100 Years of Wooster Rotary - 1971-1979

The 1972-1973 Wooster Rotary Year began with a new Wooster Rotary President, Bill Drumm. In his first presentation President Bill pointed out that Wooster Rotary was one of 15,306 clubs worldwide in 149 countries with 719,500 members.

 

The proposed budget for Wooster Rotary was balanced at $28,255. Dates were also announced for the Annual Family Picnic and for the Annual Rotary Golf Outing. Members were urged to sign up quickly.

 

At the July 26th meeting, Honorary Membership was conferred upon P. T. Raju, retiring Professor of Indian Studies at the College of Wooster and a Wooster Rotary Member. Professor Raju received his BA, MA and PhD from the University of Calcutta and taught philosophy and psychology at the University of Rajasthan before his appointment to the College of Wooster Faculty in 1962.

 

One of the more interesting speakers was Dr. McClanahan, on October 11th, a retired medical missionary to Egypt for 37 years, living in retirement in Akron. He had been sent in 1920 to the ancient City of Luxor, Egypt to open a hospital there. Because of his interest in ancient Egypt, he befriended a group excavating in the Valley of the Kings. He also became friends with a man named Howard Carter. Eventually, Dr. McClanahan was invited by Howard Carter to witness the opening of a tomb thought to be untouched. Upon opening, it was found to be untouched and hold the tomb and belongings of the “Boy King” Tutankhamen. At there age of 87, Dr. McClanahan’s description of the event was still fresh in his mind 50 years later. It was fortunate for the Wooster Rotary Club that he survived the curse of King Tut and was thought to be the last survivor of the event.

 

Another interesting program was presented to Wooster Rotary on January 24, 1974 by Rev. Howard Moody of Judson Memorial Church Greenwich Village New York. His thesis was that there are too many laws on the books that are not criminal in nature, but were only passed to regulate private morality. He listed moralistic laws as those which deal with public drunkenness, abortion, drug abuse, sexual conduct and juvenile delinquency. Some of these issues are still being debated.

 

At the meeting on February 21, 1974, Wooster Rotarians noted the death of Art Miller, a loyal member of the Wooster Club since 1924. “A contractor, land developer, naturalist, and lover of people, Art has left a permanent record of his achievements in our community."

 

In May 1974, Rotarians bade farewell to Herman Freedlander, the last living charter member of Wooster Rotary and beloved benefactor of the community in which he lived and worked for nearly a century. Herman, who faithfully attended Rotary until early this year when declining health made it an impossibility, died May 30. [1974] Services were held June 3 with Rotarian J. Garber Drushal assisting Rabbi Paul Mandel. The following excerpts from the Wooster Daily Record are an appropriate tribute to a Rotarian, who perhaps more than any other followed Rotary’s motto to the letter, and for his entire life put “Service Above Self.”
 
Born in Buffalo, New York, Herman Freedlander came to Wooster with his family as a child and built a department store business recognized as one of the largest west of the Hudson River.
 
He built the store that bears his name by insisting on service, one price to everyone and good values to all. He took command at the age of 18 when his father, who had started the store in 1884, died at the early age of 42.
 
Herman Freedlander not only built a store; he was the leader in building a community. Few of the fine things that has occurred in this area have not felt the support of the Freedlander family. Some of the gifts are known to the public, but there were many personal incidents of charity and encouragement about which no one knows.
 
Herman underwrote most of the cost of Christmas Run swimming pool. More recently, he donated funds to establish the 30 acre Feedlander Park and the olympic sized swimming pool and chalet. The Freedlander Clinic (speech therapy) at the College of Wooster is a living memorial to Herman; the new Herman Freedlander Theater, now under construction at the College, was made possible by the Freedlander Foundation.
 
Herman, one of the 24 charter members of Wooster Rotary was cited in 1962 as the best example in vocational service. In 1964 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Wooster College. In 1973 Boys Village honored Herman for his financial assistance which was instrumental in keeping the Village solvent in difficult early years.
 
All of us extend our condolences to Harold and Lois and other members of the Freedlander family.
 
Rotarians and all other members of the Wooster community are grateful for Herman’s many acts of kindness and his continued service to our community. We are all better for having our lives touched by a truly great humanitarian, Herman Freedlander.

