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Dennis Casey, Membership chair started the program. He joined the club in the 1979-1980 timeframe. He brought in some Rotary memorabilia that he had including a 4 way test plaque and Service Above Self plague that used to be given to new members. His first memory of Rotary was the fact that Orv Johnston an Olean Rotarian was District Governor when he jointed and therefore the club was responsible for helping Orv organize and plan the District Conference. He brought two ole “Roleans” from that timeframe and he was the author. One article discussed the 75th anniversary project for the club which was the Gazebo in Lincoln Park. The program that week was David Forney, Dir of Parks and Rec for City of Olean and a discussion on how the Gazebo would be placed etc.
Next up Doug Price- He noted he joined his father-in-law in the insurance business and joined Rotary because it was a great way to meet people. Corky Grazenkowski sponsored him for membership. Corky is Jim Hornburg’s son and Jim was a long-time Rotarian in Olean. Six months after joining Doug became President of the club. He also fondly remembers the Gazebo project, built by BOCES students and much of the materials were donated by local businesses. We used the same plans for the project as the Gazebo in Fredonia.
Doug noted that in high school he was an Exchange Student to Austria through the American Field Service and while at college he did a Travel Log presentation at the local Rotary Club on Austria and that was his first intro to Rotary. He’s now been a Rotarian for about 40 years and in recent years he has chaired the Dictionary Project, giving out about 400 dictionaries to 3rd graders in area schools.
Why did he join Rotary? Because someone asked him, sometimes it’s just that simple. He noted he has made many good friends over the years in Rotary.
Next up Eric Garvin-joined in 1996, youngest member ever in Olean Club at age 26. Three years after he joined he was President of the Club. He also joined because he was new in town and wanted to meet people. He is originally from a small town north of Pittsburg. He called Brend Driscoll and asked how to become a member and Brent told him to come to a meeting. Cathy Young was the first female President of the club when he joined. Eric’s grandfather was a Rotarian and his grandmother was at Rotary-Ann. Eric’s father was a Kiwanian. Both clubs of course have a strong commitment to service. When Eric first joined the Travel Log fund raisers at Olean High School were still being done, but attendance was starting to dwindle. At Christmastime we got names of needy children from the Salvation Army and invited them to a Christmas party where we gave them wrapped gifts. At Thanksgiving, we cooked dinner at the Warming House for the needy. Eric said he joined Rotary for community service but also for the fellowship at meetings and at our events, we work hard but we also have fun.