90 Years of Rotary Service to Huntsville & The World

Introduction of Guest Speaker – Bob Gibb: Dave Connell is very involved in Indigenous affairs and has
joined “Hope Arises”. He will show us the process of building a birch bark canoe.

Guest Speaker – Dave Connell: There will be a Birch Bark Canoe Build event at River Mill Park starting
on September 28, 2026. It will take about two weeks. He showed photographs of the process of
building a birch bark canoe. They are trying to keep the Indigenous culture alive.
To begin, they cut down a large, mature birch tree.

 They harvest the bark and use the tree for
firewood. Spruce root is used to hold it all together. Cedar tree wood is used for the ribs. It is all made
from natural materials from the forest.
The bark will be ready to be taken off in June-July, when the fireflies come out. The canoe will be owned
by Hope Arises for educational purposes, at schools and other organizations.

Mr. Connell was looking for support from the Rotary Club to finish the necessary funding for this project,
which requires approximately $ 30,000.

We work closely with the Salvation Army to support their work in Huntsville. This year we donated $5000 towards their Christmas giving program

PEACE POLE: Rotary Peace Poles are beacons of hope for a more peaceful world, furthering Rotary’s vision.  The pole erected in the new pollinator garden says “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in several languages.  Rick Wearing initiated the idea of the peace poles and received help to install it from builder Peter Smith. 

 Two more poles will be installed in Huntsville soon.  Jennifer explained the various languages on each pole, which include the major indigenous languages spoken in our area as well as the most common other languages known to residents and visitors to our community. 

Peace Poles are an iconic symbol of, May Peace Prevail On Earth International, founded in Japan over fifty years ago.  Over the decades, Peace Poles which carry the message May Peace Prevail On Earth have been planted by supporters the world over in every region and continent on earth.  

A moment of silence was observed to commemorate the dedication of the new Peace Pole. 

Adrian Musters spoke of the vision that Past President Cameron White had for the Trans Canada Trail in our area, with new signage, plantings, and fixing up the pavilion.  Adrian thanked all who helped with the new Pollinator Garden, including those from the Town of Huntsville, especially Tina Scott-Burns and her crew.  He thanked the Trans Canada Trail online people for their grants towards trail improvements.  He also thanked all the Rotary volunteers, and special thanks to Ned Joiner from Muskoka Rental who provided equipment at no charge;

 Brent House from Muskoka Rock Company for material for the garden; 

Chris House from HLD donated all the rocks; 

Tim Cantelon at Sandhill Nursery provided plants at discounted prices and offered advice. 

 Kelly Musters designed the beds.  Kelly thanked the club for letting her share her vision.  Plaques were given to a number of the special donors. 

And of Course a huge thank you to Adrian Musters for all of his leadership in organizing the project.

A pollinator garden is a garden designed to attract and support pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds by providing them with food and habitat. These gardens feature a variety of flowering plants, especially native species, that offer nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. By creating these gardens, individuals can contribute to the health of local ecosystems and the conservation of pollinator populations.