Rotary Years at a Glance
| 1960-61 | 1972-73 | 1984-85 | 1996-97 | 2008-09 |
| 1961-62 | 1973-74 | 1985-86 | 1997-98 | 2009-10 |
| 1962-63 | 1974-75 | 1986-87 | 1998-99 | 2010-11 |
| 1963-64 | 1975-76 | 1987-88 | 1999-00 | 2011-12 |
| 1964-65 | 1976-77 | 1988-89 | 2000-01 | 2012-13 |
| 1965-66 | 1977-78 | 1989-90 | 2001-02 | 2013-14 |
| 1966-67 | 1978-79 | 1990-91 | 2002-03 | 2014-15 |
| 1967-68 | 1979-80 | 1991-92 | 2003-04 | 2015-16 |
| 1968-69 | 1980-81 | 1992-93 | 2004-05 | 2016-17 |
| 1969-70 | 1981-82 | 1993-94 | 2005-06 | 2017-18 |
| 1970-71 | 1982-83 | 1994-95 | 2006-07 | 2018-19 |
| 1971-72 | 1983-84 | 1995-96 | 2007-08 | 2019-20 |
The original membership counted 21 men, 5 of whom are still active members of the Club. Officers of the original group were President Curtis H. McKown, Vice President Carl W. Loomis, Secretary Theodore W. Paul, Treasurer Thomas A. Ceglia, Directors Vincent J. Morabito and Lee F. Pettis, Sargent at Arms Frank Morabito and Chaplain Dale Strimple.
During its 37 year existence the Rotary Club of Clarence has found it necessary to change its meeting place to various area restaurants and as of today has headquarters in the 9th location at the Protocol Restaurant, which it is hoped may be more permanent than any of the others. These various locations have been The Clardon Motel from Nov. 1960 to Jun. 1965, the Charter House from Jul. 1965 to Jan. 1969, Clardon Motel from Feb. 1969 to Oct. 1972, Mr. Anthony's from Oct. 1972 to Dec. 1973, Wishing Well from Jan. 1974 to Aug. 1976, Red Mill from Sept. 1976 to Jun. 1978, Grande Manor from Jul. 1978 to Jun. 1979, Coachman's Inn from Jul. 1979 to 1994, and the Protocol Restaurant from 1994.
Rotary is a service organization having as one of its main objectives any project which can improve and benefit the community and people therein. The Clarence Rotary Club has promoted a number of projects as fund raisers for such community efforts during the past 37 years. The first fund raiser, in 1962, was called Donkey Baseball. A game was played between the Rotary Club and the Harris Hill Volunteer Firemen at the Harris Hill field. Proceeds were donated to the Robert Higley family who were badly in need of financial aid. The following year a Donkey Baseball game was played at the Clarence Senior High School field, and part of the proceeds went for the purchase of a Historical Marker in the Town of Clarence. This first marker was unveiled in the Spring of 1963 at the site of the first Grist Mill on Main St. and can be seen today in front of the Asa Ransom House. The Historical Society was invited for lunch at the Clardon and then to the unveiling. A few years later another Marker was furnished for the Historical Society.
The next fund raiser was called Gas Day; the first one held in the Fall of 1964 at Dadswell's Service Station (Main-Harris Hill Rd). Rotarians sold Gas Tickets for one dollar (each man was responsible for 20 tickets) and on Gas Day pumped gas, wiped windshields and washed cars. Proceeds went to the S.O.S. Camp in Clarence Center. This annual Gas Day at Dadswell's continued until 1976, and at that time the project was switched to the J.C. Penney Station and was held there until 1978 which probably ended this activity due to the unavailability of gasoline in 1979. During the period of Gas Day activities, ticket sales were greatly increased so that during the last couple of years each member was asked to sell 200 or more $1.00 tickets. The proceeds went for many and varied things such as $200.00 to the Clarence High School Band fund in 1966, $1,500 to the S.O.S. Camp in 1967 - and for each of the next four years - $300 for 900 Polio inoculation shots to India in 1967 and money for Lilac trees to be planted in Niagara Falls, Ontario. In 1968, $300 for G.I. Packages to Vietnam and support for the A.F.S. IN 1969, $1,000 was allocated for Tennis Courts at Harris Hill and in following years $1,000 for the Clarence Concert Band Shell, $1,500 for the Amherst-Clarence Hospital Fund, and support for the Teen Center and Clarence High Band. In 1976, $1,000 was given for a dark room at the Teen Center and $2,000 toward a trip to Aberdeen, Scotland for the Clarence Central Band. In 1977 an RS-5 Visual Teck Machine System was purchased for the school to help partially sighted students to read and write. The $2,000 cost was split with the Lions Club. And in 1978-79 the Club furnished an $8,000 Kiddie Playground for young children which was installed in the Clarence Town Park.
