At the start of April we have all experienced the recent ice storm and start of spring just in the last few days. Seeing the extremes of our natural environment reminds me that April is Rotary Environment Month. To celebrate Earth Day (April 22) we are doing our annual clean-up of our Rotary Park on Saturday April 19. It only takes a couple of hours and is a great way to do hands-on service for our community that reinforces the beauty and community value of Rotary Park.
We are coming into the final months of this Rotary Year, so a reminder to all that our Theatre Night Out is coming June 18. Please focus on ticket sales and acquiring silent auction items. This is a very important fundraiser for our club, and we need everybody to participate.
I will note that I am writing on behalf of Arja, our President, who is grieving the recent loss of her mother. We share our deepest condolences with her as we remember our club sense of community. Supporting one another through life’s challenges is an important part of our Rotary fellowship.
This past December, Susan left on her annual pilgrimage to the sun and to enjoy life as a Snowbird on Florida's Gulf Coast at Clearwater. While she was there, she regularly attended weekly Rotary meetings at the Belleair Rotary Club and attended a couple of club meet-and-greets and a fundraiser.
Regarding the changing times on the shores of the Gulf of America, Susan reports "the beaches were amazing even though the water was cold -everyone knew we were Snowbirds because we went in the water"!
"The only real problem in Florida is the exchange rate. Businesses are really suffering and missing the Snowbirds. Cab companies even lowered their rates to try and get business. Restaurants have all kind of meal specials - even during Spring breaks, which I have never seen before."
Susan headed back north a little earlier than normal this Spring - just in time to celebrate her grand-daughter's first birthday! Welcome home!
JENNIFER PATELLI RECOGNIZED WITH A CARABINER AWARD
At the April 2, 2025 club meeting Trevor presented a Carabiner Award to Jennifer Patelli who was nominated by members of the club for outstanding service, with particular focus as a Host Mom to Fernanda. Our club’s commitment to Youth Exchange depends on host families stepping up for this rewarding but challenging role.
Jennifer and Fabrizio welcomed Fernanda to their home upon her arrival at the end of October, and enriched her time with many home-cooked meals, special excursions and a fun family environment. In addition, Jennifer is a Kingston 4Paws volunteer, a faithful participant at our club’s Bingo! fundraising, in the Robinson community garden, food packing and box delivery with Lionhearts and, of course, she is our club Director of Community Service. Most recently Jennifer & Fabrizio took Fernanda for a unique Canadian springtime ritual - maple syrup production!
Thank you, Jennifer, for your unique and positive service!
ROTARY FOUNDER PAUL HARRIS
WAS BORN APRIL 19, 1868
(157 years ago)
Paul Harris Fellow (Individual)
The honour was established in 1957 to show appreciation to those who give US$1,000 or more to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant.
In honour of Paul Harris' birthday, the Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac is proud to recognize that 60% of current active members are Paul Harris Fellows:
Randy Beck
Jack Chong
John Scott Cowan
Greta Du Bois Cleynhens
Trevor Dagilis
Anne Desgagnés
Marie-Ann Erki
Elsabé Falkson
Elaine Matthew
Russ Phin
Don Polk
James F. Reid
Fred Richmond
Hari Satyal
Don Taylor
Every Rotarian Every Year (Club)
For clubs that achieve a minimum Annual Fund contribution of US$100 per capita during the Rotary year, and every dues-paying member must personally contribute at least US$25 to the Annual Fund during the year.
In 2024-25 year to date, the Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac's contribution per capita is >US$100. However, only 76% of current active club members have donated a minimum of US$25 to the Rotary Foundation this year.
Following competitions in Oshawa at Durham College and in North Bay at Nipissing University, where they finished 10th (out of 31) and 17th (out of 32) respectively, Lake Effect Robotics - FRC Team 2708, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac, qualified for the 2025 Ontario Provincial Championships.
Held in Mississauga at the International Centre, the top 100 teams from across the province competed in 2 divisions, Science & Technology, from April 2-5. Competing in the Science division, the team finished the 12-match qualification round in 16th place (out of 50); however, was not selected for one of the 8 alliance teams which advanced to the elimination round.
Overall, the team finished the 2025 competitive season 47th (out of 136) in the province, a significant improvement from 70th position in 2024. In addition to winning the Imagery Award, which celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration of machine and team appearance, in both Oshawa and North Bay, the team won the Team Spirit Award in Mississauga.
While their Spring competitive season has finished, the team will keep a busy schedule with several appearances before the end of the school year, including at the Queen's Science Rendezvous in May and the Inclusive Play Project Fun Fair in June, together with the Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac.
Deployment Updates
Bangladesh
All distributions were completed and our partner, Uttaran, remains confident that all shelter construction will be completed by the end of March.
Burkina Faso
All distributions and construction is complete. A program evaluation is underway.
Cameroon
A ShelterBox assessment team recently carried out a visit to Minawao camp, and another settlement site (off-camp) in order to understand the range of shelter provision in Project 12 and commence planning and project design for Project 13. Project 13 will be a three-year project continuing our support for displaced families affected by the conflict and the other drivers of displacement in the Far North region of Cameroon.
Chad
A ShelterBox team deployed in December 2024 to assess the prototype mudbrick shelters and agree the project location for emergency shelters. These have since commenced in four camps.
Ethiopia
Distributions are complete and we are now in the planning stages for Project 7, which will be implemented with a new local partner, PAD (Positive Action for
Development) and aim to contribute to the self-recovery of at least 1,600 displaced and returning families in the Tigray region.
Gaza
With our partners MAP and PARC, over 10,000 tarps have been imported into Gaza. We are in discussion with our partners to plan our response to this ever changing context. We hope to continue our support to the people of Gaza for as long as the emergency continues.
Cole Yeatman
In Japan! 日本へ
Sydenham High School graduate Cole Yeatman is spending his 2024-25 school year in Japan, sponsored your Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac.
Recently Cole reported: "All is great here! I am continuing to learn Japanese at a flowing rate and will be moving to my third host family on the 27th of this month (March). Here are some photos of cool moments / food / experiences."
Cole recently traveled with the other YouthEx students to Hiroshima.
Hiroshima Castle
Okonomiyaki restaurant Itsukishima Shrine
Manhole Covers in Hiroshima
Cole-san
Cole will again be joining the K-F Club meeting by Zoom on April 16 to share more about his experiences.
Fernandain Canada
Besides staying busy with Rotary-based activities and a full semester of courses (with homework), Fernanda is competing on the Holy Cross badminton and rugby teams, and hopes to make the tennis team as well!
After finishing her studies and training, she eagerly donned her winter coat (still) to head out for a frozen treat!
With Leticia, her 2nd Host Mum, at Mio Gelato
RECENT SPEAKERS
April 2, 2025
Finding Home
Laurie Ness Gordon
Where Fact Meets Fiction - the author spoke on how fictitious characters are woven into real events to create an engaging narrative.
If you know any interested young people aged 15-18, including grandchildren, children, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours, please see if they would like to take part in these outstanding experiences! Nominations are open - get involved !
For more information, please click on the links above or contact
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