 

The 1973 to 1974 Wooster Rotary Year began with a new Wooster Rotary President, Bill Drumm. The Secretary remained W. Lee Culp, the Treasurer remained Frank Hayes and new Board members were Roger Cook, Tony Biggio and Norm Herzog. I must apologize for my mistake in naming Bill Drumm as President in 1972 to 1973, the President that year was Tom Wonderling. As part of the first meeting for President Drummn, Vocational Chair Harold Freedlander reported on a new project which began in the 72-73 year in which students were paired in their potential profession with Wooster Rotarians in that profession for interviews and career advice. There were 25 interviews with selected students from Wooster High School, the Joint Vocational School and Waynedale High School. All of the counselors from those schools enthusiastically support the program. Hope was expressed by Harold to continue the project.

 

In September, Mrs. Jeanne Adams addressed Wooster Rotarians concerning the new Wooster Art Center at the College of Wooster. She envisioned a new community art center in the lower level of the College of Wooster Art Center after vacation by the College of Wooster Art Center ’s move into the newly renovated Severance Gym. Rotary pledged $500.00 towards the project.

 

At a January meeting Ron Delaney addressed Rotarians concerning the Big Brothers program. It was alive and well. The program began in a New York City Presbyterian Church in 1903 and has spread throughout the country since. Founded in Wooster by United Way, there are currently 25 matches in Wooster. Wooster Rotary members Ted Crawford and Duane Steiner were commended for their support and matches.

 

Professor John G. Hetrick reported on the progress of Wayne General and Technical College at a June, 1974 meeting. Located on 162 acres near Orrville, the building opened in 1972 to 472 students. In 1974 there were 325 men and 279 women attending the school divided between 274 in the day school and 330 in the night school. He reported that the College is a “going concern” and a credit and asset to Wayne County.

 

If you checked your Wooster Rotary Yearly Handbook, which is no longer printed for the information of our newer members, or you were a member in 1973, you will note that two Wooster Rotary Presidents are listed for 1973-1974; Bill Drumm and Ted Crawford. Bill Drumm officially resigned as President of the Club at the November 15, 1973 meeting as he had accepted a new job in Columbus, Ohio. Ted Crawford had been Vice President and automatically was sworn in as President pursuant to the Wooster Rotary Constitution. The nominating committee was activated and later nominated Walter Grosjean as Vice President to be elected by the membership.
 
President Ted hit the ground running with the annual Ladies Night held at the College of Wooster Lowry Center. After dinner the group adjourned to the Timken Gymnasium to watch the Wooster Generals play the Triway Titans in a spirited baseball game. Wooster Mayor Roy Stipe addressed Wooster Rotarians on January 7, 1974 concerning the State of the City. He spoke at length about the City’s purchase of the Wooster Bus System, then in private management, and the purchase of new buses and additional times and routes. This was expected to be an improvement for senior citizens of the City.
 
The Monday, February 11, 1974 lunch meeting was held in the Wooster High School cafeteria hosted by Superintendent David Rathbone who said “We’re happy to welcome you to Wooster High School and hope you enjoyed your lunch. I believe we may have the biggest restaurant in town; we serve up to a half million lunches a year in our school lunch program.”  The group divided into smaller groups after lunch to see some of the newer improvements worth one million dollars resulting from a bond issue passed the previous year.
 
The Wooster Rotary Year ended with a report of both President Ted and President elect Walt about their trip to the Rotary International Convention in Minneapolis-St, Paul, The theme of the Convention was “Improving the Quality of Life.” The issues considered were the environment, the shortage of energy resources and population increases in the developing nations and resulting food shortages.
 
The 1974 to 1975 Wooster Rotary Year began with a new President of Wooster Rotary, Walter C. Grosjean. His classification was “Corporation Law”. He was an Attorney with Critchfield, Critchfield, Critchfield and Johnston. Walt is still a member of the Wooster Rotary Club and will be celebrating his 59th year as a Wooster Rotary member. He was introduced to Wooster Rotary by his father, George F. Grosjean, who had joined Wooster Rotary in 1941. In taking over his new post Walt said “I’ve had the opportunity to make up at clubs throughout this country and other parts of the world and I’m convinced Wooster Rotary Club is one of the best anywhere.” President Walt also went on to advise Club members that the price of meals was being raised from $20 per quarter to $22.

