There will be no meeting at the country club at noon on August 30. Instead, we're enjoying one another's company in the VIP booth at the Voyagers game that evening. We've made reservations for 60, so feel free to bring a loved one and/or a friend. Please confirm your attendance by signing up at the attendance desk at a Rotary meeting soon.
There will be no eBulletin next week.
Harvest Howl reminders:
The silent auction committee is soliciting donated items. Contact Susan Wolff if you have an idea.
It's time to start bringing wine to Rotary for the wine baskets.
The dessert auction is also exceedingly popular. Contact Cari Yturri if you can contribute.
Last Week at Rotary
Al Wiseman of Choteau was our featured speaker last week. A Meti himself, he told us about his efforts to raise awareness about the history of the Meti in the area.
The word "Meti" comes from the French for "mixed blood." When white men first entered western Canada and the northwestern United States, their predominant nationality was French. They often took Chippewa Cree women for their wives. The children of these unions became the first Meti. Their mixed heritage left them shunned by the whites and by the Chippewa Cree alike, a legacy of discrimination and mistreatment that lasted well over a century.
One interesting story Mr. Wiseman relayed was the effort by General Pershing to round up the Meti in Montana and return them to Canada. They were frequently found in the outskirts of communities, dubbed "Moccasin Flats" at the time. When the attempt was made in Great Falls, many of the Meti fled and were slaughtered in that attempt.
Mr. Wiseman has worked with scholars from Montana and from Canada to educate others about the Metis' experience, using footlockers of Meti artifacts and speaking engagements. He is being honored for his efforts by the Montana Historical Society with an award this fall.
This Week at Rotary
Our featured speaker this week is Luke Urick, who will tell us about the program, Veterans Helping Veterans. Join us at noon at the country club!
The Harvest Howl Planning Committee will meet Wednesday at 5:30 at the country club. All helpers are welcome!
Rotarians Are ... Young at Heart!
Our club is exceptional in its dedication to the community's children. Although Camp Rotary is perhaps our best example, hardly a week goes by that you don't find this Rotarian or that engaged in an activity that betters young lives.
Case in point: Last week, three Rotarians from the same institution dedicated some time to getting kids excited about culture. Lew Card, pictured here, introduced local pre-schoolers to the joys of reading. Susan Wolff did the same. And Darryl Stevens taught kids to sing and sign at the same time!
A special day for the kids ... and the adults had a great time too!
Milestones
Today we celebrate the birthday of past president Cheryl Crawley, and Thursday we add another candle for Malissa Hollan. Both are great examples of the value that women add to Rotary. Feliz compleanos, nuestras hermanas!