Other fund raising projects included such activities as Organ Recitals in 1971 and 1972 held at the Clarence Central High School, a Monte Carlo Night in 1976 held at the Harris Hill Fire Hall, Night At The Races held in 1978 and 1979 at Auntie Pasta's, and finally the First Annual Charity Golf Tournament held at Brookfield Country Club which will be continued from here on as a major Fund Raiser. The Club also has participated annually in the Sunshine Day Programs held at Cradle Beach, and for several years members were in attendance at S.O.S. Camp picnics. One other important fund raising effort, an international project, that the Club has joined in every year is the Rotary International Foundation Scholarship Fund. This fund is the basis for the many scholarship grants given each year to college and graduate students for a year of study at a university of their choice located anywhere in the world. The Clarence Rotary has sponsored several students, each of whom received a student grant. In 1979 our Club awarded our 1st Paul Harris Fellow Award to Vincent Morabito.
During the second half of the 1979-1980 Rotary year, the Club made a presentation of $2,000 to the Town for use in equipping the Director's office in a new Senior Citizens building to be constructed on Thompson Rd. Also, another Night At The Races was held at Auntie Pasta's and turned out to be more successful than previous ones.
Rotary Year 1980-1981 included a number of events among which was the Second Annual Charity Golf Tournament, held at Brookfield Country Club, which was very successful as a fund raiser and good time. The Project for the year was the proposal for and installment of a running and exercise track in the Town Park, expected to cost more than $2,500. The 1980-1981 year ended with a new Fund Raising effort called Clarence Crystal Beach Day. This event was very successful and the Rotary Club established a Gene Small Scholarship Award to be awarded to a deserving Clarence High School Graduate. This scholarship was to be an annual $500 contribution which was raised in our Crystal Beach Day Fund Raiser. In 1981 our Club awarded our 2nd Paul Harris Fellow Award to Pat Casilio.
A new project was conceived in 1981 "LifeLine". This encompasses the installation of a control panel in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital which will provide operation of the panel. Tied in with the panel will be connections to the disabled, elderly or sick, providing them with a place to call for help in case of an emergency.
At the suggestion of District 709, our Club undertook the project of designing and introducing the District 709 Flag Lapel Pin. The Pin was first made available to District 709 Members at the District 709 Conference which was held in Niagara Falls.
Our 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament was moved to Transit Valley Country Club and again proved to be another successful event.
The Rotary Wheel kept spinning and spun us right into our 4th Annual Night At The Races, which was held this year at the Brothers of Mercy Hall. The event was a success and the profits were great.
In February our Rotarians gathered used clothing and donated to the City Mission.
Our Annual Crystal Beach Day was changed to "Clarence Community Day" and was held at Darien Lake. Tickets were sold in advance which included a free hot dog and a can of pop, to encourage attendance. Attendance was far greater than expected.
Turning the Wheel in 1982, the Club Project was the construction of a pavilion on the new soccer field located at Clarence Center and Kraus Roads.
LifeLine Project which was conceived in 1981-1982 also involves the Rotary Clubs of Amherst South and Amherst North. This joint project has now been incorporated into the Amherst-Clarence Rotary LifeLine, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation and is in operation since November, 1982.
An Interact Club was introduced to Clarence High School and highlighted a year which was dedicated toward youth service.
Profits from the 4th Annual Golf Tournament surpassed the $5,000 mark, to make it the best fund raiser ever.
Charter Night "82" was another gala celebration. This evening saw Curt McKown named a Paul Harris Fellow. It was also the introduction of the Clarence Rotary Stockade. This was introduced to the Club and then presented to President Norm Emerling.
A discussion encompassing an idea of honoring and paying tribute to our past and future Presidents of the Rotary Club of Clarence was entertained and unanimously accepted. The idea of a trophy or monument of honor and prestige was conceived. An item to be displayed and admired year after year in the possession of each new President was our desire.
We wanted the background and idea of the monument to be intriguing, eyecatching and a conversation piece. We arrived at this interesting bit of history.
In December of 1620 the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Harbor. The first settlers chartered the town and resolved to set up a Common House as a first priority. In the ensuing months Myles Standish was elected to be Captain of a small group of soldiers. The settlers suffered many hardships and after establishing certain rules to live by, formed a colony. Several decades passed and the village and colony grew.
William Bradford became Governor and proved to be an able, dedicated, unselfish, honest leader, treating both Indians and colonists fairly and equally. Plymouth had established a form of Government that represented most of the people. The Governor and his assistants formed a Supreme Court. They passed laws and saw to it that these laws were obeyed.
Minor offenses brought about strong reprimands from Pastor William Brewster. Law breakers were seldom jailed, because Pilgrims felt that jailing was too costly and time-consuming. These offenders were made to pay off their debts to society by sitting in stocks or standing in a Pillory, on public display.
