Rotary’s newest exchange student, Riikka Iivanainen is from Hyvikaa, Finland. Her daily commute to Helsinki, capital of Finland, was about an hour each way, photography being a major focus in the Fine Arts School she attended there. Now she is enrolled in Clearwater Secondary School as a Grade 11 student in a regular program. Riikka settled in immediately as “part of the family” at the home of Rotary member Mike Bowden. She speaks English fluently and is quickly making new friends.
After a short week at school, Rotary member Eileen Sedgewick drove Riikka to Kelowna where she connected with all of this year’s Rotary Exchange students from far-flung countries and now in District 5060. This District encompasses much of southern B.C. and central Washington State. Riikka’s sessions with these other teenagers outlined ways to help make their stay in our North American communities a happy one for all concerned. On Saturday evening they performed impromptu skits to share information about their home countries. Other events organized by Rotary will bring these young people back together again at various times during 2011 - 2012. On the way home, Eileen and Riikka stopped at the Art Walk in Winfield, giving both a chance to see arts and crafts, including photographs, displayed by local artists.
Just a couple of days later, District Governor Garry Hollingshead and his wife Marion, from Summerland, arrived in Clearwater. Part of his mandate is to visit all 60 Rotary Clubs in District 5060. President-elect Isabell Hadford and Kay Knox drove them around town, proudly showing off our facilities, several of Rotary’s accomplishments, and outlined future plans for the Clearwater Rotary club. The tour included a tantalizing taste of Wells Gray Park as they viewed Spahats Falls. “We’ve driven through here several times, but never been off the highway,” admitted Garry, echoing the words of so many others. “We certainly hope to return when we aren’t on such a tight schedule.” Several more Rotary members joined Garry and Marion at The Painted Turtle Restaurant beside beautiful Dutch Lake for a relaxed evening meal. Andrea Inwards, a member of the Merritt Sunrise Rotary Club and assistant governor for the area, was also in attendance.
At our Wednesday morning meeting at the Wells Gray Inn, Garry first awarded Jean Nelson and Richard Christensen Gold Rotary pins for “24-carat service over many years”. He then spoke inspiringly about just a few of Rotary’s International projects. “Elizabeth in Kenya is the perfect example of helping others help themselves,” he said. “By assisting in building a concrete water tank in her village, she now has a thriving market garden and an annual income of $1200.00 where $600 is the norm.”
“You left out an important bit,” added Marion. “Her formerly drunken husband has reformed - and assists with the work!”
With local and international projects, Rotary Clubs the world over do all they can to instigate improvements in the lives of its 6 billion inhabitants.
UPCOMING ROTARY EVENT:
OCTOBERFEST - Nov. 5th at Clearwater Ski Hill.