Rotary Club leaders honored

In conjunction with our nation’s President’s Day, the Owego Rotary Club celebrated its own leaders by conducting Past President’s Day on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at the Owego Treadway Inn. This year’s club president, Wendy Deis, extended invitations to all the club’s past leaders, recognizing that club members would like to say thank you for the time, energy and leadership given.

Of course not every past president of the 95-year-old club could possibly be on hand, but the day honored the accomplishments of the 18 who could be present. Two-time past president Matt Adler presided over the meeting. To make the celebration complete, Rotary District 7170 leaders, past, present and future, joined in.

The earliest president on hand was G. Fred Beaudry, club president in 1968-1969. This year Fred celebrates his 50th year as an Owego Rotarian. Not only a president, Fred also has been secretary and has been part of the information committee over the years, even acting as its chair. He ensures Owego Rotary’s history is properly accounted for. Fred’s grandfather was a founding member of Cortland Rotary Club, and his father, uncle and brother were also Cortland members. In addition, Fred’s father-in-law was a District Governor for this area when it was called District 717. Rotary is in Fred’s blood.

Part of the lunch meeting fun was a light-hearted Past President Trivia contest, testing the listening skills of tablemates and rewarding the winners. Answers to the quiz were found by careful listening during the brief biographical sketches that were given about each past president.

The meeting was topped off with a brief, very interesting and informative U.S. Presidential history talk presented by Dr. Gary Williams, past president from 1979-1980. Gary’s vast knowledge of American history allowed him to deliver history in story form designed to educate and provoke thought.

Honoring the efforts of Rotary Club past presidents is becoming a tradition in Owego. Although this is the grandest effort to date, this is the third time in the last decade to highlight the accomplishments of those who have accepted the office of Owego Rotary Club president and to thank them for their Rotary service.