Tuesday, March 5, 2013 • Susanville Rotary honors Paul Harris Fellows
Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, March 5, 2013 edition of the Lassen County Times.
Dozens of Susanville Rotarians gathered at Eagle Lake Village Wednesday, Feb. 27 for a festive dinner and to recognize the generous contributions of this year’s Paul Harris Fellows.
Paul Harris Fellow Jim Chapman, right, his wife Marilyn, Rotary Club President Fred Autenrieb and Mike Kirack pose with Chapman’s award at the Paul Harris Dinner.To be eligible for the award, Paul Harris Fellows donate at least $1,000 to Rotary projects during the year.
Susanville Rotarian Mike Kirack served as master of ceremonies at the event, and he shared information from a Rotary book published in 1976 which recognized the 50th anniversary of Susanville’s Rotary Club — dedicated to service above self.
In 1926 there were 2,207 Rotary clubs in 38 countries. By 1975 those numbers had increased to 16,596 clubs in 151 countries. Today there are 34,000 clubs in 200 countries.
Rotary Club President Fred Autenrieb presents the Paul Harris award to Moira Doherty.When the Susanville Rotary club held its first meeting in 1925, it became the first service club in Susanville, and, “It’s members set an example for other service clubs,” Kirack said. “It could be said that the Rotary Club in Susanville owed its being to one man, Mr. Rotary himself, Gus Pardee.”
Kirack said in the club’s first 50 years, it participated in many projects including obtaining the Susanville Airport, sponsoring the Alturas Rotary Club, developing the Game Room at Roosevelt Pool, the beautification project at the east end of Susanville, provided youth vocational guidance, a student exchange program that has served nearly 200 students, a graduation breakfast for local students, Halloween dances, sponsorship of a Campfire Girls troop, sponsorship of the Lassen High School Wrestling Tournament, sponsorship of high school track meets, honoring football players at Senior Athlete Day, sponsorship of Susanville Invitational Swim Meet, 4-H Demonstration Day, Farmers Day and the annual Cattlemen/Rotary party.
Rotary Club President Fred Autenrieb shakes hands with Paul Harris Fellow Martin Balding with his wife, Janet.“This book is 38 years old, and we’re still following the same trail,” Kirack said. “It’s really cool.”
Kirack recognized the club’s sustaining members — Martin Balding, Bob Burns, Jim Chapman, Bruce Davie, Lewis Oring, Gene Stark, Boyd Taylor, Ken Theobald and himself.
Polio Plus contributors included Martin Balding, SK Uppal and Sam Williams.
Rotary Club President Fred Autenrieb presents the Paul Harris award to Boyd Taylor.Paul Harris Fellows included Jim Chapman, Moira Doherty, Martin Balding and Boyd Taylor.
Special Earned Paul Harris Fellow awards went to Bob Burns and the late Joe Vicondoa.
The Clarity Jazz Trio — Doug Sheehy (guitar), Fred Walton (saxophone) and Greg Dood (bass) — provide the entertainment at the Susanville Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Dinner.The Clarity Jazz Trio — Fred Walton on saxophone, Doug Sheehy on guitar and Greg Dood on bass — provided entertainment during the event.
