Unfortunately due to technical difficulties, only Ken could be reached for an interview.
What year did you join Rotary? Who asked you to join and why did it interest you?
I joined in the fall of 1990. My Rotarian neighbour invited us to his place one afternoon for a bbq and beverages. During the visit the neighbours introduced us to a young lady from France. We were then asked to consider hosting her for three months as she was an exchange student. It took us about 30 seconds to agree. Then my neighbour said to me, “Oh and by the way, you need to join Rotary if you wish to be a host parent.” Beginning on the next Monday I started the orientation process and ultimately became a member.
What have some of your favourite memories of Rotary been over the years?
We hosted three exchange students: French, Swedish and German. They all came back one or two years after their experience to visit. The German boy became engaged to a girl from Quebec. It was thrilling to go to Montreal for their wedding. Since then I was the club counsellor for several students. Obviously, the Exchange program has given me many great memories. Your club’s experience with Rib-Fest was one of my favourite projects. I did “something” every day your club held the event. Being a judge one year was a great experience although risky to my cholesterol level. The Thamesville club which I first joined ran a joint Blueberry Festival with the Sertoma Club for two years. Rotary did the manpower part and we were able to get participation from every CK club. I think about that often as I would like to see more interclub activities. I also enjoy seeing people in some other environment, knowing they are Rotarians and therefore comfortable saying, “Hello” to them.
What do you hope to see over the next year in the collective of Chatham-Kent Rotary Clubs?
Of course, I would like to see increases in membership. Each club is different and has different goals and procedures to achieve that goal. For several years the CK clubs have joined forces for certain projects. As you walk into the main entrance to the CK Health Alliance look to your left. Each club is recognized for contributions to the CKHA. A project that people constantly remind me of is our involvement with the CK Hospice. And now we are looking at the Childrens’ Treatment Centre project. These are great community betterment projects, along with others. But one thing is missing. We don’t socialize enough together. I am excited about Sunrise’s effort to have a time set aside at Frendz for wine and socializing. Jennifer and Barry White (Tilbury) are hoping we will visit them in September for a CK bbq. This is the beginning of something we need. We can do great things together, but we can do even more if we know each other and are friends.
What are your professions?
I failed at retirement. I started teaching in 1973 in Dresden. The last 20 years were spent in Chatham and Wallaceburg at St. Clair College. At the same time, I was farming north of Thamesville. When the teaching and farming ended, I went to Badder Bus Service. I love that job. They have sent me to New Orleans, Chicago and NYC many times. I love Quebec City and Ottawa and I don’t mind Montreal. A trip to Memphis two years ago was one of my two favourites. I can’t say too much about that trip, however, as there are pictures. Another great trip involved taking members of Moraviantown to Bowling, Wisconsin. We took the SS Baxter, a steam powered ferry, from Luddington, MI to Manitouwoc, WI and then attended a Gathering of the Delaware nation. That was a privilege for me as a Gathering is not open to the public.
What is unique about your home club?
My home club is the Dresden Rotary. I don’t know how unique we are. Like so many clubs we give money to LKCS and the feeder elementary schools at graduation time. We support local youth sport teams like so many other clubs. We have built a children’s park and our most recent large project is a ball field behind LKCS as part of the school’s sports field complex. We have supplied Lego Minestorm kits to LKCS feeder schools. Our goal is to eventually have the schools compete and then introduce the program to the secondary school. That might be the most unique project. We are also involved in CK with various projects that the Sectors have agreed to work on as a group. Many organizations, Rotary included, work together in Dresden. That is one of the strong benefits in the Dresden community.
What are you involved in outside of Rotary?
This is tough. “Are” means today. Between Badders and Rotary, I am busy but I am also chairman of the Bothwell/Zone Oil Museum. I’m proud of some other things, though. I am a Past President and Senator of the now defunct Chatham Jaycees. I was elected to Zone Township Council for eight years. I served as vice Chairman of the CK Drainage Board for 16 years. I was also Chairman of Fairfield Museum and I held many positions in my Church.