The First Years (1925 – 1930)

On Feb. 20, 1925, at a meeting at the Majestic Hotel presided over by Ted Abelmann of the Watertown Rotary Club, with F.P. McAdams,Watertown, as secretary, 14 Oconomowoc men present decided to form a Rotary Club in this city. Upon the election of the 14 present as members, E.C. Theobald nominated Dr. Henry Peters for president. He was unanimously elected as were Dr. L.A. Meyer, vice-president, Walter Matteson, secretary, and O.P. Albert, treasurer.

Charter Night was the evening of April 16, 1925. Nearly a 100 visiting Rotarians from surrounding towns were on hand for the occasion. Governor Herb Laflin, Milwaukee, presented our Charter No. 1967, while the minutes of the meeting point out that “our Honorable President delivered his talk in fine shape and with great credit to the Club.”

A week later the “On to Madison” Committee was appointed, and our newly born organization was well on its way as a full partner in the Rotary world. Of the 20 charter members, 16 went to the District Conference that year and President Peters attended the International Convention. All but two were present at West Bend for their Charter Night in May. In July, the first of many Rotary golf tournaments took place when Waukesha challenged us; little did they, nor we, realize that this was to begin a long string of victories which made Oconomowoc the dominant threat in Rotary tournaments for many, many years.

Three-quarters of the club and their Rotary-Anns attended the first Inter-City meeting at Columbus later that month. Ladies night in August was a gala affair with a splendid talk by Herb Laflin and retirement later in the evening to Golden Lake Park for a dancing party, the first of many over the years.

Aug. 18 saw the first local Rotary participation in Scouting affairs when the entire club met at the Scout camp and engaged the youngsters in an indoor ball game. A week later the first of Dick Dickinson’s memorable annual parties was held at his lovely home and boathouse on Oconomowoc Lake. This first year it took the form of a fish fry with all Oconomowoc and 28 Watertown Rotarians in attendance; a spirited ball game was won by the localites 11-7.

In the early years of the club 100 percent attendance meetings were not only numerous but were almost the customary thing. Attendance contests were held, with the club divided into halves with the losers buying the winners a turkey dinner. Even a mail attendance contest was held with an Alabama club; one case of Carnation Milk and two of Teenie Weenie peas being placed in escrow.

Bowling tournaments were the medium of association in the winter as golf was in the more temperate months and many an inner-city contest was staged with various clubs playing host. Enthusiasm was so high that it was nothing to have two or three $5 assessments annually to refit the alleys or finance the tourneys.

Meetings were scheduled in numerous locales and it was common-place to set the next meeting for the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee to hear International President Rogers, or for the entire club to meet in conjunction with the District Conference in whatever city the year dictated. Fascinating visitors in and out of the Rotary movement also appeared at close intervals at our own meetings; in 1929 a Bulgarian and Philippino appeared on the same day, while a short time later Governor “Bud” Jackson gave a stimulating talk on “the six points of Rotary.”

In March of 1930 “Matches” Huebner had the entire club at the Strand Theater to explain and demonstrate the “talkies.” In June, so the minutes report, our Boy Scout troop reaffirmed their oaths. That same month 11 of the membership attended the International Convention in Chicago. In February of 1931 Clern Lavelage of Milwaukee spoke on “The Soldiers Bonus”; a month later F.P. McAdams of Watertown spoke on Boys Work – a very stimulating speech. In November Col. Farrand of St. John’s spoke on “Disarmament.”

We were well into the ‘30s: In May of 1932 the dues were reduced from $25 to $10. T.T. Cronin in July reported to the club concerning his trip to Boston with all his family – total cost $22.50, or so the records say. Les Stevens gave a report on the 1908 Olympics in London in which games he was a competitor. In August of 1932 “Doc” Love reported to the club on his winning the State President’s Flight Golf Cup in play at Waukesha.

B.E. Nelson of Menomonie, PDG of District 10 comprising Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas and a part of Canada, told of the “Old Days” on Oct. 25; and in January the following year James H. Beatty, of Victoria, B.C., director of R.I., was present for a meeting of our club together with Governor Faber and numerous visiting Rotarians from Watertown, Waukesha and Menomonee Falls.

