On April 26, 2024, we were having a reception for the Honor Flight Veterans prior to boarding the bus for their big adventure. The were many people milling around, and a Veteran named Bill Larson motioned for me. He was in our Orientation Room, which has various historical items displayed around the room. He said, “I just wanted to tell you that I designed this game,” as he pointed to the I LOVE CHAUTAUQUA board game that was nestled on a shelf.
What?? That’s amazing, but even more amazing is that it was on display for him to see!
It was too busy to get any background info at the time, but a few days later Bill expounded on the game a little more.
During the years 1980-1981, Bill was President of the Noon Rotary in Jamestown. Although they didn’t have a special project in mind that needed funding, they did need a way to make money. A fellow Rotarian, Larry Hudson, was in Corry, PA, and saw a game made for the fundraising efforts of the Corry Kiwanis Club. The Rotary liked the idea, and Bill’s own business, William Larson Advertising, designed the Monopoly makeover, and did the graphics. Although they needed to purchase the dice and tokens, and pay a Buffalo firm to produce it, they had little overhead. Between the local business advertising in the game and actually selling many games for $9.99, the Rotary and the Optimist Club raised $25,000!
Only in America!
