Other charter members included John Cauch (Cauch’s Drugs on Main Street); major farmer Albert Thille and Sam Primmer (Santa Paula’s first fire chief and later police chief), among others.
Rueckert said that Santa Paula in the 1920s saw illuminated lamp posts installed on Main Street, Santa Paula High had its first football team and Isbell and Briggs schools both opened.
“Haircuts were 65 cents and shaves 35 cents. Steckel Park,” on land donated by the city’s mayor, “was dedicated. The St. Francis Dam collapsed. It is recorded that Christmas baskets were delivered in 1923, so this club project goes back to our founding year. In 1927 Milton Teague, the future longtime president of Limoneira, joined Rotary,” and later was club president who was a member until he passed in 1986.
“Lunch at Rotary in 1923 cost 75 cents and it was raised to $1 four years later,” an increase that was reversed during the Great Depression.
Rueckert said fines were a dime, and “If you got hit for 50 cents, that was considered extreme. Actual cash was deposited into a wooden shoe carried by the Sergeant-at-Arms,” a relic that Rueckert proudly showed off.
He detailed the nation and Rotary through the decades and several notable members whose strong influence is still felt such as Gale Mason, Ed Beach, Carl Barringer, Roy Wilson Jr., Irv Wilde and Ed Tate.
“The strands of continuity and history are strong in Santa Paula,” and Rueckert said, “Being the small town that we are, our membership roster through the years has been a virtual who’s who in Santa Paula’s business and professional life.
Among our presidents we’ve had many classifications - bankers, merchants, farmers, oilmen, ministers (two Unitarians, one Methodist and one Episcopalian), educators, dentists, water engineers, attorneys, government, Limoneira management, law enforcement, realtors, car dealers, civil engineers, morticians, architects, ad infinitum. We’ve even had a District Governor,” former City manager Arnie Dowdy, club president back in 1996, who led the district a decade ago.
There have been strong family ties among Santa Paula Rotarians and a stronger tie with the family of community that the club has benefited for decades through a variety of programs, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to be given away to better Santa Paula and the world.
“We had a mission - Service Above Self - to Santa Paula and beyond,” and Rueckert said, “Our service to youth has always been high on the list, as was our commitment to the worldwide eradication of polio. We served not only in town but we sent Rotarians to Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, the Philippines, South Korea as well as India.
“I salute the many who have at one time graced our rolls and are still fondly remembered when old times are recalled. And I salute the members today who carry on our long tradition.”
Rueckert said the ambiance, the camaraderie, “The sense of purpose and dedication -all have contributed to my relationship with Santa Paula Rotary. Relationships are what life is all about, and I consider the one I have with Santa Paula Rotary one of the most meaningful in my life today.”
President Araiza noted, “To say Rotary changes lives would be appropriate for what this club does....”
Earlier in the evening Rueckert noted, “What’s unique about this club, Santa Paula Rotary, is its traditions, longevity and fun. Speaking of tradition, you know going to Rotary is like going to church. You sit at the same table or maybe in the same seat every week.
“Tradition is also singing the “Smile Song” at every meeting,” and many took Rueckert’s advice to “Stick around after our entertainment this evening ... we’re going to wrap up singing the ‘Smile Song’” sung probably as one would have done in the 1920s to a brassy beat much like the Razzberry Jam band’s.
