NOW THAT SHELBURNE ROTARY is heading into its 61st Fiddleville year, it would seem appropriate to suggest that the Rotarians and other service clubs carry on doing a bit more of the same as they have been doing.

A lesser club might have folded its tent and stayed home for the 60th when it learned at virtually the last minute that it could not have its usual accommodations at the town’s arena but could have the ice surface if it could find a way to get to it.

The Rotarians found a back entrance that may have served better than the established front one. And for restroom facilities, it designed a tented area off the Zamboni entrance that appeared to give better washroom access than it would have had in previous years.

Apart from that, Rotarian Bill Waite – who had observed what worked and what didn’t at other events – made some minor changes that might have had major impacts at the contest itself.

Among the changes, instead of importing professional groups to entertain between acts while the judges calculated points to determine winners, he had the competitors themselves demonstrate their entertainment prowess.

Among others the Third Degree featured contestants Greg Williams and Emily Yarascavitch along with Heather Norris performing some of the most amazing step dancing you might care to watch.

Outside the contest itself, Shawnette Crouse at the town hall deserves kudos for her organization of the “entertainment garden,” as do all the volunteers who made it success.

It is an undisputed accomplishment to achieve 60 years of uninterrupted success with anything. It is even more noteworthy to overcome adversity to make the 60th year an outstanding success.

Our hats are off to everyone involved.