have Geoff Goodyear from the Rotary Club of Happy Valley-Goose Bay as our guest speaker. Geoff spoke about the valuable work being done and the support received from Rotary International to provide life-saving dialysis machines in remote areas.
On Friday, an exciting and heartwarming day unfolded at Wedgewood Manor as CBC prepared to interview key players in the Rotary Trishaw Project. The interview will be aired on Compass on Tuesday, September 10.
It's all about three amazing community organizations: Summerset Manor, Wedgewood Manor, and Community Connection. Each receives two trishaws—a taxi-style one and a wheelchair-compatible one.
The Rotary Club of Summerside initiated the project with a $36,000 donation. This, combined with contributions from the provincial Active Transportation Fund and private donations, has raised $99,000 to purchase the six Trishaws.
The Rotary Club of Summerside is pleased to welcome 16-year-old Yoshihiro Hachijo, a Rotary Exchange student from Hiroshima City, Japan. For the first few months of his stay on PEI, Yoshihiro will live in Summerside with his host family, Jason Reid and Lindsay MacLeod.
The Rotary Youth Exchange program offers students aged 15-19 the opportunity to learn a new language, explore different cultures, and become global citizens. This program is sponsored by Rotary clubs in over 100 countries and has been running for more than 40 years, officially becoming a program in 1975.
A huge thanks to Greg Donald, for taking the time to speak to
our Club members on Tuesday, September 3rd. Greg is an Agrologist and has been the General Manager of the PEI Potato Board since 2009. Previously, he held positions in the agriculture industry with both McCain Foods and Cavendish Agri-Services. Special thanks to meeting Chair Rotarian Wayne Thompson for inviting Greg to speak. Also in the photo is Rotarian President Les MacLean.
Rotarian Mike Mann welcomes New Member Andrew Brown, Century 21 Realtor. Andrew distinguishes himself as a leading realtor in Prince Edward Island, renowned for his deep understanding of the market, vast networking reach, and steadfast dedication to delivering tailor-made services that surpass client expectations. His impressive history of successful deals, combined with a heartfelt enthusiasm for assisting clients in fulfilling their property ambitions, solidifies Andrew as the preferred realtor for a premier experience in Prince Edward Island real estate.
We thank Rotarian Thane Smallwood for inviting Trevor Spinney, President of CMP (Charlottetown Metal Products), to speak at our August 20th breakfast meeting.
CMP designs and manufactures food processing equipment that ensures the safety of millions of people worldwide daily. For over 60 years, CMP has been dedicated to creating, manufacturing, and installing food processing equipment that meets and often exceeds the hygiene standards required by some of the world's largest food processors.
Thank you all for your patience! We have secured a venue for our book sale in September. Many of you have been asking about the location and times of the sale, as well as where and when you can donate books. Please help spread the word to your family and friends. Your support is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you in September!
It was a pleasure having Ken Trenholm from S.A.F.E. Summerside as our guest speaker on August 13th. We would like to extend our thanks to meeting Chair Bill Thompson for inviting Ken to our breakfast meeting. 
During our breakfast meeting on August 6th, Adam Binkley, Executive Director, and David Woodside, Communication Designer of the BGC Prince County—Summerside Club, shared valuable insights with us. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn directly from well-respected organizations in our community. Special thanks to Meeting Chair Keith Tanton for extending the invitation.
The Rotary Club of Summerside will be hosting its 15th Annual Book Sale for Literacy from September 19th to September 21st. This event is one of the most well-known and highly anticipated events in Summerside and its surrounding areas. It wouldn't be possible without the hard work of the book sale committee, which includes Chairperson Sandy Rundle, Jaclyn Waite, Bruce McDonald and Club President Les MacLean.
On July 16th, we were happy to host our friends from BBEMA, who shared their expertise on preserving and protecting our environment. We always appreciate their information. Thanks to Chair Ron McConnell for inviting them to join us.
The Rotary Club of Summerside was pleased to partner with the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, PEI, to host the Inaugural Rotary and Chamber Business Community Lobster Luncheon on July 12. The event featured guest speaker Honorable Perrin Beatty.

We thank everyone who attended, including our sponsors, Key Murray Law and MRSB Group. The event's proceeds were donated to Junior Achievement PEI.
Rotarian and Past President Chad Mann welcomes Brian Stewart, President and Owner of RedFox Consulting Inc., as a new member of the Summerside Rotary Club. We are thrilled to have Brian join us. His dedication and commitment to service will undoubtedly positively impact our organization and the community we serve.
Another busy meeting! Tuesday morning's meeting, chaired by Thane Smallwood, began with our guest speaker, Ben Parsons, co-owner/operator of Dalmac Printing, Signage, and Cresting. We also welcomed Brian Stewart, President and Owner of RedFox Consulting Inc., as a new member.
The Rotary Club of Summerside is pleased to announce its recent donation of $100,000 to the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club to purchase new curling stones. The stones are expected to arrive in October for the 2024-2025 season. The new rocks will enable the Curling club to host major events, with two events already planned for 2025. In addition, the donation will free up resources for the club to allocate towards other initiatives to support its members and the community it serves.
 
