100 years strong: Rotary Club of St. Marys reflects on a century of community impact

By Alex Hunt

The Rotary Club of St. Marys recently celebrated 100 years of service to the community with its 100th anniversary dinner.

On Oct. 15, past and current Rotarians, and community members gathered at the St. Marys Golf and Country Club to celebrate the impact of the club since it’s inauguration in 1925 with a 100th anniversary Centennial Dinner. Celebrating 100 years of service, the St. Marys Rotary Club reflected on a century of community impact, global initiatives and lasting connections. Members, past and present, gathered to honour their legacy, inspire future leaders and reaffirm their commitment to service above self for the next hundred years.

The evening began with a dinner for all those in attendance and a commemorative photo. Greetings were delivered by current Rotary St. Marys president Ed Parkinson, Mayor Al Strathdee, Rotary district governor Jeffery Ferweda and Rotary Club of Stratford president Dan Kane.

After the greetings, St. Marys Museum curator assistant Emily Taylor shared some of the Rotary artifacts on display as part of the exhibit, 100 Years of Rotary in St. Marys. Other guest speakers included past district governor Katherine Hahn, past Rotary International president Jennifer Jones and local Rotarians Doug Fread and Diane O’Shea.

“I had a wonderful opportunity to spend time with members of the Rotary Club of St. Marys, touring the community and seeing the impact of 100 years of service,” said Jennier Jones, who served as the first female president of Rotary International.

“Even in a small town, the Rotary’s presence is everywhere and everywhere I looked, the Rotary wheel was visible. Over the past century, members have made it a priority to take on projects both large and small, leaving a lasting mark on the community.”

Locally, the Rotary Club of St. Marys has contributed to the town by supporting Cadzow Park and local Rotary parks, youth sports programs, Camp Woodeden, life lease housing for seniors, and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Community events and literacy initiatives have further strengthened local connections.

Globally, the club has supported education and hygiene projects in Colombia, Kenya and Uganda, while environmental work in Sparling Bush and COVID-19 relief efforts showcase a commitment to service that spans both local and international communities.

One of the Rotary Club of St. Marys’ most significant contributions is the creation of Parkview West, an apartment-style life lease community for older adults. Developed entirely by Rotary, the project provides secure, independent living while providing a strong sense of community. Decades later, ongoing Rotary involvement ensures residents continue to benefit.

“One of the key lessons observed early on was the power of a small Rotary club. Unlike larger clubs, where members can sometimes stay in the background, a smaller club of 25-40 members requires everyone to participate,” said Jones. “In a close-knit community like St. Marys, members know each other well, support one another through tough days and lift each other up. This dynamic reflects the origins of Rotary 100 years ago, when four men started meeting weekly to foster fellowship and support each other’s businesses. That spirit remains alive and strong in St. Marys today.”

Jones says sharing the value of Rotary membership with the community can be transformative. Being part of a Rotary Club offers far more than one might expect. It allows members to do meaningful work, connect with local leaders and engage in a culture of mentorship. Every member is considered a leader at different stages of their journey, creating opportunities to guide younger members, who in turn pass those lessons on to the next generation.

“I’m amazed that so many Rotary clubs around the world are now celebrating their 100-year anniversaries,” said Jones. “Thinking back to when we started in 1905, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come. I’m just so happy to be here in St. Marys, less than two hours from my home in Windsor, to say thank you to every member, past, present and future, for all that they do and for being part of this amazing community.”

Jones became the first woman to lead Rotary International; her presidency focused on empowering women, promoting diversity and expanding opportunities for those who might have felt excluded.

“Serving as Rotary’s first international female president was such an honour and a privilege for me. It truly opened doors not just for women, but for others who may have felt marginalized or unseen within the organization,” said Jones. “Wherever I went, people, men too, would come up and say, “My gosh, I just told my granddaughter about you,” or my own daughter would say, “You showed me I can do this.” Knowing that my role has created opportunities for others makes me very glad.”