IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: A version of article was originally published by ThoroldToday on June 30.
The Rotary Club of Lewiston-NOTL has a new president: Thorold South resident Greg Lidstone — and he has set his sights on starting a satellite club in Thorold.
“We’re trying to get a Rotary Association going, and do projects to help Thorold,” says Lidstone, in an interview with ThoroldToday.
The Rotary Club of Lewiston-NOTL is a cross-border organization that was founded back in 1938.
Every two weeks, club members meet at either side of the Niagara River, in the spirit of cultural exchange.
“The cultural things are very different,” explains U.S. club member Thomas Gerbasi. “[For example:] the Italians on our side of the border came over in 1890 and the Italians on your side came over in 1950. Italian-Americans are very different from Italian-Canadians in very different ways so it’s a great cultural experience.”
As the new club president, Lidstone is putting together a strategic plan to identify possible projects in Thorold for the club to get involved with.
“For example, we have a golf tournament that we do,” he says. “Those proceeds will probably go to a place in Thorold, whether it be the food bank or something like that.”
Lidstone is hoping to establish a satellite Rotary Club in Thorold, which would operate on a project-to-project basis.
“There are a lot of people that want to join,” says Lidstone. “They just don’t want the bureaucracy of reporting, association membership fees, having so many meetings. We thought that by using a satellite model they wouldn’t have to be so involved.”
As the new president of the association, it’s Lidstone’s dream to make Thorold a better place.
“Especially the areas that get ignored, like Thorold South, Port Robinson, Allanburg — all the ones Thorold forgets about,” he says. “I would like to see us take on some projects that help there.”
In an effort to get the others on board with his plans, Lidstone brought club members together in downtown Thorold on Wednesday evening.
“Most of these Americans never even knew what Thorold was,” he said, while taking members on a walk along Front Street. “They don’t have a clue and that’s why I am taking them.”
U.S. members showed great interest in Thorold's history as they admired the city's heritage buildings.
“I like what they have done with the downtown,” club member Ron Danielewicz told ThoroldToday. “I like that they’ve taken the old buildings, restored them, and kept the historic flavour. I think that’s great.”
At the end of the tour, the Rotarians shared a meal at Donnelly’s Pub, as they excitedly started dreaming up plans for Thorold.
“This is a beautiful place,” said Gerbasi. “We have the opportunity to really incorporate the whole cultural feel of this community and we would really like to do that.”
