Hello America

Entering USA on May 15, on Highway 97 South Okanagan Wine Country.

To see other photos of this RFAR Leg 1, visit my photo album on my FaceBook page.
Rfar Dahl

Summerland Rotary

We survived the rest and were both getting a bit bored and were looking to move on... However we had to deliver the Mission Message.. RFAR.  We arrived at the Rotary Meeting at 0645 and were ready to go.  We presented the message and were warmly greeted.  

Thanks Doug.. and I met a fellow with an Rotary affiliate International Fellowship of Motoring Rotarians, North America... IFMR-NA.   It is a mouthful.
So we said our good-bys and headed for Oliver BC.  We were not able to connect with the  Oliver Rotary Club due to Club internal technical issues, however we were able to meet for a short time with President Ann and pass on our greetings to the Club.

This last club officially ended leg 1 of the RFAR effort for 2012.  Club visit #24 over 28 days.

The Plan is to visit Alaska / Yukon Territory Clubs, leg 2 summer 2013.
Contact  me if you want to Ride along. RFAR.

Summerland

We proceeded down the lake and landed in Summerland on Friday, May 11.  Our next scheduled meeting was on Tues May 15.. so we had Friday and on to rest, relax, and recoupe.  So we checked in here for the duration.

The weather was pefect and we rested and walked and toured the neighborhood.

Lakes Beaches and rest.  This is a retirement community.

average summer temp is 29C.

The orchards are apples in bloom.

Vista Haven.

PeachLand..a nice spot.

We drove through Peachland..by the lake... perfect weather and perfect road and perfect bike and perfect friendship..
Don thanks for being with me.  You are a true true friend.

Kelowna Yacht Club - KYC

Formed in 1945, a very successful Yacht Club with several Racing Programs.  Beautiful property on the lake and with plans for a new facility to be built in the next two years.  Pretty nice now.
They are growing with the expansion in the community.  Kelowna is a happening place.  Great climate with lots of sunshine.

The boat basin.

Kelowna Sunrise - KYC

UP and AT EM, @ 05:30 Friday May11.  We head for a meeting with the Kelowna Sunriser group.
Another energetic group.

Here is their display for their Club efforts for 2012 at the District Conference.  At least 20 members are attending and registered.

Promoting the up-coming Distict 5060 Conference.

President Jim opens the meeting. Their Club Motto is

"Doing Good Stuff, and Having Fun"

I was greeted and told that my subject was timely and the program Chair allowed me a stand up of 10 minutes to present the latest information on Future Vision and the Rotary Foundation.

Once again, a very satisfying experince and I feel that I am making a difference for the Rotary Foundation.  RFAR! 

o

Thank you Kelowna Sunrisers!

Kelowna Capri - Evening RFAR

Before leaving Vernon we visited the Vernon Kalamalka Club and due to an extensive program all ready planned the we were introduced  and only allowed a short moment to describe the RFAR
Project.  We did not have enough time to make any sort of statement so there was very limited impact.

In the afternoon we drove on south on Highway 97 to Kelowna BC.  As we come south and closer to the US Border the scene becomes more and more urban.  Kelowna has high rise buildings.  Our hotel had 6 floors and the lodging cost reflected the cost of city living.

Just before Kelowna we were in Fruit Orchard Country along the lake.  A beautiful ride and a quick roadside stop yielded the following picture... Machinery...

                                           Fordson Tractor.. a later model than the one in Flat.

                                          A Steam Tractor

                                         Hay Harvester?? Hay Baler??

Later that evening we were greeted by the friendly Rotarians from the Kelowna Capri Club. We were introduced as the program and visiting Rotarian and Guest. 

Our program was warmly recieved by the Club Members and President Ron accepts the banner from the Ketchikan Rotary Club.    Our presentation was successful and recieved many positive comments and appreciation for the mission of RFAR.

