May 5 Bulletin Follow-up (May 05, 2018)

Apologies

I had two important requests for inclusion in this week's bulletin and with all the excitement of Cruisin' the Drag, the Kentucky Derby, the Stanley Cup, and commencement exercises at Great Falls College ... well, I spaced them out. So this is an addendum to the bulletin emailed to you a little while ago.

The first two stories below are the ones I promised. The other material is filler so that I don't have to create a whole new template when I do next week's bulletin.

Mary Moe

Volunteers Needed May 15-18

From May 15 – 18 in Great Falls, more than 1,000 Special Olympics Montana athletes from 70 plus teams across the state will compete in eleven Olympic-type sports and revel in their hard work and achievements at many special events. Rotarians Bob Norbie and Kelley Aline are asking you help the community celebrate the best of humanity.

Inspired by the Lewis and Clark Expedition of the early 1800’s, this year's event has adopted Rise Above The Roar as our Games’ theme. Just as the Corps of Discovery endured numerous obstacles and hardships navigating the Missouri River and portaging around the thunderous roar of the Great Falls, Special Olympics Montana athletes are also resolute in their determination and undaunted courage to overcome present-day obstacles defined by prejudice and discrimination.

During these Games we need you to be the athletes’ champions. Volunteer. As a volunteer-driven movement, we need your help. Whether you have a few hours, a full day or are available the entire Games, we have something for you to do to ensure that everyone crosses the finish line a champion.

Come join us as fans in the stands. Cheer athletes on to victory knowing that when we lift up each other, we lift up ourselves. When we help others shine, we all shine. When we give our personal best, everyone wins!

Those who are part of a winning team include the volunteer Games Management Team led by Co- Directors Kelley Aline from Edward Jones and Kyle Herda from First Interstate Bank. These dedicated leaders, along with upwards of 2,000 volunteers will be needed to host the Games. To learn more about the Games and volunteer opportunities – please visit www.somt.org. Register today!

Philipsburg Is Gearing up for Another Great Concert

It’s becoming a favorite Montana summer tradition, a party the whole family can enjoy. The popularity of Philipsburg’s August Concert has many people returning year after year. The all day event takes place at Winninghoff Arena and will be held this year on Saturday, August 18. The gates will open at noon and the main show will run from 2PM to 7PM. As in the past, the Philipsburg Rotary Club is asking us to provide some volunteers to staff the event.

“There is simply nothing like Pburg in the Summer and this event is the highlight of it all. It’s our 9th in a row and folks just love coming here,” said this year’s Concert Chair Leeann Tenesch.

“We are excited to have both Kelly Hughes’ Band and legendary Blues performer Sammy Eubanks band booked for the August show. Plus we have Spokane’s four-time national champion fiddle player Justin James. It’s going to be a great day of music, award-winning local brews, a limited list of cool auction items, food booths and it all goes to charitable causes. Gates open at noon and there will be food and beverages from then on all day.”

Winninghoff Arena is a terraced, grassy amphitheater which the Rotary Club constructed above the town’s new ice rink. It can seat up to 3,000 concert goers and is well known for its great acoustics. Two years ago the Rotary purchased land adjacent to the rink to create a food court area during concerts. The concert site is literally in the heart of the historic mining town. Concert goers receive wristbands that permit them to leave the arena any time during the event and walk the half block to the beautifully restored downtown area.

“This year we decided to add a limited number of high-end auction items between the bands,” explained Tenesch.
According to Tenesch the auction items include float trips, lodging, a Napa wine tour package and golf at top courses. The list is not finalized as the Rotary Club is still receiving items. Over the last decade Rotary events at Winninghoff Park have raised more than a quarter million dollars for park improvements and local charities.

Let's help our sister club again. Block out August 18 on your calendar and if you can help, talk to Susan Woolf.

Spotted at the Kentucky Derby - and We're Not Talking Pintos!

Call me a besotted grandmother, but it looks like my little Oliver knew just what hat to wear to this year's Kentucky Derby--the wettest race in Derby history!

In the News

Dean and fellow Rotarian Susan Woolf congratulated 323 graduates of Great Falls College MSU this afternoon. Graduation days are always the happiest days on a college campus. Best wishes to Susan and to all the graduates!

Guiness-Worthy, of One Kind or Another

One for the records: this week's Splash for Cash for the Grace Home Veterans Center produced not just a mermaid, not just a merman, but a mermayor! Bob Kelly took a dive for the cause.