Newtown Rotary Celebrates 65th Anniversary

On March 13, 1939, a new service organization received its charter as The Rotary Club of Newtown, the first of many service clubs and organizations that would be formed in Newtown.

Dr Robert Grossman joined Newtown Rotary in 1960 and with 44 years seniority has the longest tenure. At the Rotary Club celebration last week, he presented a short history of the club. Dr Bob said that the original Rotarians raised money for the first ambulance in Newtown and this developed into the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Newtown Rotary also was one of the original promoters of the Labor Day Parade. When it was learned that unless some organization would take on the responsibility of the Old Congregational Church this old landmark might be destroyed, Rotarians stepped up to the responsibility of organizing The Heritage Foundation. The church reverted to its original function as The Meeting House. The entire church was refurbished and brought up to date through contributions of many townspeople and the Rotary Club.

Twice in the last ten years, Newtown Rotary was awarded the prestigious Pettengill Award naming it the most outstanding Rotary Club in District 7980, which is made up of the 63 Rotary clubs in the four southern counties in Connecticut.

The evening also celebrated St Patrick’s Night, due to the proximity of dates. Irish songs and lullabies were sung by Peggy O’Neil Murphy, accompanied on the guitar by Rotarian Larry Gardner. The entire evening was most enjoyable as it started with corned beef and cabbage and finished with everyone singing “Danny Boy.”

Newtown Rotary meets every Monday night at 6:15 for a supper meeting at the Fireside Inn. Recently, however, many supper meetings, with a catered meal, are held at a local factory or other establishment to better acquaint the members with the businesses in town. Recent visits were made to Charter Television, Kendro Laboratory Products, Curtis Box Co, Sonics & Materials Inc, Reed Intermediate School and next week (March 29) to the Booth Library.

Anyone interested in further information about Newtown Rotary is invited to a meeting but it is suggested that they telephone president Brian Amey at 426-6605 to confirm where the club is meeting.