History of The Pas Rotary Club

On September 1^st 1928 J.A.Caulder, the Director of Rotary International in Canada sent Dune Campbell of The Pas some literature on Rotary and suggested that he investigate the possibility of starting a club. Meantime Fred Siebert, then resident in The Pas and a past member of the Rotary Club of Ottawa, had talked to Pat Hunter about the same possibility. These three got together and started organization work.

On October 26^th 1928, Joe Caulder and Henry Grimes, then secretary of the Dauphin Club, visited The Pas and held a luncheon meeting with those interested in the formation of a Rotary Club in The Pas and after a round table discussion a Rotary Club was organized and agreed upon by the following charter members:

A.J. Bone, W.H. Bunting, Dune Campbell, C.N. Cashmere, A.L. Cumming, H.H. Elliot, Pat Hunter, N.S. McDonald, H.B. Munroe, C.R. Neeley, H.E. New, W.T. O'Regan, A.W. Phin, E.F. PurceU, J. Ridyard, D.D. Rosenberry, M.H. Solstad, S.S. Stephanson, B.M. Stitt, R. Talbot, G.O. Thorsteinson, J. Waddy, J.M. Wanless and H.L. Weber.

After approval by Rotary International on December 28^th 1928, the official inaugural meeting was held on January 15^th 1929 with the Winnipeg, Dauphin and Yorkton clubs officially represented. Past Governor Stuart M. Campbell of Winnipeg presented Charter Number 3019 to President Barney Stitt, Dune Campbell was secretary. Weekly meetings were held on Tuesdays at 12:15 PM at the Cambrian Hotel.

Member of The Pas Rotary, Club Christmas 1934

Back row left to right:

1. ? 2. J.C. MacPherson (Mr. Mac) 3. ? 4. ? 5. ? 6. ? 7. ? 8. C.B. Morgan 9. ? 10.?

11. Dunc Campbell 12. ? 13. ?

Front Row:

1. Chief George Coghill 2. J.A. Campbell 3. ? 4. C.R. Neely 5. John Macleod 6. ?

7. Hutch Hutchison 8. Joe Schmidt.

One of the first projects of the new club was to sponsor the construction of an outdoor swimming and wading pool in Devon Park east of the railroad bridge. During the 1930's the Club was involved in many protects to assist the needy in town. One of the major fund raisers was a Carnival which was held in Devon Park until 1949 when it was moved indoors into the new rink which had been built the proceeding year and to which the club had donated $1000.

During the second world war the club was involved along with everyone else in supporting the war effort through the sale of war saving stamps and the purchase of Victory Bonds. An interesting side note is that LAC Jim Coyne was a lunch guest in March 1941. In 1937 the United Church Women's Auxiliary started to cater the Rotary Club luncheons in the basement of the United Church and this continued for 42 years until December 19,1978. The location of the lunch was then changed to the banquet room of the Wescana Inn. In early 1990 the club was advised that this location was no longer available as of the end of March. We moved from there to the LaVerendre and then to the A & W. During the summer of 1991 we had a number of meetings at the Golf Club dining area but as with the others there was not enough space. In September 1991 we returned to the Wescana at their invitation.

Involvement with The Pas Dog Derby and the Trappers Festival started as soon as the club was formed when a Fur Queen candidate was sponsored in 1930. Queen candidates were sponsored sporadically from then to now such as 1957, 1965, 1969, 1981, 1991,1992, 1995 and 1997. The club became involved in running the Preliminaries and the Hi-Lites in 1965 and have continued with this to this day. In 1984 the club began to dispense hot chocolate after the Torchlight Parade. In 1995 the club donated $500 towards the prize monies for the winners of the World Championship Dog Races. Also in 1995 the club decided to sponsor a Snowshoe Marathon. This was continued in 1996, 1997 and 1998. The club became involved from the start in supporting the youth of the town through such medians as the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Minor Hockey, Music Festival, Air Cadets, The Pas Figure Skating Club, The Pas Marigold Pre-school and scholastic awards at Margaret Barbour Collegiate.

