“The Best Ribs You Have Ever Had”: Rotary’s Legacy of Food and Fellowship
In order to foster a sense of unity and togetherness, Logan Rotary hosts socials, also known as fellowship events, for its members. These events usually revolve around a good venue and even better food. Rotary possesses a rich food history, meeting at some of Logan’s best-known restaurants for lunch: The Hotel Eccles, The Bluebird Restaurant, Copper Mill, and Hamilton’s at the Country Club. However, the food outside of the regular lunch meetings has a special history. Over the past forty years, the Jarvis family incorporated their now famous rib recipe into the Golf and Ribs Day. Many Rotarians will testify that these ribs are by far the best barbecue they have ever eaten.[1] Additionally, Rotary now hosts its Family Picnic at Sportsman’s Paradise, where Rotarians and their families enjoy a freshly caught trout dinner. Rotarians find good food important, not only because it tastes delicious, but because sharing a quality meal brings people closer together. Over and over in interviews with local members, the importance of fellowship came up as a primary motivation for being involved in Logan Rotary.
In addition to food and socials, Rotarians also embark on adventures both for fun and fellowship. Every year, a few intrepid members take to the back roads of Cache Valley, mapping the perfect scenic route for their band of Rotarians and their caravan of white trucks. After selecting the itinerary, the Rotarians take a picturesque trek through the hills.[2] This event began in 1963 as a trip to view Old Ephraim’s grave and transformed over time into today’s Jeep Ride. To many Rotarians, the Jeep Ride has become the highlight of their year. Rotarians bring along food, cameras, and their jovial attitudes as they summit peaks and take in the beauty of roads less travelled. When Salt Lake City hosted the 2007 RI Convention, Logan’s Rotarians held a Jeep Ride through Big Cottonwood Canyon to share their club’s favorite social event with Rotarians from around the world.[3] Much like delectable barbecue, the Jeep Ride fosters friendships among Rotarians.
[1] Ron Monson, interview by Cody Patton and Tammy Proctor, April 16, 2018, Cache Valley Bank; LRCP, Box 1, Folder 14 (hereafter referred to as Monson Interview). Wendi Hassan, interview by Cody Patton and Tammy Proctor, April 2, 2018, LRCP, Box 1, Folder 14 (hereafter referred to as Hassan interview).
[2] Colston interview.
[3] Colston interview. Berthrong interview.