Several Rotarians hiding behind Christmas masks had a great time shopping for children's gifts needed for the Salvation Army's Christmas Giving Tree.
The Great Falls Rotary club has launched a Public Service Campaign on television to promote the good works of Rotary.
Here is the link to how First Interstate Bank's Kevin Clark delivers our clubs message.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoikfOoV5o8&feature=youtu.be
.jpg)
A new record has been set at $97,000!
Thanksgiving came a couple of days early last week.
At Tuesday's meeting, Tom Nelson(left) and Mike Wier (right), who head up our Harvest Howl fundraiser each fall, gave us the news of our "winnings" from the event.
Amazingly, we've hit a new high - we not only set a new record, but left the old one in the dust. Between the tickets sold, the food served, the 50-50 tickets split, and very successful silent and dessert auctions, Mike and Tom were able to write a check to the Great Falls Rotary Foundation for $97,000! That money goes directly to Camp Rotary, the signature project of Great Falls Rotary, and a commitment of such long duration and high ambition that it makes our club unique in the state.
This is the pay-off for all our hard work. Our thanks to the many leaders who made the work organized, do-able, and very, very productive.
Duck Derby Debuts
The first-ever Duck Derby Thursday evening went off “swimmingly,” thanks to the work of Rotarians and other generous contributors. Pictured above are Joann Gogoand Dr. Cait Walter, along with Saniel Clary and Jennifer Creed (yay, evening members!), and, of course, President Todd Neighbor, some of the many on hand to cheer on the web-footed competitors.
Todd, Joann, and Lacey Gallagher had the Holiday Inn Express looking spectacular, including the beautiful floral centerpieces Todd provided as door prizes. The food from Café Rio was provided by NW Energy, and event organizer Heidi Hockett even loaned her grandkids, Hayley and Jared Petersen, to the cause as “duck-chasers.” As promised, Glenn Lambert provided great color commentary, and Channing Hartelius shone as his inimitable self in the emcee role.
Joann was the big winner of the duck race. (We were assured at press time that this was not an inside job, but our team of crack reporters and other assorted crackpots has been deployed to investigate.) Honorary Rotarian Gaines McFadden claimed second prize. Reports on the minnow race conflicted at press time. Chelle Fried reported a win on Facebook, but official reports indicate that the minnow race was discontinued when it was discovered that the fish were in fact dead. (“Live and learn” is probably not the right expression, but it’s the one that comes to mind.)
Anyway, it's always fun to be in the company of fellow Rotarians - especially when you get to mingle with the new evening Rotarians! Heidi extends her gratitude to all the Rotarians who helped make the event a success. 
This year's Harvest Howl exceeded all expectations with Sawyer Brown and Sister Hazel.
It's too early to share how much was raised to support Camp Rotary so tap in again soon for our report.
Twenty eight trees were planted at NeighborWorks’ Owner-Built Homes project on the north end of the City, thanks to a generous donation from the Great Falls Rotary Foundation.
Judge Bob Holter, now retired, promoted the Rotary Tree Planting Project, after seeing a recent article highlighting Rotary Tree Projects from around the world. The Rotary Foundation hopes to continue this tradition yearly, granted that funds are available. In addition to these trees, the Foundation plans to provide the trees for the High School House program and Habitat for Humanity homes.
Holter commented on the importance of new trees in the face of climate change, calling himself a "conservative tree hugger", he read a famous poem by Joyce Kilmer, "Trees"
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
The opportunity for more Rotary fellowship in Great Falls is expanding!
Existing and potential members are invited to attend any or all of these preliminary meetings:
September 13th —5:30pm to 7:00pm (Meadowlark Country Club)
September 27th — 5:30pm to 7:00pm (Meadowlark Country Club)
October 11th —5:30pm to 7:00pm( Meadowlark Country Club)
October 25th — 5:30pm to 7:00pm (Meadowlark Country Club)
Agenda:
5:30pm to 6:00pm—Social, Networking
6:00pm to 6:30pm—Rotary Program *
6:30pm to 7:00pm—Club Framework **
* Rotary Program—One Rotary Service Program will be highlighted
** Framework—Guests & members will discuss club structure, future meetings, and volunteer projects
Rotarians and their families enjoy at night at the ballpark. 
Voyagers General Manager, Scott Reasoner and his staff know how to put on a great party, complete with perfect baseball weather!
President, Todd Neighbor, Past-President, Dean Boyle, President-Elect, Cari Yturri, and Membership Chairperson, Joann Gogo attended Rotary District Training in Butte.
If these banners in his board room are any indication, newly inducted President Todd Neighbor is about to let Rotary take over his life! As with all things Rotary, this display would not be possible without the behind-the-scenes work of at least one other Rotarian. Thank you, Virginia Stacey, for being that Rotarian, and best wishes, Todd, for a fulfilling year as our president.
The Rotary International Convention in Toronto was an incredibly well choreographed work of art. To be able to join over 25000 other Rotarians to see Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau receive Rotary’s Polio Eradication Champion Award, to have Princess Anne thank us for our commitment to eradicate polio, and to have First Lady Laura Bush encourage us to continue our support of childhood education was very inspirational. 
.JPG)
The May social was at Black Eagle Brewery. The first to show up were Bill and Carol Bronson, Keven and Lori Eckhardt, and Tom jacobson. Thanks to many Rotarians, military friends and Davidson employees the packaging process went very quickly.
After collecting over $3,000 in donations in the last month, Todd Neighbor and Rob Rezek lead the volunteers in putting together the care packages for the military deployed in remote parts of Afghanistan, Syria and North Africa.
.jpg)
