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.
Christmas Cheer Board - Nov. 24
RCWW volunteers helped out at the Christmas Cheer Board, packaging candy for the hampers. The drill: 10 foil wrapped holiday chocolates to each plastic bag, tie each bag with a knot and place the bag in a box. Easy enough even for our group!
Unfortunately, President Bob embarrassed the club by scoring a (small) handful of chocolates on his way out the door. (His words, not mine.)
Hard at work
Our smiling crew
Nice vests!
AGAPE Table - Nov. 27
Once again RCWW keeps to its regular schedule of helping out at AGAPE on the 4th Thursday of each month. We'll be taking a break in December with the next AGAPE day being January 22, 2026. All are welcome to help out!
Our dedicated crew!
Thanks Ernie, Helen, Bob, Kish & Al
Cadets 191 Squadron - Dec. 2
On Tuesday, Dec. 2 RCWW attended the Air Cadets Squadron 191 assembly and made its presentation of $5,000. RCWW has sponsored 191 for many years and we're proud to continue this tradition.
191 Squadron, has a long history as it is one of oldest Air Cadet Squadrons in Winnipeg and Canada, and was formed on November 11, 1942. The cadet program is program for youths aged 12 to 18 years and is open to both males and females with a focus on citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, general aviation and an understanding of the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Armed Forces. Nationally, the Royal Canadian Air Cadets organization has a membership of approximately 26,000 in 450 squadrons across Canada.
President Bob - Presents Cheque to CO Evelyn Sandall
RCWW's Squadron
December 4 Program
President Bob introduced our speaker, Terese Taylor who is the publisher & editor of two community papers: The Leaf & Streets.
Terese said that The Leaf is distributed in the West Broadway and Wolseley area, and
Streets is distributed in the West End area. They distribute about 10,000 copies and hire students to deliver.
The papers are distributed monthly, free of charge, and delivered door to door. These
are the last free papers in Winnipeg that are distributed without a subscription.
Community newspapers struggle to stay afloat. There are 33 community papers in
Manitoba, down from 50 a couple of years ago.
Terese said that their papers do not include flyers. She said that if they included flyers, they would not be able to deliver to homes that displayed a “no flyers” sign.
Their papers focus on monthly issues and solutions journalism. They focus on local
issues and promote the community. Their income is generated by ad sales to local
businesses, government, and politicians. They may be able to get government funding in the future.
They have the papers printed by a printing press in Killarney. Terese said that watching the press operate is fascinating in that it starts with a 7-kilometer-long roll of paper and prints and cuts each paper. The press is quite old, but it works well.
Terese lamented the fact that more and more people get their news from electronic
media. She said that reading physical newspapers and books is better for us and builds a better memory.
Bob thanked Terese for her interesting presentation and wished her the best in the
future.
Our newest returning member, Brook Jones, brought a very special guest today; Brook brought his mom to help celebrate her birthday!
Soon to be new member, Chris Irene was here again today and was joined by another prospective new member, Femi Dada. As it turns out, both Chris & Femi were members of Roteract in Nigeria. Great to have you out guys!
WWRMW
The Final WWRMW Draw will be held on December 18 at our Christmas Luncheon.
This is the big one!
$2,000 will be given away to one lucky winner!!!
The 2026 WWRMW draw tickets have been distributed!
Don't forget to sell your allotment of 2026 WWRMW tickets.
Bring your sold ticket stubs to Terry for entry into the 2026 draws. Money goes to Ernie.
The more we sell, the more we can do in the community!
If you're not currently an RCWW member but want to purchase some tickets, please content Terry Dick at tdick@westlandinsurance.ca or any other Winnipeg West Rotarian.
Salvation Army Kettles
Al Goddard is organizing our volunteering for the Christmas Kettles at Polo Park on Saturday, December 20. Want to help out? Contact Alan: aggoddard@gmail.com
Alan has been organizing this event for many, many years. Atta boy Alan!
Christmas Luncheon - Reserve Now!
You and your guests are invited to our annual Christmas Luncheon.
We are at Breezy Bend Country Club on December 18th, 2025.
Please RSVP to me by Monday, December 8th.
Please provide payment to Ernie Halligan.
Activities will include a new fun draw - guaranteed winner !
Meal Service:
Fresh Buns & Butter
Assorted Salads
Carved Beef with au jus and horseradish
Perogies with sour cream and green onion
Chicken Parmesan with tomato sauce
Roasted Vegetables
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Dessert Table
Coffee Service
Bar will be open for your own purchase and indulgence
Family of Rotary
No report today.
Fines Master
President Bob was our fines master today and lightened everyone's pockets with questions about current events taken from the previous day's Winnipeg Free Press. Bruce was fined extra for using his WFP app on his phone to come up with some answers.
Reminders & Announcements
Fellowship Lunch - Thursday, December 11, 12:00 noon - Ye's Chinese Buffet - 616 St James St, Winnipeg, MB R3G 3J5 - Arrive early for a good spot in the parking lot!
Christmas Luncheon - Breezy Bend Dec. 18
NO MEETING DEC. 25 OR JANUARY 1
Regular Club Meeting -January 8- Smitty's - Open discussion for all members "shaping our future"
Rotary Beer Still Available!
Stock up for the Holidays!
Bob still has some beer available. Buy in quantities of 6, 12 or 24.
Contact Bob to get yours now!
(Reviews are very positive of taste and effect!)
Ukraine Project Approved
RCWW has just approved a $1,000 contribution to help provide Christmas gifts (toys, sweets & hygiene items) for orphaned kids in Ukraine plus generators for schools.
Our club's donation is being made through the "Rotary Intercountry Committee - Canada Ukraine".
AGAPE Table Donation Approved
The RCWW Board has also approved a $3,500 contribution to AGAPE Table for the purchase of a commercial washer & dryer. The washer & dryer should be installed and operational early in the new year.
Upcoming Initiatives - More Info. to Follow
Interact sponsorship - local High School under consideration - RCWW to be sponsoring Club.
ChickenFest 2026 - Planning Underway!
Immediately after our formal Club meeting, ChickenFest co-chairs Gary Farrell & Bruce McKenzie hosted the 1st planning meeting for our 75th Annual ChickenFest.
So we're underway and our next committee meeting will be in the new year. Look for some exciting changes for this very special year in the history of our major fundraiser.
We're still looking for volunteers, so if you would like to lend your time and talents to ChickenFest 2026 please contact Gary or Bruce. Honourary members, friends of Rotary, past members, current members all welcomed!
Look for lots more to come!
Homework For The Week - All Rotarians
Provide Bob with suggestions for alternate Community Service ideas - Agape is good but maybe something that doesn't involve early mornings!
Provide us with email addresses for those whom you would like to receive the WestWind Newsletter (spouses/partners/family/friends/prospects)
Share this Newsletter with someone!
Did You Know - RCWW Website "Events"
Becoming familiar with the RCWW website https://wpgwestrotary.org/ is a great way to keep up to date on all things Rotary and keep you organized.
Our website should be "booked marked" on all your devices so that RCWW is always just a click away.
The Home page keeps you current with a listing of all upcoming events, dates & times. Can't remember where (for example) our next fellowship lunch is? Check the upcoming events listing, click on the event and a full description of the event and location, including a map, pops up.
Thought For The Day
"Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers."
(Reviews are very positive of taste and effect!)