Paul Harris Fellow Awards for Community Service

 The Rotary Club of Picton Recognition of Community Service


“Service above self”, that’s our motto. Rotarians around the world, and here in Prince Edward County engage in public service. Generosity of time and money goes into all of the club’s activities, which makes it possible for us to help individuals and community groups.
There are many non-Rotarians who share our priorities for our service to the community (eg literacy and youth) . They help with our fundraisers or help with our service projects. While not members, they work with us, side by side. They are also individuals who work on community projects we support.

One way in which the Club can recognize such individuals is by awarding our Community Partners with a Paul Harris Fellow. The Paul Harris Fellow, named after one of Rotary’s founders has been given to people from all around the world, such as Jimmy Carter and Mother Teresa. The award is Rotary’s way of recognizing our Community Partners and thank them for making the County a better place to live, so that no one is left behind.

Presentation of Paul Harris Fellow to Julie White, August 30, 2022

Article by Desiree Decoste of the Picton Gazette.
 

At Tuesday’s Club of Picton meeting at the Yacht Club, Julie White, a local community member was recognized and named a Paul Harris Fellow.

A Paul Harris Fellow is a person who has been recognized as having done something very significant to benefit others either within their own Rotary Club or their community.

Julie White has been providing leadership in the charitable sector of Canada for over 30 years. As a partner in the consulting firm of Hirji + White (H+W), White provided strategic support to foundations and other grant making insitutiitions.

Prior to H+W, White served as CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, she was founding CEO of Philanthropic Foundations Canada, was CEO of the Ontario Trillium Foundation when they received the Canada Award for Business Excellence Certificate of Merit, was head of public affairs for Levi Strauss Canada, has an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University, was one of the founders of the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

In 1990, White received the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, in 1993 received an award from the Schulich School of Business for Outstanding Community Contribution. In 1995 she received a Gold Award from the Canadian Council on Race Relations, In 2004, with the founding board of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, she received a “Changing the Face of Philanthropy” Award from the International Network of Women’s Funds. In 2012 she received the Diamond Jubilee Medal from the Governor General for her service to Canada.

“In 2010, Julie (White) pursued a long time passion for beekeeping and started Long Point Honey Company, producing certified organic honey in Prince Edward County,” said Past President of Picton Rotary David Burn. “Over the past 11 years, she had donated all the proceeds of the sales of her honey to organizations in The County, including Reaching for Rainbows, The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, The Regent Theatre, Festival Players, and Alternatives for Women. She also annually donates honey to local food banks. Recently, Julie set up an annual $500 bursary through The County Sustainability Group for a local farmer who illustrates sustainable practices to protect, preserve and promote pollinator health.”

Some of White’s volunteer contributions include the Advisory Board for Non-Profit Management at the Schulich School of Management; the Advisory Board for the School of Policy Studies at Queens; the Foundation for Healthy, Active Kids; the Centre for Research on Children, Youth and Families; New Experiences for Refugee Women; the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association; and most recently the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory.

“Truly a remarkable history Julie,” Burn added. “And if ever our moto of service above self applies, it applies to you.”

“I just want to thank you all so much for this,” expressed White to Picton Rotary. “I would like to recognize my husband Ross McGregor who supported me in everything I do and he’s a community builder in his own right. And that’s what it’s really about, is building community and it’s why I’m so proud to get this because I know that Rotary is a community builder, and not just here in Picton where you’ve done extraordinary work in supporting the hospital for example but 130 countries around the world. I am so grateful that you recognize my little tiny contribution to this community.”

Presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow to Bev Carnahan, February 8, 2022

by Rob Leek

It is a pleasure, and an honour, to present today our latest Community Paul Harris Fellowship certificate and pin.  This presentation recognizes a member of our community who has lived Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self in tangible ways.  Today we are honouring Bev Carnahan, who has demonstrated a remarkable capacity for partnering with our club and the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation to provide funds for our hospital, and other local causes.

