Mount Airy Rotary President Tim Marion, right, gives guest speaker, District Governor Charles Allen and his wife Sandra, a gift basket at Tuesday night’s 60th anniversary of the Mount Airy Rotary Club at Cross Creek Country Club.
Making a difference in the community was the theme of the Mount Airy Rotary Club’s 60 Years of Service Above Self celebration at the Cross Creek Country Club Tuesday night.
Mount Airy Rotarians gathered last night to celebrate the history of the community-service oriented club. President Tim Marion welcomed guests to the 60th anniversary celebration.
Marion pointed out that Harry S. Truman was president of the United States when the club was formed. He said 1949 was the year the first Emmy awards were given out.
“There were also some births of note that year. One of my favorite boxers and now one of my favorite grill makers, George Foreman, was born. One of my favorite actors, John Belushi, was born, and Billy Joel was also born that year. This club was formed in May of 1949 — 1949 was a very significant year. It is a great testament to all of the people in this room who have kept it going all of these years,” Marion said.
Marion honored former Rotarian C.B. Roberson for 55 years of service and perfect attendance.
“February was a sad time for Rotary when C.B. passed away,” Marion said.
A video of Roberson’s newspaper clippings and photographs was shown during the event.
The guest speaker for the event was Charles Allen, district governor.
Referring to the video of old Rotary meetings, Allen said, “You have changed the way you dress and the way you look, but Rotary hasn’t changed. You have had 60 years of quality and 60 years of making a difference in the community. Rotary is the world’s premier service organization. You have influence all over the world because you are a Rotarian.”
Allen told a story of his first years in the Rotary club. He said he was a “RINO — Rotary in Name Only.”
“In the space of two years our club went from 88 members down to around 40. One day a man tapped me on the shoulder and asked me if I would be president and I thought, ‘Well I can do better than they have been doing the past couple of years.’ But I didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” Allen said.
Allen explained that being in Rotary means helping out in the community.
“We don’t always give a hand out, but a hand up,” he said. “Each of you make a difference because you are a Rotarian. Rotary has changed my life. We do make a difference. The future of Rotary is in your hands.”
Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.
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