Coeur D Alene
Idaho
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Coeur d'Alene Rotary Club
Steamboats still plied the waters of Lake Coeur d'Alene when a group of North Idaho businessmen gathered on November 25, 1921 to charter the Rotary Club of Coeur d'Alene. Over the next eight decades, it would grow into the Lake City's largest and most active community service organization. Rotary projects have left an indelible mark on Coeur d'Alene and continue to contribute to the city's enviable lifestyle.
Coeur d'Alene waterfront
Huntington Taylor was appointed chairman of the Organizing Committee under the guidance of Ellis LeMaster of the Spokane 21 Rotary Club. This committee was composed of Dr. Alexander Barclay, Arthur Chamberlin, Robert Elder, and Joseph Voellmeck. The first meeting was called at noon on November 25, 1921 in the reserved dining room of the Hotel Idaho. The following officers were duly elected and installed: President Huntington Taylor, Vice-President Bruce McDonald, Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Voellmeck, Master at Arms Oscar Edmonds, Trustees Robert Elder, Arthur Chamberlin, and Dr. Alexander Barclay.
On December 16, 1921, the charter list was expanded and included David Catheart, C. Croonquist, Henry Glindeman, A. L. Hatch, Dr. R. Higgins, James Hill, L. J. Hinkle, Rev. Robert. Hunter, C. Larson, Charles McHarg, George Natwick ,Bruce McDonald, Ralph S. Nelson, J. H. Morrow, George Scott, Henry Sampson, Theodore Shanks, Fred Williams, and Sidney Woodcock.
They wasted no time in launching Rotary's legacy of civic improvement. Under the leadership of President "Hunt" Taylor, the club began raising money for the development of Memorial Athletic Field in the Fort Grounds.
The Great Depression and World War II limited the club's philanthropic efforts. However, Rotary geared up again in 1954 when the Spokane-based council of Camp Fire Girls denied Coeur d'Alene girls access to Camp Sweyolakan in Lake Coeur d'Alene's Rockford Bay. Incensed Rotary President Bill Wood spearheaded an effort to build Camp Newahlu in Kidd Island Bay as an alternative. Most of the construction work was done voluntarily by Rotarians.
In 1962, Rotary tackled its third major project, the construction of public tennis courts at McEuen Field. Fund-raising began under President Chet Rodell, and the work was completed the following year when Dr. Ted Fox became president. President Fox kicked the club into high gear by developing the Rotary Gardens on East Sherman Avenue, which he and his wife, Ellen, maintained for years. Fox also created the club's weekly bulletin, "The Wheel," which he faithfully edited until 1999.
Over the next three decades, Rotary contributed to charitable organizations, awarded scholarships and assisted civic projects,
including a major donation to the new Coeur d'Alene Public Library under President Jon Hippler. Yet the club was more interested in finding a substantial fund-raiser that could support more major projects.
That opportunity came in 1991 when President Paul Anderson initiated the Rose Sale, which not only raised $25,000 but spread goodwill throughout the community. It has since become an annual tradition. Funds generated from two Rose Sales paid for the construction of the Rotary Bandshell in the City Park, which was begun under President Dave Schreiber and completed under President Jim Faucher in 1993.
With Allen Plahn as president, Rotary donated $20,000 to the development of the Coeur d'Alene Cultural Center in 1994. Another $10,000 was dedicated to the cultural center in 1997 under President Sandy Patano.
President Chris Cheeley began planning the development of Rotary Sunset Park the following year. The project was continued under President John Beutler, who also organized the first Rotary Auction, which has become another major annual fund-raiser.
In the spring of 2001, President Bill Drake's regime completed the Rotary Sunset Park project and assisted in the organization of the St. Maries club, which become the newest Rotary Club in north Idaho and District 5080.
During President Kay Nelson's term 2001-2002, the club made a commitment of $100,000 for the newly proposed Coeur d'Alene Public Library, which is slated to be built in the near future. In commemoration of Dr. Ted Fox, the club promoted his last book The Joy of Healing for a city-wide sales campaign with the proceeds going to the new library.