Allow me to share a little of Bev’s background with you.  She is from the southwestern Ontario regions of London and Windsor, where she cut her teeth in the hospitality industry.  Her initial love for the culinary arts gradually morphed into an even greater love for all things related to wine, so much so that she took some time off to successfully complete Niagara College’s Sommelier Program.  Equipped with her newly minted credentials, Bev was in a position to eventually accept the offer of ownership of the All-Canadian Wine Championships, or ACWC, taking the reins from the founder of that organization.  A few years after successes in managing this enterprise, Prince Edward County beckoned as the ideal spot for her and husband John to continue their love of wine and begin a new chapter for the ACWC.

Over the course of her tenure as Director of this organization, she has struck up partnerships with the intent of providing a new revenue stream for various charitable endeavours in her adopted community.  Specifically, Bev reached out to the hospital foundation, and then to our Rotary club, to orchestrate a charitable event by donating the best wines submitted for judging from coast to coast at the wine championships for public tasting.  Thus was born “Uncork Canada”.   And the results of this philanthropy on her part?  Tens of Thousands of dollars raised for our hospital and community. Partnering first with Rotarians Hazel Lloyst and Rod DeCourcy-Ireland, then with Penny Rolinski and your truly, and currently with Shannon Coull and Bob Bird, Bev has tirelessly contributed to a series of successful events.  She has helped organize the tasting, handled the transportation and set-up of cases and cases of wines, organized server training, and dispatched the remaining nectars once the annual event was completed.  And this year, under a COVID restricted format where we set up weekly auctions and a final wall of wine raffle, Bev organized each week’s offering of baskets and cases of wine, complete with tasting notes.  Her efforts paid off, as we netted over $8000, more than $2000 above our original estimate.  The bottom line is that for years she has given her all, loading boxes of wine into trucks, setting up auction displays, looking after endless documentation, and making sure volunteers were appropriately trained . . . . years of dedication to the cause.  

And if you need more evidence of her giving nature, you should know that she also invests her time volunteering with Food ToShare, a community food partnership which addresses both food insecurity and environmental issues.

Bev . . . thank you for what you have done, and continue to do in and for our community.  In recognition of your continuing support of our Rotary Club, and demonstration of our motto Service Above Self, we are pleased to be able to present to you this Paul Harris Fellowship certificate and medallion.  Let me read what the certificate says.

“The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.  Beverley Carnahan is hereby named a Paul Harris Fellow in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.”

It is signed by John Germ, Past R I President and Chair of the Rotary Foundation Trustees, and by Shekhar Mehta, Rotary International’s President.

Congratulations, Bev.  You have just become Rotary International’s newest Paul Harris Fellow.

Presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow to John Kelly March 2, 2021
The Rotary Club of Picton has been k the outstanding volunteer service achievements of several members of our community over the past 8 months. John was born in Richmond Hill, Ontario but his family soon moved to Kincardine where his lived until his early teens.  His father, John Sr. took the job as the Head Cheesemaker at the Black River Cheese factory in Milford and the Kelly’s moved to Prince Edward County.  John settled into life at PECI and the county very seamlessly as he was heavily involved in local sports.  He met his high school sweetheart Tracey Bond and they are now married with two boys Ryan and Braeden.
 
John attended Carlton University and graduated with a degree in History.  He moved back home to the county after University working his way into management positions in manufacturing firms in Belleville such as Unilever, Streamline Foods, and Redpath.  Today, John is a Foreman at the Lehigh Cement Plant here in Picton.
 
One of Rotary’s focus areas has always been centered around the youth of our communities.  John is being recognized for his Outstanding Achievement in his commitment to kids in Prince Edward County.  Most people on this Zoom Call today were probably involved in some type of Community activity as a child.  For some it could have been sports such as Hockey, Baseball, Gymnastics, Dance, or golf.  For others it may have been Scouts, Girl Guides, or Air Cadets.  All of these organizations have the goal of keeping our youth off the streets, away from video games and cell phones, and building qualities that will help lead them to success later in life.
 
