...and something blue
Posted by Adele Gibbs
Minutes of the Missoula Sunrise Rotary meeting May 13, 2009.
Though we're not sure about the old and the new, we did have something borrowed and something blue at this week's meeting. Our speaker, Valerie Hedquist, came to speak about "The Blue Boy" and she allowed us (thankfully) to borrow her computer so that our audio/visual needs were met!
The meeting began with Bill St. John leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation was given by Chris Warden, who asked that we be reminded to mend old quarrels, lead by example, stand up for our principles and most important, tell someone special you love them, and then tell them again.
In a predictable but appropriate segue, David Bardwick said, "We love you, Chris!" David then introduced guest Lou Bahin, who has applied for membership, and guests Trevor Lewis (Margot Belden) and Julie Betty (Jim Betty).
Brad Miller was then called up by David Bardwick as Brad has a new vehicle. Brad shared that his new vehicle is a Ford F350 which he purchased to avoid being stuck in his own driveway (which apparently happened twice this winter). David then asked about the OTHER new vehicle, which Brad shared was a buckboard (for us "city folk" Google says that is an open horse-drawn carriage with four wheels) that he went all the way to Nebraska to get!
David then asked Susan Cramer to sing Happy Birthday to herself - and fortunately Jim Clark filled in with a melodic rendition. As payment for not following the rules, Susan had to spin the wheel and paid $2.00 to hear Jim sing. Susan also wished Happy Birthday to Bob Clay and Greg Johnson, both celebrating birthdays this week. Happy Birthday to all!
Susan Anderson announced that the Sustainable Business Council has two upcoming events. This Saturday, May 16th, is the SBC's "Local Fest" from 12:30 to 8:00pm at Caras Park. This "carbon neutral" event will feature information booths, vendor booths, food, music, kids' activities and demonstrations. On Thursday, May 21st, the SBC's final sustainability event of the season will be held at the Stensrud Building Event Center (314 N. 1st W.) starting at 5:30. This event includes a social, awards and a business panel.
Justin Metcalf announced that our highway cleanup is set for Saturday, May 30th. Many have signed up, but more help is needed. We are guaranteed to be done by 10am! . We'll meet at the Press Box between 7am and 7:45am (come at 7 if you want to have breakfast).
Chris Warden then made an announcement about announcements. Chris said that concern has been expressed by members both directly and on the surveys at the club assembly about the various and many pitches for money to our club. He said that based on that feedback the Board had discussed an announcement "policy." Chris said the Board wants members to feel no pressure to make individual contributions to any cause, and that it is a matter of individual choice. To assure our meetings are kept on track, announcement and agenda items should be emailed to the President prior to a meeting. Length and number of announcements may need to be limited due to time constraints. And, while it is acceptable for members to make a "pitch" at a meeting if prearranged, Chris asked that we do not use our email distribution list for such pitches.
Chris Warden announced that the District Conference will be held in Bozeman June 4-6 and that he, Carl Prinzing, Susan Cramer, Arnie Didier and Paul Williamson plan to attend. Chris said that he submitted for three awards this year: best club, foundation and service committee.
Our Classification Talk with given by Bob Clay, who will chair the Service Committee this next Rotary year. Bobby's classification is software engineering/research and development, and he said he joined Rotary four years ago when Al Jensen 'twisted his arm.' Bobby joined Rotary to have an opportunity to give back through service and said he loves working with the Youth Homes and that his service in Rotary allows him to get more than he gives. Bobby said he uses the Four Way Test in all he does, including business, and strives for "win/win" situations. Bobby grew up in Alabama and attended Auburn University. He worked for Boeing/NASA in DC and then California. He and his wife Patty (Bobby says he "married up, way up!") decided to move their young family (son Cody was then 4 and daughter Katy was 2) out of California. With Patty's parents in Idaho, they focused on the Northwest, choosing Missoula. He said the Carousel was a big draw-remember the kids were 2 and 4 at the time! He and Patty will be married 20 years next week. The Clay family includes a 135-pound golden retriever who thinks it is a lap dog. Bobby loves outdoor activities (hunting, hiking, etc.) and music. In fact in the last year he's gotten involved with opera. He believes his strongest character trait is his tenacity. Something we might not have known about Bobby? When he and his younger brother were kids, they had a minibike. Bobby's brother liked to hide around corners, and 'take Bobby out' when he came around on the minibike. Bobby once played dead after his brother took him out-and his brother never did it again! Thanks, Bobby, and we're fortunate to have you in our club!
