Kara Hoffsümmer introduced luncheon speaker Andee Pelan, Executive Director of Living Green Barrie, who delivered an engaging and forward-looking presentation on environmental stewardship in Barrie.

An ISA-certified arborist with academic training in cultural anthropology, horticulture, forestry, and ecological restoration, Andee combines hands-on expertise with a broad systems perspective. Her approach connects ecological health with community action, recognizing that environmental progress depends on both institutional leadership and individual choices.

Andee began by reflecting on Living Green Barrie’s 35-year legacy in the community. Formerly known as Environmental Action Barrie, the organization has played a foundational role in local environmental initiatives, including establishing Barrie’s first community garden, launching “Spring Into Clean,” and advancing early plastic recycling programs.

Today, while operating without a permanent physical space, Living Green Barrie continues to thrive. The organization is supported by two staff members, a dedicated board, and more than 230 volunteers who contribute over 1,300 hours annually.

She highlighted two core areas of focus. The first is large-scale tree and native planting initiatives, including the “Trees for Bees” program and the ambitious goal of planting 10,000 trees. The organization is currently nearing that milestone. The second is the “12 Actions for Climate” campaign, which promotes practical and affordable steps residents can take to reduce their environmental footprint.

A key theme of her presentation was the concept of “collective green infrastructure.” With approximately 70 per cent of Barrie’s land privately owned, individual household decisions play a significant role in addressing climate change, methane emissions, and habitat loss.

Embracing the Club’s theme of rethinking, Andee challenged members to reconsider the traditional lawn. Originating as a European status symbol, lawns require significant water, mowing, and chemical inputs while offering minimal habitat value. She encouraged more diverse, sustainable landscaping choices that support pollinators and protect local ecosystems, noting Barrie’s designation as both a Bee City and a bird-friendly city.

Andee concluded by highlighting Living Green Barrie’s collaborative efforts, including repair cafés, e-waste drives, and “tree-for-recycling” initiatives with local partners. She invited Rotarians to become volunteers and advocates in building a greener, more resilient Barrie.

Thanks to a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Barrie and the Rotary Club of Barrie Charitable Foundation, Barrie Cares is now nearing its $250,000 fundraising goal for the former paramedic building at 113 Tiffin Street.

This private funding capital campaign directly complements the County of Simcoe’s 113 Tiffin Street Bridge Housing initiative. The program is designed to support individuals currently living outdoors and in encampments by providing safe indoor accommodations along with intensive, individualized supports. The ultimate goal is to help participants transition successfully into permanent housing.

The $250,000 campaign will fund key facility renovations and enhancements, including installation of a new HVAC system, creation of a functional kitchen, and development of clinical support spaces. These improvements are essential to ensuring the building can effectively serve vulnerable members of our community.

The Rotary Club of Barrie and its Charitable Foundation continue to demonstrate their commitment to meaningful, practical solutions to local challenges. Their leadership and generosity are helping create lasting change in Barrie.

David Thompson introduced guest speaker Marcus Kolga, whose distinguished career in fighting disinformation has earned him international recognition and even sanctions from both Chinese and Russian authorities.

Marcus spoke about the long history of Russian disinformation efforts targeting Canada, dating back to the 1930s. He explained that the overarching objective has been to influence Canadian government policy in ways that favour Russian interests and weaken countries viewed as adversaries.

He described the gradual evolution of these campaigns, noting that under President Vladimir Putin, disinformation has become an explicit strategy. Through platforms such as Russia Today (RT), as well as the recruitment of academics, influencers, and media voices, these efforts have expanded significantly.

Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, these activities have intensified, with a heavy emphasis on podcasts and social media platforms targeting Canadian audiences. Marcus encouraged members to critically examine movements and narratives that may be influenced by foreign disinformation campaigns.

The presentation served as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance in an era of rapidly evolving information warfare. Christine Pratt thanked Marcus for his enlightening and important address.

During his presentation, Liam Boldt highlighted the upcoming 3rd Annual St. Paddy’s Day Bash, scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2026, at the General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre.

Hosted by the Rotaract Club of Barrie, a group of young adults aged 18 to 35 dedicated to community service and leadership, along with the Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia, the event promises an engaging evening in support of RVH’s Keep Life Wild Campaign.

Doors open at 5:30 PM, with dinner served at 6:30 PM and festivities continuing until midnight. Guests can expect dinner, drinks, music, and both silent and live auctions, all in celebration of community spirit and Irish flair. All proceeds from the event will support local healthcare initiatives through RVH, reinforcing Rotary’s ongoing commitment to improving the well-being of residents across the region.

The St. Paddy’s Day Bash continues to grow each year and is shaping up to be another memorable evening in support of an important cause.

The Rotary Club of Barrie recently welcomed two new members, Martin Rochon and Meghan Oliver, during a member induction led by Jim Williams. While Jim shared a brief overview of Rotary’s purpose and values, the focus of the evening was on getting to know the individuals joining our Club and the experiences they bring with them.