In later years support was provided to groups such as TNTGymnastics, Midwest Karate, breakfasts for needy children at Opasquia School and The Pas Youth Centre, Prior to 1985 periodic assistance was given to the Boy Scout movement but in that year the club became a sponsor of the local organization. In 1987/88 the club invested $525 in leader training, in 1988/89 a trailer with washroom and shower facilities became available at Egg Lake and was moved to the Scout camp on Clearwater Lake and set up at a cost of $550. In addition a concrete holding tank valued at $1000 was provided by Norcana Concrete through the Rotary Club. The following year the club had eavestroughing installed at the camp at a cost of $2450. In order to help the Scouts to finance a trip to a Canada-wide jamboree in P.E.I. The club paid the scouts $10 a bag for garbage collected on highway 10 between The Pas and Prospector with a ceiling of $500.

In 1995 the club donated $1000 plus the proceeds of the 50-50 draw at the fish derby to help the scouts with travel costs to attend a world scouting jamboree in Holland. In 1998 the club donated concrete blocks to the Flin Flon club for their scout camp on Beaver Lake. The first reference to club assistance to the Girl Guides is in 1944/45 when the club paid the medical charges that arose during the annual Girl Guide camping program. This suggests that the Girl Guide camp was an annual affair and it is likely that the club made donations along the way.

In 1980/81 the club donated $800 towards the renovation of the summer camp building and in the following year donated an additional $500 and held a work party to put log siding on the main camp building. In 1994/95 the club donated $250 towards the travel expenses to attend a citizenship ceremony hosted by the Manitoba Girl Guide Council. In 1949/50 the club sponsored a Pee Wee hockey team and again in 1957/58 the club purchased sweaters for the local midget hockey team. During the 60's small annual donations were made to the Minor Hockey Association. In 1981/82 one set of sweaters and crests were donated to the Minor Hockey Association. In 1983/84 $610 was donated to The Pas Junior Huskies which provided equipment for two players. Also in 1983/84 one set of sweaters was donated to the Minor Hockey Association. In 1990/9115 sweaters were donated to the Minor Hockey League. In 1949/50 the club purchased a shield which was to be presented at The Pas Music Festival. In 1974/75 the club sponsored three students to attend the International Music Festival at the Peace Gardens.

In 1980/81 the club again provided a scholarship to the Peace Gardens Music Festival and also I believe in the intervening years. Also in 1981 $200 was contributed to The Pas Music and Speech Arts Festival to assist in covering the cost of five adjudicators.

Throughout the 80's and early 90's monies were provided towards sending a student to the Music Festival at the Peace Gardens. As well as continuing an award at the Spring Festival in town. In 1944/45 the club cash for two prizes for students in grade 9 and 10 based on scholastic standing. This continued in the 50's and I believe the 60'sand 70's. In 1978/79 the club in conjunction with four other groups in town instituted a program of awarding plaques to honor students in all grades in the high school which still continues.

In 1973/74 $2000 was donated to the Town Band for uniforms. There were 93 studentsfrom grades seven to nine in the first year. In 1986,87 and 88 the club supported the "Hug-In" program which was held at the high school and in 1989/90 donated $2300 for uniforms for the track and field and volleyball squads at the high school. In 1990/91 the club became involved with a high school reunion and $2400 was raised in various activities and these funds were placed in scholarship program which was to provide a scholarship of $33 per year.

On October 16,1991 the club sponsored and hosted a breakfast at theM.B.C.I. Cafeteria during the 1991 Manitoba High Schools Cross Country Championships. In recent years The Pas Rotary Club has become one of three major sponsors of The Pas Air Cadets, allowing this important youth program to continue operating in the community. In 1964/65 the club donated $175 to the Salvation Army for uniforms for a Youth Band. The following year $100 was donated to The Pas Library Auxiliary for the purchase of books.

