John Hoffman has been the photographer at Willow Brook Farms for the past three years. We had the opportunity on Thursday to experience his work in digital pictures and video, showcasing Willow Brook Farms in Catasauqua. John provided an in depth history of the evolution of Willow Brook Farms.
James Wheeler “Colonel” Fuller was an American industrialist in the early 20th century whose Fuller Company manufactured conveyor belts used in the cement production industry. His company also created the Fuller-Kinyon pump, which is still used by cement production facilities today. He acquired a number of small farms consisting of about 1,800 acres. His thought was to form an area that would avoid encroachment of developments and industry. This was back in the 1920’s!
Willow Brook became a working farm and in those days, haying and such was done with horses. James son, Tom, grew up doing chores on horseback at Willow Brook. Following college and service in WW2, Tom and his family returned to the family estate. Like his father before him, Tom bred horses professionally, and integrated his equine passions into a career as a journalist and photographer. In the early 50’s his 5 year old daughter, Holly, caught horse fever and horses returned to Willow Brook. Quarter Horses became the focus of Willow Brook and the beginning of the Willow Brook National Quarter Horse Legacy.
Today Willow Brook Farms is home to a working farm, golf course, events center and a nationally famous quarter horse facility. Colonel Fuller would be proud.
Golf Tournament Update
Our 2016 annual Golf Tournament was a joint partnership between the Bridges Foundation, the Downtown Rotary Club and Morning Star. Proceeds netted $15,200 of which $10,000 were donated to the Bridges Foundation.
The Bridges provides scholarships and post-graduation assistance to students from the Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School (BAVTS) to continue their career aspirations. The remaining $5,200 was split between the two Rotary clubs at $2,600 each, and will be employed to support various community grants. Congratulations and thank you to all the committee members for their hard work ensuring a great success!
Reminder: Board Meeting this Wednesday evening at Moravian Village. All members are welcome.
This Week’s Meeting
District Governor Linda Young will be visiting our club this Thursday, August 11.
Please plan to come and hear DG Linda share her vision and plans for the 2016-17 Rotary Year.
Note: Officers and Directors are asked to stay after the club meeting to meet with DG Linda for about one hour.
The Motivational Quote of the week is:
We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors…but they all exist very nicely in the same box.
-- Source Unknown
President Fontana will be back from what we hope was a wonderful vacation!
Cheers,
Ron Searfoss, Past President
