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Blakely's 98-Year History of Making a Difference

In its 98th year, the Rotary Club of Blakely has a rich history of serving Early County. This year's President Scott Watford recognized some of that work as he took office this July. He praised outgoing leader David Atkins for starting the local military veterans outreach program which helps Early County veterans learn more about VA benefits.  The Rotary Club sponsors the program in conjunction with the Blakely-Early County Chamber of Commerce. Veterans are urged to meet with outreach leaders on the first Monday of each month at the Chamber of Commerce building on Courthouse Square to discover more about the various benefits due them.

President Scott also called for the club to carry on in its work in Early County - especially those supporting literacy. And the club remembered a couple of key projects in its history:

  • In 1938, the club participated in the establishment of Kolomoki State Park, a few miles north of the Blakely city limits.  The edition of the Early County News that reported the park’s creation was termed a “red letter day” in the history of Blakely and Early County. 
  • The club helped start the Public Library in Blakely. First located in the rear of Howell Drug Store, the sparkling library of today came about in the 1970s after the Rotary Club helped start the “Friends of the Library” organization. Rotarians raised the money and donated it for the Lucy Hilton Maddox Memorial Library facility. In more recent times, the club also donated the funds necessary for a local historical group to purchase the building on North Main Street that houses the Early County Museum.


Posted by Charles Gordon
September 3, 2024

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