The Eustis Rotary Club was chartered on February 23, 1923 and is
the third oldest Rotary Club in District 6980 as we know it today. Orlando was
first and Sanford second.
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Its formation came into being because two Past International
Presidents, Russell F. Greiner (1913-1914) and Frank Mulholland (1914-1915), who
spent the winters at their homes on the SE side of Blue Lake in Eustis, did not
like the long journey to Orlando for a makeup. In those days a trip from Eustis
to Orlando was an all day trip.
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The club first met at the Fountain Inn (now Florida Hospital,
Waterman) during the winter and across the street at the Grandview Hotel the
remainder of the year. When they tore down the Grandview Hotel to build the
First State Bank Building the club met year round at the Fountain Inn.
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After several years of meeting at the Fountain Inn the club moved
to the American Legion Building. Tired of horrible food catered by a restaurant
from Orlando the club moved to the Elk’s Lodge. Harvey Cubbage, a club member
and owner of the Lake Shore Acres Motel, built a meeting room and the club moved
there until the city built the community center in 1965 where the club still
meets today.
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Soon after the club was chartered in 1923 Frank Waterman, owner of
the Fountain Inn and Waterman Fountain Pen Co., took the whole club in his
private railroad car to the 1923 International Convention in St. Louis where the
club was honored for being 100%. The club was also 100 % in 1924 at the
convention in Toronto.
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At the 1918 convention the Houston Rotary Club presented Rotary
International with a “Loving Cup” to be presented to the club who had the
greatest per capita convention attendance. Eustis won the “Loving Cup” in 1923
and 1924. In 1925 the Eustis Club presented Rotary International with another
cup, “The Eustis Cup” which subsequently traveled around the world and came
close to home in 1935 when it was won by the Apopka Club. The “Eustis Cup” was
retired at the 1940 convention in Havana. Its location is not known. Today the
original “Loving Cup” is displayed at each club meeting.
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In 1930 the club hosted the District Conference when the district
was the whole state of Florida. For many years the clubs bulletin was one of the
top rated in the district. In those days the club had a custom of at least 90%
attendance; anything less was considered an embarrassment.
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Over the years the club has been very active and remains a major
influence in the City of Eustis. In 1935 the club sponsored the Eustis Boy’s
Band under the direction of Jimmy O’Neil. The band went to the national contest
that year and placed very high. The club built a nursery on Bay Street across
from Igou’s. In 1973, for a 50th Anniversary Project the club gave the City of
Eustis the handball court at Sunset Island. In 1976 the club sent several
undergraduate Paul Harris Scholars to colleges around the world and a group
study exchange team member from Eustis went to Australia.
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Today several active members have close relatives who where active
members in the early days of the club. The club is still very active and
continues to play a key role in making a difference in the City of Eustis and
surrounding areas through its numerous activities and programs contributing in
excess of $17,000 annually.
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Recalled by: Clayton Bishop
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| Written by: Mike Alexieff |
