Last week was a fine one at Rotary, especially if you associate "fine" with the fine arts. After a musical introduction, Tom Nelson announced that Little River Band will be our Harvest Howl headliner and Pure Prairie League will be our warm up band. Tom has scored again! Block out November 6 on your calendar and start dusting off your dancing shoes!
Our featured speaker was John Godwin. As of our meeting, although the C. M. Russell Museum's portion of Western Art Week had been canceled, John promised that fourteen other shows would be exhibiting as usual for Western Art Week in Great Falls. Unfortunately, by week's end, those shows, too, canceled. It's yet one more illustration of the lingering economic consequences of the immediate medical crisis.
John was accompanied by pastel pencil artist Sarah Boston. Sarah is a former volunteer and newly juried artist now presenting at the show. She told us how her volunteer experience inspired her to continue her art education. She credits her success to the mentoring she received from other artists, many of whom will also be a part of this vibrant week in the Great Falls calendar. Ah, the art. Whether it's a beautiful Echo Ukrainetz' batik, an amazing wood sculpture by Tom Dean, or Sarah's strong pastel ... so fine.
The Week in Rotaryut
If you're just settling in to read your Rotary bulletin, you might consider putting on some painting clothes and joining us to complete the project at the Great Falls Rescue Mission Women's Shelter, 317 Second Avenue South (on the north side of 2nd Avenue South). We'll start at 10 a.m. and with 6-10 volunteers, we should be done by 12:30 p.m. No need to bring any supplies, but a paint can and a trim brush would come in handy.
Next Tuesday at noon it will be our honor to have the Honorable Judge Elizabeth Best as our guest. After a successful career as a lawyer, she is now serving as a jurist in our district court, currently the only female serving in that capacity. With the concerning spike in crime and in child abuse/neglect cases, her perspective will be timely and well-informed.
The country club has let us know that, in an effort to mitigate cross-contamination during the COVID-19 pandemic, for the foreseeable future the Club will not be offering buffet service. Beginning this Tuesday, Rotarians will be served a plated meal consisting of a plated salad, entrée and dessert.
Our March social will be on Thursday, March 19, at the Do Bar, starting at 5:30 p.m.
Leaders Rub Elbows at PETS
High Country PETS Conference? Is that something for llama-owners? No, it's Rotary's annual Presidents-elect Training Seminar, conducted for Rotary Presidents-elect and President-Elect-Nominees from Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. Our Preisdent-Elect Megan Conners and President-Elect-Nominee Lacey Gallagher attended February 28-March 1.
A highlight of the event was the keynote address by Rotary International President Elect Holger Knaack, shown with Megan here. "He was inspiring," Lacey commented, "just a wonderful spirit." He came to the District 5390 meeting the following day to say hello.
Megan and Lacey appreciated the opportunity to meet some 300 like-minded individuals who were learning more about Rotary, as well as one another's districts and clubs. "We returned with many ideas about how to build good will and better friendship," Lacey remarked.
Celebrating over a Century of Friendship
At a luncheon last Thursday, our club was honored as the Boys Scouts of America's 2020 Community Partner. Not only do we recognize Eagle Scouts each year at one of our meetings, but we have also spent over a century providing Scouts with a high-quality, low-cost camping experience at Camp Rotary. President Yturri accepted the award on behalf of the club.
Milestones
Happy birthday today to Kevin Burnett! A relatively new member of our club, he's shown his leadership from Day 1. "The future's so bright/he's gotta wear shades!" Salud, Kevin.
