Incoming President Harold B. Taylor presented retiring president Harold Hudlow with a gold Past President's Badge and Pen. Ken Botkin, on behalf of all the new members of Lafayette Rotary during the year, presented Hudlow with a washboard with a bronze plate with all the names of the new members all in keeping with Hudlow's classification of cleaning.

Our Rotary statistician notes that "the median age of our members is 56 with the oldest 90 and the youngest 25." One half of our members were inducted in 1961-1962 and later. The median age of this group is 53, with the oldest 82 and the youngest 25. Burr Sweezey has the longest tenure in Lafayette Rotary, having been inducted in 1916-1917. Rotary today has 14,821 clubs in 149 countries and geographical regions, with 701,000 Rotarians.

Lafayette Rotary President Harold Taylor gave the club an account of the Rotary International Convention in Sydney, Australia. President Taylor showed pictures of Australia and thanked members of Lafayette Rotary for making it possible for him to be a delegate.

President Taylor, Vice President John Irvine, Director Harold Michael and Director Tom Miya presented a challenging program on how to maintain and increase the quality of Lafayette Rotary. Irvine stressed the importance of programs, and emphasized the necessity for care in the selection of monthly chairmen in order to bring out variety and excellence in our programs. Michael, speaking on international understanding stated good will must be practiced, and must begin with each member. Taylor in guiding the discussion stressed International Youth Exchange and the Lafayette Rotary Foundation.

An excellent account of "The History of Lafayette Rotary" was given by Rotarian Harold Michael. He began with the start of Rotary in Chicago in 1905—the first club in Indiana at Indianapolis in 1913, the start of the Rotary Club of Lafayette on May 1, 1916 by fourteen charter members and the addition of nine members the first year—back when there were only 2400 students at Purdue. He related many of the activities of the Lafayette Rotary Club throughout the last 55 years—projects supported that have accomplished much in the greater Lafayette community.

Eth Baugh gave the club an excellent account of the Colt Baseball Program and the current World Series being played at Lafayette. The program is aimed at helping youth become better adults. Teams are here from as far away as Maryland and Hawaii. More than fifty local Rotarians have had a part in the local event this year.

On Wednesday, September 29, 1971, Etheridge B. Baugh, a dedicated Rotarian for 36 years in the Rotary Club' of Lafayette, died. The Lafayette Rotary Club stood in silence in memory of Eth, and several members paid tribute to his friendship, enthusiasm, and good deeds. It was recalled that for more than thirty years Eth had not missed the annual Football Kickoff luncheon, or the Rotary Glee Club party, both of which he had been instrumental in launching and developing—as he had been in so many other Rotary activities.

Rotarian Arthur G. Hansen, Purdue University President, addressed the Rotary club and pointed out that all of us—town and gown—have a responsibility to preserve the concept and the integrity of the University; and that the University has a function to fulfill, a responsibility to train young people to take part in society as good citizens.

President Taylor read a letter expressing thanks and appreciation from Harrison Trails Council of Boy Scouts of America for assistance from the Lafayette Rotary Club. The Scouts were especially grateful for our sponsorship of the Eagle Scouts' dinner.

Hugh Steele gave a vivid word and picture report on a Rotary Club meeting he attended in Japan during the Scout Jamboree last year. He presented the club with a number of club banners from Rotary clubs in Japan, and recalled meeting a scout at the Jamboree with the name Andrew Bain, the same name as that of one of our members. The Scout sent a gift via Hugh for Andy.

Rotary District Governor Robert W. Shoemaker Jr., held a club assembly of officers, directors, and committee chairmen Monday evening, October 18, following a dinner in the Purdue Union. Tuesday noon Governor Shoemaker presented an inspirational address and said, among other things, "it is a unique privilege to be a Rotarian and to serve." He sighted several examples of the service being given by members and clubs in many parts of the world. He urged our support for the Rotary Scholarship Foundation program.

Roy Hickman, President Elect of Rotary International, was the featured speaker at the new Convention Center in Indianapolis on the second day of the District Assembly.

Lafayette Rotarian Varro Tyler gave a scholarly presentation on "The Rewards of Scholarship" at the annual Scholarship-Citizenship program honoring a young lady and young man from each of the high schools in the county.

