Rotary Club of Clearwater Celebrates Anniversary
(l-r) Robert Clark, Fred Robbins, Eugene Ridenour, James Stewart, Doug Hilkert, President Rotary Club of Clearwater The Rotary Club of Clearwater celebrated its 84th anniversary recently at its monthly meeting held at the Belleair Country Club. Bob Clark, past president and club historian, walked members down memory lane … a new road for many … as he shared information and tales about the club’s early years. He chronicled the club legacy from inception on January 2, 1925 through the start of WWII in 1941. The organization was chartered with names familiar in the community including Taver Bayly, Mel McMullen, Alfred Marshall, Ross Norton, Bascom Barber, Carroll Nall and Reade Tilley. Clark outlined the many community projects the club supported throughout the years, Including a summer camp for boys; another for underprivileged boys, swim and dive meets, youth ball teams, and several War work projects in 1944. Gas rationing during WW11 and also the depression years of the 1930’s, affected pocketbooks and the location of meetings. For this reason members were encouraged to make payments of annual dues on a weekly basis. Member Harriette Barber recognized members with attendance of 25 years or more. This included David Perkins, Jr., a 62 year member and Glenn Loughridge, a member for 59 years. Three past presidents were special guests of the day, representing three decades as presidents: 1978-79, 1982-83 and 1999-2000. They are respectively, Gene Ridenour, Jim Stewart and Fred Robbins. Bob Clark noted that the success of community oriented service clubs of today, such as Rotary, are a result of the dedicated community minded members who laid the groundwork for conscientious community service that continues to tte present day. The Rotary Club of Clearwater meets every Wednesday noon at the Belleair Country Club. Community minded individuals are invited to participate.
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