While giving a speech at the Ladies Night meeting in the Methodist Church parlors, a war time blackout occurred during Robert Kazmayers talk. He kept right on talking and kept everyones attention until the all clear was sounded.

Other war years highlights included

• George Walters resignation; he sold his business to enter military service
• The sale of war bonds at meetings
• Travel restrictions to area meetings due to gasoline rationing
• The entertaining of returning servicemen at regular luncheons

In the five years since 1990, the seventieth anniversary year of Owego Rotary, there has been a steady continuation of performance in community service.

• Start-up of support for the four local high schools Chem-Free Prom program.
• Three additional years of financial assistance for the Tioga County Sheriffs Dept. new D.A.R.E. program (drug and substance abuse education in the schools).
• Affiliation with the NYSDOT and Tioga County Dept. of Public Service in an environmental Rotary District 7170 program of highway clean-ups on a regular basis.
• Continued support of the Tioga Boys & Girls Club scholarships and activity programs.
• Continued annual support of camperships via the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Camp, and Camp Ahwaga Handicapped summer day camp program.
• Many local youth sports leagues depend upon Rotarys continued financial aid.
• Continued joint sponsorship with other local civic-minded groups of the Owego Civic League.

A most ambitious project commencing during this period was the establishment of a capital community fund to spearhead the construction of an indoor community swimming pool. At this point in the history of the project Owego Rotary has raised about $50,000 particularly through a new money-raising event, the annual Ahwaga Pool Golf Tournament.

The Rotary International objectives of promoting better understanding among people of the world has been significantly supported by Owego Rotary through

• Ten local students sent abroad for a year of residency and study and the receiving of 11 foreign exchange students.
• Presentation of thirteen new Rotary Foundation Paul Harris awards and the commencement of eight new RIP Paul Harris sustaining memberships.
• Participation with Rotary District 7170 with the hosting of two incoming GSE teams from abroad.
• Financial assistance of District projects as well facilitating presentations of ambassadorial students, Rotary-to-Rotary clubs co-sponsorship of book projects, school repair & improvement projects, general health and dental projects.