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Rotary (Continued from page 3) enthusiasm, diligent work, novel competitions and incentives aided the McHenry club to maintain high rates of attendance and resulted in the 94.45 percent record established in 1962-63. Dean who formerly headed the Ben Franklin Store on Green St., was elected president in 1961-62 and also served in a number of other positions. The last recipient of the ROTY is John Looze, second president of the club and agile tongued attorney who was largely instrumental in the organizing of the McHenry club. Looze, received his award in 1972 for club service. He was the guiding force, as governor's personal representative, in spreading Rotarianism to Crystal Lake and Wood­ stock. Club members say that it was largely through his efforts and his knowledge of people that he was able to get to the nuclei of the new clubs established and with his influence kept up the momentum until they were organized. Looze also served as the general chairman of a district conference and guided the organization of all functions. Looze, a charter member, is no longer active in the club, saying that he has served his time and has gone on to other concerns. Peterson, who has become unofficial historian of the McHenry Club, notes that the ROTY is available when somebody does a job above and beyond the call of duty. To cause ROTY to be awarded some member must perceive an activity that seems outstanding and producing worthwhile benefits in one of the four areas of service indicated for Rotarians. He must reduce the recommendation to writing and submit it to the board of directors at least a month before the anniversary y party. The directors review the request or requests, and if justified, selects it or one of the sub­ missions and sends it to all the membership except the one nominated for ROTY for their comment. If someone takes exception to the recommendation, the directors will consider the cause and either award or not award. The successful candidate will hopefully be surprised by his plaque at the Anniversary dinner. Parties, Picnics And Other Things Mixed in with the serious community service projects which the Rotary promotes are a number of fun things to bring some pleasure to both youngsters and oldsters who may have limited access to recreation. The Rotary under the direction of various com­ mittee chairman have traditionally put on a picnic dinner and gabfest with the senior at Valley Hi in August, using the famed ham-dinner cooker. In past years club members "adopted" children at the Woodstock Children's Home for gifts and special outings. The Rotarians have cooperated with local groups in conducting fishing rodeos for youngsters and others for purely fun purposes. For a time teenage ballroom dancing after school was sponsored and in some years a theatre party at Christ­ mas time was an annual community event. And while Shriner's Circuses were being held in Rockford, McHenry was one of the clubs who conducted bus trips of local children to this event. The list of fun activities extends to a number of other items, many of which have already faded from the memory of current club members. Most Unique Project Wintertime Ski Lift You may be eligible for a Rotary scholarship. Ask your local Rotary Club., A unique project by the McHenry Rotary attracted wide favorable comment and commendation for its innovator Jerome (Moe) Buch. It was the ski tow devised by Buch in 1956 and set up on the 10th hole of the McHenry Country Club. The steep hill at the location had long been a favorite win­ tertime coastingf^lace for McHenry children, and the tow or lift added to the youngster's pleasure and multiplied the number of descents each could make. In the thin! year of the lift's operation, the Rotary Club put on a weekend party for the users of the lift, serving hot chocolate and cookies. Buch reported that during the two days of the event 275 youngsters con­ sumed 25 gallons of hot chocolate and 13 pounds of cookies. Moe operated the lift and his wife (Ethel) supervised the dispensing of the goodies. The Buchs noted the presence of a number of adults who turned out with their children. And marring the day, but completing the picture of the two sides of humanity, was the ingrate who walked off with the Buch's toboggan which they had made available to youngsters who had no vehicle for coasting. Buch says that over the three years that the tow operated, he made two machines. The first used a 6 horse power gas engine, a belt drive and a tran­ smission from an old car which drove a sheave and 1200 feet of one inch rope strung out on pulleys. In the second version he installed an old truck on the hill and welded two rims together on which he installed tires and inflated them which drove the rope through the pulley assembly. This was a stronger machine and moved the youngsters clinging to the rope up the hill more effectively. Although the Rotary Club stood the expense of the parts of the lift. Buch says he took the responsibility of building and operating it. And he recalls that for the weekend party he heated the hot chocolate over a plumber's furnace that he borrowed from his own shop. The credit for the groceries involved went to Art Smith who operated a grocery in his area. During the life of the lift operation the Rotary Club extended the length of the hill and consequently the thrill for the kids by in­ stalling an "easily made bridge" across the creek that is at the bottom of the hill. The club acknowledged the cooperation of the McHenry Country Club in permitting the use of its grounds for this project. However, most good things come to an end and practical considerations in the form of costly insurance premiums caused the club to abandon the project. It was estimated that the cost did not justify the benefits and the threat of a possible law suit due to a ski-lift con­ nected injury haunted the country club personnel and the Rotarians. Buch was recognized with a Community Service award as Rotarian of the year for his efforts in 19S9. Paul Harris Founds In Chicago in 1905. Paul Harris, a 37 year old lawyer who was born in Racine, Wis., met with three friends in Chicago on a bleak evening on Feb. 23, 1905. Silvester Schiele, a coal dealer ; Gustave E. Loehr, a mining engineer; and Hiram E. Shorey, a merchant tailor, agreed with Harris on the need for some personal friendships to compensate for their loneliness of trying to make a living in the big city. Harry Ruggles, a printer; and Will Jenson, a real estate dealer, were invited into the group soon after and shortly the six formed the nucleus of a club that grew in 75 years into an international organization with almost 18,000 clubs and 845,000 members. Originally club members met alternately at their various places of business and this led to their adoption, at Harris's suggestion, of the name "Rotary" because they met in rotation at dif­ ferent locations. At first they read papers on business topics but Ruggles soon developed the idea of community singing. Harris also suggested various original stunts to liven up their gatherings. The first officers were Schiele as president, Jenson as corresponding secretary, Shorey as recording secretary, and Ruggles as treasurer. Harris declined any office at first, but as the group grew he accepted the presidency of the Chicago Rotary Club in 1907. At that time he stated his wish to see Rotary expanded to every important city in the United States. Men found the novelty of the new club irresistible and the fellowship a stimulant to better work in their business, community and social relationships. In this year the club expanded its activities to include public service work for the welfare (Continued on page 6) Donated By McHenry Rotary - Storage * Washroom Facilities - McCrmcken Field