From the Pen of our President....
The powerful
message from the presentation of Yogi and Tony
at our meeting on Friday on the “Peace Pipe Project” brought to mind the
various WhatApp groups of which I am a
member. So often, a positive or encouraging message on the group triggers
similar responses from other members and so helps build goodwill and better
friendship. We all have the power to be
the spark that ignites the fire of positivity. I am reminded of a quote by John
Wesley:
“Do all the
good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
It is pleasing and
encouraging to observe that many members of our club demonstrate these
attributes. Bless you all!
Costa Qually
President
Tailpiece
WRINKLES: Something other people have, similar to my character
lines
Last Friday....
The first time we heard about the Keokuk Peace Pipe letters was when PP Grace van Zyl, from the Rotary Club of Johannesburg addressed us a few months ago. David, who organizes our Friday programmes subsequently approached the two men, who are the driving force behind the project to speak to us: Tony Conn, all the way from across the Big Pond and Yogi Reppmann from his home town of Flensburg, Germany.
Now that is the power of technology. Would we have ever dreamed of something so ambitious had we not been forced to embrace new ways of communication.
In 2016 a loosely bound dusty book was discovered in a bank vault in Keokuk and it contained 196 letters from all over the world which had been sent in response to a letter that had been penned in 1931 by the Chairman of the Rotary Club of Keokuk, Jewett Fulton and sent to 496 non-English speaking Rotary Clubs all over the World.
“In 1931 the Rotarians in the city of Keokuk, Iowa must have sensed that dark clouds were brewing in the world, and especially in Europe. They thought about the namesake of their city, Chief Keokuk, and his peace pipe. Their invitation to other Rotary Clubs to join them in smoking the peace pipe was more than a symbolic gesture.“
The result is a 330 page glossy publication which can be purchased for $30, the profits of the sales will go to various peace building and conflict resolution projects.
The story is intriguing and if you missed the presentation on Friday or would like to listen/watch it again you are welcome to click into the link below.
Starved of fellowship a few of us once again descended on Ann's home to attend the Zoom meeting and also celebrate Melodene's birthday.
An impassioned letter from Linda Twala....
If anyone would like to donate or assist in any small way, please contact Sybille Essmann (082 601 0180) or David Bradshaw (083 461 6830) to arrange drop off or collection.
Heritage Day Picnic Invitation...
Last Saturday a few of us ventured into the Delta to have look-see, and came up with the wonderful idea of having a Spring Picnic on the Friday the 24th of September to celebrate Heritage Day and share fellowship, fresh air and fun in the sun.
All Rotarians, Ann's, their families and friends of Rotary are invited. Would this not be the perfect occasion to invite a potential member to experience the power of our Rotary family?
Please let Pam Donaldson know if you and your family would like to attend (083 320 8689 or e-mail pmmdonaldson@gmail.com)
Save the date for our annual Quiz Fundraiser.....
Bookings are now open. Please circulate this invitation to friends and family and let's make this a fundraiser to remember.
We would be very grateful if you could assist with prizes for our Raffle.
This Friday....
DG Stella Anyangwe will grace us with her presence. It will be a Zoom meeting, and it would be great if as many of us as possible can show her our Rosebank hospitality.
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