To the Rotarian who needs no introduction: R Daniel, our original Brighton Charter Member.
R Daniel shared a brief history of the Rotary Club of Brighton. We celebrated 34 years today. The Rotary Club of Brighton was chartered June 14, 1989.
It started with past R Al Ronneberger. Al immigrated from Germany to Montreal initially. Al was an accountant and a Rotarian in Montreal. Al moved to Brighton and purchased the Brighton Marina (once owned by R Jeff's grandfather). Al was a big sailor and wanted to build boats at the building in the parking lot of the Whistling Duck.
Al joined the Colborne Rotary Club. But he got the idea to have an Octoberfest event with Applefest and do it with a Rotary Club in Brighton. So a committee of 5 was formed including Al and his son Jens, as well as R Daniel and R Bob Briden previously from the Port Hope Rotary Club.
The Rotary Club of Colborne sponsored the Brighton Club and provided our bell, gavel and lectern. The first 25 members has a fancy inaugural dinner and meeting at the Little Lake Pavilion on June 14, 1989.
Initially the club met at Gables on Monday mornings for breakfast at 7:15am. Gables was owned by a Swiss couple Willie and Heidi and a buffet breakfast was provided. Bob Briden was our first President. Al was secretary.
Monday mornings seemed to an issue for some business people so the meetings were moved to Friday mornings. More recently to Wednesday mornings.
In the early '90's Willie from the Gables broke his ankle and the club temporarily moved to Dougal's Restaurant downtown. Then back to the Gables until Willie left and then the Club moved back to Dougal's and moved with Dougal's after a few years to their new location on the harbour. Jackie McDougal joined the club and was our first women President.
The club grew significantly, including stealing members from neighbouring clubs.
In the early years R Al built a wooden food booth with a sail cloth top for the Applefest Street fair. It started with bratwurst and sauerkraut on a bun.
R Daniel shared some names and stories from the early years. He also reminisced about some early fundraisers such as selling Tilley Hats at RI Conventions and the Dinner and Auctions that started at the Masonic Hall and eventually moved to the Arena with themes and decorations.
R Daniel described his theory that if the first live auction item goes big, it will set a tone for others to copy. So he was often in trouble with Laurie for spending way too much for maple syrup or butter tarts.
R Daniel is proud to be a Rotarian.