September 2, 2020 Newtarian (Jun 14, 2022)

NEWTON ROTARY CLUB

MINUTES OF JUNE 8, 2022

The June 8, 2022 Rotary meeting was called to order by President Laura. A parade of members (19) and guests (9) were signed in by Frank Eberhart, who mysteriously disappeared from the room. The pledge of allegiance was recited followed by a heartfelt blessing by Paster Todd. All then enthusiastically sang “God Bless America.”

Nancy Morrisey welcomed our guests: Marge McCabe: member to be, Rachel Campbell: Marge’s daughter, Todd’s wife Bernadette, George’s Joyce, Aldon’s wife Dody, Mike’s guest Orlando Rodriquez, and the Hontz family: Scotty, Nathaniel, Thomas, and Suzanna.

Happy dollars were given by Laura, grateful for the day: John Frank, his daughter got a job with CBS; Denise, who turned in $1,470 of quilt raffle sales; Todd, for the Jazz in the Parking lot at Kittatinny H.S.; Mike H., for introducing Orlando; Mark Hontz, who will be preaching at Yellow Frame Church; Nancy M., happy that Frank E. will be bar-tending at the GP; Heide, thankful for BSA recognition; Aldon, something about a roof repair on the Condo, noted that Nathaniel first came to church in a bassinet, pleased that Rotary has raised over $1 million for Ukraine; Marge, that her favorite teacher was George K.; Orlando first time attending and enjoyed the happy atmosphere.

Miscellaneous Reports: Carl said he can get all the flowers needed for the Food Booth; Raffle tickets are still available; H.S Scholarships will be presented next week, June 15; let Wayne know if you’re coming to the Garden Party; Mike H. will have Boy Scouts to volunteer at the GP on June 25 at Denise’s Barn; Alice had a display of the new Rotary shirt, all sizes, $30; the revised Membership Booklet should be available at the GP.

Induction of Marge McCabe:

Mark Hontz read Marge’s resume of accomplishments which included working as a Paralegal, an office manager for Michael Murphy Accountants, managing the Sussex County Board of Elections, and being a member of the First Baptist Church of Newton to mention a few. Three words that Hubby Wayne used to describe Marge were: Loving, Tenacious, and God Loving. Past Pres. Jim Taylor congratulated Marge for joining 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide. President Laura gave her a Rotary pin and a big hug.

Marge L. McCabe was inducted as a new member of the Newton Rotary Club on June 8^th. Here, Jim Taylor, was reading the induction “lecture” that talks about what Rotary as an organization tries to accomplish and what a Rotary club looks to its members to do for the community

Today’s Program: Nathaniel Hontz spoke to the Club about what started as his Senior Thesis for the Department of History at Princeton University. His research resulted in the publication of the book entitled White Blood, How 50 Years of Property Restrictions kept New Jersey’s Sussex County Caucasian. The book explores the nature and mechanics of (6) documented methods of enforcing restrictions on purchasing property by other than white residents. Those listed: 1. Use of racial covenants/contracts, 2. Private membership clauses, 3. Racial Steering, 4. Mortgage Funding Restrictions, 5. Prohibition of “For Sale” signs, 6. A negative influence from German-American Bund (Nazi) rallies in Andover Township. It was an insightful presentation that told a disturbing story.

Nathaniel Hontz, a graduate of Princeton and presently attending Boston College Law School, provided the members with a story of racial and religious discrimination that was pervasive in the lake communities in our county during the first half of the 20^th century.

So…the 50/50 drawing (last three numbers, 944?) went unclaimed since George couldn’t find his ticket and no one else present had it. It was decided that the winner must have been Frank Eberhart who left the meeting earlier. Carl drew the 9 of clubs and the meager pot was donated back to the club.

Respectfully Submitted by Buz Tomasino, Past President