Rotary Club of Thunder Bay, March 14, 2012 (Fort William)

Transcription

1 The Fortarian Rotary Club of Thunder Bay, March 14, 2012 (Fort William) 2011/2012 Board of Directors Website President: Fiona Skogstad Directors: Blake McCandless Treasurer: Boris Cham Robert Moore Secretary: Joan Krisko Walter Seaberg President Elect: Irene Sottile Richard Khoury Past President: Dave Knutson Jodi Phillips Meets: 3rd Monday of each month Andy Morrow St Elizabeth Heath Care, 7 pm Allocations Committee Committee Chair: Peter Stetsko Meets: 2nd Tuesday of each month Weiler, Maloney, Nelson, Board Room, 12 noon 12 noon Weekly Dinner Meetings Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Rotary House Lottery Chair: Bob Hookham Meets: 1st Tuesday of each month Weiler, Maloney, Nelson, Board Room, Mailing Address Thunder Bay, ON Travelodge Hotel Airlane P.O. Box W. Arthur St. Thunder Bay, ON Canada P7B 6T6 Editors Erle Wheatley & Brian Phillips FLY ME AWAY! On arrival we were greeted by Ted, Erle was the SAA, and there was a very interesting Display already set up from The Northwestern Ontario Aviation Heritage Centre, which we could look at before, during and after the meeting. 1 P a g e

2 The meeting was called to order by Irene, standing in for Fiona (who was enjoying an evening at the Auditorium, watching Fiddler on the Roof). Ted gave the Toast and Irene introduced guests Maria Hudolin, Assistant District Governor, and Jack Cameron (father of Terry), as well as our Guest Speakers, James Milne and David Kemp. Irene then called on Bert Ventrudo to introduce the Speakers. Bert first gave a lengthy preamble, outlining his own great interest in flying, beginning at the age of 7 with his first ride from Bishop`s Field in a Bi- Wing Gypsy Moth. He also spoke about the early bush pilots, especially the Parsons family; the Cameron family`s extensive connections with flight; and the planes built at CanCar. Jim Milne was the first Speaker. He told us he saw his first airplane in 1938/39, possibly a OPAS float plane, landing on the lake just beyond his rural school. Later he watched the DH 82 Tiger Moths flying so low he could have hit them with a slingshot. During the war years he spent a lot of time building model airplanes from kits bought for 5 to 25 cents each, and watched Hurricanes, Helldivers and training aircraft as they flew overhead as he was walking to Francis Street School. In 1957, Jim`s first flight was to Toronto and back in a TCA DC-3. In l974 he commenced building and flying radio-controlled aircraft, which he still continues to do. In l982 2 P a g e

3 Jim joined ``66 Challenger Squadron`` Aircadets, where he served 28 years as an instructor and administration officer, retiring in On February 1,2008 he became a charter member and director of the Northwestern Ontario Aviation Centre Inc. David Kemp spoke next. David taught climatology and environmental studies at Lakehead University for 40 years. He had no direct involvement with aviation, but has always been interested in flight and flying so being part of NOAHC is something he enjoys, and he is currently the newsletter editor for the organization. David`s topic was the Northwestern Ontario Aviation Heritage Centre and the places, people and planes in Northwestern Ontario in the past. Places he touched on included Bishop`s Field, the Waterfront at Port Arthur, Canada Car and Foundry and the Aero Club. Planes he talked about included the 1910 Bleriot Monoplane, the Bi-planes and he explained that the Float planes were very important for opening up the Northwest. David talked about the planes built at CanCar - the Grummond Goblin was assembled from parts shipped from New York; the Maple Leaf Trainer and the Maple Leaf 2, which was better but not as good as the Tiger Moths; and the last efficient Bi-plane to be 3 P a g e

4 built, the Gregor Fighter Hawker Hurricanes were built here and David noted the financial help that came from the March of Dimes and the CanCar workers themselves. In 1942 Hell Divers were built and they played an important role in the Pacific war. People David specifically mentioned included Orville Wieben, who was the chief test pilot for Canadian Car; the women who worked in aviation in war time, called Rosies of the North, and John Paterson, who bought and flew his own Spitfire, which he donated to the Canadian Air Museum in Ottawa. The aircraft is on loan to Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. David also mentioned Vic Stevenson, who was important in the development of a museum. Today they are developing displays and artifacts to show people, and they have a Newsletter and Webpage. They are preserving the stories of the past in aviation through interviews with CanCar, TransCanada Airways, Bush Pilots and the aviation industry. They are developing portable displays, such as the one they brought to Rotary tonight; and they have artifacts such as uniforms, logbooks, and propellers. They have also worked with other aviation organizations to bring in a Snowbirds Saberjet and a Lancaster Bomber, and they have been involved with Confederation College`s Aviation Days. Besides their web page Aviation Heritage their Newsletter `Fly North`, their future plans include developing their facilities and taking their displays out to public events. They are in the early stages of education and passing on the knowledge of older interviewees, and they hope to publish a book and develop a lecture and workshop program. Terry Cameron thanked the speakers and referred to John Paterson and Orville Wieben as well as his own family`s experiences, while living in Armstrong, of personally flying in such planes as Cessna s, Beaver, Norsemen and Twin Otters. Terry then introduced his Dad, Jack, who eloquently and with humor recalled some exploits of Orville Wieben as a bush pilot, including Orville`s crash in a Stinson on a northern lake when he lost a leg, but continued to fly for another ten years! 4 P a g e

5 Craig led the Sing Song with It s a Small World After All. Irene then called on Assistant District Governor Maria Hudolin to present a multiple Paul Harris Award to Karl Wahl. Maria explained that 50% of the monies we donate goes to the Foundation and 50% comes back to the District. With this latest Award, Karl has now received his fifth sapphire - congratulations Karl! Maria then outlined the requirements for the club to receive a Presidential Citation, most of which we have already met, but for the Annual Fund we need approximately another $1400 before March 31, 2012, and for every member to contribute something (even just $1!). Irene announced that we made $ for the Foundation from the Anniversary Dinner. She also thanked Andy and Paula for the Pizza Party at the House. Peter gave a report from the Allocations Committee. Myles would like to know if there is any interest in a Curling evening. The Fine Master was Lyn, who fined anybody not wearing their rotary pin (the first time since joining that this scribe has not had to pay a fine!). For the 50/50 Draw Erle had our speaker David pick the ticket. Craig won, but not the Queen of Hearts! 21 March 2012 Our guest speaker is LINC teacher Lana Stevens, here to tell us about a literacy program. 28 March 2012 Our guest speaker is Linda Adamson, giving us a presentation on MS. 4 April 2012 We are holding our monthly club business meeting. 11 April 2012 Team Tazmania visits our club! Photo s Dave Murray Scribe Cynthia Judge Editor Erle Wheatley 5 P a g e