West DesMoines Rotary
80th Year Anniversary Celebration
March 3, 2007
West DesMoines Marriot Hotel
Four of our long time members, Doug Hillman (member since ___ and President 197_ ), Paul Grodt (member since 195__,)
Bill Reese (member since 196 __, Past President and Past District Governor), and
Norm Pogemiller (member since ) each provided report of 20 year period of WDM Rotary history. Copies of their remarks are included below.
1. Doug Hillman on the first twenty years of WDM Rotary history.
West Des Moines Rotary Club
History
1926 to 1946
The Rotary Club of Valley Junction was officially organized on March 22, 1926, with the Des Moines Rotary Club as the sponsoring Club. The club was admitted to membership into Rotary International on April 1, 1926. The Charter Night Banquet was held at the Valley Junction Odd Fellows Hall. I hope there was nothing significant in their choice of meeting locations.
The idea for a Rotary Club began with the friendship of Valley Junction banker Bill Beck, president of the Valley Junction Savings Bank, with Al Falenhainer a Rotarian from Algona, Iowa. These men shared their interest in beginning a Rotary Club with a group of Valley Junction business leaders – Albert Minnis of Grocers Wholesale, Herman Iltis of Iltis Lumber, and Jess Compton manager of the Stock Yards. This group began discussions of forming a Rotary club in October of 1925. At the time of formation, our club was a part of District 11. In 1937, we became a part of District 132.
Early records of the Valley Junction Rotary Club were lost in a 1946 fire that destroyed the MasonicTemple on 5thStreet, where the Rotary Club was meeting at the time. RI’s records indicate that there were 17 Charter Members of the club. Some of these charter members included: Earl McLaren (mortician), Earl Mason (jeweler), Bert Morgan (Ford dealer), Fred Pollard (hardware), Walter Sharp (MD), Frank Thornton (dentist), Other lists also include William Carmody (druggist), George Held (garage owner), Cecil Nickle (high school principal), and Noble McKay (Iowa Power). Rumor has it that charter members may also have included: Paul Grodt, Larry Lockridge, Bill Reese, and Mike Canady,
The first meeting place was the Odd Fellows Hall. The club then moved to the MasonicTemple. When it was destroyed by fire in 1946, the club moved to a little restaurant on the 100 block of 5th Street.
The sergeant-at-arms has their fines has been a regular part of meetings since the beginning. In the early days, tardy members were required to sing one verse of a Rotary song. “Spelling Down” and “IQ Quizzes’ were a regular part of the sergeant’s bag of tricks.
The Valley Junction Rotary Club was involved in community service projects from the beginning. An early project involved the restoring and rebuilding of some accommodations at WalnutWoodsState Park. Manning the kettles for the Salvation Army also goes back to the early days of the club.
Club presidents during this period have included: Herman Iltis, Earl McClaren, Wilbur Bridges, Roy Messerschmidt, and Ray Kirk.
Some tidbits from “The Rotary News,” of November 18, 1929. “It is a recognized fact that when people are happy they sing. We also recognize the fat that each individual has songs, which because of some sentimental or personal appeal, they like better than others” A couple of examples. “Those Back Seat Blues” – The salesman calls it a rumble seat. To many it’s a humble seat, To mother-in-laws a grumble seat, To tourists, just a jumble seat, To grandpa it’s a stumble seat. To wise gals, just a dumb belle seat.” Now, if you would rather not sing that song, the “Wheel” reported another. “There was a young lady from Ryde, Of eating green apples she died. Within they lamented, They quickly fermented, And made cider inside her insides.”
Al Minnis, an early member, had the following stock advice:
Storage eggs: This stock is an excellent buy. It is sure to be strong in due time.
Pants: Dangerous. If suspender stock poor, may take a sudden drop.
Porcupines: A poor investment, when handled any length of time, invariables loses points.
Bread: Fair, but it takes the dough. It raises.
Despite the somewhat questionable contents of the ‘Wheel,’ the Valley Junction Rotary Club made it through its first 20 years.
