"The Rotary Club of Suffield came into being in early 1949 when the Charter Members started meeting on a provisional basis. We received our official charter from Rotary International on July 1, 1949, being sponsored by the Rotary Club of Windsor Locks.

No attempt is made to provide a detailed history of the club, but it does seem appropriate that some of the highlites and interesting episodes should be remembered at this time. Our Charter Night was held September 20, 1949, with our first President, Charles R. Brome receiving the charter from Delmont L. Tufts, Past District Governor, 291st District. Who can forget that first moving address entitled "Rotary Moves Forward" by Judge Harold C. "Sam" Kessinger.

Our early years are noted by two carnivals held on the village green used to raise money for our youth activities and for the youth center which operated successfully for a short time at the old Bridge Street School. Many remember the ardent work of Frank B. Pease and his great work in that capacity.

The early years were also noted by our first Rotary Auction. Many Rotarians remember how Bill Ferris ended up buying a car he didn't want for $100.00. The Auctions have been held yearly since then, raising mondey for the Scholarship Fund and other youth activities.

In 1952, we held out first Rotary Revue, directed by Jack Casson, with music by Bert Green's Orchestra. This was the first appearance of the Hamdrew Sisters featuring Clyde Taylor, Hunts St. John and Lou Spencer. Featured also were the Tobacco Queens including the 1951 Tobacco Valley Queen, Shirley Ann Sullivan escorted by her father, Rotary Presidenct Daniel F. Sullivan. Highlighting that first review were also a dramatic presentation entitled "Big Game" featuring Charlie Brome as the peanut vendor and Mel Prior as the umpire. We recall also an episode of "A Dat at Night School" with Don Bard as the teacher and Dr. Bill Upson singing "I'm a Lonely Little Petunia".

In 1953, we held a Second Annual Rotary Revue with Mamie Hamel's Orchestra featuring the Cradle to the Grave Quartet with Dr. Paul Coates, Dr. Bill Upson, Dr. Mel Prior, and Sherwin Nicholson bringing up the rear. Also featured that year were the Divorce Case featuring Paul Coates as the defendant with Clyde Taylor as the plaintiff, "Mrs Sweet Thing".

In 1954 the Third Annual Rotary Revue featured the shooting of Dan McGrew with Tom Cannon as the sheriff and Bernie Ahrens as Pistol Pete. Throughout the years other revues were held and various "Dramatic Presentations" put on all for the purpose of raising money for worthwhile projects.

For many years, the Rotary Club of Suffield along with the Windsor Locks Club sponsored a Day at Riverside Park (now Six Flags Amusement Park) for the youngsters at the County Home in Warehouse Point, Connecticut.

From the inception of Little League in the Town of Suffield, we have sponsored a Little League Baseball Team and have for many years sponsored a troop of Boy Scouts in Suffield.

Every year Rotary Club of Suffield has had the pleasure of honoring new teachers in the Suffield Public School System at a Christmas Party.

For years we also sponsored an Annual Horse Show which originally was startd by Low Spencer and continued up until 1966.

In more recent years (1974) we have sponsored talent shows at the local high school, sponsored career days, also at the high school, and have put on such projects as spaghetti dinners, pancake suppers, and armchair races all to finance the projects which Rotary Club as a service organization promotes.

Not to be forgotten is the Rotary Scholarship Fund which now (1974) makes grants to worthy students living in Suffield and has helped innumerable young people in their college education."

In notes from Charter Member Lev Ahrens written on September 9, 2004...

Charter Night was September 20, 1949 at the Suffield High School. The Club originated with thirty Nine Charter Members, 23 of which came from the Windsor Locks Rotary Club. The first President was Charles Brome who had been President of the Windsor Locks Club in 1948-1949.

In 1956 the Club consisted of 56 members.

Projects consisted of...