The Pilot News - Plymouth Rotary celebrates 65 years

That formula has worked for the club since its inception on April 11, 1944.
For the past 65 years, Rotary Club and its Rotarians have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars for Marshall County community pro-jects via fundraisers, individual donations, Rotary International matching grants and weekly Rotary “fines and Happy Dollars” from its membership. Additionally, organizational expertise and manpower have been wielded by local Rotarians for the benefit of a wide array of community projects and causes, spanning education, health care, youth, senior and business development.
By definition, the objective of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
2. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
3. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
According to Rotary Internation-al’s Web site, this objective is further set against the “Rotarian four-way test,” used to see if a planned action is compatible with the Rotarian spirit. The test was developed by Rotarian and entrepreneur Herbert J. Taylor during the Great Depres-sion as a set of guidelines for restoring faltering businesses and was adopted as the standard of ethics by Rotary in 1942. It is still seen as a standard for ethics in business management:
• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build good will and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The first Rotary Club was formed in the South Side historic Beverly Hills neighborhood of Chicago by attorney Paul P. Harris on Feb. 23, 1905. Harris held the first meeting with three friends, Silvester Schiele, coal merchant, Gustave E. Loehr, mines engineer and Hiram E. Shorey, tailor. The members chose the name “Rotary” because they rotated club meetings to each member’s office each week. Rotary International now has nearly 2 million members worldwide.
In 1985, Rotary launched its PolioPlus program to immunize all of the world’s children against polio. In 2005 Rotary had contributed half a billion dollars to the cause, resulting in the immunization of nearly two billion children.
While the local club membership contributes and advocates Rotary International programs, including the works of the esteemed Rotary Foundation, it also champions local causes much closer to home.
Scholarships, donations to local projects, and providing manpower and mentorship to programs are among Plymouth Rotary Club’s many local contributions. In addition to the Rotary Club for adults, local Rotarians also sponsor an Interact Club at Plymouth High Schools for junior Rotarians.
Jessica Oliver is completing a two-year presidency of Plymouth Rotary and will be followed by the Rev. Dennis Wenzel next month. To find out more about the Plymouth Rotary Club and discover how to join, ask any Rotarian or call Melissa Christiansen, 574-936-6919.
Plymouth Rotary Club
History Highlights from 1944 to 1978
(from Rotary archives)
Early in 1944 several Rotarians from Warsaw came to Plymouth, and contacted Leo Helvey, former resident of their city. A survey was conducted on the possibility of Starting a Rotary Club in Plymouth. After several months of missionary work the Plymouth Rotary Club held its first meeting on April 11, 1944.
On May 22, 1944 charter night was held at the Plymouth Country Club with over 300 Rotarians in attendance. Rev. Art Raabe, who chaired the first meeting, gave greetings to the group. Delegations from Wabash, Logansport, North Manches-ter, Valparaiso, Michigan City, South Bend, Kendallville, Elkhart and Gary were present. Warsaw brought 63 members as the host club for Plymouth. Al Greene, pianist, and Ken Turman, song leader, appeared on the program.
President Leo Helvey gave a stirring talk on what he had learned from Rotary. William Chinworth spoke for the Warsaw Club. Ray Paine from Elkhart cast the bell which the club still uses. Members of Paine’s home club did not know he was doing this. The base for the bell was cut by the Warsaw club from the largest Burr Oak tree in Indiana which was felled by a recent tornado. Many other gifts were presented by the visiting clubs. H.E. Moody, district governor, presented the charter. It was accepted by President Helvey. Dr. William Dein was the speaker of the evening and gave an inspiring address. Dinner was served by the ladies of the E.U.B. Church. Mayor Abner Broman and the president of the Kiwanis Club were invited guests.
Because of the war, Rotary began to look for new projects. The club also assisted in projects that were already in progress by other organizations in the city. During the first year the District Assembly was held at Plymouth under the supervision of District Governor Jack Yarian. This did much to instill the principles of Rotary into the club.