Over the years to the ‘40s and through the slow return from the depression the Club adjusted its activities to the times, but never skimped on the Youth program, nor the Christmas baskets, the annual skate meet for the youngsters of the town and area nor the Scout troop.

World War II saw some of the young members in the armed services, and those who remained were ever mindful of the influential part they should play – and did play – in solidifying the home front. As our first quarter century became history, the Club boasted 58 members – only 13 of whom remained as we now celebrate our 50th anniversary.

Early in the ‘50s George Johnson as president-elect conceived the idea of introducing a Post Prom Party to be put on by the Club as a fun way to keep our youngsters healthily occupied and off the highways after their own highlight of Prom. Too many after-prom fatal accidents were being reported in the press of the middle-west each spring, and parents of the day wrote many heart-warming and appreciative letters to the Club after the first, highly successful inaugural in the spring of 1953. The youngsters then wore tuxes and long dresses, and though styles and the tenor of the times have changed, the Post Prom Party remains a major event in the lives of the current youngsters – and in ours.

A couple of years later, George Markham then the president, the Club was asked by District Governor Joe Klotsche to put on a Rotary play entitled, “The Apple Grower” at his district conference. Nearly three quarters of the membership traveled to Janesville, performed the play, and were so pleased with their own smooth performance that it was only afterward, in receiving the individual comments of those who witnessed it that the import of this “classification” morality play intended by the playwright came through to us!

In 1957 the Club furnished its first District governor as George Markham was introduced at John Esch’s Sheboygan conference as his successor. For this festive occasion, the Club had 20-odd members and their wives in attendance and with Zim Zimmermann’s ready placard, reading, “ridiculous,” being flashed among our delegation at any plausible moment (and some no so plausible), no conferees ever had a better time.

But, as it will, fun turned to work in the Spring of 1958 when the Club hosted Governor George’s conference at Lake Lawn Lodge. George Johnson as conference chairman, wielded the bull-whip in magnificent style and the entire Club looked back that Sunday evening on a job very well done indeed.

As the ‘50s changed to the ‘60s Chuck Herro was at the helm and during his term inaugurated the first National Honor Society banquet, which like the Post Prom, has continued a solid Club project down to the present. The need then was to more fairly recognize the achievements of those students whose success in academics was too often shaded by the accolades accorded the athlete. A superb party was held at Begges Isle that year with Rotarians and their ladies enjoying the last viewing of the McCulloch landmark home, shortly thereafter torn down.

While Will Andrews and Bruce Brown kept our Club’s course steady during their presidencies, furthering the projects already initiated, it was Elmer Woelffer who did something in his term that was different – quite different: a big game hunt in Wyoming as guests of the Sheridan Rotary Club. Nearly two dozen members made the trip, nearly all with success (for the Sheridan folk were generous hosts), and an unusual Rotary exchange bore friendly fruit for a number of years thereafter.

Ken Chandler, as our president in 1963-64, supervised the Club’s move of headquarters from the old hotel to the American Legion Clubhouse where the Club met for the next 10 years. And George Markham, pressed by the sudden serious illness of the new governor-elect, served a second term as governor of our district.

Ralph Howland sharpened his rhetoric and our sensitivities during 1964-65 so that besides his year ably spent as our president, he was honed well for his climb to the top office of Toastmasters International in 1969 when he served as International president.

The next year Tom Snyder was at the helm and initiated yet another on-going project – the presentation in Oconomowoc by our Club of the Milwaukee Symphony orchestra in annual concert. By far the most financially successful of Club endeavors, this project makes possible much of what the Club continues to do in its civic undertakings. This year also saw the Club reach the 200 percent plateau of contributions to the Rotary International Foundation, the detailed planning for the Rotary sponsored Boy Scout building in Fowler Park, and, not least, a delightful theater party wherein many of the Club and their ladies journeyed by train to Chicago for the hit musical, “Hello, Dolly.”

