A group
of Rotarians from Russia have been on an exchange visit
to Canada for the past week that included stops in Ottawa,
Cornwall, Montreal and Kingston.
While
in the National Capital, the Russian Rotarians were hosted
by members of the Rotary Club of Orléans who took
them on a tour of a number of local attractions including
the Museum of History, the National Gallery and Stanley's
Olde Maple Lane Farm.
 |
| Rotarians
from Russia and Orléans gather for a group picture
during the National Capital portion of the Russia Rotarians
exchange visit to Canada this week. Fred Sherwin/Photo |
Both groups
gathered for a potluck supper at Julia Ginley's house on
Saturday, April 20. The trip was co-organized by Friendship
Exchange Chair, Fay Campbell, who is among four local Rotarians
who will be traveling to Russia in June.
While
in Canada the Russian contingent will be billetted by their
fellow Rotarians in Ottawa, Montreal, Cornwall and Kingston
who are all part of Rotary District 2220.
Campbell
hosted Marina Baisheva and her daughter Anna, who doubled
as the group's interpreter
"It's
been wonderful. We hit it off right away. They are already
like my sister and my niece," says Campbell.
The feelings
go both ways as Anna and her mother seem to have met a kindred
spirit in Campbell.
"Before
we left Russia we were expecting to meet a lot of nice fellow
Rotarians here in Canada and we've been very fortunate to
meet Fay and to stay in her home. She and my mother have
a lot in common," says Anna whose favourite part about
her visit so far was tasting pure maple syrup for the first
time at Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm.
For her
part, Campbell is already looking forward to visiting Russia
in June. Tops on her list of things to do is visiting the
Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow and going to the ballet.
"After that they can take me any place they want,"
laughs Campbell.
After
their stay in Ottawa, the Russian Rotarians traveled to
Cornwall on Monday where they visited the Mohawk Cultural
Centre on Tuesday before moving on to Montreal where they
have spent the last two days visiting Notre Dame Basilica,
the Old Port, Mount Royal, Saint Joseph's Oratory, and the
Botanical Garden.
The last
leg of the trip will take them to Kingston and Niagara Falls
before returning to Toronto for their flight home on Monday.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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OPEN MIC NIGHT at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way. Registration begins at 7 p.m. Music at 8 p.m. with your host Matthew Palmer.
