Local club celebrates 90th anniversary

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — For nine decades, the Houlton Rotary has been a driving force in the community, spear -heading countless fund-raising events.
    The Houlton Rotary Club recently celebrated its 90th birthday at Watson Hall with a gala event that featured both members and guests from the general public.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
LONGTIME ROTARIAN Rod Palmer cuts the ceremonial Rotary Cake during the Houlton Rotary Club’s March 29 90th birthday party.
    “Rotary really is just a group of local business people that meet regularly every Monday,” Rotary President John Tribou said. “We have a meal, host a speaker that has some impact on the business community. The focus is on issues for business owners and the community at-large.”
    A quick look at the history of the Houlton Rotary Club reveals the group was established on Feb. 20, 1920 as the first Rotary Club north of Bangor. Frank A. Peabody, founder of the F.A. Peabody Insurance Company and Charles H. Fogg, editor of the Houlton Times were the prime leaders in getting the Rotary Club in operation. Today, there are nearly 70 members throughout the greater Houlton area representing a wide variety of occupations. During its rich history the Houlton Rotary Club has been proud to support projects in the greater Houlton area and abroad.
    “In 1920, our founding fathers created a club based on the principles of a four-way test,” Tribou said. “That test asks, ‘Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? And will it be beneficial to those concerned?’ Those ideals are still held true today and because of that, the Houlton Rotary Club is the best in the world.”
     Gordon Dempsey, district governor for District 7810, was the featured speaker on the evening.
    “There is only one club that is older than Houlton in our district and that is St. John, New Brunswick,” Dempsey said. “You should be proud of that fact. That’s a lot of years to keep a club going and you have a strong club.”
    Houlton Town Councilor, and Rotary member, Walter Goodrich presented Tribou with a plaque from the town council commemorating the evening.
    “We are very proud of the Houlton Rotary Club,” Goodrich said. “The Rotary Club has been a tremendous asset to the town. You are an economic asset to the town, improving the quality of life for those here. We all feel Houlton is a special place and Rotary is a huge part of that.”
    District 7810 stretches from Fort Kent to Machias and includes several clubs in New Brunswick, making it an international group.
    “We can all look back and agree that the Houlton Rotary Club has been very successful in the last 90 years,” Tribou said. “As we move into our 10th decade, our future vitality as a club will be in our ability to attract new members and retain our current members.”
    For more information on the Houlton Rotary, visit www.houltonrotary.org.