Directors: David Klatt, Brian Pasmore, Ben Van Heeswijk and Bob Wilson
Attendance:
Members: 10 plus Beatrice Wasusi Gellion Corteva
Guests: Doris Scoyne and Charlie Mitton
Birthdays: David K, Oct. 5: Judie W, Oct. 11
Anniversaries: Terry and Mary Jane Youlton, Sept. 22, 67 years
Meeting Date: Sept. 25, 2023. After the national anthem, grace and dinner, plus thanking the ACW for the dinner, Ron started the meeting.
Program:
1. Ron: Introduction of Guest speaker, Charlie Mitton of Mitton’s Jewellers
Charlie is the 5th generation Mitton running the business
Charlie is both a graduate goldsmith and Gemologist
The business was started in 1897 by Welbury Mitton and his wife Ida
At that time they sold jewellery, tea sets, silver flat ware and china, made pocket watches as well as doing optometry
Now, the business does 90% of its work in setting and repairing jewellery as well as selling their large selection of inventory
The original store was where the former Seniors’ Centre was, but moved to its present location after few years
Charlie briefly went through the various generations of the Mittons who have own the store
Diamonds are all classified by the 4 “C”s
Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight
Craig went through each one and how they are classified, giving us all a pamphlet that laid out all of the details
A 1 carat diamond is the most common size purchased for engagement and wedding rings
Lab grown diamonds started to come out in the 1950s, with General Electric producing the first in 1952
The first gem quality lab produced came out in the 1970s
A great many gem produced ones are uses for industrial purposes
High pressure, high temperature (HPHT) is one of the primary methods to grow diamond in the lab
They are large, clean cut diamonds and have shaken up the diamond industry
More and more companies are producing these diamonds that sell for much less than natural diamonds
A lab grown diamond sells for about 40-50% the cost of a natural mined one
Canada now has a large natural diamond industry with each diamond having a microscopic registration number lasered on it, as is the case with lab produced diamonds
China is one of the countries producing large quantities of lab grown diamonds.
Charlie had a display of diamonds as well as some pocket watches from the early years with “Mittons” on the face of the watch
Charlie answered several questions and this was certainly a very informative and entertaining presentation and we thanked Charlie for coming to our meeting
2. Ron: Peace pole dedication, October 18th, 10:00 am
Paul has invited students from the 3 schools to join us
There will be a Directors’ meeting with the new District Governor at the Anglican Church Hall after the Peace Pole Dedication
3. Ron: Governor visit October 16th.
Joint fun night at Dresden’s club with Dresden, Blenheim, Ridgetown participating
Trivia quiz will take place between teams
There will be a pumpkin decorating contest (not carving)
Spouses/partners invited
Carpooling will be planned
Please let President Ron know of your intentions of attending by Oct 9th, especially for the food.
4. Ron/Paul: Corn stalks
Saturday, Oct 7, 2023
All is confirmed at Boonzauer’s, at 9:00 am.
Paul went to Boonhauzer”s to confirm date and the time
Coffee and donuts at Pinnell’s after cutting the stalks before putting them up along Main St
5. Ron: Polio Plus project
Week of Oct 23rd
Ben has agreed to doing the donuts sometime during that time
He will need help when doing them
6. Ron: President Elect and Club Future discussion (upcoming meeting Oct 30, 2023)
Correspondence:
1. A letter from Shelly Vergeer, Systems Navigator/Health Promoter for the West Elgin Community Health Centre
A client, who is from Ridgetown, needs hearing aids
The Government Assistive Devices program is providing $1000 of the $5000 cost
She is asking our club plus other service clubs and other organizations for assistance
This matter will be discussed at the next Directors’ meeting
Committees: None
President Ron asked if there was “Anything for the good of Rotary?”
Ron closed the meeting at 7:47 pm.
The next regular meeting is on Oct. 30th, at Anglican Parish Hall
l-r: Charlie Mitton, Ron Bolohan, Ridgetown Rotary President
l-r: Charlie Mitton, Ron Bolohan, Ridgetown Rotary President.png)
