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1966-67

Rockford Rotary's second half century was launched June 30, 1966, with installation of Frank V. Ellis as president. Ellis, a former FBI agent, showed up for the ceremonies dressed in prison attire and handcuffed to Police Chief Del Peterson and former Chief Tom Boustead. Harley W. (Moon) Mullins was installed as vice president.

The year began calmly enough. The club was healthy. There were 194 members. Treasurer Ed Abegg submitted a budget of $13,300. Meetings were held in the Faust Hotel, normally in the Levin Faust Room, but on special occasions in the top-floor Grand Ballroom. Attendance at club meetings was holding at about 88 per cent.

But problems were looming. On the national front, the Viet Nam War and Civil Rights activism were creating great divisions among Americans. Within the Rockford Rotary Club there appeared the first signs of major problems surrounding the Club's prize jewel, Camp Rotary.

Speaking to the club on Sept. 1, President Ellis warned that essential construction and maintenance projects at the camp could cost $30,000 to $40,000. Seven months later, after being briefed on new County and State requirements for the Camp, a full study and report was ordered by Rockford Rotary's executive board. The future of Camp Rotary, home to so many hundreds of boys and girls over the years, clearly was threatened.

The year brought two notable accomplishments for Rockford Rotary:

· With Rockford's help, the Loves Park Rotary Club was founded. Twenty-six founding members attended the Charter Night Banquet April 11, 1967, at Forest Hills Country Club.
· Jeffrey Wattles, nominated by our club, won a prestigious Rotary Foundation Scholarship, for study in Belgium. It was only the third time in Rockford Rotary history that the club's nominee had won the scholarship.

On Jan. 13, 1967, Rockford Rotary approved printing 500 copies of "50 Golden Years," a history of the club's first 50 years which had been launched as part of the 1965-66 50th Anniversary Year. Printing costs would be $7,500.

Among memorable 1966-67 club meetings were an outing to Cam Perk's western ranch for barbecue and a horse show, a men's fashion show by Abercrombie & Fitch of Chicago, a Christmas program by the 2nd Congregational Church bell ringers, a talk by Congressman John B. Anderson, a discussion of Flying Saucers by a member of the National Investigating Committee on Aerial Phenomena, and a talk by Rock Valley College President Clifford Erickson.

In April of 1967, Rockford Rotary made a special donation of $250 to the Red Cross disaster fund for use in helping victims of the Belvidere tornado.

During the 1966-67 year, Rockford Rotary members felt the sting of inflation. The price of lunch tickets went from $2 to $2.25; the initiation fee was doubled, going up $50 to a total of $100. The $60 annual dues remained the same. (By Rockford Rotary tradition, a portion of the annual dues are a donation to the Rotary Charitable Association.)

1967-68

Highlight of this Rockford Rotary year came on Feb. 8, when the club launched its Service Above Self awards. The six outstanding members of our community honored in this program's inaugural year were Seth B. Atwood, Dr. W.L. Crawford, McKinley (Deacon) Davis, Ona R. Krukonis, Reinhold G. Miller, and Dr. John C. Swanson.

These awards, given for exceptional community service, quickly took their place among the most prestigious awards given in Rockford.

The 1967-68 year also will be remembered because Harley W. (Moon) Mullins served as club president. Mullins was to go on to be a popular Rotary District Governor. Allan P. Geddes was the vice president. Of course, Ed Abegg and Warren Bate were treasurer and secretary.

The year got off to a rousing start with a program featuring the Auburn High School cheerleaders. Attendance reportedly was high.

A week later, Seth G. Atwood spoke to the club on "The Educational Needs of Youth," a subject that still holds his active interest as he now is involved in planning a model school project for the local school system.