While Jim Atherton held sway, the Boy Scout building work got into full swing and perhaps the highlight of the year was the Post Prom Party held aboard redecorated railroad baggage cars while enroute to and from a supper after midnight at Wisconsin Dells. A truly unusual and very successful affair.

Tony Thorsen emphasized his year of leadership by the final dedication of the Scout building as well as keeping the Club moving productively in all the avenues of service. Jack Kinn the following year emphasized the inauguration of Junior Achievement in Oconomowoc – a most worthwhile endeavor that continues to this day.

As the ‘60s gave way to the ‘70s, Henry Rosenow as president worked hard in the Club Service field especially, making every effort to see that the Club greeted its guests warmly. First names have always been a badge of membership in Rotary, but Henry outdid all of us with his masterful display of recollection and coolness in introducing by name every one of some 50 to 60 guests at our annual rural-urban luncheon. A truly prodigious feat!

During 1970-71, as Bob Cory succeeded Henry, the Club truly developed its International Service Avenue: The group study exchange team from Sweden spent a most interesting evening with us; Dick Meunier, the local YMCA director, was sponsored by the Club as our contribution to the reciprocating group study exchange team which District 627 sent to Sweden; and our candidate for a Rotary Foundation Fellowship was selected by the District Scholarship Committee.

In the next several years, Jerry Jensen, Ed Rohloff, Ike Davis and presently Dick Harris have served the Club as president. Each, in his term, has maintained the quality of the Club’s on-going projects, with a new twist or embellishment of his own added: A highly successful ladies night at the Lake Club with the Glen Miller orchestra; a testimonial program for all past presidents of the Club, and a change of headquarters to Chuck’s Supper Club on Silver Lake.

Not to be overlooked as this “tide of years” rolls to a conclusion is the designation by the Club of two of its members as Paul Harris Fellows – Willard Andrews was so designated, not only for his constancy of service to our own Club with years of toil as treasurer, but in particular for this continuing tenure from 1963 to the present as District 627 secretary and treasurer. Quiet attention to detail and devotion to a thankless task have marked Willard’s Rotary contribution to the District; his only rewards being a continuing contact with District affairs and many added friends – which for selfless Will are reward enough.

George Markham was designated a Paul Harris Fellow largely on the strength of his two terms as District governor and the four years on the District committee which went with each term. However, at the Club level George had long ago served a six-year stint as secretary and five years of putting out the weekly bulletin. But as these last mentioned stints have been surpassed by Jim Schmitz as secretary and the Rev. Larry Price as bulletin editor, perhaps the Club is in a fair way for future such awards.

The history of the first fifty years of the Oconomowoc Rotary Club was well documented in the preceding four page presentation in the program for the 50th anniversary celebration, which took place at the Oconomowoc Lake Club on June 24, 1975.  Now it is time to fill in with the events that have taken place between 1975 and the present. 

The club has continued in its efforts to support the youth of our community.  The club still hosts the annual National Honor Society banquet for high school juniors and seniors who have attained this honor.   Speakers at these banquets have included such notables as Martin Klotsche, UWM chancellor, two Supreme Court justices, and Al Maguire.

In 1989 the club foundation began offering math and science scholarship awards to those students who have demonstrated high achievement and interest in math and science classes.  Mathew Forester was the first student to be awarded a $200 scholarship.  It is an exciting experience for Rotarians to sit with the students and learn about their plans for the future. They truly are our future.

In 1992 Lyle Neeb was instrumental in establishing the Parent Teacher Student Award (PTSA).  Each month during the school year a high school student is honored at a club meeting and presented with a scholarship award.  The students, who are selected by their teachers and guidance counselors, are those who by diligent effort and dedication have overcome academic difficulties and are now promising students.

In the 1990s, Ellen Strommen spearheaded Community Affairs, which involved students from all the elementary schools.  Business leaders put on "show and tell" demonstrations about their businesses.