Chris Warden and Anne Guest then announced the kickoff for the second Who's Who Revue which will be held Friday, October 23rd. We were entertained with a clip of highlights from last year's show - and reminded that a bevy of local talent is among us! Anne explained that the WWR benefits both Sunrise Rotary and the Montana Repertory Theatre. This year will include a new ticket structure. Sign up sheets were sent around, and Anne made an appeal for talent saying, "We're not fussy!"
Paul Williamson then provided the Rotary Minute. Paul announced that he had met yesterday with RI President D.K. Lee for an interview and then played an audio portion of that interview for us. When Paul "asked" Mr. Lee about his greatest accomplishments in this Rotary year, Mr. Lee responded that the focus/work with eradicating polio and the focus/work on child malnutrition and poverty were particular highlights. Just who of us knew that Paul was a journalist, and one primed to win the Pulitzer Prize no less? Such talent!
Arnie Didier (who not be outdone announced he'd lunched with D.K. Lee just yesterday as well) then introduced our speaker, Valerie Hedquist. Valerie holds a BA from the University of Minnesota and an MA and Ph.D from the University of Kansas. She is a professor of art history and criticism at the University of Montana and came to speak to us about "The Blue Boy." Her program was entertaining and filled with "wow, I didn't know that" moments.
Valerie explained that "The Blue Boy" was painted by Thomas Gainsborough (England, 1727-1788). She said that she has done extensive research on this painting and how it has become a cultural icon-one which just about everyone is familiar.
Valerie explained that the painting is now housed at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California. How it came to be there is an interesting story. Valerie explained that Henry Edwards Huntington was one of the richest Americans in the 1920s and he bought the painting in 1922 for $750,000. Huntington had amassed his fortune in two ways: his "new" money was made on land deals/development in the Los Angeles area aided by the growth of his "red line" of his Pacific Electric Railway; his "old" money came from marrying his uncle's widow. It seems Uncle Collis had left half of his incredible fortune to his wife Arabella and half to his nephew Henry. Thirteen years later Arabella and Henry married, bringing the fortune back together. Henry and Arabella used their great wealth to amass an astounding collection of art, including The Blue Boy.
The painting itself was done by Gainsborough in 1770. As was common at the time, the "rich" were painted "after a day at the spa" and were dressed as if going to the prom. Valerie explained that it is likely that the blue costume was Gainsborough's as it shows in other of his paintings. The boy in the painting is believed to be Jonathan Buttall, of a famous wealthy family of Bath, England. (Jonathan Buttall attended Gainsborough's funeral.) The painting was immediately popular, within 12 years was simply known as "The Blue Boy," and was often copied.
Valerie explained that the painting has always been held in a private collection. Upon the sale to Huntington, but prior to leaving Britain, the painting was put on display at the National Gallery in London where an astonishing 90,000 people dressed in black and wept while viewing it and saying goodbye.
At the Huntington Library in San Marino, The Blue Boy hangs opposite "Pinkie" by Thomas Lawrence. Valerie Hedquist explained that she has done research and believes that the "blue for boys" and "pink for girls" may have started because of these two paintings!
Valerie explained that The Blue Boy has become entrenched in our culture. There have been movies, reproductions, plates, figurines, dolls. Owning a piece of The Blue Boy has symbolized class! She also explained that Eleanor Roosevelt chose The Blue Boy as the first work of art to be included in an art education packet. Valerie shared many interesting (and funny) slides including one of her son with a Blue Boy lamp he found in a secondhand store in Massachusetts.
Want to learn more? Valerie is working on a book that is coming out-watch for it!
Following this entertaining program, we closed the meeting with the recitation of the Four Way Test.