Dr. Terry Punch will speak to the Club on St. Patrick's Day, March 17
on the history of the Irish in Halifax
Terry was born in Halifax, educated at St. Mary’s University (B.A., Diploma in Journalism, B.Ed. cum laude, and M.A. in History), he received a second M.A. in History from Dalhousie University, with a thesis about the Irish adaptation to Halifax. In 2000, St. Mary’s University awarded the degree of D. Litt., honores causa. He is resident genealogist for CBC Maritimes. Terry was chair of the International Irish Research Seminar, trustee of the Public Archives of NS. He is a past president of the Charitable Irish Society. He has been elected a life fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland; a fellow of the Irish Genealogical Research Society; and has the medal of the Charitable Irish Society. His publications include Irish Halifax; the Immigrant Generation, 1815-1859; Some Sons of Erin in Nova Scotia; and Erin’s Sons: Irish Arrivals in Atlantic Canada 1761-1858 (3 volumes). He has written entries for the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. His articles and reviews have appeared in journals abroad as well as in Canada. He has spoken to conferences across North America. His article, "Magister Pons de St David – The Eponymous Irish Punch" was published in The Irish Genealogist. Recently the Genealogical Publishing Company in Baltimore published his three volumes of Erin’s Sons: Irish Arrivals in Atlantic Canada, 1761 - 1858, which identifies several thousand early Irish people, many with precise places of origin, who came to this region. Volume Four, taking the story to 1863, is in the works. Terry enjoys salt water swimming, helping his wife Pam with her excellent garden, following national and international affairs, and seeing friends from many walks of life. Their married son lives and works in Montréal.
Rotary Shelter Boxes Arrive for Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort.

The Club has donated $1000.00 from the Trust Fund to Shelter Boxes Canada as our contribution to the
Haitian earthquake relief. The donation will be matched by the Canadian Government and by RI.
'OUT OF THE COLD' SHELTER
On Sunday Nov 22. before a large group of concerned citizens and volunteers the Rev. Ross Bartlett, Minister of St. Matthew's United Church gave Carol Charlebois, Executive Director of Metro Non Profit Housing Association (MNPHA) the keys to the Church.
This marked the official opening within the Church of the
15-bed volunteer-run "OUT OF THE COLD SHELTER" that will provide alternate shelter through the winter months.
Last year, when support was withdrawn from the Pendleton place shelter, reduced capacity of the system made it difficult to impossible for some folks to find shelter.
Recognizing this, Carol led the effort to establish an alternative shelter. Other dedicated individuals and community organizations banded together to mobilize resources and volunteers, and by March had established a shelter. Nor’westers helped with a club donation of $2000, and several members made personal contributions of cash and needed supplies.
Through March and April 64 the shelter provided 460 overnight stays to 64 men and women - almost half of whom were under 25 years of age.
Again this year, the shelter depends upon citizen support, so we again have an opportunity to help. Of course cash donations – to MNPHA (tax receipt provided) - are especially useful in purchasing supplies, and donations of any of the needed supplies are most gratefully received. (A suggested list follows)
Contributions may be delivered directly to MNPHA at Gottingen & Buddy Daye, or brought to our meetings thru the winter for delivery by Dick Hodgson or John Williamson
DONATIONS NEEDED: Non food items
Toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, garbage bags (large green), recycle bags (blue), plastic storage tubs (large), Zip-Lock sandwiche size bags, laundry soap, fabric softener, large crock pot, large soup pot, coffee maker, electric kettle, coffee mugs, toaster, silverware, linens, twin sized sheets (flat or fitted), pillows, pillow cases.