 

At the September 19th meeting Wooster Rotarian Keith Remy brought to the attention of the members a local family including four children. All four of the children attended Wooster Schools. Through no fault of their own they have ended up with only the clothes that they were wearing. They have been established in a good house and have clothing provided by local agencies, but Keith advised that a large amount of furniture was needed. Wooster Rotarians should contact Keith to make arrangements of any furniture that they were able to donate to the family.

 

At the same meeting Ted Crawford advised Rotarians that a new community service project was being formed to provide nursing home residents with someone to visit. Details were being worked out and there would be no costs associated with the project. Ted requested that anyone who wished to visit nursing home residents who did not have family locally or had no visitors to contact him to sign up for the project. Ted Crawford announced at the January 30, 1975 meeting that 30 Wooster Rotarians had been assigned a visitation schedule for the month of February.

 

At the same meeting, President Walt advised members that Wooster Rotary support for the International Exchange program had “weakened” over the past few years. Between 1968 and 1973 Wooster Rotary did not send any students outbound. During the period 1967 to 1970 Wooster Rotary did not host any inbound students. A ballot was passed out to members asking if Wooster Rotarians thought Wooster Rotary should continue to be part of the program, if they would host a student and if they would provide transportation or take an inbound student to events. On a happy note, Wooster Rotarians responded overwhelmingly to continue the International Exchange Program.

 

The Wooster Rotary Style program returned at the October 3rd meeting narrated by John Fleming. The new fashions for 1975 were modeled by Wooster Rotarians Ted Crawford, Don Noll, Paul Cooley, Ellis Camp, Bill Martin, Roland Bethke, Paul Kerr, Bill Marion and Jim Endres.

On December 19, 1974 Wooster Rotary hosted 150 senior citizens for the annual Christmas Party, begun in 1970. A musical performance was provided by the Wooster High School Senior Choir.

 

During the weekend of May 8, 1975, Wooster Rotarians hosted a Group Study team of five men from Kobe, Japan in their homes and introduced the team members to the community of Wooster, particularly the OARDC. 

 

The 1975-1976 Wooster Rotary Year began with new President Paul Ladd at the helm. Many current Rotarians will remember Mr. Ladd as Principal of Wooster High School. President Paul’s first address was to report on his trip to the  Rotary International Convention held in Montreal.

 

The first program of the new Wooster Rotary Year was presented by Congressman of the 16th Ohio District, Ralph Regula. The program on August 7th was presented by Jennifer Moorhead who represented Wooster Rotary the past year as an Exchange Student to Saltillo, Mexico. Wooster Rotary also welcomed Ignacio Garcia from Tehuacan, Mexico as an Exchange Student for the academic year.

 

At the August 21st meeting Sue Crawford, Executive Director of Wooster’s Bicentennial Commission, explained plans to celebrate the United States 200th Anniversary. The celebration would be held on July 4, 1976, and the Committee is exploring many different events looking back to the past and to the future. Sue was introduced by the Chair of the Bicentennial Committee, Vic Dix. As usual, Wooster Rotarians were well represented in the planning of the event.

 

On September 18th D. W. Galehouse was honored on the occasion of his 100th Birthday. He was a Charter Member of the Orrville Rotary Club in 1922 and became an Honorary Member of the Wooster Rotary Club in 1971. He was one of the first graduates of The Ohio State University College of Agriculture in 1901. He spent most of his working career at the Farm Bureau in different capacities.

 

It was announced that Wooster Rotary recently contributed a new barber chair to the Children’s Home, $1,025 to the Ida School School for physical therapy equipment and would contribute to the Bicentennial Committee.

 

The traditions of Ladies Night, the Children’s Home Christmas Party, the Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch and Agriculture Day were continued.

 

On Monday, May 10, 1976, Wooster Rotarians broke ground at Spangler Park for their Bicentennial Project, an “Outdoor Education Center.”

 

The 1976 to 1977 Wooster Rotary Year began with the induction of a new Wooster Rotary President Roger Cook. President Roger began by thanking all of the Rotarians for their participation in the 1976 Bicentennial events and parade. Wooster Rotary sponsored a Wooster Rotary display in the windows of Real Estate Showcase managed by Don Pritchard. Wooster Rotary also had a float in the parade.