1944 - 1949
Some of the projects during this first five-year period were the sponsoring of a Rotary Junior Soft Ball Team and refreshments for the crippled children’s camp. A clothing drive for war refugees was held. Sixteen tons of clothing were accumulated, sorted, packed and shipped. This project probably did more to instill the spirit of Rotary in a new club than anything it could have done. Ernie Bixel promoted a home talent show to raise money for club projects. A rousing club assembly was held at the Arnold Schipper cottage at Beaver Dam; so much so that Harold Cox, Dick Derf and Cecil Sloan went swimming and forgot to remove their wristwatches. The idea to hold an “After Prom Party” for juniors and seniors was decided on during this period.
1949 - 1954
The first After From Party was held in May, 1950. The school officials approved but gave it very little chance for success. There was a 95% attendance of the students - it was very gratifying for Rotarians. During this period the club participated in the first Rotary Golf Tournament at Tippecanoe Lake. An appeal from Rotary Inter-national for used toys for needy children in Europe at Christmas was received. When the members didn’t get used toys, everyone donated money so the toys couid he purchased. In 1949 the club bulletin was started with Bob Bowen as editor.
1954 - 1959
During the next five-year period, the Rotary Speech Contest was inaugurated. A special dinner was staged honoring the Police and Fire Departments. Rotary Inter-national celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Internation-al Convention was held in Chicago and a rather large delegation from Plymouth attended. Manford VanGilder stopped smoking cigarettes the night he was installed as president. He moved the speakers’ table to the south end of the room to discourage the early leavers. The idea worked fine, but was discontinued. During the year Ray Price was president, the club attained a goal of 60 members. The club donated $1,000 to furnish a Rotary Room at the Parkview Hospital.
During Lloyd Keyser’s year as president, Rotarians heard an outstanding program on the state budget, which gave them a new perspective on government affairs. Father Sheridan helped start Alcoholics Anon-ymous locally and showed Rotarians how it operated. Jim Thain visited his native Scotland, returned and gave a fine program. For every 100 percent meeting attendance, President Keyser paid for the cost of a chicken dinner for the club. Tough on hiss pocketbook, but the chicken was good.
1959 - 1964
In 1959 Phil Legge attended the Rotary International Convention in New York City and came home brimful of Rotary enthusiasm. Phil tried to promote a foreign ex-change student program, but funds for the project were lacking. President Warren Senour and Hugh Keiser attended the International Convention in Tokyo. During Warren Senour’s year as president, application was made to the American Field Service for Foreign Exchange Stud-ent. Clarence Doerr promoted and was chairman of the first Vocational Career Night program at Plymouth High School. Werner Patzwold from Germany, the club’s first exchange student, arrived during John Snook’s year as president. Dick and Hattie Derf served as Dad and Mom for Werner. Werner proved so popular that the program was continued. Aunt Jemima Pancake Day was started to finance the Exchange Student Project. During John Oliver’s year as president, 16 Rotar-ians and Rotaryanns attended the Rotary International Convention in St. Louis.
1964 - 1969
Bill McQueen recalled that the club was pretty low financially and that curing his year a budget was established. All bills were paid and the club ended up in the black. Arnold Schipper’s name was placed in nomination for district governor. He was elected and served for the year 1966-67. The club’s first female exchange student, Serpil Gir-inger, arrived from Turkey.
Phil Legge, Arnold Schipper, Doc Bentley and Al Smith from Rochester organized the Winamac Rotary Club. Plymouth and Roch-ester were co-sponsors for the charter.
Wayne Frushour, Herb Harper and Arnold Schipper attended the Rotary Conven-tion at Denver, Colorado. During Ernie Probst’s year as president, the club had Sam Gerber from Switzerland as the exchange student. A pledge of $1,000 was paid for the new swimming pool in Plymouth.
The largest attended 4-H District Leadership Training Meeting was held in Plymouth.
More than $500 was contributed to the District “Wells for India” Project. Arnold Schipper led the Group Study Team from Dist. 654 to new Zealand and the Fiji Islands. The last of Plymouth Rotary’s first 25 years closed out with Bob Bowen as president. Highlights of the year were the A.F.S. Bus Stop July 2-4, climaxed by a dinner and program at Culver Military Academy. The foreign exchange student, Fredrico Pichi from Argentina, arrived in August to make his home with Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cook. The big event of the year was the arrival of the Group Study Exchange team from New Zealand and the Fiji Islands on Sept. 14 for their first stop in the district. The Annual Valentine Sweetheart Party was held at the Plymouth Country Club and was a very enjoyable party.