2. Paul Grodt on the second twenty years.
ROTARY ANNIVERSARY PARTY – PAUL GRODT
Good evening. This is a great night for West DesMoines Rotary.
I have been asked to talk about the 30 years of West DesMoines Rotary between 1947 and 1977. This is appropriate because I joined in 1956 or 1957. I was 30 years old.
This is my 50th year as a member. I was born in 1926, the same year that our club was chartered. I have the privilege of being both the oldest member and the member with the longest membership.
During my membership, a lot of changes have taken place:
1.Many of us smoked during the meetings. (Take out pipe and Bic lighter)
2.Earl McLaren, the sole survivor of the charter members, was still active in the club.
3.There were no women members during this 20 years, but when they were finally allowed to join, we acquired some great members. Two of the ladies, Dana Petrowski and Janet Nelson, are in charge of this celebration tonight. Two women have been presidents. One had a baby when she was a member.
4.We used to be called a “Singing Rotary Club.” Rotarians would play the piano and we would sing songs like “Jingle Bells,” “Old McDonald,” “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” or “Rotary, My Rotary.”
5.During the meetings, all Rotarians wore suits and ties. You would be fined if you were not properly dressed. Now, our President, who is a Boy Scout officer, wears his Boy Scout uniform with shorts.
6.On the financial side, Rotarians could deduct dues and meal costs on federal and state income tax. It is much restricted now.
7.Only one member of each type of business or profession could join the Club. One could sponsor another member of their firm.
8.If you missed a meeting, you had a week after the miss to make up the meeting. Now, we have a week before and a week after to do this.
The history of our meeting places over the years is interesting.
1stOdd Fellows Lodge on Fifth Street
2ndMasonic Temple on Fifth Street. Burned and Rotary records were lost
3rdRestaurant on 100th block on Fifth Street
4thMethodist Church on 7th & Elm. Ladies Aid did the serving
5thClub 100 at 63rd & Ashworth. That was a spectacular fire when it burned to the ground one summer evening.
6thOld DM Golf and Country Club north of 12th & Ashworth. Last meeting was 10/18/66. Emil Donadin was Chef. Closed to “235.”
7thWest Side restaurant at 63rd & Grand. Emil Donadin was owner.
8thEddie Webster Restaurant at 35th & Westown Parkway. Now Iowa Realty offices. I remember the speaker who was a Drake law student running for state representative, who told us that he would be the governor of Iowa. His name was ??? Terry Branstad.
9thKing Arthur’s Restaurant at 36th & Westown Parkway – West End Diner
10thWest DesMoines YMCA on 8th Street. Food catered in.
11thDM Golf & Country Club – our present meeting place
During this 10-year period between 1947 and 1966, both Conly Biddle and Stan Ver Ploeg were presidents of the club.
Membership ranged from 30 to 45 from 1947 to 1966. Now there are about 100 members. In 1966, the Rotary Interact Program was organized for high school.
My son was a member of this Interact group. Hard for me to believe he is now 55 years old and retired after 34 years with the federal government.
At the 1976 50-year anniversary party, a DesMoines Rotarian read a poem he had written about our Rotary club. It had 6 stanzas and I will read only the first one. I changed a couple of numbers to fit our occasion.
The Rotary Club of West DesMoines
Is here to celebrate
Its 80th anniversary
A most enjoyable date
Here is 80 years of friendship
Of “service above self”
“He profits most who serves the best”
That’s Rotary itself.
3. Bill Reese on the third twenty years 1967-1986
*********************************************************
There was an old joke published in the Rotary Wheel during the year Howard Amick was President:
It goes like this
Little lad at the zoo; AMommy, how do lions make Love?@
Mommy: AI don=t know dear. Most of your father=s friends are Rotarians.@
Well, I=m proud to say that over the years, most of my friends are also Rotarians!
Meeting places during this 20 years:
Des Moines Golf & Country Club (the old club off Ashworth Road)
Westside Restaurant (1st & Grand Ave from Nov. 7, 1966)
Eddie Webster=s Restaurant on 35th Street
King Arthur=s Drawbridge Restaurant on 8th Street (1979)
Walnut Creek YMCA (as of June2, 1981)
Temporary meeting places:
Sept. 1987Super 8 Motel at I-80 and 74th
Oct. 1987Billy Joe=s Pitcher Show, 1701 25th St.
