Central Perkiomen PA Rotary

The seed for the formation of the Rotary Club of Schwenksville was sown late in 1930 at the entrance to the National Bank and Trust Company of Schwenksville at a casual meeting between Raymond T. Beltz and Stanley H. Bardman.

During the conversation "Ray" asked the latter what he thought of attempting to organize a Rotary Club at this place. Both agree that an attempt should be made and Whitfield W. Harley was approached who was also favorably impressed with the idea.

The next step was a meeting at he home of Edward S. Fretz, Collegeville, Governor of the 50th District, and a member of the Pottstown Rotary Club.

Governor "Ed" was very much impressed with the idea and extended an invitation to "Ray", "Stan" and "Win" to attend several meetings of the Pottstown Rotary Club and learn more about Rotary and its principles.

After attending a number of the Pottstown Rotary Club meetings, the above mentioned were determined to organize a Rotary Club in Schwenksville and notified Governor "Ed" to that effect. He immediately appointed a committee of the Pottstown Rotarians, Robert Swinehart, Jesse Evans and George Rotz to assist us in organizing. These three loyal Rotarians made numerous trips to the Spring Mountain House, Schwenksville, and explained what the requirements would be to form a club.

On March 12, 1931, this group met at the Spring Mountain House, with fifteen men from Skippack, Schwenksville, Spring Mount, and Zieglersville in attendance.

During the business session a surprise was sprung on the Pottstown Club when the announcement was made that more than the required number of chartered members had been secured.

Following the meeting the men from the above mentioned towns were called together and under the guidance of Governor "Ed", George Rotz and Jesse Evans, a business session was conducted at which time these officers were elected. President, Stanley H. Bardman; Vice President, Raymond T. Beltz; Secretary, John R. Tallis; Treasurer, Winfield W. Harley. These officers together with Reuben M. High, Thomas Davis, and Ezra Markley comprised the board of directors.

A charter night was held in the spacious dining room of the Spring Mountain House, gaily decorated with Rotary emblems and flags, on May 5, 1931, with one hundred forty-four Rotarians from Allentown, Catasuqua, Boyertown, Pennsburg, East Greenville, Paoli-Malvern-Berwyn, Phoenixville, Norristown, Spring City, Perkasie, North Wales, Souderton and Pottstown present.

"Chris" Stouffer, President of the Pottstown Rotary Club, presented the newly chartered club with a beautiful Rotary gong and gavel. George Rotz, secretary of the Pottstown Club, presented each member with a copy of the "Four Objects of Rotary" and a membership certificate.

Club meetings were held were held at the Spring Mountain House, Krupp,s Hotel, and at Gratersford Hotel before moving to the Schwenksville Community Library, the present meeting place. Walter Beltz prepares the meals which are served by volunteer help.

At various times in its history, the club has assisted members of the community by providing glasses for school children, braces for crippled children, student loans, and by contributing to various community organizations.

The Club has also contributed to the Rotary Foundation which provides scholarships for foreign students in the United States and for American students who go abroad.

One of the most ambitious projects of the Club resulted from the rationing of gasoline during World War II. At the suggestion of Franklin H. Renninger, a Community Service Committee was formed. This group sponsored all kinds of entertainment for residents who could no longer drive their cars to seek pleasures elsewhere. The program included vaudeville and minstrel shows, moving pictures, dances, and outdoor carnivals. The committee also sponsored baseball and basketball teams, purchased uniforms for the school band and bleachers. The committee gave parties at Christmas and Easter for young and old. The Community Service Committee ceased its work in 1951.

Another club project involved the purchase of a property on Cemetery Road in February, 1966. The land was bought from Norman Kulp for the sum of $4,500.00. The field was used by the local little league teams and serves as the summer meeting site for the Club. From the end of May until the end of September, the club meets under a Pavilion erected by its own members. The Club financed payment for the field with $1000.00 down and then worked off the balance by annual payments from Club funds, raised by such events as the well-known Sunday breakfasts.

Summer meetings at the field feature, baseball and volleyball. The baseball games with Collegeville, and Upper Perkiomen Rotary are regular features of the summer season. Also in the summer comes the annual family picnic held on the lawn of the Shaffer-Ziegler families. Wives and children attend along with the Club members. The Club also sponsors an annual Christmas party for the families in December.

Most recently the club has petitioned the Schwenksville borough to name the club as the managing force of the Schwenksville Halloween Parade. After the untimely folding of the Schwenksville Lions Club, Rotary was asked to provide leadership and manpower so that the parade would continue in 2007. This we did and would like to assume the position on a permanent basis.

Rotary supports a humanitarian relief project called Shelter Box that provides a self-contained life support package for disaster relief.

Locally, we support; The Spring Mount walk / run for the cure, The Perkiomem Valley High School Prom, Perkiomen Valley Student Exchange programs, Interact and varrious other leadership programs. The Boy Scouts and The Central Perkiomen Valley Youth Association Baseball Program.

Lately our biggest issue is membership. We need new members or we will be forced to go the way of the Lions.