The Bartley Barbecue was held on October 4, 1999 at Windsor Golf & Country Club's Charlie's Grill. This wonderful evening event was attended by members and their better halves, who merrily hobnobbed and enjoyed spirits.  For some, it was an opportunity to keep abreast of the latest ongoings of the lives of their fellow Rotarians, or a time to better acquaint themselves with others.  For others, a reflection of why this great volunteer organization has lasted this long, and reasons why it will continue in the future.

It's also a night to remember for one of our members--singled-out for service excellence and undying devotion to the Club--who has become the second recipient of a very honored award born during the reign of King Richard Standard.  This year's Heart of Rotary Award went to none other than Ginny Pitts.  Congratulations Ginny!!!

Ginny's quite a sport, too, for agreeing to host next year's Bartley Barbecue at her kingdom.  Look forward to an outdoor celebration next year.

The Bartley Barbeque was started by my father, Charter Member Bob Bartley, as a way to encourage fellowship and also as a way to raise money for Rotary Foundation.   It started in the '70s and is traditionally held in the Fall.  Bob would host the event at the "Millibar Ranch" and pay all the costs involved with it, with the money raised from the price of the dinner and a raffle going to Rotary Foundation.   When it started, it was a "stag" party (no spouses).  This of course evolved into the current politically correct event (although I have serious doubts that it ever lived up to the rumors of being a "stag" event).

The feast was always beef, which was cooked in a pit.  The day started before dawn with the filling of a 6-foot deep pit with firewood.  The fire was stoked until around 11:00 AM, at which time, the carefully prepared beef was thown onto the hot coals and then covered with earth.  It would roast underground for the rest of the day while my Dad carefully groomed the surface of the pit to match the ground around it.   The rest of the area was set with tables and benches made of hay bales borrowed for the day.

After the party started and libations began, the real job of the day started.  In the days before Crab Feed clean up duty, all red badges were required to find the beef!   Armed with shovels they were charged with "finding" dinner.  This was almost always successful.  Only one year was the beef buried so well that it was never found.

After my father sold his ranch, Pete Hoogland hosted the event at his place for a number of years.  It is still one of the primary "social" events of the club and a great chance for fellowship among members.

Once again Ginny Pitts grew pumpkins at her lovely home on Olivet Road.  She invited the preschool children from the Multi-Cultural Center to visit.   Over 60 children and their teachers, as well as many parent helpers kept Ginny busy all day.

It was a gorgeous fall weather.  The children enjoyed finding and selecting pumpkins in many sizes and shapes.  Ginny served the children apple juice and doughnuts, and a little Halloween candy as well.

The children will continue their excitement for pumpkins in the class room:   carving them, finding and roasting the seeds to eat.  Ginny also gave the class many beautiful gourds and ears of Indian corn.  The children are using them to have a "farmers market" of their own.

The Multi-Cultural Center thanks Ginny for providing a fun learning experience for our preschool children.

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Many thanks to the following contributors:   Anne Abrams and Scott Bartley.   Photography by Anne Abrams, Jim Valinoti, and Dale Sipe.   Editing by Caroline Fox.