The Rotary Club of Summerside has a rich history of fostering community initiatives and is proud of the services it provides. The club operates the Inspire Learning Center, a centre of knowledge and creativity in our community, and was instrumental in creating the Rotary Park in Summerside, a testament to our commitment to green spaces and community recreation. We also contribute to the Prince County Hospital Foundation each year, along with youth program initiatives, to name a few. We are committed to continuing our efforts to make our community a better place for everyone.
 
The Rotary Club of Summerside has 45 active members and meets every Tuesday morning at Slemon Park.
 
The Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club board member Tim Hockin accepts the donation from Past President and Rotarian Chad Mann. Also in photo is Danny Goss, General Manager of the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex.
On June 13th, Summerside Intermediate hosted its third "Rotary Book Day." Students in grades 7-9 from SIS, Athena, Miscouche, KISH, Kinkora, and Amherst Cove received a new book to read over the summer. The Rotary Club of Summerside donated $11,000 for the purchase of 952 books. This event wouldn't have been possible without the hard work and vision of the SIS Literacy Club. Special thanks to the Literacy Advisors, led by Mrs. Key, Mrs. Langille, Mrs. Silliker, Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. Boyd. Thank you for all that you do to promote literacy for our youth! Photos provided by SIS
On Tuesday, June 11th, Rotarian Derek Key welcomed guest speakers Derek Bondt, the Vice President of Prince County Hospital Foundation, and Paul Young, the Chief Operating Officer for the new Faculty of Medicine. We thank them both for taking the time to come and speak with us; it was very informative, thank you!
Thanks to all who attended our Discover Rotary event. Special thanks to Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Summerside for their excellent service and to Past Rotary President Randy Cannon for organizing the event.
The Rotary Club of Summerside members thank outgoing President Chad Mann for his leadership during the 2023/2024 Rotary year. Chad's dedication to service has significantly impacted our community. Under Chad's guidance, our club has remained active and continues to have a lasting impact on our community and beyond. He introduced fresh ideas, promoted collaboration, and nurtured an inclusive environment where everyone felt welcome and appreciated. Chad has handed over a thriving club to incoming President Les MacLean.
Thank you, President Chad, for a fantastic year in Rotary!
                             CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN ROTARY
The Rotary Club of Summerside recognized Al Frost, Wayne Carew, and Les Chipperfield at the president's dinner on May 28th for their 40 years of service to Rotary. These three individuals' tireless dedication and hard work have brought about significant improvements in our community and beyond. Their unwavering commitment has played a crucial role in shaping a better world for everyone.
         Rotary Club of Summerside's Paul Harris Fellowship Recognition
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition is an acknowledgment of individuals who have made a significant contribution or have had contributions made in their name totalling $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation. This honour celebrates their commitment to supporting the foundation's humanitarian efforts and positively impacting their communities worldwide. This year's recognitions go to Jaclyn Waite, Bruce Macdonald, Dr. Richard Wedge, Gerard Greenan, Wayne Thompson and John Maynard.
The Rotary Club of Summerside is pleased to announce that it will once again award bursaries to local students this year. Graduating students from Three Oaks Senior High School will receive scholarships from the Rotary Club of Summerside in recognition of their significant improvement in overall performance during their senior year.
We want to thank Neil MacLean of NAPA Auto Parts for his generous sponsorship of this program. Also, we want to thank the Rotary STRIVE committee for their guidance and mentorship of these students over the past few months. Special thanks to Tara Maddix, Glenna Lohnes, Andrea Wile, Jill Kelly Waugh, and TOSH Student Counselor Shelly Schurman for their contribution to this program.

Calling all members of the PEI business community!

Join the Rotary Club of Summerside and the GSCC for the Rotary & Chamber Business Community Lobster Luncheon this July. We aim to enhance our economic impact in PEI and promote growth in our exceptional business community. We are excited to announce that the keynote speaker for this event will be the Honourable Perrin Beatty, PC, OC, President, and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Join us for an informative luncheon as we come together to celebrate PEI's business community.

Date: July 12th

Time: 12-1

Location: Credit Union Place

Cost: $100 (tax included)

To register, click HERE

Proceeds from this event will go to JA Prince Edward Island to support our youth in business!

