One of the many talents of fellow Rotarian Owen Robinson is his gift for photography. Combine that with his love of travel, the outdoors, and sports and you get some pretty amazing photographs. Join us next Tuesday at noon, when Owen will explain the art of photography.
Last Week at Rotary
Last week Rotarians were treated to a fascinating presentation on the Museum of the Rockies by its dynamic director, Christopher Dobbs. Born in Chicago, Dobbs was educated in Indiana and has lived “all over the East.” He has a long and fond history with Rotary. As former director of the Noah Webster Historical Society, he worked on the National Dictionary Project. When he directed the Connecticut River Museum, he helped Rotarians with their annual Essex Shad Bag, a big and apparently quite messy feast featuring that elaborately boned and “incredibly oily” fish.
Dobbs loves the West, especially the Museum of the Rockiest. Founded in 1957 as a regional history museum, MOR has broadened its scope to include the paleontological history for which it is most famous. We’re talking dinosaurs, folks … the museum has the largest collection of dinosaur bones in the nation, including those of “B. Rex,” discovered under 50 feet of very hard rock. It took weeks to excavate her. She is the only known female specimen in the world.
But that's not all. MOR also features over 300,000 historic and cultural artifacts of Montana, including the 1893 “Yellowstone observation wagon, “the Morning Glory,” a quilt collection as part of the Montana Memory projects, and the revolver and watch rob found on John Bozeman when he was killed. (See photo with this story.)
The pandemic has been a challenge for the museum. They had to close for several months and because 45% of their income is from “gate” proceeds, that had a fiscal impact. However, they also discovered new ways to engage the public and plan to continue their online ticketing and virtual programs. Through virtual programming , they were able to serve 7,900 students from Montana and as far away as South Africa between April and May of 2020. They served 7,500 participants of all ages in September. “It’s a great way to reach people we never reached in the past,” Dobbs said.
He’s excited for upcoming programs as well. “The Vikings Begin” exhibit just opened, featuring artifacts like shields and swords and gold from the Viking era. This fall, the National Geographic exhibit, “A Century of Women,” will feature female photographers. Summer camps will be offered again this summer, albeit with reduced numbers. Noticing how envious many adults are envious of the summer camp experience, Dobbs wants to try a summer camp experience for adults next year.
A progressive campfire dinner – more exhibits – adult summer camps ... Christopher Dobbs is full of ideas, excitement and plans. The Museum of the Rockies is in good hands!
Coming Up
Third time's a charm! Rotarians will be joining TD&H Engineering folks this Wednesday for a clean-up of the highway between the 15th Street bridge and Giant Springs Road. Meet in the TD&H parking lot at 5 p.m. Please let Carey Gray know if you'll join the group so that they can order the right amount of after-task pizza.
Mike Wier introduced himself as the Ghost of Harvest Howl Past last week. It's time to shake off the COVID-19 mothballs and start gearing up for Harvest Howl 2021! It is scheduled for November 5 and will feature Pure Prairie League and Little River Band, two fantastic draws. The planning will kick off this Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the country club. Roll up your sleeves and join us!
Giving It Your All
Rotarians were much in evidence to salute the remarkable career of fellow Rotarian Dave Crum last Thursday in "the Hub" of Great Falls High School. Ten years ago, after 17 years as the head of the McLaughlin Institute Foundation, Dave charted a new course for himself. He became the first-ever director of a similar effort for the Great Falls Public Schools. His marching orders: build a foundation for a public school system from the ground up.
What Dave has achieved in just 10 years is nothing short of phenomenal. He started with what was essentially a sketch on the back of an envelope. Today the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation is the largest public school foundation in the state. The truck raffle alone has raised $950,000 in the last decade - and as Dave will be the first to remind you, every penny of it has gone back to the schools and to the kids who build their futures there. This year, over $337,000 in scholarships were awarded to Great Falls kids.
In case, you've never noticed, Dave never lets it be about Dave ... it's always about what good people in Great Falls can and will do. The good people include fellow Rotarians and their families - notably, Chuck and Gerry Jennings, Ian and Nancy Davidson, Bob Oakland, Cooper Thomas and the Oakland family whose donations of leadership and funding made the Foundation's success possible ... school leader Cheryl Crawley, who made the idea of a foundation a reality ... current board members Mark Finnicum and Bill Bronson, who inspire the confidence in our schools that generates continued support for this worthy cause.
At a Rotary meeting soon, we will honor that collective work by touring the amazing renovations at Great Falls High School. But just this once, in this little article in this little newsletter, let's make it about Dave. If you ever doubt the impact that one good heart can make, remember Dave's story. Dave was successful because he has a great heart. He never got sappy, never wore it on his sleeve, but his love of what good schools, especially good teachers, do for kids was matched only by his love of this community. When he brought the two together - shazam! You can see the magic all over town and we will see it for years to come in all the kids who were able to take the next step, experience something just beyond their imagination, because of this matchmaker.
They say home is where the heart is. Thank you, Dave, for reminding us that there's no place like home.
Milestones
Happy birthday on Sunday to Gregg Holt and on Friday to Cooper Thomas. And before we close the door on May, let's salute two Rotarians celebrating their status as tricenarians this month. That's right: Tony DiLello became a Rotarian 31 years ago and Art Taft joined him 30 years ago this month. That's a whole lot of service above self packed in two men!
Weekly Warmth: Memorial Day
Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountainside,
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
Oh, Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so!