In October, Rotarians were given a first-hand look at a developing tragedy when speaker Bernard P. Reese described his May visit with his son in Viet Nam. Later in the year, the club received another report on Viet Nam, this one from Dr. Hugh A. Johnson, Rockford plastic surgeon who had spent some time on a volunteer mission in the war zone. Dr. Johnson, who made many volunteer mission trips to third world countries over the years, was called upon often to speak at Rotary meetings and may hold the record for most appearances as a Rockford Rotary speaker.

The year also launched another Rockford Rotary tradition when the Rock Valley Junior College Madrigal Choir presented the club's Christmas program.

The 50-year Rotary history, published as a highlight of the 1966 Rockford anniversary celebration, went to the Danville printers in November of 1967 and the first copies came off the press a month later.

The 1967-68 Rockford Rotary year had its shameful moments. In February of 1968 meal prices were increased 25 cents to the outrageous total of $2.50 a meal. At the same time, President Mullins launched a fine system for members who avoided tables in the front of the room. Anyone who sat at a rear table when there was a front table vacancy was instantly fined 25 cents.

Treasurer Abegg ended the year on a high note by reporting the club had no debts. A budget of $14,900 was approved for the following year.

1968-69

Allan Geddes became a third-generation Rockford Rotary president in 1968. Both his grandfather, George C. Purdy, and father, Leslie H. Geddes, had previously led the club.

This also was the year Al Triebel won the District golf tournament, an accomplished hailed triumphantly in the Cog.

It was the year Rockford Rotary Club started investing heavily in capital improvements to Camp Rotary. In November, the club approved spending $25,509 for work on the camp's pool, filtration plant, and sanitary facilities. By May came word that $19,000 already had been spent on camp renovations and that the total project would cost "less than $35,000." Construction material donated by club members, and volunteer labor, including road building by army reservists, helped hold down costs. In September of 1968, Walt Williamson was made an honorary member of the Rockford Rotary in appreciation for his help with Camp Rotary and Boys Farm School capital improvements programs.

President Geddes recalls: "Jeffrey Wattles was sponsored by our club for a Foundation Fellowship to study at Louvain, Belgium, during the 1967-68 school year. He gave a great program on his return.

"We had a near riot at the club March 20. E.J. (Zeke) Giorgi and Ben Schleicher were running for the mayor's office and a debate was arranged for the club meeting. John Mitovich, Chamber of Commerce executive vice president, started the ball rolling with the statement, 'We cannot sit on our apathies.' The debate was put on the backburner in favor of humor. It was a great program."

On March 27, Service Above Self Awards were presented to Joseph L. Bean, Virginia Hagman, Donald C. McClure, Msge. Rev. William McMillan, Malcolm L. Martin, Clint Maslen, and Williamson.

A holiday appearance by the Guilford High School Norse Tones was a program highlight of the year. Others included an exchange team from Denmark, a Ladies' Night dinner-dance in the Wagon Wheel's Pigalle Music Hall, a club tour of the Downing Box Co. plant, and a report on Rockford's first urban renewal program. There also were joint meetings with Rockford Kiwanis and Lions clubs.

There was a brief scare in mid-year when Treasurer Abegg warned that operating income had fallen $700 behind budget.

During this Rotary year, the Rockford club by-laws were updated and four charter members were present when approval was voted.

At year's end, Rockford was the largest Rotary Club in the District with 200 members. During the year, the club had hosted 162 visiting Rotarians from 23 states and 11 countries.

President Allan Geddes later moved to Virginia, where he became a Rotary district governor in 1993-94.

1969-70

Rockford Rotary Club launched its 1969-70 season with a golf Plae Dae and Wagon Wheel outing; it closed the year with a Ladies Night at Shady Lane for dinner and a play. In between, the year brought two club events of major significance.

• In December of 1969, Bishop Arthur J. O'Neill became the first member of the Catholic clergy to join Rockford Rotary.
• In all, 20 new members were taken into the club during the year, a record for Rockford Rotary at the time.

Reinhold G. (Reiny) Miller was club president; Norris K. (Duke) Levis was program chairman. In addition to Plae Dae and Ladies Night, they put together two other special outings in place of regular club meetings.