We had a busy program during our Rotary meeting on May 21, chaired by Bill Martin. It was great to have Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, as our guest speaker this morning.
On Tuesday, May 21, we were pleased to have Campbell McNeil and Madison Brown join us. The Rotary Club of Summerside is sending Campbell and Madison to Ottawa next week to take part in the Adventure in Citizenship program. Also Deacon Maddix, a 10th-grade student at TOSH, joined us. The Rotary Club of Summerside sponsored Deacon to participate in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards in Sussex, NB.
It was a pleasure to have Don McDougall, owner-operator of Mill River Resort, speak at Rotary. Don served as president of Labatt Brewing Company. He was appointed a member of the Order of Canada for his visionary leadership as the founding director of the Toronto Blue Jays and for his entrepreneurship and philanthropy, to name a few of his lifetime accomplishments. In the photo from left to right are Rotarian and Mayor Dan Kutcher, Dr. Don McDougall (Hon), Meeting Chair, Rotarian Glenna Lohnes, and Rotary President Chad Mann, CEO ADL. 
The Easter Seals Ambassador, Lucie Gallant, visited 66 schools across the Island in just 6 days. On the last day, she visited schools from Crapaud to Mischouche, and ended her tour at Ècole-Sur-Mer in Summerside, which happens to be Lucie's own school. It was truly amazing to witness the cheers, smiles, hugs, and sheer excitement of the students as Lucie entered each school.
During our Rotary breakfast meeting this morning, Rotarian Sandy Rundle invited Andrea Wile, RN and co-owner of the Butcher Shop in Summerside, to give her classification talk. Andrea's story was impressive and inspiring, and we are thrilled to have her as a member.
Thank you, Andrea!
During our early morning breakfast meeting on April 16th, Randy Cannon, the meeting Chair, welcomed AinZ, the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator of the United Way of PEI. AinZ updated us on how the United Way of PEI and its funding partners are working to combat poverty in PEI.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to this organization for all their hard work!
We were delighted to have these three young men from Three Oaks Senior High School with us on Tuesday, April 9th. Campbell McNeil, Isaac MacLean, and Ethan Reeves are co-founders of The Train Station podcast. They came up with the idea for their podcast after attending the 34th Annual Rotary Youth Parliament. The podcast aims to educate younger generations about current world issues that impact our community without bias or propaganda. Thanks to Jill Kelly Waugh for inviting them to join us.
During our meeting on April 2, Chairperson Wayne Thompson 
welcomed Don Sword, the District Governor. Don joined us virtually with a
"Your Legacy, Rotary's Promise" presentation. 
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Summerside, Kaley O'Brien! We are thrilled to have you as a new member. Your dedication and commitment to service will undoubtedly make a positive impact on our organization and the local community.
President Chad Mann, Kaley O'Brien and Derek Key.
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Thank you to Culture Summerside and the The City of Summerside for awarding our Annual Booksale the Cultural Activity Award. Over the years, the booksale has raised money to support literacy in our area.
Rotarian Jaclyn Waite has accepted the award for the Rotary Club of Summerside at the Mayor's Heritage Tea on Friday.
On Tuesday, March 12th, Rotarian John Maynard welcomed guest speaker Brian Stewart, owner and operator of Red Fox Consulting, a business consulting and services firm. We thank Brian for taking time out of his busy schedule to join us.
To all the women out there, we want to take a moment to acknowledge your strength, resilience, and contributions to our world. You are leaders, caregivers, innovators, and so much more. Your hard work and dedication have helped to shape our society and make it a better place for all of us. On this International Women's Day and every day, we celebrate you and stand with you in the fight for gender equality and women's rights. Keep shining your light and breaking down barriers. You are appreciated and valued beyond measure.
Rotarian Andrea Wile congratulates Darcy Gallant on having the winning ticket; Darcy takes home a $5,000 Mardi Gras travel voucher! The draw took place during the Rotary's Mardi Gras Curling Funspiel. 
Rotarian Blair Dunn welcomed Rotarian Bruce Mcdonald, President of BCM Consulting Inc., as his guest speaker on Tuesday, March 5th. It is always a pleasure to hear from our fellow Rotarians. Thank you, Bruce!
What an amazing few days! We thank everyone who participated in the 2024 Rotary Mardi Gras Funspiel. The event was a resounding success, with a sold-out crowd and loads of fun. Although it is a funspiel, and fun is the main focus, there is always a winner, and this year's champion was Team BMO. David MacFadyen (Skip), Patrick McSweeney (missing from the photo are Dale Burton and Josh Lauwerijssen). Also in the photo is Neil MacLean, NAPA Auto Parts - Mardi Gras Sponsor.
What would a Mardi Gras be without Costumes? Thanks to all the teams who took the time to come up with some great costumes. The Best Costume winners for 2024 are Team Cavendish Farms. Congrats!
Ryan Lawlor, Kent MacKay, Grath Thompson, Phil Hamlin (in no particular order)
Last night marked the beginning of the Mardi Gras Curling Funspiel. Thank you to all teams participating this year! Please find attached the winning number for the 50/50 ticket.
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We are happy to announce that our Mardi Gras Curling Funspiel has sold out! This wouldn't have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors and the dedication of those who signed up teams.
If you missed out, don't worry - we have a waiting list available. You can join the list, and we'll let you know if a spot becomes available. You can find the list at the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex.
The Rotary Club of Summerside's website will post draw times on Friday, February 23rd
Rotarian Gord Coffin and The Rotary Club of Summerside were pleased to have Gerry Reichheld, Summerside Farmer's Market, as our guest speaker. Gerry has been associated with the Market since its opening in 2008. 
Les Chipperfield from the Rotary Club of Summerside thanked Jay Gallagher for speaking at the breakfast meeting on Feb 6. Jay is the CEO and Founder of @Fuel Your Body, a healthy meal delivery service. 
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The Summerside Rotary Club is pleased to have representatives from Make A Wish Foundation speak to our club. The photo includes Alex Johnston, Samantha Gallant, meeting chair and Rotarian Wayne Carew, and Trisha Mossey.
The Summerside Rotary Club is pleased to introduce three new members. Barb Hunter, Andrea Wile, and Ron McConnell. Welcoming the new members are club President Chad Mann, Rotarian Paul Power and Past President Randy Cannon.
The Rotary Club of Summerside was delighted to have Mary Dennis, the Executive Director of the Harbourfront Theatre, as our guest speaker. Mary has been associated with the theatre since its inauguration in 1996 and has held various senior positions there. For most of her 27-year tenure, she has served as the Director of Operations.
The Summerside Rotary Club was pleased to have Jeff Minten Executive Director of Atlantic Police Academy. Dave Anderson meeting Chair welcomes Jeff to our morning meeting.
Long-time member Wayne Carew provided the Summerside Rotary Club with a classification talk during their breakfast meeting. Lisa Vanduinkerken, the Meeting Chair, welcomed him.
On October 17th, the Summerside Rotary Club had the pleasure of hosting Karla Bernard, interim leader of the Green Party of Prince Edward Island and MLA, as our guest speaker. Bill Thompson, the meeting chair, welcomed Karla to our breakfast meeting. During her talk, Karla addressed topics such as housing, healthcare, and population growth in PEI.
Team ADL was the winning team at the 23rd Annual Rotary Golf Tournament. John Maynard presented the Earl Cannon trophy to Todd Richard and Stephen Gaudet. The title sponsor, Fitzgerald and Snow and proceeds go to the PCH Foundation.

