The Rotary Balita no. 760 (December 23, 1954).

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION WILL BE A LONG REMEMBERED EVENT Rotary's Golden Anniversary Convention to be held in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., 29 May-2 June, 1955, promises to be one of the greatest events of its kind in Rotary history. Preparations for this historical event go back over several years. But during the past several months these preparations have been gradually accelerated so that now for the first time it is possible to tell something of the highlights of the great program being planned. Nearly all the sessions are to be held in the famous Chicago Stadium, west of the downtown business area better known as the Loop. The stadium has seating accommodations for thousands. Among the special features of the program being planned is a spectacular Golden Anniversary Pageant on Monday night, 30 May. Taking part in the Pageant will be hundreds of professional actors, stage hands and musicians. The Pageant will present the dramatic and inspirational story of the growth and development of Rotary during its first fifty years. Entertainment is also to be provided by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, one of the world's finest, the Purdue (Indiana) University Glee Club, and a famous guest soloist whose name will be announced at a later date. On Tuesday, 31 May, there will be held a series of unique meetings in various downtown Chicago hotels. Each meeting will be devoted to the story of Rotary in various parts of the world. These meetings will be presided over by leading Rotarians from these areas, and they will include musical entertainment unique to the areas. However, Rotarians will not be able to attend the meetings devoted to their own particular areas. They will be invited to attend meetings covering the stories from other regions. Climaxing the five exciting days will be Rotary's Golden Anniversary Ball on Thursday night. The Hall will be held in several leading Chicago hotels to accommodate the great numbers of guests who are expected to attend. In addition to the plenary and other sessions and regional dinners special entertainment is to be provided to the ladies and young people. Rotarians planning to take part in this great and memorable convention are urged to send in their hotel accommodations without delay. Forms have been sent to club secretaries and a special announcement is carried in the December issue of "The Rotarian". Hotel reservations are made on a first-come-first-served basis. Registration fees are payable on arrival in Chicago. "GOLDEN BOOK" REVEALS MANY NEW INTERESTING STORIES ABOUT ROTARY Many interesting and new facts about Rotary came to light when material was being researched and compiled for the "Golden Book" - "Rotary - Fifty Years of Service." Most Rotarians know the story of how Rotary got its name from the practice of rotating meetings and the chairmanship of each meeting. But how many know that it was the original intent of Paul Harris and his friends to rotate the membership on an annual basis? There is also the story of the famous "Isafjardar Letter" of 1952 and how Rotarians in Iceland, England and Scotland helped solve a knotty international problem arising out of a dispute over commercial fishing rights. The "Golden Book" tells the story, too, of how three Rotary clubs in upstate New York were linked together in the first three-city simultaneous television broadcast ever demonstrated more than half a decade before the first commercial television stations were established. Paul Harris was one of those who took part in this historical demonstration. Those interested in aviation will be interested to learn, too, that among the names of early Rotarians was that of Orville Wright, one of the fathers of powered flight. Orville was among those who attended the famous Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. Convention. He, together with Rotarian John H. Patterson, president, National Cash Register Company, headed up the Dayton Club delegation which was accompanied by a brass band. After the convention was over more than 1,500 Rotarians accepted John Patterson's invitation to visit his company's plant at Dayton all at his personal expense! These are only some of the many hundreds of interesting stories and sidelights to be found in "Rotary - Fifty Years of Service." Every Rotarian will want a copy as a souvenir of Rotary's Golden Anniversary and to help him become even better informed about Rotary than he has ever been before. It is, however, important to get those orders in now for this fascinating and great volume. No additional copies can be guaranteed after the first order is placed with the printers. And the price - $3. for single copies or $2.75 per copy where ten or more are ordered for bulk shipment to one address -is in reach of all. So place your orders TODAY! ROTARY STAMPS From the Commonwealth of Australia has come the announcement that a special 3-1/24 stamp commemorating Rotary's Golden Anniversary will be issued in 1955. The design will include representation of the Rotary wheel related to a globe on which parts of the Australian and American countries will be shown. PROMOTING GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY IN ST. LOUIS The Rotary message depicted in this photograph will be seen by thousands of people in the area of St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A., during the entire Golden Anniversary observance, from 23 February to 2 June, 1955. Two Rotarians - Delmar R. Searl of St. Louis and John H. Ferring, Jr. of the St. Louis suburb of University City - are each donating an illuminated bulletin sign, 50 feet in length, as their contribution to the promotion of Rotary's Golden Anniversary. Painted in the Rotary colors of blue and gold, these signs will be located at strategic intersections in the St. Louis area. These Rotarians have submitted this sketch of their bulletin sign with the hope that other Rotarians in the outdoor sign business will be encouraged to make similar contributions in publicizing Rotary's Golden Anniversary. CLUB HISTORIES As a project of the Rotary Golden Anniversary. The Balita has been publishing the club histories that were remitted to us. In previous issues, we have published the following club histories of District 48: Dumaguete…..April 29 Bacolod…..May 27 Cabanatuan…..June 10 Cazayan de Misamis…..June 24 Cavite…..July 8 Cebu…..July 22 Cotabato…..July 22 Dagupan…..August 5 Daet…..August 5 Davao…..August 26 Laoag…..September 9 Legaspi…..September 9 Lucena…..September 23 Malolos…..October 7 San Fernando…..October 21 San Pablo…..November 4 Tacloban…..November 18 Vigan…..December 0 We will continue the publication of other club histories when they are remitted by the different clubs.