The club continues as the sponsoring institution for Boy Scout Troop 12, which holds its meetings at the scout clubhouse in Fowler Park.  The club pays the maintenance expenses for the clubhouse.

Not to be forgotten are international activities.  The club has been the sponsoring club for area students who wished to spend a year studying abroad.  Club members and other families have hosted international students who spent an academic year studying at the high school.  In recent years students have come from Sweden, Switzerland, France, and Japan. They have attended the luncheon meetings, giving members the opportunity to become acquainted with them and their countries.

Also, the club has sponsored an International Student Weekend where international students were hosted at members’ homes over a weekend.   In 1980 club members were involved with members of Zion Episcopal Church on a Haiti In 80 trip.  Led by Dr.Jeff Gaver, the Rotarians took supplies to Haiti, aided Oconomowoc physicians at a local clinic, gave inoculation shots, and designed a school.  Rotarians participated in several subsequent trips to Haiti.

The club and its members continue to be active in the community.  Since 1984, the club has sold hot dogs, brats, beer and soft drinks at Maxwell Street Days in August.  It is a good opportunity to become visible in the community and also raise some funds to help carry out our community efforts.  The club is now participating in Bingo Nights at Shorehaven.  Club members and other volunteers transport residents to the senior center room, conduct the bingo games, award prizes of candy or bananas, and finish off the evening by supplying cake and coffee.

In 1997 the club volunteered to clean up a 2-1/2 mile stretch of Highway 16 between Mary Lane and Highway F in Jefferson County.  Eighteen club members and two spouses conducted the first cleanup, which was completed in less than two hours.  Since then, the Boy Scouts of Troop 12 have been involved in some of the cleanups.

In 1981 the club formed a local foundation, the Oconomowoc Rotary Charitable Foundation.  Incorporated as a 501c3, it receives tax deductible funds in the form of memorials, donations, and through club fundraising activities.  Its main charter is to provide funds to support youth and youth related activities in the Oconomowoc area.  Among the long list of the projects supported by the foundation are: Boy Scout Troop 12, PTSA scholarships, James Schmitz Math-Science scholarships, Tyme Out Youth Center, Cooney Robotics, EMS Youth Kits, Student Fire Training, Stillwaters Center, AngelsGrace Hospice, and the Rotary Pavilion at Roosevelt Field.

Fund raising and contributions to the community have gone hand in hand.  Maxwell Street Days is the fund raising event with the longest continuity.  The club continues to sell Entertainment books both to individual members and through about twenty local businesses or organizations.  Total sales over the past few years have been decreasing as more organizations start selling the books.  The annual golf outing continues to be a good money maker.  In 2000-02 the club sponsored raffles with the first place prize of $18,000 or a car, boat, or a motorcycle. The raffles were discontinued because the results were not commensurate with the effort involved.  Members are now being asked to contribute at least $125 annually to the club’s charitable foundation so that funds are available for worthwhile projects.  The club is presently involved in fundraising for the eradication of polio throughout the world..  Tom Snyder traveled to India in 2002  and worked with other Rotarians in a massive inoculation effort against polio.

In recent years there are two major projects that have been funded by the club.  In December 1996 the club was approached by the City of Oconomowoc to be the principal sponsor of a pavilion at the Roosevelt Field baseball diamond. The "retail" cost of this project was about $75,000 but expected to be lower with donated materials and services. The building would be identified as a Rotary project.  The club had been looking for a viable community project to support, and the club enthusiastically voted to underwrite any expenses that were not covered.  The result is an aesthetically pleasing building that serves a valuable purpose and helps to promote Rotary.  The first check was presented to the city in January 1998.

In 2004 AngelsGrace, a hospice facility, was being built off Highway P just north of Highway K. This is the first hospice built in western Waukesha County and fills a real need.  The club’s foundation agreed to underwrite $25,000 of the cost, and a children’s room at the hospice has been identified as Rotary sponsored.

