Public Invited to Aug. 1 Dedication at Cary Chamber of Commerce

Cary, N.C., July 21, 2014 — On Friday, Aug. 1, Rotary Club leaders, Rotarians and local business leaders will gather outside the Cary Chamber of Commerce to dedicate a new sculpture commemorating the 50th anniversary of Rotary in Cary. The dedication begins at 9 a.m. and is open to the public. The Cary Chamber is located at 307 North Academy Street.

The artwork is a five-sided granite structure representing the five Rotary Clubs in Cary. Atop the sculpture will rest the Rotary Wheel, the symbol of the organization with 1.2 million members worldwide. Additional plans include a commemorative brick walkway and benches to be placed on the Chamber property. Some proceeds from the commemorative brick sales will fund charitable projects in the local community.

From the original Cary Rotary Club established in 1964, Rotary has expanded to four additional Clubs in Cary: Cary Central, Cary-Kildaire, Cary-MacGregor and Cary-Page.

The original idea of the sculpture came about during a weekly breakfast meeting in spring of 2013 between Cary Rotary Charter Members Dick Ladd and Jerry Miller. They discussed including all five Rotary Clubs in the celebration and proceeded to sketch a preliminary design on a napkin for a five-sided sculpture. Ralph Ashworth, another Cary Rotary Charter Member, soon became involved and all three have been an integral part of the implementation of the project. In July 2013 a Steering Committee was formed, including the presidents from the five Cary Clubs. Chamber of Commerce President Howard Johnson offered space for the tribute on Chamber grounds, and Dennis Pitts and others secured approval of the plans from Town Hall.

In addition to the dedication of the sculpture, the five Clubs are holding a 50th anniversary celebration on Aug. 15 at 6:45 p.m. at the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Avenue. Rotarians and guests will enjoy food, drink and entertainment from the Cary School of Music and A Touch of Brass. Tickets are $25 and are available through the local Clubs.

“In addition to our global efforts to eradicate polio, the Rotary Clubs of Cary support many local programs including the Boys and Girls Home at Lake Waccamaw, Cary Family YMCA outreach programs, Life Experiences, Meals on Wheels, Read and Feed, Habitat for Humanity, Backpack Buddies, the Salvation Army and many more,” said Steering Committee Chair Dick Ladd. “We’ve had a positive impact on Cary for 50 years, and will continue to share fellowship and service for the next 50 years and beyond.”

For more information on Cary’s five Rotary Clubs, visit www.caryrotary.org. For information about the Cary Chamber, visit www.carychamber.com.