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 on Treaty Three lands.
George Chapman- Can't See The Forest For The Trees (Bench)
Great turnout on a gorgeous late October day. With temperatures in the mid teens and the sun shining brightly, our group made its way to the newly installed bench near the boardwalk/marsh docks in the forest.
The trek began from the parking lot on Grant & Chalfont and continued south along the Sagimay Trail (asphalt pathway) and then just before the Eve Werier Memorial Pond, veered right along the woodchip Wetland Trail to the site of the George Chapman bench.
Several walked the approximately 1 km trail in and our while others enjoyed a ride on the electric “surrey” bikes supplied by bee2getherbikes. No one got lost and we were treated to the dare devil antics of bike pilot Jack “Crash” Peterson. Fortunately there were no serious injuries (except for the bike).
While the group assembled at the bench, Al Goddard delivered a terrific history of George's long list of accomplishments, including his many years in the legal profession, race car driver, pilot, and marathon runner plus his dedication to serving a number of community service roles in Winnipeg and of course George's many years as a member of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg West.
George, never lost for words, gave a great thankyou speech and shared some family history including the fact that the very spot we were standing on once belonged to his Metis grandmother who received the land in the late 1800's as part of the land scrip settlement.
After the dedication we made our way back north along the trails to the parking lot and resumed our program at the Viscount Gort Hotel.
Assiniboine Forest Trail to George's bench
Inscription on the George Chapman bench
Trail Head - Grant & Chalfont
Transportation
Bruce & Alan Lead the Dedication
Friend, Family & Rotarians
George Speaks
George & His Daughter
John & Angie
Watching the Dedication
Our Bike Pilots
“Crash” Peterson & Terry Cooper
Al Leads the Way
Man of the Hour
George Trys Out The Bench
Winnipeg Artist Linda Rubell, Honours George with Beautiful Water Color of George's Bench
After enjoying the buffet lunch at the Viscount Gort the George Chapman festivities continued. On behalf of George's friend Linda Rubell, Bruce McKenzie presented George with a card from Linda with a special message for George. While George read the card aloud to the group, Bruce unveiled a beautiful water color painting of George's bench.
Linda Rubell is a friend of George, resides in Winnipeg and is a member of the Manitoba Society of Artists, the Charleswood Art Group and the Great Plains Watercolor Society. When Linda learned of the bench a few weeks ago, she attended at the newly installed bench in the Assiniboine Forest to check it out. As she arrived, the sun was shining brightly on George's bench and so inspired, she set about to produce a beautiful water-colour painting of the bench.
Linda expressed her thoughts that the location of the bench is one of her favourtie places in the Assiniboine Forest.
George expressed his gratitude to Linda and indeed to everyone who made this a very special day for him.
As part of George's appreciation, he made a generous donation to RCWW's Golden Rainbow Fund!
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, Oct. 27 - 5:00 PM - by invitation only. Government House Reception - Bring your invitation with you to gain entry.
Thursday, Oct. 29, 12:00 PM - River City Event Centre - Regular Club Meeting - Speaker Jude Chigbo (internet Rotary)
Thursday, Nov. 5, 12:00 PM - River City Event Centre - Regular Club Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 12, 12:00 PM - Informal lunch at Rossbrook House - 658 Ross Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3A 0M1
Monday, Nov. 16, 4:00 PM - River City Event Centre - RCWW Board Meeting (all are welcome to attend)
Thursday, Nov. 19, 12:00 PM - River City Event Centre - Regular Club Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 26, 12:00 PM - River City Event Centre - Joint RCWW/RCWA Club Meeting - Speaker - Ron Greasly Exec. Dir. Assiniboine Chamber of Commerce.
Speakers Wanted
Have an interesting friend, neighbor, associate with a story to tell? Please contact Bob Foster and we'll schedule them in to speak to the club.
WWRMW - Monthly Draw
Next draw - November 19
Family of Rotary
Gardening can be dangerous. Over the weekend our president Bob was attacked by a tomato cage. The cage grabbed his foot, down he went and hit the brick edging. Result? Broken left wrist. Sunday was spent at Victoria hospital getting x-rays and cast.
From Bob:
“No, you can’t sigh my cast yet. I haven’t yet ruled nice neat straight lines on it for you to sign on.”
Definitely sound like an engineer to me.
Gary's Guffaws (thanks to Gary Farrell)
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.
