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Newton Rotary presents a check to Newton Medical Center

Members of Newton Rotary present a check the Newton Medical Center for proceeds raised at this year's golf outing.

New member for Newton Rotary

Memories of Judge Weber

In 1948 a C-47 struck a B-25 cruising at an altitude of 7,000 feet over Swartswood. The B-25, while losing part of its wing went on to its final destination.

The C-47 crashed and 6 enlisted men plus the crew perished.

I told the members of the Newton Rotary, this story, a few years ago.
I asked if anyone remembered the incident.
FRED WEBER, said that not only did he remember it, but he helped in the search and rescue operations.

I always enjoyed speaking with the Judge and listening as he told stories of Newton, many years ago.

NEWTON NJ ROTARY CLUB - Starts 96th Year

NEWTON NJ ROTARY CLUB - Starts 96th Year

On May 15 this Club begins it’s 96th year. It was chartered in 1923.

The Club has close to 100 members and is the largest in the district.

It started with 18 charter members. They were drawn from a wide circle of industries. Those early categories included: silk merchant, shoe manufacturer; lawyer and hotel owner. It seems the only category that has survived and prospered has been the “lawyers”.

New clubs must be sponsored by an existing club. Bill Chapman (in the early 1920’s) worked for Standard Oil and was a member of the Denville Rotary Club, at the time. His business brought him to the area, where he met many local business people. On several of these trips, he mentioned the formation of a Newton club.

When the club was established, they met in the main dining room of the former Cochran House. The hotel/restaurant was owned, by Charles Hendershot, who was one of the charter members. It was not coincidental, then, that the club continued to meet there for 33 years.

Lunch, in those early days was $ .50

In 1957, the club moved to Wilber’s Newtonian Inn, now know as the Hampton Diner. Luncheons were held there for 34 years until the club moved to the Lafayette House, in 1991. After 25 years the Club moved, this year, to the Spring Street Grill. …. So it looks like this will be home for a long time.

The Club has sponsored several other clubs, in the area. These clubs, in turn, sponsored other local clubs. Currently, there are six clubs in the county. Newton Rotary is proud of the fact that it was the seed for many of them.

Over the years, there have been many memorable events and local people connected and associated to the Club.

Newman Drake purchased and donated land, in 1928, that eventually became Memory Park. He was the founder of the Drake Baking Co… you know DRAKES CAKE. For your info, he lived on Linwood Ave, next door to Janice’s house. The current owner of Drakes recently presented a $20,000 check to the Town to refurbish this park.
Harry Jones, who started Grand Union Stores, made substantial gifts for the establishment of the Newton Municipal Pool.
Our first community project in 1923, was the establishment of a Boy Scout troop.
We donated a tractor to Equator in 1962 and a used fire truck to The Bahamas in 1965
We donated a rest room to Ft Dix in 1943
We published the book “Sussex County – A History
In 2018 the Club made a major contribution to provide flowers to the town.

The Club was also very instrumental in establishing the Newton Hospital. Early members provided the land as well as the initial capital for its establishment.

Various types of equipment were also donated, over the years. Among them was a 1937, La Salle ambulance that was used until 1951. In fact this vehicle was later used in several scenes of the GODFATHER.

Since 2000 over $200,000 has been donated to the Hospital with another $100,000 pledged for the future.

Other significant local contributions, since 2000, include over $75,000 for scholarships to local students. In fact, all community donations, since 2000, have exceeded $500,000 and over $1,000,000 since 1923.

Significant Past Members Included:

Ernie Wallace - local jeweler

Dr Dorset Spurgeon – local physician

Harry Jones – Banker & merchant

Lewis Dolan - Lawyer

George Condit - Auto Sales

Sylvester Fletcher - Soil Scientist

The Club looks forward to continuing its traditions of community service, into the future.

Guests and prospective members are invited to join us on Wednesdays: Spring Street Grill @ 12:15 $15.00 Newton, NJ