Our Rotary after Hours event this week is a special opportunity. We've been invited to tour the "Harmless Hunters" display of Charlie Russell's work at the C.M. Russell Museum on Wed., July 29, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Come any time. There's no charge for the tour and drinks and snacks await you at the end of the trail.
Anderson ZurMuehlen is throwing a party honoring the career of Tony DiLello on Thurs., Aug. 6, from 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. at the AZ office site, 21 Tenth Street S. If you will attend this retirement party, RSVP to Carol Franko at 727-0888.
The board of directors of Rotary Club of Great Falls will hold its monthly meeting on Tues., Aug. 4, at 4:30 p.m. at L'Heureux Page Werner offices at 15 Fifth Street S. All members are welcome to attend.
Rotarians Go the Extra Mile
Rotary Club of Great Falls is admired throughout the state for its commitment to Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA). Every year we send 8 - 12 prospective sophomores to the camp, where they discover what it means to be a leader and what they as individuals can bring to that equation.
Our commitment would not be possible without the volunteer efforts of fellow Rotarians. Sydney Blair has headed up the project for the past two years in her uniquely warm and efficient way. There are lots of interviews to conduct and forms to get signed, but the hardest part is recruiting volunteer drivers. It is, after all, a 7-hour round trip. This year Mark Nash brought the students to RYLA and Sydney and Virginia Stacey brought the kids back home.
Virginia enthused about the experience at last week's Rotary meeting. On the way down, she noted, the kids are scared to death. But on the way back, they bubble over with happy stories about their new friendships, insights, and ambitions.
Thank you, Sydney, Mark and Virginia for literally going the extra mile - or 500 or so - to give Great Falls kids an eye-opening, sometimes life-changing experience!
Last Week at Rotary
Last week the Mayor of Great Falls, Michael Winters, joined us as our featured presenter. Mayor Winters devoted the majority of his remarks to the issue of fireworks during the Independence Day holiday. He noted that he's received many complaints about the noise and danger of the fireworks, as well as the effect they have on pets. Nonetheless, he doesn't believe a fireworks ban would work and thinks that preserving this custom is important.
He asked Rotarians for feedback on an idea he has to moor a barge on the Missouri River and use that as the center of an Independence Day celebration that would attract vendors and perhaps cut down on the private use of fireworks.
Mayor Winters also discussed how much he has learned from his experience of being the major and how grateful he is for the opportunity to serve in that capacity.
Good News!
We have found a partner for Dr. Cattaneo's project in Ethiopia! President Tim Peterson announced last week that the president of an Ethiopian Rotary club has agreed to co-sponsor an application for a global grant with us. That's a big step forward for this worthy project.
Milestones
Today Jim McCormick celebrates another birthday and on Wednesday John Koppelman does the same. Best wishes to you both for a happy and healthy new year!
On Friday, July 31, Cheryl Crawley will complete her 21st year as a Rotarian. Thank you, Cheryl, for all those years of service above self.
Weekly Wisdom on the Ordinary
Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable, but it is a way of
foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of
an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand.
Make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.
So much coming up for Rotarians in Great Falls!
Rotary Club of Great Falls is admired throughout the state for its commitment to Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA). Every year we send 8 - 12 prospective sophomores to the camp, where they discover what it means to be a leader and what they as individuals can bring to that equation.
Last week the Mayor of Great Falls, Michael Winters, joined us as our featured presenter. Mayor Winters devoted the majority of his remarks to the issue of fireworks during the Independence Day holiday. He noted that he's received many complaints about the noise and danger of the fireworks, as well as the effect they have on pets. Nonetheless, he doesn't believe a fireworks ban would work and thinks that preserving this custom is important. 
