The Club celebrated Lex McCrindle's 50th year in our Club with a standing ovation! Peter Hrastovec spoke about Lex's life in Rotary, including his involvement in raising over $100,000 for Easter Seals, his term as President between 1981-1982 (a year our Club won the Dick Hedke Award), and his positions as Director of the Rotary Club of Windsor Foundation Fund for 26 years, and Treasurer for 20 years. Lex also wrote computer programs to record member donations, which are still being used today. He's an incredible person, and as Peter referred to him, "Rotarian, Major Donor, mentor and our devoted friend". Lex was then presented with his crystal piece and lapel pin, recognizing his generosity as he become a Rotary International Major Donor.

Bhav Dulay spoke as part of our "This is My Life" series. He started out by explaining his name: "Bhavdeep is a combination of two words: Bhav, or universe and deep or light which literally makes me the light of the universe but no big deal!" He was born in the City of Chandigarh, India. While in highschool, Bhav was the secretary of his Interact Club and participated in many polio drives. Through Rotary, he and a friend represented his country at the “Future World Leaders" summit held in Washington, DC. This was a turning point for Bhav, when he made the decision to immigrate to Canada with his family the following year. He started his university studies in Engineering at University of Toronto (full scholarship), and moved on to Windsor to continue his studies in Michigan. He joined the reserves in 2008, left in 2014 as a Corporal & has recently been discharged honorably from the supplementary reserve. He has pursued various engineering roles with Tesla, Chrysler, Ford and others. He wanted a change and is now a realtor and mortgage specialist. "Staying in Windsor and not having to commute to Michigan everyday gave me a chance to reconnect with Rotary and here I am". Bhav lives with his wife Krystle and their 3 children, Madison, Alyssa and Logan.

Gaspard Jaumotte and Takako Chan were presented with PHFs, introduced by Don Snyder. They then each gave excellent presentations about their experiences on their exchanges this year. They took the Club through their adventures, and it sounded like they both really enjoyed themselves and learned a ton! We're all going to miss them, and wish them well wherever the future may take them. Malcolm Grant also gave the Club a recap about his experiences as an exchange student when he went to Zimbabwe the first time around, and then to Lithuania on his second trip. Youth Exchange is powerful: If you know someone who may want to participate in this incredible program, and who is between the ages of 15.5 and 18, direct them to https://rotary1918.com/page/ye-pre-form or have them contact Renee Pare at RPare@nextdimensioninc.com or call the Rotary office at 519-253-6382

Click here to see pictures from this meeting (courtesy of Gordon Drake)