The last few pages of Lafayette Rotary's history were written during the current year of 1965-66. In years ahead as members of our club
will be reading this, it should be noted that the two dominant subjects in our nation's headlines these days were the way in Viet Nam and our country's efforts in space. What will the future hold?Also, the
sports followers in the club were still hoping and waiting for that first trip to the Rose Bowl by Purdue's football team.
Nelson Parkhurst, a "go-getter" took over the gavel in July and kept the members on the alert
during his term in office. An excellent presiding officer, with choice humor at the proper moment, Parkie had the club moving forward in fine fashion.
Our club stood in silent tribute to the memory of "Spotts"
Emrick, who had moved to Rochester, Indiana after retiring from Purdue. "Spotts" was president in 1943-44.
Congratulations were extended to Robert Verplank on the arrival of a son, Neil Eugene, and to Robert
Hannemann on the birth of a daughter, Sarah Lynne.
Don Mallet and Lytle Freehafer gave a report, "Purdue Looks Ahead." this fall Purdue's enrollment will be over 20,000 on campus. Last year it was 18,600. Graduate
students will number approximately 4,400. The big year is expected to be 1975 with an enrollment on the Purdue campus of over 30,000 and on regional campuses of 23,000
Hanly Hammel rated the Rotarian Magazine for his last line to a limerick.
Herman Messing became District Governor Nominee at the District Conference in Marion in October. Herman followed in the footsteps of three
outstanding members of the Lafayette club who were Governors: John Stemm (1938-39), George Davis (1953-54) and Curt Hostetter (1958-59).
There were two Rotary Fellows at Purdue this year: Hiroshi Kuga of Japan and
Reginier Pot of France. They spoke at the District meeting and also on our program on October 26th.
In December, the price of our noon luncheon was raised from $1.75 to $2.00. No objections were made. In these mid
1960's, everyone seemed to feel economic conditions were good. However, with it, prices, costs, etc., were edging upward little by little.
The 50th Anniversary Steering Committee under Howdy Porsch, and the various
subcommittees were working diligently to make 1966, the 50th anniversary of Lafayette Rotary, a memorable year. Membership cards in gold were issued in November. The Ripples, beginning in January, were printed with a
special masthead. It was planned to have one or two noon meetings devoted to the history of the club. A special souvenir brochure was in process and all efforts were centered on a gigantic Ladies' Night affair on May
11th, honoring our club, with the entire District and the Greater Lafayette community participating.
At the end of January there were 219 members of which 6 were honorary: Christianson, Hovde, Lloyd, Potter, Stewart
AND Wiley.
Bill Hayt and his committee scheduled the 7th annual Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner for February 9th in the Purdue Memorial Union. This year there was a class of 25 Eagles, with each Scout, having listed
his chosen vocation, hoping he would have a Rotarian as his host.
MEMBERSHIP CHANGES: In December 1965, Ed Willis and Jack Walters resigned from the Club. Jack became a new member of the Suttons Bay,
Michigan Rotary Club. Other resignations in the first part of 1966 were by Charles Dellinger, Marbury B. Ogle, and Harley Frey. the death of James R. Wiley was reported in April 1966.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF
PROJECTS CONCERNING YOUNG PEOPLE: In January, for the forty-first time, Lafayette Rotary was host for the Tippecanoe County 4-H Corn Club Banquet on Tuesday noon, and some fifty 4-H Corn Club members and three of their
leaders were present.
Lafayette Rotary-Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner was held in February with Rotarians signing up as sponsors for the 23 Eagle Scouts, with William Hayt as Chairman. Also in February, the Annual
Trophy Award for outstanding students in Purdue's Winter Course was reviewed and presentations were made.
In March, a letter was read from the Chairman of Hoosier Girls' State American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 11,
expressing thanks for the check which would sponsor two girls to Hoosier Girls' State and would also pay for their transportation. Two events in March were the Rotary Speech Contest, with students from three high
schools contesting, and, on another Tuesday, the recognition of outstanding seniors from nine high schools in Tippecanoe County. On March 31, a letter was read expressing appreciation of the Harrison Trails Council for
the gift of eight tents for the summer program at Cary Camp.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF TRENDS OF INTEREST: On Tuesday, April 3, 1966, at the meeting at the Mars Theatre, Bishop Raymond J. Gallagher of the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Lafayette, spoke on the subject: "Who Says God Is Dead?" On April 12, "Environmental Health Research" was the subject of a review by Dr. John Christian. On June 28, George DeVault spoke as President of the
Board of Trustees for Urban Renewal; his subject was: "An Urban Redevelopment Program."
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: January 6, 1966, marked the use of the new masthead of Rotary Ripples, designed in keeping with
the 50 years of service in the Greater Lafayette Community. The club was organized in May 1916 with 14 members. In the past 50 years it grew to a count of 213 as of this date, plus six honorary members. This year, 1966,
was the year of the Golden Anniversary Celebration.
At the April 26, 1966 meeting, the history of the Rotary Club of Lafayette, 1916 to 1966 was reported by five members - the first ten years by Charles B. Murphy,
the second ten years by Irvine Wilson, the third ten years by Nils B. Olin, the fourth ten years by Harold Hudlow, and the fifth ten years by George Davis.
In May, at the Purdue Memorial Union, the Ladies Night
Dinner celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Rotary Club of Lafayette.
At the May 10, 1966 meeting, the history of Fort Ouiatenon was reviewed by Ted Reser.
Kirby Risk reported on a yearlong search
of the Commemorative Project Committee of Lafayette Rotary for a suitable gift to the Greater Lafayette Community in keeping with Lafayette Rotary's Golden Anniversary. Following a study of 37 projects submitted, the
Committee voted unanimously in favor of the Fort Ouiatenon area restoration and recommended that $4,000 be made available for a specific project in that area. The Lafayette Rotary's Board of Directors approved this
recommendation. The Project Committee also recommended that a proposal be made to Lafayette Rotary members for a special assessment in the amount of $10 units, with a minimum of one unit per member. Lafayette Rotary
members approved this $10 unit proposal unanimously.
In June 1966, Herman Messing, who had been a Governor nominee since October 1965, became Governor Elect of District 656.
N. Kent Ellis, Vice
President of Lafayette Rotary, represented the club at the International Convention in Denver, Colorado, in June 1966, along with Governor Herman Messing.
On June 21, 1966, months of continuous attendance of 12 or
more were reported as follows: Eth Baugh 143, Ellis 16, Engler 14, Gibson 63,Graham 14, Gray 44, Y. B. Hall 86, Hostetter 138, Jackson 31, Lane 56, Messing 17, Parkhurst 23, Porsch 94, Paul Risk 27, Siskind 69, William
Smith 26, H. B. Taylor 17, Trimmer 17, Williams 141, Wilson 347, Ev Wright 143.
On the broader scene of this 1965-66 year, highest rated movies were Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, Goldfinqer, and My Fair Lady. Nielson
champions on television were Bonanza, Bewitched, Andy Griffith, Gomer Pyle, and My Three Sons. The Beatles were still in their prime and earned six gold records.
