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FAIRWAY ISSUE JULY 19, 2025
VOL. 6 NO. 3
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
NEWS-NOTES-NONSENSE
On Thursday we had the pleasure of hearing from Scott Pulaski (Brad's son) owner and CEO (Chief Everything Officer) of Piasa Armory. Scott gave us a brief history of his business, from Brad's kitchen table as Pulaski Firearms Services, to his current Eastgate location. he outlined the variety of programs and services that he offers. Many are firearms related, but not all. When it comes to firearms safety and education are critical.
Golf tournament update-It's today! If you signed up to help head for Belk NOW! As of noon Thursday we had 29 teams and 35 sponsors. Well done to all, especially JoeS for taking the lead.
Prez Mark presented the 2025 Business of the Year award to the owners of Cleary's Shoes & Boots, Stephanie and Andrew Hagopian. He spent a couple of minutes explaining how they have expanded their shoe lines and services since buying the business.
Birthday greeting go out to JoeS-Today, DonnaK-22nd, JohnP-23rd and CoryG-25th.
Before the Thursday meeting a committee interviewed potential long-term exchange student Lilly Bock. JoeS was happy to report that she was approved and will begin the formal exchange student process. Sounds like she is a great choice. By the way, she was one of the students who attended this year's RYLA weekend.
BillP introduced his guest Don White.
Early birders included-LoriP, JoeS, Prez Mark, AllenH and DianeS.
Kristen B shared info about two programs sponsored by the WR Business Alliance-the Hometown Hero's vets program and the WR downtown survey. Head on over to the web site for additional info http://wrbusinessalliance.org
The solo slide-right-inner was ScottL.
Happy Rotary anniversary-JohnP 25 years.
Late arrivals included RodneyD, ScottL, GeorgeM and MikeK.
Post-meeting we had several members head for the range, several putting together swag bags and a few hanging to chat-all good.
BillP happily announced that he and Brenda will celebrated their 45th anniversary today.
The Back to School Giveaway program needs help at the August 2nd event. See your July 16th email from LoriP for the details.
SAA Rick recruited LindseyH as the lugmeister. We correctly answered all five trivia Q's. Well done.
PaulH presented BradP his certificate recognizing his 35 years of club service.
We had 23 members in the house (our best attendance since Oct.10, 2024) dining on. BBQ beef sammies, mac 'n cheeze, pork 'n beans, salad and cake 'n crisp.
BillP had two opportunities to locate the joker. The $52 jackpot rolls. ScottL won the scratchie.
Opening duties were covered by BradP, PaulH and MarkV.
55% of Eastender News subscribers opened the last newsletter.
EXCHANGE STUDENT INTERVIEW
BRAD'S 35 YEARS OF SERVICE
SWAG BAGGIN' IT
HOME ON THE RANGE
ALL THINGS TRIVIAL
VW's attempt to revive its iconic van as an electric vehicle has flopped in the U.S. What's the new version called?
A-Flower Power
B-Electric Cool
C-ID Buzz
D-The CleanVan
(The answer is found near the end of the newsletter)
Today is National Play Day
What Midwestern state's three most populous cities all begin with "C"?
South Dakota
Michigan
Wisconsin
Ohio
Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati are the three biggest cities in Ohio by population, and they all begin with the same letter — a phenomenon that doesn't occur in any other state.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES
Sourced from the Eastender News, Make-Up and Banner newsletters
July 2021
LindseyH rang the bell to begin her term as club prez.
MikeK reminded everyone to bring your own chair to view the Alton fireworks from the Cracker Factory balcony.
We heard a program about the Honor Wreaths for Veterans presented by the president of the Carterville, IL Rotary Club.
LoriP reminded everyone that she still had some Baseball Mania tix.
Birthday wishes went out to AllenH.
BradP was lost without his Zoomies.
MarkA announced that we will be building beds on August 5th.
Prez Lindsey presented RickH with his Paul Harris +3 pin.
PattiA hinted that her son likes the perks of being a crew foreman.
SAA SherryT could not find the trivia Q's so she asked everyone to share a 4th of July tradition.
JeanK and RickH failed to find the 50-50 joker.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
DATELINE:ROTARY
THE JOY OF SELFLESS SERVICE
Aviral Mittal, right, assists a young man at a computer lab in Baghra, Uttar Pradesh. The initiative empowers youth by building a bridge between education and technology.
