TORRINGTON – Rotary Club has been around for more than 110 year,s meeting the challenges and problems of the community.
Started by Chicago attorney Paul Harris in 1905 with a vision that professionals with different backgrounds could exchange ideas then giving back to the community. The name Rotary came from the early members rotating to each member’s office, holding a meeting in a new office each month.
The donation amount in 1917 was $26.50 and in 1930 the Rotary made their first gift of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children.
Torrington Rotary started in 1931 with Erle Reid serving as the first president. He would lead the members to lasting relationship with the community of Torrington.
Current President Wally Wolski, who’s term is coming to a close, in the spirt of the Rotary passed the Gavel to the newly elected president Tim Pieper. President Wolski planned a special night for members to share in the occasion.
Torrington Rotary meetings are held at the Cottonwood Country Club. The night started with dinner then the induction of new members. Dana Lent, a Torrington attorney, became a member of the Rotary, asked by Wolski to join. Growing the Torrington chapter with a newly revamped membership committee was one of Wolski’s primary goals to introduce people and bringing new members into the Torrington organization.
Wolski asked each Rotarian to reflect back to their induction into the club.
Wolski said, “I’ll bet each of you can still recall that day your own Rotarian journey began.”
Ryan Schilreff was honored with the Paul Harris Fellowship, recognizing his reaching a personal goal in donations to the Rotary Annual Fund or Foundation Grant. Schilreff joins President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Jonas Salk as Paul Harris Fellows.
Wolski then turned to the centerpiece of the night.
Recognizing the past presidents of the Torrington Rotary, he said, “I am privileged to begin with our most senior past president, who served as the club president over half-a-century ago, George Nash.”
Those past-presidents who were in attendance included Nash, who was president in the 1960’s five decades ago, 1967-1968. Ten years later, four decades ago Hal Brethour 1977-1978.
In the 1980’s Wayne Gentry 1980-1981, Mike Patterson 1981-1982, John Maier 1983-1984.
The 1990’s Cactus Covello 1991-1992, Billy Janes 1993-1994, Jeff Marsh 1994-1995, Sam Wagner 1996-1997. The first women to serve as Club President was Debbie Feagler 1997-1998, followed by Lyndia Baumgardner 1999-2000.
In the millennium 2000, Todd Peterson 2001-2002, Joe Guth 4004-2005, Randy Arp 2005-2006, Craig Spencer 2007-2008, Susan Klemola 2008-2009, Dee Lugwig 2009-2010.
And seven members through the present decade who have served as Torrington Rotary Club President Grant Jones 2010-2011, Ken Owens 2011-2012, John Maier 2012-2013, Doug Chamberlain 2013-2014, Nancy Hobbs 2014-2015, Tom Kelly 2016-2017, Wally Wolski 2017-2018.
“To all former presidents, I offer my personal congratulations for your leadership. You are now part of a selective group of individuals. The most exclusive group of Rotarians within our Torrington club.” Wolski said. “Each one of you will be recognized as a charter member of the new ‘Golden Badge Club’.”
A plaque was presented to the club mounted to the south wall with the name of every club president since the club was started in 1931. Wolski finished the meeting recognizing members and presenting awards. Club President Wolski in closing handed the gavel to the new president, completing the Changing of the Gavel.
