Rotary Club of St. Marys celebrates 100th Rural Urban Night

Rotary Club of St. Marys Paul Harris Fellow Len Hawkins, one of the evening’s primary organizers, embodied the rural spirit with his pitchfork and University of Guelph jacket at the 100th Rural Urban Night dinner at the Pyramid Recreation Centre April 16.

By Galen Simmons

The Rotary Club of St. Marys marked a major milestone April 16, hosting its 100th Rural Urban Night at the Pyramid Recreation Centre, an event that brought together residents from across St. Marys and the surrounding Perth County to celebrate agriculture, community connections and a century of change.

This year’s theme, From Pitchforks to GPS – A Century of Change for Rural Urban Communities, highlighted both the history and evolution of farming while reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong ties between rural producers and urban residents.

Opening the evening, emcee and Rotarian Leslie Edney said Rural Urban Night has long served as an opportunity to recognize the connections between agriculture and everyday life.

“Whether you come from the farm, a small town, or the big city, this evening is about celebrating the connections that bring us together and the important role agriculture plays in all our lives,” she said. “From the food on our tables to the livelihoods that sustain our communities, farming is a powerful reminder that we are all connected no matter where we come from.”

Rotary Club of St. Marys president Ed Parkinson said reaching the 100-year mark is a significant accomplishment and credited the continued support of community members and local businesses for the event’s longevity.

“We are in our 100th year, and it is really quite hard to believe we are here,” Parkinson said. “We simply represent you. We’re going to take your money and we’ll give it to people who need it.”

Parkinson also highlighted the importance of encouraging new members to join service organizations like Rotary to ensure the work continues for future generations. Funds raised through the annual dinner support Rotary initiatives locally and internationally.

The evening featured historical performances by Carol Robinson-Todd and Terry Todd, who presented monologues set in 1926 – 100 years ago – that reflected on early farm life and rural traditions.

Keynote speakers Doug and Devin Johnston of Maplevue Farms in North Perth then spoke about the evolution of agricultural practices on their fifth-generation dairy farm, describing how technology has transformed the industry over the past century.

Their presentation explored the shift from manual labour to precision agriculture, illustrating how innovations such as robotics, GPS technology and improved herd management tools are helping modern farms operate more efficiently while maintaining a focus on animal care and sustainability.

Despite the many changes in farming over the past century, the Johnstons emphasized the heart of agriculture remains much the same – good people, strong communities and a shared commitment to producing food responsibly.

Centrepieces placed on each table, designed as baskets of food, were donated following the event to the Salvation Army food bank, reinforcing the event’s emphasis on community support and food security.

As attendees gathered to share a meal of bone-in ham, chicken in mushroom sauce and a wide variety of cakes and pies for dessert prepared by Huron Shores Catering, organizers emphasized Rural Urban Night remains rooted in the same purpose it served when first held in 1926 – bringing people together ahead of the spring planting season to strengthen connections between neighbours.

One hundred years later, that goal remains unchanged, even as the tools used on farms continue to evolve.