A Brief History of the Rotary Club of the Brookfields

As written by the club's first President Dr. Gene Roy on Sept. 5, 1974. On a cold winter afternoon in early 1955, a good friend dropped in for a casual visit but with a specific reason. His mission was non-professional. 

J. Allen Wentworth a funeral director in Spencer, a real outgoing type of personality and an extremely likeable person had been a Rotarian in the Natick Club for many years. He really missed Rotary since moving to Spencer and was interested in getting a club started.

We talked about the probability of success of another service club in the area since Lions, Exchange and Kiwanis were already established. We discussed what the geographical area of a new Rotary Club might encompass and also the feasibility of raising enough interest to enlist a minimum charter. We both became enthused and decided to follow through on the idea.

From about early March, the task of recruiting twenty of the leaders in industry, the trades, and professions began. In the meantime, Alden, who had many friends in Rotary, went to the Worcester Club to suggest that they might sponsor the proposed new club. The Directors and Officers of the Worcester Club were enthused and appointed a committee headed by Bob Wakeman, who at the time lived in East Brookfield.

"A Charter under the name Rotary Club Of The Brookfields was granted, and the Charter night was June 28th, 1955.

Our name was unique at the time, may still be, in that we were the first club ever to be allowed to use the form "Rotary Club of the Brookfields" rather than "Brookfields Rotary Club".

 Affecting millions more than just the nation's then great president Franklin Roosevelt, the polio epidemic ravaged the nation during the decade of the 40's and 50's. During the month of October, the world comes together to recognize this serious disease, and to remember those that perished as a result. Formally known as Poliomyelitis, polio is a debilitating illness that envelops its victims and perpetuates a myriad of symptoms-often coming in one of two forms: non-paralytic and paralytic. Additionally, Polio pathogenesis may come from one of three variants: type1, type2, and type3-two of which have been eradicated. Each form, medically compromising in its own way, invites its own set of symptoms. Those with non-paralytic experience common respiratory symptoms that include fever, headache, sore throat, and muscle aches. Alternatively, paralytic polio propagates loss of reflexes, severe muscle aches, loss of muscle function, and trouble breathing. Consequently, post-polio patients may acquire Post-Polio Syndrome, which includes atrophy, fatigue, progressive muscle pain, intolerance to cold temperatures, and respiratory problems. Finally, polio can perpetuate aseptic   meningitis (brain & spinal cord inflammation). 

  New cases of Wild Polio are still being found popping up, so our job is not done. We must continue the fight to End Polio!     

By Rotarian Jake Rosen