The Belvidere Noon Club is currently 52 members strong. They meet every Wednesday at the Belvidere YMCA at 12:00 P.M.
The Belvidere Rotary wheel began to turn with a letter from the local Catholic priest. The date was January 16, 1920, Father Joseph P. Joyce, pastor of St. James Catholic Church in Belvidere, had just written Rotary International requsting information about forming a club in Belvidere.
Rotary District Governor, James O. Craig contactd the Rockford Rotary Club and asked the to sponsor the Belvidere Club. Governor Craig appointed Harold Clark of the Rockford Club to contact the Belvidere men interested in Rotary. The Belvidere Charter was dated May 1, 1920.
The original officers of the local club were, Fred A. Onthank, President; Harry H. Collier, Vice President; Mark Il Hall Secretary; and Charles T. Sewell Treasurer. Meetings were first held on Thursdays at the Commercial Club above the old Majestic Theatre.
The first weekly bulletin was published under the name of "The Revolver." n 1924 the name was changed to "The Rotary News". The third and final change came in 1927, when it was named the "Rotary Pulse", which it is known as today.
The 24 Charter members of the Belvidere Club include:
A. Gates White, Edward B. Glass, Fred A. Onthank, Mark I. Hall, H.H. Pierce, Willis Brown, Ralph R. Brown, Frank Covey, J.A. Anderson, E.J. Robertson, J.W. Rowe, Dr. J. E. Thiell, Father J.P. Joyce, Joe E. Tabor, Hugh K. Finderburg, Dr. Frank A. Weld, A.J. Schaeffer, Hary H. Collier, F.A. Rogers, C. T. Sewell, S.H. Veaco, F.C. anger, Eliott O. Andrews, and B. E. Nihan.
The above information and history came from the Golden Anniversary booklet, published in 1970, and provided by President Ruth Todt.
