The Wendt Agency is celebrating 90 years in business this year, and Senior Vice-Presidents Carol Kruger and Jennifer Fritz visited noon Rotary last week to tell us all about it. The advertising agency started in the Great Depression and has weathered all the storms since to become a thriving marketing and communications presence in Great Falls and throughout the state.
Wendt's passion for innovation has been key to its success. Whatever the new technology has been over the past 90 years – from radio to social media and everything in between – Wendt has embraced it. Another unique thing about the business is that it is led by women and consists primarily of female professionals.
With Wendt's 2003 renovation of their downtown offices, they have created a casual atmosphere in the workplace that encourages collaboration and creativity, and they work with their clients as partners who actively assist in creating messages that resonate.
They are also known for their philanthropy and community engagement and this year is no exception. They are celebrating 90 years of success by creating 90 Acts of Kindness in this milestone year. Congratulations to Wendt! Ninety down, 190 to go!
On another note, Dr. Caitlyn Walter has agreed to assume the role of Sergeant at Arms for the club, giving Channing Hartelius a much-deserved break. For many years Channing has taken the time to provide some local color to our meetings, beginning with his teaser, "In the news ...." His humor, his even-handedness, and his patience with our ribbing have been remarkable over all that time. Thank you, Channing, for this valuable service above self.
This Week in Rotary
We had a cancellation of our planned noon presentation, so the speaker for this Tuesday is TBA. There is no evening Rotary this week.
And the Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree
During the "happy moments" segment of last week's noon Rotary meeting, Dr. Susan Wolff shared a moment from over 100 years ago.
Referring to an old newspaper article (reprinted, right), she told us the story of the Miles City Rotary Club celebrating the 100th anniversary of Rotary International. The District Governor, William Murray, Jr., was on hand to lead the program at the Olive Hotel and Paul Wylie of White Sulphur Springs was the keynote speaker.
Of more interest to Susan, though, and of course to all of us, was the photograph of what were described as "the founding fathers" of the Miles City club. Susan's grandfather, Frank Jelinek, was one of them. He's the tall fellow to the far left of the back row with his hands behind his back.
Another reminder that for many of us, Rotary is in our blood. Literally.
Reminder
Have you reserved your Harvest Howl table yet? Reservations are opening to the public soon!
Milestones
Happy birthday this Tuesday to Fred Anderson. May this next year be a little more restful than your last! Thanks for all you do for us at Rotary - and in the state legislature!
Weekly Wow
This week we again made it possible for a handful of incoming high school sophomores to have a leadership experience that may change the course of their high school careers - and even their lives. Rotary Youth Leadership Academy is just that powerful. It wouldn't be possible without the unstinting efforts of Sydney Blair, who oversees the Great Falls program, lining up the interviews, handling the communication, and even driving the kids down to the camp outside Livingston. Thank you, Sydney, and thank you, Art Taft, for helping with the long drive this week.
The Wendt Agency is celebrating 90 years in business this year, and Senior Vice-Presidents Carol Kruger and Jennifer Fritz visited noon Rotary last week to tell us all about it. The advertising agency started in the Great Depression and has weathered all the storms since to become a thriving marketing and communications presence in Great Falls and throughout the state.
