Other Clubs...

 

At the upcoming Centennial Celebration for the Rotary Club of Fulton, two grandchildren of a founding charter member will serve as honorary chairs for the event.

 

Ovid Bell became a charter member of the Fulton Rotary Club almost 100 years ago. Today, two of his grandchildren carry on his legacy by participating in the club.

 

John Ovid Bell joined the Rotary Club in 1975, and remains active 48 years later, a release from the club states.

 

Bell served as president of the club in 1980-1981.

 

His sister, Mary Bell, moved back to Fulton and joined the Rotary Club in June, 2022.

 

John serves as a member of the foundation committee, and Mary serves as a member of the finance committee. Both were recognized as Paul Harris Fellows for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation, a release states.

Ovid Bell played an important role in the founding of the Fulton Rotary Club, according to a release. He owned and managed "The Evening Gazette," which was the town's largest newspaper at the time. He sold the newspaper in 1927, and began the printing business Ovid Bell Press.

 

His son, Ovid H. Bell, joined the family business and Fulton Rotary Club in 1939.

 

The newsletter for the club was originally called "The Cog," but was taken over by Bell in 1927 and renamed to "The Blunderbus." This remains the name of the newsletter today.

 

In World War II, the club voted to reclassify all Rotarians who entered or might enter the armed forces as honorary members for the duration of the war. Bell was the first member who was honored, as he joined the army in 1941, a release states.

 

Susan Grant Krumm, another Fulton Rotarian, is also a descendant of a founding charter member. She is the great niece of T. Harrison Grant.

Krumm served as club president in 2007-2008, a release states. She currently serves on both the community service committee and the international service committee. She is also a Paul Harris Fellow.

 

In addition to Bell and Grant, the other founding charter members of the club include:

Harry "Mike" Atkinson, W. Ed "Pedie" Jameson, Robert O. "Oscar" Baker, Greene D. McCall, M. Fred "General" Bell, J. Burlie McCubbin, H. Clay "Mud" McGregor, Sam K. "Blick" Black, Luther U. "Uncle Luther" Nickell, Curtis E. "Curt" Blattner, John R. "Johnny" Pratt, Nick T. Cave, E. E. Reed, Richard H. "Dick" Crossfield, George T. "Percy" Reily, Waldo F. "Cap" Smith, Elmer C. "Slick" Henderson, J. Roy "Roy" Tucker, Boulware H. "Bo" Jameson and Matt Wymore.

 

The Centennial Celebration banquet celebrating Fulton Rotary's 100th anniversary will be March 15 at the Brick District Playhouse (613 Court St.).

 

The event is themed after "The Great Gatsby."

 

Costumes from that time period are encouraged.

 

To learn more about the banquet, visit givebutter.com/8f08BU. Tickets are available for purchase until March 1.