GREENFIELD — Rotary Club of Greenfield has its share of civic-minded professionals in its ranks, but on Sunday the club showed it has a lot of talented entertainers too.
The club hosted its inaugural Rotary’s Got Talent night at the H.J. Ricks Center for the Arts to raise money for a proposed Rotary peace park along the Pennsy Trail in Greenfield.
Admission was free but donations were encouraged at the event, which also featured snacks and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“It was a great night,” said Monica Price, the local Rotary club’s past president.
Price said the event was a fun holiday-oriented way to raise funds for an important cause while showcasing the unsung talents of some of its members, along with some non-members as well.
Former Greenfield Rotary president Wayne Addison hosted the show, opening the event with his rendition of the “Auctioneer” song. Former Greenfield Rotarian James Kesler performed a magic act.
Rotarian Lynda Kosh’s daughter, Carrie Kosh, sang a song, and Rotarian Amy Hughes’ daughters, Lily and Lucy Northcutt, performed a vocal duet.
Dale Basham — a Muncie Rotarian and past district governor — performed with Basham & Bly.
Other acts included a five-member band called Barnoves and the popular local musical duo Chloe & Kenny.
The night ended with a rendition of “Hallelujah,” which prompted the crowd to pull out the flashlights on their cellphones and wave them back and forth to the solemn beat.
“It was a great way to end the show,” said Price, who said the crowd was small but mighty.
“Since it was our first year we didn’t have a big crowd, but they were very engaged. When I was on stage, it sounded like there were 1,000 people in the room,” she said.
Price said she and fellow Rotarians got a lot of positive feedback after the show, and she hopes to build upon its success next year.
She also looks forward to seeing the Peace Park progress next year.
“The next step is finalizing details and presenting it to the parks board for approval in January,” she said.
Thanks to the talent showcase proceeds and other donations, Price said the Rotary now has close to the $5,000 necessary to apply for a matching peace park grant from Rotary International next year.
While the park may not be the solution to world peace, Price said it can go a long way in instilling peace in the hearts and minds of the adults and children who visit there. The park — which could potentially include a fountain and benches or swings — will sit west of the Rotary Club’s art park just west of Riley Avenue.
Peace parks are a growing cause among Rotary International clubs worldwide, said Greenfield chiropractor Ronald Torok, who chairs the Peacebuilder Club for the Rotary Club of Greenfield.
“One of the things Rotary International is focused on as an organization is to build goodwill and peace,” he said.
