Hamilton Rotary News
By Jane Erb
The June 19th meeting of the Hamilton Rotary Club began with Happy Dollars galore. David Craine tossed in a dollar because he was pleased that many donations that are coming in to finance the July 4th celebration. Joe Glaze had a sad dollar since today’s meeting would be the last for Rotarian Jane Erb before she and her husband move to North Carolina. Numerous members then gave their dollars to thank Jane for her service to the club, including Bonnie Cossitt, Bob Palmiter, Pete Smith and Carolyn Gowan.
Pete Smith hosted 2 guests for the day’s meeting, Phil Giltner and Jim Dunn of Norwich.
Gwenn Werner introduced the speaker for the meeting, Dr. Richard Cohen. Dr. Cohen has many interests beyond his profession as a physician. He enjoys classical music, bird watching and above all, baseball and baseball research. He has been umpiring softball and baseball games for the past 32 years and was named the HCS Sports Booster of the Year in 2007. Dr. Cohen is serving as the 2008 July 4th Parade Coordinator for the Hamilton Independence Day celebration. Baseball: Our National Pastime is this year’s theme for the event and was selected by Dr. Cohen to commemorate the centennial of Hamilton’s own Hooks Wiltse’s historic extra inning no hitter pitched by him as a New York Giant at the Polo Grounds on July 4, 1908. Dr. Cohen cited 4 reasons for why Hooks Wiltse should be remembered in this manner. First of all, records show Hamilton as the birthplace of Hooks, though some feel he was born just up the road in Pecksport. Second, Hooks Wiltse may possibly be the most famous person ever from Hamilton, New York. Third, he was an excellent baseball player. He was the first pitcher to win an extra inning no-hitter! And, fourth, he played for the New York Giants from 1904-1914, a time when baseball really became our national pastime. And, Hooks was an active player during that time. Of very special note, the game he pitched at the Polo Grounds on July 4, 1908 started at 11:00 AM; the parade here in Hamilton on July 4, 2008 also starts at 11:00 AM. Dr. Cohen encourages everyone to join in the fun and celebrate the 4th of July remembering Hooks Wiltse, baseball and the independence of the USA in Hamilton, New York.