Big thanks to sponsors, volunteers and golfers who attended the event today in Mill River! Stay tuned for more!!
 
Dr. Richard Wedge's guest speaker was Mayor Dan Kutcher, City of Summerside. Mayor Dan updated us on his progress since taking on the role of Mayor almost a year ago!
Fantastic morning for our weekly gathering! Thank you to Sarah Denman-Wood, SHIFT Project Manager, Workplace Sexual Harassment. Sarah gave an insightful and engaging presentation to our group this morning. #sexualharassment #rotaryinternational #rotaryclub
President Chad Mann was pleased to meet Paul Arbo, President of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central. They exchanged banners at Lone Oak in Avonlea Village and enjoyed a great evening of fellowship and Prince Edward Island hospitality.
It is with great pleasure that President Chad Mann welcomes Nicolas Waeber, our first-to-arrive exchange student hailing from Switzerland. As we embark on this exciting journey of cultural exchange, we also bid farewell to Lucie Mills, our outgoing exchange student, as she embarks on her own adventure in Italy for the upcoming year.
It is worth noting that all students in this program are proudly sponsored by the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, a collaborative effort among Rotary clubs worldwide. Through this program, students have the privilege of spending a year abroad and are graciously hosted by sponsor families. We express our sincere gratitude to all involved in making this program a tremendous success and wish our students all the best in their endeavours.
Over the course of the past 23 years, the Rotary Club of Summerside Charity Golf Classic has been a steadfast supporter of our community, raising an incredible amount of money exceeding $1,000,000. Their generous donations have gone towards various initiatives, including a notable $250,000 contribution to the Prince County Hospital. The Rotary Club of Summerside is grateful for the unwavering support of all their donors, and they cannot wait to host another successful event this coming September 13th at the Mill River Resort. 
We extend our thanks to Dr. Scott Mollins, the meeting Chair, for inviting Shona Pottinger to speak as our guest.
 
