Last Friday night, Rotary Club of Great Falls celebrated the completion of 100 years as a club. Former District Governor and Club President Mark Finnicum served as emcee for a program formatted like our weekly meeting, with a pledge led by PresidentTim Peterson, a memorable Sergeant-at-Arms report from Channing Hartelius, a medley of songs from the century delivered by Art Taft and Mary Moe, and various presentations summarized elsewhere in this newsletter.
Over 120 Rotarians and guests were in attendance in a beautifully appointed setting at the country club. We were graced by the presence of District Governor Bill Spath and his wife, from Butte, as well as Rotarians from around Montana and from Canada, who traveled far to be with us for this memorable occasion.
Although the food was delicious and the program was educational, entertaining, and inspiring, by far the best feature of the event was the feeling of fellowship so evident throughout the evening. One hundred years ago, 25 men formed a club dedicated to creating friendship through shared efforts to serve a larger purpose. Friday's event was powerful testimony that they succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.
Speakers Praise Rotary and Rotarians
The Gala program was peppered with speakers who educated and inspired attendees with observations about various aspects of Rotary Club of Great Falls.
Fred Anderson reminded us of the remarkable effort involved in creating the Waterton/Glacier International Peace Park and the Hands Across the Border event that has taken place ever since.
As the guest with the longest experience as a Rotarian, Judge Bob Holter delivered the "Rotary moment," reminding the club of how much good we can accomplish in the world by working together in service above self. He then introduced Dr. Roberto Amado-Cattaneo, whose work he described as "breath-taking," and Dr. Cattaneo regaled us with the good our club is doing by helping him save children's lives in Ethiopia. When he finished, the guests rose in a spontaneous tribute to this remarkable fellow Rotarian.
Our featured speaker was Governor Steve Bullock, who contrasted the Great Falls and Montana of 1916 with the community and state we know today. He applauded the work of Dr. Cattaneo and of all those who help so many children through Camp Rotary. He closed with this challenge to the club: "What will Great Falls Rotarians 100 years from now say about what YOU did this year, next year, and all the years to come? What legacy will you leave them?" Food for thought.
A Beautiful Relationship
Our celebration of 100 years as a club is also very much a celebration of a 100-year relationship with the United States Forest Service. In fact, our club historian, Kurt Baltrusch, speculates that it may well be that the desire to create Camp Rotary is what spawned the club, rather than the other way around.
However it came to be, we were reminded at the Gala what a beautiful relationship it has been. The spell-binding Ken Munski summarized all the efforts that the club has made to make Camp Rotary what it is today, and then turned the microphone over to Robin Strathy, Deputy Supervisor for the Lewis & Clark Forest.
Robin told us stories about the campers she has met over the years. One young camper described Camp Francis to her this way: "You get to take out all the sad and fill up the happy." She told us of a mother, who after the camp said, "Thank you for giving me my daughter back." Like all of us, the Forest Service is proud of this remarkable relationship - and committed to seeing it continue and prosper.
The Happiest Happy Moment Ever!
In keeping with our regular meeting format, the event closed with "happy moments" from various guests. Senator Tester shared his appreciation for the club, especially for the remarkable work of Dr. Cattaneo. (Congressman Zinke's message will be featured in next week's newsletter.) Brett Doney celebrated being part of a club of doers, people who don't just sit on their hands or complain, but go out and get things done. Lacey Gallagher expressed her thanks to all who had helped make the event so memorable. Gordon Rubard celebrated the nearly 100-year relationship of our club with the Boy Scouts. The club toasted the Rotarians we love who, due to illness or infirmity, could not be with us.
But by far the happiest moment was delivered by Rob Rezek. After telling us about several upcoming service projects, Rob talked about his favorite service project from the past, the Care packages we prepared for our troops in Afghanistan. He brought up to the stage one of those troops, the lovely Saniel Clarey, and announced that he hoped the next time he sent her a care package, it would be to his wife! The crowd went wild, and as you can see, the couple did too. Congratulations, Rob and Saniel. A pair to draw to, for sure!
A perfect ending to a perfect evening.
Thanks to the Many Hands Who Made Light Work!
It was an early summer day when Rotarians first gathered to plan the celebration that culminated in the 100 Year Gala last Friday night. Many, many Rotarians pitched in to make the event memorable, but a few deserve special recognition.
In his behind-the-scenes way, Kurt Baltrusch has done yeoman's service in researching the club's history and working with Ad Club's John Godwin to boil 100 years of service down to a single, highly watchable CD. (They'll be available for purchase soon!) Kurt briefed those of us who worked with the media and prepared our guest speakers. And if that wasn't enough, he arranged to have those vintage automobiles greeting guests as they arrived at the country club. Thank you, Kurt.
Lacey Gallagher brought her organizational genius to the project, seeing to every detail of this multi-faceted event. She called all around town to find a Canadian flag (never did!), organized and printed the invitations and program, arranged for everything from coat-checkers to flower-buying partners ... and much, much more. You know when Lacey's on a project, she's ON it - and the result is always spectacular. Thank you, Lacey.
Denise Gray has an eye for ambiance and a flair for creating it. She, more than anyone else, made the setting for the Gala beautiful. The ice sculpture was a work of art. The flowers, both the huge 100 Year arrangement (see Centennial Wisdom, below) and the perfectly sized and colored table centerpieces, were magnificent. She arranged for both and got us a steal-of-a-deal on both. Thank you, Denise.
Tim Peterson led the planning with his usual diplomacy and low-key style, confident in the knowledge that when you ask Rotarians to help, they will. And they did! Thank you, all!
Centennial Wisdom
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOOD WILL and better FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
[Next week, back to the old bulletin's range in reporting!]
The Gala program was peppered with speakers who educated and inspired attendees with observations about various aspects of Rotary Club of Great Falls.
In keeping with our regular meeting format, the event closed with "happy moments" from various guests. Senator Tester shared his appreciation for the club, especially for the remarkable work of Dr. Cattaneo. (Congressman Zinke's message will be featured in next week's newsletter.) Brett Doney celebrated being part of a club of doers, people who don't just sit on their hands or complain, but go out and get things done. Lacey Gallagher expressed her thanks to all who had helped make the event so memorable. Gordon Rubard celebrated the nearly 100-year relationship of our club with the Boy Scouts. The club toasted the Rotarians we love who, due to illness or infirmity, could not be with us.
It was an early summer day when Rotarians first gathered to plan the celebration that culminated in the 100 Year Gala last Friday night. Many, many Rotarians pitched in to make the event memorable, but a few deserve special recognition.
1. Is it the TRUTH?