A Pillory is defined as A wooden framework erected on a post with holes through which a person's head and hands were placed and set up in a public location for all to see.
Utilizing this symbol of attraction and the center of attention, it was decided to use this particular item of our past history.
Conversely, the Pillory will become a transition of early meaning in history to an article of honor and high esteem, to exemplify the prestige and respect the office of our President represents.
This symbol, from this time forward, shall represent the toil, sweat and yes, sometimes tears, of the hard work and effort extended by each and every President, both past and in the future.
Our Charter President, Curtis McKown, in 1960 extended extra hours of work and devotion to nourish a new colony of Rotarians. As this responsibility and dedication grew, it was passed on to each new in-coming President, along with the strength, leadership and guidance necessary for this office. Through the forthcoming years, each and every past President accepted this responsibility and challenge and planted new seeds of growth and ideas to nurture and develop the magnitude of fellowship and progress.
As a tribute to our past Presidents, their individual names are inscribed permanently in brass on this Pillory for placing "Service Above Self".
Today, rather than chastise and ridicule, as the former pillory represented, we offer our allegiance and support to each new President. The monument recognizes this burden of responsibility associated with this title. This monument shall be displayed at home or office for the remainder of his or her term as President. It shall be surrendered and presented to our newly elected President, and each year thereafter.
In early 1983 the first home units of LifeLine were installed by the Amherst-Clarence Rotary LifeLine Inc.
It could not be February without Nite At The Races. Once again it proved to be a great fund raiser.
In the spring of 1983, Clarence Rotary Started its largest project. Ground was broken on a $15,000 Soccer Pavilion for Clarence youth. This project saw a contribution of Rotary money and labor to erect a lasting facility for the youth of Clarence.
Installation of our new Rotary Year President Donald Roberts was held at Brookfield Country Club.
July 1983 marked the 125th Anniversary of the Town of Clarence and Rotary was there with a fantastic Chicken Bar-B-Que.
The 5th Annual Charity Golf Tournament was held September 12th and the profits soared to $7,000.
LifeLine participation by Clarence Rotary continued and 12 more home units were installed.
In November, Charter Nite saw Clarence rotarians Tom Ceglia and John Noeltner awarded Paul Harris Fellows.
In December 1983, Clarence Rotary took the lead in District 709 by having its Charter President, Curt McKown, nominated for District Governor, 1985-1986.
June saw the installation of a new President, Officers and Board of Directors and the Rotary Wheel started spinning. The goal to increase interest in the Rotary Club by Rotary-Ann's and become active in a project of their own. Submission of Rotary Ann's favorite recipes were requested and published weekly in our Roclarion. The future objective was a Clarence Rotary Ann's Favorite Recipes Cook Book.
The completed Soccer Pavilion was turned over to the Town of Clarence.
Cataract Lumber Company opened on Main St. in Clarence. The Clarence Rotary Club was invited to handle the sale of Hot Dogs and Coke for their Grand Opening. This became a hands-on project with all sale proceeds going to the Clarence Rotary Club.
Day at Crystal Beach was fun and profitable plus everyone enjoyed our Annual Steak Roast and later in the month our Miss Buffalo Boat Ride.
September found us teeing up again for our Annual Rotary Golf Classic. This event was very successful and enjoyed by all.
October saw the Clarence Club committed to donating $1,500 to Dr. Ed Blair for surgical instruments for Malawi Orthopedic. We also attended a joint meeting with Amherst North and Amherst South Rotary along with Town dignitaries to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.
A Thank You Luncheon was held in November for all our golf sponsors at Four Seasons Restaurant.
November 8th was a Charter Nite to remember and 3 Paul Harris Fellows were awarded Ted Paul, Donald "Tiny" Yensan and posthumously to Don Roberts.
In December we participated in the National "Care and Share" Program by donating over 1,000 pounds of food and clothes to the City Mission.
Clarence Rotary was again a leader in District 709 with a $680 donation to the Governor's "Miracle Fund".
While we were digging out of the Blizzard of 1985 in January, our newest exchange student, Megan Rothwell (Australia), arrived to warm our hearts.
Clarence Rotary again distributed 10 Christmas Baskets to the needy families of Clarence. December 20th found our Club enjoying our Christmas Party.
Nite At The Races netted $1,600 profit for our Club.
In March the Rotary Club presented Youth Exchange Plaques to our Host Families as a thank you and recognition of their help and hospitality.
Rotary Ann's put on an Art Show at Brookfield Country Club to raise funds for a LifeLine unit. There was a joint meeting with the Hamilton East Wentworth Club.
April saw a memorial dedication ceremony by the Town of Clarence and our Clarence Rotary Club for our Past President Donald Roberts. The Soccer Pavilion was dedicated in Don Roberts name and a memorial plaque and tree at the Clarence Town Hall.
