Salisbury Rotary Club celebrates 75th anniversary

SALISBURY — The Rotary Club of Salisbury celebrated its 75th anniversary with a dinner at Noble Horizons Saturday, Oct. 26.

Randy Chapell provided background on Rotary International, which was founded in 1905 in Chicago by Paul Harris, an attorney, mining engineer Gustave Loehr, Silvester Schiele, a coal dealer, and Hiram E. Shorey, a tailor.

Before the speeches Chapell was asked about what “rotary” refers to. He said the original four members rotated their meetings between their respective offices.

The mission of Rotary International: “We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.”

Or as Chapell put it, the Rotary founders’ goal was “to find ways to help people.”

He said since 1917 the Rotary Foundation has raised and donated some $4 billion, with 91% of the money going to the stated cause or purpose. “We have very low overhead.”

Rotary International is known for its efforts to eradicate polio, starting with a vaccination program in the Philippines in 1979.

Chapell said the program was successful, so in 1985 Rotary International took it world-wide, providing 2.5 billion children with the polio vaccine since 1979.

This has reduced polio infections 99.9%, Chapell said. The two countries remaining on Rotary’s list are Afghanistan and Pakistan, where political difficulties hamper such efforts.

Salisbury Rotary Club President Paul Ramunni said the club has done a lot of good work for Salisbury and environs, including scholarships for college and trade school.

Over the 75 years of the club’s existence, it has raised and used over $1 million.

“When you pile it up it’s amazing,” he said, citing donations to local food pantry, disaster relief, and donations to local nonprofits.

He read a list of names of club members from 1999. Several, including himself, were in the room.

“These are all people deeply embedded in the community.”

He ended his remarks with an appeal for new members.

The club meets weekly. “It’s only an hour,” he said cheerfully. “It’s therapeutic!”

Latest News

Wake Robin public hearing closes

Aradev LLC’s plans to redevelop Wake Robin Inn include four 2,000-square-foot cabins, an event space, a sit-down restaurant and fast-casual counter, a spa, library, lounge, gym and seasonal pool. If approved, guest room numbers would increase from 38 to 57.

Provided

LAKEVILLE — The public hearing for the redevelopment of Wake Robin Inn is over. Salisbury Planning and Zoning Commission now has two months to make a decision.

The hearing closed on Tuesday, Sept. 9, after its seventh session.

Keep ReadingShow less
Judith Marie Drury

COPAKE — Judith Marie “Judy” Drury, 76, a four-year resident of Copake, New York, formerly of Millerton, New York, died peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at Vassar Bros. Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, surrounded by her loving family and her Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Judy worked as a therapy aide for Taconic DDSO in Wassaic, New York, prior to her retirement on Feb. 1, 2004. She then went on to work in the Housekeeping Department at Vassar Bros. Medical Center for several years.

Born Jan. 2, 1949, in Richford, Vermont, she was the daughter of the late Leo J. and Marie A. (Bean) Martel. She attended Roeliff Jansen Central School in Columbia County, New York, in her early years. Judy was an avid sports fan and she was particularly fond of the New England Patriots football team and the New York Rangers hockey team. She enjoyed spending time with her family and traveling to Florida, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania for many years. She was a longtime parishioner of Faith Bible Chapel of Shekomeko on Silver Mountain in Millerton as well.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jeremy Dakin

AMESVILLE — Jeremy Dakin, 78, passed away Aug. 31, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center after a long battle with COPD and other ailments.

Jeremy was a dear friend to many, and a fixture of the Amesville community. There will be a service in his memory at Trinity Lime Rock Episcopal Church on Sept. 27 at 11 a.m.

Keep ReadingShow less