In 1943, Mr. Eddie Carriere was a bookkeeper for Falgout Packing Company in Golden Meadow. His work required him to travel to Thibodaux weekly. While in Thibodaux, Mr. Eddie Carriere would chat about Rotary with some of his friends and clients who were Rotarians. During these chats, the subject of forming a Rotary Club in Golden Meadow was discussed. A plan was formed by this friendly group to form such a club.

In May 1943, Mr. Carriere began recruiting business and professional leaders as possible Rotarians for a Golden Meadow Rotary Club. In June of the same year the following group of men met to formulate plans for a club: Mr. Eddie Carriere (Chairman), Dr. Louis P. LeBlanc, Sr., Leonard Miller, Sr., Dr. J. Andre Gravois, Bud Falgout, L.P. Poche, Menton Chouest, Sr., John L. Guidry, Capt. E. Milton Egle, M. J. Picciola, and Tilman Falgout. Two Rotarians from the Thibodaux Rotary Club, Mr. Fred Bloch and Mr. Andrew Hoffman, were asked to attend and to explain the purpose and the objectives of Rotary. This group of men decided that a Rotary Club in Golden Meadow would benefit the town with community and vocational services. However, to form a rotary club at least 25 members would have to be proposed. Since the original group consisted of 11 members a total of 14 prospective members would have to be added.

By August 1943, the original group had recruited 15 prospective business and professional leaders of the community and the final plans were drawn for Golden Meadow to have a rotary Club. At this meeting, Dr. J. Andre Gravois was elected as the 1st President and Mr. Eddie Carriere as the 1st Secretary. The group decided to meet at 8:00 P.M. on Thursdays at the Kit Kat Cafe.

On September 24, 1943, District Governor Drew N. Bridges of Alexandria of District 139 presented the Golden Meadow Rotary Club with its charter.

During the past 50 years, Rotary meeting have been held at the following locations: the Kit Kat Cafe, the Golden Meadow High School Cafeteria, The Golden Meadow Upper Elementary School, the Golden meadow Middle School, Jack Jambon's Restaurant, the Golden Meadow Junior High School Home Economics Room, Franko's Chicken & Gossip Restaurant, and Bon Temp Lanes.

Some of the accomplishments of our Rotary Club are assisting in the following community projects: a Library in Golden Meadow, the Golden Meadow Bridge, blinking lights at the funeral home, street lights throughout Golden Meadow, annual Christmas toy party with Santa Claus, and the donation of three lighted tennis courts to the Golden Meadow Oakridge Park.

The club also formed a scholarship program which awarded one scholarship per year to a graduate of the Golden Meadow High School. The recipient received a scholarship of $100 per semester at Nicholls State University for four years if he or she maintained a 2.0 average as a full-time student. From time to time, the scholarship amount was increased until its present amount of $250 per semester. Following the forming of South Lafourche High School, the club began sponsoring one needy graduate from that school per year. Since the fall of 1962, 41 students have been given scholarships (22 have graduated.)

The club has the distinction of having two of its members serve as District Governor - John A. Brady, Sr. in 1060-1961 and Orleans A. Pitre in 1985-1986.

Our membership has always varied from a high of 40 in the early Fifties and Sixties to our present total of 22. We have had women Rotarians in the past and hope to have some by the end of the year.

Some of our latest activities include:

Fishing Trip Raffle

One of our most recent programs involves the Rotary Foundation. A program was originated in the Rotary Year 1982-1983 to make every Rotarian in the club at that time a Paul Harris Fellow. This could be done by payment of $25 per quarter or $100 per year for ten years. This was a challenge, but we have reached our objective. In 1992-1993, all the Rotarians on the roll in 1982-1983 were made Paul Harris Fellow Fellows. Many Rotarians continued the tradition and made their family members Paul Harris FEllows also. We had no Paul Harris Fellows in 1982-1983, and we currently have 62 Paul Harris Fellows.

Our club has participated in two additional programs sponsored by the Rotary Foundation - the Group Study Exchange Program and the Scholarship Program. Our club has participated each year by sponsoring someone for the program or by having the team visit our area. Our club had four young men visit foreign countries with the GSE Team, and one student was offered a scholarship to study piano in Germany.

The Club Bulletin has been written since 1943 when the Rotary Club was chartered. In recent years, it has won first place at the District Conference.

The club's future rests in the hands of the young Rotarians we bring in as new members. The club is well thought of in the eyes of the leaders at the District and International levels. We feel that the next 50 years will continue to serve the community as we live by the Four-Way Test and as we exemplify the Rotary ideals through its motto and themes.

Last Updated: Monday, 10/01/01 07:06 PM


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©2001 by Judy Duet for Golden Meadow Rotary Club