On Tuesday the 9th of July we went to the Ferris Road Brewery for our Rotary away night.
This was an informal whisky and pizza night. Some of us also had a beer or two or a pinot noir or two (transport was arranged so no one had to drive home). We were entertained by Neil Taylor who is a whisky connoisseur from Cromwell, although a native of Scotland. He had bought four bottles of strange brands of whiskys with him, all single malts (more later). Neil explained about the numerous whisky distilleries in Scotland and how the economics of it all has panned out over time (was apparently in the doldrums for about 20 years) – with now a good time again!
The oak barrels that the whisky matures in have often been used first for storing sherry (although with sherry not so popular these days, perhaps this might be a problem for whisky distillers in the future). In the area in Scotland called Speyside, there are something like 70 to 90 distilleries. Most whisky from Scotland is aged 10 years plus.
He said that different whiskys are just like all the different beers, lots to choose from and interestingly the initial fermentation of whisky is very similar to that of beer. Some whisky has had colour (caramel) added to it but the best whiskeys are left to colour up in the (mostly old sherry) casks over time. Generally, the darker the scotch the older it is. We tried a three-year-old whisky that some of us thought was a bit ‘tart’.
Neil had bought with him the following whiskeys:
Killkerran, a single malt, distilled at Glengyle Distillery (Cambeltown) in oak, 12 years old no added colouring 46% alcohol. Neil thought this whisky was a mild form of the peaty whisky laphroig (sp).
Auchentoshan, single malt, 40% alcohol.
Wolfburn, single malt, 40% alcohol.
Benriach, single malt, 12 years 46% alcohol.
Graham informs me that the evening actually made a ‘profit’ of $187.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable night.
A picture of the whiskys thanks to Paul
PE KEVIN'S COMMENTS FROM LAST TUESDAY'S MEETING
Marie Roxburgh – Age Concern – spoke to the club about her role as co-ordinator for this service. She spoke about the growing need in the community for age support, particularly as the population is ageing and Central Otago has no age care specialist facility. She talked about the preparation we all should make for ageing – ensuring power of attorney, decluttering our homes, looking after our diet and general health.
Her organisation supports about 90 people in Central Otago at present and the number is growing. She handed out leaflets and brochures for members to take home and peruse. “Growing old is not for the faint hearted.”
COMMENTS FROM HUGH
Syd Graduates (picture below)
Syd graduated from Pre-Puppy school on Thursday 4th of July. He didn’t get honours (just a few to many “Oops” on graduation day) but he did get plenty of merits.
Among the many things he learnt was that girl dogs apparently smell differently, there are gay male puppies out there that will hump anything that stands still and that if you get into a “discussion” with a big dog, you lie on your back, be submissive and they don’t hurt you!
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
The first round was completed last weekend (6th July). From the feedback I have received, things went well and everyone (18 people) had an enjoyable evening. Couple of glitches with the advising process but in the end, everyone arrived in the right place at the right time. I am proposing to have the next round on either Saturday the 11th or Saturday the 18th of August.
I will be circulating those on my list during the week ending 27th of July so if you haven’t already advised me of your interest in being involved, please let me know over the next couple of weeks at hughmcintyre20@gmail.com Don’t forget to let me know if you or your partner have food allergies and remember you need to be prepared to host 4 people at some stage.
Hugh McIntyre
Convenor
Guess Whose Coming to Dinner
Rotary Club of Alexandra
Emergency Phone Number!!!
0274341284
If lost try Google Maps.
Good for you Syd!
Change Over Night photos
PHF for Paul from Preident Charles on Change Over Night June 2019
Congratulations Paul on being awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship at Change over night. Note, complete with halo, gosh Paul must be really somebody.
Jim receiving the Geoffrey D Taylor award at Change over night
Justine Baird Alexandra Rotary Club President for 2019/2020. All the best Justine !
Service Projects on the Horizon - Jim Carroll Service Director
There are a few happening projects and a couple of possible projects coming up in the near future that are going to require some input and support from club members.
Millennium Trail Clean Up (sorry no photos with this article)
This project is in conjunction with CODC Parks & Reserves and Corrections Department. Corrections had very little work in the Alexandra area to give to young guys who were sentenced to Periodic Detention until CODC came up with the idea of tidying up the River Trail (which is badly in need of some TLC), so we agreed to supervise the groups on a Saturday, and work on a worthwhile community project at the same time. For the past 8 Saturdays, Club members have been toiling away with up to 7 young men working their way down from Clyde towards Alexandra. It has been tough going, hacking through blackberry, briar, broom, lupins and clearing tree branches that have been cut down and left on the side of the trail. Our brief is to open the trail up to at least 2 metres on either side of the gravelled area, and that will then become the spray line where CODC Contractors will spray to kill any vegetation that grows up in the future.
Cystic Fibrosis Appeal
There is a National Cystic Fibrosis Appeal on 16/17 August. We will support it by manning a Collection point at Alex New World on Friday 16 August.
Claire will be co-ordinating this for the club and will be looking for pairs of volunteers to assist with 2 hour slots from 10.00am to 6.00pm.
Please give her your support when she calls for help.
Rarotonga Literacy Project
This is a joint project, currently in the early planning stages, between Wanaka, Cromwell and Alexandra Clubs in Central Otago, and Rarotanga Rotary. President Justine has been keen to join with other local clubs in such a venture, and this project is the result of “after dinner” discussions at South Pacific PETS earlier in the year.
The desired outcome is twofold – to supply 2nd hand books to stock Lilliput Libraries – old double door commercial display fridges, and to provide appropriate educational books to Apii Nikao School. This club will commit $2,000.00 to this project; a District Grant Application will be applied for, with an overall budget spend of $11,000.00. The club will be looking for someone to drive our part of the project.
Alexandra Community House
An expression of interest document for the grounds maintenance of Alexandra Community House has been submitted to their Manager.
This is a 2 year contract to maintain the lawns, gardens, pathways and carpark in a tidy presentable condition.
This is a revenue earning project that will require full support from club members should we be successful. Time input will vary from a weekly visit in spring/summer to monthly over the winter.
Dunstan Hospital Outdoor Furniture Clean Up (sorry no photos with this article)
Brian Fitzgerald identified some months ago that the outdoor seating provided at Dunstan Hospital is in need of some TLC. He initially made contact with their Facilities Manager Maree Leitch, but nothing was progressed. They are now keen to see what we can do to make some improvements.
Following a meeting with Maree, there are a number of seats, tables, chairs identified that are in need of sanding or water blasting and restaining. There is also the possibility of resetting some of the bench seats onto pavers for ease of mowing.