We Owned The Day - July 4, 2011

Where do we start with the kudos for another successful 4th of July? Not only did we put on a flawless community event enjoyed by thousands; we also raised over $20,000 for the good works of our club both here in Livingston County and throughout the world.

There are a few we need to mention even though they are always the ones who avoid the attention as they go about their tasks.

Diana Beaudoin for her vision of the "Great Duck Float." How impressive was that? And to Wayne Perry, Jerry Beaudoin and Annmarie Stanesa who were with that giant yellow monster all the way from empty trailer to hit of the parade.

Eric Righetti was our 2011 Duckmaster...nuff said.

Mark Newton who took on the daunting task of ticket sales coordination and ticket control. Oh yeah, and provided the lion's share of our child labor.

Larry Lawrence who made sure that the family of our recently deceased Grand Marshal felt loved, needed and especially honored.

Jim Lawrence & Kate Lawrence (aka. the Lawrence twins). I don't think anyone enjoys the Great Duck Race and Run...and for that matter All Things Duck, as much as Jim Lawrence (except maybe Chuck Thompson). Kate looked so comfortable in her first year as first mate in the Duck Boat.

Lynda Chase who learned so much about running in her first year as team captain of a very successful Hungry Duck Run.

Steve Gronow who was in charge of the Duckling Dash. How cool is it to see hundreds of kids running down the middle of Main Street chasing Dee-Dubya-El.

Tom Archer - What a feat of stamina as our mascot Doctor Waddlesworth Livingston (Dee-Dubya-El). Everyone in the Club wanted to buy Tom a beer, right after he got a shower.

Jon Curtis - there is no way Jon could convince me he's never run a parade before. The organization was superb...the flyovers fantastic...WOW.

Wayne Perry and his family who give up so much time to make sure things happen the way they are supposed to...no wonder we look forward to this year under his leadership.

Lee & Lois Halsted - Can't have a Rotary event in the county without seeing these two doing something to help out.

Bryan Bradford - Where has this guy been? Unbelievable how he was absolutely everywhere leading up to the big day; and then all day!

And who is left...EVERYONE who toiled over the last several months; getting sponsors, stuffing bags, selling tickets, registering runners, protecting runners on the course, moving barricades, making signs, getting food, staging parade participants, taking pictures and encouraging each other. An unbelievable task putting on the show that Brighton talks about all year...and we make it look so easy.

Finally, a huge thanks to all our Sponsors who make the fundraising part of this all worthwhile. Thanks especially to:

Lee Halsted & Fraser Optical, Bryan Bradford & HBW Financial, Kate Lawrence & Lawrence Auto Body, Chuck Thompson & TropiTan of Brighton, Livingston Community Bank, Ann Arbor State Bank.

CONGRATULATIONS, LIVINGSTON SUNRISE ROTARY!

Now go enjoy the summer.