John Kelly has been a major part in the successful operation of minor sports in our community.  Some of his accomplishments are:
  • For 17 years straight he has coached youth hockey teams in Prince Edward county and in several of those years he was on the staff of multiple teams
  • For the past 16 years he has been a Minor Hockey Executive member with his main duties being the Ice Scheduler
  • His sits on the Arena Board and has for several years
  • He assisted with the fundraising and the planning for the new Wellington Arena
  • He is the Ice Scheduler and a Volunteer for the Annual Milk Tournament which is a large Hockey Tournament hosted by Prince Edward County Minor Hockey with over 30 out of town teams participating
  • He is responsible for getting the Timekeepers for all Prince Edward County Kings Minor Hockey games
  • He volunteers as a Wellington Dukes PRS advisor
  • He volunteered for the Dudley Hewitt Cup as a team host
  • He volunteered for the Central Junior A Showcase tournament as a team host
  • He coached baseball teams in both Prince Edward County and the Belleville Royals for 15 years straight again usually coaching multiple teams each year
  • He played a major role in the construction and organization of the new Hardball Diamond in Wellington
The Rotary Club of Picton can not think of a more fitting community member to be recognized with a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow than John Kelly.
Read More from The Picton Gazette
Presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow to Steve Campbell January 26, 2021
PP Rob Leek honoured Steve Campbell:  Steve was born on his parents’ farm in Bloomfield and after returning from a year of Engineering at Queens University decided, “ like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs”, that he had something better to do and began a reporting position with the Picton Gazette. He later opened a Print Shop and began to publish County Magazine in continuous publication since 1976, that has appealed to residents and visitors alike with stories on every aspect of county life. Steve’s magazine captured the heritage and the real time events in the Quinte area. Aware of the growing tourism industry in the County, Steve also developed The popular Breakaway- A Visitors Guide to the County. Steve also writes engaging columns of local interest in his own magazine as well as the Wellington Times.  
Steve helped launch and promote Taste the County, Maple in the County, Arts Trail, and studio tour as well as supporting many local events. He has been honoured by the Heritage Advisory Committee, Chamber of Commerce. Steve is a County icon who has served this community tirelessly to chronicle its history with wit, creativity and fair mindedness.
 
Rob virtually presented Steve with his Paul Harris Fellow Pin and Certificate.
Read More from The Picton Gazette
Presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow to Fran Langlois January 26, 2021
A Paul Harris honour was awarded to former banker Fran Langlois. Jim MacGregor describes Fran as one of our local unsung heroes. Fran settled in the County in 1987 from St John’s Newfoundland. In May 2010 Fran was ordained as a Vocational Deacon in the Anglican Church. Since that time she has served her community by leading the Anglican Ministry to County Seniors. In this volunteer capacity Fran provides communion services, visits and support to seniors in facilitiesg across the County. She organizes luncheons, dinners and events for these seniors. She leads a dedicated ministry team from St Mary Magdalene that offers religious services monthly in facilities across the County. Fran’s friends and family describe her as “a special soul and one of the most selfless people they know”. Even through the restrictions of the Pandemic, Jim tells us that Fran still connects with the most vulnerable to combat their isolation and loneliness.
 
This Paul Harris Fellow award acknowledges Fran Langlois’ living motto—Service above Self.
 
Bob Bird virtually presented Fran with her Paul Harris Fellow Pin and Certificate.
 
Fran graciously thanked Rotary for this honour and urged Rotarians to pick up the torch and in post COVID times please visit 
Read More from The Picton Gazette

