Directors: David Klatt, Brian Pasmore, Ben Van Heeswijk and Bob Wilson
Attendance:
Members: 14
Spouses and Guests: Doris Scoyne
Birthdays: Bob Wilson, April 6, 2023
Anniversaries: None
Meeting Date: Mar. 27, 2023 at the Anglican Hall.
President Kees opened the meeting at 6:30 pm. After the national anthem, grace and dinner, plus thanking the ACW for the dinner, Kees started the meeting.
Program: President Kees introduced Ben to talk about his time at Pinnell’s
He and his wife came to Ridgetown in 1974
Next year will mark 50 years at Pinnell’s
Ben was born on the Island of Curaçao, part of the ABC islands in the Caribbean
Ben talked about Curaçao, including the island’s large salt business
When he was 16, Ben was sent to Holland to a boarding school, where he was enrolled in the baking and pastry section of the trade school, for 3 years
He was drafted into the Army, but was enrolled in the Navy on an aircraft carrier where he flew with pilots in the detection of submarines
When finished, he worked in a hotel to learn the business of running a lunchroom and eventually got his restaurant diploma
He came to Toronto on June 4th, 1974 and on to CK by train
He revived Pinnell’s and created a coffee bake shop out front and the actual bakery in the back
There were 2 fires in downtown Ridgetown over the years, but his shop survived both
Pinnell himself worked for 10 years, making the chocolate that Ben sold in the shop
At one time Pinnell’s had two 2 trucks on the road delivering their bread and pastries
There is a brick oven in the back that still works well and could bake 100 loaves of bread per day if needed
Ben and Carla got married and they recently celebrated their 20th anniversary and have work together at Pinnell’s
Ben and Carla now make their own chocolate creations, such as farm tractors and seasonal treats such as bunnies for Easter
Ben’s son Geoffery has taken over the business, although ben and Carla do still work quite a bit in the bakery and making the chocolate
2. Brian: Plans for the Easter Egg Hunt
Brian says that everything is pretty much in order
Paul suggested that we up the # of Benny Bits ordered that Pinnell’s is donating from 35 to 70, with Ben agreeing
3. Ron: Report on the Pancake Breakfast
It went very well, with more patrons than expected
The volunteers did a great job, whether cooks, servers, cleaning away plates etc
The Scout did a great job
The freewill offering amounted to $1371, plus a $200 donation from Pinnell’s
That gave the proceeds of $1005.15, which was given to Adam and Angie Frazee who came to the Hall at the end of the meeting
Committees:
1. Kees: Organizers for Scrap Metal
Scrap metal plus copper and aluminum will be sorted on Tuesday Mar. 28th
Kees asked for volunteers and quite a few indicate that they would be there.
New Business:
1. Kees/Paul: The Ridgetown Centre
There was a short discussion, but no serious will discussion will take place until more information is available
2. Paul: Adventures in Citizenship
A student has been chosen, Eric Van Maanen, whose father at one time was a Rotarian
Since the meeting, Paul has met with Eric and his parents and all required registration forms have been submitted
It takes place from May 13-May 17th, in Ottawa
Paul suggested that the AIC travel company use Porter Airlines from Windsor to Ottawa, via Toronto Island
Note: After the meeting on April 3rd, we will be stuffing the bags with candy etc for the kids at the Easter Egg Hunt.
President Kees asked if there was “Anything for the good of Rotary?”
Kees closed the meeting at 8:00 pm
The next meeting is on April 3, 2023 with Brian’s speaker about Maple Sugar
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