Des Moines Golf & Country Club (Nov. 1987)
Fund Raising Efforts:
Sale of Fruit Cakes
1975 - Travel & Adventure Series (slide shows at ValleyHigh School)
(Single tickets for adults $2.00)
Frozen fish
Inbound Exchange Students:
1966-67Mario AvilesMexico
1977-78Catherine JanssensNetherlands
1979-80Margaret CulshawAustralia
1981-82Carsten JohansenDenmark
1982-83Frank DiephuisNetherlands
1984-85Suzanne AsbergSweden
1986-87Edu HartogNetherlands
Outbound Exchange Students:
1979Julie Hoier (daughter of Larry Hoier) To Australia
(First youth to be sponsored by WDM Rotary as a Rotary Youth Exchange Outbound Student)
1982Robert ReeseColombia
1987Ronald ReeseJapan
Our club participation in Paul Harris Fellow Awards started in 1971 with a club award in memory of charter member Earl McClaren.
The second award was from a contribution by Carl Ripper in 1973
#31976 Ray Kirk (posthumous award by his wife Iva)
#41976 Donald Groves
#51978 Conley Biddle (awarded by WDM Rotary Club)
#61980 James Newsom
#71981 James McCarl
Followed by: Bill Reese
Stan Ver Ploeg
Jim Brown
Harry Beardsley ---- I hope I didn=t miss anyone
A few chronological events:
The Club President for 1966-67 was Joe Van Winkle. For many years thereafter, Joe was our club songleader, bulletin editor, dedicated Rotarian, and friend to all.
The 40th anniversary of the club was held in April of 1966. There is a photo of the membership back on the table. Only three of these men are still around and connected to Rotary. They are Paul Grodt, Norm Pogemiller, and Chuck Vandenberg. They were all a LOT better looking in those days. Chuck was a 9 year Secretary of the club from 1961 to 1970. He had a break in service to the club and rejoined in 1996.
50th Anniversary was in 1976. Of the 72 club members listed in the roster for that year, only 8 are still members of the club. They are:
Mike Canady
Paul Grodt
Larry Lockridge
Doug Hillman
Jim McCarl
Norm Pogemiller
Bill Reese
Dr. Sahu
July 5, 1977 - Larry Lockridge won first place in the District Golf Tournament in Ottumwa. Jerry Foley won second place. Mike Sinks played B but none of his four-some would reveal his score.
June 27, 1978 - Conley Biddle installation as District Governor. Dinner at FarmBureauBuilding.
June 23, 1981 - WDM Rotary Club History by Conley Biddle was distributed at the installation of Officers at the FarmBureauBuilding.
Sept. 14, 1981 - Board approved the purchase of a used piano from the East Des Moines Club for the sum of $150 which will be donated to the YMCA if they will keep it in tune.
June 30, 1981 - Larry Hoier=s installation of officers night - Rotary Ann Night at the Farm Bureau. Terry Aikins, we understand, was instructed to get an interesting program B what else but a Abelly-dancer@, and no one can say that we aren=t a swinging club. Incidentally, she was good and entertaining, although the new president didn=t take too well to the routine.
Sept. 22, 1981 - Pres. Larry Hoier was selected to be the Group Study Exchange Team leader to Australia. We had several weeks the next spring with Mike Canady at the helm.
1982 - Installation dinner for the 1982-83 Board at the FarmBureauBuilding. The entertainment was impressive - a barbershop quartet comprised of Rotary Club members Mike Canady, Gene O=Neil, Noel Brown and Bob Waddill put on quite a good show.
A major event that shook the Rotary World occured in February, 1983:
A California court confirmed that Rotary=s male-only membership rule conforms to California law. The rule was challenged by the former Rotary Club of Duarte whose charter was withdrawn by Rotary International in 1978 after it admitted three women as members. Subsequently, the club brought suit in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. It contended, essentially, that women, through being denied Rotary club membership, were impeded in entering or pursuing their businesses or professions.