Every Rotary club was asked to initiate a significant project to help celebrate Rotary’s 100th anniversary.  Some of our club members and others from the community decided that there should be a concert series to showcase the considerable talents of musicians who have ties to the Oconomowoc community.  It was decided to have six concerts each year at different venues.  The club and the Oconomowoc Area Foundation provided the initial funding and the first concert was held in the fall of 2003 at Olympia.  That concert and subsequent concerts have been outstanding successes.

Being a Rotarian is not all work and no play. While the format has changed, the pontoon boat parties in the summer are still popular.  Gone are the shore parties at Dick Harris’ residence and the parties are now conducted entirely on the boats.  In recent years two of the pontoon boat parties were held on Oconomowoc Lake. In 1987 the club initiated the Rotary Charitable Golf Outing to benefit Polio Plus.  More than enough organizations were lined up to sponsor all the holes, and the event was a resounding success.  The event continues to this day and is an occasion when Rotarians and friends can swat a small white pellet around a golf course, enjoy a dinner, win prizes, and relive the high and low moments of the day.  Each year we hold a Valentines Party and a Christmas Party to which all the spouses are invited.  Then of course there is the Changing of the Guard party where the outgoing president is properly toasted and roasted.

One practice of all Rotary clubs during the first approximately 50 years of existence was that classification and attendance were paramount in importance.  Example: The person who held the classification "banker" could submit the name of another party in the banking business and this party would be subsidiary to the primary holder of the classification.  A party other than a banker could not submit the name of a banker for membership.  Even more dramatic was the rule that four unexcused absences from a meeting would result in removal from membership. Both of rules were rigidly enforced into the 1970s. Times have changed.  Now any club member can propose an individual for membership without being concerned about classification.  The unexcused absence rule has not been enforced and the attendance at meetings needs to be improved.

A more important event affecting club membership took place in 1987.  The United States Supreme Court ruled that male membership only service clubs like Rotary or Kiwanis could not discriminate against including women.  The club quickly rectified this situation, and in a short time we were enjoying the infectious laugh of Mary Steinke at our luncheon meetings.  She was soon followed by more female members, and at present the club has 15 women in the club.  These women have not been resting on their laurels.  Mary Steinke became the club president for 1976-77, followed by Megan Welsh as club president in 2000-01 and Rita Prescott 2004-05.  Other women members have taken active leadership roles in the club.  Viva la femmes!  Our club has benefited from their membership.

The meeting locations have changed over the years.  During the first 45 years of Rotary’s existence in Oconomowoc the noon meetings held on Monday were at the Majestic Hotel, with a name change to the Town Hotel in the late 1940s  In the late 1960’s there was a change in ownership which resulted in the closing of the hotel and its ultimate razing.   For a brief time Rotary experimented with meetings at the legion clubhouse on West Wisconsin Avenue and at the LaBelle Golf Club.  Neither was satisfactory.  Then the meetings were held at Chuck’s Supper Club.  Presently the club meets at noon on Mondays at Olympia Resort.

Some earlier traditions are no longer in practice.  Gone is group singing at meetings. Members used to vigorously sing the Rotary song, which started out "R-O-T-A-R-Y, that spells Rotary.”   The club no longer sponsors a Post Prom Party for high school students but continues to provide financial support for the PTSA sponsored party.  The Milwaukee Symphony concerts were successful for about twenty years, but interest waned, so they were discontinued as a fund raiser. Ladies Night parties were popular thirty years ago, but they have not been held in recent years.

In the past 30 years the club has benefited from the leadership of 30 presidents.  They are listed in this directory.  Unfortunately, it is not possible to list the accomplishments of each one.  However, each in his or her own way has enabled the club and its members to uphold the standards of Rotary.  Two of our former club presidents have become District 6270 governors in the past 30 years.  Ralph (Bud) Howland, club president in 1964, was district governor in 1988.  Bob Hosch, club president in 1975 and now a member of Lake Country Rotary, became district governor in 2000.  They join George Markham, who served as district governor in 1957 and 1963. 

These have been 80 exciting years for the Oconomowoc Rotary Club and one hundred years for Rotary International.  We will continue to espouse and offer Service Above Self as we embark on our 81st year.