b'ROTARY CLUB OF PORT PERRYSurviving the pandemic and celebrating Christmas!TheRotaryClubofPortPerryThepopularPortPerryRotaryinganauctionanddinner,isan-plans to spread some Christmas cheerWaterfront Ribfest, held in July, hasnuallyheldattheRoyalAshburn thisyear,despitetherestrictionsofbeen a major fundraiser in the past,GolfCourse,butnotin2020.An the COVID-19 pandemic. bringing in thousands of dollars, saidalternate idea is an online auction in President Christy Stone announcedChristy. The proceeds all go to worth- the spring of 2021. People are asked that for the second consecutive year,whilecharitablecauses.The2020todonatedesirableitemsingood theRotaryClubwilllightuptheRibfest had to be cancelled due to theusedcondition.ChecktheRotary Rotary gazebo at Palmer Park. Therepandemic, and because the future isClub of Port Perry Facebook page or will be over 1,000 festive twinklinguncertain, there will be no Ribfest inwebsite (rotaryclubofportperry.com) lights in the Rotary colours of white2021.fordetails,tobeannouncedwhen and blue . JoAnne Callery of the Busi- Ribfesttakesawholeyeartothey become finalized.nessImprovementAssociationisaplan, she pointed out. We wouldWehopetomake$10,000. partner in this Yuletide project. have to be already planning it now.Christy said. Somelocalseniors,whousuallyHopefully this event can return in theThePortPerryRotaryClubisa attend the annual Rotary Christmasfuture. longstandingtradition,wellestab-dinner, will receive gifts dropped offThelocalhospitalauxiliaryalsolishedandwellrespected,said at their doors.participatesinRibfestsothecan- Christy. We are going to beef up our It is very disappointing that wecellation of the event has hurt bothsocial media. We dont want anyone cannot host the traditional Seniorsorganizations, said Christy. inthecommunitytoforgetabout Christmasdinnerthisyear,com- The good news is that the Rotaryus.Andnewmembersarealways mentedChristy.Fordecades,localClub has money put aside, so we willwelcome.senior citizens have looked forward tobe able to honour our commitmentsNow is the best time to become a this gala event. Fancy invitations areforbursariesfor2020and2021,Rotarian, she said. With Zoom meet-mailed to their homes. TransportationChristyreported.ThePortPerryings, speakers worldwide can be in-is provided on the big night for a tur- RotaryClubprovidesannualbur- vited and everyone is welcome to tune key dinner with all of the trimmings.saries to students of Port Perry Highin. You dont even have to leave your Thereslivemusicalentertainment.School, Durham College and OUIT. home, she pointed out.CorsagesandlittlepresentsroundGolf tournaments and the RotaryThe local club has been meeting less outthespecialevening.Thiseventexchange student programs are alsofrequentlyduetoCOVID-19.Some isespeciallyimportanttoseniorson hold during the pandemic. meetingswereheldoutsideduring such as widows and widowers whoTheRotarySpringGala,featur- good weather. Other social distancing are alone, and those whomeetings were held at the livefarawayfromtheirPort Perry Legion Hall, but families, Christy said, not- some of the original mem-ing that the pandemic hasbershavecompromised increased social isolation. immunesystemssothey Itsalwaysagreatdid not attend.night,ChristydescribedWeliketohelpsup-theSeniorsChristmasport the Legion by giving event.Usingthelistofa donation, she said.the people who regularlyLikeallorganizations attend, the Rotarians willandbusinesses,Rotary make sure that each gets ais going month to month, little surprise at Christmastoseewhatthegovern-time.mentsaysandwhatthe Wewilldowhatwefutureholds,Christy can for the seniors in lieuconcluded.of having the dinner, she By Lynn Campbell, said.Focus on ScugogFor more information about the wonderful work that the Port PerryRotary Club does, Christy welcomes calls at the Piano Cafe at 905-982-0707,or contact Vice-President Daren Jones of Simplicity Car Care at 905-985-8592.FOCUS - DECEMBER 20207'