An innovation at the meetings of Lafayette Rotary this year was the presentation of short autobiographical sketches by members each week. The idea was to acquaint members with information about each other. These miniographies were given to the club by, among others: James Cuppy, William Smith, Arthur Brunson, Herman Messing, Chauncey Edward McCoy (Purdue, Ch.E., class of 1911), Cable Ball, John Bradshaw, Bud Baugh, Y.B. Hall and Charles Wiselogel.

J. Howard Porsch, Treasurer, And Curtis Hostetter, Secretary, were elected as voting directors.

Jacob Hockstra reports $1,915.76 contribution by Rotary for the Salvation Army Christmas Fund; Kiwanis $1,057.31; difference $858.45 Rotary over Kiwanis.

Plans were launched for the celebration of Dean Potter's 90th birthday to be held at the Rotary meeting on August 1, which will be during the next Rotary year.

Walter Gibson has been appointed Sergeant-at-arms, succeeding Eth Baugh.

At the next Rotary meeting, Tuesday, July 11, 1972 at Campus Inn, outgoing President Harold Taylor will say farewell, and incoming President John Irvine will become the Captain of the Lafayette Rotary Ship.

In May 1972, members with 100 per cent attendance for 1971-1972 and months of continuous attendance were: Bain 62, Brown 20, Edstrom 23, Ellis 88, Engeler 86, Foxworthy 16, Gibson 135, Y.B. Hall 158, Hitch 20, Hoggatt 20, Hostetter 210, Hudlow 46, K. Kettelhut 66, Lane 128, Messing 89, Porsch 166, Jim Smith 52, William Smith 98, Steele 37, Taylor 89, Verplank 75, Williams 213, And Ev Wright 215.

In 1972, a broader view of the world, to provide a context for the history of Lafayette Rotary, would include reference to peace agreements by the United States, South Vietnam, and the Viet Cong to scale down the Vietnam War, the return of United States prisoners of war, inflation, and preliminaries of the November 1972 presidential election. President Richard M. Nixon became a candidate on the Republican ticket and Senator George McGovern on the Democratic ticket. Governor George Wallace of Alabama was shot in an assassination attempt as he campaigned for the nomination and has not recovered ability to walk. Former President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, died on December 26, 1972.

History of Rotary Park

by W. Roy McQueen

In 1921 Edgar Goldsberry was president of Lafayette Rotary Club and Ernest Brown, then Secretary of the local YMCA was secretary of the club.

At that time there were no camps in Tippecanoe County for youth organizations, such as YMCA boys, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and these men conceived the idea of providing a permanent camp for these youth groups. Edgar had no children, but he was greatly interested in young people, and he proposed the building of Rotary Park. He had purchased a farm along the Tippecanoe river, and he donated 5.4 acres of land and at his own expense, provided the money for the excavation, the foundations and the concrete floor of the club house, and the members of Lafayette, Rotary, then some 60 members, by voluntary donations raised about $6000.00 to build the club house. Some of the members even did some of the actual work on the building. Frank Riedel was the architect and supervised the erection of the building. At that time electricity was not available and an acetylene light plant was obtained and the building was piped for gas lighting. The water supply came from the large spring on the hillside and the water was piped from the spring to a hydraulic ram near the bottom of the hill and from there was forced up the hill and into a large tank placed over the small room adjoining the kitchen. From there the water was piped to the kitchen and to the toilets. There was constructed underground immediately North of the club house a large septic tank. Later when electricity became available a well was driven to assure an adequate supply of good water, an electric pump installed, and the house was wired for electricity.

At a later date the three rooms at the west end of the building were lined and insulated and a chimney built, making it possible to heat those rooms, and for several years a caretaker lived there through the winter. Other later improvements included the building of the concrete steps down to the river and the placing of railroad ties in the hillside and the building of concrete walls to stop erosion.

Edgar and Cora Goldsberry conveyed the land to Frank B. Timberlake and Wilbur R. McQueen as trustees and to their successors "in consideration of the benefits and advantages that will accrue to the boys and girls of Tippecanoe County." There is a clause in the deed which provides that the trustees in all matters affecting the administration, maintenance, management, direction and supervision of the park shall consult with the directors of the Lafayette Rotary Club, so long as such organization shall be in existence, and shall carry out the wishes and policies of the Rotary Club as expressed through its board of directors or committee having jurisdiction of the park.

