ROTARY CLUB OF EAST ROCHESTER- 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

Anita Mance ER History Article April 2026

On March 8,2026  the East Rochester Rotary Club celebrated its 100th anniversary. The

Club recieved its charter sponsored by the Rochester Rotary Club on March 8, 1926. The

twenty four charter members were local business and professional men. Amoung these

first members were village leaders Voicht Archer, Andrew Bown, Walter Bray,mClarence Carpenter. William Clay, Howard Engert, Ellis Gay, Leo Genthner, Dr. Frank Kane,

Guy Pierce, Norman Steve,and Gerald Tuttle.

For most of its history the clubs meetings were held weekly on Thursday evenings . Over

the years the group met at various sites- St. Matthias Episcospocal Church, Abe Robinsons"

2nd floor Coffee Shop, the Ambrosia Tea Room, First Baptist Church, Masonic Hall and

even the homes of some members. More recently , meetings have been held twice a month

at Perlos Restaurant.  Initially woman were not able to join the organizatiion. In 1987, the 

U.S Supreme Court ruled that all service organizations had to be open to

women members. And so in 1988, Margaret "Maggie" Finucane became the first woman to join the

club.

Rotary's Motto "Service Above Self"  has continued to guide the organization over the years. 

The Four Way Test of things we think, say ,or do has provided a framework for activities. 

Is it the truth? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Is it fair to all

concerned? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

An early example of Rotary's involvement can be seen in 

newspaper articles of the 1930s. In  1935 School Superintendent, T.LR Morgan spoke at a Rotary

Meeting regarding the crowded conditions in our School. In August of that year Rotary

members adopted a resolution  in favor of  the Board of Education proposition to accept a

WPA Grant to help pay for the new school, as well as a bond issued for new buildings.

In September 1937, so many Rotary members wanted to attend the dedication Ceremonies of

the new school, Rotary dissmised its meeting early.      

Over the years Rotary has found many ways to raise funds for its work. Fruitcakes during

holiday times, pasta dinners, and travelogues at the High School were fundraisers at the

High School for many years. The major fundraiser since 1989 however, has been the Cookbook

, Treasured Italin Recipes: A collection of 300 Never Produced Before Recipes compiled by Miele

Baattaglini . The first printing of this book in August 1989 sold out its 1000 copies in two

days. Volume 2 of the book published in 1966, also quickly sold out. The books have gone

into reprints many times and continue to be popular.

Rotary has sponsored many organizations including little league baseball, Pop Warner

football, and the Boy Scouts.

The organization has also funded high school seniors  scholarships , dictionaries for third graders and corresponding with its mission of literacy , childrens bilingual books in 14 languages for our public libary  .

      One of its larger supporting efforts has been Camp Haccamo a summer camp for children with special needs,

      this involvement began in 1959 with several other Monroe County Rotary Clubs

        East Rochester Rotary was also instrumental in underwriting and buildingoo our Community Resource Center.

        And in 2006 with grant funding and help from our town/village the Rotary Fountain was dedicated in Edmund Lyon Park.

       The Rotary club of East Rochester  continues to be an organization of service to our community and area.

       Information from this article came from our Local History files and the Rotary Celebration booklet.

      The photo of Tom Conners ( Rotary's most Senior Member before his death in ( February) was taken from the booklet.