On Oct. 8, the club toured Rockford Memorial Hospital. On May 28, members were guests of Seth G. Atwood at the Clock Tower Inn, where they were shown Atwood's world-famous clock collection.

The holiday season program was presented by 58 singers from Boylan High School. And just to prove that some things never change, in January club members heard a speaker from the John Howard Association report on the need for a new city-county jail to replace the existing aged and overcrowded facilities.

Service Among Self Awards were presented to Jane F. Carlson, Paul E. Lindstedt, Ralph C. Rosecrance, John W. Wyeth, and Arthur Zach.

At year's end, the Rockford Rotary had 210 members, meeting attendance for the year had averaged 89.82 per cent, 153 visiting Rotarians had been hosted, and Treasurer Ed Abegg reported, "All bills paid by June 30."

1970-71

Continuing costly problems with Camp Rotary and a major change broadening membership classifications featured John B. Whitehead's year as Rockford Rotary president.

The change in membership classifications, under study for several years, was made so that large companies, government agencies, and universities could have several different classifications eligible for Rotary membership.

Camp Rotary revitalization work moved a big step forward on April 12 when the Board approved:

• Spending $1,742 to refinish the camp mess hall.
• Spending $2,600 for carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and general remodeling of the kitchen.
• Spending $350 to install outdoor lighting that had been donated for the pool.
• New quarters for the camp nurse.

In a rather unusual Rotary membership meeting on March 25, Club Treasurer Ed Abegg reported on "club and camp" finances; Camp Rotary Chairman Roly Carlson discussed future camp needs; and club Director Eric Ekstrom spoke on Rotary's commitment to meeting the needs of the world's youth. Club members clearly were becoming concerned about rapidly growing camp costs brought about by new state and federal regulations.

Three weeks later, Rockford Rotary honored six more community leaders with Service Above Self awards. Chosen were Marcella H. Harris, Nancy N. Olson, Robert L. Bailey, Philip E. MacDonald, Loren L. Whitehead, and Karl C. Williams.

At the May 20 meeting, Club Member Don Levinson hosted the entire club for lunch. Levinson explained that he was expecting a hefty fine anyway because he and his brother had just purchased the Faust Hotel, site of weekly Rotary meetings.

Highlight of the year came on June 10, when Rockford Rotarians met for lunch at Camp Rotary, then toured the refurbished facility. Seth B. Atwood, who had selected the site 50 years before, was among Rotarians at this very special meeting.

As usual, the Rotary year ended with a Ladies Night, this one held in the Faust Hotel and featuring dinner and a theater party.

At year's end, Rockford Rotary had 216 members, reported 92 per cent attendance during the year, and had hosted 147 visiting Rotarians.

1971-72

This Rotary year got off to an exceptional start when a Rockford Rotary Club member, Harley W. (Moon) Mullins was elected District Governor. He became only the second Rockford Rotarian to hold that post, following a path first taken by Ernie Swarts.

Mullins and Swarts brought other honors to the Rockford Club during the year. As the Cog reported on Dec. 1: "For many years the late Art Fisher was this club's only Paul Harris Fellow -- a Rotarian who has given at least $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation to carry out scholarships for outstanding young people. Now we have two more, Past District Gov. Ernest L. Swarts and Gov. Moon Mullins."

Two weeks later, the Cog gleefully reported that Dean Olson and Ralph Anderson also had become Paul Harris Fellows.

Duke Levis was club president during a year when Rockford Rotarians met some new folks in town. Dr. Robert Salisbury, new superintendent of schools, and Webbs Norman, new Park District director, spoke at club meetings. Karl Jacobs, now president of Rock Valley College, became a Rotarian.

Rockford Rotary hosted the District convention in March, with Earl Hickerson and Farnsley Peters as co-chairmen.

