Outgoing president offers thanks to all

To the Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Clay County for their support of the 78th annual Rotary Club of Brazil's Fourth of July Celebration.

I want to give a special thanks to all of our sponsors as well as the non-profit food vendors and especially to the Macaroni Family for their outstanding carnival.

Also, all of the members of the Rotary Club of Brazil who volunteered many hours during the festival truly demonstrated our motto: "Service above self."

I want to give a special thanks to the Brazil Parks Board for allowing us to use beautiful Forest Park for the past 78 years.

Bill Houck and John Day are without a doubt some of the finest people available to do the job of maintaining the park at such a high standard.

The Brazil Times has once again provided us with great coverage, as well as furnishing us with reasonable printing and advertising costs. Many thanks to Dr. Miranda Goodale for providing us with an opportunity to have television coverage and advertising.

The opening of our celebration began with rain, which continued throughout the weekend and into the week of the Fourth of July. While there were small crowds in the first days of our celebration, those who did attend enjoyed both the rides and the fine carnival food and atmosphere. The fish fry on Monday and the world class Northview Marching Knights and company filled the pavilion. On Tuesday, the ever-present Van Dells packed the house for two big shows. Wednesday, July 3, the carnival provided our "special" guests a fun filled afternoon of rides and snacks. Finally, on Wednesday evening, the fine folks of Clay County began to arrive, ready to celebrate July Fourth in a big way.

We wrapped things up on Thursday night with one of the best firework shows ever and gave away $10,000 to Melanie Boyd, Brazil, during the raffle ticket drawing.

All in all, it was another great year. The Rotary Club of Brazil now looks forward to next year and the opportunity to display our own brand of "Service above self" to our community.

Mary Jo Alumbaugh

President -- The Rotary Club of Brazil