PDG Ward accepts Foundation check from PP Mary Ann Nasby

PP Don Miller with PDG Bruce Frassinelli

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Oriskany-Whitestown Rotary Club 1960-2000

The Oriskany-Whitestown Rotary Club was chartered on May 10, 1960. The club was sponsored by the Utica Rotary Club. First meetings were held at Trinkaus Manor Restaurant on Monday evenings - until 1990 - and moved to various places after that including Club Monarch, The Rib Room, and the Horizon Hotel.

In 1991, the Club settled in at Harts Hill Inn on Tuesday evenings. During the Trinkaus days, many members stayed after the meeting until early morning playing cards and ping pong.

Over the years, the club became involved in many projects, both to raise funds and to fund many worthy causes. They include: During the ‘60s club members held an annual Rotary Auction, Frank Yahcovich night, Halloween parties and Spin-the-Wheel fine game. Members were fined for infractions ranging from not wearing their Rotary pin to not wearing a tie with penalities from $.25 to $1.00.

The clubs early years were dedicated to growth and small community projects. During the ‘70s the club began Pancake Breakfast's for the community at Oriskany School. They also began visiting the Eastern Star Home to support the elderly living there, and took on the task of cleaning up Oriskany Creek. They held competitive canoe races on the creek for many years to encourage use of the reclaimed waters. They also held periodic health clinics at the Whitesboro branch of Marine Midland where blood pressure was taken for community members wanting them checked.

In 1976, club members began ringing the Salvation Army bell at Christmas time. They also were a co-sponsor of Qriskany Days where they ran the ox roast. The club was involved in the Rotary Youth Exchange program hosting two or thee students each year, plus an annual Youth Exchange weekend where they would host all the District's students for a Halloween party weekend. They also sponsored youth throughout the Whitesboro and Oriskany communities in Little League and Scouting during this time period.

The club annually awards scholarships to a student from Oriskany and Whitesboro schools who are going on to studies in medical related fields. In addition to continuing the traditions started in the 70s, the club members took on additional responsibilities in the ‘80s and ‘90s. They began regular visits to patients at two additional nursing homes - Broadacres & the Presbyterian home.

Club members also sponsored the George Bush Heart Fund and began what was to become a major contribution to area children needing health care. The annual Children's Miracle Network Golf Tournament results in annual contributions through the club of $5 to 6 thousand dollars. The club built two handicap ramps in the Whitesboro Town Park. It was during this time that the club began its annual rose sale for high school graduations.

In 1991 the club built the Gazebo in the Oriskany town park and began its support of the Gift of Life program to provide open heart surgery to children in need, and the Pride of Workmanship program to allow area industry to recognize their workers who go the extra mile. In 1994 the club started the Easter Flower Sale, and in 1995 we became involved in the food bank holiday project.

In 1999 the club was a major supporter and assisted the Whitesboro Fire Department in purchasing the first area IR sensor system for aiding firefighters to see in the dark and smoke filled buildings. We also co-sponsored, with Harts Hill School, a Christmas Breakfast with Santa. In 2000, the club has been actively involved in the construction of a home in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and other area clubs.

The club is involved in the Good Ole Summertimes festivities in Utica and in supporting the Betsi the Barge Summer Concert program at Lock 20 for the enjoyment of local residents. The club also supports the annual Christmas on Main Street at the Children's Museum and the Utica Transportation Center where over 100,000 children have come to visit Santa.

The Oriskany-Whitestown Club was a sponsor of the Greater Utica Sunrise Club chartered in 1992. Three District Governors came from the club - Scott Creaser - 1973-74, Herb Brown - 1989-90, and Ed Paparella - 1998-99 (O-W & GUS). The club also sponsored the GSE Team Leader to Sweden in 1999. Club members have been and continue to be active at the District and International level serving on a number of District and RI Committees. The club is proud to have Congressman Sherwood Boehlert as one of its Charter members.

As part of a special Club project, the following letter was
written to Superintendent's of local school districts.

July 14, 1999
Dear...:
As President of the Oriskany-Whitestown Rotary, I am writing to enlist your support for an educational project that I have proposed. I believe all children deserve opportunities to have a good education. In order to provide children from areas not as fortunate as ours that opportunity, I propose collecting children's books and instructional texts that are no longer being used in local schools and distributing them to those less fortunate. Rotary would be responsible for picking up and delivering the books to the designated locations. Please contact me so that I can arrange for pick up of the materials.

Sincerely,
F. Thomas Gehrig

O-W RC celebrates Charter night!

President Tom Gehrig & son at Montreal Conference Parade of Presidents