Today’s meeting at the National Club started on a nostalgic and bittersweet note with an In Memoriam for Eardley Samuels who joined our Club in 1990 and was a pillar of the community.   His cheerful and welcoming presence and his powerful singing voice—his compelling renditions of Old Man River and Coming Home and as a leading singer with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Handel’s Messiah which were fellowship events for our Club-- will live forever in our hearts and memories.   We were graced with the presence of Celine, his beloved wife of 61 years who was a member of the Inner Wheel and daughter Wendy.  

 

Past President Richard White introduced our visiting Rotarians and guest and Kevin Power had the pleasure of welcoming new member Joe Goulart, Senior Development Officer with Sherbourne Health Centre as proposer Suzanne Boggild proudly pinned on his badge.   Past President Bill Morari reminded Club members about the importance of the March 5^th Taking Care of Business Breakfast at Progress Place and urged each and every member to support the event, bring a guest and better yet purchase a table.   Fabio Ventolini gave an enthusiastic preview of our Club’s 9^th Annual Fundraiser at the Steamwhistle on March 26^th and showed us an exciting video about the event which supports our Club’s philanthropic work.    Jane Fitzgerald provided a sneak preview of the special International Women’s Day Program on Friday March 6^th with guest speaker Jamie Everton an outstanding and successful business leader in technology. 

 

Past President Michele Guy introduced our speaker Peter Bulut in a manner which would have pleased John Spragge—short, punchy and amusing.   Peter is the Owner and President of Great Lakes Brewery which is one of the oldest and most successful craft breweries in Ontario located in Toronto.   With brand names like Devil’s Pale Ale 666, Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Canuck Pale Ale and Holy Moses Raspberry Ale it is obvious that Peter operates his business with flair and an immense sense of humour.    As he started his speech he invited us to open, sample and savour the unique taste of his award winning beer at our tables.   Peter discussed the realities of operating a family owned operation in a highly competitive market.   Peter’s father purchased and founded the business in 1990 and our speaker and his sister took on the responsibility of the day to day operations after their father died in 2010.   Under the new generation’s leadership new brands and marketing initiatives with experimental flavours and weird and whacky names were undertaken leading to increased sales through the LCBO, bars and restaurant.  

 

Peter’s inspiring and innovative story led to a record number of questions from the floor including from our Club member Eckhart Mueller whose German background and expertise led to a lively exchange where Peter demonstrated that he not only knows his business but places Ontario on the list of leading breweries in the world.    It was a delightful and well-received presentation which entertained and engaged everyone in attendance.   There were three draws today—one for our Ace of Clubs draw at $500.00 with Bert Steenburgh taking the wine and two more draws for generous packs of GLB beer courtesy of our wonderful speaker.     Today was a meeting filled with warmth that charged each and every one of us as we headed out into the mid-winter cold.