The Rotary Club of Winnipeg West acknowledges that our meetings, held virtually or in-person, are held on Treaty One lands. We do this to reaffirm our commitment and responsibility in improving relationships between nations and to improving our own understanding of local Inuit, Metis, and First Nations Peoples and their cultures and rights.
We recognize that the clean water we are drinking is sourced from the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation.
Well That Was Fun!
Thank you for coming out and helping celebrate a very successful 75th Anniversary of ChickenFest! Foghorn & Panchito delivered a fun program (details below) and recognized RCWW's successful event.
And who says there's no free lunch? By executive order President Trump Foster made today's event free to everyone in attendance!
New Venue - River City Sports Bar & Entertainment Centre
Our new venue today was outstanding! RCWW's meeting was the first event in the brand new event centre. In fact, the venue is not even officially open to the public. That happens later this month. We can report, that the owners are attentive, welcoming and professional. The food is great, the a/v is good and the space is large and welcoming.
RCWW has this space booked until the end of the year and is the new home of our regular meetings.
Today we welcomed many guests to join us for our 75th Annual ChickenFest Wind-up party!
Guests included, from Chicken Delight, Tushar Sukhadiya, Pinal Sukhadiya, E Smythe, Manpreet Kaur and the recently retired Joe da Silva.
Representing Children's Rehabilitation Foundation, were Kathryn McBurney and Monique Van Osh.
Panchito's wife, Marcia McKenzie was also on the guest list and we were pleased to welcome “Friend of Rotary” Terry Cooper.
ChickenFest Wind-up Program
After thanking everyone for their participation in ChickenFest 2026, Foghorn & Panchito recognized the hard work of the ChickenFest Committee and shared the results of our campaign.
Lunch sales were up, bulk sales were up, donations were up, Chicken for Kids donations were strong and our 50/50 was a success; all leading to a great bottom line. This all adds up to our continued support of our signature project, Children's Rehabilitation Foundation's L.I.F.E. Summer Camp program, Air Cadets and many other programs around the city and indeed around the world.
A highlight of today's program was the introduction of some special awards, recognizing outstanding contributions of our Rotarian ChickenFesters.
The ChickenSuper Humanitarian In Training Awards to be known from this day forward as the Chicken S.H.I.T awards were handed out to four very deserving individuals for their outstanding contribution to ChickeFest 2026.
The first SHIT Award was for Trying to do Foghorn & Panchito’s job of Chicken Jokes & recognizing that his jokes really need some work and to avoid laying any more eggs … we were proud to present ….. Bob Foster with his very own book of Chicken Jokes.
Next SHIT Award: For outstanding contribution and recognizing that Pictures say 1,000 words, photography done well is an art, and documenting ChickenFest 2026 was key to our success, we were pleased to tip our hat to the professional contributions with great photography & videos provided by Brook Jones. For his work, Brook received a special award to help light up his dark room …. a timeless, priceless … Chicken Lamp.
Our 3rd SHIT Award was given to a guy who supposedly retired from ChickenFest a couple of years ago. However, he can’t seem to “lay” off giving us a hand and we were pleased to recognize Stan Ry- buck buck buck buck and presented him with his very own Chicken Nugget key ring.
And the Final SHIT Award went to a guy who organized our 50/50 draw this year. A guy who works tirelessly for the St. James Community and these days can be found pounding on doors on the campaign trail. Kelly Ryback accepted this special mug that he can use to help get an early start each day.
After we were done with that SHIT, the program drew more serious.
President Bob came forward and presented a very prestigious Rotary award to a most deserving individual. Announcing RCWW's bestowing of a Honourary Paul Harris Fellowship Award, Bob called upon Joe da Silva to accept this honour. Joe will be formally recognized at a special dinner later in October.
Next up Children's Rehabilitation Foundation's Executive Director Kathryn McBurney came forward and spoke about the impact our ChickenFest's contribution to the L.I.F.E Summer Camp program and to express gratitude for our long time support. Monique Van Osch, CRF's Fundraising and Events Program Manager also said a few words speaking kindly about the relationship between CRF & RCWW.
Kathryn McBurney - CRF Executive Director
Monique Van Osch -
CRF Fundraising and Events Program Manager
Finally, the official presentation of RCWW's cheque for $10,000 was made to CRF.
Cheque to CRF
CD & CRF
The Team
WWRMW - Monthly Draw
Today's draw for $500
Seller: Alan Goddard
Winner: Gabby Goddard
Congrats Gabby …. we'll make sure Alan actually turns the cheque over to you!
Family of Rotary
Art announced that Jocelyn has been moved to Deer Lodge Hospital where she continues her recovery.
Enid & Terry Cooper are pleased to advise that their daughter Jessica is recovering well after a serious medical situation. We are all hoping for a continued and quick recovery.
Fines Master
Panchito was our fines master today. In keeping with the important trade negotiations news of the week and of course the theme of today’s meeting Panchito didn't “chicken out” and call this TACO Thursday and levied some tariffs that were collected right away.
After some Happy Buck-Bucks, Panchito extracted a few dollars for the Rotary coffers.
Chase the Ace
No chase the Ace today, but instead we had a random draw for some special prizes.
Winners:
Terry Dick - $50 Chicken Delight Gift Certificate
Kelly Ryback - CRF cell phone cover / drink coozy
Jack Peterson - Putter from SRK Gold (thanks Raman)
Art Oakes - $50 Chicken Delight Gift Certificate
Terry Cooper - CRF cell phone cover / drink coozy
Thought(s) For The Day - Bob's Words of Wisdom
Read the newspaper, watch or listen to the news, and think about what kind of politicians we are surrounded by today.
Leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humanness, courage and sternness. Leaders should have these five virtues.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
2000 years after Sun Tzu, where do we find such people to be our leaders?
Our “Friends of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg West"
Terry Cooper
John Forrest
Craig Tataryn
Recognizing individuals in the community who choose to be associated with the Rotary Club of Winnipeg West for the purpose of making a difference without a full time rigid commitment. Can be individuals, businesses, friends, family, spouses.
“Friends of Rotary” are welcome at any of our Rotary events, lunch meetings, projects, & committee meetings.
Know anyone who fits the bill? Please send your nomination to any Board member for consideration.