2020

Presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow to Judy Kent December 1, 2020
David Burn stated that the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellowship is the Rotary Foundation's way of expressing it ' s appreciation for a substantial contribution to it's humanitarian and educational ideals. He noted that it was named after Rotary's founder Paul Harris who started Rotary in 1905. Judy Kent's life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the Rotary Foundation so today you join the ranks of Mother Therasa, Nelson Mandella, Kofi Anana, Prince Charles, Indira Gandhi, Luciano Pavarotti, Prince Hussain of Jordan, Pope John Paul II and millions of other notables, including Jonas Salk, as a Paul Harris Fellow. You relate to Rotary Foundation's programs to achieve beneficial changes in the world such as support for the disabled, better education and peace initiatives. He divided Judy's achievements into 3 segments noting that any one of which would have merited a PHF. In May you were inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, at age 11 you learned to swim and in 1967 you were a member of the Royal Life Saving Society's demonstration team, you were President of that Organization in 1989, you have been awarded the Queen's Silver and Gold Jubilee medals. During the 90's you were on the Faculty at McMaster University and improved their swim team. He quoted from the Sports Hall of Fame announcement: "A powerful vision of Sport as a vehicle for social change guided Judy Kent through her distinguished career as an athlete, as a coach, a prolific author, consultant and organizational leader”.
 
You started working with Commonwealth Games Canada in 1987 and became It's first female President from 1994 to 1998. You were the first female Chef de Mission for the 1994 Games in Victoria. Determined to clear a path for others to follow, you established a program to recruit and train more female leaders for the organization ensuring equity in selecting athletes for competition at the Commonwealth Games. You were instrumental in having athletes with disabilities included in the Games and worked for opportunities for indigenous athletes at the Artic Winter Games. You were named one of the most influential women in Sport by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sports. In 2006 you received the Commonwealth Games Award of Merit. In 2016 you became the first recipient of the order of merit from the Commonwealth Games Federation. Her collaborative approach to leadership has made her able to bring together people with different ideas to share common goals. She has reframed Sport as a tool for social and community development in Canada and around the world. Five years ago you spoke to Picton Rotary about your experience in Lebanon as part of Generation for Peace. With that organization, you trained leaders in the Middle East to develop peace in their communities. You also ensured there were future leaders for Generations for Peace and acted as a trainer for that organization for seven years. As a resident of the County since 1999, you chaired the Prince Edward Arts Council from 2008 to 2013 and your art has been widely shown and acclaimed around the County. You helped the Festival of Trees to grow and in 2015 National Easter Seals named you "Philanthropist'' of the year. In summary, you smashed the glass ceiling in Sport, ensured the inclusion of disabled athletes in world competition, worked for world peace and are an outstanding member of our community. If you were a Rotarian you might have become the first female President of Rotary International.
 
After noting how pleased she was to hear of Judy's accomplishments, Irene Harris then held up Judy's certificate as a PHF and noted that she would personally deliver her pin and certificate.
 
Judy thanked the Club for this great honour and stated that it was only after doing some research on Rotary International and Picton Rotary that she recognized how much of her life and career involved that same values and objectives as Rotary. She noted that Generations for Peace centered in Aman Jordan had become recognized as number 26 in non-government organizations in the world for it's peace initiatives. It had tens of thousands of trained volunteers working in conflict zones in the world. Many of its volunteers are young Rotary members. She further stated that Generations for Peace and Rotary both had clear objectives and visionary leadership. Each organization works at what can be accomplished whereas some other organizations fail because they try to do too much. It is important to deal with the root causes like poverty and education when acting benevolently as Rotary does. She concluded by thanking the Club for their "Service above Self' local community activities, the exchanges and projects it has supported.
 
Bob Bird thanked Judy for coming and stated that there was a 15 minute video put together by Sport Canada outlining Judy's accomplishments which he would post on Club Runner for the information of the membership.
Read More about Judy in the Picton Gazette
Presentation of Paul Harris Fellow to Norah Connell November 23, 2020

Courtesy of the Picton Gazette, November 25,  2020.


“Rotarians not only around the world, and also here in Prince Edward County engage in service to their community. Generosity of time and money goes into all of the club’s activities, which makes it possible for Rotarians to help individuals and community groups,” Picton Club Past President Bob Bird said. “There are many non-Rotarians who share our passion and priorities for service to their community-for example literacy and youth.They help with our fundraisers or assist with our service projects. While not members, they work with us, side by side. They share our motto of service above self.”