Service Above Self awards for the 1971-71 year were awarded to Mrs. Georgia L. Cooper, Dr. John A. Howard, William D. O'Donnell, Richard S. Peterson, and Milton W. Mahlburg.

The Christmas season program featured the 35-member Lutheran High School choir.

Special meetings during the year took Rockford Rotarians to the J.L. Clark Manufacturing plant and to Rock Valley College for luncheons and tours.

On June 8, club members met at Camp Rotary. At that point, the club had spent $65,000 in the last five years to modernize the camp.

A week later, at the June 15 meeting, an open discussion of the future of Camp Rotary was held. A major concern was the financial impact of new Environmental Protection regulations. No decisions were made.

Ladies Night at Henrici's closed the Rotary year. Club membership was 222 and attendance for the year had been at a record high 93.76 per cent. (Maybe Secretary Warren Bate should be asked to explain how he arrived at such detailed and rather astounding figures.)

1972-73

Rockford Rotary history was made on Feb. 1, 1973, when George Jackson, employee relations director of Quaker Oats and a member of the City-County Planning Committee, joined our club. He was the club's first Black member.

Earlier in the 1972-73 year, Rotary International meeting in convention had voted "resoundingly" against allowing women members. It was the fourth defeat for this proposal.

Elsewhere, it was rather peaceful year for Rockford Rotary with Dr. Donald Wortmann as president.

Twice during the year, the club heard from its favorite speaker, the much-traveled Dr. Hugh A. Johnson. In September he spoke of "Russia Revisited." In October the topic for his fifth Rotary appearance was "Viet Nam Revisited."

At a November meeting, the speakers were six young men who had spent eight weeks representing Rotary in Switzerland, one of them was a young lawyer named Donald Manzullo who was identified as working for a firm specializing in the rural community.

The club's year also included an appearance by Janet Lynn, figure skating champion, and special meetings held to tour Woodward Governor, to hear a musical presentation by Dick Litterst in Second Congregational Church, the annual Ladies' Night which was held at Rock Valley College, and a club visit to Camp Rotary to see what $68,000 in club donations had accomplished over the last six years.

The year also brought a change in Rotary rules. Fifteen-year members automatically were classified as "senior active," thus freeing their previous classifications and clearing the way for more new young members.

On April 12, 1973, Rotary Service Above Self awards were presented to Mrs. Ruby Engstrom, Mrs. Maxine Baker, Mrs. Mildred Kral, Dr. Joseph C. Cleveland and Stuart A. Ralston.

1973-74

Howard Bell was president, Martin J. Tuckett was vice president and the veteran combination of Abegg and Bate returned as treasurer and secretary. As a special touch during the year, Bell sent birthday cards to Rockford Rotary members.

The club year opened with a talk from Rockford's new mayor, Robert W. McGaw, which was followed three weeks later by the new superintendent of schools, Robert G. Salisbury.

But all such normal club activities took a backseat in mid-November, when the Camping Committee reported that Camp Rotary no longer could be supported for use only by youth groups. "Short term use of this valuable property (only by) certain age groups cannot justify the operation," the committee told Rockford Rotary.

Various proposals were made for expanding club use to year-round activities, including Golden Age Nature programs, conference and training programs, Rotary Fellowship outings, year-round sports programs, and a nature sanctuary.

Finally, on Feb. 20, 1974, Rockford Rotary directors and the Camp Rotary Committee met with Webbs Norman, Rockford Park District executive director, to discuss various plans for Camp Rotary. By unanimous vote, year-round management of Camp Rotary was turned over to the Park District for a two-year trial period. Rotary agreed to finance mutually agreed-upon improvements. The existing summer operation would be assured. In due time, a year-round environmental education center, or a camp offering activities in art, music, drama, water sports, electronics, astronomy, and nature study could be developed. Thus, after more than 52 years, major changes came to Camp Rotary.