Shona Pottinger, the founder of Singing Sands Music Therapy, has been providing effective therapeutic services to a diverse clientele since 2010. Her services cater to individuals of all ages and with various conditions, such as Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, Dementia, Alzheimer's, Depression, Stroke, and Global Developmental Delay. With her extensive experience and training, Shona delivers exceptional music therapy services of the highest quality.
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The Summerside Rotary Club welcomed Dr. Sandy MacDonald, President and CEO of Holland College, as our guest speaker on August 8th. Rotarian and meeting chair Boyce Murphy invited Dr. MacDonald as his guest speaker.
Earlier today, we had the honour of welcoming Kaley O'Brien, CEO of the Summerside Chamber of Commerce. During her visit, Kaley shared some innovative and collaborative strategies she and her team have been implementing and refining. Her leadership has resulted in higher levels of cooperation and joint efforts among her membership, as well as benefiting the Summerside and Island community as a whole. We express our gratitude to Kaley for her valuable contribution.
On January 9, 2023, R. Gordon R. McInally, the President-elect of Rotary International, delivered a message to the members to inspire them to aim for possibilities that go far beyond what we currently expect. During the Rotary International Assembly held in Orlando, Florida, USA, McInally, a member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland, announced the presidential theme for 2023-24: Create Hope in the World. He encouraged members to work towards promoting peace in troubled nations, supporting those affected by conflict, and continuing the initiatives that past leaders have started.
On Tuesday July 18th, the Rotary Club of Summerside had the honor of hosting Tyler DesRoches as our guest speaker. Tyler was born and raised in Summerside and now calls District 21, Summerside-Wilmot, his home. He graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island and was elected as the MLA for District 21 on April 3rd, 2023.
Tyler has been an active member of the community for many years, serving as a Summerside City Councillor and helping to oversee the installation of the Credit Union Place solar farm, the development of a community splash park, and Summerside's first fully accessible playground at Billy Bridges Park. He has also been a member of the Summerside Fire Department for two decades, serving as a Lieutenant.
In addition to his civic duties, Tyler is also involved in local sports as a minor hockey coach, a harness racing owner, trainer, and driver, and as President of the Prince County Horsemen's Club. He is a family man, residing on Read Drive with his wife Jillian and their daughter Olivia. We extend our sincere thanks to Tyler for his informative and engaging presentation.
Summerside Intermediate School (SIS) hosted its second annual Rotary Club of Summerside Book Day on June 23, which was a fun event for both the faculty and students. Every student received a brand new book to enjoy during the summer break. 
This event gives us the opportunity to foster a deeper connection with the students and promote the joy of reading. 
We extend our sincere appreciation to Mrs. Key, Mrs. Silliker, and Mrs. Boyd, whose unwavering dedication to literacy made this event possible.
The Summerside Rotary Club expresses gratitude to Randy Cannon for his service as President for the 2022-2023 term. We extend a warm welcome to Chad Mann, who will assume the role of President on July 1st for the 2023-2024 year. During the President's Dinner held recently, there was much to honour and commemorate from the past year under Randy's guidance. The dedicated efforts of our club members and supporting volunteers have made a positive impact in enhancing our communities both locally and worldwide.
We are pleased to announce that Jeanette Arsenault has been honored with the 2023 Paul Harris Award by the Summerside Rotary Club at the President's reception. In the photo, Jeanette is seen with Past President Randy Cannon and Rotarian Wayne Carew. We invite you to join us in congratulating Jeanette and acknowledging her dedication to the community as a hardworking volunteer and successful business leader.
The Pancake Breakfast Flippers R-L Les Chipperfield, Mayor Kutcher and Keith Tanton. Great job, guys!
Pancake Breakfast Happy customers ! Thanks everyone who attended!
We are excited to be back at the Mill River Resort this year for the 22nd Annual Rotary Golf Charity Classic, supporting the PCH Foundation!
Watch this page for more details and exciting news about the tournament.
If you want to enter a team, send us a message through Facebook.
- Yours in Rotary.
Rotarian Glenna Lohnes welcomes guest speaker Andrew Clark to our August 9th breakfast meeting. Andrew is a competitive ultimate frisbee and disc golf player, Vice-President of Disc Golf PEI and the Captain of the Party Sharks Ultimate Frisbee team. 

Bike To Rotary

Bike to Rotary encourages those members who can to attend the weekly Rotary Sunrise meeting by bicycle; this initiative aims to highlight the benefits of biking to Rotary and biking in general. Biking can reduce carbon emissions, traffic congestion, and help improve lives. 

This week Summerside Rotary Club was pleased to welcome this morning’s guest speaker John Smallwood (left) discus a few exciting initiatives in the works at Community Connections.
He is welcomed by Bill Martin member of the Summerside club.

We are always happy to see the return of summer residents to PEI; Dan Gallant is one of them. This morning we had the pleasure of listening to Dan speak to us about his life's journey, which has taken him all over Canada from tip to tip. Also, Dan is a long-time proud member of the Rotary Club of Port Moody, British Columbia. He is an active volunteer in the Rotary World Help, not for profit organization; this organization gathers and sends medical, dental, optical, education, sports equipment and disaster relief supplies all over the world to those with the greatest needs. In 2012 they passed their first major milestone when the estimated value of the goods shipped passed 100 Million dollars!  

