The Rotary Club of St. Marys was pleased to welcome our 2025–26 Rotary Youth Exchange student, Samir Zogbi, as he delivered his first presentation to the club. With members, host families, and a representative from The Independent in attendance, Samir introduced us to his home country, his family, and his life in Argentina.
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To mark its 100th anniversary, the Rotary Club of St. Marys has donated a new bench to the Town of St. Marys. The commemorative bench has been installed near the east entrance of Sparling’s Bush, offering residents and visitors a welcoming place to rest and reflect in one of the community’s most cherished natural spaces.
Club members gathered with representatives from the Town for a brief dedication ceremony, celebrating both the club’s centennial milestone and Rotary’s ongoing commitment to community service.
Since its founding in 1925, the Rotary Club of St. Marys has served the community and surrounding area through countless projects that promote fellowship, civic engagement, and the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self.”
The Rotary Club of St. Marys was pleased to welcome District Governor Jeff Ferwada of District 6330 as guest speaker at this week’s meeting. Jeff, a long-time Rotarian from Michigan and an architect by profession, spoke passionately about Rotary’s power to amplify individual purpose into collective good.
Jeff congratulated the club on its 100th Anniversary, expressing admiration for the community spirit reflected in the recent centennial celebrations. He shared that his theme for the Rotary year — “Unite for Good” — reflects both Rotary International’s vision and his own commitment to strengthening bonds between Canadian and American clubs in our bi-national district.
Drawing on his own Rotary journey — from first attending a lunch meeting in 2001 to serving now as District Governor — Jeff illustrated how Rotary offers ordinary people the opportunity to accomplish extraordinary things. He emphasized that true engagement begins when Rotary moves from “our heads to our hearts.”
Key points from Jeff’s address included:
To close, Jeff invited members to take a few minutes to write down their own “why” — the motivation that brings meaning to their Rotary journey. The exercise inspired thoughtful reflection and renewed appreciation for how Rotary unites people to create lasting change.
As part of our Rotary Club’s 100th Anniversary celebrations, members planted 100 native trees — one for each year of Rotary service in St. Marys.
This collaborative project brought together three partners:
The Town selected the location to enhance the berm that separates a residential subdivision from the adjacent rail line — creating a natural buffer that will benefit the environment and beautify the community for years to come (where train line turns south just past Broken Rail Brewery).
The mix of native species included white pine, basswood, sugar maple, black cherry, and several varieties of oak.
This living legacy is a proud example of community partnership and Rotary’s enduring commitment to environmental stewardship — a fitting tribute to 100 years of “Service Above Self.”
[ Photo Gallery ]
Past Rotary International President Jennifer Jones, with the assistance of Samir Zogbi, inbound exchange student from Argentina, unveiled the new Rotary Peace Pole on October 14th. The peace pole is located in the Horticultural Society's Peace Garden.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
by Diane O'Shea
In our community, we live, learn, and work on the homelands of the Haudenosaunee (HOH-din-oh-SHOH-nee) and the Anishinaabeg (uh-NISH-ih-NAH-bay) First Nations peoples. We honour their continued presence and deep traditional knowledge. We recognize especially the stewardship of the land by the First Peoples.
Our ancestors made special promises or treaties to share this land and to be good neighbours. May we all live with respect for the land in peace and friendship.
A look back at 50 years of Rotary Youth Exchange
Although we’re celebrating 50 years of Rotary Youth Exchange as an official program of Rotary International, you may also know that Rotary members facilitated exchanges dating back to the 1920s. We recently published a historical overview of the program from inception to formal recognition as an activity of Rotary International. It’s an enjoyable look back at the origins of the program. Share it with your friends and peers interested in Rotary Youth Exchange.
Watch the video
Meeting Summaries & Zoom Recordings
Service Above Self
Parkview Hall, lower level east entrance
St. Marys, ON N4X 1C5
Canada