Posted by Brenda Gibson on May 07, 2017
“Forest bathing”: a newly-discovered moniker for a beloved past time. There’s nothing that sets me right faster than getting outdoors and being surrounded by nature. The arrival of springtime may be on an alternate schedule but Rotarians on the peninsula – and beyond – have been taking advantage of vestiges of spring wherever they can.
 
Namely, the Semiahmoo Rotary club’s Wine and Dine fundraising evening was blessed with clear skies and warmth, adding to the success of the annual event. The club wishes to thank their restaurant partners and guests for making the event on April 11th a smash. The three-course progressive dinner event in South Surrey/White Rock saw 439 participants out to support 12 local restaurants – raising $20,000 for local community and global projects in the process.
 
Moving between venues on foot or by event trolleys, each group sampled the culinary delights of three different restaurants throughout the evening. Each restaurant partnered even further with the club by providing a $100 gift certificate with winners selected the same evening in the final restaurants.
 
Another wonderful opportunity to commune with nature – involving significantly more trees – was the creek clean-up and fish release at Quibble Creek (96th Ave & 138th St.) on Earth Day, April 22nd. Clubs from the peninsula and elsewhere in Surrey joined forces for the fifth year in a row to complete the project. The Rotary club of Surrey, in co-operation with Tynehead Hatchery, provided approximately 7,000 salmon fry for release. The Central City Rotary Club helped load the salmon for delivery and release, while Rotarians from Surrey Guildford and Semiahmoo Rotary clubs provided a wrap-up BBQ. The event was well attended by almost 40 people including a number of employees of McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd. in celebration of their 50 years in Surrey. Children and adults alike were eager to move the fry from the hatchery’s mobile tank to the creek, carrying the precious cargo by bucket to the water’s edge before gently releasing them into their new world. Patty Burt, Semiahmoo Rotarian and Environmental Division Manager for McElhanney Surrey, was on-hand to coach releasers on location and technique. This fun and interactive event wrapped up just before the rain started.
 
The following weekend, despite threat of rain, Maureen Lowery, Kathy Thornton, Ray Paquet and Doug Blender of the Semiahmoo club joined forces to street clean along 148 St and the 32nd Ave Diversion. Well fueled by coffee and good spirits, the group collected and hauled away seven bags of garbage – including one pristine Toyota hubcap.
 
If you missed the opportunity to participate in these past events, never fear – there are more to come! Coming soon to a Safeway parking lot near you…do you have sensitive paperwork you need to dispose of? The Rotary club of South Surrey will be hosting another “Get it Shredded” event on Saturday, June 3rd in the Ocean Park Safeway parking lot at 16th Ave and 128th St, from 10am to 2pm. Safe and secure on-site document shredding will be provided by donation, with all proceeds going to support the Pacific Assistance Dog Society (PADS) and Rotary's sponsorship of an Accredited Facility Dog Team. For further information, please call 604-803-0773 or 604-536-4466.
 
Also coming in June is the Semiahmoo club’s largest fundraiser – the annual golf tournament at Morgan Creek golf course. It’s not too late to reserve your spot! Register and/or donate now at www.semirotarygolf.com.
 
Come join us – indoors or out. We’d love to welcome you at any upcoming event, including our weekly meetings.
 
Brenda Gibson writes on behalf of the Semiahmoo Peninsula’s five Rotary Clubs. For information she can be reached at brenda_gibson@shaw.ca.
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