 

Connell was described by presenter Bob Bird and club member Libby Crombie as someone who has helped to make Prince Edward County a vibrant community as a physician, businesswoman, trailblazer, visionary, and arts supporter, Crombie explained Connell’s generosity has touched so many in the community in a myriad of many ways including the physician’s extensive health care achievements as well as triumphs in the business world.

“The Businesswoman in Norah led to a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Prince Edward Heritage Advisory Committee for conserving historic properties,” Crombie said. “The list of these restored properties is impressive and significant, and led to many other community awards: The Waring House, the Picton Harbour Inn; 100 Main st., an 1835 historic building and the Claramount Inn. But as we know, preservation of buildings is one achievement, but the other part is the generous use of those buildings for the community. Countless community organizations continually make use of the Waring Hall for charitable fundraising.”

Crombie parroted Connell’s words about Prince Edward County and the connection the Waring House has to the community.

“This is such an amazing community and it is a pleasure to do business here. We have such great local support and we believe in giving back whenever we can. We love the fact that people consider the Waring House as a local gathering place and we try to make it a place the community can be proud of and a place that gives visitors a true sampling of what PEC is about.”

Connell’s Love of the Arts has generated educational opportunities and economic development for residents in the County and Crombie said her involvement in the arts community came about because of her love of music and belief in the importance of the arts to the fabric of a community.

“Initially Norah volunteered with the Prince Edward Arts Council as well as The Regent Theatre Foundation which eventually presented Quinte Summer Music – a professional summer festival which she led as President for three years,” Crombie added.

In 1986 Connell received the Prince Edward County Citizen of the Year award for community volunteer work- an award she truly treasures- and Crombie mentioned Connell’s leadership that led to the creation of the transformative Taste the County organization.

“Rotary speaks to the importance of “service above self” by volunteers and community leaders to meet the needs communities have for growing local economies, education and building peace and good will. We thank Norah for all the work she does to make our County a better place for all of us,” Crombie said.

Read More in The Picton Gazette
Presentation of Paul Harris Fellow Award to Reverend Lynne Donovan. November 20, 2020

Today we honour a special Prince Edward County Community Leader,  Reverend Lynne Donovan, with a Paul Harris Fellow Award, one of the  highest honors Rotary bestows.  

 This award from the Rotary Foundation recognizes that local  humanitarian, educational and cultural programmes not only help those  around us, but also adds to the building of world understanding and  peace. Rotary Clubs around the world work with their local  communities. We know that Rotary Clubs, like the Rotary club of Picton  accomplish much more when we work with Community Leaders, like  Reverend Lynne. 

Reverend Lynne has many signature accomplishments which have touched  so many of us: Ten Thousand Villages; Reaching for Rainbows and the  transformation of the St Andrew’s out door spaces such as the  Labyrinth, the Community Gardens, and the Wisdom of the Universe  Mural. She has coordinated many more projects which have engaged the  wider community: artists, musicians, mental health advocates, dying with  dignity and meditation. 

The Ten Thousand Villages graced Picton Main Street for 10 years. A  not-for-profit store, which was run by volunteers, sold over $1.6 million  of goods produced by artisan groups from close to 60 countries, These  goods were fairly traded, ensuring the artisans received a fair wage.  So, not only did our County residents have a place to shop that ensured  goods were made and sold fairly, the makers of the goods had wages  which ensured they had a better standard of living, making it possible to  provide education and health care for their children. Such efforts  support Rotary’s goals of growing local economies and lifting people out  of poverty. Because of this project, thousands of artists were able to  make a living wage for their work and highly dedicated volunteers here  in the County, made it happen.

