Do you know why it is important to celebrate the first day of spring, also known as the Spring Equinox?
On this day, which usually falls around March 19-21 in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun crosses the celestial equator, meaning day and night are nearly equal in length. This astronomical event has been recognized and celebrated by various cultures for centuries. The first day of spring is celebrated as it marks the transition from winter to warmer, longer days. It signifies renewal, rebirth, and the awakening of nature.
People celebrate by enjoying nature, planting seeds, participating in festivals, and embracing themes of growth and transformation. It’s a time to welcome light, warmth, and new beginnings.
Rotarian of the Week
Nadine Larche
Profession Retired Public Servant, Bachelor of Recreation Management, MBA, Université de Moncton, CPHR
About me
I am a solo parent to three daughters: Mia (20), Lauren (19) and Alexa (15). We are also hosting Rocio Rodriquez (17), a Rotary Youth Exchange student from Spain. I grew up in Shediac (which likely explains my love of the beach) and Moncton. After marrying my late husband, Doug, in 2002, we moved away for four years due to his career and returned in 2006 to build our lives here.
I've been a dedicated volunteer since my teenage years and was honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for my community work. I continue to support various community initiatives, including at my children’s schools, and for the past decade I've organized an annual run in memory of Doug and his colleagues where the funds raised go to bursaries for students in our local schools ($153,000 so far).
Years in Rotary? - 3 years in April 2025
My Hobbies - I enjoy spending time with my daughters, connecting with friends, traveling, swimming, and reading. I embrace every season - snowshoeing in the winter, swimming in my backyard pool in the summer, and enjoying the outdoors year-round.
What is your favorite thing about being a Rotarian? - I love connecting with community minded individuals and being involved in outreach projects like the Ronald McDonald House and Rotary Youth Exchange program. Welcoming young people from around the world, sharing our culture, and learning from theirs has been a wonderful experience for my family. I also enjoy organizing events like Who’s Coming to Dinner, which brings people together in fun and meaningful ways.
Tell us something others might not know about you? I have been a lifeguard since I was 16, competing and officiating at the provincial and national levels in pool and beach events. I still hold my pool qualifications today. Lifeguarding runs in the family—two of my daughters are certified lifeguards, and the third will be soon!
March 21, 2025
Luncheon Meeting Update
Total of44RCMWR members and guests enjoyed an awesome presentation byKenn Mainville, President & CEO of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra (NBYO)shown in the photo below.
Kenn shared exciting updates on Sistema NB’s remarkable growth, the opening of new centres, and the inspiring achievements of young musicians across the province.
He’ll also discussed NBYO’s ambitious vision to expand the program to reach 10,000 children, using the power of music to transform lives and break the cycle of poverty.
With over 35 years of experience as a fundraiser and consultant, Kenn has dedicated his career to youth development and the arts. Under his leadership, NBYO has become Canada’s largest youth-music program, serving over 1,200 children daily across 11 Sistema NB centres.
Since its inception in 2009, Sistema NB has provided free, intensive after-school orchestral music programs to children across the province. The program offers three hours of music instruction every weekday at no cost to participants. This initiative has demonstrated significant positive impacts on children’s academic performance, behavior, and self-esteem.
Special Cheque Presentations
The Rotary Club of Moncton West & Riverview presented Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Moncton (BBBSGM) with a $5,000 donation!
This funding will help BBBSGM recruit 100 new volunteers, provide mentorship support to 150 families, and enhance life-changing programs that empower young people to reach their full potential. In a time when youth are facing increased challenges, mentorship is more critical than ever, offering guidance, resilience, and hope for a brighter future.
Pictured below: Darren Hansen, MWR Charities Board chair; Sherry Trenholm, MWR Club President, Joline Cyr, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Moncton BBBSGM
The Rotary Club of Moncton West & Riverview also presented $15,000 donation to support Sistema New Brunswick’s “10,000 Children” campaign, an initiative dedicated to ending intergenerational poverty through the transformative power of music education.
The “10,000 Children” campaign, launched in November 2021, aims to expand Sistema NB’s reach to 2,000 daily participants and engage a total of 10,000 children over the next 15 years. This ambitious plan includes opening new centers, establishing additional regional youth orchestras, and introducing in-school programs to serve more communities and children throughout New Brunswick.
Moncton West & Riverview Rotary club’s contribution reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives that foster education, community development, and the well-being of our youth. We believe that music has the power to inspire, unite, and create opportunities for a brighter future. By partnering with Sistema NB, we are investing in a program that not only enriches children’s lives through music but also addresses broader social challenges, contributing to the reduction of poverty and the promotion of social inclusion.
Article Author - Stacey Couturier
Pictured below: Darren Hansen, MWR Charities Board chair; Sherry Trenholm, RCMWR President, and Kenn Mainville, President & CEO of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra (NBYO).
Sincere Appreciation
Thank you to Jesse Kerpan and Julianna Mutch for the time, effort, and dedication in developing the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Survey. Awesome job!!!
A special thank you to all the RCMWRmembers that completed the RYE Survey. We reached the 50% survey response target.
Thank you to Jamie Smith and Richard Jardine (shown in the photo below)for your time and effort in organizing the storage cabinet at Legend’s Restaurant. Your dedication to keeping things in order and disposing of unnecessary items has not gone unnoticed. Thank you for making a difference!
Congratulations and thank you to Richard Jardine for his amazing 41 years of service to Rotary.
Annual RCMWR Ticket Draw
April 11, 2025
We’re just over two weeks away from our highly anticipated RCMWR Annual Ticket Draw, and the excitement is building! This year, the Ticket Draw Team has once again put together an incredible prize lineup with a total value of $48,010. Plus, an assortment of coupons worth a total of $440 — all for just $100 per ticket! Goal is to raise $75,000.
Let’s make this year’s Ticket Draw unforgettable. The challenge is on!
Volunteers Wanted
Ronald McDonald Dinner Preparation
Next dinner preparation date is April 16, 2025. If you can help, please contact
Catherine Black
<cathyblack47@hotmail.com>
Ribfest 2025
We are still looking for help on the committees (Ribfest Bar, Site Set-up and Volunteers) as well as sponsorship.
If you can help, please contact
Colin Reeves <colin.reeves007@hotmail.com>
Upcoming Events:
- April 4, 2025: Donald Sword Governor, Rotary District 7815 2024-2025with be attending our RCMWR Luncheon Meeting.
- April 5, 2024 -This full-day, in-person event will take place from9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at McKenzie College, Moncton, NB.
- May 1, 2025: Rotary Club of Moncton Art Gala Auction in support of the YWCA Moncton. Location Legend's Restaurant at 7 PM. Tickets are $75/person.
- May 29-June 1, 2025: District Conference at The Westin Nova Scotian, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- June 21-25, 2025:Rotary International Convention, at the BMO Centre in Calgary, Alberta. Register today for the incredible Convention experience of a lifetime.
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