This week we were joined at our business meeting by Lauren Key and Kelly Boyd from Summerside Intermediate School.
This past year, with financial support from the Summerside Rotary Club, Lauren, Kelly and the SIS Student Literacy Club created Rotary Book Day!
It was a wild success to see so many young people excited about reading!
Meeting Chairperson Glenna Lohnes invited Ken Driscoll of Higher Design Media and recently of a new technology company named Sofishtofish. Ken spoke to us about an innovative hardware/software fishing product combination called Lobtrack that is being created, designed and tested right here in PEI.
Recently at our breakfast meeting, we were joined by PEI Easter Seals Ambassador Vaeda Zo Matheson. At the same breakfast Rotarian, Bill Martin was presented with his Easter Seals National Volunteer Award. Congrats Bill and thanks for speaking with us Vaeda! 
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This week's meeting Chair Dave Anderson invited Spencer Long from the PEI Energy Corporation to discuss the ongoing and exciting transition to more sustainable forms of energy generation here in PEI. Spencer also helped us understand what is happening at the Slemon Park Megawatt Solar Farm project under construction just down the road from our meeting spot! A few of us stopped by the Solar Farm under construction (photo shown in this post).
May 9th-15th is PEI's Family Violence Prevention Week.
Last week our club members were very fortunate to learn from and speak with the incredibly knowledgable Danya O'Malley, Chair of the Premiers Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention, Executive Director of Family Violence Prevention Services and Chair of Family Violence Prevention Week.
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This week we heard from the incredible Sarah Bennetto O'Brien, CEO and Founder of the Handpie Company.
Ms. Bennetto O'Brien shared her entrepreneurial journey with us - starting small and thinking big, taking intelligent risks, working tirelessly on her business and people - and spoke about the recent expansion plans for the Handpie Company.
Our STRIVE committee was busy this week meeting with students at Three Oaks Senior High. Each year the Rotary Club presents Strive scholarships to Three Oaks students who take a renewed interest in the value of their education.
The focus of the scholarship is on the individual student and their commitment to maintaining or improving their marks allowing them to graduate and attend post-secondary school, despite the obstacles they face.
From left to right: Rotarian & Teacher Jim Donovon, Rotarian Glenna Lohnes, Rotarian Bill Martin, Rotarian Tara Madix and Rotarian & Teacher Tim Hockin.
Congratulations, to Paul Moynagh with the winning two tickets anywhere WestJet flies. Ticket #169
Also, a HUGE thank you to everyone who supported this draw. While you may not be jetting off on vacation, you are supporting the STRIVE scholarship for deserving Three Oaks Students who are facing challenges outside the classroom.
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Special thanks to Shawn MCCarvill, President, Slemon Park Corporation, Summerside, for joining us on February 15th and telling the story of the beloved Buffalo aircraft and its arrival to Summerside. 
September 2021, Nancy Russel reported, "It was a moment for the history books. Thursday afternoon in Summerside, P.E.I., as a CC-115 Buffalo made one last fly over the city and touched down on the runway at Slemon Park, completing its final flight."
The Buffalo CC-115, known as "Buff," is displayed in Slemon Park, Summerside.
Special thanks to Hon. Bloyce Thompson, for joining us during our virtual Sunrise meeting on February 8. Hon. Thompson is the Minister of Agriculture and Land, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, and Attorney General for Prince Edward Island.
We welcomed Ann Worth to our zoom meeting. Ann recently joined Cushman & Wakefield Atlantic to service the province of Prince Edward Island. Her insights as a business owner and economic developer were valuable and informative.
This week our club was very lucky to hear from the unstoppable PEI Easter Seals Ambassador Vaeda Zo Matheson.
Vaeda has been inspiring Islanders in her role as PEI Ambassador since 2019. We have our fingers crossed that pandemic restrictions will enable her to crisscross the Island on the school tour this spring!
This week we welcomed Dr. Stanley Kutcher, Senator for the Province of Nova Scotia and internationally renowned expert on child and adolescent mental health, to speak with our club via zoom. The talk and follow-up Q&A session was very engaging, insightful and informative. Many notes were taken and thoughtful questions asked before we ran out of time. Thank you Dr. Kutcher for joining us (wish we had recorded that!) and happy holidays.
'Rotarian in Action' Bill Martin, Chair of our Community Services Committee and Chair of Easter Seals PEI, visited the new Cavendish Farms Community Events Centre on behalf of Summerside Rotary Club members. Bill was there to present $20,000.00 to Kyle Maynard and Rachel Noye, key members of the Centre fundraising committee.
The money is specifically allocated for inclusive barrier free accessibility to the community room and for washrooms - to help everyone enjoy the Centre by taking into account the diverse and unique needs of all users, regardless of abilities.
This comes from Easter Seals PEI (a project of the Rotary Clubs of Summerside, Charlottetown and Montague), the Summerside Rotary Foundation and the general funds of the Summerside Rotary Club.
The Rotary Club of Summerside would like to thank Jaclyn Waite for taking the lead as president during the very challenging year 2020 - 2021!
We welcome Dr. Angela Arsenault as she steps into the role, and we look forward to her leadership.
Past President Jaclyn Waite (right)
Dr. Angela Arsenault President 2021 - 2022 (left)
President's Dinner 2021 Inspire Learning presentations
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We welcomed Greg Donald, General Manager of the PEI Potato Board, to our weekly breakfast meeting last Tuesday. The sector plays a key role in the Island economy. Have a safe and successful planting season this Spring!
Rotarian Bruce Macdonald was busy delivering
"Tablets for Seniors" as part of the Rotary Club of Summerside's initiative 
Rotary stayed active via Zoom during the
lockdown period.
Summerside Rotary Club fulfilling International Commitments during Global Pandemic.
The Rotary Club of Summerside heard a classification speech from one of our newest members, Keith Tanton, (right) this past week. Keith will be a great asset to the club.  Sponsoring member, Les MacLean, (left) .
One of our newest members, Zenaida Saldanha, gave her classification talk to the club. Zenaida’s journey has taken her from Mumbai to Dubai to PEI! She and her husband, Glenn, own and operate Z&G’s Specialty Fusion Cuisine Inc. in Summerside. Zenaida is an excellent addition to the club and a definite asset for the community!
The Rotary Club of Summerside - in genuine Christmas spirit - donated 10,000 masks to the Prince County Hospital. The Rotary Club also provided non-medical masks to a few local high schools, including Kinkora Regional High and Three Oaks Senior High

