On January 25th, 2020, Canada confirmed it first case of COVID-19. The Rotary Club of Kingston held its last Christmas luncheon in December 2019. It wouldn't be until December 15th, 2022, that it celebrated the next one, 3 years later.
Getting together face-to-face has been a slowly evolving task. At first small groups of club members met socially outdoors for an early evening social during the summer and early fall of 2021. With a new wave appearing thoughts of holding a hybrid meeting disappeared and it was not until this year that early attempts with some technological hurdles were successfully, made.
Having over 70 people, made up of members, spouses of deceased members, and friends and relatives (including children) of Rotarians present at the Travelodge Hotel from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm was a new milestone on the road to normality in the post-pandemic era.
A meal of turkey, stuffing, gravy potatoes and carrots with coffee, tea and pumpkin pie for dessert were as traditionally Canadian as one could get. A few Christmas carols, O' Canada, and happy Birthday to one of the children were belted out in remarkably good form. Santa and Ms. Clause, who just happened to be present, unknown to old St. Nick, handled out small gifts to the children there, as well as, our Youth Exchange Student Bérénice and Emma, the daughter of Rotarians Marci and Andre.
What follows is a carousel slide show of the folks there and some snippets of video of the event.
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Merry Christmas