Bill (and Cory) MacKay are away enjoying camping or cottaging, but Bill did send some history our way.
Arthritis and Rheumatism Society -- the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society, Quinte Branch, formed in 1957 began life as a Rotary Club of Belleville project three years earlier. In December of 1954 the club heard from Mr. John Pearson, executive secretary of the society, who outlined the mobile physiotherapy service program. Following Mr. Pearson’s speech on the organization of the society, which laid emphasis on the mobile-unit phase of the work, the Rotary Club of Belleville decided to sponsor a unit here. It was the fourth such unit sent into operation in Ontario under the aegis of Rotary Clubs. The Rotary Club of Belleville had started the Arthritis and Rheumatism mobile service in Belleville with the view of turning it over to the community in two years time. On August 19, 1957, as planned, the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society, Quinte Branch, was formed to take over its operation. It served the district which included Belleville, Trenton, Picton, Tweed and Stirling. For the initial start up period the board was made up of Rotarians Enos David, President, Clifford Baker, Vice-president, [of Trenton] and E.G. Gurnett, secretary-treasurer, supported by several other Rotarians. During the two years of its sponsorship the Rotary Club, assisted by some governmental grants in the first year, bore the full cost of providing the service to the community, and over 2,400 treatments were given to patients in the area bringing much needed comfort and relief.
Arts and Crafts -- in 1999 The City of Belleville, under the leadership of councillor Kay Manderville, initiated an Arts and Crafts show as part of the annual Belleville Waterfront Festival. It was located in a tent at Meyers Pier and attracted about 20 vendors to the Juried show. In 2000 our club was approached by the city, to see if we were interested in taking over the Arts and Crafts Show. with the promise of a minimum $4K in revenues, but a potential of much higher proceeds. Rotarian Bob Langland stepped up and we took over the show, and we repeated at the location at Myers Pier. The show once again only attracted a small number of vendors and our revenues were only $4K, the amount guaranteed by the city. In 2002, we moved the show to West Zwicks Park and housed it in a much larger 100-foot tent and attracted over 50 vendors. The move to the more family friendly venue proved to be successful. In 2003, Vince Lynch took over as Chair of the show and the event was housed in two 100-foot tents and attended by over 100 vendors, including some located outside the tent. Net revenues from the show were in excess of $10K. In 2007 Judy Mitchell took over the position of Chair. However, the Waterfront Festival had taken on a much more family focus and children’s activities. Higher end venders were not making sales and the show was mainly attracting vendors selling commercial products. We ended our participation in 2008 and the city once again took over the venue by selling of outside stalls to vendors and community organizations in a carnival like atmosphere. The show netted our club over $70K and provided excellent exposure for our Rotary Club.