The Rotary Club began its association with Sam Waller in 1948 when it sponsored the exhibition of some of his collection in The Pas. The original Little Northern Museum was started in 1957 and opened on Feb 2^nd 1958. Mr. Waller became owner and curator of this unique museum after retiring from 36 years of Teaching and working with the native Indians often in remote northern communities. The great variety of subjects found in the museum gained Mr. Waller widespread recognition. He was named "Golden Boy of Manitoba" and was also made an honorary citizen of Winnipeg by the mayor Stephan Juba. Mr. Waller's devotion to his hobby and the museum made him a highly esteemed citizen of The Pas and the Little Northern Museum a major attraction of the town. Mr. Waller bequeathed his collection to the town.

In the summer of 1969 The Pas Rotary Club decided that their centinial project would be to provide a new Building to house Mr. Waller's collection. A corporation, Rotarel, was formed with Jack Johnson as President. A number of projects such as a walkathon, raffles, bingos, etc were carried out. The profits from these projects combined with grants from the Province and the town provided the funds for this new Museum, some $22,000. The official opening was on September 1^st 1970. In 1971 it was decided that the Town would assume responsibility for day to day operations and the Rotary Club would take care of minor Maintenance and future expansion. In line with this agreement the club landscaped the lot. In 1972 the Museum was turned over to the town of The Pas with Rotary members to serve on the Board of Directors.

SEPTEMBER 1^ST 1970

Left to Right: Mayor Harry Trager, Sam Waller, Jack Johnson and Al Hillsden walking in the background

In 1980 one club project was to paint the museum and another was to contribute $1,000 towards the purchase of a display case. In 1981 the club had discussions with the town about the availability of the old Courthouse to be converted to a museum and in June offered to assist the town with the capital cost of moving the museum to theold courthouse if the costs were not too prohibitive. In November 1988 the Club, which still owned the then current museum building, turned the building over to the Museum Board - Fund Raising Committee for disposition with the proceeds to be considered Rotary's contribution to the overall relocation project. In May 1992 the meeting room in the basement of the new museum was designated as the "Rotary Room". Rotary members continue to sit on the museum's Board of Directors.

On October 21, 1969 the club applied to become a registered agent for selling Provincial Lottery tickets in The Pas. The sale of these lottery tickets was a major money maker during the 70's and most of the 80's. In early 1987 the club was advised by the Government that our contract for handling various lottery tickets was to be cancelled as of November 30, 1987. After considerable negotiations with the Lottery Commission the club decided to accept the offer of $60,000 to be paid over three years to the club by the Manitoba Lottery's Foundation as compensation for the canceling of the contract.

In 1970/71 the club donated $10,000 to the town towards the cost of a new indoor swimming pool which was located at Margaret Barbour Collegiate. The pool was official opened on February 24,1972. In 1978/79 the Kelsey Recreation Commission accepted the plans (in principle) for upgrading Roy H. Johnson Arena as presented by and paid for by The Pas Rotary Club. On May 20,1980 the club decided to commit $25,000 to the Arena project and in 1982/83 presented a cheque for $25,000 to the town towards the cost of improvements to the Arena. Periodic donations were made to the Salvation Army however when their Christmas Hamper program started in 1980 started the continuing practice of donating monies sufficient for several hampers.

On May 5,1979 the club held a dinner and dance at the Guy Hall in honor of its 50^th anniversary. Later in 1979 club members made a grass green at the local golf course, I believe hole number 5. The following summer some improvements to the green were made and in 1981 $3500 was donated to The Pas Golf Club to purchase an aerator and a portable pump and hose for use on the golf greens. In 1986 a further $200 was donated to the Golf Club to purchase a golf ball cleaner for the Rotary green. In 1991 $10,000 was donated tothe Golf Club towards the purchase and installation of a watering system for the golf course which was estimated to cost $80,000.

On January 9,1980, at an executive meeting, the first formal discussion was held about the possibility of The Pas Rotary Club becoming involved in the student exchange program run by Rotary International. As a result of this and farther discussions the club decided to become involved in the program and our first incoming student - Amanda Wallace - arrived in The Pas from Australia in January 1981. The first outgoing students were Lana Stait who spent a year in Norway and Ian Kroll who went to Germany. They left The Pas in August 1981 and returned in July 1982. The exchange program remains active at this time. To view a list of the students, both outgoing and incoming and also other students who were involved in various education programs sponsored by Rotary, click here.

