Our weekly meetings resume this week on Zoom! Join us this Tuesday to hear from County Commissioner Jim Larson and next week to hear from Dr. Jason Carter, Director of Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education at MSU. Learning about needs is the first step to service above self!
Our Holiday Celebration at Rotary
If you missed our holiday luncheon, you missed a wonderful gathering of Rotarians on Zoom. Art Taft did yeoman's service in writing, co-performiing, and preparing for viewing several parodies of holiday carols, all on the general theme of coping with COVID- 19. Thank you, Art!
Members made the event heart-warming by sharing their stories. Beth McFadden started the story-telling by displaying an ornament that was special to her. Several Rotarians shared memories of Christmases in the past, each one providing a glimpse into the rich blend of members that make up our club. Perhaps the mood of the occasion was best summed up by Jesse Mahugh. He told us that his memories of Christmases as a child are all happy ones because he had the great blessing of being part of a loving family. His work with Big Brothers, Big Sisters has made him realize that not all children have that blessing. Throughout the Zoom call, you could see heads nodding in agreement.
The luncheon concluded with a video montage Art had assembled to the tune of "Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas." It closed with photos of Rotarians dearly departed longtime Rotarians, Paul Cory and Bob Oakland. Next to the blessings of family, the joy of joining arms in service above self is a gift that keeps on giving. We left the meeting with these appropriate lyrics ringing in our ears:
"Once again as in olden days, golden olden days of yore,
Faithful friends who are dear to us, will be near to us once more.
Someday soon we all will be together - if the fates allow
Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow.
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now."
We have had to adjust in 2020, canceling this, finding a new way to do that. But we muddled through somehow. Now let's gear up for 2021!
Ending on a Good Note
We closed out 2020 with one last act of giving.
Right before the holidays, the Rotary Board approved a donation of excess funds accumulated during the months of not buying lunches to support the "Desk of Their Own to Learn at Home" project of the GFPS Foundation. We sent $3500 to have 35 desks built for remote elementary school learners.
Honorary member Gaines McFadden builds the desks, which comply with the standards set forth by the Great Falls Public School District. During the pandemic, students are facing the challenge of learning at home and without having a work station geared to them, that's an added challenge. The desks give students a personal work station to help them focus on their studies. Of course, the desks give them something else as well - the affirmation that their community values them and believes in the importance of their education.
Students receiving a desk of their own will also receive an appropriately sized chair provided through the district's surplus inventory. They'll also be given a can of paint and a paintbrush to personalize their work station.
"Although the desk is tangible and made of wood," the GFPS Foundation wrote in gratitude, "it conveys a spirit of warmth, love and hope. We thank the Rotary Club of Great Falls and each of its members for their generosity and for their belief in the importance of investing in our students. We send you the smiles of grateful young students who, because of you, have a desk of their own."
What a great way to end the year!
Always, Always Service above Self
In last month's bulletin, we described the work Rotarians have done to remove a ramshackle trailer from the Eagle Mount property south of town. The Eagle Mount project continues this morning, starting at around 9 a.m.
Kurt Baltrusch, Gaines McFadden and Art Taft loaded the remainder of the trailer last Wednesday. All that remains today are removing the steel framework and tidying up the site. If you'd like to help, the location is 4792 13th Street South, on the right just beyond the Ayrshire Dairy, but before you cross the railroad tracks. Be sure to brings gloves and a mask. Rakes would also be a good idea.
Deb Sivumaki, Eagle Mount Director, is delighted to have this eyesore removed. Start out the new year with service above self!
Milestones
We start out a new year celebrating the birthday of an outstanding Rotarian, a past president and our longtime chairman of all things Harvest Howl Happy birthday today to Mike Wier!