May started another community event by having the 1st Annual Clarence Rotary Nite with the Bisons. This proved to be a great success and the start of a lasting relationship.
June found our club in a hands-on fund raiser with a Flea Market on Main St. This event raised $1,870.
Our Clarence Rotary Club donated a $12,000 Van to the Clarence Senior Center for their use in transporting the Senior Citizens for their various needs.
In June 1985 we had the installation of George D'Amico as President and this marked the start of our Silver Anniversary Year. June also noted the installation of Curtis McKown as the new District Governor for District 709.
August we celebrated our Annual Steak Roast at the Town Park. We also enjoyed our summer with the Miss Buffalo Boat ride. This trip we occupied the entire boat. Music, food and liquid refreshments were enjoyed by everyone.
September again featured our Annual Charity Golf and Tennis Tournament in which profits approached $12,000.
Plans were being made for our District Conference in April 1986,. Clarence Rotary will be the Host Club. This event will take place at the newly opened Hyatt Regency Hotel in Buffalo.
On November 23rd our Club celebrated its "25th Anniversary" at "Salvatores Italian Gardens". The evening's program was chaired by Ron Boehm. It was a "Black Tie" event with many dignitaries from the Community and throughout the Rotary District in attendance. Roses were presented to all the "Ladies" as well as a "25th Anniversary Cook Book of "Rotary Ann's Favorite Recipes", which was organized and assembled by Liz Boehm and her committee. This Silver Anniversary commemorates 25 years of service and renews our commitment to Rotary ideals throughout the world.
December 17th our Club celebrated the upcoming Holidays with a Gala Christmas Party at Transit Valley Country Club.
February 1986 wouldnot be the same without a Nite At The Races, which once again found a hall full of rooting fans cheering on their favorite horse. Another fun-filled evening.
April 25th-27th, 1986 we hosted the District 709 Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Our Theme was "Let Us Entertain You".
Rotary Ann's gathered for a luncheon and dinner in September and November for a social time of conversation and Rotary Ann's brainstorming.
Letters for Peace Contest was held. June 6th we assembled for a Nite With The Bisons and all Rotarians and the Community enjoyed an evening of baseball.
And of course we could not end a Rotary year without our Ladies Nite, which all of our ladies were honored. It was another great year.
An extraordinary year with our own Curtis McKown as District Governor !
In June our Annual Installation of Officers took place at Transit Valley Country Club.
Projects for the year were proposed and the purchase and erection of a new Score Board for the Clarence High School was put in place, with an allocation of $12,000 for this project.
We gathered again this summer at the Town Park for our Steak Roast and it seemed like yesterday we just had our Golf Tournament, but here it is September and another year to tee up for our Annual Charity Golf Classic.
October found us moving forward with the purchase and installation of the Score Board for Clarence High School.
Donations and support were given to Meals On Wheels for $1,000 and Lighting the Youth Center $500. Contributions were made to Clarence Historical Society for $500 to be used toward an Organ.
Outgoing students this year were Laura Zintl, Martin DelPrince and Beth Creighton.
Charter Nite in November once again saw the awarding of Paul Harris Fellows along with Perfect Attendance Pins. Our Annual Christmas Party took place and as usual a wonderful time was had by all.
Spring found us journeying to Canada for a joint Rotary meeting with Hamilton East-Wentworth Club.
Donations were made to the Clarence Soccer Club. The Nature Conservacy received a $1,000 donation.
Rotary International's decision was made to regroup Rotary District 707 and 709 into 3 new Districts. 707 will be Canada-Ontario, 709 Canada-Ontario and 7090 Canada-Ontario and USA - part of Western New York.
Valentine's Day was the theme for this year's Ladies Nite even though it was held in May. The Protocol Restaurant was the place to be this year with fine food and lots of fun for everyone.
June 1987 found Clarence Rotary at Transit Valley Country Club for another Installation Dinner for our incoming President and Officers. A commitment was made to Rotary International for a $30,000 contribution for Polio Plus over the next 3 years. This fund raiser got under way with ticket sales scheduled to raise $10,000 each year for the next 3 years. The top winner will receive a trip to Hawaii along with a multitude of other smaller prize winners.
Our customary summer social events took place, along with the gathering at Cradle Beach to help the kids have fun.
October saw a Membership Stag which was held at the Clarence Town Park. Featured was a Lobster Dinner and Clam Bake along with a raffle for some of our favorite spirits.
A donation was made to Meals on Wheels in the amount of $300.
November was a busy month with our Annual Charter Nite. This year it was held at Salvatores Italian Gardens on the 19th. This month also saw an approval for a $4,000 donation to Akron Octagon House to be used for landscaping. A donation was also granted to the newly formed Rotary Club of Clarence Foundation in the amount of $3,000.