Of course, the routine of Rockford Rotary continued through the year. Frank Ellis became the club's eighth Paul Harris Fellow. Moon Mullins, with help from other Rockford Rotarians, created the Cherry Valley Rotary club, with its charter night held May 11, 1974. Newly established Youth Merit Awards went to Cindy Wells, Guy Gehlhausen and Elbert Salas.

Service Above Self awards were presented to Hannah Armstrong, Benjamin Behr, Edwin W. Carlson Jr., Violet Carlson, James S. Erkert, and Carroll E. Magin.

Webb C. Stevens, a charter member of Rockford Rotary, died at the age of 76.

Rockford Rotary raised $7,484 for new wiring, plumbing, canoes, and dishware at Camp Rotary.

Ladies' Night was held in June in the Cabaret Room of the Clock Tower Inn.

1974-75

With Martin J. Tuckett as president and Earl W. Hickerson vice president, Rockford Rotary continued to struggle with the problems surrounding Camp Rotary.

A new well, new roads, new toilets, new showers and wheel chair accessible facilities launched a program of improvements expected to cost $40,000. Most of the changes were mandated by the Illinois Department of Health. The Camp had come a long way since underprivileged boys had a great time sleeping in borrowed tents and swimming in the muddy waters of the Kishwaukee river.

Within the Rotary Club, normal life continued. The combination of Bate and Abegg kept things running smoothly. Rockford's new superintendent of schools, Arthur T. Johnson, spoke to the club early in the year. A week later, State Treasurer Alan J. Dixon was the speaker.

Debra L. Bowen of Rockford, sponsored by the Rockford club, won a Rotary award to study abroad.

Boylan High Madrigal Singers presented the Christmas program.

Youth Merit Awards went to Melanie Chaney, Kyle Wisner, and Jan Vincent

Service Above Self awards were presented to Mrs. Shirley Holzwarth, Rev. William Wentink, Dr. Robert E. Heerens, Kimball L. Finkenstaedt, and Rev. Robert L. Midgley.

Ladies' night was held at Rockford Country Club.

Finally, the tone for the next year was set when Howard Bell "nominated" Earl Hickerson as the next president. After making the nomination, Bell added, "...before the thunderous applause engulfs the room, Mr. Chairman, I move that nominations be closed and the Secretary be instructed to cast a unanimous ballot for Mr. Hickerson. Otherwise we will be here all day listening to a parade of persons naming dozens of other Rotarians who are imminently better qualified."


1975-76

Rockford Club President Earl Hickerson's motto for 1975-76 was "Let's Have Fun at Rotary."

Hickerson explains, "I wanted the membership to want to come to the meetings. Therefore, I picked Rolf Thienemann to be program chairman.. He booked excellent programs from not only Rockford, but also from Chicago."

Club member Deane Osborne, who Hickerson says had "a great sense of humor," also kept members laughing with his weekly brief news summaries, a feature Hickerson had introduced in previous years.

The year also saw the number of Paul Harris Fellows from the Rockford club jump from 10 to 14 and a major change in club bylaws that moved election day from March to December, thus giving in-coming officers more time for planning.

But the year's great Rotary controversy developed not in Rockford but on the international level. Wolfgang Wick of Austria, a former Nazi SS Trooper, was chosen by the nominating committee to be the next president of Rotary International. Rockford joined in the storm of protests from clubs throughout the world who saw the nomination as an insult to Allied veterans of World War II. Wick ended the controversy by withdrawing his name from consideration. The Rockford Cog reacted: "The nominating committee certainly never looked under the cabbage leaves or they would never have nominated him. The committee is a disgrace to all of Rotary."

In Rockford, the year featured both the good, a Ladies' Night musical review at Henrici's Cabaret at the Clock Tower, and the bad, an increase in annual dues from $75 to $90.

Service Above Self awards went to Dr. Mildred F. Berry, Mrs. Mabel Townsend, Dr. Hugh A. Johnson, Angelo Spoto, and Dr. Curtis H. Moore.