by Larry Sargeant
Unfortunate circumstances are sometimes capable of surprising us with opportunities to enjoy memorable events. On Wednesday evening, that happened at Rotary Park in Little Falls. The Rotary Club of Little Falls, in a quest for in-person contact, after the long pandemic isolation and distancing, planned a picnic to celebrate the beginnings of a return to normalcy.
As I arrived at the park, I observed numerous yachts moored there, a reality precipitated by the shut-down of Lock 17. Seeing numerous new faces made the moment easily recognizable as an opportunity to engender a salient event. Individually and as a group, Rotarians had already risen to the occasion. What a joy it was to welcome our visitors with Little Falls hospitality and to experience the warmth and happiness of their feedback. One might be inspired to shout, “Bouy oh Bouy, this is great!”
Some Rotarians and Little Falls area residents who pitched in to seize the day were Alan Vincent, Mark Blask, Mike Evans, David and Patricia Talaba, Chef Ruthie Petovsek, Mary Trombley, Christine Van Meter, and many others.
Tim Daly and Scott Vaughn generously donated wine which was enjoyed by all. In a testimonial to superb anchor management, the stranded boaters were effusive in their praise and appreciation of Rotary as well as for the generosity and friendliness of Little Falls citizenry.
The result was a public relations triumph for our city, one that touched many happy visitors, including Mary and Jack Jabor of Sarasota, FL, John Monk, and Sandra Staigerwald, Stewartston, PA, Alan, and Jeanine Cardinale, Cutchogue, NY, Alan Chadwick, Rockland, ME, Alan Morris, Gananoque, Ont, Dean Curtis, Easton, PA, Butch, and Eva Fletcher, Harris, MN, Nick and Beth, Ontario, Capt. Howie Cort, Toronto, Ontario, Bob and Amy Jenson, Otsego, MN, and Robert B., Syracuse.
Arrangements for departure were predicted to commence by mid-day Friday. Though our visitors would be happy to be on their way again, they will leave with gratitude that their unplanned extended stay allowed them to experience Little Falls hospitality.
Photos by Patricia Talaba
