Press Release July 1, 2024
To commemorate the Club’s 100th anniversary, the Rotary Club of St. Albans has invited five esteemed past presidents to share their reflections on Rotary’s profound impact on the community and to highlight their favorite projects. The past presidents, who have played instrumental roles in the governance, leadership, and growth of the club, offer unique insights into Rotary’s enduring legacy of service.
Lawrence Bruce
Within a week of moving to St. Albans, in 1971, I attended my first Rotary meeting, joined a month later and served as Club president in 1979-1980. Since 1924, Rotary has served our community well. When you think of Hard’ack, the ski bus, the recreation path at the Complex, Bay Days, the restoration of Taylor Park and the Fountain, the Home Show/Expo, the Lucky Duck, the renovation of the Library, the trails at the St. Albans Town Forest, the Little League Fields, support for the Food Shelf and other community organizations, and the myriad other things that make ours a special community, think Rotary and/or Rotarians. We have been responsible for, taken a leadership role in, and/or provided significant financial support for these and other activities, projects and events.
The guiding principles of Rotary, “Service above self,” and “He profits most who serves the best,” have encouraged and inspired Rotarians to get involved and actively participate in the life of our community. In the fifty plus years that I have been a member of Rotary, there have been significant changes. Women are now members and serve in leadership roles and membership is drawn from a broader segment of the community. What hasn’t changed is the commitment to these principles and the focus on community involvement as a part of our personal, business and professional lives.
Looking back on the decades that I have been a member of the St. Albans Rotary Club, it is with a sense of satisfaction and pride that I have been a part of Rotary, an organization that has contributed so much to the quality of life in our community.
Tom Hungerford
Growing up in St Albans our community was very fortunate to have, what I thought, everything a child, teenager, and adult needed to have fun, stay safe, get a job, and raise a family. I grew attending neighborhood schools riding our bikes home for lunch, playing at Hard’ack skating and skiing, and playing sports at Coote Field and eventually Collins Perley. We had of our medical procedures done at Kerbs Hospital and went to Bellows Free Academy high school. Most adults either worked at or knew someone that worked at the Railroad, Union Carbide, Fonda, or the many small businesses that were in town that kept our town going. Stores were named after the family that ran them and most lived on a street that was named after a tree, a destination, a service, or an influential personal that helped build St Albans.To a kid or young adult this did not mean anything until I joined Rotary in 1984 at the age of twenty-seven. Harold Hebert was our Rotary President and Rod Vallee was Vice President at the time and two people who I held in high regard. Both men were leaders in their respective fields but what I picked up quickly on was the amount of time each spent on Rotary and their dedication to our community. I also could see how Streets like Brainerd and Smith were named after families that “gave back” to our community. Steve Collins and Bessie Perley were intent on making their community a better place by leaving money under the watchful eye of Rotarian John Kissane to build the Collins Perley Sports and Fitness Center.
The Rotary Ski program was in full swing well into its 20th or so season under the watchful eye of several key Rotarians Harold Hebert, Don Tessier, Gould Susslin, and Ken Greenfield, being just a few of them. I went on to learn how thousands of kids were able to participate in this wonderful program by Rotary’s doing.
I also could see how Rotary was a key link in restoring St Albans after the Railroad, Fonda, and Union Carbide scaled back substantially and jobs were scarce. Rotarians Ken Kaye, Steve Bourgeois, Orman Croft, Floyd Handy, and others formed Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation to create jobs by building and filling Industrial Parks. I witnessed Rotarians stepping up to help get St Albans area going economically.
The year of my Presidency, 1991, was a pivotal year for our Club when we started the Rotary Home and Recreation Show at Collins Perley. Under the watchful eye and Leadership of David Kimel and Warren Hamm, Collins Perley Sports Center was transformed into a Home and Recreation venue that raised substantial money for our Rotary projects.
In conclusion it is the people in Rotary that are the cogs of progress and Rotary is the perfect organization that allows this to work its way into our community, state, and country and I am proud to be one small part of it.
