HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

Today is our Club's 61st anniversary, the charter date being January 14, 1952. A gala event celebrating the creation of the Club was held at the Hedges in New Britain on Jan. 30. The charter members numbered 31, and our first President was Andy Webster.

In 1950 DG Jim Price asked the Hartford Rotary Club to release the West Hartford territory so a new club could be formed. At the time, West Hartford was one of the nation's largest communities without it's own Rotary Club. Unfortunately, that first attempt died in committee, but the enthusiasm didn't.  Then PDG, Jim and PRID Leo Golden made a second request of the Hartford Club. Hartford RC President Sid Andrews approved the request on Nov. 5, 1951. With amazing speed, the application was submitted and charter issued on Jan. 14, 1952. The first meeting was held at Les Shaw's Restaurant on Jan. 17, 1952.

Thanks to DG Eileen, I have a copy of the program from the 50th Anniversary Gala in 2002, with lots of good information about club activities over the years. The list of Rotarians at that event includes several of our current members - would love to hear you recolllections! I will be using bits an pieces of the history in the Spotlight in the upcoming weeks. Eileen also gave me copies of some program covers from events through the years.

Dave Mangs - this truly calls for a rendition of "Happy Anniversary" !!