The first-ever Duck Derby Thursday evening went off “swimmingly,” thanks to the work of Rotarians and other generous contributors. Pictured above are Joann Gogo and Dr. Cait Walter, along with Saniel Clary and Jennifer Creed (yay, evening members!), and, of course, President Todd Neighbor, some of the many on hand to cheer on the web-footed competitors.
Todd, Joann, and Lacey Gallagher had the Holiday Inn Express looking spectacular, including the beautiful floral centerpieces Todd provided as door prizes. The food from Café Rio was provided by NW Energy, and event organizer Heidi Hockett even loaned her grandkids, Hayley and Jared Petersen, to the cause as “duck-chasers.” As promised, Glenn Lambert provided great color commentary, and Channing Hartelius shone as his inimitable self in the emcee role.
Joann was the big winner of the duck race. (We were assured at press time that this was not an inside job, but our team of crack reporters and other assorted crackpots has been deployed to investigate.) Honorary Rotarian Gaines McFadden claimed second prize. Reports on the minnow race conflicted at press time. Chelle Fried reported a win on Facebook, but official reports indicate that the minnow race was discontinued when it was discovered that the fish were in fact dead. (“Live and learn” is probably not the right expression, but it’s the one that comes to mind.)
Anyway, it's always fun to be in the company of fellow Rotarians - especially when you get to mingle with the new evening Rotarians! Heidi extends her gratitude to all the Rotarians who helped make the event a success.
Last Week at Rotary
Last week Scott Shanahan of American Red Cross briefed us on the blood services Red Cross provides. At least 1,650 are helped by these services every day, and every 27 minutes someone in Montana needs blood. In fact, 95% of us know someone who has received a blood transfusion, so having good quantities available is very important, here at home and world-wide.
Giving blood has never been easier. It only takes about an hour - and with the Rapid Pass app now available, you can be in and out in 30 to 40 minutes. If you eat 2-3 hours before giving and stay hydrated, you won't feel the effects at all. You'll also get juice and cookies on site!
You can give blood at an American Red Cross donation center or at one of the many blood drives held at businesses, community centers, schools, or places of worship. High school students and the military have been especially generous donors. Scott said 3 times more Great Falls students gave blood last year than students in the nearest AA school district.
One whole blood donation can yield three highly needed blood products: red cells, platelets and plasma. Consider making a donation soon: It costs nothing and saves lives!
Winding Down ...
It's much too soon to have concrete numbers from the Harvest Howl, but at last week's meeting we got a few gleanings from the event. Carey Gray reported that she more than exceeded her goal of breaking last year's 50-50 record of $4,400 in sales. This year her crew sold $6,486 worth of tickets! The lucky winner, Sarah Chauncey (pictured with Carey) looks pretty pleased.
Mike Wier said there were 1,763 paying guests - pretty intimidating! - but in spite of a few hiccups, the night went smoothly. And it ended on a beautiful note: At the end of the night, Jimmy Filipowicz of Steel, Etc. offered to pay 4 times the going rate if he Mike brought all the beer cans to Steel, Etc. Jimmy then tipped the clean-up crew handsomely to incentivize them to collect as many beer cans as they could.
Long story short: Ten teeming bags of odoriferous beer cans sat in Mike Wier's garage all weekend while Mike tried to reach Jimmy and not look his wife in the eye. On Monday morning, Jimmy called Mike to say he'd be gone, but just bring the cans by Steel, Etc. and a check would be waiting for him. There sure was: $2,500 made out to Harvest Howl! Thank you, Steel, Etc.!
Today's winning "bulletin bucks" winner is button number #80. If that's your number, see Todd Neighbor to claim your $25 cash card!
This Week at Rotary
This week will hear about the journey of one kidney ... from someone who witnessed it first-hand, Fred Anderson. The 50-50 pot is growing as well. Join us at noon at the country club!
Milestones
Join us in wishing happy birthday this week to Steven Schnider on Thursday and to Keith Tokerud on Friday. Best wishes to you both for the best year ever!
Weekly Wonder: The Art of Being Taft
• Conrad: 33 dictionaries to 4th graders (as third grade received theirs from VFW)
• Cut Bank: 63 dictionaries
• Sunburst: 12 dictionaries
• Shelby: 38 dictionaries
• Total: 146 dictionaries and 1 pretty great Rotarian.
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