By Aviral Mittal, Rotary Club of Muzaffarnagar Galaxy, Uttar Pradesh, India
Joy, at its deepest level, comes not from what we receive, but from what we give. Over time, I’ve come to realize that one simple yet powerful act that brings true joy into my life is serving others beyond limits – without any expectation in return.
Every day, I make it a point to help someone – sometimes with my time, sometimes with my words, and often, just by being present. This kind of service has reshaped how I view the world. It silences the ego, builds character, and reconnects me with what truly matters: compassion, connection, and contribution.
One of the greatest blessings in my journey has been my association with Rotary. Through Rotary, I’ve found a platform that aligns perfectly with my purpose. It allows me to serve communities, empower individuals, and be part of something larger than myself. Whether it’s organizing health camps, supporting education, or helping provide clean water and sanitation – Rotary reminds me that Service Above Self isn’t just a motto, it’s a way of life.
Each project I contribute to through Rotary is a chance to change someone’s life. And more often than not, it changes mine too. The smiles I see, the gratitude I feel, and the impact we collectively create remind me daily that joy is not about accumulation but contribution.
Every time I step out of my comfort zone to serve, I feel more human. I feel alive. And most importantly, I feel joyful in the truest sense of the word. If you’ve ever wondered where real happiness comes from, try giving without expecting anything back. Try serving someone who can never repay you. That’s where the magic begins – and where joy, at its deepest level, is born.
AND I QUOTE
“Even a soul submerged in sleep is hard at work and helps make something of the world."-Heraclitus
"Try to understand men. If you understand each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well never leads to hate and almost always leads to love."-John Steinbeck
"Laughter keeps everyone feeling wonderful."-Betty White
"I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit."-John Steinbeck
SMILE
Recent entries in the Flathead County Sheriff’s and Kalispell Montana Police Reports-
12:58 p.m. A woman was prepared to defend herself with knives and a baseball bat when a draft slammed a door shut.
5:19 p.m. A guy was practicing axe throwing on the Parkline Trail.
7:46 p.m. A drunk guy with one shoe and a black eye announced he was going to get liquored up and go to the lake.
7:49 p.m. Dad was drunk again and mom was cussing at people.
9:58 p.m. Fireworks.
10:01 p.m. A herd of cattle was exploring Columbia Falls.
10:16 p.m. Fireworks “of the sparkler nature” ignited a bush on fire.
10:22 p.m. Fireworks were shooting at someone’s apartment window.
10:46 p.m. A group of kids committed a drive-by targeting a fireworks stand, using fireworks as the weapon.
10:52 p.m. Fireworks were “disturbing the peace.”
11:00 p.m. A white Mustang was spinning brodies in the Target parking lot.
12:27 p.m. A pet owner told a resident with the “wolf dog” to “pick a different neighborhood to live in.”
.9:27 a.m. A sleeping man was disrupting someone’s drive thru experience.
10:49 a.m. Church goers keep racing out of service every Sunday in Lakeside.
3:43 p.m. A woman was arguing with her grandson over who was the rightful owner of the television.
4:41 p.m. A shady guy wielding a large knife was walking on Shady Lane.
12:23 p.m. A bus had been in the neighbor’s yard since the 1990s.
4:58 p.m. After a woman found an animal control notice on her door, she took the hint and got rid of her rooster.
11:32 p.m. Two guys wearing hats made a caller “feel weird.”
11:58 p.m. Somebody was concerned about their friend who was on a date with an stranger.
THE NUMBERS
About 750 million coupons were redeemed last year, down from 3.3 billion in 2010. The majority of coupons that get distributed today, about 87%, are still on paper, but nearly two-thirds of coupons actually redeemed are digital-RRD
The median age of millennial motor home owners fell four years to 49 between 2021 and 2025, and 46% of owners now land within the 35-54 age range-RV Industry Association
56% of US adults watch sports in some capacity at least once a week-PMG
Consumers will spend $570 per student on back-to-school shopping, down $16 from last year and 7% from 2021. Total spending is expected to hit $30.9 billion-Deloitte
In 2023, Americans spent $256 million wholesale on potted orchids—more than any other potted plant. Poinsettias, the favorite until orchids surpassed them in 2009, had just $167 million in sales in the same period
The average cost to ship a parcel including surcharges is $12.50 today, up from $9.53 in 2019-ShipMatrix
(Trivia answer-C)
OBJECT OF ROTARY
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
First:The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.
Second: High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
Third: The application of the idea of service in each Rotarian's personal business, and community life.
Fourth: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
