This Sunday, June 27, beginning at 4 p.m., Great Falls will say good-bye to Bill Harp in a celebration of life at Centene Stadium. There could not be a more appropriate venue. After a short service at 4 p.m., anyone who wants to speak is invited to share a favorite observation or story about this remarkable man. Hot dogs, cold drinks, and warm memories will be provided.
This Monday, June 28, beginning at 5 p.m., we've got another social ... this one at the historic Ryan Dam Clubhouse. Appetizers, tea, and water will be provided. Please bring the beverage of your choice. Don't forget your lawn chairs, sunscreen or bug spray!
Farewell and Thank You
It's the changing of the guard next week at Rotary. President Megan Connors will complete her term of office as president of our club. Before she does, some words of appreciation are in order.
It's hard to imagine assuming the presidency at a more challenging time than July 2020. A pandemic made the interpersonal relationships that have been the foundational glue for this club for over a century difficult to cling to. Our experiment with an evening membership option was coming to an end. The problems with the bridge to Camp Rotary meant we had to scramble to keep our signature project viable. Camps had been canceled, as had Harvest Howl, sapping the joys that make our union rewarding. And who stepped into this mess? One of our youngest presidents ever, managing motherhood and a burgeoning career and now a club in all kinds of crises.
Megan Connors rose to the occasion with a competence far beyond her years and with an enviable diplomacy and equanimity. She rolled with the punches of Zoom meetings and found other ways to keep us connected. She managed the end of the evening experiment with a graciousness that both clubs emulated, keeping good will and better friendship at the forefront. She kept us engaged in service, even in the midst of a pandemic. Throughout, she kept her cool.
No, she did not do it alone - another sign of great leadership. In a year when a lot of bridges could have been burned, Megan just kept building them. How fortunate we were to have her in that role during this difficult time! Thank you, Megan. OK, Lacey: Batter up!
Last Week at Rotary
Rotarians met in a new venue last week to see first-hand the improvements made to Great Falls High School, thanks to the citizens of Great Falls and three local Rotarians in particular.
Great Falls High School went through a major face-lift, expansion and renovation after the $99-million+ building bond was approved by Great Falls voters in 2016. The administrative offices were moved, classrooms were updated, and the historic old building and Swarthout Fieldhouse were combined with a beautiful student “hub” centered in the integrated space.
Two facilities in particular were featured in the visit. The first was the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, impressively equipped through a $500,000 donation by the Oakland family, including deceased Rotarian Bob Oakland and his grandson, fellow Rotarian Cooper Thomas. Once designed for “shop classes” in the pre-digitization days, the center now features 21st century equipment and technology that will prepare students for careers in automotive mechanics, welding, carpentry, and woodworking, among other trades. GFPS Foundation Director and fellow Rotarian Dave Crum, who worked with the Oaklands to make their dream this community’s reality, boasts that this space is the finest CTE center in Montana for high school students.
Rotarians also toured the new Davidson Family Auditorium, a beautiful renovation of an iconic space that holds memories for three generations of fellow Rotarian Ian Davidson's family ... and more than a few Rotarians. The auditorium was looking – and feeling – a little down on its luck, but the renovation made possible by the Davidsons’ $2 million contribution has managed to keep the ambience of the old theater space while infusing it with class and comfort.
The Davidson Family Auditorium has more than a pretty face. The technology for lighting, sound, and dramatic functionality is state-of-the-art. High school performers from all over the state are going to vie for the opportunity to thrill an audience in this space. In the meantime, how many generations of future Bison will sit in those seats or stand on that stage, cheering one another on, sharing laughter and tears, and dreaming big dreams? Truly inspirational.
Oh, happy day.
Milestones
Lots of birthdays to celebrate between now and the next time this bulletin comes out. Among them:
Sheila Rice on June 28
Aaron Weissman on July 6
Sydney Blair on July 7
Barb Mullens on July 10
Fred Anderson on July 16
Best wishes to all of you from all of us!
No Bulletin for a While
Beginning June 26 and ending July 10, your editor's family is reuniting for the first time since New Year's Eve 2019. We will not be able to do so again until January 2024. Don't count on a bulletin until July 17.
Weekly Warmth
They say Montana is really just one town ... with really long streets. We were reminded of that at our last Rotary social - twice! Our server saw the photograph of an iconic Butte landmark on the t-shirt of one Rotarian and said, "You're from Butte! Me too!" The only possible response was, "Howsha go?"
A little boy at a neighboring table took an interest in the dog at the table right next to ours and made several trips over to pet and play with him. All the Rotarians at Mary Moe's end of the table agreed the boy was the spit and image of one of her grandsons. Mary went over to show the parents and grandparents a photo of her child (the photo below(. They, too, marveled at the likeness. "Show it to Neil!" they encouraged her. She she showed the photograph of Oliver to the little boy who had been petting the dog.
"That's me," he said. And all of us assured him No, that's Oliver, but he looks a great deal like you. And guess what? He likes dogs too! "Awesome," Neil said.