Martin Rochon

Martin Rochon was inducted by Marshall Green and will be serving on the Program and Information Committee. His Rotary classification is Social Innovator, reflecting his interest in creative problem-solving and community impact.

Martin thanked the Club for the warm welcome and shared his enthusiasm for becoming involved. He expressed a strong interest in contributing his ideas and skills in meaningful ways and is looking forward to learning more about Rotary projects and initiatives as he settles into his role within the Club.

Meghan Oliver

Meghan Oliver was inducted by Lawrence Vindum and joins both the Evening Club and the Membership Committee. Her classification is Investment Banker, and she currently works at BMO.

Meghan shared her lifelong connection to Rotary, having grown up in a family where service and community involvement were strongly valued. Her background is both diverse and global. She is a former hairstylist and makeup artist, and she previously participated in a student exchange program that took her to Australia, an experience that deepened her appreciation for service, culture, and connection.

Meghan spoke about her passion for giving back and her excitement about becoming actively involved in Rotary, continuing a tradition of service that has been part of her life for many years.

A Warm Welcome

The Rotary Club of Barrie is pleased to welcome Martin and Meghan and looks forward to the perspectives, energy, and commitment they bring to the Club. We are excited to see how their experiences and interests will shape their Rotary journey and contribute to our shared work in the community.

The Rotary Club of Barrie recently welcomed guest speaker Leah Zecchino, introduced by Aaron Hesson, whose story reminded us of what can happen when curiosity outweighs comfort.

Leah is a professional freelance photographer and visual storyteller whose work blends travel, environment, and personal growth. A solo, nomadic traveller, she has built a life on the road, quite literally, living and working out of a van as she travels the world. Through photography, YouTube, and social media, Leah documents not only where she goes, but what it means to choose an unconventional path.

Her journey is rooted in a desire for freedom and a willingness to step outside familiar boundaries. With support from her father, who helped convert vans for long-distance travel, Leah designed a lifestyle that allowed her to pursue education and adventure side by side. She attended both Limerick University and Wilfrid Laurier University, proving that learning does not need to follow a single, fixed route.

Leah spoke about resilience, independence, and defining personal limits, mentally and physically, on her own terms. She shared how challenging convention has shaped her confidence and worldview, and how growth often begins the moment comfort ends.

In addition to her creative work, Leah is also deeply committed to environmental stewardship. She has already planted over 800,000 seedlings and is on track to reach one million trees planted within the next two years. This commitment to the planet runs parallel to her travels, reinforcing the idea that exploration and responsibility can go hand in hand.

Later this month, Leah will once again be stepping beyond her comfort zone as she heads to the French Alps to photograph a wellness ski retreat. It is another chapter in a journey defined by courage, adaptability, and an openness to new experiences.

We thank Leah for sharing her story and inspiring us to reflect on the paths we choose, and the possibilities that open when we dare to walk them.

The Rotary Club of Barrie is thrilled to announce Oaklyn and Ivy as the winners of this year’s Apple Dumpling Baking Contest. What began as an after-school baking activity quickly turned into a heartwarming family moment, complete with gluten-free apple dumplings so Ivy could safely enjoy every bite. According to the young bakers, they were “the best thing they ever tasted,” and we hear the recipe has already earned a spot on their family’s Christmas dinner menu.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s contest. The creativity and enthusiasm shown in the submitted entries truly made judging a challenge. It was wonderful to see so many families baking together and sharing their experiences with us.

More Than a Contest: Supporting Literacy in Our Community

The Apple Dumpling Baking Contest is part of a larger literacy initiative led by the Rotary Club of Barrie. Each November, Rotary Book Day brings the joy of reading to over 1,350 Grade 2 students across the Simcoe County District School Board. Through this program, students receive a copy of Andy & Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure, a story that highlights important values such as honesty, fairness, goodwill, and teamwork.

Rotarians visit local elementary schools to read the book with students, often joined by community leaders and local celebrities. During the years when in-person visits were not possible, students still took part by watching a special reading video featuring Rotary’s mascot, Sprocket.

Baking Brings the Story Home

Since 2020, the Apple Dumpling Baking Contest has encouraged children to take the story home and turn reading into a hands-on family experience. The book conveniently includes an apple dumpling recipe at the end, inviting families to bake together and submit photos of their creations.

Each year, one participating family is selected to win a Chromebook, adding an exciting incentive while also supporting learning at home. The contest has become a joyful extension of Rotary Book Day, helping families connect literacy, creativity, and time spent together.

Thank You to Our Community

We are incredibly grateful to all the families who entered, shared their stories, and helped make this initiative such a success. Your participation helps us continue our mission of supporting literacy and strengthening community connections.

Congratulations again to Oaklyn and Ivy, and thank you to everyone who baked, shared, and celebrated with us. We cannot wait to do it all again next year.

The Rotary Club of Barrie recently welcomed Rabbi Emma Gotlieb, who offered a candid and deeply thoughtful reflection on what the Jewish community has been experiencing since the October 7 attacks. She described how profoundly this moment has affected Jewish people around the world, noting that the attacks represented the largest mass killing of Jewish people since the Holocaust. For many, it shook a sense of safety that felt newly gained after generations of instability.

