Division 1:

Rouyn-Noranda

It seemed appropriate to begin my Kiwanis year with a Governor's visit to our first Division, our Northern Lights Division. Spanning Northern Ontario and Quebec, Division 1 stretches from Timmins in the West to Val D'Or in the East. 163 Kiwanians make up the 7 active clubs. I flew into Rouyn-Noranda and was enthusiast greeting by Lieutenant Governor Jocelyne Bolduc.

It was lunch time, so a quick stop at the nearest Subway restaurant was in order. LG Jocelyne, when not running Division 1, is busy running 9 area Subways (with a tenth one in the works). There is an old adage that states, "if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it". This is certainly true in Division 1.

The city of Rouyn was formed after copper was discovered in 1917. Noranda (a contraction of "Northern Canada") was created later. The two cities merged in 1986. This is the home of the Huskies and hockey is on everyone's mind (with the possible exception of moose hunting which was beginning this same weekend). Rouyn-Noranda has produced a large number of well known NHL hockey players including Pierre and Sylvain Turgeon, Dale Tallon, Pit Martin and Dave Keon.

Kiwanis plays an important part in the communities of our Division 1. We stopped by and toured Plage (beach) Kiwanis on the shores of Lac (Lake) Kiwanis.

In the summer the people of Rouyn-Noranda enjoy the clear cool waters of this swimming and fishing lake. In the winter, the community is invited to cross-country ski in what they affectionately sign: SKIWANIS.

The members of both clubs in Rouyn-Noranda are busy getting ready for one of their major fundraising projects: Octoberfest. Hundreds of visitors attend the annual event. The two clubs do everything from cooking to cleaning. LG Jocelyne, an accomplished seamstress, works to make authentic Bavarian costumes for attending Kiwanians. I'm told that a good time is had by all.

A good interclub was held that included many members of the spread-out division. Among those attending was PLG Gilles Morisset, now celebrating his 53rd year as an active Kiwanian.

If you would like to view a Division 1 slide show, please click here.