Rotary Club of Newcomerstown Ohio U.S.A.

On September 21, 1925, 17 men met in the Central Hotel on Main Street and founded the Rotary Club of Newcomerstown. The Dennison Rotary Club sponsored the local group, and Newcomerstown attorney Brooklyn Bridge served as organizer.

The 17 Charter Members were: Albert Zimmer, J. Sheridan Barnet, D. Burris Moore, Oliver G. Kinsey, Alfred Heller Sr., J. Joseph Gainor, John C. Ross, Dr. Chester A. Hanson, Dr. Ray R. Mason, Homer L. Lydick, Elisha D. Swigert, Frank W. Schwab, Floyd A. Rogers, George B. Brode, Virgil Stocker, Dr. Edgar V. Berry, and Allen G. Bretzius.

The first meetings were held in the Central Hotel, but within a few weeks after the charter was received the club began holding dinner meetings in the M.P. Church ( later known as the College Street Methodist Church). With the exception of some visitations and an occasional meeting at Stoffer's Restaurant, the club met in the church basement every Tuesday evening.

J.S. Barnet was the club's first President, Albert Zimmer was the first Vice President, John Ross first Secretary, and Allen Bretzius the first Treasurer. Miss Helen Gefeller was the first club pianist and accompanied the vocal efforts of club members.

Over the years, the club has gained and lost membership while actively participating in Local, District and International initiatives.

In it's early days the club set out to assist crippled and needy children in the area. Funds were raised through the sale of  "Charity Newsies". During the War years the sale of Bonds to support the country's involvement became a project of Newcomerstown's Rotary. It was in the 1940's that baseball great Cy Young became an honorary member of the organization. In 1948, the club raised funds and purchased the land to create a community park. In addition to funds to purchase the land, Rotarians provided manpower to clear the ground. Early in the 1950's, Rotarians brought Little League to the community.. The sale of "Charity Newsies" ended in the 1950's.

In the 1960's, our club was amongst the first three clubs in the District to form an Interact Club. Interact existed in Newcomerstown for four years during the 1960's and its officers played a leadership role at the District level. Rotarians were active in creating a fitting celebration of Newcomerstown's Bicentennial. Club members actively participated in the Minstrel Shows that brought enjoyment to the community during this timeframe. Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes became and honorary member of the Newcomerstown Rotary.

During the 1970's, the club's financial situation was very tight. Even so, it was in this decade that the club hosted its first International Exchange Students. Newcomerstown's Rotary Club sponsored several inbound and outbound participants in this Rotary International program. One outbound student, F.H. Gates, has since returned to his host country, Brazil, to live and serve as a Christian missionary. An annual recognition program and dinner for local farmers was instituted. It was in this timeframe that the club assisted the effort to raise funds for a swimming pool expansion at the park and spearheaded the initiative to purchase and place a memorial to one of its honorary members, Cy Young.

In the 1980's the Newcomerstown Rotary actively supported the Polio Plus initiative to eradicate Polio in the world before the end of the 20th century. It used this decade to institute two fund raising programs aimed at relieving the pressure of a weak treasury. The sale of poinsettias and the Rotary Community Birthday Calendar continue to finance the club's activities today. Monies earned allowed the club to continue its support of Youth Baseball, the Rotary Foundation, and many requests for assistance in the community. An annual, low cost, health-screening program was implemented, providing 300+ residents, who might not otherwise have access, a resource for maintaining their well being.

In the decade of the 1990's, The Rotary Club of Newcomerstown continued its active involvement in the community. The Rotary's Cy Young Bike Tour has become an annual event, bringing people from across Ohio and surrounding states to our community and creating excellent exposure for Tuscarawas County. The club is assisting the Newcomerstown Historical Society with a project to expand the Temperance Tavern Museum and add a theater complex. Rotarians and the Thompson family purchased additional land for Cy Young Memorial Park and the Rotary Club implemented improvements to hiking trails in the park. Participation in the District's Group Study Exchange, college scholarships for graduating Seniors, Youth Baseball sponsorship, and funding for other worthwhile community initiatives remain foundations of the club's "Service Above Self" heritage.