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RC Silves Celebrates its Achievements and Looks Forward to a New Rotary Year
Members, visiting Rotarians and guests gathered at the D’Mestres Restaurant in Pêra to look back at President Rainer Kroth’s many achievements in the past year and to look forward to President Jim Kennedy’s focus on Fun, Fellowship and Fundraising in the coming year.
Chef Nidia delighted all present with a fabulous authentic Alentejo feast.
As is traditional Rainer and Jim performed the Flag ceremony with honoured guest José Manuel Sosa Governor’s assistant for the coming year.
Rainer reviewed the activities of RC Silves for the Rotary year 2023-2024 and thanked everyone involved. He especially addressed the leaders of projects and the board members. He stated that members and friends commitment to investing their time and talents for the community creates hope in the world and makes Rotary magical. This year’s theme.
Fatima had an extra surprise for Rainer as she presented the club with a recognition certificate for the number of new members the club had recruited over the last rotary year.
The moment then came for Rainer to pass the symbols of the presidency (necklace, pin) to the incoming 2024-2025 president, Jim Kennedy.
Jim outlined his focus for the year was to build on the growth of new members and provide opportunities for the members old and new to bond. He thanked Rainer for his success in growing the membership and drawing the club closer to Rotary clubs across the Algarve. He expressed the need to focus on more fund raising as there was a lot of activities the members wanted to achieve this year. He looked forward to Fun, Fellowship and Fundraising.
He started the year by pinning 3 new members, Angelika Rahe-Marquis and Peter Mapham and Gail Mapham
Representatives from all those Rotary clubs present at the meeting wished Jim all the best for the new Rotary year and Assistant Governor Dr José Manuel Sosa presented the best wishes of the Governor Paulo Taveira de Sousa and his message for the year.
The First Annual Rain Dance was a Great Success
The Rain Dance
The event which included Art displays by local Artists David Trubshaw and Este Andrés, a gymnastics display, drum band and a rock band was as held on Saturday 27 April at the Fontes de Estômbar. The idea to help the water shortage in the Algarve by carrying out a rain dance was the brainchild of Silves Rotary Club member Sian Elton. Sian introduced the idea of an afternoon of fun for the local communities of Lagoa and Silves in the hope that it would encourage rainy weather. Well, it worked the universe responded to the idea by raining most of the morning of the event as members began setting up. Thankfully all the rain had passed, and a lovely afternoon was had by all.
The gymnasts from Ginastica Acrobática da Casa do Povo de Messines presented a great programme demonstrating their acrobatic skills
This was followed by the Batucada da Casa do Povo drum band also from Messines. Their stimulating performance delighted the audience who were able to join in for a short drum lesson as part of the program. Claudia, who accepted an invitation to take part, later said that she felt energised and enthralled by joining the band.
The day was rounded off by the wonderful music of the Poor Man’s band who played music to dance to from the 70s to 00s.
Complimented by food, drinks and homemade cakes a great time was had by all.
The Rotary Club of Silves would like to thank the Municipal Council of Lagoa for allowing us to use their lovely Fontes de Estômbar and their help with the event. Thanks, must also go to the Gymnasts, Drum Band from Casa Do Povo and Poor Man´s Band for their support for the event. Last but not least, our sponsors Farming Futures, Florista Nativa, Rejoice be genuine and A Tasca Nova
We cannot wait for next year.
Walking the Arade and Odelouca Rivers
Silves Rotary club members and friends gathered again last Saturday to walk along the local rivers through our lovely Silves countryside. The walks started as training for our fundraising walk to the Santiago de Compostela but now they are for fun and fellowship. The funds from the original walk were for a sensory room for Armaçaõ de Pêra school and this was opened on the 22 January this year. The sun shone on us as we walked the trails.
We were even lucky enough to catch the flamingos in flight.
A little rest with a view before the final leg.