Reaching for Rainbows is a well loved and respected programme, which  reaches out to young girls. Over the last 30 years or so, people have  moved into the County in droves, attracted by the charm and plenty of  this beautiful island. Yet the vital statistics reports that emerge every  couple of years put this County on the bottom rung in terms of food  insecurity, obesity, drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy and low  educational scores. Reverend Lynne who, as the Pastor of St. Andrew’s  Presbyterian Church, gathered a team of people around her to research  and brainstorm for a way to turn those statistics around. Their solution  was Reaching for Rainbows. Why Rainbows? The statistics of Prince  Edward County are like a chain, linking one generation to another.  Reverend Lynne’s round table recognized that the best way forward was  to break that chain. How? By teaching the children who will inherit  these statistics how to reimagine themselves. By engaging in these  children’s lives at their most impressionable age to give them a chance at  a different future. Reaching for Rainbows was born, then, to give some  of the most vulnerable children in the community an opportunity to  discover a different perspective of the world and of themselves.  Donations from the Rotary Club of Picton’s annual Lilac Ride gives  significant financial support. Today, due to the pandemic, and to ensure  volunteers, staff and girls remain safe and healthy, Reaching for  Rainbows has regretfully chosen to suspend its program until such time  as it seems wise to re-open. This temporary closure is expected to end  sometime in 2021. 

When she helped develop St. Andrew’s labyrinth, Reverend Lynne gave  the County, not just a walking path, but a special, calming place which  can be used as a tool for meditation. The labyrinth is in the Celtic  Chalice design, which the path goes around . It is a useful tool for all  of us who want to have a place for reflection. St Andrew’s church has  opened use of the path to the whole community. Thank you! 

St. Andrew’s Wisdom of the Universe Mural, a colourful,  magnificent work of art by Metis artist Christi Belcourt, was commissioned by the Art Gallery of Ontario and is open for all of us  to see on the outside back wall of the Church. This initiative was in  response to the Presbyterian Church of Canada, encouraging its local  churches to be creative in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation  

Commission Calls to Action . The mural helps us to listen and learn  from an Indigenous perspective and our need to work to restore  relationships along all peoples and species.  

Reverend Lynne came to the County with a tremendous background,  from which we have all benefitted through her community projects.  With a Bachelor of Theology from McGill University; Masters in Divinity  from Presbyterian College and an M.A. in Christian Education Lynne  served as a Minister for 12 years in Quebec; helped run an apple  orchard with her former husband; and worked in an ecumenical study  group rethinking Christian tradition for the twenty-first century.  Further work of considering future directions for ministry, advanced a  mission expressed by the ‘Vision Community Newspaper” she founded : ” dedicated to creating understanding among the generations, building  bridges in the community and instilling pride in local achievements” 

Reverend Lynne expresses these values as crucial to the creation of  healthy communities: hospitality, compassion, justice, healing,  inclusiveness, diversity, teamwork and celebration. We agree. Rotary  adds to that list “service above self”. How fortunate we are that  Reverend Lynne ended up here. Our County truly has benefitted from  her previous work and dedication. We thank her most sincerely for all  of her contributions to our County; for her values and thank her for her  service above self . It is with great appreciation to Reverend Lynne that  we honour her today with Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellow. 

Picton Gazette Article (scroll to bottom)
Presentation of Paul Harris Fellow to Alexandra Bake
October 13, 2020
  The Paul Harris Fellowship Award is one of the highest
 honors Rotary can bestow upon a person. This
 The Rotary Club of Picton honors and thanks Alexandra
 Bake with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Alexandra has
 made our community better in so many ways, one of
 which is her commitment to the expansion of the Picton
 Branch of the Prince Edward County Library. As Chair of
 the Picton Library Finance Committee, she has lead the
 drive to refurbish and expand the Picton Library to the
 benefit of all County residents. She has made
 presentations regarding the benefits of this project to
 Municipal Council, Picton Rotary and other organizations.
 This fundraising drive also involved organizing a
 fundraising Tag Day. The “Love your Library” signs
 supporting the project are seen throughout our County.
 With a fundraising goal of $2.8 million, the modern
 extension will double the size of Picton Library and
 maintain its heritage character. Plans include an expanded collection, performance arts space with non-profit rental options, a new lecture theatre with assistive technologies, an enlarged children’s area and a dedicated Makerspace Room for STEM learning and lifelong enrichment. Rotary has always recognized that Literacy is one of the keys to fulfilling ones life goals. There is a need to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in
 education, and increase adult literacy. Alexandra’s leadership to expand our Picton Library furthers important
 work on Literacy and Education.

