The Phillipsburg Rotary Club celebrated its 50th anniversary on Tuesday with a dinner/meeting filled with fine food and reminiscence. In addition, a special keynote address was given by Rotary District Governor, Dr. Garth Errington.
The group was given its official charter on April 23, 1946 and was founded upon the Rotary International ideals of "service to society, high standards of business and professional life, and understanding, good will and peace among the people of the world."
The celebration comes after 50 years of community service sad involvement by the Rotary within the village of Phillipsburg. Throughout the years, the group has Supported local youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Babe Ruth baseball teems.
The Rotary also helped the village acquire the land for the creation of Community Center Park and purchase its first ambulance.
Currently, the Phillipsburg Rotary Club is composed of 18 active members. The group meets every Tuesday evening at Phillipsburg United Methodist Church. Its most recent community contributions include helping the elementary school purchase a computer for the library and a new sound system for the auditorium.
Tuesday's celebration also included special recognition of a rather dedicated Rotary member. Wilbur Shultz, Rotary treasurer and original charter member, received a special award for having 50 years perfect attendance at the Rotary's weekly meetings.
Wayne Rubey, Phillipsburg Rotary Club president, stated that the dedication and enthusiasm of Shultz sad the other Rotary members is "the result of the strong community spirit of the different members and the high level of camaraderie that is there (at the meetings)."
"We hive community involvement, educational programs and good food, added Rubey.
In fact, according to Rubey, Rotary is known throughout the area for its exceptional meals served at its weekly meetings. These meals are prepared entirely by Lova Pfeiffer, wife of a late Phillipsburg Rotary Club president. Pfeiffer has prepared the Rotary's meals for over 40 years.
"Our reputation, or should I say Love's reputation, precedes us in the community," remarked Rubey, jokingly.
The Pillipsburg Rotary Club is one of over 27,000 rotary clubs throughout the world. Rotary International has a membership of over one million people.
The group plans to continue to undertake new projects which will benefit the Pillipsburg area and to hold functions and activities which will provide diversion in one's business and community life.
According to group literature, the Phillipsburg Rotary Club has been "an open society of men and women who simply believe in helping others” for the past 50 years.