Carrie Johnson
I was the Rotary President 2003-2004. Expo Co Chair for 4 years. Co-chaired with Jill a year, chaired a year alone, cochaired with Megan Manahan, then chaired the last year by me. Rotary has had a tremendous impact on the region's park and recreation infrastructure. It is heartwarming to see people enjoying the playground at the Bay Park, walking path at the complex and the fountain in the Taylor Park on a daily basis. As a Rotary Ski Bus Chaperone, I enjoyed meeting many schools aged children and watching their love of winter sports develop on a weekly basis for almost 20 years.
My favorite Rotary event continues to be the annual spring home and recreation expo. The show comes helps us welcome spring with renewed enthusiasm and the revenues derived from this fundraiser allow us to give back to our community.
Thomas Gallagher
I had the pleasure of serving as President of the St. Albans Rotary Club from 2013-2014.For starters, how many organizations can say that they have been in existence for one hundred years? You do not achieve that type of longevity without having an impact on those you serve. The St. Albans Rotary Club has been able to stay relevant through adapting to the unique needs of the community, and through the dedication and leadership of its membership. The impact of the Club can be seen nearly everywhere, from larger projects like the walking path at Collins Perley and the Taylor Park Fountain, to the ongoing support of those in need of food, shelter, and clothing. The Club has seen new members join the organization over the past couple of years, and the future looks promising.
My favorite project was the complete restoration of the Taylor Park Fountain that took place from 2014 to 2015. It was by far the highlight of my time both as Rotary President and as an active Rotarian. There were so many Rotarians and community members that pulled together and put in countless hours to make this restoration happen. This effort was in addition to all the good work Rotary does throughout their normal year (donations, sponsorships, Rotary EXPO, etc.). The Fountain project, and the St. Albans Rotary Club’s leadership to take the initiative to complete it, highlights the club’s unique position and relationship within the community, its ability to mobilize funds and people, and its care for the future of the community it serves.
Karyn Rocheleau
I began my three-year Rotary presidency in 2020 during COVID and ended on June 30, 2023.I feel privileged to be a Rotarian and truly value the fellowship and opportunity to make a difference in my home community.
Since 1924, The Rotary Club of St. Albans has consistently raised funds to support local charities. In 2024, the 30th Rotary Home Show and Expo helped to fund playgrounds, the senior center, Hard’ack, the food shelf and various local charities.
The St. Albans Club membership embodies the motto "Service Above Self" and we actively contribute to our communities. The dedication to making a lasting impact, as described on the Rotary International website, reflects a commitment to tangible results that can benefit generations.
Our approach to select local charities to fund ensures that contributions made by the St. Albans Rotary Club are effectively put to work to help meet community needs. This support not only goes to address immediate needs, but also contributes to community long-term well-being.
Overall, the Rotary's emphasis on results-driven action and community engagement serves as a powerful example of how collective efforts can indeed change lives for the better, leaving a lasting legacy of service and impact.
The Lucky Duck presence at the summer-long Farmer's Market in Taylor Park is a fantastic opportunity for Rotarians to engage with the public and showcase the impactful work of Rotary. Events like this one that not only foster community interaction, but also raise awareness about Rotary's mission and initiatives. This year we will celebrate the 5th Annual Lucky Duck on September 7th in Taylor Park with, as usual, Tim Smith, our mayor and fellow Rotarian, pulling the winning ducks out of fountain.
Moreover, Lucky Duck project serves as a significant fundraiser for our Rotary Club. This financial support is crucial for sustaining and expanding the organization's efforts in community service, from supporting local charities to funding essential projects like playgrounds.
By combining community engagement with fundraising, the event not only strengthens Rotary's presence in Community/Taylor Park, but also reinforces our reputation as an organization dedicated to making a difference: "Service Above Self." Projects like these are pivotal in fostering community spirit and inspiring others to join in Rotary's mission of service and goodwill.
Leon Berthiaume, President indicated that as the Club looks back a century of service, these reflections serve as a testament to Rotary’s ongoing commitment to making a difference in the lives of other. Rotary has left its mark on St. Albans and surrounding communities and continues to be a driving force to positive change.
To learn more about the Rotary Club of St. Albans, visit their website at stalbansrotaryclub.com or connect on Facebook, Rotary Club of St. Albans, Vermont.
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