Dan Kutcher (left) and two others, Zenaida Saldanha and Keith Tanton, were welcomed as new members of the Rotary Club of Summerside on Tuesday, November 3rd. 

Dan was the first to give his Classification Presentation; he touched on four areas of interest: work and civil service, family, travel and his love of the outdoors. 

His life's journey to this point has been exciting and full of diverse experiences and unforgettable memories.

Thanks, Dan, and welcome to Rotary!

Also in the photo is the meeting Chairperson Al Frost (right)

 
It was a delight to have one of our own Rotarians tell us about his time in Japan.
 
Tim Hockin took a leave of absence from teaching at Three Oaks Senior High school to accompany his wife Nao back to her homeland. It was an opportunity to spend time with her family and allow their daughter Rina to experience, embrace and learn about her heritage. 
 
His adventure is a beautiful story! 
 
Thanks for sharing, Tim Hockin, and it's good to have you back!
True Rotarian Award 2021
True Rotarian Award 2021
True Rotarian Award 2021
The "True Rotarian" is the foundation of Rotary is always contributing to the Club by any measure and is the lifeblood of Rotary.  
The qualities and traits of a True Rotarian are said to be someone who: 
 
- Acts through goodwill and a belief that the world will be a better place as a result of their work in Rotary
- Has a Rotary Attitude
- Lives the 4 Way Test at all times
- Is humble, does not flatter wealth, or boast of their possessions or achievements 
- Speaks with frankness - yet with sincerity and sympathy - and after having expressed an opinion, supports the activities of others even if the direction may not be parallel with their thinking
 
The Rotary Club of Summerside is very fortunate to have a diverse membership with many dedicated Rotarians. This year's recipient of the True Rotarian Award certainly exemplifies the desired qualities of the award and is a respected member of our Club and in our community. 
 
We are pleased to announce that this year's True Rotarian Award recipient is Rotarian Paul Matheson. 
 
Paul's contribution to "Service Above Self" is remarkable and commendable. He is always ready to lend a hand and has done just that in various ways since becoming a member of the Rotary Club of Summerside in 1994. He has rolled up his sleeves and volunteered in many fundraising events and club activities. He is always quick to respond when asked for help or advice and he has a "get the job done" attitude. He offers a sincere dedication to anything he gets involved with, which is noted and respected by his fellow Rotarians. 
Read more...
Pat McIver is a native of Kinkora PEI. Pat has been involved with sports his whole life and has been both a player and a coach. Pat is the long time General Manager and owner of the Kensington Jr B Vipers. He is also entering his 11th season as General Manager of the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Western Capitals. 
During his tenure with the Capitals, he has helped lead the team to two Maritime league championships. In 2013 the Caps hosted the Royal Bank Cup in Summerside when the team finished second in Canada. Pat has been named the Maritime Hockey League “Executive of the Year” in 2013 and 2020. In addition to his involvement with local sports, Pat works full time for Miller Tirecraft and operates a family farm. He lives in Kinkora with his partner Andrea and their son Cole.
May is Youth Services Month. Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) has been around since 1927 and the The Summerside Rotary Club has participated in this program for more than 40 years. RYE allows students from all around the world to live in and experience a new culture, language and environment. The outcome is that these young people then become global citizens with a better understanding and appreciation for world we live in.  
This past March we had to say goodbye to Vilma Oykkoken far too soon. Vilma lived with 2 volunteer host families and attended TOSH with our Kiwi student Jordyn. She would have moved on to a third host family had she not returned home to Finland because of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. Vilma assures us that she plans to return and enjoy more of PEI and Canada as soon as she is able to. 
This program would usually commence again this fall for 2020-21 school year but due to the Global Pandemic the Summerside Rotary Club will not be sponsoring a student for this school year. We look forward to resuming exchanges again in 2021-22. 
Submitted by, Angie Arsenault 
 STRIVE is a scholarship program introduced by the Summerside Rotary Club some ten years ago.  This annual program provides local high school students with the opportunity for a $1,000 scholarship to further their education.  For the past ten years, the club has provided five scholarships annually to graduating students.
 
