President Stacie Cook rang the bell to start our meeting at 12:06 pm. David Hartman provided another wonderful prayer. The pledge and song “Home on the Range” was led by David Spencer. The Club then had the traditional greeting while “Rotary” was played.
Cara Sauceda introduced 4 visitors who are the new officers of the Interact Club from the Dexter School. The officers brought a donation for the current food drive. Colton Heinrich introduced his guest, Austin Green with Merrill Lynch. Austin is a potential new member. Stacie Cook introduced her son Justin.
There were no birthdays this week. On the Sunshine Report, Josh Phillips noted that his Uncle had been admitted to the hospital. Also, David Gately’s funeral is Saturday, December 2, 10:00 am at the First Christian Church.
Regarding announcements, President Cook mentioned the food drive next week, Thursday, December 7. Rotarians are asked to bring dry/canned foods to the meeting. Larry Tegtmeyer requested a Service Excellence committee meeting after the regular meeting.
For the Brag Bucket, David Hartman ran the 5K at the age of 72 for the YMCA Gobble Wobble. Will Goodner mentioned that his daughter had been honored as player of the year for Rider Volleyball. Cara Sauceda noted that the Interact Club is having a toy drive with all toys to be given to First Step in Wichita Falls.
Josh Phillips introduced the program, the history of the Wichita Falls Zoo, presented by Dr. Whitney Snow of Midwestern State University. The original Wichita Falls Zoo began on November 21, 1927. Discussions started and donations were made by the public and various organizations (i.e. the Lions Club). The zoo was temporarily located at Scotland Park. Many people started donating animals which were first housed in a hanger at Call Field. Then Scotland Park became the permanent home. Many items were donated in-kind such a lighting and other construction materials. After opening, the City Council made every Friday “African American Friday” to help generate more income and interest. This was later discontinued for lack of interest. Along the way, an elephant named “Miss Sugar” was donated. In-kind donations continued to pour in for the physical zoo along with a variety animals. Harry Williams became the first “Chief Animal Trainer.”
Cars were parked off site and people had to walk on trials to enter the zoo. A separate petting zoo was started for children. One of the most popular events occurred when a 7’ alligator escaped into the Wichita Falls River. The alligator was later captured.
Winter quarters were donated by Voelcker & Dixon Architects as donations continued to pour in from both large and small givers. The zoo continued to grow daily and Jack Dempsey from the Dallas Zoo became the new manager. By the second season, 1929, there was an estimated 5,000 visitors on a typical Sunday. In June of that of that year, a boy was bitten by a coyote which caused some alarm. On October 19, 1929, the stock market crashed which drastically hurt the zoo’s fundraising efforts. By 1930, steel poles, wire fences, and restrooms were installed. From 1931-1932 there were several births of new animals in the zoo. However, in 1932, the City Council deemed the zoo unprofitable and the city started selling and donating the animals. Also, a city truck hit a lady and she sued the City for $25,000. This put an end to the zoo. Animals were returned to owners or sold, and as time passed, the zoo faded into memory. In November 1939 there was an article in the WF Times about the zoo. In July 1940, “Miss Sugar” trampled an employee in the Fort Worth Zoo and was shot 4 times to put her down. In 1948 there was another article about the zoo and discussions started up again about bringing the zoo back. In 1957 there was a article about “Miss Sugar” but there were very few mentions of the zoo after this. There was another WF Times article about two black bears that escaped and were captured. In 1963 there was an article published about why Wichita Falls didn’t have a zoo. A State historical marker is now located in Scotland Park in remembrance of the zoo. For her presentation, Dr. Snow was presented a donation to the WFISD Foundation in her honor.
Benay Ayers presented the Rotary Minute. She found an interesting article in the Rotary Magazine and shared it with the Club. In 1995 a Rotarian in North Carolina started a program of donating coins for Alzheimer’s Research. He later retired in May 2022. During this time, his charity raised over 11.2 million dollars and provided 64 grants for research.
President Cook closed the meeting at 12:55 pm with the Four Way Test.