If you would like to join us on a walk contact our Master of Ceremonies MOC.rotarysilves@gmail.com We normally walk once a month. Walks are at your own risk.
Welcoming José Martinez
At the recent Governor’s meeting, Rainer Kroth President of Silves Rotary Club expressed his pleasure in welcoming José as a new member. José is a citizen of the USA, originally a Pacific Islander born and raised on the island of Guam. He lived in San Francisco for 30 years prior to his move to Lagos. He has worked in finance for all of his life in the Far East, the Middle East, North Africa as well as the U.S. In 2015 he moved to the Republic of Panama, where he became a member of the Rotary Club of Boquete, Panama for about 4 years. He served as President and Treasurer of the club. The governor pinned on the Rotary emblem, and all members welcomed José to the club. They looked forward to working with him.
Governor’s Visit 2024
Rainer Kroth RC Silves President began with an overview of some of the activities and Isabel Flores RC Silves founder member translated into Portuguese for the Governor and our Portuguese guests. Jim Kennedy incoming President presented a booklet telling the story of the fundraising walk to Santiago.
David Trubshaw, who had arranged an exhibition of the “Arte e Poesia” books, explained the history of the underlying work with the schools and handed over one of the books to the Governor as a present.
Following the flag ceremony, the governor delivered a powerful speech on the importance of friendship and fellowship within and among Rotary clubs. He emphasized that friendship is a high value and one of the most basic human needs. Rotarians help each other, and together they help others. Good relationships make us happier and healthier. “Treasure your relationships, not your possessions. Give hope to the world.”
As a symbol of Rotarian attitudes and values, David Valente presented a piece of art created by Guilherme Ildefonso de Melo Gomes Pontes to celebrate the work of Rotary clubs. The artwork is made of Estremoz marble (bottom), steel (middle), and pine wood (top). David explained the symbolic meaning of each piece, using examples from our work in Rotary.
As a symbol of their friendship, our guests from the Rotary Club of Sines represented by Vice-Presidente Manuel Guedes handed over their flag to our club President Rainer.
Rainer expressed his pleasure in welcoming José as a new member and highlighted important milestones in his life, including his past experience as treasurer and president of the Rotary Club of Boquete, Panama. The governor pinned on the Rotary emblem, and all members present welcomed José to the club.
Flag exchange in UK
Whilst visiting Rotary Club of Southampton Solent, Pam and Ex President of RC Silves, Alan Winn met two visitors from South Carolina, Emerson and Cathy Smith. After introducing their clubs and activities Alan and Emerson exchanged their club flags. Members of RC Southampton Solent have visited RC Silves regularly and supported many of their events. We always look forward to seeing them in the Algarve.
Welcoming a New Member
Rainer expressed the pleasure of welcoming Sian as a new member. Sian was educated in Portuguese schools in Silves and Armaçao de Pêra, where she met Professora Isabel Flores as her Portuguese teacher her sponsor in Rotary. She is fluent in English and Portuguese, working in tourism where she added Spanish and French. Currently Sian works as a Business Development Manager at Farming Futures. In partnership with farms in the Philippines, their mission is to improve the genetic quality of livestock with the aim of achieving food security. Sian would like to be involved in the rehabilitation and guidance of young women who are in trouble and help to motivate and inspire them to choose a better path. Sian’s passion is music, which she created in her “home studio” until her baby girl arrived. She would like to be involved in Rotary’s educational programs for example with the children creating music for the Oscar’s. Members look forward to working with Sian.
RC Silves Members Enjoy the First Walk of the Season
RC Silves members and friends joined a walk kindly organised a member Philippe Pfister. The country side around the Arade valley is full of surprises. Walkers were treated to fantastic views and were amazed by archaeological remains dating back thousands of years. The sun accompanied us most of the way and the little rain showers did not dampen members enthusiasm. Walks are nor restricted to members. Friends are always welcome.
Just a few of the views
Burial Sites
Rotary Clube de Silves 