Commencing in 1980 the first of periodic donations to help cover the cost involved in participation in the Northern Manitoba Regional Science Fair by the Kelsey School Division was made. In 1982 a donation of $1000 was made towards the purchase of Jaws of Life.

In May 1984 at the annual convention of District 5550, Art Jenkins of Operation Eyesight made a presentation and showed a film of their work in India. After this presentation, Jack Johnson, who was attending the convention in company with John Inglis, stood up and said that our club would raise $10,000 to help support this work. No one really thought that this would happen but at the 1985 convention in Regina, Jack presented them with a cheque for $10,000. Shortly after this the club donated an additional $2,500 and with the $12,500 Operation Eyesight was able to arrange for grants of $37,500 from CIDA and $50,000 from the Government of India. These monies were used to pay for the construction of one floor of a five floor Eye Hospital in New Delhi, India. There is a plaque at the hospital which states that the money for the construction of this floor was raised in memory of Rotarian Art Johnson by his family and friends and The Pas Rotary Club of Canada. In 1985/86 the club donated an additional $8,150, the raising of which was again spearheaded by Jack Johnson.

HOSPITAL FLOOR THAT OUR CLUB HELPED TO BUILD THROUGH FUND RAISING

This resulted in another grant of $34,000 from CIDA and two mobile eye units were purchased which serve a large rural area outside of New Delhi. Again in 1988/89 the club donated $5,000 to Operation Eyesight. This was matched by a grant from Rotary International and a grant of $10,000 from CIDA. These monies were used to purchase a mobile eye unit for use in Malawi which is able to treat approximately 15,000 patients annually. This vehicle is identified as being donated by The Pas Rotary Club.

THE PAS ROTARY CLUB MOBILE EYE UNIT PURCHASED THROUGH FUND RAISING

In 1984 the first Lobster Dinner and Dance was held. This has become an annual event which is looked forward to by both the club members and the citizens of The Pas. In 1984/85 the club decided to spearhead a drive to raise $50,000 which together with expected grant money would pay for a concrete floor in the Arena. The concrete floor was poured in late August 1985. The club presented a cheque to the town for $100,000. $75,000 in grants were also obtained. The total cost of the job was $247,632.14.

Another project of the club was to provide sufficient tables and chairs for the Arena to handle 1000 people. The cost was approximately $28,500. For a number of years after that the club held a Community Dance in the Arena in September utilizing the new floor. In May 1986 the club started to deliver meals for the Meals on Wheels Program in May and November.

On June 2,1987 the club received a letter from the District Governor re the recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to allow females to join the Rotary organization in the United States. In late 1994 Michael O’Rourke introduced Lorna Zolinski as the first female member of Rotary. On January 24,1995 she brought in Pia Dickie who was inducted into the club. On July 1,2003 Katherine Joyal became the first female president of The Pas Rotary Club.

In October 1987 the club spent $10,538 to purchase and install two steam kettles in the kitchen of the Elks Hall for use in the preparation of the lobsters and fish for our annual Lobster dinner and Fish banquet which was started in 1986. The Lobster dinner is still in progress to this day while the Fish banquet was put on annually till 1995 with a brief one year resurrection 2000. As part of the arrangement with the Elks, the club was to have free use of the kitchen facilities for these two events. In 1989 the club built the Rotary Playground Park which is located on Cathedral. The cost of this project was $23,500. On May 27,1989 the club held a dinner and dance in celebration of the 60^th anniversary of the founding of the club. This was held at the Elks Hall.

On August 1^st 1989 the club made a commitment of $20,000 towards the purchase of a new Handi-Van. A cheque for this amount was presented at a later date. Prior to this event donations of $500 had been made to the group which operated the Handi-Van in 1979/80,1981/82 and 1983/84. In 1990 the club initiated "Happy Bucks" at our weekly meeting both as a fundraiser and an information and/or bragging outlet.

