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4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 24, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" A model Rotarian honoured Chuck Dewhirst was among charter members of Port Perry chapter in 1981 By John B. McClelland Port Perry Star The man who played a key role in founding the Port Perry Rotary Club 17 years ago was honoured last week by his fellow Rotarians. Charles "Chuck" Dewhirst was pre- sented with the Paul Harris medal, the highest award a Rotarian can receive. In presenting the certificate and medallion, Bill Beare described Chuck as "a driving force behind all fundrais- ing activities," and one who has "con- tinued his dedication to the club." "When he is asked to help in any capacity, he has been without fail a most willing helper," said Mr. Beare. Back in 1981, Chuck was a co- founder of the Port Perry club along with Greg Heffering. And he was the Charter president here. Asked what it was about Rotary that first got his attention and moti- vated him to work towards the estab- lishment of a club in Port Perry, he said many of his friends in the business world -- he's a retired insurance exec- utive -- were Rotarians, and always spoke highly of the organization. Before his involvement in Port Perry Rotary he had never been a member of any service club or fraternal organiza- tion. "I like the commitment aspect of the club," he said, noting that Rotary meets once a week all year long, and members must attend more than 60 per cent of meetings to keep their membership in good standing. : And he said he greatly enjoys the work Rotarians do both at the commu- nity level and internationally. For example, Rotary funds an inter- national service called Polio Plus to combat a disease that has largely been eradicated in North America. But it is still dominant in some areas of the globe. Rotary International has helped vaccinate more people against polio than any other organiza- tion. The organization has helped set up hospitals in India where patients are treated for cataracts; raised money to drill wells in Africa and built medical facilities in the West Indies. Port Perry club members have been instrumental in shipping food, clothing, blankets and other life saving necessi- ties to war-torn countries such as Bosnia. And Chuck is impressed with the international exchanges Rotary spon- sors -- programs which help foster bet- Chuck Dewhirst of the Port Perry Rotary Club (left) is congratulated by President Myles O'Riordan. Mr. Dewhirst, a charter member of the local club, has been named a recipient of the Paul Harris Medal, Rotary's highest honour. ter understanding among the peoples of the globe. Several students from dif- ferent countries have spent a year in Port Perry, and students from this community have been provided the opportunity to live and study in those countries as part of the exchange. Closer to home, Rotary is a major supporter of the Easter Seals campaign which assists people with physical dis- abilities. Port Perry Rotary pledged $50,000 to the expansion program at the local hospital; raised the money and built the bandshell in Palmer Park which is used for numerous community func- tions such as summer concerts; and provided funds for the boardwalk through the natural park area along the Lake Scugog shore line north of the library. Each year, club members put on a "party for kids at Christmas, and pro- vide a full course Christmas dinner for senior citizens and others who might not otherwise have an opportunity to enjoy the festive season. "A lot of people who are not familiar with Rotary are quite amazed at the extent of the work we do," he said. Looking back over his 17 years with the club, Chuck said he is very proud of the fact $50,000 was contributed to the hospital expansion; the bandshell was built as a permanent place for the enjoyment of all residents; and the club's on-going contribution to Easter Seals helps improve the quality of life for so many people. All this work takes money, of course, and Chuck has contributed his time, efforts and expertise over the years to fundraising endeavours such as ArtFest and casino nights. One of the earliest (and most visible) fundraising efforts was the Rotary 'bacon on a bun' booth at community events like Festival Days and the Port Perry Fair. Chuck and his good friend and fellow Rotarian the late Ken Jackson were familiar figures in this booth, cooking over the hot barbecues and bantering with the customers who often lined up for a serving of bacon on a bun. He said that when the club was first formed, he did not imagine that it would do as much as it has in those 17 years for so many different causes and projects. Along with the personal satisfaction he gets from knowing that fundraising efforts make a real difference in the lives of people at home and abroad, Chuck said membership in the club has led to lasting friendships with fel- low Rotarians from varied walks of life. "Oh, sure, I enjoy the camaraderie, the friendships. That's important as well." Chuck said he is deeply honoured to receive the Paul Harris Award for 1998. It is presented annually for out- standing service and dedication to Rotary and its ideals, and is named for the man who founded Rotary in Chicago back in the 1920's. Chuck is one of about a half dozen Charter members of the Port Perry club who are still active in Rotary here. Twelve Bears of Christmas' now on view to public By Cindy Lister , ~ Special to the Star Funky... Mo Mo Madelina... Faunt Leroy... Ping-Ping... Penelope... it may sound like a remake of the Seven Dwarves, but these personalities are actually part of the cast of the Twelve Bears of Christmas. This tongue-twisting lineup of warm fuzzies has arrived in Port Perry to raise money for an infant transporter for the hospital's New Life Centre. The delightful dozen are teddy bears dressed by designers in distinctive attire for a silent aucti Len Farndale, Vice-President of the hospi. E tal Foundation, co-ordinated ¢ ent auction. Kent fundraiser. ' "The craftspeople have been won- ~derful," she said. "When they heard that all funds raised would be used for equipment for our babies, everyone heartwarming to see the amount of time and effort that has been invested in these beautiful bears." Six of the bears | ent, including F Lishman (dresse Lishman knit fur); Ring-Bearer by "Debbie Murdock (with tophat, tails and the r 'highlight local tal- roy by Paula aturally, in and th Fequisite Hing) Penelope. 7 Patches (wit | granny outfit, glasses, . ~ and an authentic miniature quilt) by = available inside the store. the Port Perry Patchers; Whisper (pos- ing on a twig chair with a handcrafted original fairy doll named Hush) by Sue Barton; Mo Mo Madelina (a jester juipmen bur bal | - on a whimsical chair with a doll-faced wanted to participate. It's absolutely scepter in hand) by Deborah Colston; and Capability Brown (wearing 18th Century landscape gardener attire complete with garden lans, topiary and twig chair) by Bill Fitches. Bidding on the bears has already begun Theyre on display in the win- dow of Sash on Pc Street, accompanied by 12 wooden relations donated by decorative on Port Perry's Queen painters of the area. Bid forms are On Friday, Nov. 27 the gang will move to the Kent Farndale Gallery of the Scugog Memorial Library at 231 Water Street. You can view and bid from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and again on Saturday, November 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Dec. 1, the bears will be at Lishman's, 1568 Queen Street, Port Perry, where the bidding will wind up Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. 'Status of the bear bids will be posted regularly. Bid early to ensure your one-of-a-kind Christmas gift for a spe- ) gial person in your life, and you'll also be helping th by patients. ry e Hospital's littlest.