Eight year Rotarian John Conlin, and Rotarian Sylvia Sheard happily served the bubbly at the Rotary Showcase, May 25.

Hub Staff

The second annual Southampton Rotary Showcase filled the Rotary Hall in Southampton on May 25, with Rotarians and members of the community mixing, mingling and learning of what the Southampton Rotary Club has to offer.

The idea behind the Showcase, first held in 2015, was to reinforce the impact that the Southampton Rotary has had in the community, as well as invite new members to join. Following last year’s inaugural event the Southampton Rotary gained approximately ten new members.

President Pat O’Connor said that new Rotarians could do as much or as little as they wish, but would need to commit to a meeting on Wednesday nights where dinner is provided. “Hopefully if the formula works we should have an extra ten members that will join. They’ll join over the next month and through September,” said O’Connor.

Rotarian Tony Sheard gave a presentation featuring the work that the Southampton Rotary Club has done or contributed to in the community.

Midway through the evening Rotarian Tony Sheard gave a presentation that offered a sliver of what the Southampton Rotary Club has been involved in over the years, from international work to bucket drives, the Rotary Accessible Park at Jubilee Park, Huron Shore Run, Rotary Auction, as well as their major work and contributions to the Saugeen Memorial Hospital.

The presentation also offered a glimpse of what the Club is working on in 2016. The new Rail Head building located along the Southampton Rail Trail will offer education and shelter along the popular trail. The Club also had specs for a possible Accessible Splash Pad, located next to the Rotary Accessible Playground at Jubilee Park.

A cheque was presented to the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation Vice-Chair Jim Barbour, the fourth of five instalments of $10,000 each, a pledge Southampton Rotary made to the Foundation for the 2016 calendar year.

Deb O’Donahue won $100 from the night’s 50/50 draw and Dave Bush, Bob Spade, and Eileen Scott all received $700 from the club’s winter draws.

Lloyd Worsley (left), a Rotarian for 16 years, was in charge of the 50/50 draw during the Rotary Showcase, May 25. Two year Rotarian John Cherrie, (right) was in charge of the trouble making.

Rotarian Shaun Thompson used the quieted room during speeches to his advantage at the Rotary Showcase, asking for donations for his Huron Shore Run pledge sheet.

Tony Sheard (left) alongside Rotary President Pat O’Connor (right) presented Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation Vice-Chair, Jim Barbour (centre) with a cheque for their 2016 pledge instalment.