Rotary Club presents Paul Harris Fellow award to very deserving recipient
GORE BAY—This year’s annual Gore Bay Rotary Club produce auction has been described as possibly having been the best yet, in large part to local businesses and individuals along with those from other areas of the province. Another reason for the event being hugely successful this year was the efforts of Robbie White, who has been the auctioneer at the event for the past several years and requested and collected many of the items up for bid in the auction this year.
“We would like to welcome everyone to our annual Rotary fall produce auction,” said Keith McKeen, past president of the Rotary Club at the opening of the produce auction. “At this time, we would also like to recognize Robbie White with the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow recognition award for all his tremendous work and effort in helping the club with the auction.”
“Robbie is very well known and liked in the community,” said Mr. McKeen.
Mr. White, on being presented with the honour said, “I love Gore Bay and Manitoulin Island. And I love helping the community and the Rotary Club. It’s all about giving.”
As for the auction itself, Rotary president Jack Clark said, “we did very well at the auction. We were very pleased with the results, and we were able to auction off everything. I think this was the best auction we have had. And 99 percent of this is attributable to Robbie’s efforts.”
Mr. McKeen, past Rotary president said, “this year’s auction has to be a record. I can’t believe how many items there were to bid on. There was quite a large assortment of items up for auction. And Robbie (White) deserves all the credit, kudos to him. He has a great sense of humour, and gets the crowd involved.”
“The monies raised through the auction will boost our budget for help and work we do in the area,” said Mr. McKeen.
Among the many items up for bid at the auction included a 14 pound turkey from Burt Farms, paintings from artists such as Ivan Wheale and Norval Morrisseau, eight one-way cruise tickets on the Chi-Cheemaun, a North Channel Cruise Line cruise for two people to Killarney including a fish and chips dinner, golf packages involving all three golf courses on the Island, a one-night stay at the Queen’s Inn, baking, produce, clothing and much more.
“We sincerely appreciate all the people and businesses on Manitoulin Island and from all over Ontario who donated items for the auction,” said Mr. White.
Mr. Clark told the packed Gore Bay community hall, “we want to thank all the local citizens and businesses that donated items toward our auction. Last night (Friday, October 6) when we were setting things up (for the auction) we weren’t sure we would have enough produce on hand. However, by this morning this wasn’t a problem due to the many donations that came in.”