Rabbi Gotlieb spoke from her perspective as a Liberal Zionist, someone who believes Jewish people have the right to a homeland, while also believing strongly in holding Israel to ethical and moral standards. She shared how difficult it has been for rabbis and Jewish leaders globally to navigate a time of intense polarization, where speaking out risks being misunderstood no matter what is said. At first, she kept her discomfort private, unsure of how to express her concerns without causing division.

As the conflict continued, she realized that remaining silent felt more difficult than speaking. With the High Holy Days approaching, she chose to address the war directly in a Yom Kippur sermon she described as the scariest of her career. Some congregants struggled with her message, while others felt grateful for her honesty, but she was at peace knowing she had spoken from conscience.

Rabbi Gotlieb also worked to clarify widespread misunderstandings about Zionism and Judaism. Judaism, she reminded us, is a diverse global people and a religion, while Zionism is simply the belief that Jewish people have the right to a homeland — an idea that spans many viewpoints. She provided historical context and described the long-standing Jewish connection to the land, shaped by both sacred texts and centuries of displacement under conquering empires.

When discussing paths to peace, she acknowledged that grassroots initiatives have succeeded in bringing individuals together, but political realities make progress extremely difficult at the moment. Still, she emphasized that empathy does not need to be rationed — caring for one group’s suffering does not require diminishing the suffering of another.

The meeting concluded with a welcome touch of levity when President Todd mentioned he had only recently discovered that many beloved Christmas songs were written by Jewish composers. It was a simple reminder of how our cultures overlap in unexpected and meaningful ways.

Rabbi Gotlieb’s visit left our Club with a deeper appreciation for the complexity of this moment and a renewed commitment to approaching difficult conversations with compassion, nuance, and humanity.

This week, Rotarian Jason McArthur introduced Laura Slingerland, a Nurse Practitioner with a decade of pediatric experience who now provides affirming, comprehensive care for trans and gender-diverse individuals, along with Emily West, a Registered Social Worker specializing in social transition support. Both work in Trans Health Services at the Couchiching Family Health Team in Orillia.

Laura and Emily offered an eye-opening and accessible presentation on the foundations of gender diversity. They explained the distinctions between sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, and the various pathways a person might take when transitioning. They reminded us that getting terminology wrong is human — what matters is kindness, respect, and a willingness to listen. Stigma remains a major barrier, and they emphasized that accurate information and gender-affirming care genuinely save lives, while supportive communities make all the difference.

Their talk explored the three main forms of transition:

• Social transition, such as names, pronouns, and presentation
• Legal transition, including identification documents
• Medical transition, when desired and appropriate

They also addressed several common myths and provided clarity rooted in evidence and lived experience. The presentation included a short clip from Will & Harper, Will Ferrell’s documentary about a 17-day road trip with a close friend who was transitioning — a warm, human reminder of what true support can look like.

To close, they offered practical guidance for being an ally: ask for pronouns, respect each person’s identity, create safety, stay informed, and support people in the choices they make for their own wellbeing. Julia Goldstein offered heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Club for helping us better understand how to support gender-diverse individuals. President Todd also thanked the speakers, who were pleased to hear that a donation to Youth Haven was made in recognition of their presentation.

Mayor Alex Nuttall visited The Rotary Club of Barrie to present a detailed update on the City’s ongoing progress and major capital initiatives. He began by recognizing the Rotary Club of Barrie’s deep and lasting influence on the community, noting that many of Barrie’s most valued amenities and partnerships trace back to Rotary leadership. The Mayor emphasized that Rotarians remain central to the city’s identity and long-term vision.

A key focus of his address was the City’s financial turnaround. Over the past three years, Barrie has reduced debt by $85 million, significantly increased reserves, and shifted from a negative net financial position to a positive one. The City has also maintained four consecutive years of 0% increases to core operating budgets and is now positioned to achieve an AAA credit rating. This strengthened financial footing is enabling major infrastructure and community projects that had been stalled for years.

Mayor Nuttall also highlighted notable improvements in public safety, downtown revitalization, and infrastructure planning. Police presence has been restored, daily maintenance and BIA support have increased, and the number of encampments has been reduced dramatically. Traffic-calming investments continue to expand, funded in part by speed-camera revenue and a capital surcharge that has supported infrastructure growth without adding debt. Economic development has accelerated as well, supported by a concierge service for large projects and more than $50 million in provincial funding to open new industrial lands.

Looking ahead, Barrie is preparing for several transformative developments. The new South Barrie Recreation Centre is under construction, the YMCA is progressing, and long-awaited facilities such as Fire Station #6 are now complete. Lakehead University and Georgian College expansions are set to open in 2026, and additional downtown projects are expected to spark further growth, including a planned hotel and a forthcoming “game changer” development soon to be announced. Marshall Green closed the meeting by thanking the Mayor for his leadership and for sharing these impactful updates with the Club.