History of the Rotary Club of As

History of the Rotary Club of Asbury Park

Back to the 1960's 1970's To the 1980's

Judge Andrew J. "Andy" Wilson (1970-71) took the Club into the seventies with a project to construct and paint nine benches for parks in Ocean Grove and Asbury Park.

Joseph B. Bennett (1971-72) followed with special club activities to honor Dr. Harold V. Garrity Sr. and Merrill M. Thompson for fifty years of membership. Each honoree was presented with Gold Life Memberships and special plaques of the occasion. The Club sponsored a program to benefit Jersey Shore Medical Center with books of redeemable coupons for all Steinbach stores.

The gavel was passed to Michael Fornino (1972-73) who took the Club "South of the Border" for a special holiday evening at Pancho Villa Restaurant, 4th and Kingsley Avenues, Asbury Park. By Spring, the Club had donated funds to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, Boys Club and United Way. An additional $2,000 was authorized by the board to support a playground project of the Junior Woman's Club of Asbury Park, which was completed in 1976,

Also in 1972, the Club joined with the other Monmouth County Rotary Clubs to organize the "Vince Lombardi Awards Dinner" honoring high school football linemen. This project has been an ongoing success ever since with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

William "Bill" Walton III (1973-74) became President and concentrated on the administration of the Club and bringing attendance into compliance with the by-laws. Special activities for the year included a trip to Annapolis to see the Rutgers vs. Navy football game and a dinner-dance at the Officer's Club at N.A.D. Earle.

The administration of Frank Fluhr (197475) undertook an in-depth study of the Rotary Foundation and its relationship to our Club. The Foundation was started in 1917 and became a trust in 1931. Upon the death of Paul Harris in 1947, the Rotary Foundation established an individual recognition award for the donation of $1,000 to the Foundation -- the "Paul Harris Fellow." This indepth report led to a better understanding of the Foundation and would lead to the Asbury Park Club awarding 35 "Paul Harris Fellows" over several years.

Stephen C. "Steve" Carton (1975-76) led a delegation of Club members to the Philadelphia Marriott for the district conference, which proved to inspire the Club to a banner year. Former President Bill Walton conceived the "Molly Pitcher" bronze, silver and gold medallion project in conjunction with the United States Bicentennial celebration of 1976. The proceeds supported many of the club's projects and charities. The club honored Philippine exchange students and made a special donation of $1,000 to the R.I. Foundation.

The gavel was passed to Al Rohlfs (197677) who honored one of the Club's outstanding members, "Al" Ruston, with a Gold Life Membership for completing 50 years of perfect attendance.

Don Newman (1977-78) took the helm and led the Club on a trip to the New Monmouth County Reclamation Center. A catered lunch was served and Freeholder Harry Larrison described the process that would reduce the bulk of waste to an eighth its former volume. A highlight later in President Don's term was a special "Past Presidents Day" luncheon, another fine production of John Haulenbeek. The Club's first Paul Harris Fellow was awarded to Merrill H. Thompson Sr. to acknowledge his broad and outstanding career as a Rotarian and a public servant. Merrill often attended Rotary Meetings five davs a week and was considered a social member of several other local clubs. This was a big year for projects with construction of game tables in the park across from the Asbury Park Library, the beginning of scholarships to the three local high schools and the sale of fruit cakes to fund numerous charities.

James G. Handford (1978-79) brought the Club updates relating to "Rutgers" and gave special attention to any visitor who graduated, whose wife graduated, whose kids graduated or even someone who knew someone who graduated from Rutgers. There most certainly was a Club trip to a Rutgers football game that fall.

Jim and Myrtle Handford deserve a special recognition for allowing the "Annual Rotary Yard Sale", one of the Club's largest fund raisers, to be staged on their front lawn 14 consecutive years. For many years, the Yard Sale was followed by a steakbake cookout at the Walton-Carton Pond (formerly Kepwell Park). The Asbury Park Rotary Past President's Club was also entertained (for five years) with a beautiful ocean view from the Handford's historical Ocean Grove home. Jim's administration wound up with another trip to the Playboy Club for the 59th District Conference.

Back to the 1960's 1970's To the 1980's

Home | Surf-Lines | News & Projects | Calendar | Club History | Members Only | About Rotary