The Smiths Falls Rotary Club held its first Ladies’ Night since 2019 on Wednesday (Feb. 15) night at the Legion. This has been an annual event for many years for the Rotary Club so it was no surprise that the event sold out of tickets shortly after announcing it was happening again.
It was clear as soon as you arrived at this event, greeted by the volunteer coat checkers Noah Gladden and Hunter Algie, it was going to be a great evening.
This Ladies Night was held in honor of Eileen Crosbie, an evening to remember her legacy to both the Smiths Falls Rotary Club and to her community. Rotarian Dennis Staples spoke about Eileen’s many accomplishments and the support she gave to our town. She was a longstanding member of our Smiths Falls Hospital Foundation. Eileen was the Rotary Club’s Past President, and she received Rotary’s Paul Harris Award for “Service above Self,” just to name a few of her honours.
Room view. Photo credit: Kathy Botham. 
One of our servers Larry Allen. Photo credit: Kathy Botham. 
Brittany Rodford speaking to the ladies. Photo credit: Kathy Botham. 
Brittany Rodford showing the ladies some items and souvenirs from Buckingham Palace. Photo credit: Kathy Botham. 
Some of our servers for the evening Ken Graham, Dennis Staples, Peter Kosmas, Gary Reilly, Terri Johnson, Stewart Blair, Doug Hazen and Clare Minielly In front: Daryll Gladden and Nick Pilon. Missing from the picture are Larry Allen and Murray McLellan. Photo credit: Kathy Botham.
The evening included a meal prepared by the Smiths Falls Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary. There was a silent auction with 28 items donated from many generous members and businesses in town.
The Rotary Club committee that organized this Ladies Night were Donna Blair, Tracy Staples, Claire Smith, Julie Furlotte and Jodi Storey. Members of the Rotary that served the meals to the ladies were Stewart Blair, Dennis Staples, Doug Hazen, Daryll Gladden, Gary Reilly, Murray McLellan, Larry Allen, Ken Graham, Peter Kosmas, Nick Pilon, Clare Minielly with guest server Terri Johnson.
The keynote speaker was Brittany Rodford from Perth. She spoke of her time working in housekeeping with the Royal Family and living in Buckingham Palace. Her memories included her conversations and time spent with members of the Royal Family which included the Queen. Brittany’s respect and admiration for the Royal Family were clearly received by her audience. Brittany spoke about The Queen having a sense of humor and her amazing work ethic even until her death at 96 years of age.
Brittany brought some souvenirs and items she collected during her stay at the palace. They were on display for people to look at and ask further questions of her.
The proceeds from this evening’s Rotary Club Ladies Night will go towards SFDCI bursaries.
Article by Kathy Botham
