July 1, 1942 - June 30 1943

President: Arthur Pohlman
Vice Pres: Kenneth Sexton
Secretary: Dr. Herbert Morse
Apple Seed: Dr. Morse

Attendance: 93.68%
New Members: 20
Members Lost: 15
Members end of the year: 107

During the first month of this club year, Rotary International gave the nod to "credit full attendance" to all Rotarians in actual military service. In May, 1942, Cy Perkins had entered the service. In January, 1943, three more of our members entered the service: Cole Wylie into the Air Corps., Harmon Shay joined the Glider Pilots, and Paul Piper became an engineer. They all remained as Honorary members of the Club.

World War II and its activities "colored" the entire club year, "tinted" the weekly programs and "highlighted" the clubs many projects. The club members started the year bravely by suggesting their Duration motto be "Keep Your Big Mouth Shut, Especially if You Know What You're Talking About." President Art ended his term with a vote of sympathy to Al Howarth in the loss of his son, killed in action in New Guinea, June, 1943, fighting under General Douglas MacArthur.

War efforts continued; it was amazing the projects planned and actually accomplished! Individual members were interested in the U. S. O., with President Art, the club's active representative. Members were urged to invite Soldier Guests into their homes for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and a fund was raised to pay for visiting servicemen's lunches. At noon, December 17, individual Rotarians were personal hosts to 100 GIs and afterwards sent letters to the families of these boys. Under the direction of Elmer Reed, the club sponsored bond sales.

Honors and/or work came to the following: Charles Bennett and Dick Mitchell were on the Chelan County Draft Board; Harry Whiteman was scrap rubber and fuel coordinator; Howard Wetherald was active in war transportation; Ted Briggs worked with scrap iron collection; Jack O'Connor was Appeals Agent; Clem Irwin did an excellent job of Gas Rationing; Chick Harley and Ben Hayes received Governmental thanks for their many hours of gunnery instruction at Ephrata Air Base; Lyle Leighton headed the Boy Scouts' many types of war activities; Gilbert Brown worked on the Chelan Co. Defense Council; Ken Blair headed the Forest Fire Control; Art Lavell was Coordinator for all local Defense work while President Art Pohlman served as a commissioned officer in the State Guards. All but two of the men mentioned were Rotarians.

These days, often grim, had their lighter moments too, including meetings and events including the ladies. The Chelan Rotarians invited Wenatchee members and wives to a picnic at Herb Mundt's lake-view home. The Rotary Anns were entertained at a colorful Valentine dinner, and later at an April luncheon. There was a special event for the women in June when the Regional Assembly was here.

There was always much local business on the agenda. In February Wilder Jones received a Past Service membership. Walt Horan was entertained as our new Congressman. The Club debated having a Junior College representative at the luncheons. And, it was reported at the year's end that the faithful Cabinet had attended all Board meetings almost 100%, and that the membership backed the Club officers by generous attendance at assemblies.

In January, 1943, a club get-together was instituted and called "Fireside Meetings." About a dozen names were drawn for each one of these evening conferences. The "free-for-all" discussions proved most thought provoking. A "fireside" dinner was held April 8 at the home of President Art Pohlman for the Board and their wives. An interesting discussion followed.

Business on the District level recommended a study for the revision of the by-laws with a vote to be taken at the Victoria Conference, May 27. Also, the possible division of District #101 would come up, as would an assessment of 50¢ per Rotarian to provide the District Governor with a paid secretary.

On December 31, National Headquarters announced that a military officer, Lt. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, had accepted honorary membership in the Abilene, Kansas, Rotary Club. In May, 1943, St Louis presented a like membership to Brigadier General James H. Doolittle.

The weekly programs, with Ted Briggs Chairman, showed an interesting variety even on war topics. Dr. Clark Keer (OPA) told of the "Fight Against Inflation." Chaplain Harold Whitlock warned of "Difficult Peace After War." In October, Elinor Wilson McAdoo presented the government's plea to buy more Stamps and Bonds. Dr. Giovanni Costigan discussed "Post War Reorganization." I. J. Fisher, a professor for 20 years in the University of Tokyo, gave many facts concerning those "Oriental Islands." One of the most appreciated of the year's programs was Ralph Woods' review of Rotarian Romulo's book: I Saw the Fall of the Philippines.

Besides listening to luncheon table talks, the Rotarians were busy elsewhere. Further Hobby Shows would be deferred until post-war times, with the materials stowed in President Art's basement. Their mimeograph machine was to be loaned for Boy Scout use and club purchased a "Braillewriter" for the blind. The club supplied several directors for the Museum and Dr. Morse was an active member of the Library Board. Among other extracurricular activities was a library project where each member contributed a book on his vocation or donated $2.50 toward such a copy. President Art was a Camp Fire officer and served with Rotarian Duncan McQuaig on the Y group. Volunteers put a roof on Scout A Vista lodge, and sponsored a Scout unit with Rotarian Russ Parkhill as chairman. We also contributed $42 for trophies for a marble tournament.

The Club in 1942-3 had many friendly and reciprocal trades agreements with other service organizations. May 20th was Chamber of Commerce Day, and luncheon dates were swapped with Kiwanians, Lions, etc. The sponsoring of Holy Week Services was a community affair at which President Pohlman presided. Many Rotarians were active participants in helping get in the fruit crop and in aiding in packing and warehouse problems. An informative meeting was held at the Beacon Hill Grange led by Chelan Co. Grange Master, Richard Hedges, who was President Art's special guest. An interesting sidelight was that the National Grange held it's convention here in November 1942. National Master, A. S. Goss, said Wenatchee was the smallest city ever to entertain the thousands of visitors, made possible through efforts of local Rotarians in rounding up all available home-housing.

The philanthropies of the club were varied and generous. The Winstanley memorial fund was added to for dental care for local children. The group bought two $1000 U.S. series "C" Bonds; the first was donated to the National Foundation. At Rotarian John Allen's urgent request, matching funds were collected to send needy children to the Salvation Army summer camp, and several worthy young people were selected as recipients of the Student Loan Fund. The Club members dug deep at Christmas time and came up with $233.70 to purchase clothing for destitute children.

In his closing words, President Arthur H. Pohlman stated he was especially privileged to have served ruing that vital year when the members of Wenatchee Rotary not only gave Service Above Self, but actually gave Service Plus Themselves!