Christmas was in the hearts of all Rotarians and so a $300 donation was made toward Christmas Baskets for the needy.
Our Rotary Club saw the passing of our Executive Secretary John Noeltner. A memorial was engraved as a remembrance. The John Noeltner Reading Room has been established in the Clarence Historical Museum in his honor.
February brought a snowy night for our Rotary Club's Ladies Nite. As usual our partners were well entertained and had a delightful evening.
April brought about Secretaries Day. This was celebrated jointly with the Clarence Chamber of Commerce. This event took place at Samuel's Grande Manor. Our main speaker was the President of D'Youville College.
May 1988 saw the birth of the CLARENCE ROTARY FOUNDATION. (This history appears following Year 1996-1997).
June again found our Clarence Rotary Club awarding the Eugene Small Scholarship to a worthy Clarence High School Student.
1988 Installation of our New President and Officers took place at Transit Valley Country Club.
July again brought our Rotary Club out for another fun day to help the kids at Cradle Beach Sunshine Day. A luncheon was held at the Clarence Town Park prior to departure for Angola.
Day In The Park was another success with a donation given to the Clarence JC's and a profit made toward the club projects.
The Nature Conservacy was the recepient of a $1,000 donation by our Rotary Club and was gratefully acknowledged.
The Bar Room Buzzards provided the entertainment this beautiful August evening on our yearly Miss Buffalo Boat Ride. All Rotarians and Rotary Ann's, along with guests, had a superb evening of fun and dancing.
We also had the arrival this month of our Exchange Student from Finland.
A donation of $1,000 was made to Jamaica Emergency Rebuilding Fund due to Hurricane Gilbert.
September brought out the golfers and tennis players for our Annual Rotary Golf and Tennis Classic. Net profits of $12,00-$13,000 will again benefit our Community Projects.
Cub Scout Pack #563 received a donation for an American Flag.
Ed Dinki organized a Kids for Halloween Party for the Clarence Community that coincided with Meals On Wheels Fund Raiser. A donation was made to Meals On Wheels and Polio Plus from this party. A special meeting was called to examine the feasibility of establishing an Akron-Newstead Rotary Club. President Dick Milewicz along with Clyde Lockie, spearheaded this project along with able assistance by Norm Emerling.
The Senior Citizen Center received a donation of $3,400 from our Club which was to be expended on a computer system package.
December found our Club making a donation to help a young Clarence boy, who is going blind, realize a trip to Disney World while he still has vision. The Christmas party saw the arrival of 2 exchange students and Kathy Pursell leaves for home.
Another evening in March had great fellowship together as we held a joint meeting with our Canadian Rotarians from Hamilton East-Wentworth Club.
April brought a special day for the Rotary Club of Clarence as it successfully completed its goal in extending a Rotary Club. Rotary International approved the formation of a new Rotary Club known as the Akron-Newstead Rotary Club. Hats off to President Dick Milewicz and Clyde Lockie, along with his committee, who got this project off the ground.
A donation of $1,000 was made to the Latvian Art Students, who were our Club's guests, for the Latvian Cultural Exchange.
This year's project to establish the installation of a concrete slab in the Clarence Orchestra Band Shell was completed. Estimate project was approximately $4,000.
Marine Midland Center, 35th floor, was the place to be as our Rotary Club honored our ladies at Ladies Nite.
Installation of the computer system at the Clarence Senior Citizens Center was completed.
At the District Conference in April 1989, the Rotary Club of Clarence was awarded the Best Club in District 709.
Nite At The Races entertained about 160 guests and raised $1,200. And of course June brought about another Nite With The Bisons with a profit of $2,700.
Our 1989-1990 President was installed at Transit Valley Country Club along with his Officers and new Board of Directors.
A Study Exchange Group from India arrived for a three-day visit with our Club.
Chiavetta's Chicken Dinners were once again served at the Day In The Park for the 4th of July Celebration.
Our normal Social Events took place again during the summer months.
Charter Nite was exciting again this year as Paul Harris Fellows were awarded to several worthy Rotarians as well as Perfect Attendance Pins.
In December a motion was made to increase our donation for Christmas Baskets to $1,000. These were delivered to the needy families of Clarence.
$250 was donated to the City Mission.
Clarence Rotary Club's 3-year commitment for Polio Plus donation of $30,000 has been met this year. Congratulations on a Job Well Done.
Transit Valley Country Club was the scene again for the installation of our new President and his Officers. Our incoming President presented his outlines for the upcoming year and his plans were underway.
Accomplishments for this year were the purchase of 2 steers at the Erie County 4H Fair Auction in August, that were raised by the Town of Clarence 4H-er's. The steers were donated to the Food Pantry and the City Mission. Cost for this project was $3,152. Along with that, a second year of a two year program was accomplished. That was the intergrating of a working relationship between Teens and the Senior Citizens. This project received $1,000. Also a support of the Clarence Teen Center with a donation of $500 for small appliances.