Rotary eventually lost in the Supreme Court B and the rest is History. Women now represent a large percentage of Rotary membership B at least in the United States. The first woman District Governor for our district will be Diana Reed, who will take office on July 1, 2007
1983
Mar 15Don=t Shoot The Piano Player! (By Allen Anderson)
Months ago when Greg Kenyon volunteered, and I emphasize volunteered, to play the piano and accompany our singing, I don=t think he realized what he was getting himself into. Since then he has taken a lot of razzing but still he plays on. This guy=s got guts---- or no brains! Anyway, I just want to take a few words to say I think his accompaniment for the most part has gotten better each week. Last week his lead in to one of the songs was absolutely marvelous and I think Greg could go all the way to becoming a famous piano player. But I must admit, I laugh just as hard when he flubs up. Anyway, I for one appreciate Greg=s efforts. So let=s not shoot the piano player just yet!
Even though the pay was good, and the harassment continuous, Greg gave up his piano career when he became President for 1986-87.
Speaking solely for myself C I think he should be reinstated.
4. Norm Pogemiller 1987-present
WEST DESMOINES ROTARY CLUB HISTORY – 1986 TO PRESENT
The history of the West DesMoines Rotary Club has been an important one to the club and to the members. My comments will be directed to two (2) areas of our history: our interest and involvement with the activities of Rotary International to promote the goals of Rotary International and what the local club has done to promote growth and service to the members and activities in the community.
Rotary International, for a number of years, has had an international goal to combat and reduce polio among the people of the world. A huge amount of money was raised to be used to provide the proper medicine to give to people who had polio or who were possibly subject to get polio to reduce the disease. Many of our district governors who visited our club on a yearly basis kept us informed of the polio project. Also, our monthly Rotary magazine shared information on what was happening to reduce polio in the world.
Many years ago, Rotary International encouraged Rotary members to make a $1,000 donation to them in the name of Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International. The money was placed in the foundation treasury to support worldwide Rotary-supported programs and activities. Several years ago, our club approved a program where each Rotary member would make a $25.00 donation on a quarterly basis to eventually pay for a Paul Harris sustaining membership. We have a number of members who have at least one (1) Paul Harris membership and others who own at least two (2) or more Paul Harris sustaining memberships.
A major change in the operation of Rotary International took place in the past several decades when membership guidelines were changed to permit women to become members of local clubs. We have a number of women who joined our club and became active members of our club operations. One of the first women to join was Katie Roth, who soon was elected as our first lady president of our club.
On the local level, our club has been involved in a number of community programs or activities that makes the community aware of our club and its members. Those activities include:
- Been bell ringers for the Salvation Army Christmas Fundraising activity for a number of years
- Helped the West DesMoines Human Services serve meals to senior citizens at Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays
- Serve meals at the St. Mark Lutheran Church to serve senior citizens
- Became involved with the Octoberfest Activity by serving breakfasts to citizen families
- For a number of years, we have had Vocational Meetings. A club member would set up a display with items describing what the company or organization they worked for was involved with. The member also made a presentation describing who they worked for and the role where they worked. Some of these meetings were held on location where the member worked. The meeting time was used by the member to describe the function of the company or organization and what they did at their place of work.
- During the year 1997, our Club and the West DesMoines Parks and Recreation Department joined in locating a site and approving a design to build a shelter building in the Raccoon River Park. In October 1997, the shelter building was completed and dedicated to the Reverend Conley J. Bittle, a long-time member of our club, who also served as club president and district governor.
- In the Fall of 2006, our club and the West DesMoines campus of the DesMoines Area Community College joined to build an observation deck over a body of water on the campus site. A number of our members participated in the project to complete the building of this observation deck.
The Club has had an activity called Sargeant-At-Arms, which is held at our weekly meetings to raise money to provide scholarships to Valley High School and Dowling Catholic High School students. This has been a very successful program and has been of assistance to a number of students over a number of years.