Meeting Date: Monday, April 27th, 2026, Anglican Parish Hall. After a wonderful dinner prepared by the ACW, David B started the meeting by thanking the ladies in the kitchen.
Correspondence:
1. We received a letter from Lee and Lois Halstad expressing their sympathy about Terry Youlton’s passing which was passed on to Mary Jane Youlton
- It was mentioned how many people attended Terry’s funeral and Celebration of Life, in Chatham
Program: Brian Pasmore introduced his guest speaker, Matthew Giffin.“Ridgetown Booster”
- Matt moved to Ridgetown 6 years ago, just before the pandemic
- Matthew is a visual artist, musician and media creator. He has exhibited his artwork in New York, Toronto and Detroit as well as being an art director for CBC and other well- known entities.
- Since moving here, he has obtained his Real Estate licence
- Matthew commented on the number of empty store fronts along Main St and has made it a project of his to promote Ridgetown.
- He has made several short videos highlighting the people and businesses of Ridgetown to inspire interest from investors.
- As a realtor he promoted Johnson Motors, sold it and mentioned that a lot of good things are coming to those buildings and he also promoted the Salvation Army building with good results
- He uses his artistic, media and real estate skills to advocate for Ridgetown and the region in general.
- He played a video song about Ridgetown which is also quite good
- It is important to draw lots of attention and mentioned how the small town of Comber and it’s wonderful bakery sells its product all over SWOnt the advantages of regional focused business rather than merely local.
- One person owns quite a few of the buildings along Main St which causes some problems in getting new businesses to town
- It makes it hard for someone trying to start a new business who doesn’t have much starting capital
- The Agriculture branch of the U of Guelph doesn’t play much of a roll if Ridgetown (with many folks in town still calling it the College)
- Matthew had a very good meeting with the new head of the Ridgetown U. of Guelph who is very receptive to having his facility become more involved in the activities in Ridgetown
- Matthew indicated that he is putting his name forward to run for the C-K Municipal Council elections this coming October
- His website is www.matthewgiffin.com and email address is matthewgiffinarts@gmail.com
- Matt had some very good ideas and it was a very interesting presentation
- You Tube Channel featuring videos about Ridgetown and other areas: https://www.youtube.com/@PortraitsofSWOntario
- Matt handed out his business card and a page of pertinent information
Other Business
a. David B: Service Clubs Expo: reflections
- Overall, it “thumbs up:, with the Adult Centre doing a great job
- All members of the club has to be pushing Rotary and trying to attract new members
- David B pushed it all of us to be working hard at this endeavor
b. David B: District conference
- May 1-3, in Chatham
- An agenda was attached to our club agenda for this meeting
c. David B: May 2, Day of Action -details of site & program
i. Sign up for Day of Action
- Set up is from 9-10, at the lake end of Hill Rd with 4-5 members needed
- It takes place from 2:00-3:30
ii. Materials/logistics required
- Members were asked to level their shovels in the back of David B’s truck when they leave this meeting
- As manty members as possible, who are not going to the District Conference as asked to help with this
d. Bob and George: Car, truck, tractor and Motorcycle show
- July 12
- Bob and Judie have some paper work to do
- Mayor Canniff will look after portable toilets for that day
- The Highgate Lions club was meeting on Thursday April 30 and will decide on whether they will do the breakfast and lunch sales
- Great Lakes Doors made a donation of $100 as did one other group
Happy Bucks and 50-50
- Ben made a donation celebrating his return to our meetings, Henny’s granddaughter graduated 1st year at Brock U. with 97% average and Judie for Saturday’s Service club Expo where she got to walk around and meet many new folks
- Kees won the 50-50
President David asked if there was “Anything for the good of Rotary?”
President David closed the meeting unofficially at approximately 8:00 pm.
The next meeting is on: Monday, May 11, 2026: Bob’s guest at the Anglican Parish Hall
The theme for the 25-26 Rotary year is “Unite for Good”
