Who is this guy that appears to be having way too much fun?   Why, it is Gary Bowman,  our Distinguished Service Award recipient.  Gary is our club secretary and has been for years-but this last year; he went above and beyond to keep our club going on zoom.   I am sure he had to do a few zoom lessons but he did his magic and there we were every week in little panels.    He also does all our reporting to International, takes meeting minutes and sends them out every week;  and all with a big smile on his face.   Gary owns Morgenroth Music and is a wonderful singer and musician.  Just ask Matt Doucette and Andy Nelson.  

Here are two fine Rotarians-Matt Douchette and Sandy Bollom with big smiles on their faces.  Matt is the outgoing President and Sandy is the incoming. BUT the big smiles are for the award that Sandy was given-Rotarian of the Year!  As last years president elect; Sandy was head of the membership committee.   With a little bit of help from her friends; she was able to grow our club like never before.  Her strength is her follow up and detailed notes-think that is why she does so well as a commercial lender for First Security? I am looking forward to having her as President-she will keep us all on our toes!  Congrats Sandy-well deserved!

MATT DOUCETTE- Sunrise President 2020-2021   Our club accomplished a long list of goals this last year.  Even during the pandemic.  We switched to Zoom meetings early and found that we had almost as much fun as meeting in person.   The list of accomplishments  is long but here are highlights:   Locally we had a big impact on the Sunrise and Gallagher kids.  We had a Santa event for the kids at the Museum of Mountain Flying with Miss Montana, a Pumpkin Carving at Sandy's barn, a Bug Walk and picnic, a ski trip to Discovery, a morning at Travelers Rest, and a morning cleaning the yards at the two homes.  Also, we raised funds for Salvation Army-belling ringing; we distributed "Dictionaries" to 3rd graders in Missoula schools; helped buy computers for our Youth Homes;  painted & stained the playground equipment at Franklin School; have a partnership to buy trout mobiles for the schools this fall (in Honor of Rusty Lockner).  We partnered with Essential Eats to bring over 300 bikes to native children.  Internationally we are a part of the Global Coalition project in Guatemala and the Honduras Teacher Empowerment Program.   We even grew our club during a time when some lost membership.   We have 11 new members!   The list goes on; but I am sure you get the idea that Matt and his fellow Rotarians can have fun and still accomplish the "Service Above Self" mission.   

Missoula Sunrise Rotary has been helping put together bikes for Essential Eats Distributors for over a year now.    Walmart provides the bikes at cost and once assembled they are taken to a child on an  Indian Reservation.   The bikes are essential for these children and offer them a way to visit friends and relatives.  Many have to travel far due to the rural nature of their home towns. 

SCOTT APPEL:    After several trips to Missoula to visit their son at the University, Scott and his wife, Maura finally decided not to leave.  They have  been in Missoula for two years after having spent the last 30 between San Francisco, Orange County and Seattle.   Scott was a partner in an accounting firm in CA.   He thought the move to Missoula meant retirement, but instead he became the Executive Director at CASA of Missoula.   Good on ya Scott!   Missoula always needs caring people like you.   Personally, he enjoys skiing, hiking, and a good glass of wine with his dinner.   He is also an avid concert goer-in 1971 his first concert was the Rolling Stones-Nice!  Scott fits in so well with all of our Rotarians-his volunteering-his love of outdoor Montana, and the love of good music.  Welcome Scott to new friends and fun times!

2021 ANNUAL SKI DAY WITH OUR KIDS FROM GALLAGER AND SUNRISE:     These Sunrise Rotarians are spending the day at Discovery.   Cale, Nick, Andy, Joe, Dave and Amy took  Monday off  to help  spread some joy to The Gallagher and Sunrise kids.  The kids are treated to a ski lesson, lunch, and an hour or two heading up and down the slopes with these folks.    Thank you for everyone that made this day a success!  

Welcome Cale Mages to Sunrise Rotary!    Cale enjoys most of the fun outdoor activities you can think of. Combine those with good people and good food and you're looking at his ideal way to spend time. An innate learner and curious person, Cale aspires to be a jack of all trades and master of none. His hobbies also include the household and things like cooking, sewing, and other activities that have resulted in his self-given title of Domestic Champion.

 

Cale had the privilege to travel and live abroad at a young age and continues to have a fascination with culture, history, new ideas, and traveling. He believes everyone has a story worth telling and enjoys hearing new ones whenever he can.

 

When he's not doing these fun things Cale can be found providing consulting engineering services. He has consulted extensively in the world of water and wastewater treatment, and recently joined the team at IMEG (formerly Territorial Landworks) in Missoula where they specialize in engineering, surveying, and land planning. At IMEG he supports site development projects, subdivisions, water and wastewater treatment systems, road and transportation, among others.

 

We love beer and so Nick Shontz will fit right in.  Welcome another great new member:

 

Nick loves beer and databases. By day he leads a team using technology to connect hop growers and beer brewers. Specializing in geospatial web development, Nick started his career at the University of Montana, co-founded a geospatial marketing tech company (GeoFli), and then landed at Yakima Chief Hops, combining his love of beer and technology.

When not staring at a screen, Nick is a Scoutmaster with a local Scouting troop and enjoys playing softball, cooking, canoeing, and spending time with his wife, son, and their 2 dogs.

Better Favorite movie quote (from Hot Fuzz):

 

This is why we do the Dictionary Project

Andy is originally from Culbertson, MT, and moved to Missoula in 2011 to attend college at UM where he graduated with degrees in history and political science. He currently works as the operations administrator at the Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center as well as a health education specialist at the Montana Gay Health Task Force. A lover of the arts, Andy enjoys singing, dancing, and acting in his spare time. Especially on stage at his home away from home, Missoula Community Theatre. He's thrilled to be a new member of Sunrise Rotary and looks forward to giving back and serving the local community here in Missoula. 

Another of our newest members is Susan Massey.  I think you can tell from the photo she provided-that Susan likes to Water Ski.  And she likes to Paddle Board, Hike, Golf -claims she is a tomboy.  One of her exceptional qualities-she is an expert with a yoyo.   Seriously.  Susan is a 4th Generation Montanan from Wibaux and a UM Griz.    She has two children who are in the service to our country and we thank them for that.   Susan works for Western Montana Mental Health Center in HR.  She is said to have a quick wit, is efficient and practical.   We welcome her to Missoula Sunrise Rotary.

Rebecca Bowdidge is one of our newest Rotary Members.

 

Rebecca or Becky-either is okay-is married with 4 boys.   2 of these boys are in military service and the other 2 are still at home-the youngest is 9.      Rebecca has been an insurance - health & life agent for over 15 years.   She says she is an insurance geek; she just loves insurance and helping people with their financial futures. 

Rebecca lives the Rotary 4 way test;  its principles were instilled in her since she was a toddler.  And she loves  that Missoula Sunrise Rotary works with kids.  

Her hobbies are golf, running, hiking,  being at the lake, skiing (down hill and water), cooking (she is writing a cook book) and horses.   

Rebecca grew up in Rock Creek and is a 4th Generation Montanan.  Might explain the horses and why she spends her family vacations in the Bob Marshall.

Please join me in welcoming Rebecca/Becky Bowdidge to our Rotary Club.    

2020 Pumpkin Carving with the Gallagher and Sunrise Houses.    Sandy's Bollom's barn was decked out in lights, streamers, hay bales, and pumpkins.    The kids and Rotarians had a great time gooping out pumpkin guts and carving scary faces.   

The smore's, hot dogs, and apple cider were devoured by our little gobblins and later there was a social gathering of the volunteers at Sandy's beautiful home.   I think it was a successful event!