Dinner in the Home.. a Rotary Tradition

Traveling Rotarians are occasionally lucky and get "Dinner in the Home".. The invite to a Rotarians home for friendship and fellowship.. one of  the best parts of what Rotary is about.

We were invited to dinner at Shane and Terri's Home located in the hills above Vernon.  So a beautiful drive then great fellowship.

Dulce is the club exchange student from Bolivia.  Barbie was a great ice breaker.
Thanks for your kindness. RFAR

Vernon Rotary

The Rotary Club meets downtown in Vernon and was chartered in 1925.  This club is of the same vintage as the noon club in Ketchikan.  The meeting was well attended and I got to make a 5 minute intro presentation on the Foundation.  The Mayor was the scheduled program.

Pres. Shane and the Club welcomed the RFAR Team

Vernon BC

We travel on for about 20 miles to the next destination.. Vernon, BC.  Vernon is nestled between lakes and being spring all the hills are rolling in green.

A beautiful place..for sure and the weather is perfect in May.

Armstrong Rotary Club

We met with Rotarians and were the evening program.  We gave a full power point presentation on the Rotary Foundation and Future Vision.  The program was well recieved by the members present.

This was one of the smallest clubs that we have visited so far. They sponsor an exchange student from Brazil and support the Rotary Foundation and it's good works.  Pres. Jack and Rotarian Eric welcomed us to Armstrong Rotary.

Armstrong BC is a very cool place.

We toured the town and found the off the beaten track jewel we all enjoy seeing.  This is that kind of place.  A historic town and a pridefull town.  I could tell and I could feel it.  I could tell that the town folks were proud of the heritage.  The pictures tell it all.

                                              Train Station Armstrong BC ( rebuilt)

                                             Main Street

                                          and more Main Street. 


Then we visited the local Rotary Club and we were the Program.  I did a full slide Foundation Program for the regular club meeting.  I was well recieved and the program went well.  They appreciated the Foundation information was educational and informative.

Salmon Arm to Armstrong BC

We left Salmon Arm after a short visit out north to Eugene's place by the edge of a huge lake.
The Shushwap Lake.  He lives in a beautiful spot.

                                                     The streets have strange names to me.

We arrive early afternoon on a  warm day in Armstrong BC.

Salmon Arm Rotary Club.. noon

We presented the "Five Minute Bullit"  Rotary Foundation here is what it is.  I was lucky to get 5 minutes.. there was a program by one of the club members on a Bridge Project in Ethiopia that was focused and stunning. They built a bridge across a river that connected 100's of thousands to trade, work and health services.  It was a successful humanitarian project and supported by the club.. it is noteable that the Rotary Foundation does support this type of project, however Ethiopia does not have Rotary.
The presentation was powerful and about "doing good".   The club is to be commended for it's caring support of this type of world service work.

President Kari welcomed us and commented  that the Salmon Arm R/C is the highest per cap donator to the Rotary Foundation in District 5060.   She thank me for my service to the Foundation.

The club members were very interested in Alaska and the motorcycle project.  They thanked me for coming and sharing Rotary.   Tomarrow it is onward to Armstrong, B.C.  Just down the road a piece.
There will be a feature in the Club Newsletter.

Off to Chase and Salmon Arm, BC

We bid good by to our kind host , Liz in Kamloops.  We have been hanging out with her and Benji for the last week.  The deal was, I cooked all week and she would put up with us.  Liz is sort of a shirt tail relative with a definite connection to Ketchikan.
I always say.. you don't ask and you will never get..  Lis was gracious and we all are still good friends after a week with the "boys".   
She is going to win the golf tourney at the Rotary Golf Gala in June.  She will represent the RFAR Team.

So, we were off to Chase and Salmon Arm in Okanagan Country.  We stopped in Chase BC for some coffee and a look see.  So, many times we pass up the small roadside communities that have so much charm and visual attraction.   Hey, they have an RBC Branch!

A great little coffee shop on the main drag.

From the inside.. art prevails.

The best coffee and datebars!

