The Rotary Club of Placencia is winding down Rotary Year 2009-2010 with planning for several events and developing plans for the next Rotary Year, which will begin in July with Harald Wallen handing over the Presidency to Lydia Villanueva.

FIRESIDE
As has been described in previous articles, the Rotary Club of Placencia gathers several times each year, usually at a member’s home, for a social gathering, known to Placencia Rotarians as a Fireside. The latest was held in March at the Decked Out House in Harbor Place South with Linda Burrow hosting. The weather was beautiful and, as always, the food was abundant and most Placencia Rotarians (few of our members miss these gatherings), along with guests and spouses, enjoyed the afternoon. The highlight of the afternoon was the induction of our hostess, Linda Burrow, into the Rotary Club of Placencia. The induction ceremony, conducted by Club President Harald Wallen, is always a moving experience for all of us and more than a few misty eyes could be seen as Linda’s sponsor, Jim Weller, placed the Rotary pin on Linda. Linda has already been involved in several of our Club’s projects and proved to be a tremendous help. We welcome Linda and look forward to working with her to accomplish even more in the future.

BINGO
The Rotary Club of Placencia held another Bingo night at the Paradise Resort on April 24. In all, 15 games were played and several hundred dollars were raised that will go towards the costs of the Senior Luncheon on May 16. We wish to, once again, extend our thanks to Alan and Janet of the Paradise Resort for providing the venue. The next game is scheduled for May 23 and a schedule is being developed for future games, so, please listen to LOVEFM, watch the public access channel on cable TV and watch for flyers (posted at Wallen’s Market and the bulletin board at the soccer field, as well as other locations) for more information and dates for future games.
ONGOING PROJECTS
Work continues on projects for the schools in Placencia Village, Seine Bight Village and Independence High School. The various projects involve working with several Rotary Clubs in Canada and include, currently, providing drinking water at the primary schools in Seine Bight and Placencia (working with Stephanie Wandke and a group of donors she has contacted), bathroom work at the primary school in Placencia, and the establishment of a scholarship program for Peninsula students going to Independence High School (thanks to Mr. Longsworth for attending our meetings and providing guidance). Based upon the interest expressed by several Rotary Clubs in Canada, and indications that some private donations may be coming, we expect to be able to accomplish much in the coming year and beyond. We hope that the communities will continue to support our efforts and the efforts of the schools in providing the best education facilities possible for the children of our communities.

UPCOMING
Work continues on finalizing the plans for the Senior Lunch to be held on May16 at De Tatch. This event, which is organized by Lydia Villanueva, will be the third one and we plan to continue to hold this event every year to honor the senior citizens of Placencia Village and Seine Bight Village.

Work also continues on the planning for the Rotary booth at this year’s Lobsterfest and the holding of our annual Duck Race. Tickets will go on sale for the race in the near future. Last year’s race tickets sold out hours before the race, so, make sure to buy your tickets early for a chance at one of the cash prizes.

The biggest planning item on the agenda is the preparation for the new Rotary Year, which will begin in early July with the annual Handing Over Ceremony where outgoing President, Harald Wallen, will turn over the Club Presidency to Lydia Villanueva. Projects for the next year are being considered and, by the time the joint Board meeting is held in June (existing Board and the Board for 2010-2011), it is expected that a plan will be developed for what we hope to accomplish in the coming year and beyond.
OUR CLUB
The Rotary Club of Placencia has been in existence for several years now and currently has 15 members. We are proud of what has been accomplished, but, with more people involved, we know that much more can be done. This is your community, so, please consider joining us to help us achieve the goals we have set for our area. For more information on what you can do to help, please attend one of our meetings (Tuesdays at 12:30 PM at Yoli’s), visit our web site at www.rotaryclubofplacencia.org, or speak to any Rotarian. We would love to welcome you to the Rotary family.