Halifax Rotary has always been renowned for its fellowship and the warm welcome it gives to visiting Rotarians. The late Foster Chittick, who could boast of thirty-two years of perfect attendance, 30 of them consecutive, could be counted on for a hearty handshake and warm greetings.

In the early years, a brief period of Club singing during the meal was very popular. The song leader for the day would try to surpass his predecessors using both Rotary songs and popular hits – occasionally having one half of the Club singing one song, and the other half a different song, but one which synchronized with it; or dividing the group into three parts for a round.

For much of our history, we have had talented musicians in our club. There have been times when we have had our own orchestra entertain us on occasion, and had both organ and piano music during our meal. Several years we had a male chorus. On two occasions we entered a male Chorus group in the Nova Scotia Festival of Music and each time won first place, thanks largely to the training and leadership of Rotarian Ifan Williams.

Our fellowship has been increased not only by our regular meetings but by other activities. For years we had an afternoon picnic, with races and various stunts and supper. In more recent times, we've enjoyed many a corn boil as the guests of Rotarians Don Smith, Fletcher Smith, Jim Pineo, and Harold Clowater.

We enjoy the presence of our spouses at an Annual Valentine Party, and for many years entertained our children and grand-children at the Annual Christmas Party.

There were many interesting novelties. At one Christmas party old and young gasped as a lively pony rode right into the ballroom drawing a jolly round Santa in his chariot. With the usual merry "ho, ho, ho's", the bulky pack was soon opened and presents distributed to the excited children.

In addition to the exchange visits of Rotarians from all over the world, which can be an interesting episode at any meeting, groups of Rotarians from our Club have, from time to time, visited other Clubs, such as at their inauguration or other special occasions. On February 13, 1915, (to reciprocate our recent visit to their club) 27 members of the Saint John, New Brunswick Club, were met at the old CNR station on North Street and taken in handsomely decorated tram-cars to the Halifax Hotel.

Thence, horse-driven Tourist Teams from Fraser Brothers took them on a lengthy sightseeing tour. After the luncheon, there were curling and bowls at the Mayflower Club, and in the evening a memorable banquet.

Some twenty years later, described as the "year of the great invasion", on September 27, 1934, some 435 New England Rotarians and their wives sailed on the Eastern Steamship "Evangeline" on a goodwill visit to New Scotland. Two special trains carried them from Yarmouth through the Annapolis Valley, stopping at Annapolis, Kentville, Grand Pré and Windsor, with warm greetings everywhere. For two days they were entertained royally in Halifax. A kilted piper and a group of Boy Scouts in kilted uniforms were on duty Friday evening and all day Saturday. A body of RCMP in their scarlet uniforms won the hearts of the ladies, and the Rotarians delighted in having photographs taken handcuffed with a scarlet coated "mountie" on either side. The ladies were taken shopping, guided by the wives of Halifax Rotarians. Some 200 cars decorated with Rotary emblems were placed at strategic positions all over downtown, as Kiwanis, Gyro and Commercial Clubs assisted. The Herald and Mail brought out attractive special editions.

At the closing banquet, the 435 visitors with several hundred Nova Scotia Rotarians, packed the largest ballroom of the Nova Scotian Hotel for a gala occasion following which the piper led the procession to the strains of the bagpipes through the Hotel and along the ramp to the pier where the visitors embarked on the S.S. Evangeline, which had sailed up the coast during the day. Tears could be seen in the eyes of many of the guests, and of the hosts as well, as the gangplank was taken up, and those on the pier sang "Will ye no come back again". This was no doubt the greatest social event in which Halifax Rotary had participated up to that time.