 

The speaker for the meeting on September 13th was Don Brown, President of the Wooster United Way. Brown explained that the Wooster United Way was formed in 1957 with 24 Board Members. Over the years Wooster Rotary members have been very involved in campaigns and as Board Members. Brown announced that the campaign chairman for the 1976 drive was Wooster Rotary’s own Clyde Webb.

 

New members inducted into Wooster Rotary included Al Van Wie and Charles “Chuck” Dougherty. Both would play significant roles in Wooster Rotary in the coming years. Al was the basketball coach for the College of Wooster and Chuck was Director of Sales and Marketing at Diamonite in Shreve. Of course, Wooster Rotary eventually became the sponsor for the Al Van Wie Rotary Basketball Classic and Chuck went on to be one of the key managers for the Wooster Rotary Gallery Antique auction.

 

Announcement was made at the October 20th meeting that Wooster Rotarian Lowell Bourns had been nominated by District 665 to be District Governor for the District Rotary Year 1978 to 1979. Lowell became a member of Wooster Rotary in 1960 and was Wooster Rotary President from 1969 to 1970.

 

Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court William O’Neill was the speaker at the November 3rd meeting. He explained that his emphasis was on eliminating the backlog of cases in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. He concluded his remarks by pointing out that this nation was guided by the Rule of Law, not the Rule of Man. He cited the recent Watergate events as an example.

 

The annual senior citizens Christmas Party drew 350 seniors to the YMCA.

 

The biggest event for Wooster Rotary in the spring of 1979 and the longest running fund raising event for Wooster Rotary took place at the OARDC on May 14, 1977, at the Fisher Auditorium. Wooster Rotary’s first Gallery Antique Auction grossed $3,400. Co-Chairs were Dave Gallapoo and David Briggs. It was reported that Chuck Dougherty played a very important role by keeping the bidding going, thus ending up with 14 items himself.

 

The Wooster Rotary began as usual with a new President for the Wooster Rotary Year 1977-78, Victor Dix, who announced that the Wooster Club budget for the year 1977-78 year would be $39,100.00. The “Teapot” was expected to add an additional $1,450.00. Disbursements were to be International Service $800.00; Community Service $800.00; Crippled Children $200.00; United Way $375.00; An additional sum for the following from the General Fund was allocated to: International Service $800.00; Vocational Service $100.00; International Service $100.00; and Community Service $400.00.

 

The October 3, 1977, meeting included a tour of the new Justice Center hosted by Sheriff Jim Frost. Walt Grosjean was in charge of arranging the tour and most Rotarians took advantage to visit the new Justice Center as guests. The Rotarian Editor was quick to point out that the Rotarians first had their usual meal provided at the YMCA,

 

At the February 1, 1978 meeting, Chuck Dougherty and Dave Gallapoo made a proposal to Rotary that anyone contributing $100 to the second Rotary Auction will have that sum used by Dave and Chuck to buy a high quality item in their name to be sold at the auction. If the item sells for more that $100, the profit goes to the Rotarian. Six members agreed to the plan.

 

At the same meeting the Wooster Rotary Members voted “yes” on another plan to raise money for the Wooster Rotary Foundation. Beginning in 1978 on the anniversary of the Rotarians membership, they are required to donate $1 for every year of membership. The donation would be added to their quarterly dues statement. The plan was devised by Bob Gates.

 

At the March 1, 1978 meeting, a Group Study Team from Mexico was hosted by Wooster Rotary.

 

At the March 8th meeting, Dave Gallapoo reported that the Second Wooster Rotary Gallery Auction grossed over $30,000 and appears to be a resounding success.

 

President Vic reported that a May 8th vote by members concerning smoking at Rotary resulted in 65 in favor of continuing, 40 voting for a no smoking area, and 41 in favor of no smoking at all. The Board voted to set aside two tables just inside the door for smoking. The rest of the room would be non-smoking.