Yum.. then on to Salmon Arm Rotary.

RFAR 17Clubs and Plus 3 Weeks Later

Still at it..   visit: www.kamloopsfoodbank.org  Kamloops area Clubs Support the Food Bank effort in a huge way.   Truely, Rotarians at Work!

"THEY" are everywhere!

                                                                      Taken pictures....

Kamloops DayBreak Club

The day starts at 06:45.  Breakfast and enthusiasm.  They delivered in 2011.
110,000 pounds of food to the needy through the Food Bank.
$25000 to the Rotary Foundation Polio Plus and Annual Funds Program
They have 100 members. 
They were gracious and welcoming.. even a few bike riding members.
Congrats on a terrific year for the club.

                                                   Pres Melodie welcomes RFAR.

Kamloops West Thur Noon Rotary

We meet at the Chapters View Resturant to a lively and engaging group of Rotarians.  Once again the focus of the meeting was on the Foundation.  They also inducted 4 Rotarians to the family of Rotary.
The President was awarded the latest Paul Harris Fellowship. 
The club this year has contributed $30,000 Cdn to the Foundation and has 8 Paul Harris Society Members and numberous PH Fellows.  Was I preaching to the choir??? Indeed.
Even so, one member wrote a check to the Foundation and I won the drawing...with a donation that will be sent to the Rotary Foundation.. so doing good and having fun..RFAR.


                                           President Greg the newest PHF at Kamloops-West. 

 

Don likes Trees

They don't have any of these in Lousiana and he finds them interesting that they grow down.
Some kind of ornamental birch.

We were the program at the Northshore Community Center on Wednesday evening.  This club last year delivered 60,000 on the 8th annual local food drive.  The club on this meeting night recieve their portion of the fund raising proceeds from the last community wide Rotary Golf Tourney.  They provide club and individual support to the Rotary Foundation annually as part of the club operations.

President Jean and Rotarian Doug presents proceeds from the Tourney.

My program on my project was well recieved by Rotarians.  I was able to do the full program on the changes to future Foundation funding as will be in effect for all Rotary Clubs in  July 2013.  The process of program management and funding is changing as Rotary adjusts for future needs.

Pres. Judy likes RFAR..

Kamloops Aurora Centennial

Tuesday morning at 7:00 for a meeting with Rotarians.. What energy..
This club impressed me by involving every Rotarian present in the club meeting.  I was again asked to to do the 5 minute "Impact RFAR Program".    I was well recieved and felt very welcome.
My project was recognized and I was wished well by many members.

The morning group provides a great fellowship breakfast and lots of laughter.  This club provided over +50, 000 lbs of food for the needy in the last year.  A real service to the community and the needs of those less fortunate. 
This club supports The Rotary Foundation and had documentation of promotion of the Foundation.  The club annually supports the Polio Plus Program and Annual Funds.  My request for additional support to the Foundation will be presented to the Executive Board.

Here is a picture Pres. Murray presenting me the Club Banner.

Kamloops Rotary

On Monday we visited the Kamloops Rotary Club, Downtown.   I was able to present of 5 minutes my abreviated Mission Project for the Rotary Foundation.  The club had a Foundation presentation that worked nicely with my overview. 
The Club has sponsored with District and Rotary International a $34000 Economic & Community Development Project in Armenia to help the earthquake devistated area from 2008.  The club supports the project with $8500 on a Global / District Grant.  The photo are the club members that explained the  project and program of the area to be helped.

Rotarians... "Doing the Busines of Doing Good!"  RFAR

Kamloops... we are here.

The road between Cache Creek and Kamloops BC is very scenic with high hills, almost mountains and sweeping valleys. Rivers winding and pristine lakes with big view.  It is big sky country.

Weather has been overcast but not on the cold side. Over the last 2 weeks we have experienced 2 days of wet... not really rain like I know it... just wet pavement.  They call that rain in this part of the continent.  British Columbia, is wow.

AND