Michael Green is an associate professor of history at UNLV. He is the author of Nevada: A History of the Silver State, a Choice outstanding academic title for 2015, and numerous other books and articles about our state. He also has written extensively about the Civil War, including the book Lincoln and the Election of 1860, and is now writing Lincoln and Native Americans. He received the American Historical Association’s 2014 Eugene Asher Award for Distinguished Teaching, and writes columns for Vegas Seven and Nevada’s Washington Watch, and is the writer of KNPR’s Nevada Yesterdays.

Dear Rotarians,

As our club continues its 95th year of service to the Las Vegas valley, we know that many of our former members helped shape and create our beloved city. However, we don’t often have the opportunity to experience this history up close. Past President Caty Crockett has organized such an opportunity for our club members.

Caty, by the way, is a living example of the history that I previously mentioned since she served as the first female President of our club during the 1995-96 Rotary year. Additionally, Caty’s father, George Crockett was the one who started the first airfield in Las Vegas which we now know as McCarran international airport – the 8th busiest airport in North America.

Next Thursday (September 21) our speaker will be Mark Hall-Patton, the administrator for the Clark County Museum system, also known for his guest expert appearances on the TV show “Pawn Stars”. He will lead a private and exclusive tour of the Cannon Aviation Museum explaining Rotary’s role in the airport’s development. Before the tour, our own PP Dave Thorson will take our members on a tour of the USO at 10 am. If you wish to take part in this private tour, please meet next Thursday, September 21 at 10:30 am at the Cannon Aviation Museum located on the second floor (above baggage claim) in Terminal 1. The tour will conclude by 11:20 am so that we can make it back to Lawry’s for our meeting!

I hope you can join us as we continue to celebrate the milestones and history of our club.

Other 95th-anniversary milestone notes from our club’s history:

• Club’s first meeting was on February 23, 1923, and received its charter on April 5, 1923.
• Club was started by 18 members and met at the Chocolate Shop (now part of the Golden Nugget).
• Les Saunders served as the founding President.

Michael Gordon
95th President
Rotary Club of Las Vegas

• President Michael Gordon called the meeting to order.
• Jerry Engel gave the invocation in memory of PP Irwin Kishner. Bob Werner led the club in singing the “God Bless America.” The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Sergeant-at-Arms was Doug Grant.
• There was (0) International Rotarian, (3) Visiting Rotarians, and (5) Guest of Rotarians that were introduced.
• The drawing began at $835.00 plus this week’s donations. The winner gets half the pot and half goes to the Las Vegas Rotary Foundation. Ticket Winner: Sarah Brown who won $10! Lawry Bucks Winner: Randy Frost.
• The September birthdays were acknowledged.
• President Michael said our club raised $2,591 for Hurricane Harvey relief.
• PP Caty Crockett announced a tour of the Aviation Museum at McCarran Airport on September 21, 2017, at 10:30 am.
• Bob Fisher shared a story about Mike Ballard following the Rotary philosophy “Service Above Self” by helping to clean up Bob’s backyard after a wind storm. PP Jim Hunt shared a similar story about Bill Houghton’s printing support for Toys 4 Smiles organization.
• PP Karen Whisenhunt shared a memory of PP Irwin Kishner.
• Francesca Gilbert presented Anil Melnick (+1) and Brittney Melnick with Paul Harris Fellowship awards.
• Ted McAdam and Rosalee Hedrick inducted of new member Randy Frost.
• Jaime Goldsmith announced that the next Wine-to-Water will be held at her home on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 6 pm.
• Anil Melnick announced that the UNLV tailgate picnic will be on September 30, 2017.
• Howie Hopkinson announced that the next United Way, Day of Caring will be held at Bridger Middle School on Friday, September 29, 2017.
• Sidra Kain introduced the speaker, Rob McCoy, chair of the Neon Museum’s Board of Trustees. Rob reported that 90% of the visitors to the museum are tourists and 75% of those are staying at Strip properties which make the Neon Museum an economic driver. The newest signs to be lit are from Steiners, Happy Shirt Cleaners, and Margarita Baby. The 1st week of November, the North Gallery will be open to the public and will provide an immersive experience chronicling the history of Las Vegas
• President Michael Gordon presented the speaker with a “Share What You Can” award and adjourned the meeting with a tribute to PP Irwin Kishner.