The Clarence Newstead Meals On Wheels Harvest Happening again saw our Rotary involved in this project. Also we made a commitment for furnishing the John Noeltner Reading Room at the Clarence Historical Society Building. $10,000 was earmarked for this project.
Our Annual Golf Tournament this year netted a profit of $14,800.
The handicapped ramp was completed for the Clarence Historical Building. Bernie Kieffer headed this project.
In November, the membership approved the purchase of a round bench for the Buffalo Rotary Skating Rink. Project cost was $3,600.
International Service received a $500 donation to help a Haitian school. This is part of World Community Service.
As usual our Rotary Club celebrated its usual social events with the Steak Roast, Charter Nite, Christmas Party and Ladies Nite.
Day In The Park rolled around again and 425 chicken dinners were sold.
June 1991-1992 was once again a Presidential year where a new Rotary Club was to be formed. President Steve Carlson spearheaded this task along with Clyde Lockie and committee. This new Club is now known as the Eastern Hills Sunrise Rotary Club and conducts breakfast meetings.
During this year the formation of the Adopt-A-Highway Program was formed with an allocation of $500.
Our Rotary Club won the District Governor's Award for this project along with a Perfect Attendance Award.
$500 was also allocated to House Hold Health Program. $2,500 was donated to Parents Anonymous.
The Napal Project was seeking donations of used beds. The Brothers of Mercy Nursing Home donated old beds. The Rotary Club incurred shipping expenses. Dave Rosner headed this project.
This year would not be complete without the fun and fellowship we all enjoyed with our Steak Roast, Christmas Party, Boat Ride and Ladies Nite, along with other special events.
Other accomplishments during this year included the Annual Rotary Golf & Tennis Classic, Day In The Park, Gene Small Scholarship Award plus hosting 2 Foreign Exchange Students.
June once again saw the installation of our 1992-1993 President. He was honored with one of the finest Dinner & Installation Parties. Another busy and exciting year was initiated.
Our Summer started with our Club participating in the first ever Clarence Balloon Festival by selling popcorn and balloons. Of Course we enjoyed our Annual Steak Roast at the Clarence Town Park.
We were also blessed this year with 2 Exchange Students from South Africa and the recently liberated Soviet Georgia.
One of our projects this year was the replacement of a new Refrigerator and Freezer in the Clarence Food Pantry, both stocked with food items.
A Vocation Service activity included a very informative trip to Harrison Radiator Fabricating Plant in Lockport.
Our first Job Shadowing Day was organized and proved to be very interesting and successful. Approximately 30 Clarence High School Students spent the morning observing their various choices of a future vocation and enjoyed a luncheon at Brookfield Country Club with our Rotary Club.
Our fund raiser, of course, was our Annual Golf & Tennis Classic and also featured our First Annual Lobsterfest fund raiser which netted our Club $6,000 on its first try. The Clarence Community were the beneficiaries of these efforts.
Spring brought about our Annual Ladies Nite with a Dinner Theater for Ladies Nite at Ripa's Restaurant.
Once again our Club won the award for the Best Hospitality Room at our District Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Our Club was also represented in the first District 7090 Bike Trek.
June has rolled around again and we find our 1993-1994 President being installed. Our Rotary Wheel has started spinning again with another exciting Rotary Year.
Our Summer started off with a Social event which was our Steak Roast. Our Charter Nite followed and then came our Christmas Party and Ladies Nite.
During the year our Club found ourselves changing meeting places with a move to The Protocol Restaurant.
Our Club benefited greatly this year with the induction of our new Superintendent of Clarence School District, Tom Coseo. The Club's activities were broadened within the Clarence School District by his membership.
Ed Dinki's idea for the Field of Dreams was implemented this year. This found the organization of local business men and athletic groups forming the Field of Dreams Committee. A design for the park was created and location pin-pointed along with a promotional brochure for the use in promoting the Field of Dreams.
Submission of Dr. Lynn Taylor was made to the District as a candidate for the District Scholarship Award, which she utimately won. This was the first time in over 20 years our Club had a scholarship winner.
Our 1994-1995 President and his Officers and Board of Directors were installed and another Rotary Year began.
The Summer was a busy one with a Day In The Park, Cradle Beach, Steak Roast at the Town Park, and a Boat Cruise and Dinner down the Niagara River.
September found us teeing up for our Annual Golf & Tennis Classic raising $13,000 for our future projects.
Our Phase 1 Books for the Solomon Islands was completed along with our cleaning for our Adopt-A-Highway Project on Main St. Clarence.
Our second year of Job Shadowing took place with a great turn out of over 100 Clarence High School Students. Brookfield Country Club was our luncheon finale with the Students and Club Members.
