Friday, May 15, 2020
Newton NJ Rotary History
the beginning
The following is a short history of the beginning of our chapter . We were officially charted on May 23, 1923. This makes our 100th anniversary only a few years away.
Note: I’ve included an idea at the conclusion of this essay.
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Originally presented 4/14 and 5/18/16
NEWTON ROTARY CLUB - History of
I apologize to those that know this history — but it’s new to many of our newer members …. in any event, important for all of us.
On May 15 this club was 97 years old. We were chartered in 1923.
As you know, it is one of the largest in the district.
Originally, it had 18 charter members. They were drawn from a wide circle of industries.
These 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. Since his business brought him to the area, he met many local business people. On several of these trips, he mentioned the formation of a Newton club.
When it was established, they met in the main dining room of the former Cochran House. This hotel/restaurant was owned, by Charles Hendershot, 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 we moved, to the Spring Street Grill for a few years and then and the Barrel House, for a short time. …. In 1998 we returned to The Hampton Dinner . Lunch, now is $15.00
The club went on to sponsor 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 to be the seed for many of them.
Over the years, there have been many memorable events and local people connected and associated with 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”
- Recently in conjunction with Frank and Denise we donated a bus to the North Carolina Residential Home for Vulnerable Children
Currently, we are providing food to various food banks and we’re
actively involved in many other community and humanitarian efforts. Our mission statement was recently created to highlight them.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Newton Rotary Club is to enhance the quality of life for all, in Sussex County and beyond . It is a service club that encourages friendship, business development and public speaking skills while offering prestige and companionship to its members.
The Club is a unit of Rotary International, a worldwide organization of 33,000 clubs and 1.2 million members, in 200 countries. Our purpose is to bring business and professional leaders together to exchange ideas and form friendships and goodwill throughout the world.
Membership is open to local professionals approved by the membership
Newton Rotary meets weekly for lunch with guest speakers and other informative programs
The Club was also very instrumental in establishing the hospital { now known as Newton Medical Center}. Early members provided the land as well as the initial capital for its establishment.
Various types of equipment was 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 Medical Center, 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.
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Commentary by Bob Shankman
We should plan something special to commemorate this event — something that will be memorable, signifiant and needed. I suggest: a free dental clinic for those that can not afford proper tooth care.
I believe we can easily get ample volunteers to practice at the facility. Our involvement may be harder. We would do the initial exploration of the concept, to the community. We would treat this as a long term commitment and major activity, for this club.
We would initially find and lease a facility.Then purchase equipment and supplies and finally guarantee future stipends for continued operation.
While this may be a major commitment, it seems achievable and very necessary.
