Rotary Club of Chatham -- The Beginning

The idea that Chatham should have a Rotary Club was conceived by the late Ernest F. White, who had been a member of Rotary in New Jersey prior to coming to Chatham. He enlisted the support of the Harwich-Dennis Rotary Club. Three men from that club gave great assistance. They were: Frank Appleton, a Past Director of Rotary International; David G. Sheremann, PP and later District Governor; and Phillip J. Baroni, PP. They were immediately dubbed "The Three Muskateers". Three months after five men gathered to discuss the possibilities of a Chatham Club, the first meeting was held with 26 charter members, with District Governor Joseph J. Ryan presiding, and with 380 Rotarians and spouses present. District Governor Norman Gray presented the new President with the diamond President's Pin, which has been worn by every Chatham Rotary Club President ever since.