January saw Julia Kreher, our first female member inducted into our Club.
The Buttery in Niagara On The Lake was the scene for Partners Nite this year and great time was had by all.
Our second payment of $500 was made to the Food Pantry.
Donations of Easter Baskets for the needy were made, and a donation also was made to The American Legion to install Brass Markers and Flag Poles in two cemeteries in honor our veterans.
Lobsterfest again was a success with over $7,000 raised.
We completed El Salvador Alphabetization Program. $1,500 was contributed to St. Mary's Church in Swormsville with matching funds from the Eastern Hills Foundation to build a playground.
Our Club set up a "Not For Profit" Corporation Clarence Recreational Park Inc. We continued to serve as a catalyst for our Sports Center by bringing together various Town Organizations, along with Town Information meetings to the Clarence Public.
This along with all the RYLA Youths, Exchange Students, Gene Small Scholarship Awards and our "Books By Air" Program to the Solomon Islands, has kept our Club very active.
On June 26, 1995, our Club's 35th President was installed at Transit Valley Country Club.
July found our Rotary Club serving Chiavetta's Chicken Dinners at Day In The Park. A new wrinkle was put in place with a Putting Contest.
This year our Club went High Tech with the purchase of a Lap Top Computer for use in computerizing our bookkeeping system and financial records. Board of Directors meetings were moved to a morning meeting at Denny's.
The Field of Dreams propsed in the previous year was the subject of media scrutiny, but our Rotary Club stood firmly behind the proposal.
A Clarence High School Interact Club was reborn with 15 enthusiastic members and our publication of the Roclarion went to a bi-weekly format as a cost cutting measure.
Our Annual Rotary Golf & Tennis Classic was named The Paul DelPrince Memorial Rotary Golf & Tennis Tournament in honor of our Past Rotarian Paul DelPrince. A donation of $1,500 was made to Hospice in memory of Paul DelPrince.
Partners Nite was held at Lockport Country Club and our Charter Nite and Christmas Parties were both held in a predictably classy manner.
The District 7090 Conference was held but our Club decided to forgo the usual Hospitality Room to show discontent against high registration fees.
The Youth Exchange Program hosted two young men from France and Bolivia.
President Ed Dinki was recognized by Rotary International with its President Award.
June rolled around again and it was time to install our President Robert Artis for the new Rotary Year. This year was a busy one. Beside our usual social events and fund raisers history was about to be made.
The Rotary Club of Clarence succeeded in getting onto the electronic super highway by way of launching our web page at http://freenet.buffalo.edu/~clrotary, now http://bfn.org/~clrotary.
Our Club was also involved and participated in TV-4 Net 4 Weather Station with a computerized gizmo being donated to Clarence High School Science Dept.
The Club also saw the institution of Wild Card Friday and reintroduced a Greeter for our Rotary meeting. A friendly smile greeted everyone from Rotarian to Guests.
The year began with great excitement as the theme for the year was unveiled. "Clarence Rotary The Shining Star of District 7090". It was decided that we would, in this Rotary year, look back to all the years past and prepare in a written format, The History of The Rotary Club of Clarence. Ron Boehm chaired this effort and had the history printed and bound for each member. The history has also been posted on the club's web site. August brought about a club membership recruitment night at the Heritage House on Main St. The event turned out to be a great event and very successful. Governor Rodger Allan visited on August 22nd and gave the club a challenge to begin a new Rotary event called "A Conference for a new Generation". The board anxiously approved the idea and a committee was formed to work with the High School to plan the event. Our annual Steak Roast took place and as usual, all had a fun filled evening.
Fall rolled around and the club was very busy with many new activities. The Conference For a New Generation, being planned for March 1998, Job Shadowing Day for November, and a few new idea's, including a mentoring program for the Middle School. The club also had another successful golf outing at the Transit Valley Country Club.
October is Charter month for the Rotary Club of Clarence and this year's event was held at The Protocol Restaurant. The Club History was unveiled for the club. We also conducted another successful adopt-a-highway clean up month. The Interact Club at the high school paid our club a visit this month. November is the month that Job Shadowing took place The board decided to begin another tradition, The Parents Anonymous Children's Christmas Party.
With 1997 coming to a close, and December rolled around, plans were being completed for the New Generation Conference in March. First Lady Diane Cortese and club members along with Old St. Nick made the day for the kids at the
Parent Anonymous Christmas Party and the Annual Christmas Party for our Rotary Club was held at the Brookfield Country Club.
We welcomed the New Year with our first meeting at the newly renovated Clarence High School along with a guided tour by our own Superintendent of Schools Tom Coseo. February brought the 93rd Anniversary of Rotary International and a special celebration at the club. Partners night was different with a Progressive Dinner and Coffee and Dessert at the Heritage House.