Under the leadership of President Jack Dawson, the club designed and participated in building a picnic shelter in the new sports complex at Canfield Middle School.
Coeur d'Alene waterfront
Huntington Taylor was appointed chairman of the Organizing Committee under the guidance of Ellis LeMaster of the Spokane 21 Rotary Club. This committee was composed of Dr. Alexander Barclay, Arthur Chamberlin, Robert Elder, and Joseph Voellmeck. The first meeting was called at noon on November 25, 1921 in the reserved dining room of the Hotel Idaho. The following officers were duly elected and installed: President Huntington Taylor, Vice-President Bruce McDonald, Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Voellmeck, Master at Arms Oscar Edmonds, Trustees Robert Elder, Arthur Chamberlin, and Dr. Alexander Barclay.
On December 16, 1921, the charter list was expanded and included David Catheart, C. Croonquist, Henry Glindeman, A. L. Hatch, Dr. R. Higgins, James Hill, L. J. Hinkle, Rev. Robert. Hunter, C. Larson, Charles McHarg, George Natwick ,Bruce McDonald, Ralph S. Nelson, J. H. Morrow, George Scott, Henry Sampson, Theodore Shanks, Fred Williams, and Sidney Woodcock.
They wasted no time in launching Rotary's legacy of civic improvement. Under the leadership of President "Hunt" Taylor, the club began raising money for the development of Memorial Athletic Field in the Fort Grounds.
The Great Depression and World War II limited the club's philanthropic efforts. However, Rotary geared up again in 1954 when the Spokane-based council of Camp Fire Girls denied Coeur d'Alene girls access to Camp Sweyolakan in Lake Coeur d'Alene's Rockford Bay. Incensed Rotary President Bill Wood spearheaded an effort to build Camp Newahlu in Kidd Island Bay as an alternative. Most of the construction work was done voluntarily by Rotarians.
In 1962, Rotary tackled its third major project, the construction of public tennis courts at McEuen Field. Fund-raising began under President Chet Rodell, and the work was completed the following year when Dr. Ted Fox became president. President Fox kicked the club into high gear by developing the Rotary Gardens on East Sherman Avenue, which he and his wife, Ellen, maintained for years. Fox also created the club's weekly bulletin, "The Wheel," which he faithfully edited until 1999.
Over the next three decades, Rotary contributed to charitable organizations, awarded scholarships and assisted civic projects,
including a major donation to the new Coeur d'Alene Public Library under President Jon Hippler. Yet the club was more interested in finding a substantial fund-raiser that could support more major projects.
That opportunity came in 1991 when President Paul Anderson initiated the Rose Sale, which not only raised $25,000 but spread goodwill throughout the community. It has since become an annual tradition. Funds generated from two Rose Sales paid for the construction of the Rotary Bandshell in the City Park, which was begun under President Dave Schreiber and completed under President Jim Faucher in 1993.
With Allen Plahn as president, Rotary donated $20,000 to the development of the Coeur d'Alene Cultural Center in 1994. Another $10,000 was dedicated to the cultural center in 1997 under President Sandy Patano.
President Chris Cheeley began planning the development of Rotary Sunset Park the following year. The project was continued under President John Beutler, who also organized the first Rotary Auction, which has become another major annual fund-raiser.
In the spring of 2001, President Bill Drake's regime completed the Rotary Sunset Park project and assisted in the organization of the St. Maries club, which become the newest Rotary Club in north Idaho and District 5080.
During President Kay Nelson's term 2001-2002, the club made a commitment of $100,000 for the newly proposed Coeur d'Alene Public Library, which is slated to be built in the near future. In commemoration of Dr. Ted Fox, the club promoted his last book The Joy of Healing for a city-wide sales campaign with the proceeds going to the new library.
Under the leadership of President Jack Dawson, the club designed and participated in building a picnic shelter in the new sports complex at Canfield Middle School.