The deed further provides that in case of death or resignation of either of the trustees the Circuit Court of Tippecanoe County shall have authority to appoint a successor or successors, with the request that the court in making such appointment to appoint those persons who are members of the Lafayette Rotary Club in good standing, upon recommendation made by the board of directors of the Rotary Club. The deed further provides that should the use and enjoyment of the real estate be wholly abandoned for the purposes designated, the Trust shall terminate, and the real estate shall revert to the donors or their heirs. This trust was dated August 1, 1921.

By 1945 both Edgar Goldsberry and his wife Cora were deceased. Mrs. Goldsberry who survived Edgar, left as her legal heirs three sisters, Grace D. Woodfleld, Esta M. Willoughby and Edna S. Bonnilla. Your trustees, realizing that this Rotary Club had made large contributions to the building, improvements, maintenance and upkeep of the property, and feeling that the Club should have future ownership of the property should it cease to be used for the purpose expressed in the trust deed obtained from the legal heirs of Cora Goldsberry a deed conveying to Samuel E. Souders and Paul S. Emrick as trustees appointed by resolution of the board of directors of Lafayette Rotary Club, all of the right, title and interest which said heirs have or might hereafter acquire by reason of the reversionary clause in the original trust deed of conveyance from Edgar and Cora Goldsberry. This deed was dated April 18, 1945, and both deeds are duly recorded in the records of Tippecanoe County.

Should in the future there come a time when the property ceases to be of use by boy or girl organizations of Tippecanoe County, your trustees or their successors will ask the Judge of the Tippecanoe Circuit Court to authorize them to abandon the property and release them as trustees. The property will then revert under the original trust deed, and will pass into the hands of the trustees to whom the heirs of Cora Goldsberry conveyed their reversionary interest, and the Lafayette Rotary Club can then decide what is to be done with this property. This property has substantial value, and the Club, even from a selfish interest if no other, should be interested in its proper maintenance.

To those members who may not know its location, or who have never seen the place, why not drive Out there some evening and look it over.

The most direct way is to 'go out road 25 toward Delphi, turn left at Americus, cross the bridge over the Wabash, follow that road to the top of the hill and there a sharp turn to the left and follow that road for a half mile or so, and there is Rotary Park.

Rotary Park has provided not only recreation for the smaller folks of Tippecanoe County but it has been used to enhance the health of undernourished children who have been taken out there, given proper food and medical attention, and with this combination and with God's sunlight and clean country air returned to their homes greatly improved in physique.

It has been used by many children who have been taken there for short summer camping vacations, children unable to attend Boy Scout, Girl Scout or other camps.

It has been used by many organizations for day picnics, groups of from ten to one hundred; employees of industrial plants, and their families; church organizations; students at Purdue University; clubs, fraternal groups and clerks from business houses.

It has been used for YMCA camps and for Boy Scout camps before the Scouts acquired their own camp. It was then used for Girl Scout camps until the Sycamore Valley Camp for Girls was acquired. It has since been used for Brownie Girl Scout camps throughout the Summers.

It has been used by members of the Rotary Club, large groups and small groups.

For many years it was the custom of the Club to have at least one of its regular luncheon meets there each year. For the last several years it has been the custom to have a Rotary Stag Party with a barbecued chicken dinner in the fall; the preparation of which has made Joe Sicer famous.

For many years Rotarians Wilbur McQueen and Frank Timberlake have been the Trustees of this property.

For many years Rotarians Chris Stocker and Frank Riedel have given much of their time and effort toward the care and the operation of this property. Other members and the presidents of the Club from year to year have done much to make Rotary Park touch the lives of thousands of citizens, old and young, for some bit of good.

Today it stands as a potential for good in the community; as an opportunity for Rotary to do even more than it has done in the past. All that it needs is the interest of all members of the Club in its future service.

It is a great project, one duplicated only by a few clubs in other communities of Indiana.

Editor's Note: In 1976, due to repeated vandalism the Club voted to sell the Rotary Park property. Wes Shook was to hold a public auction on May 15, with a minimum selling price fo $25,000. If unsuccessful, the property was to be listed. After prolonged legal problems were satisfied, the property was sold for $25,000 with the stipulation that the proceeds be placed in trust and all earnings be used for camping scholarships.

At this writing in 1991, the Lafayette Rotary Foundation administers the fund, and earnings are disbursed for camperships on recommendation from the Youth Committee.

Copyright © 2000 Lafayette Indiana Rotary Club.
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