 

The Wooster Rotary Club began the first meeting of July, 1978, with the passing of the gavel to our new Wooster Rotary Club President Bob Weiss. A special announcement was made about the grand opening of the Tri-Dent building in downtown Wooster with four dentists being recognized. Three were Rotarians and a fourth was the son of a Rotarian, later to become a Rotarian: Dr. Ted Crawford, Dr. Tony Biggio, Dr. Brian Lacey and Dr. Doug Webb, son of Clyde Webb and future Wooster Rotarian. An announcement was also made concerning the Wooster Rotary Club Golf Outing to be held at Julie Fe View golf club followed by a dinner at the club. The Club wished Rita Mykrantz “good luck” as she was leaving for a year in Brazil as a Rotary Exchange Student and welcomed Tina Hallin from Sweden for her year long stay in Wooster. Wooster Rotarian Lowell Bournes made his “official” visit to Wooster Rotary as District Governor.
 
The month of December, 1978, was a busy month for Wooster Rotary beginning with the Annual Christmas Party for senior citizens. Over 400 meals were served in the YMCA gym.  The Wooster Rotary Club was forced to expand seating also to accommodate the growing membership at 203 with 90% attendance rate. The Club also bought trophies for the Wooster Basketball Classic at the College of Wooster.
 
On March 17th the third Annual Wooster Rotary Gallery Auction took place, It was reported that gross income included commissions of $2,687 on sales, $997 on sales of Rotary items, $154 on book sales and $841 on food. With an allowance for expenses, net profits were $3,012.
 
Ivan Steiner reported on some little known Wooster Rotary facts for 1979. Wooster Rotary has a four generation family: Albert, Emmett, Ray and Victor Dix. five Presidents of the College of Wooster have been members: L. E.. Holden, C. F. Wishart, Howard Lowry, J. Garber Drushal and Henry Copeland. (There have been two more since then.) There have been two father/son Presidents of Wooster Rotary: Harold and Roger Cook and Ray and Vic Dix. Two Clergy have been Presidents of Wooster Rotary: Father Michael Moriarty 1927-1928, and Rev. Racky Young 1961-1962. 

 

The Wooster Rotary Year 1979-80 began with a new Wooster Rotary President, David Briggs. President Dave began the new Rotary year with a club assembly where all club committees met with their chairmen and committee members to plan for the coming year. A new committee was added with Pete Bogner as chair to plan a celebration of Rotary International's 75th Anniversary. President Dave and Past President Bob Weiss also shared a slide program outlining Rotary International’s 3H program for the 75th to help hunger and health programs. Although local Rotary Clubs were not set specific goals, Wooster Rotary voted to contribute $1,500 to the project.

 

The July 18th program was one to remember presented by Wooster Rotarian Gerhard Soeseman who shared his experience as a member of the Hitler Youth Brigade, German youth 10 years or older were pressed into service in the Hitler Youth Brigade. Gerhard was pressed into service at the age of 13 working in a munitions factory. Then in the summer of 1944, with no notice, Gerhard and his fellow corpsmen were loaded onto a train and sent to Holland. Once there they were set to digging tank traps and machine gun nests. After D Day they were sent back to Germany and conscripted into the German Army to defend Berlin and Hitler. They retreated towards Berlin driven by American forces and soon came up against the Russian forces. When they heard that Hitler was dead, Gerhard and 10 of his friends surrendered to the American forces. They spent three months in a prisoner of war camp. Gerhard and his wife came to the United States in 1955 where he worked for Moore’s Bakery until he opened his own store, Gerhard’s Bakery.

 

In August (1979) Wooster Rotary sponsored the Wooster United Way 2 mile and 4 mile Run for the first time. The Club provided t-shirts and workers. The Club continued sponsorship until the run ended in the 1990’s. Wooster Rotary also joined with the Wooster Exchange Club and the Wayne County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League to sponsor the Spangler Day Camp for Wayne County youth. It was held at Spangler Park and organized by Linda Moran, Director of the Wooster Community Center and Josie Drushal, a teacher at Melrose School. The pilot project this year was three days long sessions.

 

The September 26th meeting featured a buffet line for Wooster Rotary meetings for the first time. It seemed to go well and the Board is considering making it a weekly event..

 

The Interclub meeting will be a special one this year with Jesse Owens as the speaker. Tickets seemed to be going fast.

 

On February 25, 1980, Wooster Rotarians, spouses and guests gathered in Kitteridge Hall on a Saturday evening to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of Rotary.

 

The 1980 fourth Rotary Auction was another success with a gross of $36,000 and an expected net of $5,000.