March was our first annual New Generations Conference held at the newly completed lecture hall at the high school. Seven area high schools participated along with an esteemed panel of experts. The students dictated the discussion and chose the topics. The panelists were committed to try and effect some change to their organizations policies as a result of the event.
Spring brought about our bi-annual visit to our old friends at Hamilton-East Wentworth Club. They hosted us at the new Air and Space Museum. The GSE Team arrived from India in May from District 3080. They attended our meeting and it will be long remembered by all. Ann Marie Zon, a Missionary from Nicaragua was the program and explained her efforts to help the children of poverty-stricken mountain communities in Nicaragua. President Dom formulated the framework of what would become a long and deep relationship between Ann Marie and the Rotary Club of Clarence.
June was upon us again and the Rotary year drew to a close. But not before the biggest event of the year, Lobsterfest 1998. The event was held at the Clarence Town Park. And as expected, a very successful event.
Installation was upon us and on June 25,1998 our New President Norm Naab Jr. was installed at the Transit Valley Country Club. The theme " A Family Tradition" commemorating the fact that Norm Jr. followed his father Norm Sr. to become the next president of the club.
In a continuation of the tradition set by Jack (President #8) and Dick DeWitt (#2D) and Pat Sr. (#12) and Pat Casilio Jr. (#33), Norm Naab Jr. followed in Norm Sr.'s (#11) footsteps when he was installed by his father as our Club's 38th president in June at Transit Valley Country Club. Appropriately, the theme of the evening was "A Family Tradition".
The first function of the year for "The Club That Fellowship Built" was the annual `Day In The Park' chicken dinner sale. In an unprecedented display, Mother Nature decided to cleanse the Clarence Town Park with a downpour of rain, thus washing out almost all of the day's scheduled events. This didn't prove to be an omen, however. In a show of concern for Clarence Rotary Fellowship, Mother Nature delivered absolutely beautiful weather for the annual Steak Roast in August, our Golf and Tennis Outing in September and Lobsterfest in June.
The annual visit by Rotary's District Governor occurred on August 14th. While the club met with DG Jon Olsen, first lady, Sue Naab, hosted an Afternoon Tea at the Asa Ransom House in honor of Phyllis Olsen. Approximately 30 ladies toured the Inn and grounds after the luncheon as the facility was opened exclusively for this event.
Charter Night, the celebration of our Club's birthday, was unique in that two of our most active Rotary Spouses were honored as Paul Harris Fellows. Mary Kohout and Diane Cortese, responsible for so many behind the scenes functions that make our Club successful, received Paul Harris pins, medallions, and certificates along with a standing ovation from our Club in recognition of their extraordinary efforts on Rotary's behalf.
Working in concert with the Eastern Hills Sunrise Rotary Club, we held a new fund raiser in November, a Monte Carlo Night at Harris Hill Fire Hall. Not only was the evening an economic success, but it also served as an avenue to share fellowship with members of a club we helped form in `91-92 .
Our Club continued our World Community Service Project involving Ann-Marie Zon's mission in Nicaragua. Our second donation of $3000 cash, clothing and other supplies supplemented days of packing trailers at the Zon's for shipment to the poor in Nicaragua. After the devastation of hurricane Mitch, our Club organized a highly successful effort within District 7090 to raise further donations from other Clubs in the district, We applied for and eventually were rewarded with a Rotary International Foundation Matching Grant for our efforts on behalf of the poor in Nicaragua.
We continued the projects begun in prior years such as Adopt-A-Highway, RYLA, 4-H Livestock Auction, Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels/Harvest Happening, Parents Anonymous Christmas Party, New Generations Conference, Job Shadowing, Student Mentoring, Rotary Club of Clarence/Eugene Small Scholarships, Rotary Club of Clarence/Peter Greatbatch Scholarship and the Clarence Rotary Foundation along with several monetary donations in support of worthy causes. Through the Feinstein Foundation, our Club applied for and received an additional $750 matching grant for our contributions to the Food Pantry and Meals On Wheels.
Along with the Steak Roast, our partners and members enjoyed an evening at Funny Bones, Charter Night at the Protocol, Christmas Party at Transit Valley Country Club, Partner's Night at Daffodils, a well attended District Conference in April and other opportunities to share the theme that Clarence Rotary is `THE CLUB THAT FELLOWSHIP BUILT'.
CLARENCE ROTARY HAS ALWAYS BEEN NOTED FOR FELLOWSHIP AND A HIGH DEGREE OF DEDICATION BY ITS MEMBERS. CLARENCE ROTARY WILL ALWAYS REMAIN A STRONG ORGANIZATION BECAUSE OF THE UNSELFISH SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP SHARED WITHIN THE MEMBERSHIP. EVERY MEMBER CAN TRULY SAY ROTARY HAS A POSITIVE EFFECT ON THEIR LIVES.
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