Manford VanGilder headed a drive to accumulate eyeglasses for India. A total of 2,600 pairs were accumulated and shipped to Dr. Burleigh Matthews, Indianapolis, who had served as medical missionary in India.
1969 - 1972
These three years went by rather fast with the usual projects and money raising projects. During 1969-70 with Curt Middleton as president the club was still meeting at the Plymouth Conservation Club House. Mrs. Irene Douglass was cooking club meals and serving her delicious home-made pies. During 1970-71, with Bob Atkins as president, meetings were moved to The Holiday Inn.
During 1971-72 Ed Cook was president. The money-making project was selling theatre tickets which didn’t go over too well.
1972 - 1975
Phil Legge served as District Governor of Rotary District 654 in the 1972-73 year and due to his influence and leadership the Plymouth Club prospered. Ray Price served as chairman of the Rotary Foundation Commit-tee and became the first Paul Harris Fellow, which brought the Club to the 700-percent level. He initiated an interest in the membership to become Paul Harris Fellows at the suggestion of Governor Legge, the Board of Directors in the 1972-73 year voted to use the fine money as a matching fund for the Paul Harris Membership. Arnold Schipper became the second in 1973. Phil Legge and Ernie Probst in 1974. Bob Bowen in 1976 and Vic Stockman and Russ Carothers in 1977.
Russ Carothers became a very active Rotarian in the 1972-73 year. Russ in his quiet and efficient manner was always a willing worker.
He replaced the Rotary signs on the edge of town with new signs and posts where needed and improved Rotary’s image. He initiated and encouraged Rotary to purchase the ovens for the Meals on Wheels program.
In 1974 Rotary built the shelter in the new addition to Centennial Park and purchased the charcoal grills for Price Memorial Park.
A Group Study Exchange Team was received from India in 1972 and a Team from District 654 was sent to India in 1973. A team was sent to England in 1974. The Plymouth Club had a very active role in selecting and hosting the incoming Teams in this program.
Rotary sponsored under the chairmanship of Otto Krohn and with the cooperation of the Kiwanis and Lion’s Club, hosted the French Choir of over 100 members, who gave a Concert at Ancilla Domini Chapel.
Rotary joined with the other service clubs in equipping one of the visiting areas for the residents of Garden Court.
Rotary continued to be active in the American Field Service Program, sponsoring a student from a foreign country each year.
1975 - 1976
During 1975-1976, ending in the middle of our nation’s bicentennial, was truly a good year for the Plymouth Rotary Club.
It hosted a delightful Group Study Team from Japan led by Dr. Masao Mizinuma. Vatch Klayssua-van was a joy as the foreign exchange student from Thailand. He attended nearly all of Rotary’s functions.The club was busy with activities such as pancake cooking at Old Fashion Days and taco making at the Blueberry Festival. The club began selling tickets on vacation trips as a fund raiser. Former Sheriff Harvey Phillips won the trip. A number of members helped the Public TV station WHIT in a phone-a-thon project.
Rotary continued sponsoring the after-prom party for the high school students with a movie, band, bowling and plenty to eat — with 431 attending. The club contributed to the Rotarian’s in Guatemala to assist earthquake victims in that country, delivered food baskets at Christmas to local needy families and purchased a number of charcoal grills for the new Price Memorial Park.
Members heard outstanding programs during the year. Bill McQueen’s daughter Vickie, gave a very informative report on Belgium, where she had just spent a year visiting and studying under the AFS program. Several field trip programs were held, including a preview tour of the new addition to the high school and a close-up look at the building of mobile homes Golden West. The highlight of the programs was that of Charles Tucker and his UFO stories. The meeting was opened to the community and overr 150 attended.
This was the year of “Rotary license plates” for all to see. At the end of the Rotary year, the club added another name to the Paul Harris roster. It was very faithful and long-time member Bob Bowen.
1976 - 1977
During the Annual Steak Fry, club members dedicated the Rotary Park Shelter. Ferdinand Haslinger of Austria was the exchange student and the club hosted the Japan exchange Team. Hosted also was the French Choir.
1977 - 1978
Plymouth Rotary sponsored the new Knox Rotary Club had its Charter night at Bass Lake. Very few Clubs are fortunate in sponsoring a new club, and it only happened due to the fine efforts of Arnold Schipper, Phil Legge and Cotton Gall.