Another event that occurred in this period was that the district made attendance of Rotary Exchange students at the Trappers Festival an approved event. In 1991 the club donated $3,000 to the Kelsey Recreation Commission for fireworks to help celebrate Canada Day. The fireworks were not used in 1991 due to inclement weather and were held over until 1992. In the fall of 1991 the ground was leveled for the construction of Sunset Park which was carried out in the spring of 1992 with the official opening on July 1^st. During the singing of O Canada during the official opening which was a clear blue day, three pelicans did a fly past in perfect formation, [shades of the snow birds]. A number of Rotarians were quick to claim credit for organizing this event - but - who knows.

Also in 1992 the club made a donation of $6600 to restore the Trapper sign at the south edge of town to proper working condition. Later in the year Sunset Park was formally turned over to the Town of The Pas. Probably the most important event that occurred during the year was the increase in the value of the fines leveled by the Sgt. At Arms from $0.25 to $1.00. In 1993 a start was made on construction of a walking path from Sunset Park along the river bank. The location turned out to be subject to periodic flooding as we found out in the spring of 1994 when the high water wiped out much of what had been done the previous year.

Work was discontinued on this project until 1999 when a more favorable location was chosen. Also in 1993/94 the club donated $2500 to a hospital in Peru and $5000 to theRotary foundation. In April 1994 the first Bill Bannock Fish Derby was held at Clearwater Lake. It has continued every year except for one year when it had to be cancelled because of warm weather and resultant poor ice conditions. In 1997 the club initiated the present practice of laying out the holes in the form of a rotary wheel. In 1998 a 30 by 40 ft. tent was purchased to be used during the derby. Since that time the club has rented the tent to various organizations and individuals as a fund raiser. Also in 1994 the club decided to sponsor two third world children through an international aid organization . In 1995/96 the club made a donation of $1600 to the local drug awareness program and a donation of $1500 to the youth running program. The following year the club put $7000 towards a baseball diamond and $10,000 to the Youth Centre.

In 1996 it was decided that the club should spearhead a drive to fund the establishment of a large flag pole in the town as a means of bringing together the residents of The Pas and area. Several locations were researched before it was decided that the present location in Devon Park would be a natural point for people on both sides of the river to see as well as travelers passing through the town. The biggest draw was the idea of The Pas, OCN, Clearwater Lake, Rocky Lake and RM of Kelsey residents being proud of their joint community and the tie that the Canadian flag has on all of us. The cost of the project was estimated to be $15,000. The Club canvassed the volunteer organizations in the community and all joined in. The Masons, Lions, Legion, Kinsmen, Elks, Royal Purple, Knights of Columbus, The Town of The Pas and Molsons all joined with the Rotary Club to make the project a success. A brass plaque is attached to the concrete base of the flag thanking all who supported the project. The flagpole was erected in 1997 and commencing Canada Day 1997 and each year thereafter our communities have met at the flag and had speeches, celebrations and the raising of the flag. The Pas Rotary Clubcontinues to ensure that a proper Canadian flag is flying at all times.

Operation Red Nose was started in 1997 and continues each December. In addition to being a valuable community service it has become a welcome fund raiser. On October 2^nd 1999 a dinner and social evening was held at the Wescana Inn to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of The Pas Rotary Club.

June 14^th 2003 we had our first Annual Spring Dance at the Roy Johnson Arena, this date was due to only timethe Band (The Sensational Hot Rods) were available that year. We have now since moved the dance to be held the first Saturday of May each year, the Second Annual Dance was May 1st. and it turned out to be a huge success and an excellent fund raiser. The first year we sold 371 tickets and raised only approx. $1,800.00 due to it being a new event and the timing with other events going on in town and it being the only time the Band was available. The second year after moving the dance to it’s permanent new date, we sold 534 tickets, created a lot of smiles and raised $10,840.00 for the Rotary coffers. It has turned into an event that everyone looks forward to over the long winter and can hardly wait for the 3^rd Annual Spring Dance.

Compiled by Rotarian: Bill Jonas