The History of The Owego Rotary Club

The History of The Owego Rotary Club

June 6, 1922	The meeting time was changed from 12:15 to 12:05 PM and to end at 1:20 instead of 1:30 PM.
August 30, 1922	An outing with Rotarians and their ladies at Sullivan’s Monument near Waverly included sports and games, concluding with dinner at the Iron Kettle.
September 20, 1924	An outing of area clubs sponsored by Binghamton Rotary at Ideal Park in Endicott included ball games, golf and a Tug-of-War contest.
December 17, 1925	Twenty-nine members of Owego Rotary attended the district conference in Quebec, traveling from Binghamton in their own railroad car.
February 9, 1926	Rotarians and their ladies met at the Methodist Church in Lounsberry for dinner and a sleigh ride.
1928	The entry fee for Owego Rotary was increased from $10 to $20, and dues from $20 to $25 per year.
1920s	The Rural Urban Committee dates back to the 1920s.
1935	The district conference was held at Lake Placid. It stated you could get by on $17 and $20 would cover all expenses except travel costs.
1940	Johann Reich, former director of the world famous Salzburg Festivals, spoke to the club. He lived in Vienna and left because of Nazi difficulties. The international convention that year was held in Havanna, Cuba.
October 1940	Owego Rotary arranged to have electric lights installed at the Brick Pond for the benefit of young skaters.
December 1, 1942	While giving a speech at the Ladies Night meeting in the Methodist Church parlors, a war time blackout occurred during Robert Kazmayer’s talk. He kept right on talking and kept everyone’s attention until the “all clear” was sounded. Other war years’ highlights included George Walter’s 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
December 14, 1945	Owego Rotary celebrated its Silver Anniversary. Past International President Donald Adams spoke at the Elk’s Auditorium.
1946	Owego Rotary took a membership in the newly formed Boy’s Club.
1948	A goal was set for $10 per member contribution to the Rotary Foundation to become a 100% member.
1951	Owego Rotary shipped books to assist the Rotary Club of Dumaguette City, Philippines establish a community library.
1954	First mention of a community pool in Owego. In 1956 the club contributed $100 towards the cost of a pool at Marvin Park.
February 22,1955	The Golden Anniversary of Owego Rotary was observed.
October 31, 1955	Owego held an inter-city meeting with Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. A plane was chartered from Mohawk Airlines with 19 Owego members attending. They left Ithaca airport at 9:30 AM and returned at 5:30 PM.
March 6, 1956	Curt Johnson, manager of IBM Airborne Computer Laboratories (predecessor of IBM Federal Systems Division) spoke about the new Military Products Division building complex that was under construction in Owego.
1956	Donations included $300 to the newly organized United Fund.
1957	Road signs were installed at entrance points to Owego noting existence of a Rotary Club, its meet-day, time and place.
1959	The Boy’s Club day camp opened at Camp Truman, with a donation of $100 from Owego Rotary.
April 4, 1961	Local farmers were guests of club members at a meeting arranged by the Rural-Urban Committee.
1962	Marks the year Stakmore tables were given to District Governors on the occasion of their visit to Owego Rotary. Stakmore tables are manufactured in Owego.
December 1, 1970	Owego Rotary celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Owego Treadway. Herb Launt was president and Fred Beaudry was program chairman. The Arthur B. Stiles Fund was established at that time in honor of Art Stiles’ contributions to Rotary.
July 1972	Over $1,000 was raised for flood relief for Wellsburg, NY.
November 1972	The first poinsettia sale was held as a club fund raiser. Chairman Tom McCormack reported 230 plants were sold at $4 each.
1974	Art Stiles attended his 55th consecutive District Conference with his wife Laura. Owego Rotary donated $1,000 and awarded him the Paul Harris Fellowship. The same year Owego Rotary hosted about 75 District 7170 exchange students for a weekend.
1987	Dugouts were built at the Little League Park, a “Chemical-Free Prom” breakfast was served by Owego Rotarians at the Apalachin elementary school for OFA students.
1990-1995	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 Sheriff’s 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 Rotary’s 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.

The Rotarians have demonstrated their recognition that in this day and age our community does not begin and end at the village of Owego or at the Tioga County line. Our community extends world-wide. In business, in people travel contacts, in educational exchanges, we in the Owego Rotary Club realize we are impacted by the whole world and we in turn are doing our part to improve the quality of life of people locally, nationally, and around the world.