Alexandra has also been recognized with a Conservation
 of Built Heritage Award from the County of Prince Edward.
 She has restored several downtown Picton buildings,
 including the Edward Building, Books & Company and the
 Gilbert and Lighthall building. It’s no wonder that our
 Library will be expanded while keeping the original
 building.
 
A business woman, Alexandra is active in the PARO
 Centre for Women’s Enterprise (Paro is Latin for “I am
 ready”). and was recognized in 2019 as an extraordinary
 entrepreneur for her work in establishing Gilbert and
 Lighthall. She works with other business women in local
 chapters of PARO, ensuring that women who want to get
 into business have the help and guidance they need.
 When accepting her Heritage Award, Alexandra said:
  “We are guardians for a short time of these buildings and
 they are here to represent us”. We agree. Her leadership
 to raise almost $3 million dollars for expansion of our
 Library Building, represents not only preservation of built
 heritage, but also the work which will go on inside that
 building, notably to expand literacy. Generations will look
 back and know that work and care was given to make sure that County residents had equal access to books,
 computers, and needs to expand their knowledge.
 We thank Alexandra for her leadership and putting service
 above self to make Prince Edward County a better
 community.
Picton Gazette Article

 Community Paul Harris Fellow in 2018-2019

Arlene Wright

.... a public thank you for a good job for the public work she has been doing in and for our community for years......For all those exchange students she took in and taught how to speak English....For all the charities and volunteer groups that she has supported with her time and her money, such as the Cancer Society, the Hospital Foundation, Alzheimer's Society the Humane Society, the Macfarland Home and so many more, we say thank you for such a good job. All of this has been done on her own time and and with her own money..... For years now she alone plants and maintains about a dozen flower beds(some owned by the County) and countless flower boxes in and around Picton.

Community Paul Harris Fellows in 2019 - presented May 7, 2019, all at the same meeting

Adam Bramburger -Managing Editor of the Picton Gazette also manages a hockey team and shows compassion, dedication and commitment to the County and its residents. Nominated by Past President Rick Jones.

Anne & Husain Banani and Brenda MacKneson & John Lawes for letting us use their properties for the annual Waterfalls Tours, raising money for clean water projects around the world. Nominated by Past President Marion Hughes and Past President Jim Hughes.
Adam Busscher owner of Home Hardware. Adam is always there to help the Rotary Club of Picton with the Rotary Golf Tournament, Cash Calendar sales and many other community fundraisers. Nominated by Bob Bird.

Fran Donaldson - for her dedication to our local hospital, its Foundation and Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Nominated by Don Wakefield.

Ralph Hall for his many contributions on community boards, including The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association, VON Foundation Board, PROBUS Quinte, Mentor for PROBUS Club of Prince Edward County and as a past Municipal Councillor. Nominated by Past President Debbie MacDonald Moynes.

Gillian Leek for her dedication to Rotary; active participation in hosting Youth Exchange students and participation in both local and International Rotary projects. Nominated by Past District Governor and Past President Rob Leek.
 
 Dr. Kuldeep Sandhu for his free County dental clinics, making dental work possible for many of our residents and for his support of our annual Golf Tournament which raises money for our community fund. Extending his generosity beyond the County, Dr. Sandu took his entire staff to his native India, again doing much needed pro bono work. Nominated by Past President David Burn.

Ellen Snider for being a volunteer for our local Thrift Shop, raising money for seniors services and her time and organizational help with our Rotary fundraisers. Nominated by Bill Edwards.

Larry Spencer for his leadership in the creation of the Baxter Arts Centre giving us a vibrant community arts programme. Nominated by Past District Governor and Past President Rob Leek.

Jamie Yeo - Manager of Picton Sobeys for supporting our Rotary Golf club event plus Rotary Cash Calendar sales and other community fundraisers including Air Cadets. Nominated by Barb Proctor