As we get ready to celebrate our club’s 30th Anniversary this Saturday night, I thought it only fitting to pay tribute to the Charter Members of our club. On January 4th, 1990, The Rotary Club of Montgomery/Rocky Hill was officially chartered. It was founded by twenty-nine people with high ideals who wanted to make a difference in the community and in our world.
The original Charter Members of our club were: Bill Beachell, Daniel Beresford, David Borchers, Bill Braukmann, Harry Fenton, Ed Fierst, Herb Forder, Jim Francis, Cathy Frank-White, Kris Hadinger, Paul Handwerk, Kip Higgins, Bill Hyncik, Bob Kress, Kevin Margiatto, Art Martin, Don Matthews, Bill Megill, Doug Merritt, Nick Mistretta, Bill Prevost, Ann Quinn, Gene Roberts, Marian Tesser, Hank Thorne, Jerry Walker, Keith Wheelock, Walt Wronka, Lee Whitney Honorary Charter Member: Dennis Daggett.
What began thirty years ago is still thriving today. Our club not only helps those in need, it also helps our members to grow as individuals. I’m proud of our club and I’m very honored and proud to be our club’s president. There is a warmth and friendship between our members that is genuine and profound. We’ve had thirty years of Thursday morning breakfast meetings and Happy Dollars. We’ve had thirty years of our shared experiences. Thirty years of laughing and mourning together. Thirty years of trying to make a difference in our world and succeeding. Thirty years of doing good! As Zoltan Nagy so aptly stated, “We are a Roving Band of Do-Gooders” (who are extremely proud of what we do).
I’d like to personally thank all of our past and present Charter Members. You’ve built our club to last and you have done so with humor, warmth, and decades of good deeds. I believe that our club belongs to our Charter Members. Those of us who have followed and have assumed leadership roles are responsible for continuing the legacy. We are stewards of an organization that was founded on high ideals and integrity. Speaking on behalf of our club, I’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to our Charter Members, and especially “The Magnificent Eight” who continue to guide our club today: Bill Beachell, Kris Hadinger, Kip Higgins, Bill Hyncik, Art Martin, Don Matthews, Doug Merritt and Keith Wheelock.
Thank you for building our club on such a solid foundation of hope, love, friendship, and integrity. Our club has helped a lot of people and thanks to you, …it’s made a difference in all of our lives.
“Whatever good things we build end up building us.” – Jim Rohn
Yours in Rotary,
Tony Parziale