While many scholarships are designed to award top scholastic marks, Rotary’s Strive Scholarship program is aimed at something a bit different.  STRIVE (Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education) focuses on students who are facing challenges outside the classroom – be it a personal tragedy, health-related issues or other unfortunate circumstances.  Regardless of the student’s GPA, the focus of this scholarship program is on the student and their commitment to STRIVE to maintain or improve their marks, thus enabling them to plan for post-secondary education, despite the obstacles they face. 
 
The Rotary Strive committee is composed of approximately 12 Rotarians with a variety of business backgrounds.  They meet with students monthly each school year from January to June. Through this process, committee members become mentors for the students and share leadership skills, resume building and interview tips and offer public speaking opportunities.  Through the process, students may gain self-confidence and experience personal growth as they plan for their post-secondary education goals.  Students will also gain a better understanding of Rotary and the importance of volunteering in their future.  
 
Thanks to Rotary’s annual Mardi Gras Curling event and its primary sponsor Provincial Auto Parts, the Summerside Rotary Club has been able to maintain the STRIVE Scholarship program, even expanding the award in recent years.  Further to a final review of the applicants, the committee will announce the 2020 scholarship recipients in early June.  The Rotary Club of Summerside is proud of the work accomplished through this program and aiding in the development of future community leaders. 
 
Members of The Rotary Club of Summerside are deeply saddened by the devastating events that unfolded in Portapique, and the six crew members who were on board the military helicopter that crashed during a NATO training exercise off the coast of Greece.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Nova Scotia as they cope with these terrible tragedies.
Thank you to Bruce MacKinnon for this powerful photo!
Our first virtual meeting using  Zoom.
It was good to see everyone! 
Regular meetings are scheduled for every second Tuesday of the month with the next meeting taking place on Tuesday, May 5th. 
A happy looking bunch!
Rotary District 7820 Coffee and Conversation
with guest speaker Luke MacDonald
AWESOME!
Mark Daniel Maloney
2019-20 President, Rotary International

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

The COVID-19 coronavirus is affecting every aspect of our lives in real time, and this puts Rotarians in an unfamiliar place. As People of Action, we are most comfortable when we are fully engaged in the world – moving freely, meeting openly, and offering helping hands. These are very difficult times for people who, like us, are at our best when we are learning, growing, and serving—together.

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Easter Seals Ambassador 2020

Easter Seals launched its 2020 campaign to introduce Vaeda Matheson, this year's Ambassador for P.E.I.

Vaeda is eight years old and has cerebral palsy. She is happy to have been chosen as the 2020 Easter Seals Ambassador.  

Her motto is "be different and follow your heart, you don't have to be worried if you're different than other people." 
Read More
New Construction Will Soon be Complete!
Since opening in 2017 the Inspire Learning Centre has become an important hub of the City’s downtown core.  This ambitious project was championed by The Summerside Rotary Club.  The success of the Inspire Learning Centre can be measured by daily visitors and by demand for space. 
The Summerside Rotary Club is pleased to begin the construction of a $1.4 million expansion to the Centre.  Construction work started this past fall and the work is expected to be completed by the summer of 2020.  This additional space will be used by tenants and further enhance the Centre’s ability to provide continued community investments in literacy, youth engagement and access to technology. 
 

T.
Rotary at Work Around the World
A chat with 2025-26 Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo

RI's new president talks about his top Rotary moments, his goals as president, and his love of olive oil and opera

Lesson plan given a global reach

Rotary clubs in Ontario’s District 7070 ensure Durham College’s virtual classroom has a global reach

For the love of nature

Camp Kawartha in Ontario is turning out a new generation of environmental stewards

Leslie MacLean, Manager, Commercial Banking at CIBC

Rotary Club of Summerside President 
2024-2025
 
I am honoured to represent the Rotary Club of Summerside as President for the 2024 – 2025 Rotary year!
When I joined Rotary eleven years ago, I had no idea the positive impact it would have on my life. I am grateful to be a Rotary member and to have been welcomed into the fellowship of such a wonderful Network of people.

Over my years serving as a Rotarian I have been fortunate to take part in many great events and projects. Having the opportunity to be involved, even in a small way, has been incredibly rewarding. I am always impressed by the skills and talents that Rotarians bring to the table in a selfless manner. It speaks to our motto, “Service Above Self”, which is what allows us to deliver great value to our local community and throughout the world. I look forward to all of the great events in the year ahead and seeing the positive impact we can have on our local and global community.

Connect with us now if you would like to find out more about the
Summerside Rotary Club and how you could take part!
Thank you!
Club Executives, Directors and Committee Chairs
President
Keith Tanton
President Elect
Bruce Macdonald
Secretary
Scott Mollins
Treasurer
Lisa vanDuinkerken
Past President
Les MacLean
Rotary Foundation
Wayne Thompson
Membership
Les MacLean
Public Relations
Kaley O'Brien
Club Service
Andrea Wile
International Service
Wayne Thompson
Youth Exchange Officer
Leo Paul Arsenault
Helpful Links